Blog Recommendations - Hit and Miss

I was perusing two of my favorite blogs last week and stumbled across two recommendations I thought I would try. One was for this fab hot chocolate in Idaho Falls at a Chevron Gas Station five miles off of 1-15. Since I knew I would be up that way in the next few days, I convinced the girls I was with that we just had to stop. The blog entry boasted of mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, homemade whipped cream, etc. We found the Chevron in question, and entered in a state of giddiness at the prospect of the hot chocolate we had all read about. It ended up that they were out of everything with the exception of some toasted marshmallow flavoring. We were TOTALLY bummed. We made up for it with getting some Powerball tickets. So hoping I win the millions:)

The next place I read about was local called Italian Village. Their pizza benders were raved about, so we packed up on Friday night and headed out. Okay, they were REALLY good--and pretty cheap too! The kids meals were like $2.50, and the pizza benders came with salad and bread as well. Yummy--check it out if you live in the SLC area.

Moral of the story? I am still going to check out what people rave about. My next stop is a little eatery I read about in Draper. Amanda, are you up for it?

My own private Idaho

Went on a quick business trip last week to Rexburg, Idaho. I love this trip to no end. Good conversation and laughs with my peers from other regions I don't get to see too often, the sweetest little bed and breakfast ever, and some good reminders about why I really love what I do for a living. I am posting a pic from the window of the B&B we stayed at. I guess a bull moose had come up earlier in the day and left some tracks. The Snake River is right behind. Sigh--love great scenery:)

Happy Valentines Day!

Thanks Amber for the cute idea! Here are just some little tidbits on my hubby.

What is his name?
Shane Jack Matheson
How long have you been married?
13 years March 17th
How long did you date?
Five months
How old is he?
34
Who eats more?
Probably Shane
Who said I love you first?
I can't even remember--I think we said it to each other at around the same time
Who is smarter?
Shane is probably a little book smarter than me. He braved calculus and physics at the U while I stuck to the easier stuff:) I think I might be smarter with people. He has kind of a rough side sometimes that I think it just a cynical side effect with his job:)
Whose temper is worse?
Mine. Shane is really mellow and calm for the most part (unless I talk about the Banana Republic jeans--love ya hon:)
Who does the laundry?
Shane does everything except my clothes under strict instructions
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
We mostly sleep apart as our schedules are opposite :(
Who pays the bills?
Me
Who cooks dinner?
Me. I usually am in charge of ordering takeout:)
Who drives when you are together?
Him.
Who is more stubborn?
Him.
Who proposed?
Shane. We went to dinner at the Roof on Halloween, and he proposed at our table overlooking the temple.
Who has more friends?
Probably a tie
Who has more siblings?
Another tie
Who wears the pants in the family?
I like to take control--Shane usually lets me
Where did you meet your husband?
Through our parents and old fashioned letters
What was the first thing said?
Shane wrote me a letter from his mission on an old fashioned typewriter. It was silly and goofy and I never thought we would get together. We wrote for a year sharing stories from my first year away at college, and the last year of his mission in South Carolina.
What was your first date?
A rugby match up in Park City--it was amazing
First kiss?
Over Arctic Circle Square Pumpkins debating weather the animal we saw at the zoo that day was an ibex or not:)
Where did you get married?
The Salt Lake Temple on the most amazing spring day ever
How did the reception go?
Most of it was great. I think in hindsight I may have traded the reception for an intimate family and friends dinner
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Anniversary Inn as we got married the week before finals. We went to Myrtle Beach the next fall after I graduated from the U.
Do you have a song?
Shane is convinced it is this Pink Floyd song he is still loving back from his high school days:)

Oh Sweet Sadie

Shelley and I went to the cutest little boutique yesterday in Herriman. It was called Oh Sweet Sadie, and comprised a bunch of local artisans selling their wares. I ended up with some little things that just sort of bring you joy. Creative little papers, organic bath products to gift to my cute assistant this week for Valentines, and this amazing homemade soup and rolls. A wonderful way to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.

The ABC's of Me

Fun email I received today I thought I would paste:

A is for Age: 32. I guess I still feel young enough to admit it.

B is for band of choice: The Counting Crows just came out with a new single this week, so I am crushing on them again:) Also love Radiohead, Naast, The Shins, The Killers, A Fine Frenzy--the list could go on forever.

C is for career: I am a mom to my Macker Bear, and a healthcare recruiter as well:)

D is for your Dude's name: Shaner.

E is for the essential items you use everyday: Solar Oil, laptop, debit card and Kiehl's Pear Tree Corner hand lotion.

F is for favorite TV shows at the moment: I am having to settle with reality, but it is actually really good! Love Project Runway to no end as well as American Idol and Biggest Loser. Have started taping Breaking Bad and Psych as well.

G is for favorite game: Zooreka (board) Guitar Hero III (video)

H is for Hobbies: I love reading, wasting time on the computer, and hanging out with Mack and Shane.

I is for intentions: I would love to be more healthy, be more productive, save more money and be more spiritual.

J is for juggling, things you juggle: My mom status, my job, my relationship with Shane and my church calling.

K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: Not feeling too violent at the moment. I am in a good place:)

L is for laugh, things that make you laugh the most: Shane and Mack's stupid jokes, Superbad, reading blogs a few weeks ago with Tifani

M is for marriage: March 17 to Shane. We have almost been married 13 years!

N is for naughty things your kid(s) do: Have little meltdowns, proclaims he hates going to church on Sunday mornings, gets really upset when he loses a video game

O is for overwhelming experience: Getting all the Primary stuff ready for the first of the year. Insanity.

P is for places you'd like to venture to: Western Europe, Puerto Rico, California

Q is for quote: My latest fave was one I ran across on lds.org. Not really a quote, but more of an excerpt on a talk about forgiveness and repentance. It basically was directed to the youth of the Church, and helping them understand that there is forgiveness and repentance, but it struck a chord with me that no one is perfect and we need to rely on the Lord and seek His help.

R is for biggest regret: Not plunging ahead and going to graduate school before we had Mack--I guess not too much else:)

S is for status: Married to an amazing person and being lucky enough to have our sweet little guy.

T is for temper, do you have one? It used to be much worse. I feel like I have kind of mellowed out a bit.

U is for ugliest things to see: Parents swearing and/or hitting their little kids in public. I hate when adults are ugly to their kids in a public place. Makes me sad to think what may happen behind closed doors.

V is vegetable you love: Broccoli, asparagus, corn on the cob, really good tomatoes and frozen peas

W is for wedding memory: Crushed green velvet dresses, my dress that drove me crazy, the plastic canvas Jesus we received as a wedding gift. Loved the days, weeks and first years after we were married, but the actual day was a little stressful:)

X is for xrays you've had: My ankle--I think that is about it.

Y is for yummy food: Cheesecake Factory's Guacamole and Stuffed Chicken Tortillas, Taco Time's Chicken and Black Bean Burrito, Settebello (this new pizza place next to Red Rock I went with an old work friend last week), Paradise Bakery Tuna Sandwich.

Z is for zodiac: I'm a Scorpio. All the labels for Scorpio are pretty fitting for me, so I relate well:)

A change for me at work

I had an offer at work to switch portfolios to our allied health (imaging, respiratory and CV) areas. It was a really hard decision. The person leaving the portfolio has been there for twelve years, and I have been doing nursing for almost six. I have LOVED doing nurse recruiting, but I am so excited about this change I can hardly stand it. The portfolio is really autonomous, so I get to make all my own decisions and come up with my own ideas. I am switching over this week and get to learn about all new positions. Wish me luck!

Chuck E Cheese's

We have had a lot of fun hanging out with Jim and Shelley the last couple weekends. They are so fun--wish we had started this a long time ago:) Shelley suggested we visit Chuck E Cheese's on Friday night so the kids could run around. It was mass chaos when we arrived, but the fun we had was well worth it. Shane stumbled across the Deep Freeze game
, and quickly racked up a bunch of tickets. Mack got a cotton candy for all the work, and the girls scored a whole bunch of girly tattoos and rings. Thanks again J&S for the invite.

Mack gets his Bear

Mack is one step closer to his Arrow of Light (the highest ranking in Cub Scouts) through getting his Bear last week. I have to confess how much I love the scouting program. It is so cute seeing Mack getting dressed up in his shirt and doing all the little rituals the Scouts perform at each pack meeting. Love the leaders too. These are his two little friends that live in our circle.

Remembering President Hinckley

Just thought I would take a minute to remember President Hinckley. My favorite legacies of his? The love he had for people regardless of race, religion or economic status, his commitment to strengthening families, his development of the Perpetual Education Fund and his endless and tireless service to spread the Gospel and make the earth a better place for all. I loved watching the news stories too of the youth in the Church dress up and make a statement for a Prophet they loved. It made me happy that the future leaders of this world have such great faith and commitments to what they know is right. Can't wait to see what new leadership for the Church will bring.