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. ..

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.

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.

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.

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. 

The middle (part 2)

Sunday we left Gmas house.  It is always sad to leave but we needed to get down the road to finish my planned trip.  I love the top pic by the way.


Gma Dalley (who is 91) was so tired she couldn't stay awake after breakfast on Sunday.

Today we visited my Dad's Dad in Victor Cemetary.

We drove up to Grand Targhee in Wyoming and checked out the snow. What an abundance they had!

No only did it snow at Targhee on Sunday but also in the valley at Gma's house.

Dad didn't know I was taking his picture.  With him you have to be sneaky.  I time it just perfectly to get his smiling handsom face inbetween the gates.

After Targhee, we drove through Ashoton to Mesa Falls.  The lower falls is free to view but it is $5/car to view the upper falls!!  It was aggravating.

Driving through Ashton and eastern Idaho is beautiful.  Not like the western side of the state.  Over there, there are trees, green, and hills.  West side is nothing but sage brush.  I kinda wished I could move and live over there.  Maybe someday.

The middle

Saturday with Gma was spent visiting family in cemetaries.  My Aunt Karen directed us to the Dalley side of the family. Uncle Kent meet up with us in Ammon.  For the Dalley/Linsenmann family we went to Clausen, Ammon, and Roberts. It was nice.

We were able to visit the Summers (my mom's) family too.

I felt stupid because I should've called my cousins who are still in the area so we could have visited but I didn't and felt really small.  But next trip through I am setting up a meeting.

The beginning

This Memorial Day weekend, I took a road trip with Dad to go visit Gma Dalley.  Because I had a 5 day weekend, I decided to make pit stops along the way.  Dad originally was not going to come with me but that is how it worked out. He made the trip so much better. 

First start was Craters of the Moon.  It was WINDY!

Second stop was ERB-I in Arco, ID. 

3rd stop was Idaho Falls for dinner at Scottys and gas.

Final stop befor Gma's was a campground in Swan Valley.  It was still closed due to snow!!

Race for the Cure 2011

The Race for the Cure happened this year on May 8th.  I uploaded these picture shortly after but today on May 31 I am just now writing this post.  It was fun.  All of the Linsenmann Ladies were able to participate this year.  We had lunch at ICP (Idaho Pizza Co for you poor souls who don't live around here..ICP has an amazing chicken alfredo bacon pizza that is to DIE for..).  After lunch it was shopping excursion that was major fun.  Overall a great day.

Wild weekend..

What a day Saturday was.

I purchased a Bountiful Basket and had to pick it up at 7am!!  OUCHIEE!!  But I hauled my butt to the pick up location and was pleasantly suprised how quickly I was able to get in and out. Maybe 10 minutes.  This week, there were appx 10 apples, 3 artichokes, 2 mangos, 2 cuccumbers, 5 ears of corn, 1 pineapple, and 2 green peppers...and a cantelope and 2 heads of Roman lettuce.I was impressed.  Now I just have to use all the stuff.  I have surfered the internet for some recipes and I am pretty excited to try them.  Now I just need to find the time to actually try them.

Caribbean Fruity Salsa
Chicken Artichoke Dip
Chicken Pesto Pizza
Chicken Artichoke Heart and ParmesanSandwiches

With veggies in hand, I head over to Lexy's to go garage saling.  That was kinda bust.  After a couples hours of little success we head to the Farmers Market.  It has moved locations so it has more but it doesn't have the same feeling. 

Once we had walked through the market, it was time for babysit Marlee while Lexy and Chris attended a funeral.  Marlee and I went over to Emma's and played for a little bit.  Kaylee and Tyler were there too so it was a fun time (with some fighting). 

Thankfully there was a nap before Lexy, Marlee and I went to the grand opening of the Nampa Hastings.  After browsing for awhile, it was time to drop off TJ and the fruit/veggies at home.  Then a mad dash to retrieve Kaylee and Tyler for a night at the movies.  Fast Five was ok but the original is best.

Thankfully today has been a veg out day.  Trying to recover from being sick and the crazy day yesterday. How wonderful it is.  I have caught up on my blog-stalking, emails, Facebook, and recorded movies. 

I hate to be a cliche...

but I have turned into a crazy emotional girl recently. I could cry just about anything.  I think there are alot of factors contributing to this current states I am in so I am going to set them free by voicing them. I haven't been blogging as much as I should so I have enteralized alot.  Interalizing is very bad for me.  I let things fester and it makes me despressed and grumpy.  (Oh by the way, pardon any bad spelling, grammar, etc because I am typing with my eyes closed - the bright screen is hurting my tired, puffy, red crieded out eyes--plus I have tired and I have to get up at 5 tomorrow too).

So  major factor in contributing to this emotion states is I am flat out tired. I have been getting up at 5 each day adn working my butt off at work each day.  i was recently promoted to a new position.  I work on a special customer servcie team that handles Starbucks (yes the evil coffee chain) deliveries.  I don't do anything else besides schedule pick up, deliveries, and monitor Starbucks freight.  It is a huge account for us.  HUGE!!  I want to succeed so I have been putting out 110% everyday.  I haven't had to learn/be trained in 5 years so this is a new processes for me.  I am so focused on doing well I just wear out my brain.  When I come home I really wan to collapse into bed and never leave but I still have to spend time with TJ, eat, talk to my parents and try to unwind a little.  I have dreamt about Starbukcs on multiple occassions.  It is getting better now thata I have been at the job for a month but I am still tired.  

But on a positive note it is that much closer until I am in Atlanta.  A working vacation.  i am really excited for it. 

Another problem is I haven't cried in awhile.  I am really cried.  I need to have the release.  I laughed alot today which cracked the dam because laughing is just a tiny tiny space away from crying. 


But there are few things that I want to cry over but I haven't permitted myself. 
1. being a old maid.  Chalk it up to being 27, signle and childless and close to Mothers Day it jst seems that my heart is calling out for a child but it isn't meant o be yet.  It doesn't help that 10,000 people are pregnant, recently had a baby, or about to pop.  I swear with inthe group of people I know and how small it is there must be 12-15 women.  It sucks. 

(but I can hear th raindrop of the ceiling and it makes me smile)

2. It is near Memorial Day.  I have such a deep love of our country.  I know it is the greatest place on Earth and has been chosen by God to play vital role.  I know that our Founding Fathers were divinely inspired.  They Constitution and Declaration of Indpendence are some of the most importanta documents in the world.  But knowing these things has caused me a great deal of fear.  With the current government, and the apathy of many of the citizens, our rights and freedoms that many fought to establish and perserve are in jeopardy.  i believe it is time for Americans to turn back to God, Our Creator.  That unless that happens, we will be destroyed and everything that we hold scared will be taken away. 

The love for our military will never falter or waiver.  Because of the service of millions in our armed forces so many injustices have been corrected, lives perserved, catastrophies avererted.  These have comes at a great cost of human life thourghout the centuries.  I know that many today perceive the military as an awful thing.  They blame the military for wars they don't support or engagements we shouldn't be in. However, the military are simpy following the orders.  i got into a debate with a coworker once about Memorial Day.  he thought it was a time to celebrate the Iraq war adn the President he didn't support.  As far as I know, there is no established holiday celebrating an war.  We recognize days of great importance (like Pearl Harbor) but that is different.  That is celebrating an anniversary...but anyway... I simple reminded my cowroker that Memorial Day is not about the war, or what county we are fighting in, or whether the President if a R/D.  It is about the soldier.  Each individual in our military and recognizing the past, present, and future sacrifices that have been made.  It is about the millions of faces that I will never see in this liftime and will never have the oppurtunity to say Thank You for doing what I was too afriad to do.  i can't explain it anymore.  All I can say is when I hear that National Anthem (sung properly and correct lyrics) that it brings tears to my ears and makes my heart swell.  That when I see a flag being burned or mistreated that I want to snatch it away and yell "DON"T YOU KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN SACRAFICED FOR YOU?!?!  WHAT LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST THAT ALLOW YOU THE FREEDOM TO BURN THE FLAG?!?!" Just being you can doesn't mean you should.

3. I turned 27.  That isn't old (but it isn't young either).  But What makes it so difficult is the reminder that Gma Summers is in heaven.  Gma died of cancer 10 years go on April 5...which is my birthday.  I was young so I didn't know Gma was sick.  Whenever we visited, I remember in good health and what love radiated from her.  I remember Lucky Charms and homemade pickles.  The old rotary phone and the Family Circle cominc books.  The way she smelled and St Ives soap.  the pink and blue bathroom.  The house vests she would wear and the coocoo clock.  The scary basement and the game kerplunk. And the lilac trees.  Oh what beautiful trees they were.  Two stores tall adn smelled divine!When I see my Mom I can see Gma.  i know I have had yen year sto grieve but it doesn't seem to be getting easier.

I remember that Mom had to be gone for a week or two and would mis my birthday because Gma and Mom were going to Arizon to see Uncle Darl.  I remember all the food the Relief Society brought over.  I remember the two birthday cakes I received.  The best cake was chocolate with pink sprinkles.  I cant remember what day Mom made it home.  i remember sitting at the ktchen table and it was sunny outside.  We were still living in Boise.  i reember she came through the front door.  She was halfway throug hthe kitchen I remember looking at her from the table.  I saw her start to cry and I ran to hug her.  That is what I remember.  After that I breifly recall collecting some things to keep but I don't remember the service or what happened after that.  I remember visiting Gpa Summers after she had passed and how I would cry each time we left. 

I don't know why it can be soo hard.  Last birthday I was fine.  This birthday i am falling apart.  I think it is because I wished for what could've been.  I don't know really.  All I know is that it is difficult. 

My eyes are nearly swollen shut.  I had better put this to rest before I break something.  Hopefully everything has been purged so tomorrow (or shall I say today) is Race for the Cure.  This year it will be all of us sisters and my mom.  Expect pictures to be posted on Sunday. I am excited for th girls day out but I had better get some rest because the alarm will be going off at 5 which is in a few hours. 

and I am content.  I am working on being happy but I am having a little setback.  no need to worry about me.  I will survive...I will survive hey hey!! (Insert rest of Gloria Gaynors song here).  :)

April ride..

For my birthday, Dad, John, and I went riding in the Owyhee's. It was AWESOME!! Snow was everywhere and kept falling while we were out. I usually never where a helmet but so happy I did today. I was especially thankful I could still wear my sunglasses. If not, I would have been blinded by the snow. I LOVE to ride!! THANKS DAD!!

Zoo Eggstravaganza

Today, Zoo Boise was hosting their annual Eggstravagnza Egg Scramble. I loaded up two of my neices, Kaylee and Emma, as well as my friend, Brehdi. It was so fun. We got to see the Tigers up close and also play. Then we also saw a baby....wambat or something. I think we were at the zoo for maybe 3-3.5 hours. It was great. :)

Slumber party...

Random pics from awhile ago.  Can't remember the circumstances but saw the draft in my blog list so thought I better publish it. :)