Say'n Goodbye to 2007!!

Wow Whatta Year!! Looking back it seems like forever ago, not 12 months. My year started off by spending more time outside the state of Utah than in it (that was really fun!). Then I moved into my parents house, (house-sitting until they return in November 2008). Started up a salon in their house, thanks Mom & Dad! Its been worth it! After spending my mornings running around with 3 munchkins, I decided to spend 2 of my nights a week babysitting at a girls group home (this has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life!!). And now I find myself waking up to 2008. So what have I learned from this last year? I've learned that when life seems over-whelming and I just don't know where to start cleaning up the mess, someone will always show up and not only point me in the right direction but help me with the clean-up. I've learned that when the sun goes down on a day filled with bitter disappointment, a bright new morning holds a precious gift called hope. I've also learned that family can be the strongest bond I'll ever know. I also learned that I remembered how to wire an electrical outlet and that screw-drivers really shouldn't go in them. I also learned that 2-year old's should be buckled while in the car AT ALL TIMES!!
So now that 2008 has started, what do I look forward to? Well, I'm not sure.
This morning we had our New Year's Day brunch at Kari's. Every year we all pick something that we try to go throughout the new year without. (This really all started when I was addicted to M&M's). So listening to what everyone was picking, I was looking for ideas. I joked around about giving up cake, (I never eat cake). Tara joked about giving up Spam, (yeah cuz she eats so much of that!!) and Trent is giving up buffets for 3 months (he spends too much time at the Luxor). Yet, I still couldn't come up with anything. I finally decided.......I wasn't going to give up anything! That I want to try something different. That I really want to do something better! Instead of giving up a bad habit, I want to create a good habit! So here's my top pick on the 'Creating a Better Habit' list!

1- I want to be better at being healthy!

(No more thinking that DCNL is a food group that follows mint anything!! And that they both require multiple servings a day).

So here we go! On to a better year! On to making a better habit! I hope that by the time I look back on 2008, I'll be able to say "I am better!".

Cowboy Up!!

We went on the Wagon Ride at Thanksgiving Point last night. I had no idea we had so many Cowboys!! All of a sudden we were surrounded, I felt like I had just robbed a bank and they sent the town posse after me! And I have my suspicions that there were more, maybe an Oklahoma Posse! So despite the COLD weather it was a really fun time! We went throughout Thanksgiving Park to see all the lights while being pulled by two HUGE horses, I think one was named Sye. So thank you to Shadd, our driver/instigator and a special thanks to Tara for letting me drink half of her hot chocolate!! You Rock!!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a day that is filled with big smiles and even bigger hugs!! Merry Christmas!! Thank You for making this holiday such a special one!

To: Amber, From: Amber

I just love Christmas Time! I went last minute shopping yesterday for Dahl. And as much as I think he would LOVE this purse, I just don't think he can pull it off, its really not his style. So under the tree it goes, for me!! I can't wait to see what I find for him tomorrow! I'm hoping for a really pretty silver wide-band ring.

My New Addiction!!

I am so addicted to the website The Joy of Baking. I love this website! I've tried out a couple of different cookie recipes and I can't wait to try out the fudge recipes. They have almost any cookie/treat/dessert you could ever imagine! I love it! I also love that I have the next week off of work and can start making even more fun treats! I can't wait to try these Peanut Blossoms!

Cards, Cards and More Cards!!

Remember when I said I had 25 Christmas Cards already done? Well here are a few of them. I've been having a ball doing them. We finally set up a table in the guest room to work on, yeah the kitchen table was getting over crowded.

Trauma Kit VS. First Aid Kit

Yesterday I had to re-certify for my CPR/First Aid. This class was so much faster than my first class, thank goodness!! I was only there 2 hours, instead of the original 8. And it really helped that the hottee instructor was funny. So after learning that the original 1 to 5 and 2 to 15 cycles were changed to 2 to 30 cycles I got to practice on the "dummy", and then finished up our class. But our hottee instructor finished up with this really interesting side note. He is currently in the Air Force Med Something, Something, Something and has been around the world 7 times. He is working at UMed when he isn't being pulled into different countries to do whatever it is he does there and thinks that Utah is one of the biggest "Good Samaratian" states he has ever been in. However, he said for as many people that are here to help in trauma situations, no one really carries a Trauma Kit. He said everyone has a First Aid Kit, but no one ever has Trauma Kits. So what is the difference? Good question! That's what I asked! Here's the break down..........First Aid Kit: usually holds band-aids, anti-septic, blanket, alcohol swabs, q-tips and some guaze squares. Trauma Kit: will hold 10 to 12 feminine product pads, 7 to 8 tampons, a roll of vet tape (or duct tape, but it isn't as forgiving, but will do), blankets and an anti-histamine (benadryl, liquid form). Toby said you could go to Walmart, Cabella's or any type of Medical Supply store and pick up a pre-packaged Trauma Kit, but that he's found the most useful and less expensive kit was put together on your own. He liked a homemade kit for one really big reason, YOU know what is in it and where to find what you're looking for. So after learning this, I looked at the kit I have in my Jeep and sure enough! I have a First Aid Kit. He said the best thing I could do with the q-tips in my trauma situation was calm the person down and then clean out their ears! And he was right, there wasn't anything in my kit that would help me in a trauma situation. So for Christmas this year, I've decided that for every gift I give to Friends and Family, they will also get their very own Trauma Kit! I know its tacky, but hey! Its also useful! So Merry Christmas Everyone!!

And just my own little side note, I got to play with the Defibulator and learned that under the "Good Samaratian" Law I can actually shock you 2 to 3 times without "realizing" that you are breathing on your own and still get away with it. So just to all of those who called me a "Tacky Little Whore!!" just know, if I defibulate you, you're going to get it!!

Such Sad Farewell.....

So after many tears, loads of heart aches, and tons of restless nights, I have to say Good Bye to my BFF, DCNL (Diet Coke With Lime). I can't believe it has actually come to this, this sad, sad, farewell. Why?!? Why you ask? Why would I turn my back on my BFF??? Well, it's really hard to say. Some might tell you that its because of my fear of commitment, and that DCNL just got too close. Others might say its because I'm only getting 4 to 6 hours of sleep and its making me loopy. But that's just crazy talk!! What I think is going on is this........Zona won't stop drinking out of my bottle!! And he gives back more than what he takes and I can't TAKE it anymore!! One of them just has to go!! And since Tara seems to be "attached" to the little guy, he has to stay! So now I must say Good Bye to my BFF, my funky little lime, my happiness in a 12 oz can, my makin' it through the day only because of you, Sweetness!! I will miss you the most my little pick-me-up! You've been there for me through the good and bad, through the laughter, through the tears, through the never ending years! I'll always love you My DCNL!!

Christmas Shopping....

Remember how I'm supposed to do Christmas Shopping for people other than myself? Yeah, sometimes I forget. So Merry Christmas to ME!! I can't wait to open these up on Christmas Morning!