General Relief Society Meeting

I really enjoyed the meeting today. Sister Beck is such a neat lady. I enjoyed her thought of Relief Society being "another mom." Granted, at this point, in the ward I'm in, I don't enjoy the relief society activities. I haven't been to any Sunday RS meetings, because I'm in primary, though.

Anyways, I loved Sis. Allred's talk about the temple. I can't believe the sacrifices that some people make, to get to the temple. The part about her stake traveling five days both ways to get to the Mesa, AZ temple, to have to eat crackers and margarine to be able to afford the trip is such a huge sacrafice. I feel so lucky to have temples so close to me. Within one hour north or south, I can reach two temples to the north, and including the two that haven't been dedicated to the south, I can reach six temples. What a blessing! I remember being in Hungary and visiting with people who's goals were to make it to the temple once in their life time, and we have them right here.

Sister Thompson is always fun to listen to. I enjoyed hearing about the history of Relief Society. I felt like Pres. Uchtdorf's talk was aimed directly at me. It's amazing how the spirit works to show you things that you're in need of hearing. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ!

By the way...

In regards to our trip to DC, we have a hotel! (Thanks to Dannon for suggesting Priceline!) I was able to get a 3 1/2 star hotel for $90 a night. Going to the actual website of the hotel, it would've cost $281 a night. So, I'm way stoked about that. Also, my friend Amy's husband gave her a trip to Boston to see her sister, and it's during the exact same time we'll be back east, so we're going to meet in NYC, and see a show and hit the Manhattan Temple, if all goes as planned! I'm excited to go to the DC temple as well! Another exciting part of our trip, is that I get to meet Jilly's husband, and get to see her, which it's been years since we've seen each other. It will be great to catch up on everything, and be able to laugh, and maybe if there's time be a band...

Movie Review of the Week...

So, this week I watched Penelope, starring Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon, and James McAvoy. I have to tell you, I added it to my Netflix que, for who knows why, but it came on a day that I really needed some fun. I loved this modern-day fairytale. Also, the mom, from Home Alone, was Penelope's mom, and who wouldn't love anything with her in it. She's hilarious!!! KEVIN!!! Anyways~now that that is out of my system. I absolutely loved Penelope. It was the cute, innocent Ricci from Casper. She was so cute. There is something about James McAvoy that just gets me, I don't know why, but I really like him. He played his usual cautious, kind of secretive character. The moral of the story is that you have to love yourself, to survive! That's so important! It's a movie I'm going to buy! It's a great family show!

Sad News...

So, Habitations has decided that they can't afford to hire a drafter/design artist at this time, the way the economy is. They liked my house, though. I admit I took it badly. I cried, but hey, I'm okay. Life goes on, like usual! I'll survive!

Blessings!!!

Mom & I are going to D.C. in a little less than a month. We don't have a hotel yet, and in the last few weeks, we've been very nervous about how we were going to be able to afford it, due to medical bills and the such. Anyways, we've been nervous. Well, this last week, I've been making sells that will be delivered quickly so I'll be able to have them on my next check, which is the last check before the trip. Mom was asked yesterday to teach at some networking meetings, so now we don't need to worry. It's amazing how the Lord answers our prayers!

September 11th

Today on the anniversary of 9-11, I think back to where I was and what I was doing that horrific day. I was still in bed when the first plane hit, my mom was watching the Today Show, and she saw it hit right behind Katie Couric's shoulder. I got up right after that. I was afraid and so horribly sad for those people that had loved ones that were victims. My heart was breaking for all of the many children who were going to go home that day, and not have one of their parents there.

I was noticing flags flying at half mast today, in honor of those many people who didn't survive the attacks. I, too, want to honor those people. However, I thought today of all days the flag should be flying high, proudly! We, as a nation, have survived the horrendous terrorist attack!

I love this nation! I thank Heavenly Father for giving us this land where we can worship as we wish, where we can say whatever we want to say, where we're protected from much of the horrors that are in this world. Thank you to President George W. Bush for seeing us through such an awful experience! Thank you to the people who served to rescue the victims, and thank you to the armed services who daily protect people and their freedoms!

Uh...duh!

“You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called ‘change,’ it’s still going to stink,” Obama said. -Wall Street Journal

Uh, duh! What a stupid thought. Why would he even say that? The change he's claiming to make, will take this country from a democratic nation straight into socialism. The whole idea of taking away the responsibility of individuals into making the government have more control is wrong. Somebody should "wrap him in a piece of paper called 'change,' " he'll have the same effect.

My House...

As I'd previously mentioned, I had an interview a couple weeks ago. They e-mailed me a design concept, and I had to design a house around it. The criteria for the exterior was things like siding, cultured stone, brick, and some wood. The main floor could be no larger than 2000 sq. ft. Stuff like that. So I had pretty much a blank slate, and this is what I came up with, it's all done by hand...

This is an elevation of the front of the house. This is the only one I rendered, just to give them and idea of what I wanted.
This is the rear elevation.

This is the main floor plan, it was all done at 1/8" = 1'
This is the upper floor, it's just a small loft with a guest suite overlooking the great room.

This is the basement.

It's been so much fun!!!

State Fair 2008

I love taking pictures! I decided this year to enter some photos in the Utah State Fair. It's pretty funny, but I was excited to go to the fair and see my photos up on the boards. Here are my photos I entered...

This is a photo of the cutest boy in the world, Fordy Nicholes.

We were at the zoo, and he's looking at the tigers.

I won 3rd place in the children/baby category!

This is a photo from Grandma JaNae's hot air balloon ride! (This isn't actually her balloon, it's the one she wanted to be on!) I love the house! This won 4th place in the scenic w/ man made

This is a toddler panda at the San Diego Zoo. This one was accidentally entered into the Jr. Amateur section, it didn't win anything, but I love it!

President Uchtdorf

I have to tell you, I was having a rough day at work. It was so busy, but people weren't buying. I was having issues with a couple co-workers, and I had to keep telling myself to let it go, or I might go postal. So, as I was helping some clients, and I was just so tired, I looked up and there was a familiar face. I kept looking, going that has to be who I think it is, but why would anybody as wonderful as that be here...But, yes, it was who I thought it was. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I went to greet him and his family, and offer my service. I was a dork, as usual, in an unfamiliar circumstance. I just said, "Hello, Pres. Uchtdorf," and stood there kind of like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the girl stands there and says, "...your own personal Greek statue..." or something like that. He shook my hand, and acted like he'd known me forever, and then they just wandered while I got caught up with my clients. It was a little piece of heaven!