Today has definitely been a Monday Tuesday. The day is lasting FOR-EV-ER, and no matter what I do the time just continues to drag and drag. This is not only due to it being the first day back to work after a long weekend, but during that long weekend we travelled to Denver and back. We had a BLAST! Jeff and I drove his new 4-door Jeep Wrangler across Wyoming on our way there and back the southern route via I-70 & Hwy 6. I must admit that the southern route is MUCH prettier, but it did seem to last a very long time. We went out to visit Jeff's sister and her family and see a few things in Colorado, get away from the house and give Jeff a chance to really drive his new vehicle. Jeff's sister is the oldest in their family, and Jeff is the third of four total, but since he didn't find me until after he was 30, the rest of his family seems so much more progressed with their individual families, and we feel like the youngest of the group. For example, we have a nephew who is 21 and going to college in Arizona. This is a little crazy for me to think about because my little sister is just 21 - how can I have a sister and a nephew that are the same age??? Plus, my sister has been married for two and a half years and has a son that is 18 months old, so in reality, my nephew is old enough to be a father... that would make me a great aunt! Yikes!
Anyhow, we arrived at about midnight on Friday and stayed until about 10:30 on Monday morning. We had such a good time visiting with his sister and her family. We went and saw the dinosaur tracks and the red-rocks ampitheater. We went on a scenic drive through the mountains and Jeff and I had a scrumptious Mexican dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. We shopped at the mall (but we got there too late to see Tiffany's... probably a good thing as I'm such a HUGE jewelry fan I most likely would have purchased something). We went to breakfast on Sunday at IHOP where our niece just started her first job as a hostess. We all had different varieties of french toast (Yummmmie!) and spent a little while WalMart hopping looking for GI Joes for Jeff (he is collecting the new 25th anniversary figures - he was WAY into them as a kid, and is having tons of fun seeing them all again). We had barbecued burgers for dinner that night again it was fantastic! We watched Patriot Games and all of a sudden the weekend was over and it was time for us to drive home.
Tomorrow my dad is having surgery to remove the cancer, and I am going to be at the hospital to be a support to my mom during the wait. So that means that I will have missed two days of work this week. The down-side of being a contractor is that I have no paid vacation/holiday time, so I'm working 12-hour days today and Thursday and Friday and will be working on stuff tomorrow at the hospital to make up the remaining 4 hours. So here it is 2:00pm and I have already been here for 8 hours. I'll be here for another 4, yikes! I don't know how long it has been since I worked a 12 hour day, probably over a year since I quit working so many hours when I met and married Jeff.
Yay! My boss took me and the two other new employees in our department on a field trip to see one of the larger substations in the Salt Lake Valley and then one of the smaller local ones. He explained what all of the equipment does and the different designs. When you see those arms coming off the poles, they don't look that big from the ground, but in reality they are like 16 feet long! Crazy!
Anyhow, that helped pass some of the time today, so now it is 3:40 and I only have two hours and twenty minutes left today!
Oh, and my dad is going in to surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00am. His surgery is supposed to last about 4 hours. I think I might come back into work after we get the news that he has come through and everything looks good (mostly I'm going to be there to support my mom), and then maybe I won't have to work so long on Thursday and Friday.
Anyway, please keep my daddy in your prayers tomorrow. I'm sure he's going to be fine, but extra prayers can never hurt.
Loves!
Rachael
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thank Goodness!
Some days I feel so grateful for so many things and tend to notice the little things especially. Like tea. My new job provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate or hot apple cider to all employees. I know it is a pretty standard perk, but at times like this morning, when I was getting drowsy, I am so glad that I could run and get a quick cup of green tea which has perked me right up. Luckily I am one of those people who doesn't mind the bitterness and in fact even enjoys it, so I don't need any sweetener, etc.
Another thing I am grateful for is my new job. I know I've said it a ton of times, but I could not have created a better position if I were to make it up myself. I am working on our BIG monthly report today, and I haven't run into any problems so far (knock on wood), it makes me feel good to know that I have learned enough to accomplish this task on my own. :)
I am also thankful for sweaters. I know, crazy, as it is in the 70's outside right now, but I think they keep the office at 60. So I look like a looney driving to work in the mornings all bundled up, but at least I'm able to work once I get here.
Oh, and I'm in love with the Spring weather, it is so nice! Jeff and I walked down to Becca and Jeremy's house on Tuesday and played outside with Harbor for about a half hour. He is so much fun.
I'm so glad that I don't have bad hives today - on Tuesday my eyes were all puffed up by hives, I had tiny slits for eyes - embarassing. Oh, and I'm so happy that I am going to get my hair dyed tonight - it has needed it for a couple of weeks now, but I try to push it as long as possible. Those gals at the beauty school have done an excellent job. Jeff thinks I should get some highlights - what do you think?
Loves!
Rachael
Another thing I am grateful for is my new job. I know I've said it a ton of times, but I could not have created a better position if I were to make it up myself. I am working on our BIG monthly report today, and I haven't run into any problems so far (knock on wood), it makes me feel good to know that I have learned enough to accomplish this task on my own. :)
I am also thankful for sweaters. I know, crazy, as it is in the 70's outside right now, but I think they keep the office at 60. So I look like a looney driving to work in the mornings all bundled up, but at least I'm able to work once I get here.
Oh, and I'm in love with the Spring weather, it is so nice! Jeff and I walked down to Becca and Jeremy's house on Tuesday and played outside with Harbor for about a half hour. He is so much fun.
I'm so glad that I don't have bad hives today - on Tuesday my eyes were all puffed up by hives, I had tiny slits for eyes - embarassing. Oh, and I'm so happy that I am going to get my hair dyed tonight - it has needed it for a couple of weeks now, but I try to push it as long as possible. Those gals at the beauty school have done an excellent job. Jeff thinks I should get some highlights - what do you think?
Loves!
Rachael
Monday, May 12, 2008
What a weekend!
Wow, there are so very many things to say today. This weekend was filled with so much fun!
On Saturday we went to Gardiner Village with Jeff's mom and grandma. It was such a beautiful day! (Someday I'm going to start carrying around a camera so I can take pictures of this stuff). But in the meantime, if you'd like to see some, go to my mother-in-law's blog at www.mainstreetmemories.blogspot.com We wandered in and out of stores, found a Jim Shore angel for my mom for mothers day, and just enjoyed ourselves and the weather. Then we went back to the parent's house for some Tres Leches cake that Jeff made. MMMMMMMMM!!!!! Let me just say that it was DIVINE - yes, nectar of the Gods. It is a dense cake that turns out yellow in color (probably due to the 10 eggs it calls for), oh, I forgot to mention that it has so many calories I don't even want to know. Anyway, after the cake has baked, you pour on a liquid combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, regular milk, and heavy whipping cream (yah, did I mention we won't think about the calories?). Then to finish it off, you top it with fresh sliced strawberries. You don't need to sugar the strawberries, the cake is sweet enough to make the combination WONDERFUL!
Then we all piled in the newly re-designed front room and watched some TV, most of us fell asleep. :) Then we had Cheese Steak sandwiches for dinner - again, it was YUM-O! We always eat good food when we go to their house.
On Sunday we went out to my parent's house. We sat around and talked for a while - Jenny gave us the latest goings on with her family and her brother's funeral. My dad's mom came over for dinner as well as my dad's brother, Uncle Jeff and his wife, Julie and their daughter, Jalissa. We had shish-kabobs (I hope that's how you spell it), which were very very good. The highlight of my day had to be playing with little Harbor - my nephew who is 17 months old. I swear every time I see him I get the desire to be a mom myself. He is so adorable. Yesterday we went outside and he spotted every airplane that flew by, and when there weren't any in the sky, he would hold his hands up in the "I don't know where it is" gesture - SO CUTE! Then he would make the animal noises when I would ask him "What's a bear say?" And he would do this tiny little growl with almost no noise behind it, then at monkey he would say "ooo, ooo, ooo" and his mouth would form this perfect little circle. He jumped on the trampoline while holding my hand, and we barked back at the neighbor's dog when he got up on the swingset and began barking at us. My heart just melts when I say goodbye and he gives me a hug and puts his face up for a kiss, and shakes his little hand back and forth. I also love when I put my hand out, he just automatically reaches up and grabs it. If you couldn't tell - I love that little boy!
Also yesterday I found out that my mom's dad is going to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood next Sunday. That is the higher priesthood within the Mormon church. It is so crazy for me to think of it - my whole life he has been a smoker and drinker and he would cuss all the time and didn't treat my grandma very well. I haven't seen them in about four years - another long story for another day. But I guess he has completely changed around. Apparently he wants to take my grandma to the Temple. My mom told me about it yesterday and mentioned that Dave and Jenny would be gone for the funeral and that Becca and Jeremy would still be on their cruise, so Jeff and I would be the only ones left in town and we were invited to come to church for the event. I quickly mentioned that Jeff and I would be out of town this weekend too - she asked where and I said "I don't know yet, I just know we won't be able to go to church." So if we show up on your doorstep this weekend - I hope you'll be okay with us crashing for a couple of days. :)
Oh! Another highlight of yesterday was my dad wearing this t-shirt that his brother Tim had made for him that says "Be nice to me. Cause I have Cancer, Ya know." HILARIOUS! My dad has been saying that since he got his diagnosis, and previous to that, for about 15 years he has said "I just had surgery, ya know." Even though it had been YEARS since then. He is so funny!
Okay, okay, I'll quit jabbering away. I know you've all got to be bored to tears by now. But just remember that family is the most important thing in life, enjoy them while you have them.
Loves!
Rachael
On Saturday we went to Gardiner Village with Jeff's mom and grandma. It was such a beautiful day! (Someday I'm going to start carrying around a camera so I can take pictures of this stuff). But in the meantime, if you'd like to see some, go to my mother-in-law's blog at www.mainstreetmemories.blogspot.com We wandered in and out of stores, found a Jim Shore angel for my mom for mothers day, and just enjoyed ourselves and the weather. Then we went back to the parent's house for some Tres Leches cake that Jeff made. MMMMMMMMM!!!!! Let me just say that it was DIVINE - yes, nectar of the Gods. It is a dense cake that turns out yellow in color (probably due to the 10 eggs it calls for), oh, I forgot to mention that it has so many calories I don't even want to know. Anyway, after the cake has baked, you pour on a liquid combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, regular milk, and heavy whipping cream (yah, did I mention we won't think about the calories?). Then to finish it off, you top it with fresh sliced strawberries. You don't need to sugar the strawberries, the cake is sweet enough to make the combination WONDERFUL!
Then we all piled in the newly re-designed front room and watched some TV, most of us fell asleep. :) Then we had Cheese Steak sandwiches for dinner - again, it was YUM-O! We always eat good food when we go to their house.
On Sunday we went out to my parent's house. We sat around and talked for a while - Jenny gave us the latest goings on with her family and her brother's funeral. My dad's mom came over for dinner as well as my dad's brother, Uncle Jeff and his wife, Julie and their daughter, Jalissa. We had shish-kabobs (I hope that's how you spell it), which were very very good. The highlight of my day had to be playing with little Harbor - my nephew who is 17 months old. I swear every time I see him I get the desire to be a mom myself. He is so adorable. Yesterday we went outside and he spotted every airplane that flew by, and when there weren't any in the sky, he would hold his hands up in the "I don't know where it is" gesture - SO CUTE! Then he would make the animal noises when I would ask him "What's a bear say?" And he would do this tiny little growl with almost no noise behind it, then at monkey he would say "ooo, ooo, ooo" and his mouth would form this perfect little circle. He jumped on the trampoline while holding my hand, and we barked back at the neighbor's dog when he got up on the swingset and began barking at us. My heart just melts when I say goodbye and he gives me a hug and puts his face up for a kiss, and shakes his little hand back and forth. I also love when I put my hand out, he just automatically reaches up and grabs it. If you couldn't tell - I love that little boy!
Also yesterday I found out that my mom's dad is going to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood next Sunday. That is the higher priesthood within the Mormon church. It is so crazy for me to think of it - my whole life he has been a smoker and drinker and he would cuss all the time and didn't treat my grandma very well. I haven't seen them in about four years - another long story for another day. But I guess he has completely changed around. Apparently he wants to take my grandma to the Temple. My mom told me about it yesterday and mentioned that Dave and Jenny would be gone for the funeral and that Becca and Jeremy would still be on their cruise, so Jeff and I would be the only ones left in town and we were invited to come to church for the event. I quickly mentioned that Jeff and I would be out of town this weekend too - she asked where and I said "I don't know yet, I just know we won't be able to go to church." So if we show up on your doorstep this weekend - I hope you'll be okay with us crashing for a couple of days. :)
Oh! Another highlight of yesterday was my dad wearing this t-shirt that his brother Tim had made for him that says "Be nice to me. Cause I have Cancer, Ya know." HILARIOUS! My dad has been saying that since he got his diagnosis, and previous to that, for about 15 years he has said "I just had surgery, ya know." Even though it had been YEARS since then. He is so funny!
Okay, okay, I'll quit jabbering away. I know you've all got to be bored to tears by now. But just remember that family is the most important thing in life, enjoy them while you have them.
Loves!
Rachael
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sad, sad news...
My younger brother, Dave, got married last year just six weeks before Jeff and I did. He met Jenny online at ldslinkup.com She was living in Florida at the time when they met, but decided to move out here to Utah shortly after the New Year under the pretense of going to school here (somehow I think she may actually have wanted to meet and date my brother). Jenny is such a fun girl! She brings out the best in Dave, and they are perfect for each other. Anyhow, last July her mom and brothers came out to Utah from Florida and California for the wedding. Of course our interactions were only for that one day, but it was great to see and meet some of her family.
Yesterday Jenny's older brother committed suicide by cop. Apparently his wife had recently filed for divorce, and he had moved from California back to Florida to get his life back together. Well, yesterday he went to the county court house to respond to the divorce papers his wife had filed, but had bigger plans. When he arrived at the court house, the officers at the check point asked him to put his backpack through the X-ray. He dropped the bag while pulling out a semi-automatic handgun, and opened fire. He struck an officer in the shoulder, and that officer and the other at the door both fired back in defense, and killed him.
I cannot imagine what his family must be feeling right now. Thankfully I have not had to deal with such a tragic loss with a close family member. Don't get me wrong, there have been many deaths in my family, but all from expected health/age-related problems.
My mom has been pretty bummed about this - she says that as a mother, she feels so badly for his mother. She, unfortunately has had to think about/deal with a suicidal child, and her suicide attempts. I have never seen things from this side of the street - it is completely different to see how this has affected so many people. Yet I completely understand the pain that comes with suicidal thoughts, and how I wasn't thinking about how my decision to kill myself would affect other people, only of how bad the pain was and how much I wanted it to stop.
I feel so terrible for Jenny. It is hard to know what I can or should do to help/support her at this time. I wish I could take some of her pain away. I'm so glad that she has Dave though, he is so kind and understanding and empathetic. He will take care of her and help her through this rough time.
I guess I learned a huge lesson today - that the things that we do affect other people in ways we can never know.
Yesterday Jenny's older brother committed suicide by cop. Apparently his wife had recently filed for divorce, and he had moved from California back to Florida to get his life back together. Well, yesterday he went to the county court house to respond to the divorce papers his wife had filed, but had bigger plans. When he arrived at the court house, the officers at the check point asked him to put his backpack through the X-ray. He dropped the bag while pulling out a semi-automatic handgun, and opened fire. He struck an officer in the shoulder, and that officer and the other at the door both fired back in defense, and killed him.
I cannot imagine what his family must be feeling right now. Thankfully I have not had to deal with such a tragic loss with a close family member. Don't get me wrong, there have been many deaths in my family, but all from expected health/age-related problems.
My mom has been pretty bummed about this - she says that as a mother, she feels so badly for his mother. She, unfortunately has had to think about/deal with a suicidal child, and her suicide attempts. I have never seen things from this side of the street - it is completely different to see how this has affected so many people. Yet I completely understand the pain that comes with suicidal thoughts, and how I wasn't thinking about how my decision to kill myself would affect other people, only of how bad the pain was and how much I wanted it to stop.
I feel so terrible for Jenny. It is hard to know what I can or should do to help/support her at this time. I wish I could take some of her pain away. I'm so glad that she has Dave though, he is so kind and understanding and empathetic. He will take care of her and help her through this rough time.
I guess I learned a huge lesson today - that the things that we do affect other people in ways we can never know.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
For some reason I feel like throwing myself a pity party tonight. I keep thinking of all the crappy things that have happened in my life, and feeling like I need someone to say "You went through hell, and I'm sorry you had to, it wasn't fair, you didn't do anything to deserve it, you are a good person." I guess I'll just have to say it to myself.
It's hard though, those old familiar feelings that I can NEVER do anything right are starting to creep back up, and I'm struggling to understand why. Why me?
I just spent about an hour typing all of the reasons I deserve a pity party, then realized that this is the internet and I probably should not post such things here. I guess I need someone to talk to.
Okay, I'm tired of my own whiny-ness. I need to get over myself and just get some sleep, everything will look better in the morning.
It's hard though, those old familiar feelings that I can NEVER do anything right are starting to creep back up, and I'm struggling to understand why. Why me?
I just spent about an hour typing all of the reasons I deserve a pity party, then realized that this is the internet and I probably should not post such things here. I guess I need someone to talk to.
Okay, I'm tired of my own whiny-ness. I need to get over myself and just get some sleep, everything will look better in the morning.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Friday, Friday!
Sung to the tune of "Monday, Monday..." This morning I seem to have gotten ready for the day especially quickly because it is 7:20 and I'm already at work. I guess it makes sense since I don't wash my hair every day, but instead opt for every other day (keeps my locks more shiny and not dried out). I neglected to change the alarm clock to compensate for this extra time. Oh well, now there's time to write a quick blog. :)
Jeff is so very cute in the mornings! While I was unemployed (for 5 whole months!), he used to write in his blog about how hard it was to leave for work while I was still all snuggly in our bed. Well, now the tables have turned. I am the one who gets to say goodbye while he is all sleepy and comfy in bed. Most days I'm just in such a hurry to get to work that I don't take the time to appreciate how very cute he is, but today... today I just stood there for a few extra seconds and smiled and felt so much love for this wonderful man. He really is the best person I have ever known. He is so selfless and so easy-going. I guess maybe he helps to balance me out, because I tend to be selfish and a stress-ball most of the time, but have noticed that I'm much calmer since I've been with him. I love him! Not only is he wonderful, but he helps me to be a better person too. What more could I possibly want?
On to a new subject... I have lost 10 pounds since I started my new job a little over three weeks ago. Yay!!! I decided that I would step on the scale this morning and was quite surprised and pleased to see that my hard work is paying off. :) Believe me, opting for apple slices over fries at Mickey-Dee's is not very easy, but I am seeing that it is worth the effort.
Well, I best be getting to work - I am creating an Access database for the first time in my life, and it is difficult, but sooooo much fun to learn (except when I want it to do something and I'm sure I have entered the right formula only to see a response that says #Name? or #Error) but so far I have figured out the snags and am starting to feel a bit of confidence in my ability.
Have an excellent day!
Loves!
Rach
Jeff is so very cute in the mornings! While I was unemployed (for 5 whole months!), he used to write in his blog about how hard it was to leave for work while I was still all snuggly in our bed. Well, now the tables have turned. I am the one who gets to say goodbye while he is all sleepy and comfy in bed. Most days I'm just in such a hurry to get to work that I don't take the time to appreciate how very cute he is, but today... today I just stood there for a few extra seconds and smiled and felt so much love for this wonderful man. He really is the best person I have ever known. He is so selfless and so easy-going. I guess maybe he helps to balance me out, because I tend to be selfish and a stress-ball most of the time, but have noticed that I'm much calmer since I've been with him. I love him! Not only is he wonderful, but he helps me to be a better person too. What more could I possibly want?
On to a new subject... I have lost 10 pounds since I started my new job a little over three weeks ago. Yay!!! I decided that I would step on the scale this morning and was quite surprised and pleased to see that my hard work is paying off. :) Believe me, opting for apple slices over fries at Mickey-Dee's is not very easy, but I am seeing that it is worth the effort.
Well, I best be getting to work - I am creating an Access database for the first time in my life, and it is difficult, but sooooo much fun to learn (except when I want it to do something and I'm sure I have entered the right formula only to see a response that says #Name? or #Error) but so far I have figured out the snags and am starting to feel a bit of confidence in my ability.
Have an excellent day!
Loves!
Rach
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