San Diego

Random Pictures from The San Diego Zoo and Balboa park. These were taken by Jessica, she is an amazing photographer. She has manipulated some of them and posted them over on her blog.

The Wheel Weaves As the Wheel Will

When school began in August, I didn't have much to do. I picked up a book from the collection that Ms. Oyler left me when she retired last year. It is called, "From the Two Rivers. The Eye of the World" by Robert Jordan. I didn't realize at the time that it was a series, nor that it was such a long series, nor that it was such a popular series. 12 books when the series is all finished, plus one prequel type book. And I fell in love. In love with the writing, in love with the characters and in love with the story. I have read the first 2 books and am part way through the third. I have also read the prequel.

In the comment section of Wed. posts, Karlene told me that she had heard that Robert Jordan had died and didn't finish the series. Immediately my mind screamed "No, it can't be true! These people that I am just coming to know and love cannot be silenced forever with no where to go. They cannot be left hanging, forever in a stasis that will have no resolution." Surely Karlene was mistaken about one or the other facts if not both.

Sadly, she was not. I found Robert Jordan's blog and it is true. This great storyteller left this world without finishing his story. But sadder than that, is that his family is now without him and that is the saddest tale of all. But they can revive him in their memories and recall again and again his love for them. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I know that he and his family will see each other again.

And the upside of this? Robert Jordan left detailed notes and outlines and eventually, the story will be told, when it is time. When the wheel wills it to be.

San Diego-Imperial beach

Hotel Del Coronado





Look at that giant seeweed plant!!!










Jessica


Feet in the tide





Brandi






Ethan and Jake braving the waves

Opportunities and forgotten passions

At one point in my college career, I started to major in Secondary education and English. However, I then changed to Elementary Education. I have an Associates degree in El. Ed. and was 3 classes away from having a Bachelor degree in El. Ed. I got married and raised babies instead. But I did teach pre-school in my home for a year.

When my oldest was 12 and the baby (at the time) was 5 and in Kindergarten, I went back to school to finish my degree. But I decided that I wanted to major in Psychology instead with the intention of aquiring either a Master's or Ph.D. degree. During that time I served as first councelor in the Primary, adopted a baby, divorced my children's father and later remarried him (bad decision but a subject for different post) nursed him through a brain aneurysm, and worked a part time job for Karlene at Rosehaven Publishing(a job that I really enjoyed), and hobbled to class with a cast on a shattered foot now held together with a metal screw. I was so happy to walk across that stage in my Cougar Blue cap and gown (and bright purple cast) and receive my diploma. But after 7 years I was too tired to keep going to school. So now I am on a break from classes.

Last year, due to circumstances, I changed my job. I now work at a Jr. High. Today, I got the opportunity to teach English in 3 out of the 4 class periods. I remembered how very much I absolutely love teaching, English especially. We read a short story, Last Cover, and then discussed it. I loved helping the students disect the story and explore the setting and the feelings and the why's and ins and outs of the story. It was so exciting to see the lights go on when the students finally got what the story was trying to say. And when they gave a real reason for their answer instead of the standard "because" or "I don't know, I just do", that was great. I felt so excited to watch their excitement and enjoyment of the story.

So here was the opportunity to remember my forgotten passion.

Summer Reading Thing recap

How many total books did you read? Were you surprised by that number?
I read 15 books and started a couple that I didn't finish for one reason or another.
I wasn't surprised by th number of books I read, but I used to read like that all the time, before I had to get a job. It felt so good to read with abandon again.

How do you feel about what you read?
I am happy with my choices for the most part. There were a couple of books that I wish I hadn't chosen or wasted my time starting them. I didn't finish those books- too many obscenities or too graphic and too much gratuitous stuff.


Which was your favorite book, and why? My favorite:
Of course I have to say Harry Potter but that aside I would have to say "Counting Stars" by Michele Paige Holmes. Michele wove such an awsome story. Her characters really came alive for me and her dialoge was real as well, not stilted or fake. And then even though her story is a romance, it wasn't formulaic.

1.Which was your least favorite, and why?
I would have to choose "The Alchemist's Daughter" by Katharine McMahon. This was my least favorite because the heroine was so weak and clueless about her own life. I really hated how her husband did all of the thinking for her, and she was ok with it.

What about your stretch book? Did you find that you enjoyed it after all? Are you planning to read more of that genre/author?
My stretch book was "Emma" by Jane Austen. This was my stretch book because in talking to my sister, I realized that I had not read much of Jane Austen's work. I have no idea why, I just never have. I didn't finish it, however, because it was due back at the library and it was time for school to start and I just no longer had long stretches of time to just sit and read. And really, I need long stretches of time to read this so that I have the time to get into the voice the book is written in. I have a three day school vacation coming up, maybe I'll try again then.

Did you read as many books as you intended to? Or more? How do you feel about that? I read most of the books I had intended to read, I read some that were not on my original list and got rid of some that were there, as well. I think I would have a problem being a librarian or working in a book store, because I would want to be reading instead of helping customers. I really think that for 2008 my goal is going to be to read more of the classics that I haven't read.

Did you discover a new author that you're excited about? Michelle Paige Holmes, definately.

What did you learn about yourself through this reading experience?
I have always known that I have a very eclectic taste in reading. I like romance, mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, just about everything. But, I did discover that in the last few years, I have kind of narrowed my reading to frivolity and not read much of substance. Perhaps that comes from so many years of reading text books- psych books are heavy reading. So I am going to try to read at least one book a month that has some substance to it.


Was this fun? Do you want to continue (if so, sign up for Katrina's Fall Into Reading challenge.) So fun.

Family Day at MCRD

Motovational run in the morning. Trevor is on the outside, 4th from the front (in green) {also, click on it to view it larger. I know it is dark, after Jess lightens it, I will repost it}

Marching in for the Awards Ceremony. Again, 4th from the front.


Trevor receiving his Eagle Globe and Anchor pin. This is when he actually becomes a Marine instead of a recruit.


Fixing his uniform after showing us how to do chinups.


Isn't he handsome?


I love my Stripling Warrior!

California here we come

So the countdown has accelerated. 11 hours till we leave to go to San Diego. I am so excited I can hardly stand myself. But there is that part of me that is worried. One of my children is staying home because he can't stand to miss any school, so I am a bit worried about him. He is 16 1\2, mature, responsible and trustworthy. But he is still 16. Our neighbors are going to watch out for him. He will probably spend most of his spare time at their house anyway. But you know.

And of course, there is that part of me that is sure I have forgotten to do or get or pack something. And then I have to remind myself that they do have stores in California!

3 days till I get to hug my boy!!

Jr. High crushes

I remembered just a bit ago what it was that I was going to post last night but forgot. It is about Jr. High Crushes.

When I was in jr. high, I was dorky. I had glasses and was smart and shy and awkward and all that. And forget talking to anyone. Wasn't going to happen. Not when my face-nay my whole body- was going to turn red from the embarrassment of it. Especially if it was the boy I had a crush on, whos names I cannot even remember now if I strain my brain really hard. If any of them ever had a crush on me, I didn't know about it.

Well, there are a couple of boys at the jr. high that seem to have a crush on me. When I stand in the halls, there are always that group of boys that have to stand there acting as if they had authority as well. Then there are those couple that stand a bit in the personal space, making it personal, you know. I always take a step away, and find it all amusing. I have kids older than them (well and a couple their age as well) and a grandchild, for Pete's Sake!

Yesterday, however, it got kinda weird. I subbed in homeroom. When I got in there, the kids were kinda wild- well this class always is anyway just by nature of the combo of kids. There are only about 12 kids in the class. They had turned off Channel 1 and told me the t.v. was broken. I didn't believe it and went and turned the t.v. back on. The kids are all calling out variations of what they want me to believe the classroom rules are when one boy says, "Are you married?"

Now, kids have asked me this before along with "do you have kids", "what kind of car do you drive", "what did you eat for dinner" etc. But somehow this time it felt, I don't know, different. I had my back to the class and so I just answered yes and thought I would shrug off the feeling of weirdness. But it was not to be, because when I turned around the whole class is staring at this boy (whom I have never met before and when I took role, I do not even recognize his name so he must be a 7th grader). Then the class starts in with "don't you think she is a bit old for you?" or "You are way to young for her" and my favorite "dude, she is like 30!" (more like 44, but hey that would make me ancient in his eyes I guess so I'll take "like 30").

By lunch I had totally forgotten about this incident, until...
I am standing by the lunch room doors. The doors that the kids are not allowed to use at lunch time because our lunch room is under construction and even though this is a short cut, it messes up the line if they go through them. My job is to direct students ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE OTHER DOORS (their emphasis not mine, it is really not that far). There are only two classrooms down the hall to my left so most of the students are coming from the right. Now, you would think that after 2 weeks of this, they would get that they can't use these doors, but when you have that many jr. high students in one place, brain cells leak out and they can't "

So I am standing with my back to the hall with only two classrooms because most of those students have passed by me when I hear a quiet voice behind me say, "You're really pretty." I say, "Thanks" as I am turning around. Who do you think it should be? You are right, none other than our student of the "are you married" question.

I still have no better clue of how to deal with jr. high boys and crushes than I did 30 some odd years ago. The silly having to stand by me or the telling everyone I am like their sister or mom, or wanting me to put in a good word to the principal I can handle, but the quiet, I think I might have a chance crush? Hopefully he will move on soon. How bout it Lindsey, want a new crush?

Mish Mash Friday

Today is just going to be a mish mash of stuff.

1- The contest for the UB Home Collection is still going on.
Remember that each comment gets you an entry. Also taking the personality test on my site gets you another entry. If you send your friends here and they post a comment and remember to tell me you sent them, they get an entry, and so do you.

2- I ordered 2 of the UB warming plates when they were first announced. I got one for my home and one to take to workshops to show how cool they are. I am really glad that I ordered 2. And I am glad that I decided to make my contest last until the 30th. I just got an e-mail from the home office and the first shipment of warmers is completely sold out!! The second shipment should be in by the 24th, so go ahead and order if you want. This is so exciting! Sold out in one week! Amazing

3- Tomorrow is going to be laundry, laundry, laundry so we can pack. Oh yeah, I need to cash my UB bonus check. I plan on spending it totally on myself while I am San Diego.

4- I misspelled my own sister's name in one of my posts! It should be TawnNYa not TawYNa. I am lucky that she is so forgiving. I would say that it was just my dyslexia showing up, but Jess gets really annoyed when people talk about transitionary dyslexia when she has to live with it every day. Actually, my brain just gets ahead of my fingers, or is it my fingers getting ahead of my brain?

I was going to post something else, but I forgot what and I am tired and have lots to do tomorrow. I am going to take my laptop with me and I will have internet access in the hotel, so I will try and post some while I am gone.

Free book contest

So here is another free book contest
http://jamesdashner.blogspot.com/2007/09/win-free-book.html

The rules are all listed there, so go check it out.
Now, if you don't know or haven't read James Dahshner, you should try out his books. Ethan and I read them (the Jimmy Fincher series) last year and loved them. In fact, Ethan still talks about them and wishes that there were more of them. For me, they were a nice little escape. There were a few places that I felt the action was redundant, but now a year later that is all I remember about that part of the reading, but I still remember the characters and what happened and why. In fact, whenever I am bored and want a quick, good read, I think about picking up this series again.

So go check out the link and then hit the library or bookstore and get your copy of James' books.

Happpy reading

AAAARRRGH

I finally broke down and ordered "Twilight" By Stephanie Meyer. It was supposed to be here by Friday. I just got an e-mail from Amazon.com saying that it will not even be shipped until the 24! So maybe I will just borrow Tawyna's when I am in San Diego and bring it back up to Sharon. (I will be in Logan the firt of Oct, so I can give it to Sharon then).

On other news, we are down to 1 week until I get to see Trevor!! I am so excited I can hardly stand myself.

Planning, Planning, Planning

So much to plan for San Diego! Keep those ideas coming, but I think we will take Tawnya up and go to the zoo and Balboa park. And of course shopping. I want a red Chinese dress. I had to pass last time because of money, but I want to get one this time- if I can find one cheaper than the Oriental store in the mall. Of course I am going to totally ignore the size tag in the dress. Those Oriental women are so small that if I get my normal size, I can't even think about doing it up! So the size I end up getting, well I just ignore the tag.

The missionaries in the MCRD branch are going to have a picnic on Family day, so we will be going to that before we go over and meet the drill instructors. I just have to make sure that we get to spend some time with sand and surf. I really am beginning to think that I just need to plan a vacation with no other goal but being on vacation.

Brandi and I just put the jewels on the carosuel horse that I painted. As soon as I mount it on the pole I will post pictures. Now to supper so that I can go monitor the book club I am in charge of this evening.

Happy Monday!

I won

I won book over at Karlene's blog
I am so excited about it, too. I am hoping that it will come in time for me to take it with me to San Diego. (I was going to take Stephanie Meyer's books, but the waiting list at the library is LONG and everyone else has loaned them out. Maybe I'll check at the school library in the morning).

Speaking of San Diego, 9 days before we leave to go and 11 days before I get to see Trevor!!! (but who's counting)

So I will have Jessica(20), Ethan(14), Jacob(12), and Brandi(8) with me. What are some good things to do while we are there. We will have all day Wed. to play, part of Th and part of Fri (going to see Tawnya and family on Friday after the graduation) and then we are starting home some time on Sat. Might come all the way on Sat or maybe do it in 2 days.

Jess wants to go to Balboa Park. For sure we want to go to the beach. Last time I was in a brace, as I had just gotten a cast off of my leg the day before we left, so I didn't do a lot of playing at the beach.

I was thinking maybe the Wild Animal Park. I wanted to go on a whale watching tour until I read that those only happen Dec-Mar. Or maybe the aquarium. Not enough days and too many things to do.

So what are your reccomendations. (the zoo is out-- too expensive)

{don't forget that each comment gets you an entry into the UB Home collection giveaway}

Contest time

This is my first contest and I am so excited about it.
For those of you that do not know, I am an Independent Fragrance Designer with the company Urban Botanic. I love this company and I love their product. I have been a consultant for other companies in the past, but none had a product I could get so excited about and none of them treated their consultants so well.

This week, two very exciting things happened.
1. I was interviewed yesterday by Emily Eyring at Utah Valley Magazine If you read the magazine, you know that in each issue they have a page of spotlights of things made in Utah Valley (click to see this month's page) I sent them a press release wayyyyyy earlier this year and Emily e-mailed me and asked if I would like to be included in the Nov/Dec issue on this page. A no brainer if you ask me. The picture will be of product but it will be my web address (www.yourscentyourway.com) in the magazine.

2. Urban Botanic introduced it's Urban Botanic Home Collection today. I am so very excited about this. I have had customers asking me for something like this for a long time. I know McKenna and everyone else at coporate has been working hard to find the best way to deliver this to us, the end user. Well, they found it in this cute little oil warmer.

I am going to paste what McKenna told us in this month's issue of our newsletter and then I will get to the contest.

"we found the best method to be oil warming. Your UB Perfume Oils make the most fabulous home fragrances and are safe to use in an oil warmer. We are astonished at the quality of home fragrances our products make. We probably shouldn't be so surprised, but we found the Urban Botanic Home Collection to be more fragrant and clean smelling than any candle or other form of home fragrance we'd experienced before. Ever. We can't wait for you to discover the same!

The best part is your customers can enjoy our fragrances in their home for about one-tenth the cost of candles. Not to mention UB Home Fragrances are a safer, more environmentally friendly, and a no-hassle way to scent your home. Here's how it works:

Place 2-3 drops of your favorite UB Perfume Oil directly into our Oil Warming Plate (SKU UB470) and turn it on. Within five minutes, you'll be enjoying rich, inviting fragrance throughout your home. It takes just a few drops to scent your home for 6-8 hours. You can also turn the Warming Plate off after a period of time and the scent will linger in your home much longer than candles and other home fragrance methods."

So now the contest. I am going to give away an Urban Botanic Home Collection. Now the rules-
*Each post on my blog gets you one entry

*Each person that comes to my blog and post and mentions that you sent them, gets them one entry and you another entry (then they send someone etc)

*When you take the personality test on my site, another entry

*contest ends at midnight Sept 30, 2007.

I was going to give an entry for every workshop booked, but if someone is not in Utah, it migh be hard for me to come do a workshop, so instead for every workshop booked and held between now and Oct. 31, I will give you 10% off of your order on top of the other hostess benefits.

Oh, and did I mention:
For the month of September, all Signature Fragrance Collections ordered by customers will receive a FREE Oil Warmer Plate in their shipment. That's an added $20 value.

C.S. Lewis

Does anyone know where this quote of C.S. Lewis' came from?

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busy bodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us with out end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.---C.S. Lewis

Everybody has a story

On the way to work this morning, I was listening to Johnson and Johnson. Tommy Johnson asked the question, "If you were on a talk show, what is the story you would tell?" He then proceeded to tell a story about when he was 18 and worked for an air conditioner company and what happened when he and a co-worker dislodged some dirt from a duct they were taking down and the dust landed in said co-worker's mouth.

I used to always wonder how the host(ess) of talk shows always knew the best question to get a guest talking. I saw David Letterman in an interview once (he was the one being interviewed) and he was asked that question. I guess the host(ess) have someone that does a pre-interview with guests and ask them about what is going on in their lives. The pre-interview also includes questions about what not to ask about and what to be sure and ask about or what do you want to be asked about. Then a card is filled out for each guest. In Dave's case, he usually goes for the "what does the guest want to be asked about" question.

So my question for you is this- If you were on a talk show, what is the story that you would tell? The story that everyone always asks you to tell, no matter how many times you tell it, they still ask for it.

I am not sure what one I would tell, I'll think about it and post it later. In the meantime, tell us your story.