Baby Steps

So here is what I have been doing to help acheive my goals.

- SAVE MONEY!! I need to buy a house. I did some calculations and I can still make the goal of purchasing for 30 birthday present but I need to stay on track and focused.

Goal: Transfer 75% of paycheck to savings account (the one that I cannot access with ATM or online and have to be in the bank to withdraw from. Love my credit union for having these options. :) )

I have resisted the urge to go shopping but have yet to transfer the funds.  Big plans for the weekend...

But hope is not lost becuase..


- LOSE WEIGHT I am unhappy with my looks and only I have control over it. It is time to shape up. Starting with small goals (again) and working out 3x a week. No more Dr Pepper (WORST PART EVER!!) and taking lunch to work.

Goal: Lose 20lbs by July 4th.

I have dropped drinking soad by 98%.  Ok I don't know if that is the exact percentage but I have kicked the daily Dr Pepper habit.  Hopefully I can continue with momentum.  Also I have been talking to ladies at work and we will be starting a 3 month boot camp at the begining of July.  Mon/Wed/Thu will be the days.  Hopefully I can surive. 


- GET ORGANIZED I have so many projects half completed and unidentified boxes around that I need to determine what I have, need, and should get rid of. Maybe have a garage sale and help build up the house fund.

Goal: Go through 1 box a week.

Well I haven't gone through any boxes but I have gone through my office drawers and my car.  I have the sapce needed to carry items from the donation pile to DI.

- BLOG MORE When I used to write at work, I found myself more relaxed and happier. While I am unable to blog at work (TOO BUSY!!) I still have options from my cell phone and at home.

Goal: Blog at least every Saturday morning.

WOOHOO!!  Blogging a day early. 

Goals

I have been thinking a lot lately and here is what I needed to do:

- SAVE MONEY!!  I need to buy a house.  I did some calculations and I can still make the goal of purchasing for 30 birthday present but I need to stay on track and focused.
Goal: Transfer 75% of paycheck to savings account (the one that I cannot access with ATM or online and have to be in the bank to withdraw from.  Love my credit union for having these options. :) )

- LOSE WEIGHT I am unhappy with my looks and only I have control over it.  It is time to shape up. Starting with small goals (again) and working out 3x a week. No more Dr Pepper (WORST PART EVER!!) and taking lunch to work.
Goal:  Lose 20lbs by July 4th.

- GET ORGANIZED I have so many projects half completed and unidentified boxes around that I need to determine what I have, need, and should get rid of.  Maybe have a garage sale and help build up the house fund.
Goal: Go through 1 box a week.

- BLOG MORE  When I used to write at work, I found myself more relaxed and happier.  While I am unable to blog at work (TOO BUSY!!) I still have options from my cell phone and at home.
Goal: Blog at least every Saturday morning.

Trying things out. ..

So it has been awhile since I have posted anything and for that I feel bad. Instead of trying to catch up on everything that has happened I will just start where we are now.

Last weekend the majority of the family room a trip to see Gma Dalley I'm Idaho Falls.  There was drama, fun times, and long car rides.  Below are a few of my favorite pictures. ..
BTW pictures are in no particular order. ..

Even Badder Girl...

So it has been months since my last post.  I shall try to do better now that things are slowing down.  But here is a highlight reel minus pictures which shall be posted once I organize my computer and download the pictures.

In no particular order:

- Saw Blake Shelton in concert with my niece Kaylee and sister Stacey and LOVED it!!
- Celebrated Fourth of July by sleeping through it
- Celebrated the birth of newest nephew on July 3rd.  Evan Michael Cardarelli was born at 657am and weight 7lbs 3oz.  Had Cailtyn waited another 6 minutes Evan would have been born at 703.  See the recurring theme?
- Made a mad dash to Driggs/Victor ID to see Gma Dalley and go to cousins wedding reception and family reunion.  Saw some amazing fireworks in Victor.
- joined weight loss group at work.  It is a company sponorsed event so no way of dropping out.
- gettin ready for company picnic on July 28th.  some VPs are going to be there so need to put on an amazing show.
-getting ready for 10 year high school reunion!  OMG!! I am too young for that!

Bad bad girl....

I feel so bad. It has been over a month since my last post. Life has been crazy and when I do get a few moments I don't want to blog. I just want to sleep!

some fun facts:

-Mom is running for Idaho State Legislature (District 11, Sea B to be exact). She will be an amazing representative, we just need to get her elected. Visit her website http://www.ronaleeforrepresentative.com/ to learn more. If you like me, you will love her because she is half the reason I am so cool (other half is dad's reponsiblity :) )

-I saw Blake Shelton in concert! I took my niece Kaylee for her birthday and my sister Stacey came along too. It was so much fun!

-I turned 28. Yep. That is right. I am that much closer to turning the big 3-0!! I took Thursday/Friday off. Mom/Dad were down in Las Vegas visiting some of Dad's friends so I spent most of it alone. Lexy invited me over for dinner on Thursday and I didn't think it was going to be anything special. I arrive and TJ has to tinkle so we chill in Lexy's front yard for awhile. I hear the door open but didn't see anybody. So I head up to the front door and just walk in. From behind the counter pops Emma, Wyatt, and Marlee yelling "suprise!" My sisters threw a family suprise birthday party for me. (BTW this is just one of the many reasons my family is the best.). Lexy had made German chocolate cake and pulled pork sandwhiches. Jana and Stacey arrived after they had gotten off of work. It was so sweet of them.

In addition to the sister suprise party, I dragged my sisters up to McCall for the night on Friday. We never get to spend times as just sisters. Kids and husbands are usually there. So my birthdya wish was having the girls come along. I initially wanted Mom to come but she was with Dad in Vegas. Friday I pick everyone up in the van. I was driving and Jana riding shotgun. We had Lexy with baby Maddie, Caitlyn, and Stacey in the back. We had Chinese in Eagle before we hit the road. What a fun time. We giggled, gossiped, and shared so much. After some misses, we finally get to the cabin and chill. When I was in Vegas years ago, I participated in a hypnotists show. Jana and I split the cost of the DVD so we would have a souviner. We haven't watched it...EVER. Unfortunately Jana remembered the DVD and brought it along. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as I remembered and we all had a great laught over it.

Because of all the kids we only stayed the one night. But it was a great night. I have decided it will be a yearly trip. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures except a pictured of the cabin as we were getting ready to leave.

I will update post with pictures soon.  I promise.

Winteride...

I had this in my save as draft and I cant remember when we went...Sorry.

My oh My...

how times flies!!!  I cannot even remember last time I posted and I know a million things have happened.  Things like a new baby niece!!  Madison Marie was born on October 1th 2011!!

Here are a few interesting facts:
-middle name Marie is named after me.  Yes I am that special. :)
-I am 26 1/2 years older than this child.
-she hates me. I babysat for a few hours when Lexy & Chris' work scheduled over lapped.  She was bawling the entire time.  Come to find out she had an ear infection but ever since that day, I cannot look and hold her at the same time.  She will start to bawl!!
-I am the only one who really calls her Maddie.
-Her initials are mmm.  Yes MMM! 

What else has happened?  I have failed my ideas already.  They were good while they lasted but I have thrown them out the window. 

School is gonig along.  I really enjoy my English class because the professor is REALLY liberal but it is fun.

Caitlyn and Jana are pregant.  Caitlyn is due in the summer and I think she is going ot have a girl.  Jana is due in November(?) and I think she will have a boy.

I am planning my company's non-company sponsored summer employee picnic.  It is still 6 months away but I feel the time just ticking away!!  There is SO much to do and so little time!!

When I logged in to blog, I had a million things to say and now I don't.

Moonshine...

Lately there has been some amazing beautiful nights full of moonlight.  The top photo doesn't show how brightly the "ring" was shining around the moon.  It was a cloudless night and super cold. I did some research and found out it is called a moon dog or winter halo.  Read more here.  The bottom left was just super pretty coming up over the mountains.  The bottom right is from the lunar eclipse.

So far...

it hasn't been a good 2012 and we are only on day 2.  Saturday night was so-so.  I went to a small gathering and had an ok time.  What made Saturday suck was being pulled over by State trooper for running a red light.  Yep. I have avoided being pulled over for nearly 10 years and here it is.  I have been telling others that 2012 will be better than 2011.  But the stop did happen in 2011 so it is just my own attitude that sucked.  Looking on the positive side, at least I can say that the stop happened last year! 

Sunday wasn't as nice as I would like because my Seahawks lost.  Yes we ended the season 7-9...a losing season. There was a chance we could have pulled out a win but we fizzled.  The positive to Sunday as a great meal topped with a cookie dough blizzard.  yummy!!

But with the New Year, attention shifts to resolutions.  UGH!! Instead of setting a resolution I will ultimately break (like losing weight) I have decided that I am I just going to focus on ideas.  There will be no goal line...or no real accomplishment to be made.  My ideas are just things I need to think on and will put some effort into making the ideas happen.

Idea 1:  blog more. 
Yep.  That is right.  Spend more time on the internet and hope I do not get distracted by Facebook.  While Facebook is fun and sometimes helpful, it distracts me from my real purpose.  To learn more and blog more.  Even thought my following is few, I would still like everyone to know what I am up to.  Plus when I blog, I vent all the emotions I keep bottled inside and then I feel better.  For my overall health, I need to vent emotions more and bottle them less. 

Idea 2: be selfish.
I have decided to be more selfish.  I am always doing stuff for others and take care of myself as an after thought.  I rarely say no and then bottle my annoyance because I am doing something I don't want too. 

Idea 3: ORGANIZE
UGH!! The worst of them all but probably the most necessary.  The up coming year will be busy.  Work, school, politics (tis an elecation year) and possibly a business.  I need to stay on top of everything so the major things don't fall through the cracks.  I need to get a desk in order so bills and important docs are just strung helter skelter over my room.  I need to get an planner to keep test/due dates highlighted and on my radar.

Idea 4: limit shopping
This is for a couple of purposes.  By limiting my shopping, I will save for my house faster.  I will have more room in my cloest. I will have more time for school/work/politics because I will be home more. I also need to purge my current wardrobe.  I have a full closet, and 2 dressers that are unable to contain all I have.  To be fair, I wear two seats of clothes a day.  My work clothes and the jeans and tshirt I change into for home.  That doesn't include the gym clothes I use a couple of days a week or my PJs.

WOW!!  It has been 2 months since my last post.  While there have been ups, downs, and in betweens I shall post a few highlights.

I am surviving school.  I have made it through my first semester with a few bumps and bruises.Today I started my math final and will be registering for the spring semester.  WHEW!!  So glad the first step is over.

Lexy had her baby.  Little Miss Madison Marie.  She is a lovely and sweet.  Miss Maddie (as I call her) was born on October 1st. 

Thanksgiving was fun.

Work is going.  I recently had my revview with management and received 99.9% of praise.  I enjoy my coworkers and responsiblities.  Lately it has become a drag because people have gone on vacation.  Oh well.  In 2012 it will be my turn becuase I have to get ride of an extra 2 weeks vacation.

Happiness!!

WOOHOO!!!  So happy to report I get a new schedule!  I have to be to work at the awful hour of 6am.  But do you know what tha means?  I am off at 3!!!  SCORE!!  I also found out that I will be working the day after Thanksgiving. But positive note to that?  I get paid time and half!!  AWESOME!!

I suddenly have the urge to watch the Teenage Ninja Turtles movies.  Yes I am proud to say I own them on DVD. 

300!!!

When I think 300 I think.....

 of Gerard Buttler

(another of my Misters)

but my second thought is this is my 300th post.  A milestone I would say.

How fitting that this milestone is about another milestone?

I have gone back to school.  It is official.

I am a freshman at the College of Western Idaho.

I am enrolled in just two courses: English 101 and Math 025/Algebra.

English I am not liking so much right now but math I actually love.

The math teacher is kinda stupid which means I get to learn at my own pace with the materials online.

English kinda sucks because it is an online course which is harder than I thought.  Because it takes forever to get clarification on a instructions (like word count) or a question.  But it is nice because I can do it quickly or slow.  It was really intimidating thinking,planning, applying, enrolling, PAYING, and actually going to class.  I feel like such an old fart.  I als think it is funny that 10 years ago at this time, I started my senior year of high school.  Kinda weird dontcha think?  I do.  But it is an adventure and I am not the oldest person in the class, thank heavens!  But that is my news.  Think it was worth of the 300 post?

Meet my Mister (ok...my fantasy mister)...

No words to describe that night.  I am in love. 

Randomness...

So there has been things that have happened since the last time I posted.  In the interested of time and your attention span, I will just provide snippets of what is happening:

-Idaho Sen McGee got drunk and stole a car.  Mom created controversy.  There is another meeting on Tuesday and I am sure more controversy will happen.  Can't wait.  I don't like McGee.

-MICHAEL BUBLE CONCERT ON THURSDAY!!  FLOOR SEATS!!  SUPER-DE-DUPER EXCITED!!  I will be there a couple hours early even though it is assigned seat.  I am so so so excited so might as well be in my seat then trying to kill time getting there.

-I am still in love with the farmers market.  I have been trying new recipes and have been suprised at how successful I have been.

-Saw Joe Nichols in concert and feel in love.

-Going to see Eric Church in concert in a couple of weeks.

-School starts on Tuesday Aug 23rd.  Same day as Eric Church. Nothing important happens the first day right?

-There are days I wish I had my open place.  Especially at night when my room on the 3rd floor is still 85 degrees at 10pm.

loverly weekend!!

What made this weekend loverly:

-Saturday morning Farmers Market with TJ and I.  I took my picnic basket along to carry all my goodies and I got so many compliments!!  (Who doesn't like to start off the day with someone telling you, you look cute?)  Great scores at the market: raspberries, cherries, and YUMMY lemonaide (or as Emma likes to call it Lemonlade).

-Saturday lunch was picnic in the park with family to celebrate Wyatt's 5th birthday!  The weather was perfect. Children behaved.  I had a yummy PB & P (peanut butter and preserve) samich. It was made better because I used my homemade raspberries preserves.

-Saturday evening was taking myself to a movie.  I thought I was going to see Thor but the time changed and I ended up seeing Priest.  Not that bad.  What made it really amazing was the backwoods drive to get to the theater.  The sun was setting and I was driving through farmland.  B-E-A-UTIFUL!  I didn't have a camera or I would have tried to capture some of it and skipped the movie.

-Sunday sleeping in!!  OH HOW LOVELY!! 

-Sunday had for lunch had ribs (ich!) but DELICIOUS corn on cob and baked beans.  Plus it made me feel loved that Dad would give the big chunks of meat off his rib to me.  He would eat the meat of the bone from my rib.  I don't like ribs because of the bone.  Weird I know.

-Went to grocery store for ingredient for dinner.  They had flowers on sale for $3.  Because I am a sucker I got a couple.  Fresh flowers just make you happier.  So they are sitting on the kitchen table for all to enjoy even though I wanted to be greedy and keep them in my room. 

-Dinner turned out great.  It was supposed to be Philly Cheese steak sandwhiches but I didn't have a gridle so they were grilled steak, pepper, onion and cheese samiches.  Still yummy though. 

-Dessert was Raspberry Crumble Bars.  I added the raspberries from the market and they turned out so much better than I expected.  I really need to learn patience.  I cut the bars before it was completely cool and because the preserve was still runny/warm, it was kinda soupy but that is ok.  it was still great even though it wasn't pretty on the plate.

I love weekend like these.  I feel rested but I was still productive (I even did dishes, laundary). I also learned my bank account is bigger than I expected.  I love that.  It isn't that I got extra money or anything but just keeping my spending low, and rounding everything up in the check register has REALLY helped!  Maybe I can swing for the new tent I want after all.

Photography...

I have always enjoyed photography but lately it has really become a passion.  I have decided to pursue it further. I am looking into classes/courses to delve deeper into this facisnation I have.

Recently here in the Treasure Valley we have had some AHHHMMMAAAZZZING lightening/thunder shows...with a little rain sprinkled in.  I have been fiddling with the setting on Dad's Nikon D50.  I am in love.  Now I just need to get one of my own.  Which I should receive in 5 years.  Now I need to focus on school and saving for a house.   Just click on the picture to enlarge.

Taken on June 23 or 24th

Taken on June 28th

Taken on June 28th

God & Country Rally fireworks on June 29th

Anyone else see palm trees and dandilions in these? God & Country Rally fireworks on June 29th

God & Country Rally fireworks on June 29th

Atlanta...

On June 13-17, I was able to go to Atlanta GA.  Yes it was to visit our corporate offices and I didn't get any 'touristy' stuff done but that is ok.  What I saw I enjoyed and I had a blast!  Escpecially because it only cost me $40 for the entire week.  That is right.  The job picked up all the expenses and it was amazing.  I understand work so much more and have a deeper appreciation for what others do in the company.  I also realized that I don't work.  The drivers and dock workers work.  I goof around all day (well compared to what they do my job is easy-smeezey).

I flew out of Boise at 630 on Monday.  Dad was a gem and drover me to the airport.  I nearly missed it all because I couldn't find my drivers liscence.  But thankfully all was found and we made it to the airport at 545.

Monday we (my co worker and boss who also went) didn't go to the office.  We had dinner at an AH-mazing resturant called Mojitos' in Norcross GA.  It served Cuban food and the chicken I had was divien.  We each got a dessert and shared.  The rice pudding was ok.  The flan was good.  But my mango pie was perfect!!  OH SO YUMMY!!. 

After dinner, it was sleep and then breakfast at the hotel. Then it was off to the corporate offices to see how the other half lived.  The area our offices are located at is RITZY!! It has the vibe of Harrison St in Boise but you can't see anything because there are so many trees!!  It was so different from Boise.  Boise you can see for miles but there trees surround all the roads so you can't. 

THe offices were fun.  We took the tour, met the big wigs, and shadowed some other types of respresentatives.  We had lunch at Fresh to Order with a supervisor and team leader of customer servcie from the corporate offices.  The girls were so nice and funny.  I wish all my lunches could be so fun. :)

Well after lunch back to work but we left early because we needed to get ready for the Braves game.  We ran back to the hotel to change into shorts and flip flops.  Our department director was nice enough to come to the game with us.  It was kinda intimidating because he rarely smiled while he has been in Boise and I don't know him so that automactically makes me shy.  But everythign turned out great.  He is a nice guy and seeing him in flip flops made me relax.

We had dinner at The Varsity prior to the game.  It is an old drive in dinner and had a great vibe to it. The food was ok.  I would go back just because it was fun to be there.

Atlanta Capital Bldg has a guilded dome and on top sits Miss Freedom.

We made to the Turner Field home of the Atlanta Braves.  We actually parked where the old staduim used to be.  We made it a couple hours early but it was fun to meander and people watch.

We were told by an usher to go to the top of the stadium because there are some interactive games and triva.  It was pretty awesome.  Plus it gave a great view of the field.  This is me before the game began.  I was with three guys and figured they didn't want to come back up during so now was better then never.

Left is the guys getting their beverages.

Right is me, my manager, and my coworker in gaint Coke chairs.

Coke reigns supreme down there because that is the were they corporate headquaters are at.  I only got Dr Pepper in the airport on the way home.  I was going through withdrawls.

Below are the random pictures of the game:

They celebrated Ronlad Reagans 100th Birthday.

View of downtown Atlanta from top tier.

Edges of the seats in cast iron.
Local school kids singing national anthem.

Notice the Tomahawk.  When they were down or needed to rally, it would start at the top and go down until the Braves sign was lit.

When the Tomahawk was going down, on the sides another tomahawk would appear on the TV screens imitating the chopping motion as well.

And while the tomahawk was on the TV/illuminated, the fans would use their arms to similate the choppping motion as well. They would also chant a chorus of "OHs".  It was funny  to see.

Cant remember who was batting but thought it was fun I was able to captured them in motion.

These are pictures prior to the game begining.  They needed to prep the field and it took FOREVER!!

Bottom right is the stadium sign illuminated.

Random pictures of the game.  Braves lost to the NY Mets 5-4.  Only 1 home run was hit.  It was close game toward the end but they weren't able to rally.  OH well.  The amazing game was on Thursday when there was a rain delay and they went to 11 inning before the Braves won.

Wednesday was spend in the office in the morning and then at the terminal in the afternoon.  The terminal was a real eye opener.  It was hot, sweaty, loud.  You had a great responsiblity to do everything correct and quickly. 

While we were at the terminal a storm was brewing outside and as we were leaving it the lights were cued.  HUGE bolts of lightening were coming out to the sky!! Fairly often and consistantly.  I just had my point and shoot so no pictures of the lightening but I did get a picture (or 2) of the grass fire a struck caused. 

We were at the end of the driveway (to the terminal) waiting for our turn to go when we noticed the smoke and then the fire!! I couldn't believe it!! This happened within a quater of a mile of where we were parked at the terminal.

We went back to Norcross to have dinner at an Italian restaurant.  Unfortunately the power was out.  It was beautiful after the run.  The sidewalks were clear and the train depot was lovely.

These are random shots of me  :)

We flew home on Friday.  We went to the office for a little bit because our flight didn't leave until 2.  We left office at 1045.  Checked out of the hotel at 1130.  Turned in the rental at 1230.  I was SUPER NERVOUS because we still had to check in, check bags, and go through security.  It was tight and we only made it to the gate in time because we were diverted to a security gate that just opened.

We took off and headed south instead of northwest.  We had to fly inbetween two storms.  According to the little map we ended up close to the Flordia panhandle.  It was a little bumpy the first hour.  The 2nd and 3rd were occupied by up/down back/forth of the couple next to me trying to take care of their kids. It was tolerable.  But the landing was kinda bumpy into Salt Lake.  Our layover was consummed by the diversion.  We had 30 mintues til our other flight took off. I booked it to the bathroom because my chicken sandwich lunch needed to make a reapperance.  At least it was in the bathroom and not on the plane :)

Once loaded on the plane and getting ready for push back, my coworker says "Isn't that Chris?" (Our other coworker had been in Scotland for 2 weeks).  Funny enough it was!!  She was coming home from Scotland!  She was super embarassed when coworker says: "Aren't you supposed to be in Europe?"  She didn't have any make up or usual nice clothes.  Her facial reaction and "OH MY!" was classic.

We finally made it to Boise and my parents picked me up.  It was a fun time but I was ready to be home. 

Leaving on a jet plane..I know when I'll be back again.

I will be leaving on a jet plane to Atlanta GA to spend a week...ALL EXPENSES PAID!!  I won a competition at work UBER EXCITED!!  I will be flying out in 6.5 hrs!!  I should be sleeping because I should be up in 5 hrs but I am too excited to sleep.  Plus I can take a nap on the 4 hr flight from SLC to ATL. 

weird..

Not sure where to begin.  I am in a funk.  I don't like funks.  A couple things put me in a funk.

1.  I didn't start class.  I really wanted to start classes this week.  But I am going to miss 2 classes because of going to Atlanta.  The English professor said the highest grade I could receive is a B.  Even if I earned a 100% on all class work just because I missed the 2nd class (instead of the approved 1), B is the best I could get. I am not going to pay money just to get a B. So slight dissapointment that I have to wait.  I am trying to stay positive by thinking "Good things come to those who wait".....which is a perfect segue..

2. Good things aren't happening....by good things I am talking a love life. Over the weekend, the majority of the family went to dinner (Thank you buy one get one free)...So what happens when you buy one but don't have a get one?  You get left out. Not intentionally...just happens.  It sucks. It really really sucks.  It is public humilition...I have waited and waited and waited.  While there have been little blips on the heart monitor, it has been pretty flatline for a long time. 

3. There are smaller reasons (work sucks, wish I had an SUV, etc).

I am trying to pull myself out of the funk.  It is hard to do.  So I will plug along and keep a just keep focus on Atlanta.  Which is coming up in less than a week!!  This time next Monday I will be in the eastern time zone. It will be work focused but still it is a place I have never been more and excited to see what can happen.

The End

After Ashton, we made it as far as Pocatello.  We spent the night in a hotel.  I was very concerned that TJ would mess in the room but thankfully that didn't happen.  We get up and head to Shoshone Falls.  TJ was ready to get out because right before we arrived at Shoshone, TJ went down to my feet and sat there.  WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!  Silly dog.

Here is Shoshone Falls.  It is larger than Mesa Falls but we only had a $3 car fee here.

I originally had some more stops planed between Shoshone and home but I was tired and ready to be done with the car.  As we were driving through Bliss it was amazing how many wind turbines there are!!

Afte we were home for a few hours, it was off to a Memorial Day BBQ at Lexy's house.  It was a great weekend and never would have happened without the sacrifices of our military.  Because of many paid the ulitimate price, I live in a free country were I can travel without fear.  I can worship how I see fit. 

Words cannot express my feelings for our military so all I will say is

THANK YOU!!