It Speaks

I'm back!

2009-12-29T09:42:00.003-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA recently. We just got back from a long weekend in St. George (just in time to attend Cam and Paige's baby shower, and miss seeing Sofia on her birthday, Happy Birthday!).

We left Christmas afternoon after two gift opening extravaganzas. And with little to eat most of the day we decided we should stop some where for food before we got on the road. Guess what? NOTHING is open on Christmas day. Well, except Denny's, as I was informed today. But I didn't know that on Friday. Anyway, after a fruitless search from Magna to Taylorsville, we opted to stop at 7-11 and load up on goodies. Which was ok for the trip down. Love me some Lornadoon cookies. And the Dill Pickle flavored sunflower seeds helped keep me awake. Thought of you, Jake, the whole time.

It was a great, non-plan filled trip. We saw Sherlock Holmes (highly recommend), went to the mall, had a wonderful dinner with my Aunt and her family (and her family's families...everyone has kids now!), learned to play two great new games, spent a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa, got me TWO glaciers (they have changed them, and they are even better now!), and spent all of the trip trying to breathe.

I was sick the whole time. In fact, I am still sick. The first three days were sleepless and mostly miserable. Now I can't stop blowing my nose. Oh yeah, I took a bunch of tissues from Grandma's house. Thanks Grandma! I would not have made it through the trip home without them though. And Grandma has good tissues. Not the crap I have here at work. I think my nose may just fall off if I don't regularly apply lotion.

Oh yeah, I got a good-hearted reaming from my Grandma Dumas about not giving her any pictures since my wedding. I know! I have been horrible about getting my pictures printed out. But mom told me that you can upload the pictures to a site like Walmart and have them shipped directly to Grandma. I think I will have to do it that way. I will never remember to bring them down with me (cause who knows when I will get to go down again). So that is my New Years Resolution: Get Grandma(s) new pictures of me and Nik.

Well, I hope everyone had a happy, healthy and safe Christmas.

2009-12-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Frank Cross: "It's Christmas Eve. It's-it's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we-we-we smile a little easier, we-w-w-we-we-we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year we are the people that we always hoped we would be."

How excited is TOO excited?

2009-12-23T09:38:00.001-07:00

For fingernail polish?

Tis the Season

2009-12-15T12:35:00.002-07:00

With the bombardment of Christmas music around me all day, I have come to some serious conclusions about my taste in said music.

I hear some pretty crap-tacular stuff on my work radio and some slightly better stuff in my car. Here is a small breakdown of what I like and what makes me want to shoot myself.

The Good:

Hymns:
* Angels We Have Heard On High
* I Heard the Bells
* Hark the Herald Angles Sing

Traditional (ones I grew-up listening to):
* Santa Clause is Coming to Town
* 2000 Miles (The Pretenders)

Non-Traditional (been around for a while, but not "old")
* Last Christmas (Jimmy Eat World version)
* Jingle Bell Rock (not really picky here)
* Winter Wonderland (Jason Mraz version)

The Bad:

* Any version of The Christmas Song (you know, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...)
* Any artist that sings a gender-based Christmas song, and is the wrong gender. Example: Santa Baby being sung by a man. Trust me. It's been done.
* Anything over played. Even my favorite songs can be ruined by over exposure. Example: Owl City

The Ugly:

* Taylor Swift. Sorry Mason, that's just the way it is.
* Unknown Boy Bands that sing unknown Christmas songs "with feeling"
* Anything by a Crooner that is techno-mixed with a current artist. No. Just....no.

So there it is.

I would like to know what your favorite songs are. Or even more, which ones induce seizures.

Crafty

2009-12-10T16:00:00.002-07:00

All of the crafts I have been doing lately are for Christmas gifts, so I am not going to post details, but just know, that I am not as good as I thought I was. I had grand aspirations for these things and I was so excited to do something with my hands. Besides type. And don't get me wrong, they turned out....ok. Well, ok enough for me to still give them out. So just keep that in mind when and if you get a hand-made gift from me. Chances are it was the first time I had attempted that craft, and it just may be the last. I promise I will post at least one picture of everything after the holidays.

What have you been crafting? (Except Vivian, she has been way more crafty than me, and I just don't want to hear about it!! :) )

So far behind

2009-12-09T14:52:00.002-07:00

I have done so much this last month or so and I have not posted about any of it. Instead I post random what-not cause I am at work with no pictures. Now that we don't have our web gallery anymore, I am with out my work link to my home photos. Oh well. Here is a small sampling of what I have done, and you might get pictures of it later.

* Halloween Party to celebrate being done with chemo
* Several hangouts with friends from out of town
* Making suckers for the first time
* New Moon with Kieran and Lou (and spouses)
* Thanksgiving!
* "Little" Spencer's birthday party
* Putting up the tree
* Lots more crafting than I thought I could do, and lots more to do still. (by the way, Amy, sewing your gift yesterday just about had me pulling my hair out!)
* Christmas shopping...

Ok, so now you know what I have been up too. Combine this list with Holiday crowds at work, and I am lucky to be doing anything at all. Merry Christmas everyone!

Dear Magazine Publishers:

2009-12-04T17:57:00.001-07:00

Please print more images Quarter-sized.

Sincerely,

Lena

An only slightly sarcastic guide to banking.

2009-12-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

When dealing with a Teller face-to-face:

1. Please give your account number. I know that not all institutions use deposit slips, but we all need to know where we are going.

2. If you are asked how you want your cash back and you say "I don't care." You had better be serious. None of this, "Oh wait, can I have two ten's?" crap.

3. Don't assume we screwed up. If we ask you a question that doesn't seem to make sense try asking us to explain. Either we misunderstood or we have some other steps we have to do to get there. Bare with us.

4. **Very Important** Don't get mad. It only makes us hate you. If we messed up, we feel bad enough, and know we need to fix it quickly. Having you yell at us or continuously point out the mistake only makes us hate you more. And we WILL call you names when you leave. Just so you know.

5. Please count your cash before leaving the building. If there was a mistake, it is your word against mine whose fault it was. If you count it before leaving, it can all be rectified within seconds.

When with a Teller through the Drive-Up:

1. Please, PLEASE give us all the information you can. If you can, fill out a slip. If not, write the account number on something. It is always hard to hear you through the tube mic's, and I hate yelling at you. Also, I will never turn down an ID. At the very least, I know your name.

2. Always remember that the drive-up is first and foremost a fast way to complete transactions. If you need a photocopy of your check, a print-out of anything, cashiers checks, money orders, or any extensive research on your account, please come inside. The people behind you will thank you. **Exception** Mothers with multiple/sleeping kids in the car. I know that hauling everyone in the bank is not always an option. But try to still be courteous.

3. If I ask you to repeat yourself because I can't hear you, saying it again exactly how you just said it is not going to get us anywhere. Be louder, or write it down.

4. It is not worth changing lanes. If you are in one lane and the other finishes faster, 9 out of 10 times it is not faster to move. Chances are there is really only one teller working both lanes, so you still have to wait.

When waiting in the lobby:

1. If accompanied by children, please try and keep them under control. If you bring them with you to get a loan, know that there will be some waiting time, and some time in the office where they will probably get bored Please be prepared for this. It does no one any favors to have wrangle your kids for half an hour. Oh, and don't let them mess with stuff like the blinds, the bulletin board, or the line dividers. That makes us hate you too.

2. Understand that if there is only one loan officer you may have to wait a long time. Know that we are not doing this on purpose and that we will get to you as soon as possible.

3. **General Rule** DON'T TALK ON YOUR CELL PHONE!!! It is so frustrating to try to do business with someone who is not paying attention to me. Our time together will be minimal, there is no reason not to tell your friend that you will call them back. That is all.

Can you tell that I have had a hard day at work?

In the beginning...

2009-12-03T10:02:00.002-07:00

I'm just going to come right out and say it. Nik and I joined a gym. Mostly for me. Well, I say that cause its because of me that we actually went and signed up. Not that Nik was not into it too. His complaining about gaining weight was really getting to me. So, I am there to get back to being able to get out of bed, or get something out of the bottom drawer with out hurting myself. You laugh, and well, you should. I laugh too. It's pretty ridiculous when I can't get out of my car without twisting something. I used to be able to do stuff like that. You know, MOVE.

Anyway, I picked this particular gym because it has convenient yoga classes. And I finally made it there last night for the first time. I don't even know how to describe how this class went for me. It was only an hour long, and I think I spent at least 20 minutes in Child's Pose. And that is not counting the 10 minute cool down that I spent on my back. I can handle the easy stuff like Warrior One and Pigeon Pose (though, keep in mind here that I have to hold myself off the ground a little, cause my hips don't bend like that). But when we started doing Eagle Pose, I started sitting down. There was no way I was getting my body into that position and staying upright! And when I opted to not do the Headstand, I found that the alternative was worse. She said, "If you don't want your feet to leave the ground, just spread your feet and bend over, place the top of your head on the ground and try to put some weight on it." Oh, yeah, just bend over and put your head on the ground. I got my head to about waist level. Let's just leave it at that.

I love yoga, and I really don't want my lack of abilities to stop me from continuing to go. I know I need this. And I know that it just takes time. Maybe I just need a friend to come with me. Any takers?

R.I.P.

2009-11-30T12:07:00.003-07:00

Sushi, we only knew you for a few days, but you will be missed.

Hopefully we will have another fish to help heal our pain by tonight.

**edited to add** I picked up a new fish after work, and he is really pretty. A little nontraditional for a male Beta. Kind of pink and iridescent. But don't worry, he's all man.

What they MUST be thinking....

2009-11-28T11:55:00.002-07:00

"Wow, look at that line for Drive-up! It goes all the way around the building! And hey! There is no one in the parking lot! I guess I will go inside."

"Why are the doors locked?"

Wait, what day is it again?

2009-11-26T07:44:00.003-07:00

I am once again stealing from other people's blogs. I promise I will give credit...does that make it better? Anyway...

Today my sister-in-law Laurie posted this line about gratitude: "it turns what we have into enough, and more." How true is that? When we count our blessings, we start to realize just how much we have. It is so easy to fall into a routine of comparing ourselves, or our lives to others. They have more money, a better car, a house, a great TV, even a great marriage, or perfect kids. And we always lose when we do that. There is always going to be someone who has more than we do. If we can't see what we have for its value, we will never be happy. Never. There are always things to be thankful for. Here are a few of mine:

* Our jobs.

* Two cars.

* My own computer.

* Pets.

* Food in my house, even if I don't cook very often.

* Blankets. One of which I have wrapped around me now...

* My sleeping husband.

* Our apartment, as much as I complain about it, its keeping the cold out.

That is just a small list compared to what I could say about what happened this summer. Too many blessings to count.

And that brings me to my next act of plagiarism. My good friend Dan (I call him Danny, cause I have since 3rd grade, sorry Dan.) said this about blessings: "In everything around me, I can see the blessing of Heaven, when I look closely." His post was about seeing the Savior in everything, even eyeglasses. And if you have ever taken seminary, you know that you can do it. You can relate everything to the Savior. And should. When you notice how many things we take for granted reflect Christ, and what he has done for us, you can really start to see the blessings in the little things.

I loved these two posts, and I love the people who wrote them. I am so grateful for my family and friends. I could never make it without them. I am so imperfect, and I know it. If I didn't have all these wonderful people around me, helping me be better all the time, I would never complete my journey here. I would be here forever trying to learn my lessons. Thanks to everyone who has stood by my side. I love you.

Um...

2009-11-25T16:02:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to tell you all that you need to update your blogs more. I am bored at work.

Thank you.

Laughing at other peoples expense

2009-11-21T15:32:00.002-07:00

I love it when, forgetting they have not rolled down their car windows, people turn to say 'hi' to me, and run themselves in to the glass.

A post about bare-chested goodness

2009-11-21T09:19:00.002-07:00

So, I hate to be one of those girls that posts about New Moon just minutes after seeing it....and I guess its been about 22 hours now, so I waited long enough right?

And I am not actually reviewing it. I am stealing a review from one of the ladies I saw it with. (Hi Kieran!!) I think she sums up what I thought of the show, even if she is maybe a little more into it than I am. I was not even going to see it in, like, the first month, but she wouldn't have any of that, and got us tickets for opening day. I braved the squealing, cheering tween crowds to see it with my husband, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, and good-ol' Kieran and her husband. So with out further ado, Kieran's New Moon Review.

Words of a friend

2009-11-20T19:55:00.002-07:00

In the recent past I have read a lot of blogs about Feminism. And I agree and disagree with each of them in different parts. But I think the last sentence of my friend Danny's blog says it best:

"The women who do the most for womanhood are the women who are not afraid to be women."

Well said.

Happy Birthday Baby!!

2009-11-17T16:24:00.002-07:00

I was not going to post while at work, cause I don't have any pictures of Nik, but since it is looking like there will be no extra time tonight, here it is. You will all be lucky if I remember to get a picture up here later.

I love Nik. He is perfect for me. He has such an imagination...I just can't fathom how he comes up with some of the stuff we talk about. He is a romantic at heart. I sometimes think it is wasted on me, cause I am usually not. But I always appreciate that he was thinking enough of me to do whatever he did. Make sense? I thought so.

Nik has been especially wonderful during the last 7 months. He can practically read my mind now. When I was home on the couch, and I said "Nik?" He always knew what I wanted before I said it. He is amazing.

He is an amazing Uncle. I have never seen anyone interact with kids the way he does. We like to joke that it is because he is right on their level, but in truth, that is not a bad thing. He always knows what kind of playing the kids need: wrestling, cuddling, reading, make-believe...and he does it all. I would be more upset that he is preferred over me, but I just like to watch them all play. It's hard to be mad :)

He tells me he loves me all the time. And I love it. He always tells me that I am beautiful, and likes to point out when I am wearing his favorite shirt. Even when I don't feel like I am pretty, he assures me that I am. Its good for the ego.

He smells amazing. Don't laugh! It's a big deal! And he actually smells better at the end of the day, than at the beginning. I often find myself nudging closer to him on the couch, just so I can smell him. Or sleeping on his pillow when he is gone. I'm not the only one who thinks so either! Little Abigail will agree with me. Huh, Abigail!

This is just a small list of the reasons I love Nik so much. I am so happy that he chose me to spend the rest of eternity with. It will be an adventure.

Always.

Just a little reminder

2009-11-12T00:01:00.002-07:00

By now, I suspect everyone is familiar with http://www.snopes.com/ and/or
http://www.truthorfiction.com/ for determining whether information received via email is just that: true/false or fact/fiction. Both are excellent sites.

Advice from snopes.com. Very important!

1) Any time you see an email that says forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck, you'll see something funny on your screen after you send it, or whatever, it almost always has an email tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward to..

The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active ' email addresses to use in SPAM emails, or sell to other spammers. Even when you get emails that demand you send the email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus .....that's email tracking and they're playing on our conscience. These people don ' t care how they get your email addresses - just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease - "how would you feel if that was your child"....E-mail Tracking!!! Ignore them and don't participate!

2) Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of email is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers - - to validate active email accounts for their own profitable purposes.

You can do your Friends and Family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your Friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam emails in the future!

If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of email, now you know why you get so much SPAM! Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of
listings regardless of how inviting they might sound...or make you feel guilty if you Don't!...it's all about getting email addresses - nothing more!

You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT! Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later and very possibly a virus attached! Plus, we are helping the spammers get rich! Let's don't make it easy for them! Also: email petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization - i.e. Social Security, etc.

To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition, so this is a waste of time and you're just helping the email trackers.

2009-11-11T15:20:00.002-07:00

This is possibly the best thing I have ever seen on the subject of love, marriage, and parenting. Its directed by Andrew Zuckerman. I love it so much.

Wisdom

2009-11-09T15:31:00.002-07:00

I'm sorry that the system was down last time you came.

I'm sorry that the system is down again today.

No, I don't know what that means to you.

Yes, I understand that you are handicapped, and that coming out here is a bid deal.

I still can't give you $4000.

Deal with it.

Welp...

2009-11-09T09:18:00.003-07:00

Yeah, so nothing got done on Saturday. Nik went to scout camp over Friday night and that meant that Lena went shopping. And shortly after Nik got home we were off to the Utes game courtesy of Annie and Steve. And it was a blast! We had such a good time at the game, and hanging out afterwards. We don't get to see them enough.

But it means that my house is still a mess.

Darn.

Help?

2009-11-05T17:10:00.002-07:00

I am looking for some brave souls to help me tackle the ever-growing pile in my second bedroom. If you are free and want to donate your time (any amount of it) to my cause. Please let me know. I am looking to do this on Saturday afternoon. I'll buy lunch....

Happy King Tut Day!

2009-11-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

Cause I know how much y'all like celebrating!

King Tut Day

Halloween party

2009-11-03T09:10:00.001-07:00

I am way behind, so my pictures from my awesome Halloween party are on up on Facebook (which, frankly, is better than I usually am at stuff like this) so check them out if we are friends, if not, have a sneak peek on my moms blog for the ones from her camera.

Thanks again to everyone who came! It was so much fun to see everyone!

Some Holliday Humor

2009-10-30T12:40:00.005-06:00

Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween?
A. Ghoul-aid!!!

Q. What is a Mummie's favorite type of music?

A. Wrap!!!!!

Q. Why do demons and ghouls hang out together?

A. Because demons are a ghouls best friend!

Q. What's a monster's favorite bean?

A. A human bean.

Q. Why can't the boy ghost have babies?

A. Because he has a Hallo-weenie.

Q. What do you call a witch who lives at the beach?

A. A sand-witch.

Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night?

A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.

Q. What did the skeleton say to the vampire?

A. You suck.

Q. What do ghosts say when something is really neat?

A.Ghoul

Q. Why did the ghost go into the bar?

A. For the Boos.

Do zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?No, they eat the fingers separately...

Why don't skeletons ever go out on the town?Because they don't have any body to go out with...

What do ghosts add to their morning cereal?Booberries...

What is a vampire's favorite sport?Casketball...

What is a vampire's favorite holiday?Fangsgiving...

What would a monster's psychiatrist be called?Shrinkenstein...

What did one ghost say to the other ghost?
"Do you believe in people?"

What do you call someone who puts poison in a person's corn flakes?A cereal killer...