Eight various things

8 favorite TV shows

The Amazing Race
Top Design
Gossip Girl
30 Rock
The Biggest Loser
Barefoot Contessa
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Privileged

8 things I did yesterday

Went to staff meeting
Listened to a LinkedIn Webinar
Had a Subway Kids Meal
Bought my Kindle!!!! (Thanks for the discount code Tif!!)
Looked at Mitsubishi 3000 GT's with Shane
Went to HSM 3 with Tif
Watched the Biggest Loser (Vicki is evil!!)
Made a blog banner in Photoshop
Played Wenkinz with Mack

8 things I look forward to

Halloween
Top Chef premiere on November 12
Disneyland trip in December
Spa trip in a few weeks
Mack's basketball game on Saturday
Pulling out all my sweaters for fall/winter
Playing with Heidi Swapp DigiKits
Spring babies

8 favorite restaurants

Cheesecake Factory
Kneaders
Spaghetti Mama's
Ruby River
Training Table
Market Street
PF Chang's
Al Forno's

8 things on my wish list

A date with Shane
Mack doing great in 4th grade
Our Primary Program going well
Work getting a little quieter
A bit of travel next year
Getting better in Photoshop
Taking the PHR class
Getting more spiritual

Countdown to Twilight...

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are observant, diplomatic and often aim to please. You are unaware of your attractiveness and despite being uncomfortable with any form of attention, people enjoy your company. You can be impatient, stubborn and headstrong, but you are true to your word and mature for your age, often taking care of your family and enjoying a good book over chatting with girlfriends on the phone.

Need. Kindle.

Can't get my mind off getting a Kindle. A wise person once told me that if you can't stop thinking about something for over a week, it is destined to be yours. I have been nonstop obsessing about one for months, and want to get my hands on one so bad I can't even stand it. Any one else crazy for Kindle?

Creativity & Compassion

If anyone else's gut lurched every time this week the Dow plunged, or is stressed about everyday life, hope these thoughts help. Feeling lighter even as I am typing:)

"You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn't have to be perfect. Don't let fear of failure discourage you. Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.

I believe that as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment."

Here's to flowing laughter:) Read more...

Presidential Finger Puppets

Thought these were so cute! Wish Mack and I would have had them for last night when we watched the debates. Would be cute to make for an election party in a few weeks:)

Click on me to download finger puppets

Random Acts of Kindness

Amanda gifted me with these darling magnetic bookmarks. Just out of the blue--and something I so love. Thanks A:)


I put together this little jar for someone at work that covered for me (okay, not so random, but wanted to share). Picked up a bunch of these apothecary jars at IKEA and then filled them with 100 calorie snacks. For about $20, you can make about four of these cute gifts.

Spokane

Went on a quick business trip this week to Spokane. Haven't ever been there, and had to work a lot, so didn't see too many of the sights. This is a shot from the River Front Park in downtown Spokane where we stayed. Highlights were the swanky Davenport Hotel where we stayed and a girls night out at the Melting Pot. Also enjoyed recruiting at Spokane Community College where we went to speak with the Cath Lab and Echo/Vascular students. Wow, they were so good. I have developed an entirely new appreciation for community colleges. It was kind of taboo to go to community college when I was in high school. I think SLCC was nicknamed Redwood High. But, I was so wrong. They are awesome. Incredible instructors, reasonably priced tuition, and the students are so good. I tell anyone that calls me now for career advice that is unsure what they want to do to check out a community college. A new answer for the future in higher education:)

Happy Birthday Jack

Happy Birthday to the most amazing father in law ever! Favorites about Jack:

1. He can crack me up like no other person I know. From the Shelley ACT comment (sorry, inside family joke), to forgetting his name when the alarm company came over the speaker at his house, to his calling Corey Rushton a page at a city meeting, he keeps me laughing.

2. He is such a kind person. Always gives me a hug, has a kind word and smile, and makes you feel really at home in his home.

3. He is the best Grandpa ever. He never tells me no when I lean on him to watch Mack, and always tells me when I pick Mack up "Mack is no trouble" even though I know he just finished playing trains, Wii, giving in to go to IHOP and a trip to Wal-Mart with Mack.

Jack--You are the best Dad, Dad in Law and Grandpa we have! Here is to lots more years together:)

SYTYCD? Oh Yeah!!!!

Joey scored us some seats to the So You Think You Can Dance show. I think practically every female between the ages of 10-35 that lived in Salt Lake County was there:) Loved every second of it. Loved Mark and Chelsie, Mark and Courtney and Mark. I didn't have a voice for a few days after, but it was totally worth it! Counting down the days until next summer when it is on again. Thanks sis's for going!

St George

Shane and I slipped out of town for a long weekend down to St George. This picture basically sums it up--lots of pool time:) We stayed at a cute little one bedroom condo with a great pool and lots of quiet. Went to see Les Miserables at Tuachan (SPECTACULAR!!!), read a lot (thanks for the Gourmet mags Mom--I am now hooked!), ate at Pasta Factory on the patio (a must) and slept. Thanks for taking me Shane--loved it:)

Happy Birthday J:)

Joey--happiest birthday! It is our favorite time of the year--we are both the same age for three weeks. Reasons you make me smile:

1. Love your spirit. You are so nice and kind. Thanks for always seeing the best in everyone.

2. Love your zest for a deal. Your radar is awesome:)

3. Love hanging out with you. You just make everything fun and energetic. Love talking forever and catching up.

4. Love all of our fun memories. We will probably never share Girbaud's again, but our funny junior high/high school memories make me laugh.

5. I love that we are so different sometimes but always so close:)

6. Love that we will get to see our kids grow up together and share lots more fun times. Love you tons:)