Sunday, January 18, 2009

What I have and want to do...

Have you ever??
I grabbed this off of my friend Ann's blog...thanks Ann. It made me think of the movie the Bucket List and all of the things I want to do in my life. I have done a few on this list and will star the ones I want to do but haven't too...just for an added twist.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii*
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris*
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child*
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (as far as you can go now!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France*
20. Slept on an overnight train*
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I call them Mental Health days but whatever
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping*
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice*
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors*
35. Seen an Amish community*
36. Taught yourself a new language*
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-but the money isn't where I found true happiness.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person*
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David*
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa*
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing- I even caught something...pretty cool!!
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person*
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris*
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie or on a TV show- I've been interviewed for the news so I'm counting it.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China*
57. Started a business
58. Had an encounter with a wild animal
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching*
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving*
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp*
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter*
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades*
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book*
81. Visited the Vatican*
82. Bought a brand new car*
83. Walked in Jerusalem*
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible*
86. Visited the White House (only the outside)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous- Ronnie Dunn from the group Brooks and Dunn came into Meadow creek Lodge when I was waiting tables...really nice guy.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby*
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Taken a martial arts class*

Friday, January 16, 2009

Arizona....gone to long!

Everyone things is it so great being in Arizona this time of year and enjoying the warm weather. Don't get me wrong the sunny 70 degree weather is nice and the meetings I'm here for with Bard are fantastic but the down side to the 6 days in Arizona is being away from my J.D. I miss him terribly. I am able to talk to him every night and morning like we usually do but this week we didn't get our mid-week visit and family home evening session. The weekends are "our" time to spend together because of my school and work schedule we treasure our weekends. The few weeks before coming to Arizona every Sunday when we would part I would fall apart thinking that it was getting ever closer to 6 days away from each other. To be honest, it has been a difficult week for me just for that simple reason. We have been able to talk on the phone each morning and night but knowing that he isn't the short 35 minutes from me is much harder than I thought it would be. One of the many wonderful things that just makes me fall in love more everyday (yes I know I'm gooey...I have every right ;)) are the sweet emails I get from my love every morning. I love them...they start my day at work on the right foot. He has been so good to send them too me everyday since I have been in Arizona but I don't get to read them until I'm back in my room at night. Typically we "chat" throughout the day via emails because we are both on our computers at work all day. I never realized how much those emails get me through my day. I love them. They are by no means the basis of our foundation but they are a part of the love that continues to grow between us. Sweetheart, thank you for always brightening my day with the simple yet wonderful thoughts that start my day and keep me ticking through the days. I am so looking forward to March 28 with great anticipation so I can call you my husband and continue to call you my best friend. Thank you for being patient with me when I snap when I'm stressed at work. You are the most soothing balm to my craziness and stress. Just your voice calms me in a way that few other things have ever been able too. I love you!

Now getting past the lovey stuff...as I'm typing this I'm thinking back to year ago at this time and where I was. I was in this very same state about 30 miles from where I now sit in the hotel room...but I was, in fact, in Arizona. I was the manager of Modern Exposition Services- Phoenix. I was working crazy hours and enjoying it but starting to get burned out. I can't believe it has only been a year ago. It seems like so much has happened in that short amount of time...it really is a short time if you look at the big picture. I hadn't yet enrolled at UCMT at this point last year but was starting to explore options for when and if I left Modern. The stress was taking a toll on my health and well being and I knew a change was coming but I didn't know what. Fast forward to now and I'm only 8 short weeks from graduating and becoming a licensed and nationally certified massage and therapeutic body worker...crazy how something that seems so small at the time can impact your life in such a huge way.
I am thrilled beyond belief that I get to see one of my besties while I'm here in Arizona. Jessica Ranney...you rock! I "found" myself when I lived with Jess. She was such a great sounding board and let me just be me...no false pretense or sugar coating...just plain ol' me. She IS one of my besties for that very reason. I'm trying to figure out a way to get her to Utah so we can still hang out and go to sonic for our favorite drinks- with crushed ice- anytime we want. (Only Jess and I get that but I love it!) Jess encouraged me to chase my dreams no matter how crazy they seemed and helped keep me sane and grounded when work got crazy and unmanageable. Oh how I love this woman! She is definitely a keeper in my book.

Well it is now after 1am...I have partied with the crowd at Bard following the awards ceremony last night. I sit here still amazed at how much has changed in my life in so few months but how grateful I am for the journey it has been that brought me to this point and the people that were part of the journey. Time for bed and more good times in the future.

Until next time...

Monday, January 5, 2009

My J.D.

My friend Tara tagged me and although J.D. and I aren't married yet we are quickly approaching our wedding day. (I can't wait!!) I thought it would be fun for you to read a little bit about this fella that has come to mean the world to me.

1. Where did you meet your husband? Well he isn't quite my husband yet but close enough...lol
We actually met online. A good friend of mine was getting married to a guy she met online and told me I should give it another try. I figured what did I have to lose. I had met my share of shady characters and such but one more try wouldn't kill me. I saw J.D.'s picture and read his profile and thought I would say hello. Funny thing, I had seen his profile before but he lived in St. George and I wasn't about to do a long distance anything so I didn't do anything about it. Interestingly when I moved back to Salt Lake in March he had just been laid off from his job in St George and felt like he should apply for jobs in the Northern Utah but wanted to stay in St. George so he didn't do it. After being laid of 2 more times he FINALLY decided he better apply for jobs in a more stable market for his profession (computer programming) and got up a job in Orem in September. I logged on to the website about 2 weeks after he moved to Pleasant Grove.

2. How long did you date before you got married? I don't remember the day we first exchanged emails and phone numbers but our first face to face meeting was October 5...so today is our 3 month anniversary (yes, I'm that cheesy) and we will be married on March 28, 2009 so 5 1/2 months from when we met...almost 6 months.

3. How long have you been married? That doesn't apply to us just yet.

4. What does he do that surprises you? He sends me text messages throughout the day and listens to me when I mention things I need to do or get even when I don't think he is listening. He also sends me an email every morning that is usually waiting for me when I get to work.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? I love his eyes...they sparkle when he is laughing...it just makes my heart so happy.

6. What is his best quality? He has alot and I discover more everyday. He is so kind and loving towards me and is genuinely interested in the things that are important to me. He encourages me to follow my dreams. I most admire his desire to be a man of God.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Lissa. Interestingly I have always hated it when anyone called me that...it just seems to fit with him.

8. What is his favorite food? Lasagna

9. What is his favorite sport? Football

10. When and where did you first kiss? At his house on his couch when we were watching a movie.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to watch movies at home and play games. We both enjoy the arts so I'm sure that will become a large part of our lives too.

12. Do you have any children? Not yet but we hope to some day.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Not that I'm aware of but I have lots of years to figure them out if he does.

14. How old is he? 31

15. Who said I love you first? I did but he claims that he did.

16. What is his favorite music? He likes the big hair bands from the 80's and country music. I'm not a big fan of the big hair bands so when we are together he listens to country... I sure appreciate it too!

17. What do you admire most about him? He strives to be better today than he was the day before. He is a hard worker and a desire to do well at his job.

18. What is his favorite color? Dark Purple

19. Will he read this? Yes, I know he reads my blog

20. I tag Tiffany, Holly, Kellie and Julie

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Wedding Planning and Dress Finding

The past few days have been all about getting some important wedding planning stuff done. I found a photographer from Salt Lake that will be taking our engagements, bridals and wedding pictures. Luckily, I love his style and he likes programming time more than money (well money is good too he said) and my J.D. is a programmer..CHA-CHING! I felt like I hit the mother load when I saw that on his blog. Scott Jarvie is the photographers name and he is mucho talented! We are meeting with him tomorrow night to discuss engagement photo date, etc.

The coolest part is that getting married on March 28 is turning out to be the best day! The Historic Shelton was available on the 28th of March so we changed from March 21 to fit that because I love the facilities there. Scott was booked on the 21st as well but not the 28th...WOOT!! Oh and I'm being reminded as I type this that my love, J.D. thought that the 28th would be a better day simply because it will give me a week after I graduate from UCMT to wrap up last minute stuff and not be so stressed. He said his main priority in all of this is to make sure I don't get to stressed. Any of you who are reading this and know me are probably praying for the poor guy now... he does a great job making me laugh and that helps tame the crazies faster than anything so we should be good to go.

Finally and I am thrilled to death about this...I FOUND MY WEDDING DRESS! It is so beautiful and for obvious reasons I can't put up a picture but as my sister and one of my BFF's, Brittany said yesterday when I came out with it on "You own that dress!" I love it and I feel like a princess in it. Honestly, when the girl first started helping me with it I thought she had lost her mind but it looks fantastic. Oh yes and a shameless plug for Gowns by Pamela and Sara who is my consultant there...AWESOME! Sara is the best! She listened to me when I said I didn't want all that sparkly junk on my dress. Not too plain but not to frilly...as Goldilocks says..."It's just right!" If you or anyone you know is in search of a dress I highly recommend them. They specialize in rental gowns but you can purchase from them too, which I am doing.

Hooray for finding the person that makes you so happy and being so giddy and in love! Hooray for things working out with the wedding planning! Life is sooooo good!

Until next time...