Getting Used to the Snow...

I really dislike snow... I am sure this is not a total shock for most who know me.

I don't like the cold I don't like my feet being soaking wet a freezing and I really don't like how crazy people drive in this kind of weather... but since I am here might as well get used to it.

So to keep me company while I sit inside and wait out the snow fall is my cuddly cat Zorro.

I think I am going to go take a nap... Mmm... a nap sounds good.

Hope everyone's Christmas was good and Happy New Year!!!!

The Sweetheart Tag

1. Where did you first meet your sweetheart?
I met Ryan through a mutual friend who initially wanted to set us up... I saw a picture of them on our friends myspace page. We stated talking on the phone and he just so happend to be coming down to Utah, where I was living at the time, so we set up a lunch date. What stated out as a lunch dated turned into him visiting me most of the time he was there istead of his friends he came down to see.

2. What do you remember about him/her the most?
He was funny and smitten with me... When he first stepped out of his car I was like... whoa he is cute and then I got out of my car and was like... wow... he is shorter than I hoping. lol. But he is a few inches taller than me and just right!

3. Who asked who out first?

Well I asked him if he wanted to hang out and have lunch when he got into town... so I am going to say me but he will probably disagree.

4. What did you do on your first date?
We went to Applebee's for dinner after his flight came in... we ran into a friend of mine there and I knew I was not going to be going on any other dates anytime soon... and sure enough the word had gotten out that I had been on a date and that he was HOT!

5. What was your favorite thing to do together when you were dating?
Just being together... part of our early development the "getting to know you" stage of things was over the phone since he lived in a different state so really anytime we were together it was great and that is the way it is still... we can spend all day every day and be happy as can be!

6. When was your first kiss with your sweetheart?
Was the weekend he came down to Utah... I told him I didn't kiss boys I was dating and so the next morning he gave me flowers and asked if we could be exclusive... that night he dropped me off for the evening and just before I closed the door he said "Wait I forgot something!" and he kissed me on the door step and I turned bright red and became super shy.

7. When did you first realize you loved him/her?
I knew I could fall in love with him immediately... but I knew I loved him on one of my visit back to Washington I was staying with him and we were cuddling and I just knew!

8. Who said it (I love you) first?
He did! I didn't reply right away because I wanted to be certain this time around... but not long after I told him I loved him too.

9. How did s/he propose?
On our trip to San Diego to meet his parents we were walking around the Hotel Del Cornado... which Ryan talked me in going to take a look at... after an evening of dinner, walking on the beach and seeing some of the sights he proceeded to pull something out of his pocket... a hot sauce packet from taco bell... that said "Will you marry me?" on it and I... knowing that he was going to propose just not where or when looked at him and was like... you have got to be kidding me. He followed it with "Yeah my mom and little brother found that at lunch yesterday pretty weird huh?!" Then he went in to tell me how much he loved me and how much I meant to him and how he couldn't go on living with out me in his life... drops to one knee and asks me to marry him. I say yes of course and we hug and then we hear the people that had watched this whole thing happen start clapping and whistling ... he had got a standing ovation from the on looking crowd. We ended our night with pictures to remember the evening and a very cold walk on the beach.

10. What are two things you remember most about your wedding?

Well we had gotten married civilly before he left on deployment... I had gotten sick and needed to see a doctor for some womanly issues... Ryan hearing the news wouldn't leave on deployment with out me having insurance to make sure I was well when he got back so we prayed and decided to get married civilly before he left... which at first I was so not ok with but after having away for so long it made it easier on our new relationship that I was his wife and not just a girlfriend and that he was my husband and not just another boy I was dating.

Our civil ceremony was quick and to the point... nothing special but Ryan and I both agreed that our Temple Sealing was the one that meant something and that was what we looked forward to.

Our Temple sealing was beautiful and I couldn't have asked for a better place to have it then in the San Diego temple and a beautiful day with an amazing husband.

Two things I remember most from my temple sealing are looking up and seeing my dad as a witness... I saw tears in his eyes and I told the sealer " You did that on purpose didn't you!?" But it was a long journey getting my dad back to where he is now and I don't think there is anything it this life he would have wanted more than to see his only child married in the temple and present for it.

The other part I hold close to my heart was the advice the Sealer gave... he had us look at each other in the mirrors and explained that you could only see one of you and many of our spouse and that is how you should think or your marriage... for every one time you think of yourself you should think of your spouse and if were where to both do this we would have a successfull and selfless marriage... That image of us in all white holding hands and staring at each other in the mirrors will forever be in my mind... it was a very special experience!

I tag Misty, Kelsey and Amanda Moore.

Sorry So Late Guys!

I have been super busy lately but like I promised I come baring pictures!


We had so much chili we had to bring out another table to fit it all on!

Before the Blessing on the Food:
Just before everyone went home:
Some of our "special guests", they even dressed up!
I went as a Ref... and Ryan was well... a Football player... I tried to get him to be a Giant since we are in NY but he wouldnt have it and lucky for us they sell Chargers Jerseys here at out Wal Mart.



Here I am announcing the winners for the Chili Cook off... I fell into character and pretended I was announcing the winners as if they were playing in a basketball game. I am a nerd I know.

Handing out candy to the kiddies! We didnt have a lot of time to decorate our trunk... instead we decorated an entire gym!

I had lots of help from Sis. Steele, The Angel family, the Missionaries and my wonderful husband. I am so glad it turned out so well and looking back I dont know what I could have done to make it any better.


Hope you all enjoyed the pictures... Next activity will be the Ward Christmas Party... yeah I think it will go well! :)

My Thanksgiving Day Traditions Continue...

This year my Thanksgiving was wonderful... It would have been better if I had been with the rest of my family but seeing as how they live a few thousand miles away I made due with what I had.

It started off with sleeping in and waking up to my husband coming home from muster. I wished him a Happy Thanksgiving and headed downstairs to do what I always do every year... Watch the Macy's Day Parade.

This year was a little different seeing as how I had to put together an entire Thanksgiving meal for 8 people. I had put together some stuff the night before but was so tired I decided to put the rest of it off for the next day.

I started with all of my cold stuff and worked my way to the turkey. It was so much fun being able to juggle so many things at the same time. I made my grandmas fruit salad that she has every year and I put my own spin on it by adding in orange jello (dry) and a little cottage cheese. It was delicious and one of my favorite dishes.

Ryan helped clean and ran to the store a few times... Next year I will check to see how much milk I have before I send him out to get more potatoes and juice. Haha... he had just got home and I was making a chocolate creme pie and needed more milk and hadnt even touched the potatoes yet so off to the store he went.

The missionaries stopped by to spend the rest of their evening with us so our head count ended up being 10 plus a visitor.

After the neighbors headed out and the missionaries had to leave we played Apples to Apples and Loaded Questions with our good friends Sam and Melissa.

They brought their puppy who wanted so badly for our cat to come out from under the couch and play but to his dismay Zorro only made a quick appearance and I snatched him up and took him to a safe haven in the basement with his food and water... just in case he got hungry or had to use his litter box.

All in all our Thanksgiving was just wonderful... it included my four favorite f's... family,friends, food and fun.

Hope all of yours was wonderful as well...

Now That That is Taken Care Of...

Well... now that I am fully recovered from my minor melt down... if you are not sure what I am talking about... please read previous post.

Anyhow... My stresses out here consist of:

• Catty Co-workers
• Bad Drivers, yes you were right Janessa!
• Rude inconsiderate people
• Too many things on my plate in genreal
  
• Planning ward activities and teaching lessons for YW & Sunday school
• Making sure the house is clean, laundry is done, bills are paid and food is cooked
• Constantly fixing up our house... little paint here, minor adjustments there
• Being on a different schedule then my husband every week
• The list could go on and being far from my family in a state I absolutly hate does not make it much easier.
  

I am so bothered by how mean the people are in this state. The fact that it is winter already totally freaks me out since I dont like to be cold and I hate the snow. Then there are the drivers... I still cannot get over how bad they are here... bolting out into traffic like they are suicide bombers on their final mission, going 15 under the speed limit and hold up a long long line of cars, blinding you with their brights because it requires to much of an effort to flip them off a mile away from my eyes, full on running red lights or even worse... sitting at green arrows. These poeple act like they have never even heard of a DMV or Drivers Ed. I was sitting behind a guy who had his blinker on at a red light waiting to turn right... no one was in front of him... I honked and then he realized "oh yea.... free right turn!" BLAH!!!

I was on my way home after work and could just feel my blood boil as I was trying to hurry home and the guy in front of me was going 30... in a 55. WHO DOES TH AT!? Where come from... the speed limit is 5 over the "suggested" speed limit.

So as far as my frustrations go ... there are plenty of them to go around... but I have accepted my fate since there isnt much else I can do about the attitudes and actions of other people.

Thanks for listening... glad I have a few people out there that care enough to read my thoughts and pat me on the back when I need it the most.

D

Do you ever have a bad day?!

Do you ever have a day where you just want to through your hands in the air and say...

E N O U G H ! ! !

I cant take it anymore..!

Well... today is one of those days.

I couldn't even begin to explain... so I wont bore you with all of my useless and irrelevant drama that doesn't need to be hung out to dry... too many eyes are watching this blog to truly say what I want to say anyhow. Besides... a wise man once said... "Speak when you are angry--and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret." Lawrence J. Peter

Update On The House...

I finished painting the living room and we hung new curtains...




Next is finishing up the trims, adding new moldings and finishing the floors. Boy this is taking longer than I had planned.

D

Your Wish Is My Command...

Thanks for the pep talk Em... I read your comment and knew just what to write about... well blog about that is.


Here is something that no one knows yet... we have a new kitty!!! Yay!

His name is Zorro and he is very active and a MAJOR cuddle bug.


I found him sleeping like this the other day when I got home from work... strange cat he is.


We also went to Palmyra the other day and here are some pictures from our trip.



As for the colors of the fall... they are pretty much all gone but before the went away I snapped a few good ones right from my own backyard.


What does fall look like in your area?!

So tired...

Do you ever just get bored of blogging?! I am kind of at that point I am sure I will be more ambisious once I get my hands on pictures from the ward activity and what not... hope everyone is doing well. :)

Dani

Halloween...

How was everyone else's Halloween??? Mine was actually kind of lame to be honest. I had maybe four groups of kids knock on my door... I live in a small town but come on!!! What has this world come to when children don't beg for free candy anymore?! I only saw one group carrying pillow cases... I gave them more candy because they were using pillowcases.

I was hoping that more kids woulds show up but hey... at least I did get to see some instead of none.

My favorite costume though was this kid dressed up as a rapper lol... it was actually kind of cute to be honest I shoud have taken a picture but I am not sure his mom would have been too keen on that idea.

Well Ryan is almost done with swings and then on to the graveyard shift. We are feeding the missionaries this friday so that is something to look forward to. We have some pretty awesome missionaries in our ward right now... we have been lucky so far with that. The age difference is just at the right age that they seem like younger brothers to me. I fully enjoy picking on them.

Other than that not much else has been going on... just working and taking care of my house and husband.

Next think to tackle... finishing touches of painting and puting up some drapes for the living room... very exciting I know. Pictures will follow.

Dani

So Tired...

Well Ryan and I have been hitting up all of the parties lately. I have been to a few costume parties and Halloween hasnt even happend yet. Here is an update of what I have been up to lately.


Ryan and I went to Palmyra to go to the temple.... so amazing. It is a small temple but still beautiful. We went to find a place to eat and found an awesome pizza shop in down town Palmyra, which is extremely small by the way. There were some protesters there as well... they were getting ready to stir up so trouble out side all of the church properties. Dont they have anything better to do?

While we were ordering I went to find a table to sit at and I glanced out the window and there was the printing press store where the first Book Of Mormon was printed. I have been before but it was so long ago that I wanted to see it again and Ryan had never seen it. So while we waited for our food we ran over got a few pictures and went through for a tour. The tour was wonderful... very uplifting and there were relics there that were actually used to print the Book Of Mormon along with a first addition. At the end of the tour we were handed a replica print of the first few pages of the Book Of Mormon uncut just how they would have come hot off the press. We will be framing that for our house for sure.

On our way home we hit up a party that one of Ryans co workers was throwing for his birthday and we were WAY over dressed... The theme was "White Trash" and between my pearls and high heels and Ryans Kenneth Cole sweater and tie we were a few steps above the dress code. Needless to say we didnt stay long.

I finally threw my first ever Trunk or Treat and Chili Cook Off... which I would say was a full on success. I had so many people telling me how amazing the decorations were and how fun it was. My chili was totally gone by the end of the night as was majority of the chili... guess we are all pretty good cooks in the ward.

I dressed up as a Referee and Ryan was a Football Player. I had to make a few announcements for the evening and decided that I might as well go with the Referee theme since I was already dressed that way and announced the winners as if they were being introduced into a basketball game or boxing ring. It was fun and I had an amazing turn out best of all... there were a ton of non members and less actives which is always to goal... to make those on the outside feel more comfortable on the inside.

After the Chili cook off we went to yet another party and stayed for a bit longer... those who were taking full advantage of the BYOB status really enjoyed my Ref costume... they thought it was pretty ingenious... I didnt think it was the unique but hey there were drunk so it explains a lot.

Once again once it started to be more about drinking and less about fun Ryan and I were out the door and headed home. I am so grateful for the gospel... it keeps me out of trouble... not because of the "rules" but because of the knowledge I have that sets me free from that which would be holding me back.

Anyhow... so far so good this season. I have been working a lot and enjoying it very much. Next thing I my to do list is the Christmas Party. I hope I can live up to the expectations that everyone now has for my parties.

How have all of you been? Done anything fun lately?

D

I am not dead I promise!!!

I have been so beyond busy it is ridiculous. Tonight is a spur of the moment date night so ... I am headed out the door but thought I would update everyone on what is going on.

BIG Halloween party is tomorrow... we are dressing up as... drum roll please!!!!

Football player and Ref... I am the Ref. Pictures will follow.

I have been working like a crazy person and planning this party as well as I have to teach YW's this sunday... little busy ya know.

Anyhow... Life is good... that is all... take care!

D

Issues...

Ok so I am throwing a huge halloween party for the ward, see previous entry, and I do now know what Ryan and I should dress up as... any suggestions?! Ryan isnt much help I have asked him a dozen times what he wants to go as and he doesnt know and when I suggest something he doesnt like it... what is a girl to do!

HELP!

Dani

Sound The Alarms!!!!

LET EVERYONE KNOW!!!!

THERE IS GOING TO BE THE COOLEST EVER WARD PARTY FOR THE SARATOGA SPRINGS WARD... IN THE WORLD.

FRIDAY OCT 24TH 6:30-9:00ISH


CHILI COOK OFF & TRUNK OR TREAT

SIGN UPS WILL BE PASSED AROUND
AT CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY

AWARDS FOR COSTUMES AND CHILI...
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

I've Been Tagged!!!

I Have Been Chosen...YAY!

The RULES

1. Link the person who tagged you (The Conger's)
2. Post these rules.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them.

Here are my unspectacular quirks.

1. I have random moments where I just start dancing... no real reason... I just do it.

2. I really love to cook... hate the clean up but none the less I really love to cook!

3. I was born and raised an only child... and at the ripe age of 21 I became one of 6... my dad remarried this amazing woman and I love all of my step siblings so much that I don't mind calling them... well siblings. lol.

4. I'm a total neat freak... not too extreme but I have issues with dust, clutter, dirty floors and bathrooms... oh and dirty counter tops.

5. I used to own chickens and geese... when I was little I would let the chickens in our house and chase them around to catch them... because they couldn't get away from me... it was easier for me to play with them.... once again raised an only child!!!

6. I tell my mom things just to freak her out and get a reaction. It has taken her a few years but I think she is finally catching on... now I need to change my plan of attack lol. I once told her that when I got married I wasn't going to use birth control and was going to leave the number of kids I was going to have up to the Lord and would just keep having them until he said stop... (which is true to an extent but she was envisioning 15 kids and for a woman who only had one for a reason that is a lot!) she was pretty close to having a heart attack... very amusing. The best part about it was I called my dad up after wards and told him what I had done and we just laughed about it... she is so gullible sometimes and I love her!

The lucky people are:

Kori
Kelsey
Amanda
Nicole
Janessa
Brigitte

***Sigh***

Today was an good day... I got to sleep in but it rained all day today and the gloomy weather made me sooo beyond tired. It is interesting how the weather affects you so much.

Work was good... got a $20 tip in our tip jar... pretty awesome and it was the end of my shift so ... I walked away with $5 after we split it all.

As for those of you how do not know and are wondering where I am working at... I am working at this little cafe called The Fortunate Cup in Saratoga ... 120 West Ave to be precis.

I would normally have looked else where for employment, coffee shops just are not my scene, but felt like it wouldnt be a bad idea to apply and as luck would have it (no real luck here just some heavenly guidance) I dont work weekends. This means I get to keep the Sabbath day holy and still get a 40 hour paycheck.

The shop is really cute and I have access to a fully loaded gym just for working there.

Our food and hot cocoa is great too... we have gelato, which is awesome, and it is made locally by a cute little italian guy.

So if you are in need of a mean hot cocoa stop by and say hi I am sure I will be working... you might be lucky and get a discount from me!!!

As for the rest of my day ... it hasnt ended yet.... I am staying up tonight so I can spend time with my hubby. He is on swings this week and our scheduals done really mesh when he is on anything but days.

Well that is all I have ... like I said good but not super eventful.

D

New York Drivers...

Let me tell you what...

New York drivers are TERRIBLE!!! I was on my way to work this morning and was cut off 4 or 5 times, it was too early for me to start basic mathematical skills at that point so the actual number is kind of up in the air.

I was cut off one time by an old lady who decided it would be a good idea to bolt in front of me going 20 miles slower than I was...

Its like if you give these people a car they are invincible... lets see Granny bolt in front of me with out her car... would she still have just jumped out in front of me ... probably not so why do it with a car?! I just don't understand these New Yorkers they have NO COMMON SENSE! Arg.

Another person who cut me off bolted out in front of traffic, again lets see you be so bold without your invincible vehicle, and a line of 5 of us (that had accumulated because we were already going under the speed limit at that point) had to slow down because this guy apparently could wait the whole 10 seconds to wait for us to pass. Oh and yes ... he had to go 15 under the speed limit which was 10 slower than what we were doing.

A friend of mine figured out why the drivers out here are so bad... because they are old! No offense to the elderly crowd... but when you start loosing your eye sight and depth perception that SHOULD be a good indication of "You are not capable of driving anymore!!!".

There is a larger percentage of elderly and disable individuals in this small town minded section of the world... thus the bad drivers. Maybe I will get used to it... hopefully.

As you can tell bad drivers are a HUGE pet peeve of mine... what are yours?! How do you cope with them?!

D

My Payment For a Job Well Done...

This last weekend Ryan took it upon himself to spoil me without saying a thing. It started with him insisting I get a pedicure... which I thought was kind of silly but since he kept mentioning it I figured it would be a good idea to go with it just in case he had something up his sleeve... glad I went with the promptings.

We both got pedicures, although Ryan really just went for the foot massage that they give you. I picked a cute dark pink for the tips while Ryan picked ... none existent... I think the girls there would have probably given him a hard time if he had even gotten clear. People are so strange.

Anyhow...

After getting our calves massaged and feet rubbed we headed to the mall to go window shopping... I bought a few things that I will leave unmentioned... and we had a good time just hanging out. We laughed and talked it was great. Our stomachs were beginning to talk to us at this point telling us to feed them so ...

We went out to dinner at this place. Their deep dish pizza is to DIE for!!! Oh my gosh... unbelievable. I know it isn't anywhere fancy but hey... I am not a fancy kind of girl... besides I picked the place lol.

After dinner and dessert we headed to Wal Mart to buy a few DVDs to watch that night and we headed home.

I got another back massage during the movie and we just enjoyed each others company.

Monday Ry still had work off so we took the missionaries out to the driving range and hit a few balls... what a great way to top off an awesome weekend.

I know I am not the most well rounded person or even the most adventurous maybe I am easily amused and find too much joy in such small and simple things but I consider myself blessed and lucky.

I guess my weekend would have just been the norm for someone else but for me it was perfect.

Caution Work Is Still In Progress!!!

Here are a few pictures of the house so far. We still need to to a few touch ups and then get the moldings up and then... we tackle the floors. Tell me what you guys think!!!


Guest Bedroom

Before:


After:




Living Room

Before:



After:





I worked really hard to get it all done before our friends came to visit I didn't get 100% done but pretty darn close. All that is left now is prime and paint the trims then put up the moldings and chair rail. Once that is all done I will finish up the floors and we will be done with that side of things.

We are planning on buying all new furniture here soon so that overly manly couch you see, by the way it vibrates and has a flip down tray that has cup holders... Ryan got it before he met me, is going down stairs in the soon to be family room/media room.

I will probably be working on touching up the paint and what not this weekend... sooner the better!

Tell me what you think... do you like the colors and chair rail or were you totally infatuated with that pepto pink that I got rid of?!

D

It's Been Awhile...

Sorry I haven't blogged lately... I have been very VERY busy. Here is what I have been up to!

• Finished painting(for now anyhow) the foyer, hallway, guest bedroom and living room.
  
• Had company stay with us for a week... showed them around and helped them find a place to live when they move up here at the end of October.
  
• Cleaned up the house, just in time for our company to stay at our place.
• Threw my first ward activity, which was a huge success despite the bumps in the road.
• Started working at my new job... finally!
• Still being a good house wife by cleaning the house, cooking meals and all those other things that go with being married.

Well now that I am back from being MIA I am sure you will hear from me a little more often... I will go into better detail of all the events later but for now... SMALLVILLE is on!!!!

9/11

This morning when I woke up I didn't feel any pain or sorrow... I just went about my day as I did the day before and the day before that. My heart wasn't beating fast and my eyes weren't swollen with pain... I didn't choke back tears or sulk in disbelief.

When I woke up this morning... I didn't even know what today was. I had forgotten all about 9/11... something I never thought in my lifetime I could ever do.

When I finally remembered what today was I stopped and thought about those that lost everything and those that gave everything that day and since that day.

There was a parade in my tiny town here in New York. We are still a three hour drive from ground zero but the pain is still felt here.

Seven years ago I cried with America as she lost some of the bravest she had. I watched the towers fall to the ground and my whole perspective of life changed. What was left of my young eyes where pushed into adulthood and I saw a grusome reality that although we, as a country, are powerful we also have are weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

I starred at the TV all day as I watched the events unfold...

People leaping from the buildings out of desperation to save them selves
Survivors running in the streets from falling debris
Business men in ash covered suits with breathing masks
Crushed vehicles in the once usable street
and
People caring for those that they didnt know

I know where I was when the world stopped turning... I was here mourning with our country.

I know where I am now... seven years later. I am supporting my country. I will never forget September 11th,2001. I am American.

We are ALL American... United We Stand.One Nation. Under God.Indivisable. With Liberty & justice for ALL.

God Bless America... the land that I live!

It has been a year so far...

Ryan has been home from Deployment for a year now and having him home has been a blast. Here is a list a photos of what we have done this past year together.


Ryan's homecoming



Finally taking announcement pictures... for our temple sealing...


Visited with family



Tortured our feisty little cat Ferrari... She loves it I swear!


Fed Ryan to the wolves... lol..


Enjoyed the Puget Sound


Dressed up for Halloween


Went on house hunting leave... oh and bought a house...



Saw a Mariners Game... WOOHOO!


Traveled across the country and back again...


(Shooting in St. George... well technically AZ. We had some really bad bruises that you cant really see in the picture. )

(Little girl carrying a big stick)

Visited church history sites


(This is us at Nauvoo... Can you find us?!)


Were sealed in the San Diego Temple 4/12/2008



Visited friends & family in Salt Lake


Gone NUTS on road trips... CRAZY!!!



Settled into our new home


(And started renovation on the whole house...still in progress)

Enjoyed some of the more touristy things Saratoga has to offer


(All of the fun horses that decorate Saratoga for racing season)

Visited Boston a few times...



This brings us to pretty much to the present...

I have made some awesome memories with my wonderful husband and although we have been married for just shy of 2 years 7 and a half months of that was spent apart... so we made up for lost time and lived it up... what a wonderful way to reunite.

What a crazy year it has been!