A few of my favorite things

Because it has been so long since I last blogged I am afraid that some of you may have forgotten about me. You may have a brief recollection of who I am but don't really remember. So, in order to refresh your memories and also update you on my life, I am going to do a picture post of a few of my favorite things. :-)
Favorite thing #1- Eric.









Favorite thing #2- Family









Favorite thing #3- Beautiful scenery/Fall colors









Favorite thing #4- Unexpected suprises









Favorite thing #5- The ocean









Favorite thing #6- Hoodies (I give the credit to an old roommate and good friend, Emily)









Favorite thing #7- Chocolate









Favorite thing #8- Friends









Favorite thing #9- Eating out









Favorite thing #10- Did I mention Eric?









*Sorry that I didn't get everyone in here. You are still some of my favorite things. :-)

Never say never......

So, I realize that it has been a very long time since I have blogged. I just don't feel like there has been a whole lot to blog about. I'll try to do a quick update. For my birthday two months ago I went up to Jackson Hole to visit David and Kelly and went snowmobiling. It was a lot of fun! Thanks guys. I don't have pictures. Sorry.
About a month ago I went up to Red Canyon Lodge two weekends in a row. I went up with some friends for dinner to get out of town. Then, the next weekend I went and spent the night with some of the ladies I work with. It is so pretty up there. Here are some of those pictures.









These are from dinner with my friends.
What a view!!


This was the view from the cabin that we stayed in.









So, that is about what I have been up to the last little while. Now, for a more recent update.
You know how you sometimes you hear of people doing something and you think to yourself, there is no way I will ever do that. Yeah, I think that about quite a few things. But, I am learning not to say never, because as this next tale will show, even I tend to do things that I never thought I would.
So, here is the tale. This weekend I went to Moab with some friends. We had a great time. We went hiking in Arches and Canyonlands.

We went down on Friday and hiked to this arch. It was a beautiful day. I thought that I was going to die on the way up but the hike was worth the view. It was awesome. We also went to hole in the rock. That was a neat place but I decided that you would really have to love someone to live in a cave like that.





Saturday it was cold. It rained and on the way to the Canyonlands we ran into hail. It did warm up as the day went on.










We had a lot of fun. But that wasn't what we went down there for. This is what we really did.



I know that they are saying James at the first but this is really me. James jumped after me. It was a party. I never thought that I would do it but there you are. Never say never because you never know what you will do. I do have to say that it was awesome. I would probably do it again. Here are some pictures of the event.

Looking hot it my overalls!!











Practicing arching back for the jump.









Pumping myself up for the jump.









Everyone harnessed and ready to go!!!









Yes, that is where I sat for the entire plane ride and no, there was no door on the plane. What an incredible view it was!!!







It was quite an exciting weekend. It almost doesn't seem real but I have pictures to prove it. What a rush.

Movies

I'm sorry but I am going to tell you right now that this is going to be a vent session...

Ok, lately I have been to the movies quite a few times. There isn't a whole lot else to do in below freezing weather in Vernal. Plus there have been a lot of movies come out lately that I have been interested in seeing. So, to the movies I have gone.
As I have watched this variety of movies I have to say that I am becoming more and more upset with the crap that is put into movies. Lets take a few of the movies that I have recently viewed.
1-"Yes Man". Honestly, I really enjoyed this movie. It had a great moral: get out and try things! It had Jim Carey in it, which we all know can be kind of sketchy sometimes, but he does usually provide a good laugh. Such was the case with this movie. It was great. I enjoyed almost the whole movie. But because of two parts in the movie that I think were totally inappropriate, I won't refer it to anyone. What a waste of an almost good movie. Yes, it was PG-13, but the one was dropping the F-bomb and it was only a few short years ago that it was only heard in R movies. I am so frustrated that almost every PG-13 you see anymore, someone drops it. NOT COOL! The other part I am just going to say that you don't really see anything but you know what it happening, but I think that it is happening way to often in PG-13 movies too. Both of these things could have been left out with out really ruining the story line, and it would have been a much better movie with out them.
2-"He's just not that into you". I went to this movie because I have decided that just the title is a perfect thesis statement for my dating life. I knew from watching the previews that there was going to be some sexual references, and decided that I wanted to see it anyway. What I didn't realize was how bad it would be. The story follows different men and women. They all have something different. One of the couples is married. The husband ends up meeting another girl and totally cheats on his wife with her. I know that this is more common then we think, but I don't think that it should be glamorized the way it was. The F-bomb is also dropped in this movie. Once again, totally not appropriate. Once again, I really enjoyed the rest of the movie. I really felt like I could understand the one girl because, although she was a bit more extreme then me, she was a lot like I am when it comes to overanalyzing every stupid little thing that happens with guys. I know it is pathetic but that is how it is. However, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because of those things.
3-"Twilight". Ok, be honest, how many of you read the books, loved them, and were dying to see the movie, saw the movie and fell in love with Edward all over again? Not me. Almost everyone I know had read the books. I never did. I figure I will someday, but it isn't really very high on my to do list. But, when the movie came out I had a friend that wanted to see it and I was curious so I went with her. I have to be honest. On the outside, this was a very clean movie, except for the fact that he watches her sleep...creepy, this appeared to be very clean. But as I watched this movie I came to realize one reason there are so many pregnant teenagers. The affect this movie had on my hormones was astonishing. It took me a while after the movie to feel back in control. If I would have been with a boy, I can almost guarantee that there would have been some serious make out sessions going on. I know that it sounds a little extreme, but I am serious. This movie had a bigger affect on my hormones then any movie I have seen in a while. I was quite shocked. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the movie, but I was amazed at how it played such a huge part on my hormones.

Those are just a few examples of movies that I have had this experience with and they are the freshest in my mind right now. I don't want anyone to think that I am perfect and trying to be holier-then-thou. I'm not, because if I were, I wouldn't have gone to the movies in the first place. I would have stayed at home and watched "CareBears". I'm just saying that it is frustrating to go to a movie that could be great without all the crap, but have the crap in it so that they can get their ratings. It drives me crazy! Why ruin a good thing? Also, I don't have kids, but if I did, I wouldn't want them to go see these movies just because of those few things. It is a sad waste.

On that note, I have been to a couple of movies that I really enjoyed and would refer to people. So that I don't leave on a sour note, I will share those too.
1. "Bedtime Stories". I was kind of skeptical at first because it does have Adam Sandler in it and he can be a bit sketchy at times. But I was very impressed with this movie. It was a little cheesy, but most happy feel good movies are. It was an easy, entertaining movie. I enjoyed it.





2."Confessions of a Shopaholic". I started reading this book a few years ago and got about a third of the way through it and couldn't handle it anymore. I don't know if it was her style of writing or what but I struggled everytime I picked it up. So, I wasn't really sure that I wanted to see the movie. But one of my co-workers wanted too so I decided to go with her. I loved it. I laughed most of the way through. In a way I felt like I could connect to her. She was a lot more extreeme then me, but I could understand where she was coming from. Also, I don't remember there being even one swear word in the whole movie. There was a relationship interest, but no sex either! It was a pleasent release from the other movies I have seen lately.

And then of course, there is alway Pride and Prejudice. It does have a sex reference, but the way they handle and look down on it is so much better then what we deal with now. It is glorified now, where in P&P it is a horrible thing that happened.

So, thank you for dealing with my vent. I do feel a little bit better.

My honeymoon destination...no this is not an announcement

So, this morning I was checking my e-mail. When I log out the page goes to msn.com. I like to look around and see what they have going on. Well, today they had a link to pictures of romantic beach getaways. I was intrigued, not because I have any one to be romantic with, but because I like the beach. So, I clicked on it. As a result, I know where I want to go on my honeymoon. It will be expensive, so if anyone knows a very wealthy single man that is looking for someone to spend insane amounts of money on, I am looking for a very wealthy single man to spend insane amounts of money on me. :-)
Anyway, I have decided that I am going to go to Bora Bora for my honeymoon and am going to stay in an overwater bungalo. Not only can it be very romantic and private, it also offers a wide range of activities if you decide to get out and enjoy more then just each other. Some of the options it gives are scuba diving, snorkling, catamaran rides, outrigger canoe rides, 4x4 through the island, hiking, shark and ray feeding, and just soaking up the sun on your private balconey. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.


After thinking about it some, I have come to the sad realization (especially if I continue to live in Vernal) that I will probably not marry an excessively rich man, so, if anyone wants to contribute to the send Amy to Bora Bora on her honeymoon fund, it would be very greatfully accepted. :-) I will take lots of pictures so that everyone that contributed can feel like they were there! I'm just kidding but wouldn't it be a great place to honeymoon?

New Years Resolutions

Every year I dutifully sit down and make a list of New Year's Resolutions. This year was no different. I even break them down into small achievable goals. I put a lot of thought and effort into what I will resolve to do and change in the coming year. I have every intention of keeping them. I don't remember having followed through with one. But, I still make them every year. Next year my resolution might be to keep my resolutions.
While I was writing out my new resolutions I decided to toss things up just a bit and do a search for New Year's Resolutions and see what other people are resolving to do. I realized that I should have done this a lot sooner because I found that there were more people just like me! I found resolutions that I really wanted to do! And they are achievable! Here are some of them:
1. Read less books. A little learning is a dangerous thing. Too much of it can really wreck your head.
2. Gain weight, at least 40 pounds. Didn't your mom always say you were bit skinny.
3. Cut down on exercise. Too much is bad for your health, it can even kill you.
4. Watch more TV. It's very educational. Catch up on all those programs you missed down the years.
5. Draw up a list of people who were nasty to you in the past year, get your own back on them in the next year!
6. Eat more nice things like candy, Big Macs, popcorn and ice cream. Eat less crap like fresh fruit, vegetables and soy nuts.
7. Work less. Take it easy. All work and no play can make you a dull boy or girl.
8. Play more computer games. Scientists say they're good for you and improve your visual skills. But you always knew that.
9. Take up some worthwhile new habit, like smoking - it helps keep tobacco workers in jobs.
(I found this at http://www.tensionnot.com/jokes/one_liner_jokes/funny_new_year_resolutions)
Now, don't tell me that these are not resolutions that you could keep! Except smoking, I will just come up with a habit like drinking a twenty-four pack of Mountain Dew a day. It also helps keep people in jobs.
So, for those of you who are like me, take time to contemplate what you really want, and then, set realistic resolutions. I hope to see you all at the fat and happy Dew party next year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Just a side note, my real New Years Resolutions did NOT include updating my blog regularly, so for those of you who were expecting more from me, sorry, it isn't going to happen. :-)

Vernal Holly Days

So, everyone came out for Thanksgiving this year. Dad had to work so he wasn't there, and Ryan and Jenna went to her parents but they came over to visit us. It was a lot of fun to see everyone.
The day after Thanksgiving Vernal does a Holly Days celebration and they have a lot of free activities. I thought that it would be fun for the kids and decided that we should go. Everyone agreed with me so we bundled up and away we went. These are the pictures that I was able to get.


Playing fireman!
Jaiden had more fun then Austin. He wouldn't get in with out Grandma.


















Riding in the fun cars/tractors provided by the Fire Department.
Anna wouldn't ride any one but the pink one. When we got there another little girl was already riding and kept riding. Finally they had to call a switch so that she would get off. Anna wanted to wait. It was funny.












This was a dinosaur that moved and would open its mouth if you pet it just right. Every one got to ride it. Obviously, Austin felt about the same about riding this as he did sitting in the fire truck. Jaiden and Anna loved it.



















Waiting for the parade of lights. We sat the kids on top of the cars so that they could see. Jaiden thought that the police cars were the coolest things. Everyone had a good time. We were going to try to see Santa after but before the parade started, the kids were getting really ornery and so we decided to go home after the parade. I think Santa might work better next year.

So I had a bad day...

Every once in a while I have to remind myself what it is about being single that I enjoy. By doing this I feel a little bit better about my situation. One thing thing that I really enjoy is going to singles wards. I don't necessarily enjoy singles wards, I just like how quiet they are. Most of the time you can hear a pin drop. I like that. I have a very hard time going to family wards because they are so loud. Anyway, sometimes the people in singles wards forget the quiet rule and very rudely talk during meetings. It drives me crazy. If you want to talk, go to church with your parents. Well, one Sunday I was having a particularly bad day and was looking forward to the quiet that sacrament meeting offers. But, lo and behold, two rows behind me were people that forgot that they are old enough to sit quietly through a meeting. For the first ten to fifteen minutes of this meeting kept talking and telling a story loud enough that I could hear them quite well. It made a bad day worse. So, being the very blunt and not so very tactful person I can be, I turned around and said in my most motherly voice, "This is fascinating, but I didn't come to church to listen to you talk." I know, not very mature of me, but I have to say, I have wanted to tell a lot of people that and finally I just did. It was a very quiet meeting after that.
Later that night I drove over to Roosevelt for an Institute fireside. The people sitting right behind me also forgot the quiet rule. I was very close to telling them the same thing. The thing that bothers me the most is that this isn't a required thing. I'm ok with using them as an excuse to see people, but if you feel like you have to talk, go sit in the hall, or find an empty classroom. Don't make everyone else suffer because you are not grown up and respectful enough to keep your mouth shut.
Anyway, sorry, I didn't mean for this to be a vent. I just wanted to give some background. After Sacrament meeting the branch presidencies wife's all came up to me, (they were sitting in the row behind the noisy couple), and asked if I was ok. One of them just gave me a hug and said, "Amy, I love you." I responded by saying, "why, because I'm ornery?" It was just a bad day.
The next day I went to work and when I came home there was a note on my door from the flower shop. I had to go back to work for a training so I left a little early and went to pick up these flowers. One of the wife's sent them to me. It was very nice of her and it made me feel a little bit better.