nem-e-sis

[nem-uh-sis]
–noun, plural -ses
1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.: The performance test proved to be my nemesis.
2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
3. (initial capital letter ) Classical Mythology. the goddess of divine retribution.
4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.

Yeah, I had one. His name was Doug and he was my evening bus driver. He is no longer my driver. Thrilled? Yes, but I'm experiencing a sense of emptiness. I completely understand why Batman must have his Joker, why Laura Ingalls needed Nellie Oleson, and Sherlock’s archenemy the Professor James Moriarty. I had spent many hours contemplating how to stump Doug, who I swear found joy in foiling my plans to get home quickly and not green with motion sickness, and when I did stump him I thought I would shed tears of joy. There was such a sense of accomplishment when I could step on the bus and say, “A ha Doug! I took Dramamine so I won’t throw up on the bus today” or “A ha Doug! I learned a new technique to avoid getting motion sick – sun glasses!” Or my personal favorite, right as I was about to step onto the bus I said, “Psych!!! My husband is picking me up!” The feeling was triumphant, and well now, I no longer feel triumphant. Now I just get on a bus and go home, and really where is the sense of accomplishment in that?

Decemeber Randomness

My SIL Andrea and I have birthdays exactly one week from each other so we had a little birthday celebration before the family Christmas party. We had banana cream pie as our birthday cake. (It was a very last minute celebration, the pie is what we had in the freezer - luckily, both Andrea and I like it so it worked out really well.) Also great minds think alike, we coordinated - and in December colors too!

Of course, we stuck to tradition and saw the lights at Temple Square.

Birthday Week

I had a fantastic birthday this week, all due to the my amazing friends and family. Brad was out of town over my birthday but my friends made sure I wasn't alone.

It started at lunch with this group. Kurk (the guy on the far left) has a December birthday too, so we celebrated. There was one more, but he is the one taking the picture.

Then that night my neighbor took me out, however, my memory card was full so no documentation but it was a lovely evening.

Then the next day we celebrated again. It was Clarisa's (the beautiful lady in the middle) birthday this month too so we celebrated. I met these dear friends in the first neighborhood Brad and I lived in, and I think it is safe to say we will remain friends for life.

So thank you to my dear friends and family who refused to let me be alone on (or around) my birthday; it was all wonderful!

As Mark Twain said, "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."

Thought for Thursday

"Winners make things happen; losers let things happen."

Could December Get Any Better???

This month has been amazing - really.

It all started when I met this man. A man I respect and look up to with all my heart. A man who made history come alive to me. I owe it to my father for teaching me to appreciate history and planting the seed, then this man took it to the next level. This man who I met on the morning of our department Christmas party in The Grand America where I rudely interrupted his breakfast as I dropped everything in my hands and my mouth and just stared at him in awe until I got the courage to stutter, "You are David McCullough. I'm a huge fan." He replied in the most gracious and kind voice, "Well, then I must get up." Some more fellow fans came over. He graciously let us take pictures with him and chat. We met his just as darling and incredible wife, Rosalee. He asked if we were all from Utah. Stephanie nodded but said "All of us but her [pointing to me] she is from Pennsylvania". From there he put his arm around me and said, "I knew there was something special about you." I was speechless - I had never been more proud of being a Pennsylvanian than at that moment.

Me, David and Stephanie (Steph - who bytheway fell in love with Henry Knox because of McCullough's 1776).
Us with more fan coworkers.
(The woman on the far right sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir)

Then on that same day my parents flew to Utah to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with guests David McCullough and Natalie Cole.

And if it still couldn't get any better. After the concert David McCullough did a book signing. I told my dad we had to do it. You see, I felt a little guilty it got to be me meeting David McCullough and not my dad. My dad's is the greatest history fan I know.

We got to the book signing where David instantly remembered me (I was flattered - I didn't care that it had only been 2 days before I was still flattered), and I got to introduce him to my dad. You weren't suppose to take pictures but I figured out my reply if someone stopped me I'd simply say, "David and I go way back."

My parents left the day before my birthday so we celebrated it before they left.

Then we got to tend my little niece Miss M. We walked around the Gateway and found this huge Christmas tree.

Anyway, I think it's safe to say this year ended spectacular.

(By the way I've been playing catching up many many posts below)

Tim Tam Slam

(More Posts Below)

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Melty Chocolately Goodness.

Pepperridge Farm came out with a new cookie. Well, technically it's not new but it's new for them. They have started making Tim Tam's an Australian cookie Brad couldn't get enough. In fact when I got home from PA I found in our pantry 25 boxes of Tim Tam's. Lately, all who walks into our house is required to do a Tim Tam Slam.

Good Golly Miss Molly

While on my drive home on one of the bitter cold days that the high was 20 degrees I saw this dog walking across the busy road. She had no tags so home she came with me. I named her Molly. She was the sweetest and most timid thing I've ever seen.

Thanksgiving (Finally)

I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving in PA - sans Brad (he had to work). I started off with the inaugural dinner: a hoagie and Herr's sour cream & onion potato chips.

While I was there we were able to celebrate my Nanny's birthday. It's been awhile since I could be with her near her birthday so it was nice.

Amanda and Jeff. Isn't Amanda's haircut adorable???

My doggie nephew Rugger (I think that is how it's spelled).

Family.

My mom's turkey was HUGE he was a whopping 29 pounds.

Mom, Aunt Dawna, Uncle Johnny.

Here we are skyping with Uncle Adam who is in Japan.

Me and my Aunt Dawna.

Neglectful

I'm sorry, I've been out of town but I'm back. You'll see blog posts soon.

I'll leave you with a Christmas thought:

"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'." -- Bing Crosby

Random

Things That Must Go

In the morning I like to listen to a morning radio show called, "Radio from Hell" they do a segment called, "Things that must go". Their lists usually leaving me laughing with tears and I'm never clever enough to think of my own "things that must go" BUT I finally have one I have something that MUST go:

(Drum Roll Please)

Advertisements left under the windshield wipers on your car!!! That MUST go.

Halloween

Halloween is a huge holiday at my office. There is a costume contest (which usually the CEO participates in) and lunch for all. Families are invited in for trick or treating.

This year for Halloween I went as:

Not to be confused with the Greek kind, but a Geek Goddess.

And for all you real geeks out there (and I know for a fact one reads this blog since he was the one who told me about this.)

If you don't get it google it ;)

(Oh and by the way the titled of the book, "Order Differential Equations and Linear Algebra" yeah, definitely not mine - it's Brad's.)

Where in the World is Brad?

I know it's been awhile, but Brad hasn't had any trips to new places until this week.

So where in the world is Brad you wonder? Why, he is in the Heart of Dixie.

He left me part of the weekend and through the beginning of the week but he is finally on his way home. (Woo-hoo!!)

I'm Proud

I turned these 2x4s into

This:

A Glimpse of my Future

In our church I teach the 3 year old who just turned 4 class. Today I was teaching them about music and I brought in pictures of different instruments. I showed the picture of the piano and I asked if any of them know someone who plays the piano. The cutest and sweetest little boy who I adore yelled with enthusiasm "BILLY JOEL!" I about fell out of my chair, and I asked, "How did you know that?" He replied with "my-teacher-knows-nothing" attitude and said, "He is the piano man!" Why do I have a feeling that will be my kid some day?

Thought for Thursday

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Just a side note

Dear Fiber Optic Cable,

I'm not a techy, but I've learned you don't have to be one to miss you. I miss how fast and reliable you were. I miss when I uploaded photos it only took me seconds rather than hours. I miss when I saw a video posted I could watch it right then - now I hit the play button go do a chore and come back (but usually I forget by the time the chore is over). If only I would have known what life would be like without you I would have cherished you more.

Fiber Optic - will you ever make it to us?

Sincerely,

A Loyal Fan

A Julieism at it's Finest

I'm not crafty but I'm trying to be. I've decided to make a Halloween decoration. Two years ago I was introduced to a certain glue that goes on top of the surface and acts as a glue and a sealer. I thought this glue would be perfect for my project.

I walked in to our local Walmart and went straight to the craft/fabric section and asked very politely, "Excuse me, do you sell Hodge Podge?"

Then I got the look - the look I know very well. The look that means what I just said was stupid, and I knew right then this glue was not called "Hodge Podge."

She replied, "You mean Mod Podge?"

I've been humbled.

My Happy List

1. We got our plane tickets to visit home.

2. This Man, my dad. I owe the person I want to be to him. It's his birthday tomorrow.

3. This beautiful bedding arrived at our house to be mine (decorative pillows and all!).

4. These two. My constant companions and fiercely protective warriors.

5. This chap with the crooked smile.



6. Autumn.
I was one of those odd people who never liked it. Fall to me meant the final end to summer and the beginning of winter. But this year I have thoroughly enjoyed the season I once despised, and I dare say, I think it's my second favorite season. It's funny all the years I spent in PA with the most beautiful autumns it takes living in Utah to appreciate it.
(This is a picture from PA - off the Perkiomen I believe)

Because it's Monday and I'm a sucker for Bordercollies