Emotional Clothes

We often have a discussion at work about not taking things personally. I want to add to that discussion by saying:

While yes it is important to leave your sensitive sweaters at home, it is also important to leave the hunting jackets at home.

I won't be as sensitive if you aren't attacking me.

BIG NEWS!!!

So I realized today that I haven't posted anything about a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

Tyson proposed in Malibu on the beach on February 16th. It was beautiful and romantic! We are getting married the 1st of June this summer in the Salt Lake Temple.

I've started a website with all the details on us - it isn't ready for the public yet, but I'll give more details as it is ready.

49. Getting My Hair Done

Cravings

Maybe it is just because it is fast sunday (which is probably half of it) or maybe it is a real craving but I am super craving Ice Cream. Happy creamy goodness. Even though it is winter. That is exactly what I want.

Too bad I don't have any at home. I should have grabbed some last night when I went shopping.

Personal History: Growing Up - Early Years

Where did you grow up?

I grew up all over the place. As a daughter of a military father we moved all over the world. I was born in Utah. As my dad decided to go back to school we moved to Oregon where he attended Nursing School. We lived with my grandparents, Jess and Betty Fleming, on their couple acre lot in Boring, Oregon. I remember running around grandma's house and playing with her decorations. Especially her glass rabbits (though that memory might be from later years). We lived in their basement. I can't tell if my memories of that place are real memories or if they are just stories I've heard enough times to think they are memories. 

I do remember playing ball with my cousin (Matt or Mike - I can't remember which) on grandma's stairs to the basement. The stairs were divided by a landing halfway down. I would stand at the top and toss a ball down to my cousin and he would hit the ball with his head back up to me. I remember laughing for hours.

It was there that Erin was born. When Erin was born she was sick and needed a light to keep her warm or something. If I ask mom she will remember. I remember that Erin slept in mom and dads closet and that I would have certain chores that I would check off with stickers.

Next we moved to Travis AFB in California for about 6 months. I don't really remember much about this place other than I remember having one of those PVC pipe Beauty and The Beast tents.

After California we moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. I remember a lot more about this place. We lived on a cul-de-sac. I think it was on the north side of Las Vegas (but I really can't remember). I remember when we moved in to our new house we didn't have any furniture yet and we just picnicked on the floor. I loved it! Our backyard was unfinished. Just the desert ground with clay a few inches below. My dad had a hard time putting in the sprinkler system with all that clay. At some point we got a swingset. I think that was from my uncles on the Hampel side (but once again I could be totally wrong). This was the first place I went to school. I went to two different elementary schools. One of them was Lucille Bruner Elementary School. Which is near Craig Road. The first time I rode the school bus was terrifying. The bus stop picked up and dropped off at different places. My mom had told me to only get off at the stop I got on at. I freaked out when the bus driver tried to drop me off at a different place. I cried like crazy. I eventually made it home but man was that a terrible ordeal.

Kelli was born in Las Vegas. I remember when she was born, Grandma Fleming took Erin and I to see Lion King in the movie theater.

After Vegas, we moved to San Antonio, Texas. We lived in two rented homes. The first one we didn't stay in very long. The second was rented out by a family in our ward, the Munoz family. I remember making my walk in closet my barbie house. It was so awesome!! In San Antonio, I made a lot of friends that I still know today. We left Texas when I was about 10.

That about covers the Early Years of where I grew up. Still many more moves ahead! Funny how such a simple question did not have a simple short answer.

Funny County Names

In my genealogy research, I see a lot of place names. I've see some funny ones the past few days. The top 2 are:

1. Whatcom County, Washington
2. Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Personal History

As a genealogists I really should have this done already, but hey - no one is perfect.

I have several lists of questions to answer about my personal history and will start from there. Some question I might not include on this "public" website because, well, this is a public place.

One I really want to talk about is my birth and family. However, those questions ask very specific questions about full names and birth dates. So that will go elsewhere.

My hope is when I'm done with this Personal History questions I will have somewhere that all the questions are in the same place.

Sorry this post is scattered. I'm not completely focused today. :)

Family Wards

I've been in the single scene a while. Probably longer than most people who read my blog. I've been attending a singles ward for 6.5 years. Singles ward sacrament meetings are very quiet. It is easy to focus on what people are saying. But of course, there is no variety in the congregation other than a 10 year span in age and maybe race and background.

Christmas Sunday I went to my parents ward in Lehi. I came away finding a few things I love about family wards. I was easily distracted and don't really remember much else but here it is.


Things I love about family wards:
-making faces at the kid in front of you
-children singing
-child playing violin as musical number
-super prego women in high heels

Wonderful Reminder

This week I got a few awesome things in the mail... CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! First off, receiving real personal mail is awesome (I should send mail to people more often). Second, I got real Christmas letters from friends. Let me explain "real".  I have many friends that have started families of their own. In the past I've always gotten roommate Christmas cards OR my parents get the Christmas cards.  These ones were all mine!! I loved that they were personal cards updating their friends on their lives. It really was so fun to read them. I also loved that they were not "brag" cards. Just simple, short, sweet and to the point. Someday, I want to write Christmas cards like that!

In one of those cards a dear friend (Karen) reminded me to keep blogging. I really haven't been good at blogging lately. So here I am repenting of my absence. Thank you Karen!!

I really do have so much to share!

Work is crazy busy! It is end of month, end of old cases, end of payroll, Christmas rush, and of course... END OF YEAR!!! There are days when I really do love my job and there are days when I just don't. Interesting though... I always like going to work. I can't remember a day that I dreaded going. I might not want to be here because I'm tired or have too much to do. But I really do enjoy going to work. I love the people I work with. I'm doing exactly what I got my degree in!!! Go me! I am learning while at work about research and about business. I have been able to do research that I never dreamed I'd do. I've done Polish/Russian Immigration!! Crazy - I know.

I really do love having my family so close to me. My parents moved to Lehi (I can't remember if I already said that or not). I go there at least once a week. It is just so nice and convenient.

Other exciting news... I'm dating someone!!

His name is Tyson! I don't have tons of time right now to tell you about him but here is the jist:

• He was a blind date (they do work out!!) set up by our friend Kyle VG
• We've been dating 3 months
• He is from South Jordan
• Graduated from USU
• He is seriously the best ever!!

I Am Grateful For:

• The ability to look at the big picture
• Encounters with others that make you grateful for the way things are
• Deep conversations with friends
• Someone who tells me I'm beautiful 
• The moment when my sisters and I realize that we are roommates!

I Am Grateful For:

• My family - Parents, sisters, extended family. Just the whole lot! They are awesome!
• The ability to learn and grow
• Good friends who listen and understand
• My job - I have a job in my field. I have great fellow genealogists I work with. The environment is one that promotes development and progression.
• Ice - the canned soda was hot this morning at work. Ice helped :)

I am Grateful for:

• Second chances - Sometimes I think I know what I'm doing. Most of the time I'm wrong. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father sometimes gives us a shove out into the storm so we can have a second chance. That second chance often turns out to be better than the first round. 
• Heaven's plan - need I say more?
• Fans - My office is way hot. I can't imagine life in here with out them
• Dogs - They really just make me happy. I want one. Someday soon I hope I can have one.

I Don't Think Guys Understand*

Now there are a lot of differences between the way men and women think. I believe we are all clear on that.

I would like to take a minute to explain one small thing.

As children we are all taught "stranger danger". Pretty straight forward. Don't talk to strangers cause they could want to hurt you. As we all grew up though, boys and girls were taught different lessons (at least I think we were... I don't have brothers so I could be wrong).

Growing up, most girls are taught the danger of going anywhere alone. (If they are not taught this, they should have been). Don't walk alone at night. Don't go running alone especially in less-populated areas. Be aware of those around you and what they are doing. Make sure you always have your keys ready in case someone attacks you. Be careful in parking lots. Anyway the list goes on.

What I don't think men understand is that because of this idea that you must always be on your guard is a way of life for us. Maybe I am just speaking for myself, but I am ALWAYS on my guard when I'm going anywhere alone.  And I'm even on my guard when I'm with a small group of ladies late at night. I choose not to go running alone outside because of this.

*old post I forgot to post

Today = Almost Christmas

Today kind of started off on the wrong foot. Things were popping up that I didn't know how to deal with. Not major things, mind you. Just thoughts that I didn't quite know how to process. And being a worry wart (aka 'a girl') it was bothering me like crazy.

THEN....

I went to a work meeting about AncestryDNA. I finally got my DNA kit that I've been waiting five months to get! I am so excited!!! What does an Ancestry.com DNA kit do? Well it helps with family history connections. For more information on it go to AncestryDNA. (If it doesn't open for you because of login issues - I'm sorry). Receiving that kit really felt like Christmas. I doing a terrible job expressing myself, but just understand I am excited!!

ALSO...

Apple has their software update available today. So not only am I counting down the minutes til I get home and can spit into a tube, but I'm stoked about updating my Apple products!!

I love it when days that are a little "less than great" become like Christmas!! Those worries have been pushed to the back of my mind. :)

FYI...

"Apple/Spit time" in... 3 hours!

It Shouldn't Be That Hard

Dating really shouldn't be that hard.

When in a dating relationship or trying to develop that relationship it really shouldn't be that difficult. In the past week I have discussed dating relationships with several people. A relationship should just flow. ESPECIALLY at the beginning of a relationship. You should not feel pressured into doing anything in regards to a relationship. The first few months should just be fun. Getting to know each other. Learning about yourself and the other individual. Going places and meeting other people. If you are feeling stressed out, something is wrong. Maybe it is just mis-communication that a little discussion will clear up or maybe it is something serious.

You also shouldn't have to convince someone to like you. If this is the case, they are NOT WORTH IT.

I'm not saying that it will always be butterflies and meadows. There will be bumps and twists and turns that need to be addressed. But the whole point of relationships (romantic and platonic) here on earth is to build each other up. Help make each other better. Learn and grow together.

Men are that they might have joy.

True Story

48. Sleeping in When Normally You Can't

Since I became a working adult my sleeping schedule has changed. I try to get to bed by 1030 because I'm up at 630 and need to be able to function at work. This has also led to my inability to sleep in on weekends. It sucks! I'm up at 730 at the latest (even if I stay up til 230 in the morning the night before). On my birthday I was able to sleep in til 845. It was a birthday miracle!

47. Text Message from a Crush

46. Popping Bubble Wrap

It is just so soothing....

45. Riding a motorcycle

Especially in the autumn season.