Wake me up...

Whenever September is almost over that GreenDay song always goes on in my head about wake me up when September ends. And then I wish I could sleep through September. I love September, but I want to sleep a whole month and then have someone wake me up later. Ah, wouldn't that be nice? To sleep for so long. Bears don't know how lucky they got it ! Dang bears !

Nothing is really going on. I'm not really sure why I'm updating. I kept trying to come up with someone to write about and then just didn't... and before I knew it, I had a new post page open. Oh well. Life is being the same. Nothing really new going on. October should be fun.

We find out about BYU (I know, I put that in here every post) and next weekend is General Conference, which I love dearly more than almost anything and if you ever get the chance to get me to talk about it in person I'll probably cry. Just like I'm getting that knot in my throat just typing this. Man do I love Conference. <3

October also means pretty fall ! I love campus when the leaves change cause they have enough random trees everywhere that the colors are amazing. I'm pretty sure last year I just went on walks and collected leaves. Huge leaves the size of your face. That are pretty yellows and oranges. Talk about awkward when you're waiting for everyone to be gone so you can discreetly pick up a leaf. Silly Haley, no one cares what you're doing picking up leaves.

And Halloween. I really want to actually dress up. Last year there was a medical emergency and we ended up visiting church members who unexpectedly were at the hospital when their son was in a bad motorcycle accident and I'm the only Relief Society leader that they could get in touch with to go visit them and touch base (Relief Society is the women's organization within the church. See more here---->http://www.lds.org/callings/relief-society/getting-started/introduction-to-relief-society?locale=eng). So we didn't have the chance to dress up since we met wonderful people and were busy doing service. (I hope that sounded modest!)

So it should be an exciting month. Yay October. I know I'm wishing away my time and I'm really not. I love September. I've still got lots going on these last few days. Tara's Baby shower, then Saturday is the Relief Society Broadcast and Ice Cream social (oh yeah, church and ice cream, bring it !). Anyone else excited for the new Presidency to speak as I am? Did you remember we have a new RS Presidency? Just kidding ! Don't feel bad. I'm crazy.

And then the final episode of Doctor Who until the 50th Anniversary Christmas episode which in itself is enough to make you want to cry. But its the last episode of the beloved Ponds. CRY ALL THE TEARS ! I am not looking foward to this moment. Except that I am. Sorta. Such a sad day.

So now that you know my life plan for the next 4 weeks feel free to tell me I'm a loser. But yay for wasting time! Enjoy your last few days of September!

Oh. PS. as a preface for my next instantaneous post. I reread the posts from my other blog (you have another blog!? why yes, yes I do) All 5 posts. And my one follower and yeah. It's sad. I really like some of them tho. That blog was more, religious, here's what I realized while reading scriptures, or this fun fact someone in church shared. It was really good. But kind of died away. Anyways ! So now that I have actual readers (Shocking!! I know) I might copy over the posts periodically (as in the next 5 posts will be those lol) because I really liked some of the things I shared (sound modest?). So... don't stop reading my blog. It won't last for long.

Monday...Mundane

Monday sounds an awful lot like mundane... just saying. Coincidence? I think not!

Why not write another update ya know, instead of actually doing work... weird. Maybe I like the excitement of procrastination, the rush of realizing everything I have to get done in less than an hour if I want to get outta this place by 4. Oh silly me.

I had a fun birthday weekend. A little low key, which is probably good, ya know, since I'm getting old now. Came to work for a few hours and felt so horrible for leaving early, especially since I got laughed at when I asked if it was ok. Whatever. My boss said he interviewed for a company that gave employees their birthdays off and he likes that idea. Noted. Finally opened my big present that had been torturing me. It was full of fun !  I got my own personal spinning floating T.A.R.D.I.S. I give you full permission to be jealous. It will eventually make it to my desk at work and keep my company in my little cubicle. So I can stare at it as it spins and dream of the day when the Doctor will tumble into my life and take me (and Chris if he wants to ) away in his blue box.

Don't laugh at me until you watch the whole series, and love it like me. Then you'll understand. 

The rest of the box contained the present I was secretly planning for and was going to be really sad when I didn't get it since I was already acting like it was a done deal. I finally got some Project Life stuff (see www.beckyhiggins.com if you need some info. It's wonderful!)

I'm so excited ! I got the Cherry Edition starter kit. Love it. I need more stuff. Oh wait, I already ordered some from Amazon and spent the better half of Saturday running around with Mert getting more things. I love it ! The only thing is I have to return the binder. Chris thought the turquoise edition binder would be more "family" looking. Which, he does have a point. Except his OCD wife can't put Cherry edition stuff inside a Turquoise edition binder ! Ah ! It hurts my brain thinking about it. So I'll eventually return it and get the plain black probably. Simple. Goes with everything and I don't have to worry about it getting dirty like that white one. 

I did start the title page. I'm not super thrilled with some of it. If only my dang cricut (the mat actually) would work then I'd be fine and dandy. So some of the stuff was handwritten. Gross. Usually I don't mind it. But in this I do. I'll fix it eventually. So far, thats it. I've got ideas for the next 2 pages and hopefully stuff happens during the week so I can have two pages worth of stuff. We shall see. Chris is kinda already regretting getting it for me when I kept snapping pictures yesterday. Oh well. 

So presents, dinner with my dad, Tracy and Josh. Yummy mexican, and off tune serenades. Then cookie cake <3 love it. Shopping for craft supplies (date stamp, markers, paper, etc). Then MU game, where we should have won, but hey who doesn't want to score when you're down 3pts? I think I'll throw an interception.. COOL. 

Then church. The usual. 

I love birthdays. I got to hear from a few people I don't usually hear from. It's nice. I miss my family. 

All in all, 26 is good so far. Except that I'm tired. Full of fun, presents and surprises ! <3

OH and I'm pretty sure (but trying not to get my hopes up) that I've kinda got that job. The PhD emailed me again (horrible I know!) for a 2nd reference letter since she hasn't gotten a 2nd response. So I emailed Eric, he said he'd have it in tomorrow. Told her she'd have it tomorrow and she said good because this delay has caused them to put off doing an experiment. Why? Do they need me to do the experiment? Word? I'd love to not hate coming to work again. Not sure how I feel about the animal work. We shall see. Lots of things coming up in the next few weeks. Job? BYU? who knows what else !

Twice in one week !

I'm on a roll ! I want a roll. A buttered Wawa roll with a hot turkey bowl... yummy. Its almost lunch time. A Reese's cup didn't cut it for breakfast. Yummy Wawa...

So I've had this thought. And I keep thinking it, and thinking I should blog it and yada yada, but never do. And I think its a pretty good thought. 

Almost a year ago, for our area in our church, our Stake President (he's the leader over a group of congregations, so here, some in Kentucky, Ohio) he got really excited and starting pushing Indexing. If you don't know what it is (because I sure didn't!) go here---> https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing . Basically the Church has scanned all these different types of historical documents, ship manifests, censuses, birth records, marriage records, you name it. And computers can't extract the info, so they get nice volunteers to spend their time going through the records and pulling out information about people: name, age, where they live, parents, etc. This is a HUGE help when it comes time to do your own family history and you can't find something online for your great great great (etc) grandparent. Once these records are indexed, the information is published and all of the sudden you can find information on your great great great... grandparent. Its happened to me. It was a really good moment. (I have a feeling I might have talked about indexing before here, but I'm not sure...Sorry!) I love it. I love seeing all these old names, from all these crazy places. I have an insane imagination so when I was doing the 1940 census and there'd be a family (husband wife kids) and then random sister in law, or mother or whoever staying, I'd come up with this huge story in my head as to why that person was staying with them. Stuff like that. I'm weird. 

So lately, I've picked it up again. It helps pass the time at work when I'm bored, or just plain procrastinating. I feel like its an ok trade off since I'm doing a service ! The new project I've been working on now since the 1940 Census was done forever ago is ship records from the 1800-early 1900's. All these different people coming from everywhere, literally, to come to America. Some of the records have a place written with how much money they have on them. Some only travel with $10 (which back then was probably amazing!) but it makes me think, they left everything, their homes, their country, their culture, everything, to take what little they could and get on a ship and show up in America.  There was hope here. There was a dream they had, and they could make it happen here. So when I've been grumbling about how much I hate my situation and how much I hate this job drama I have to go through, I see these people who sacrificed so much, so much comfort, stability, a life they'd built, to come here. And I have it. People are still trying to come here to live their dreams. There's a quote I see sometimes that hits me to the core when I'm grumbly: "Someone else is happy with far less than what you have." Ouch... that really makes me think. Haley, shut up. You have a wonderful husband, a great (ish) job, a great salary, wonderful family, the Gospel, a warm full apartment, food, love, friends, etc. So much. I have what people want. What people dream of having. Of what people used to come to this country for.

I don't want to say I'm living the American Dream and this is what I've been after my whole life, but I'm not far from it, and I'm still young. Of course I haven't reached it yet. But this whole indexing thing really put things in perspective for me. If these people were still alive today and heard my griping about what I'd do, they'd probably hit me. Or give me a good talking to (something I think old people would say). I should be grateful. And I really try to be. Sometimes, it's just so much easier to be grumpy. And, honestly, the second I had this "ah-ha" moment, I got an email from the PhD. She wanted to request references and me follow up and hope our collective efforts would produce action. And the next day, she got a letter. One more ! So we'll see. Things have been looking up. Even in my current job. Its still not my favorite, and it still has its issues. But its working out better.  

Happy Thursday !

[insert witty title]

It's Monday. Cut me some slack. No desire to be at work [ya know, since I work so hard!], actually no desire to even be awake. But I'm here.

I can't seem to catch a break lately. I keep thinking it will happen, and then it doesn't. And I'm not really sure why. I have a plaque and I'm sure I've shared this before, that says "Faith in the Lord includes faith in His timing." I love it. So simple, so true. Such a good reminder. But seeing the "why-is-this-taking-so-long" is pretty hard sometimes.

As usual, I'm complaining about my job. Shocker, I know. I keep thinking I'm getting out of here. Oh is that the light at the end of the tunnel. Oh nope. Just more dark tunnel. I am grateful to have a job, benefits, a really good salary that more than takes care of my family. Please don't get me wrong and think I'm not noticing how fortunate I am. But, what the heck ! I never saw the job posting my dad kept telling me about. Must have missed it being posted when I checked the website every day for weeks upon weeks. The few job interviews I have had got my hopes up and then crashed and burned. Most recently was a job interview 2 floors up [still at Marshall] in another lab. Very quick interview. The PhD was fun, kinda quirky. I think I could really enjoy working again. One of her two lab techs [just two! they need me!] said it's not the most fun job, but he doesn't hate coming to work everyday. And I'm like that's nice. What's that like? It's been so long. So I'm pretty excited, waiting for the appropriate amount of time to follow and thank-you-for-the-interview-email. And she wants reference. Not just name and phone numbers, which I have. But letters. Which I thought I had a few from a few years back. No clue where they are. So I email 5 people. Two can't do it. Stupid company policy. and the other 3 haven't responded. I'm freaking out ! I want this job so much I really don't care about my work now [yeah, I know, did I ever care about the work I'm doing now?] and I just want to leave. Put in my notice and be gone, well, "gone" to a lab two stories higher. But what can I do? I just want letters that say I'm awesome to work with, I get stuff done, I'm reliable, efficient, yada yada. I just don't understand why this waiting game.

The way Marshall HR works by the time I'd even get the letters in, it will be weeks before we can even do anything about it. Marshall HR... I loathe you. And reference letters. I loathe you too. Hopefully something happens soon. I just worry how this is reflecting on me to the PhD. Where are her letters? Will no one write one? Is she that bad of an employee? Maybe we shouldn't hire her... Yay! Another light extinguished.

On a happy note. In 3 weeks will be the BYU deadline and we can see again if Chris got accepted. Then there's a whole other big decision to make. I'm convinced they'll all happen at once. Cause that's how it works. For me at least. Oh BYU, Utah, decisions.  And my birthday is Friday. Pretty excited. Mostly because I have a big box sitting on the desk that's been taunting me for a week. I want to open it. It's got lots of presents in it. Not just one. Yay for turning 26 ! Yuck !

And on a not so happy note, my sweet angel of a great grandmother passed away last week. She really was an angel. The world has lost such an amazing sweet daughter of God. Her and my great grandpa are on my top 5 list of most amazing people to walk the earth. Jesus is on that list. That's how awesome they are. I'm so lucky to have had her example and now to have [and had to read for a long time. I'm a slacker] a copy of her personal history she wrote years ago to read and hear her voice as I'm living her life with her. I'm so lucky to have the Gospel in my life that seals and binds families together across generations so that she's still my great grandma when we're in the next life. And her and my great grandpa, together for over 70 years will still get to enjoy that love and devotion they had here. I love that love stories don't have to end at death. What happier thing is there?

Ode to being bored

I wish I was a poet so I could write a silly little poem here to go along with my title. Oh well. I'm a science major. Get over it.

I wish there was tons to tell. Unfortunately our lives are not all interesting right now.

I may even repeat stuff that's how outta it I am ! Sorry !

Maybe I'll work backwards. So yesterday was Chris' birthday! Big 2-4 ! He calls me old, and right now he's only a year behind :p Take that Old Man ! I didn't mean to come to work, but I had to. Longer than I wanted. Finally got home and wanted to surprise him with Tudors (yummy!) but it was noon. Lunch time. And he was awake. So we got Taco Bell (we're big and fancy on bdays) and we went with Nathan disc golfing. Thank goodness we only played half the course. My legs can't handle it. I'm so depressingly out of shape. But it was fun. I wasn't too bad. I average about +1 for every hole. Then 2 or 3 I suck completely at and get +3. Oh well :] It was only the 3rd time I'd played. And Chris had fun. Which was the point. He got to use his new disc his mommy got him. Cute ! Wish I had pictures but someone didn't want to hold my phone in his HUGE pockets !

Then we got him a new Marshall shirt. I wanted him to have something to open actually on his bday, but I hate picking out shirts for him. One day I'll learn his taste. Found out Stadium is hiring. So he applied. Late bday present = job? That would be nice. Especially since he'd be right by campus, and a block from me :]

We went home, got cleaned up cause (maybe tmi) Chris sweats like crazy. I was pretty hot and worn out from playing out in the sun, but he was like soaked. Gross. Overactive sweat glands? My poor hubby.

So once we were finally ready, I suggested we get dressed up, so he wore his new button up shirt and tie & I was cute in a skirt, nothing special and couldn't figure out where to go. We started heading to Charleston (good old Quaker Steak in our fancy clothes) but we didn't wanna make the drive. So Olive Garden it is :] (I just realized how much bday info your getting. Was going to be a summary. oh well!) I love that he loves olive garden. My dad hated it growing up.

Ok so that was his bday. Lets see if I can truly summarize anything else.

Bday dinner with family was a blast. Probably the best one so far. Vic suggested for ours next month we do the Great Wolf Lodge (http://www.greatwolf.com/ so fun!) I like birthdays. And family.

Patti and Zayne are back ! Yay ! Zayne got so big its crazy. I forget how much babies actually grow. It's so sad ! But they're back! Nick gets here tomorrow? Today? He's driving. Not sure. MERT COMES HOME SUNDAY ! Ah, and everyone will be back and we'll be back to normal. Yay ! Even though Maddie left today and it was really sad.

On a Maddie/Utah note, we accidentally applied Chris to BYU again. I was just looking to see if his application was still available, and IF we even wanted to apply would we have to redo everything. And... it submitted. So we'll find out by Halloween. We've thrown around the idea about going since our original reasons for staying were 1. my amazing job 2. his school was paid for. Now 1. my job is horrible and makes me want to die and 2. we had to take out a loan for his school. So... our reasons are invalid. Got it Big Guy. So we'll see.

Um... Sarah's baby is due ANY DAY NOW ! I keep waiting for the text. I'm sure we'll be the last to know :p Since we had to find out through the grapevine she was pregnant. But as long as I know eventually I'll be ok :] So I can bring cute stuff to the hospital. I love having such a fluid schedule when Zayne was born cause I'd just leave work and go hang out and help, or grab foam shampoo. It was nice.

Anything else? Oh the diet. Yeah 2 weeks. Everyone quit after 1. Its hard alone. So I quit. Chris is all up on the fads though. So we're on the try this #2. And then we already have a #3 lined up (http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/ check it out. Its on netflix. very enlightening) Not sure if we'll actually do it ! So scary !

Anywho. Can't wait for the next few weeks. Everything goes back into a routine. I want this job thing to get moving. I applied to another one. At Marshall. Fingers crossed. Hopefully a NJ trip ! AH! How awesome would that be ! And my birthday. Don't know what to get me? Just ask. I have wishlists upon wishlists to where you want to shop.

Ok. The end of my novel!

Ps. speaking of novel, read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. LOVE IT!

The Mystery Mix CD

So I hate Mondays. Not the usual "why is the weekend over" hate, but sick in my heart, I'm holding back tears kind of hating Mondays.  So I got up late, didn't eat breakfast, didn't want to get here. Do what little I have to do and keep busy until my meeting at 230pm (that goes until at least 5, cool!) I'm looking for jobs, everyday checking the usual sites, cause I just hate coming here on Mondays, well everyday, but Mondays especially. I live for Friday at 330pm.

After a boring, stupid typical day at my cubicle, I decide to go get lunch (a salad, I'm trying to be good) and the tire pressure lights on. So I consult the user manual just to be sure it's not something silly. Like the last time we thought my check engine light was on and it was just the oil change reminder light (cars have those?).  While looking through my zipper folder of papers, I found a burned CD, unmarked, no name nothing. Ok, does my Matrix come with a "welcome to Toyota" intro CD? Pop it in while I'm enjoying my Wendys Berry Salad (yummy btw) and Nickleback comes on... ok? Next, We The Kings "Say Yes Juliet." Gay guy? Love stricken girl? What is this? Some old school Phil Collins love ballad, what else... my wedding song, Hero by Enrique Iglesias... oh yeah ! What else... !! All these cheesy "I love you girl" songs. Now I'm wondering what this CD's back story is? Did some guy make it for a girl, trying to win her back (there were "sorry, she wasn't anyone, take me back" songs) or some lonely girl making a CD with all these beautiful (HA) love songs to cry to? Hey, I've made my fair share of cheesy CD's. But would I ever hide mine in the glove compartment, in the zipper folder, behind ALL the manuals and papers? And forget it?

My imaginations crazy and I've got like 10 back stories for this silly little CD. Why didn't I become a writer?

There's a little glimpse into my mind. Sorry ! Enjoy, & happy monday/first day of school !

Rabbit Food

Hello August ! Back to school, end of summer, hot days & cool nights <3 Holy cow, I can't believe how fast this year is going by. Over a week into August and no post. I know all my avid followers are so sad ! Sorry ! I thought I'd get a little update for ya while I'm chowing down on my Oh-SO Healthy lunch.

Life's been busy. What's new with that. I always say things will calm down and they never do. Shocker. We have one more wedding this Summer. WOO ! Then they are done. Until the next person decides to get married. I went to my lovely friend Sarah's wedding. Loved it ! It was so adorable and so her and I wish she coulda helped with my wedding. It would have been so cute !

Then we have Nathan & Alix's wedding this weekend that Autumn and I are playing the music for. No pressure. It's so much easier when it's just me playing, or playing a hymn, but she got all this new classical music that I've loved learning cause it's something new and not church. But it adds a whole different level of stress. Good times.

And we started a diet. Not related to weddings.  Chris was all for it and everyone in his family has been talking about it and raving, etc. So he finally got the menus (it's a 6 week jump start program) was all gung ho and willing to shop and cook and whatever it takes to lose some weight. Three meals a day, two snacks. Simple? Let me tell you, week 1 was rough. Super rough. Especially day 2. I wanted to die and kill anyone around me that was breathing. No milk, cheese. No bread, pasta, desserts, chocolate, nothing. Veggies, fruits & proteins. Which sounds all good and dandy until its portioned and you can't use all this extra stuff you're used to using.  So to give you a glimpse into my life of food:

Breakfast (7-8am): 2 whole organic(must!) eggs, 1 strip of turkey bacon, 1 cup of steamed broccoli (for breakfast? yup) and a 1/2 of a banana. You are definitely full. But no butter (I haven't used any yet, yay me!) no salt unless its this special salt, so.. pepper & garlic powder are my new favorites.

Snack 1 (10-11am) 1oz almonds, 1 cup strawberries & 6-7 baby carrots (or more broccoli) Almonds and strawberries are my heaven !! Too bad week 2 has no fruits. AT ALL. So Sad!

Lunch (1-2pm) Always a salad, always always always w/o iceburg, cucumbers, tomatos (none for me) & peppers (none for me) & oil & apple cider vinegar for dressing. I don't like o/v dressing. Gross. I picture eating the dye from Easter egg time. You get 3-5oz of meat with this, lean cut, cooked without butter, greasy goodness. Again no salt. But bring on the pepper and garlic! Oh and another cup of broccoli.

Snack 2 (3-4) Uh.. i just ate an hour ago? I dont want more food. Same gist, 1oz of almonds/walnuts/ something nutty, green apple & more carrots, or celery or broccoli.

Dinner (6-7pm) pretty much repeat lunch. Exactly repeat lunch.

Everyday. I find new ways to cook things. Chris has taken to the kitchen which is nice. He even brought be breakfast in bed once <3 Shoulda started this diet sooner.

Started Tues Jul 31 weighed in Mon Aug 6 and I was down 5.something lbs so I round up to 6lbs :] I'll take it :] Hopefully this not fruit thing will drop a few more this week. Make all these trips to kroger for salad bags worth it. And the same thing every day worth it.

We did have a cheat day. So we're not perfect. After dropping out weight on Monday, we decided to celebrate. Stop reading with those judging eyes ! It was yummy. And worth it ! Well, hopefully worth it. We'll see what the scale says today. Chris is done I think. We wanted to use this as a jumpoff to get the weight to start coming off, or get to our goal and then stop doing it and just be healthier to maintain. He's to the I'm done I'll just keep eating healthy-ish stage.  I want to keep seeing those 6lbs drop off. I'd like to hope this will set a trend, but I don't think so :/ But yay Beyond Diet that helped me do what going to the gym at 6am 5x a week for 3 months couldn't do !

Besides that. Life is normal. Work. Is silly. Still looking to leave. Heard nothing back about school. Thanks Marshall people ! Chris starts in a few weeks. Everyone will be back home <3 Yay! We'll be on the downward slope of our time here: two years left ! We did have to take a small loan for his school. Really? Isn't that one of the reasons we didn't go to BYU? It's weird, cause I'm starting to see all our "reasons" to stay aren't working out. A sign? who knows.

"I can't think about that right now. If i do I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." (Thanks Scarlett!)