A Few Things I Love Right Now

Simply because I have nothing better to blog about, here are a few things I love right now:

Dave Ramsey- For those of you who don't know, Dave Ramsey is a financial guru whose main goal is to get Americans out of debt. He has a radio show that broadcasts (at least in Utah) in the evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 (go to www.DaveRamsey.com for more info). Carl and I really started on his plan about 9 months ago and I can't even begin to tell you how much it has helped. We cut up the credit cards, completely paid off my student loans, and paid for a 3 week trip to Europe WITH CASH in part from Dave's help. We started living on a budget, and although we don't always stick perfectly to the budget, I know where every penny goes every month. It is great to have control over your money. He wrote a book called "The Total Money Makeover" which is well worth reading. I have a copy if anybody wants to borrow it. In fact, I have lots of copies. This past December he was running a special on his books and Carl and I bought a whole bunch to start giving away as wedding presents. Yes, I know we are dorks. In the next 6 months we hope to have our 6 month emergency fund saved and start paying down the mortgage. Wish us luck!

E-Mealz- About a month ago Carl and I started using www.e-mealz.com to help with our meal planning (for the record, we heard about E-Mealz from Dave Ramsey's show). It costs $5 per month but you have to pay for 3 months at a time. Each week we go to the website and it gives us our meal plan (with recipes) and grocery list for that week. There are several different plans to choose from but you can only choose one. You choose how large your family is and what grocery store you shop at. We use the low-fat Wal-Mart meal plan for two. For the first time in my 8 & 1/2 year marriage I actually enjoy cooking. I always know there is something to cook for dinner and my grocery budget has actually gone down.

Jazzercise- When I'm not working Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings I attend a Jazzercise class at one of the church houses in town. I thoroughly enjoy it. The instructor's name is Esther and she is so much fun. We joke that we need our "Esthercise." I'm not the most consistent attendee, but I try to go as much as possible.

The fact that January is over- Many of you know how much I loathe January. Well, not only is January over but February is almost over too. That means Spring is on the way!!

Planning for Trek- Every four years our stake takes the 14-18 year olds up to Martin's Cove, Wyoming for a trek experience. This year is a trek year and Carl and I were called as the Ward Trek Coordinators. This means that we will coordinate all of the Trek preparations for our ward and that we get to go with the youth and act as a "Ma and Pa." It will be a lot of work but I am so excited for the experience. It has the possibility to be life changing.

The Olympics- Ever since the Olympics came to Salt Lake in 2002, I have loved watching the Olympics. This year is no exception. I have really enjoyed watching these games in Vancouver. In a way I am kind of relieved they are almost over though. I need to get my life back!

Thanks for reading this indulgent post! If the joy is found in the journey, than I am doing my best to find it.

The Joys of Being a Redhead

This past week I was at Wal-Mart standing in the aisle trying to find a particular item that I needed. This old man and his wife walk past me and he stops and says "Your hair is so beautiful." He then turns to his wife, puts his arm around her, and says "But I am partial to redheads." Her hair was very very obviously dyed a shade of red that just wasn't natural. It made me laugh and made my day.

Coming To Terms

I am sorry if I grossed anybody out over my last post. I was home sick and needed to vent. I guess that is what this blog is for. Yes, I am feeling much better now, although it was a pretty lousy weekend. And no, I am not pregnant. I have pretty much given up hope of becoming pregnant anytime soon, and I am coming to terms with that. After failing my first round of fertility treatments I am beginning to feel that I am fighting against fate. It's just not meant to be right now. I think I am ready for a break. I am tired of the emotional roller coaster every month and feeling like my world revolves around my menstrual cycle (I am sure you wanted to hear that, too). I am starting to accept the fact that all of my friends from high school will have kids in high school when I finally have a baby, and you know what, it's OK. I used to get annoyed when people would tell me to "enjoy this time before you have kids because you never get it back." Isn't 8 1/2 years long enough? I used to feel bitter about my job, thinking that if I knew it would take this long to start a family I would have made different career decisions within the pharmacy profession and that my "sacrifice" to stay where I was was for nothing. I am starting to get over these feelings. When I really think about it, these past couple of years have been a blessing. I paid off my student loans, traveled the world, and have spent some wonderful time with Carl without being a student (something that didn't happen until we had been married for over 6 years). That doesn't mean that I won't have an occasional breakdown in church or feel out of place with my friends, it just means that I'm learning to be grateful for the situation that I'm in.

Sick Day

I work out in Tooele once a week, and although it is a long drive, I really enjoy the pharmacy and the great techs who work out there. Yesterday was my day to work in Tooele. It started out fine and dandy until about 2:00 PM, when I started feeling queasy. I thought I was just hungry so I ate my lunch thinking I would start to feel better, but I just got progressively worse. By 5:00 I was lying on the floor in the break room and the techs were bringing me prescriptions to check...not a pretty sight and certainly not conducive to good patient care (fortunately it wasn't very busy by this point). One of the clerks called Sheldon, the pharmacy owner/manager, who came in so I could go home. Unfortunately I live over an hour from Tooele and unfortunately Carl was at a Scout campout in Kamas for the night. Let's just say the drive home wasn't pretty. I ended up puking all over my car driving on I-80 towards Salt Lake. I called my mom who, fortunately, was home. I made it to her house in Sandy without any more incidents but my car was a complete disgusting mess. Being the angel that she is, she cleaned my car up along with help from my wonderful step-dad Brent, so I could go take a bath and lay down. I ended up staying there for the night so I wouldn't have to be alone. I came home this morning and am feeling a little better, but I miss my husband. He went straight from the campout in Kamas to West Jordan for drill. I hope he won't be too late. All I can say, is I am SO GRATEFUL for a sweet mother who is still willing to take care of me although I am 28 years old. It's also a good thing I have Monday off so I can take the time to go get my car detailed.

A High 5 at Taylor Drug

A couple of weeks ago a news crew from KSL 5 came to Taylor Drug to honor one of my co-workers, Clayton Grace. Clayton set up a foundation to help his sister-in-law, whose husband is in a wheelchair because of Multiple Sclerosis, remodel her home to make it wheelchair friendly. It was an exciting day at Taylor Drug (fortunately I wasn't in any of the camera shots that they aired). Clayton is an awesome guy and he deserved it. I feel fortunate to work with such great people.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Paris

I know it has taken me forever to post the pictures from our trip, but here they are. Enjoy!

On the second floor of the Eiffel Tower

Outside of Notre Dame

In the Louvre Courtyard

Me and Venus de Milo

Just imagine hearing "it's a lot smaller than I thought it would be" in about 10 different languages and it's almost like you're there!

Arc de Triomphe

Enjoying the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

The Orsay Museum which houses Europe's largest collection of impressionist art. I am listening to an Audioguide tour that we downloaded before we left, not music on my iPod (for the record).

"The Thinker" at the Rodin Museum

Pictured with us is Carl's friend Valerie. He met her on his mission and her and her mother were great friends of his in the branch in Tours. She now works in Paris and met us for dinner and a walk around the Eiffel Tower.

Leaving Paris for Amsterdam

The Loire River Valley, France

Chaumont Castle

Chambord Castle- Carl is pictured here with his cute nephew Roger

The tree-lined walkway leading to Chenonceau Castle

Chenonceau

Azay-le-Rideau Castle