It's the simple things...

A load of laundry these days really does make me feel like all of my dreams have come true, namely ... no more LAUNDROMAT!!!

No more hefting, hauling, dragging, hoisting or wheeling loads of laundry through the courtyard of an apartment complex.

No more scrounging for every spare quarter I can find and begging the people at Wal-Mart to exchange a $10 or $20 into the precious coins.

No more running back and forth to switch loads and trying to time it just right so no one would steal my undies.

Now I have my OWN washer and dryer in my OWN laundry room a mere 12 steps (or so, not that I've counted) from my bedroom.

There are so many amazing things about home-ownership, but this is one I suffered a whole year of Laundromat hell for. And boy have I enjoyed every load these past few weeks!

Why the lack of posts?

Boxes.
No running water.
Broken garage door openers.
Boxes.
Delayed Comcast installation.
Stinky refrigerators.
Dusty furniture.
Piles of clothes.
Boxes.
Replacement sectionals.
Couches too small for the doorway.
Umpteen loads of laundry.
Boxes.
Odd bruises.
Sore arms and shoulders.
Broken sprinklers.
Did I mention boxes?

Ahhh ... the joys of home ownership!

Google is so cool!

I've found a great tool and I thought I would share it with my fellow bloggers...
It's called Google Analytics. Check it out! Sign up and get the html code to add to your blog and then you can track exactly how many people visit your site! And ... you can find out where those people live, too! It's pretty fun. Oh, and I'm now a huge fan of Google Reader, too. Pretty easy way to keep tabs on all my favorite blog sites!

Twilight Trailer

Vamping

Ahhh, my latest obsession. Not really a new obsession ... just a bit renewed, re-ignited. It originally began with  Buffy and Angel a few years ago, but now the obsession has evolved.

These days, the vamps are Mick St. John and Edward Cullen. 

There's just something about these brooding, brawny, blood-suckers. 

And with another "Twilight" book coming this fall, the movie a few months later and a new series of "Moonlight" on the horizon, the vamping will continue. And then there's that copy of "The Historian" sitting on my shelf waiting to be read as well. 

Long live the Immortals!

The "M" Word

Mortgage, that is...

Here are some photos of my soon-to-be "ball and chain."
It's in Clearfield and I should close (fingers crossed) May 15 or so!

The front of the house. (I neglected to get a "full-body" shot)

The front room (paint is actually a beautiful dark green).

The kitchen

The family room (kitchen, dining and family room part of a great room).

Backyard complete with a swingset and playhouse for Adi! The patio also has stamped concrete.

Master bathroom

Master bedroom. Those "nobs" are actually little reading lights!

GOAL!!!

A training session at work a few weeks ago concluded with a challenge: List 101 Goals. There were no limits, no boundaries. It was no easy task, but I managed to create a full list! I thought it was completely cathartic and certainly fun to dream up a string of possibilities. Here are a few, some legit while others a bit more frivolous:

* Exercise more regularly

* Pay off my car

* Buy a house (DONE!! Post on that coming up next) 

* Go skydiving, hopefully for my 35th birthday

* Return to Japan

* Fly first class

* Be on the Ellen Degeneres Show

* See the musical "Wicked"

* Take singing lessons

* Read 100 books in a year

* Become a Senior Publicist

* Launch my own Public Relations company

* Cut my hair for Locks For Love

* Travel to Spain

* Visit the Louvre

* Write a novel

* Take piano lessons again

* Learn to swim

Well ... the list goes on and on. So I hereby challenge all of you to come up with your own 101 Goals! See where your wishes, dreams, desires and ambitions take you. Tell me your top 5, you might inspire me to add even more to my list! 

A Fowl Meeting

Every morning on my drive to work, when I don't detour to Starbucks (I'm a sucker for the chai tea latte!), I drive pass the Layton City Park, aka the Duck Park. 

Now the water is actually a lovely walk deep into the park and not near the street, but one morning as I was driving by, I noticed a flurry of fowl, a gaggle of geese, a myriad of mallards.

 

It appeared to me like Mr. I-Once-Was-An-Ugly-Duckling GooseNeck had called a meeting of all the feathered inhabitants to discuss the severe stale bread shortage (this was during the cold winter months, afterall). It was either that, or the city park officials had rustled up the crew and herded them away from their watery home. A little Pre-Spring Cleaning perhaps? 

Well, over the ensuing weeks, I've realized this is a regular gathering. Clearly there must be a very important aviary revolt about to surface. 

You've been warned! 

12 things I can't live without...

I was just flipping through a magazine and saw this "12 Things" feature and thought it might make a fun blog entry (since my life is pretty dull, I'm always looking for interesting stuff to blog about).

Here goes... (in no particular order)

12. Magnetic Dry Erase Boards: First off, I love to write things down and then be able to wipe them off when I complete them! Then I have this amazing, growing collection of magnets and I gotta put them somewhere, right?

11. Napolean Dynamite talking doll: I LOVE this doll! He says 17 phrases from the movie! GOSH!

10. KitchenAid Mixer in Emerald Green: Not only does it help make the best homemade bread ever, but it's stylish, too!

9. Digital Camera: I would never have started this blog without it. 

8. Weight Watchers meals and snacks (where the points are already configured): A scale-saver

7. iPod ... and my general music collection: Has revolutionized my life.

6. Other electronics stuff ... laptop, iHome alarm clock radio/iPod dock, cell phone: They have all become like additional appendages

5. Lotion: Dry climate = Need for vats of lotion

4. TiVo: Again, has revolutionized my life. Enhances my couch potato-ness

3. Pilot G-2 gel pens, black ink, medium point: I love these pens! 

2. Notebooks: Gives me a place to use those gel pens.

1. Memory foam mattress topper: Sleeping on a hideabed for the past few months ... well, it's a God-send!

New Jersey-ites in Utah!

Here are some great photos from the past week...

Adi LOVED her tent ... she asked for it nearly every day!

Such a silly girl!

The Easter Bunny found Adi!

She got a new Easter dress, hat, purse ... man that Bunny has got some style! And ... she got not one, but TWO new babies! A sleepy baby (above) and the "BIG Baby" (in the background)! What a generous Easter Bunny!!

Did the Easter Bunny bring Guitar Hero?? Nope ... it was Jeff's two generous sisters spoiling him on his 30th birthday!

Dressed in their Easter Sunday best.

Kohen was all dressed in a pin-striped suit for his uncle Jarett's wedding. Here he's enjoying some "Wind, Wind, Wind the Thread" with Grandma Beth.

Just can't resist those cheeks!

A Daddy's Girl for sure!

Kohen LOVES his Aunt Jenn!

I can't wait for these guys to move back to Utah!! Next month Jeff, Juline, Adi and Kohen will be Utahns once again!!

Birthday Boy!

Jeff turned the big 3-0 while in Utah and Juline and I conspired together to throw him a surprise birthday party at ABC Mandarin in Roy! He was totally surprised!! 

Brush with Fame in Chi Town

I just got home from Chicago earlier this week for a work trip manning the Gibbs Smith booth at the International Home and Housewares trade show. This show was HUGE! The Today Show was even broadcasting live featuring all the latest in home and kitchen gadgets. It was fun to see all the latest in peelers, pans, cutlery and even water bottles.

The Grand Dame of Southern Cooking, Ms. Paula Deen (make sure to say that with a sweet southern drawl), was one of several Celebrity chef guest speakers. Paula was scheduled to speak at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and for a brief moment I thought it would be fun to go see her, but ... that's awfully early to wake up for a lecture, even if it is the Queen of Butter! 

Once we had set up the booth Sunday morning, I got word that Paula was actually signing autographs at her booth, just down from ours! So I ran down, completely unprepared for this celeb siting. Just as I turned the corner and saw her stunning, perfectly coifed silver mane, I turned on my heel and ran back to grab my camera! But what was I going to have her sign? I asked if they were selling copies of her cookbook at the booth, but was out of luck! So I had to setting for a signature on expo badge. Pretty good memento of the event, right? 

So with a signature on my badge, a fun conversation about her beautiful hair and a couple of snapshots, I still wasn't quite ready to completely say goodbye to Paula. Her publicist, however, shuffled us all along our way, so my visit was cut short. BUT... my boss later informed me that there was a booth selling her books! Not wanting to miss her, I RAN to the booth, quickly paid for the book and jumped in the Meet-and-Greet line once again. 

While Paula was signing my books, her other publicist, GiGi, commented on how beautiful my smile was. "Don't you think she as a beautiful smile, Paula?" she said. "Well, yes she does!" Paula enthused in her sweet drawl. "Well, Paula brings it out in me," I said with a grin. (Doesn't hurt to schmooze any way you can, right?) 

So, even though my visit to Chicago was fun, the food amazing and the trade show was pretty enjoyable, nothing could quite hold a candle to meeting Paula Deen!

My personal Hell

Doing a bit of online research at work today, I was looking through the program listing for satellite radio stations -- '80s, '70s, Top 40 and more ... But then I saw it ... my personal radio hell...

24/7 Bruce Springsteen

I know, I know, I know ...  he's THE BOSS. He's Mr. New Jersey. He's the greatest ... blah blah blah! 

I have NEVER been able to tolerate Bruce's music and I don't understand why he manages to get so much press when he goes on tour, cuts a new album, etc... 

So the idea of a 24/7 Springsteen radio station would be the worst form of torture for me. Forget Chinese water torture, thumbscrews, "The Rack." I will divulge the deepest of secrets hearing the first few notes of "Born in the USA." 

There are a few other groups and individual musicians who rank pretty high up there (Don't get me started on the lack of originality in ALL of Nickelback's songs or the elementary school lyrics of Sheryl Crow's tunes), but Bruce tops my Radio Hell list!

Who is your least favorite band/musical artist?

The Other Woman!

Apparently that's who I am now ... the other woman! 

Let me explain: About 6 weeks ago I went out with a guy from Bountiful. Twice divorced with 3 kids, I knew it wasn't going to go very far. We did have fun though and so I hung out with him 2 more times over the next 3 weeks.

It had been a while since I'd seen him, but we exchanged text messages and he called on several occasions. 

Reality comically smacked me upside the head the other night when I got a phone call from "Rachel" ... this guy's GIRLFRIEND!  She asked if "Paolo" was with me. Nope! Apparently, these two have been dating for a year, broke up but had re-committed to the relationship 6 weeks ago. 

 

Long story short ... Rachel was told I was the "WE WERE ON A BREAK" girl ... when in fact he was two-timing her! 

I really hope, for this gal's sake, that she gets a clue and dumps this idiot of a guy! 

As for me, I'm still shaking my head, laughing in disbelief. 

The Relationship aisle?

While killing some time before meeting up with a blind date the other night, I decided to wander the aisles of the local Barnes & Noble. The store was pretty crowded, but I noticed, as I wandered down the "Relationship" aisle that it was quite a popular hot spot in the store.

I got a good giggle out of the middle-aged married couple perusing the books, apparently in search of a recommended title. And while I was checking out "Why Men Love Bitches," "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" and the "Cuddle-sutra," I noticed a few attractive men pouring over a few tomes.

Hmmmm... Maybe I need to start hanging out at B&N more often. Could there be a possible relationship waiting for me in the Relationship aisle? Is Mr. Right all caught up on his "Relationships 101" reading and ready to advance on to "Mars and Venus in the Bedroom" and ready to speak the "Five Love Languages" to me?

Probably not, but in the meantime I can get a refresher on "Dating for Dummies."

May Cousin Party!

The annual tradition continues! This time, however, the usually Christmas-time party was held Feb. 23. A little President's Day celebration this year. Great fun to see everyone! (apologies if I misspell names!)

Roger and Marsha hosted the group of about 40. We all enjoyed a potato and salad bar and cheesecake for dessert. A little entertainment from Robert Callen, with a featured duet with Andy Martin and an array of Japanese goodies from Linda wrapped up the party.

The McCartys: Becky, her new husband Ryan, Katie and Chelsea

Karalee, Jason, Andy and wife Naomi and Marsha (host of the party) in the background

Karalee, Allen and Georgie's granddaughter.

Georgie and Karalee

Naomi and a crazy wooden "cockroach" from Aunt Linda

Sarah Callen, BYU freshman

A pregnant Jenny, her 2-year-old Adam and husband Brian

Callie and Jacob playing with Japanese fans from Aunt Linda

Callie playing coy with her Japanese fan

Working life...

... means no blog entries, obviously. Sorry! 

I have had a couple of pretty fun weekends and I actually have some photos to post! So, consider this a preview of events to come! Or it could also be a warning, too ... 

Coming soon:

* St. George Parade of Homes 

* May Family Cousin Party!  

Oh and there might be a photo of my mom and her stylish sling!! She fell on the ice last week and broke her elbow! 

C is for Cookie!

I love peanut butter cookies and I found this amazingly decadent, over-the-top, rich and gooey version while watching Studio 5 on KSL (there really is some value to daytime TV!).

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
(a recipe selected as part of the Pillsbury Bake-off by Kerry Edwards, Utah)

Ingredients:
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup JIF® Creamy Peanut Butter
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup Domino® or C&H® Confectioner Powdered Sugar
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® Create ‘n Bake® refrigerated peanut butter cookies
3/4 to 1 cup Fisher® Honey Roasted Dry Roasted Peanuts, coarsely chopped

Method:

1. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter and honey with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar; beat just until smooth. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour while baking and cooling cookies.

2. Heat oven to 350°F. Make cookies as directed on package. Cool completely.

3. Spread 1/3 cup cream cheese mixture on bottom of 1 cookie; top with another cookie, bottom side down. Press cookies together slightly so cream cheese mixture just extends past edges of cookies. Roll edge of cream cheese mixture in chopped peanuts to generously coat. Repeat with remaining cookies.

4. Serve immediately, or store in single layer tightly covered in refrigerator up to 4 hours (cookies stored longer become very soft).

Unemployed No More!

Break out the party hats and balloons! Jennifer has found a JOB!

Starting tomorrow I will be a publicist at Gibbs-Smith Publishing ... a book publisher in neighboring Kaysville. They are known for their cookbooks, architecture, coffee table and childrens' books.

I'm not only overjoyed with the idea of breaking into this new career field, but also can't believe I lucked out to find a job with virtually no commute! I'm less then 10 minutes from the office now!

So, Resolution No. 1 for 2008 ... ACCOMPLISHED!

Pounding the pavement

Well, it's been more than 3 months now that I have been an unemployed, yet enormously happy, bum! Although I don't have any job offers yet, in the past 3 weeks I've had four really great interviews, so a job could be on the horizon! 

In the meantime, I'm now completely updated on all my daytime dramas. Did you know that Adrienne was back on "Days of Our Lives"? I caught that yesterday and was totally surprised! The original actress, who had been on Days as Mimi's mom (I think), is now back with a new die job and classic emotional Adrienne personality. WAIT WAIT WAIT ... what am I talking about!! UGH! "Days of Our Lives"? I REALLY need a job! And FAST! 

OK, so other than TV, I've also been shoveling the FEET of snow we keep getting. Seriously today was our THIRD storm this week!! I said I wanted to come back to Utah and enjoy the snow and winter months, but really?? This is a bit much I think! 

So when I'm not pounding the pavement or shoveling the pavement I've managed to find a few craft projects here and there. And I've decided it's all about vinyl lettering! I feel so domestic!  

Check out how cute they are!