Friday, November 13

just another friday night at home

The holiday season is also the season where Jason works weekends, so I find myself with extra time to meditate. This is probably good. Random assortment of thoughts:

  • It was 8:30pm, and then, two minutes later, I looked at the clock again, and it was 9:30pm. What? Laundry still at my feet, not folded, workout clothes still on my bed, not worn. Sigh. The internet sucks my life away.
  • Tomorrow my flag football team has its first (and, if won, second) tournament playoff game(s)! Oh how excited I am! This past few weeks of playing has revealed to me not only my inherent competitiveness (thank you, Grandma R), but also the importance of finding something to do outside that is fun when the days become shorter. Also I have increased sympathy for the football players I used to yell at through the screen for dropping the ball. Sometimes you just screw up. You learn from it and life goes on.
  • Why is it that I can only seem to grow out my fingernails during football season?
  • My coworkers and I are doing the 100 pushup challenge. It is kindof hard. I am a wimp.
  • Sometimes, I don't like my job. Sometimes I really do like it. I guess this is normal.
  • A girl at a ward we went to last week told us how she reads the Book of Mormon daily and with it keeps a journal thing which she calls her "Book of Change." She reads and studies and then after/during, she writes at least one thing that day that she will change. After reading, she asks herself the question, "Because of what I have learned today, what can I change to better follow the Christ?" or something to that effect. I loved this idea. I shall begin.
  • I kidnapped Jason last weekend and we went up to Midway and Park City. It was so fun. We ate food, we cycled around, we shopped a bit, we talked a bunch, we kicked up leaves, we looked at tons of stars, we soaked in the hot tub, we slept in. Ahhh. It was perfect. I think this may be a yearly tradition just to give the poor Jasonius a break from his crazy schedule. He works hard at both work and school and both are requiring lots of his time lately... poor dude. Doesn't stop him from putting away the dishes and folding the laundry though (two of my most hated chores, hence the pile still at my feet), even when I gave him strict instructions to not do housework because he's not got the time. Too bad for me he's disobedient. :)
  • We move on Thanksgiving weekend to the condo! Hopefully. Appraisal expected Mondee or Tuesdee. Hopefully. Sigh, why is patience so hard? ha.
  • Someday, I want to be good at growing plants. I think I can learn.
  • I also want to be good at acquiring free appliances, like washers. The condo's washing machine conveniently broke 2 weeks before move in date. Ah well.
  • If you could meet one person from history, who would it be? I might choose Abigail Adams. I think she was a champion.
  • Which is better, buying a couch on craigslist or getting it on the cheaps at the RC willey outlet?
  • On our way home from the romantical kidnapping weekend, Jason and I had a big fight. Haha, what a way to end the romantic weekend eh? Driving down the canyon and we're not speaking to each other. Fabulous. It was about unmet expectations (which were uncommunicated, because they weren't realized...bound to happen. of course they were mine.) which led to frustration. Folks, don't discuss important questions over instant messaging and email. This is no good. Lesson learned, life goes on.
  • Apparently I have an issue with feeling like I'm not in control of things. Hahaha, yeah. I do.
  • As I get older, I find that I think more often before I speak. However, this is not always the case. My immediate reaction to something my coworker said the other day was, "That's dumb." Wow, I am awesome at positive reinforcement!
  • I'm real glad for the Atonement.
  • ...And the time of year to remember it! Yay for Christmas! And pandora.com because I can listen to Bing and Ella and Perry Como all day and not pay a dime. I still love technology.
  • Sometimes people I care a lot about are going through really hard times, and I don't know about it. Today was one of those days where I found out about really hard times going on in the life of a friend. Life is hard sometimes. I think it's meant to be that way, but oh how much we need each other. I need you people.
  • Sometimes I have some hard times, and I don't really tell anybody about it. I'm glad for folks that point me to lasting sources of strength. Thanks, dudes.

End random assortment of thoughts. The Jason returneth. He has a surprise. I hope it's a puppy.

postscript: It's not a puppy. It's a cd with MP3s of General Conference. Just as good.

Sunday, November 1

sisters weekend

A photo tribute. This was in September and so fun. Thanks for coming, Kristen! Thanks for journeying up from Provo, Melissa! I loved it. We watched dancing, we ate some foods, we chatted away, we enjoyed flicks, we bonded. Can't wait for the 2011 repeat.


We walked to Temple Square.

We listened to the MoTabs. Kristen is cute!

In reverse birth order.

We celebrated Melissa's birfday! Her tongue is dangerously close to those raspberries...
Jason's violent tendencies rear their ugly heads. Again.

We are kindof adorable.

Melissa and Ammon get all esnuggly.
(sorry A, couldn't find the accent marks on the macbook. poo.)

And just for funsies, this is my new shower hat. I think it's attractive.

More photos to come now that I've located them finally on J's computer!

xoxo
Laura

p.s. I loved President Uchtdorf's words this eventide. Jason and I have a new tradition of commenting on what was amazing about our day. Amazing today was having my own personal prayers and loneliness answered and filled by the Spirit as an Apostle of the Lord spoke. What was amazing for you this weekend?

Sunday, October 18

don't you want to be my friend this Christmas?

Jason can usually get me a ticket or two or three to the Christmas concert put on by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. This year's guests are going to be amazing.

Who's coming to visit?

Friday, October 16

rights and responsibility

I discovered this quote today on a friend's blog. I thought it timely while also timeless.

"But this nation was not found solely on the principle of citizen's rights. Equally important, though too often not discussed is citizen's responsibility. For our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities. Each can be neglected only at the peril of the other."

Pres John F. Kennedy
Nashville, TN
May 18, 1963

Monday, September 28

Suicide Prevention Walk + I'm Famous!

My friend Ashley Crist lost her brother to suicide a couple of years ago. She has grieved and then channeled her energies into the prevention efforts and to helping others let go of the guilt and pain associated with losing a loved one to suicide.

I was there for the 5k on Saturday at Wheeler Farm. It was a touching and emotional experience--healing for many, I hope.

Click here to see a clip from the news. You can see me walking around, ready for the run to begin.

Thanks Ash for a beautiful and soul-enlarging experience.

Sunday, September 13

Ode to Jason

Well, the Jason and I have been married for like thousands of hours now. Literally 14 whole months on Saturday. It has been the most soul-enlarging, self-searching, charity-inducing, fear-facing, joy-producing 14 months of my life. I seriously lucked out. How on earth I was blessed enough to find such an honorable, good, kind, smart, funny, un-boring, witty, diligent, forgiving, patient, thoughtful, inspiration-seeking, humble, highly attractive man, I shall never know, but I know Dios had a lot to do with it, and so did the scores of friends and family that talked me out of bailing on him out of fear. Thanks for that, peeps. I really am so thankful for that. He is the best thing that's happened to me yet, and I'm full of gratitude for the promises we've made to each other and to the Lord that will bind us eternally if we are faithful. Rad. Here's how we celebrated our anniv:



Lovely remembrance of promises


Fun hike up City Creek

Super tasty dinner at super fancy La Caille

He's pretty much a stud.
And, like, mysterious and stuff.

Thanks J for (still) choosing me, and for taking me on the best adventure yet! I think you're pretty cool, all of the times.

Friday, September 11

september 11

Just a link for you in memorandum of the folks who passed 8 years ago, and because I'm feeling a bit patriotic. The lyrics at the end of this song are the most poignant.

This is Jason's friend Michael Sackett, and I believe the song was written by Rob Gardner.

Tuesday, September 8

baleadas: a tribute

Have you ever partaken of this amazing tastiness? If not, I am here to preach the good news of the baleada to you. This is the most delicious tasty thing. The typical street bite of Honduras, it is also one of Jason's and my favorite things to base our meal around. Just get some flour tortillas, some frijoles fritos (refried beans), and some crema, and you're set. I just read online that some folks add a hard salty cheese, grated, or egg, or avocado... I'll have to try that.

I've tried many options for the mantequilla (cream) to go on top, and the closest thing I can find can be found at an Albertsons or grocery store that caters to the Latino crowd. Looks like this:

... and tastes like heaven. I'm eating some right now. YUM.

Tuesday, September 1

feeling gloomy and tired?


Have you noticed how in the winter, it's harder to wake up, it's harder to get moving, and sometimes even during the summer you feel that way? Turns out it could be a vitamin D deficiency. I have it from 2 doctors that most folks do not get enough vitamin D... and some do not absorb it well in the body. I started taking a vitamin D supplement (about 2000 IU per day) to make up for the lack of sunshine I am getting (cave dwelling IT consultant life takes its toll), and I feel a lot more energetic, I must say... and I must share my newfound excitement for vitamin D. Remember to get your vitamin D via natural means as well (fish, meat, cheese, midday sunshine, etc). This is sweet. Interesting article here.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 26

pushups!

I did day 3 of week 1 last night! Woohoo!

I have also started this workout ... It is, as Jason would say, kicking the trash.

In other news, my parents and brother come this week to visit! Can't wait!

And now, back to creating websites so you Utahns can file and pay your taxes online. Sweet.