A visit from BRAZIL

My last mission companion in my mission came to visit me for a week in July!  It was fun to have her here.  It has been 10 years since I served my mission, yikes!!  I feel lucky because Elite and I have stayed in touch with each other throughout the years.  This is the third time I have seen her since I have been home. It was her first time to Utah and I think it was an eye opening experience.  She couldn't get over all of the big cars.  It was actually quite funny, she just kept saying all of the cars here are gigantic.  We had a good time spending the week together.

We did a lot of shopping!! 

We went to Morgan and spent a night with my family!!

And we spent a lot of time eating!  

It really was great to have her here.  Things have change a little between us through the years.  Some of the things we believe and feel are very different.  We had a couple of challenging situations and conversations but I am still so happy she came to visit.  She was one of the people on this earth I can say my a fundamental difference in who I am today.  I will always love her and be grateful to her for the things she taught me and the love she showed me while we were serving our mission.  Te amo, Amiga!!

32nd Birthday FINALLY!!

I had my 32nd birthday on July 13th and I could not have been more happy!  I love my birthday very much and make sure that everyone knows it is coming.  I am not one of those people who just sits quietly by and hopes everyone will remember.   I am the girls that tells everyone (including people in the grocery store) and expects them to remember! (Yay!)  Well, when I turned 31 I hated it.  I don't know what happened but I was not happy.  Everyone should be happy on their birthday and I just wasn't.  I wasn't all the way through out the whole year either.  I perked up a little when we got to 2011 but I couldn't wait to be 32.  When I was in my early 20's and in college I remember thinking to myself.  I can't wait to be 32.  I thought that by the time I was 32 I would be established, I would hopefully be a little smarter, a little better and settled in to living a happy, healthy life.  As I turn 32 I can say I have accomplished all of those things and I am very proud and happy.  The next goal birthday I have set is 45.  I am excited to get there and see what has happened.  After 45 comes 70 and after 70 comes 100!  I can't wait and yes you heard me right, I want to live to be 100!!  Happy Birthday everyone! Happy Birthday Me!

Harry Potter 7

I'm a little bit behind on writing post. Life got busy!!

I like writing posts about movies that I see in the theater because I like watching movies so much. I saw Harry Potter 7 weeks ago in July when it came out. I have to say, it is one of the best movies I have seen. 17 stars and 12 thumbs up from me. I really liked Part I of Harry and the Deathly Hallows but I love Part II. I won't tell what happens in case there happens to be someone out there who hasn't seen it but just know it was one of my favorites ever and I highly recommend it to every!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished this book as an audio book. I bought it from iTunes because it was listed as #1 and only cost $5.95. I had no idea what to expect. It was really great! I was immediately interested in the story after the first few pages had been read. The way the story is written is very captivating. The story line is just okay. Not to shocking or exciting, and actually very sad. But, I was entertained I wanted to keep listening to see what would come up next and to know how everything tied together and how the story ended. This is a great book to add to your list of something entertaining, captivating and easy to read.


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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This classic book isn't long and has a great ending. I did struggling getting through it and many times had to force myself to read it. However, it being a classic, I think everyone should read it.


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Better Than Expected

I planted a salsa garden earlier in the summer. I didn't know so much what I was doing but I was proud of myself for giving it a try.
The salsa garden is going much better than I expected.

My tomato plant is a bear. It's huge! It's going to grow right out of the pot. And, I already harvested some cilantro and made a very delicious batch of salsa.

All I have to say is... my salsa garden rocks! I'm making plans for how I'm going to do it even bigger and better next year. I'm so excited to see how it continues to grow. Any body hungry for some salsa?

Soccer Surprise

A few weeks ago my sister Colette and her family came down from Logan to go to the REAL game. I was excited they were going to be there because I love the game so much. I called her on my way to the game to ask where they were sitting so we could meet up. She told me and then said, "Gracie is with us too!" I was so excited. Not only was Colette's family coming to the game but my cute niece Gracie was coming as well. During half time I went and met up with them. Savanah and Gracie decided they wanted to come sit with me. Although Gracie doesn't look to happy, I had a great time and I'm so happy they all came down to watch the REAL. Go RSL!!

Grape Vines

The grape vines in my back yard get bigger and bigger every year. That's what we want to have happen, right?

I spent the day a couple of Saturdays ago, trimming the grapes and putting up some more trellises so they would grow on the side of the shed. If any of you are in the mood from some wine come harvest... let me know and I'll keep you in mind (wink).

My Mom Did it For Me..

One of my new year's resolutions was to make a quilt.  I decided I wanted to make a 4th of July quilt to take to parades, fireworks, picnics etc in the summer during the 4th of July celebrations.  I went to the store and choose the pattern and picked out the fabric.  I spent almost and entire Saturday cutting all of the peices.  Then I figured out the color scheme and pattern.  

I have a sewing machine but haven't used it since I was a senior in high school.  A few weeks ago I was planning to stay in Morgan on a Friday night after volunteering for the Wasatch Back Rely.  I decided to take my fabric to use my moms sewing machine because it was nicer and already set up.  I was up late that Friday night at the race and was exhausted on Saturday morning.  My mom said to me when I woke up, "Why don't you go back to sleep and I will sew your quilt for you. "  I didn't object.  She pieced the entire quilt together for me.

I also wanted to have the quilt professional machine quilted because of time and energy.  I didn't want to have to worry about getting it done.  My mom knew this and being the great lady that she is, found someone to quilt it for me, provided me with the batt to go inside, took the quilt to the lady, paid the lady to quilt it, picked it up, and finished all of the binding.  I didn't know she had done all of that.  She called me last Sunday morning and told me my quilt was done.  I said, "What" she said.  I picked it up yesterday, it is done.  I did it for you. 

I was so happy.  I have been overly stressed lately with work and starting school in a month, trying to train for the 1/2 marathon and everything else, I didn't think I would have time to get the quilt done.  It was one of the best surprises I have ever had, when my mom called and said my quilt was done.  I love her so much.  I'm so happy to have her in my life.  And, I love my quilt.  It turned out just the way I wanted it.  Happy 4th of July!!

T3

When the first Transformers movie came out I didn't want to see it but I did and I was shocked by how much I liked it.  When the second Transformers movie came out I did want to see it and was shocked by how much I didn't like it.  The third Transformers movie just came out.  I wanted to see it and I really liked it.  Way to pull it back together for number three!  I say two thumbs up, I thought it was great!

Along Came a Spider by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've read a lot of James Patterson novels.  Interesting that I didn't start with this one first since it is #1.  I like his writing.  The books don't blow me away but there is something I like about them because I keep reading them.  The book has a good blot with mystery, romance and suspension.  I liked it quite a bit. On the the next...

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Proud to Be

I am very proud to be an American!!

I hope everyone has a safe, happy and respectful 4th of July weekend!