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

Help Some Sisters Out

My 3 friends have set a goal - it is a marriage goal. In fact, a blog was even created to help accomplish such a goal. Here is the link: feel free to post it on your blog as a link and check it out. Also share it with all the single men you know (really).

Davis County Divas

Cabin Weekend

We spent the weekend with Brad's family up at the cabin.

Syd and Chris relaxing.

On the drive up Dixie thought this would be a good spot to sit.

While up there I knitted my first scarf, and gave it to my niece Miss M. I gave her the scarf for two reasons:
1. She "helped" me make it - she would roll out and roll back in the yarn (which she told me she would like a ball of yarn for Christmas - there you go Andrea).
And 2. Since this was my first scarf there were quite a few inconsistencies in it such as: some holes, missing stitches, as well when I started I began with a row of 18 stitches and ended with rows of 22 stitches. I knew no matter what Miss M would love it, and just like a champ when I gave it to her she told me, "Oh, it's beautiful."


Now this picture. Any of you who know Sydney know this is a unique picture. If there is such a thing as an Arch Nemesis for Sydney it would be this dog (Blue), as she prefers to stay as far away from his as possible. It looks like she had a weak moment.

Corvette Convetion

A couple weekends ago we decided to head down to Payson because you could pick your raspberries for $2/pound. I have a co-worker who lives down there and she invited us to a "Corvette Breakfast". Her husband is the president of a corvette club and restores old corvettes. Every fall they have a breakfast then drive the Nebo Loop. He let us pick this baby out:

1961 Convertible Corvette. It was quite the experiencing - needless to say we had a blast.

Talk About Embarrassing

Scenario: In a meeting with the President of your company.
You: Sitting next to this President
Co-Worker: Asks a question in all seriousness
You: Break out in uncontrollable fits of laughter

Onions or B.O.

So I got on the bus this morning and was instantly hit with a stench: was it onions I was smelling or was it someones BO at 6:30 in the morning? I couldn't quite figure it out until the lady next to me lifted up her arm to turn on her light.

Oh the Injustice!

Brad: The start of summer weighed in at 182. Does not eat breakfast or lunch but does down 3 cans of Mountain Dew in one day. He has increased the amount of water he drinks – maybe 24 oz a day (and I’m being generous with that). Snacks on Twinkies and donuts. He has increased his activity level (slightly) – we go on more hikes and walks; however, it’s only his fingers that really get a workout (Xbox). At the close of summer weighs in at 167?!? He makes minimal lifestyle changes and loses 15 pounds?!?

Julie: I won’t disclose my weight. I do eat breakfast and lunch. I drink at least 64 oz of water a day. I snack on cottage cheese, apples, cheese, pretzels, and celery (YES CELERY!! – I HATE CELERY PEOPLE). Yes, occasionally I indulge (and, yes, it is on a daily basis). I jog a couple of times a week and do Pilates a couple of mornings a week before work. I take the stairs at work. And you know what I lost? NOTHING.
N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

But I’m not bitter.

I'm Stronger than I Thought

Not only did I survive 1 day without my phone I survived 10 days! (My cell was accidentally forgotten in my back pocket and went through the washing machine) And some of those days were survived while Brad was away on business - and we don't have a land line.

Yeah, I am woman hear me roar.

Retreat

On Friday we had our annual department retreat, which I am in charge of. This year with the help of an awesome committee and the talented Stephanie it was a huge success. Nothing went wrong - NOTHING -well with the small exception, we never got our projection screen. But they had a white board in the room and with some minor floor plan changes within minutes the problem was solved - which saved us $50 buckaroos and anyone who has an overzealous accounting department knows that is a wonderful thing.

My stress finally kicked in on the drive there. As I was mentally making last minute prayers asking for the technology to work, and creating contingency plans I saw this and all the stress dissipated:

I'm not sure why, but seeing this dog in utter bliss enjoyment put a smile on my face and brought me back down to earth that I could finally think clearly again. I had done everything in my power to make this retreat a success the rest was out of my control and I was fine with that. The stress never returned. I was not subjected to its mind fogging, horriblizing, head ache causing symptoms - I owe this all to this one sweet dog who was just doing what dogs do best - living in the moment.

Here is the gang.