Really

If there is one pet peeve of mine that tops the list of all things, it is that of a yard gnome.  There is nothing more horrendous than a beautiful yard destroyed by a sweet little dwarf planted in or around the soil.

I apologize if you love these little guys, but they freak me out.  Did I mention we live next door to the only house in our entire community that thinks it is okay to have these yard ornaments planted all around their house.  

I don't think it would be as big of a deal if we did not have a million covenant codes to abide by and yet these friendly folks pass.  Tyson called to check if it was okay to plant flowers or possibly a tree in front of our house.  They immediately gave him the no go on that matter!  

This has me completely perplexed! 

Shredthread Sweatshirts

I am having a proud BIG sister moment!  My little brother is one talented seamstress.  I may have him teach me a thing or two.  He has always been talented when it comes to artistry but who knew he had clothing design up his sleeve.  He has started his very own sweatshirt line.  His target consumers, skibums! He even makes little ones for the kiddos and has two sponsored riders wearing his gear.  

My mother has informed me that her house has turned into a sewing shop with his materials scattered everywhere.  

Mom what can I say he learned from the BEST!

So if you are looking to spice up your winter wardrobe look no further than SHREDTHRED SWEATSHIRTS!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

While Utah is about to have one of their largest snow storms in seven years, we are receiving rain here in California.  Call me crazy but I am incredibly jealous!  I can't think of anything better than being homebound with hot chocolate, snuggled in front of the fire with my hubby.  

The holidays are just not the same without that white fluffy stuff.  I am not complaining I would rather have rain than nothing at all, but PLEASE this girl wants a white Christmas..... ha I know that is beyond wishful thinking, but it doesn't hurt to put it out there.   I asked Tyson if he would get an artificial snow machine for us.  I think I may be a little dramatic about the situation, but I want to wear my Sorrels that I got last year.  You know the boots with the fur?  

However though Utah is receiving oodles of snow, I need the snow to be put on hold tomorrow morning until late into the afternoon.  My mama and brother are going to try and come see us for Thanksgiving, depending on the weather conditions!  I would love nothing more than to have my mothers assistance while making pies and having her teach me how to make her delightful homemade chicken noodle soup, and not to mention her design ideas for the casa.  

So let us toast with our mugs of egg nog to a White Christmas!

Cheers!  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey! GOOBLE GOOBLE! 

Hip Hip Hooray

Six months ago I married the man of my dreams.  I know mushy mushy stuff, but really I think I am so lucky.  I really don't know how I fooled Tyson into marrying me.  He makes every day that much better.  He puts up with my emotional mood swings, my melt downs, and my little freak out attacks.  Thank you babe for loving my unconditionally! 

Speaking of LOVE I have to give a talk next Sunday on the matter..... YIKES!!!!  

Pie

I am always talking about wanting to become the most excellent cook around and want to be well know for all of my baked goods.  Recent events have taught me that sometimes my big mouth gets me into trouble..... You see my grandmother and mother have made what I think to be the most delicious pies and homemade pie crust every Thanksgiving since I can remember.  Being recently married I guess the torch was handed over to me unknowingly.  My mother-in-law asked me if I would bring the pies for Thanksgiving dinner.... huh.... no pressure... keep in mind only one other person is bringing pie!  Of course I said yes.... but I have never made a pie in my life!  The other minor problem is I have not had a kitchen to practice in.  All of our wedding gifts have been in storage since we got married.  So all of of this means I have less than two weeks to learn how to make a beautiful pie that looks something like this....

or something along these lines....

Good news is Tyson and I got the house so that means I will have my own personal kitchen to practice in.  No one has to know about the burnt pies or tough pie crust until Thanksgiving day.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be forced willingly into learning how to make pies.... I have always said I wanted to learn.  And like they say, "There is no better time, than the present."  I will continue to pray that my pies do not disappoint, otherwise I will be doing the shameful walk to Marie Calendars.

Trials

As I reflect on what I am grateful for today I cannot help but feel deep gratitude for the trials in my life.  I am not going to lie, I find myself many times dwelling on the negative things of life and tend to look to far ahead.  I find myself worrying about things, that more times that not, never end up happening.   Many times I forget to enjoy the ride of life and the opportunities of growth and refining that trials provide.  

When I look back at my life I know that there was a purpose for each trial.  There must be opposition in all things so that we can grow and become stronger and better recognize the good things of life.

Edmund Burke states it perfectly, "Difficulty is a severe instructor, set over us by one who knows us better than we know ourselves, and he loves us better too... He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill.  Our antagonist is our helper.  This.... conflict with difficulty makes us acquainted with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations.  It will not suffer us to be superficial."

Life is but a roller coaster.  It causes many emotions to come out, many that we never knew were possible; fear, excitement, exhilaration, anxiety, breath-taking, heart-wrenching, and joy.  At times all we can do is hold on for dear life and close our eyes.  Me being one that is frightened immensely by roller coasters have found to enjoy the ride most when I have opened my eyes and thrown my arms high into the air and let out a scream or two.  Every time I have stepped off of a roller coaster I have found myself a little braver to step onto the next.

Trials and life go hand in hand.  As long as I am keeping an eternal perspective I know the ride will go much smoother. 

Music

Today and everyday I am grateful for music! I have it playing non-stop in my car, at work, while I'm cleaning, cooking, dancing, and even sometimes while I am sleeping.  Music makes sense of everything that I feel and at times don't know how to express.  I love every type of music genre that exists.  There is a beauty found in each one.

My favorite and the most brilliant music artist I know, is the one and only Michael Jackson!  What I would have given to see him perform live. 

That man had more talent bottled up in him than anyone I know.

I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours.  But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places.  Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality.  ~H.A. Overstreet

Music was my refuge.  I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.  ~Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name

A painter paints pictures on canvas.  But musicians paint their pictures on silence.  ~Leopold Stokowski

 I apologize for all of those that have to ride in my car and endure my never ending blasting music, but it brings me pure bliss. 

November

I love the month of November and the opportunity it gives me to reflect on the things that I am most grateful for in my life.  I wanted to start off this month by stating how grateful I am for marriage and the blessings it has brought into my life.  Tyson and I are rolling up on our six month anniversary.  I can't believe how time flies when you are having fun!  I love being married to my best friend. 

I catch myself starring at him sometimes wondering how I got so lucky.  I am impressed every day at his kind loving heart.  I am so grateful that he moved to Utah to find me and even more grateful he took the leap of faith to marry me.  I can't wait to spend eternity with him.  

A Few Random Facts

Not to long ago I found myself highly disliking wallpaper, however I have changed my mind!  If it is done correctly it can make any room look fantastic and add the perfect touch that was missing.  I may be hesitant in putting it up immediately on my walls, but if I give it some time and find just the right one I think I will be happy.

In one of the model homes we were looking at they had put wallpaper on the ceiling.  It looked surprisingly terrific. 

I love this color scheme!

On a side-note I have found something else to add to my future wish list.  They are the most darling, stylish diaper bags around.  They are a line of adorable bags by Petunia Pickle Bottom.  You may wonder why I already want a diaper bag as to the fact that I am not having a baby any time soon, but once you see the price tag on these puppies you will know why.  If I start saving now I may just have one these bags latched over my shoulder in the near future.  

Like I said a few random facts that are floating around in my head.

Where One Door Closes Another One Opens

Yes it is true!  I am obsessed with ZUMBA.  Things have been extremely stressful as I have been applying left and right for a job.  As I have contemplated what I can do in the mean time I couldn't help but want to do what I have always dreamed of doing....teaching ZUMBA!  Every spare moment I have had has been spent practicing and making up routines.  Tyson has been wonderful as always practicing my routine with me, to see if it is going to work.  I told him we could make double the pay if he took up teaching ZUMBA.  Ha he did not like that idea!  But he is a sweetheart for shaking his hips for me. 

If you have not tried ZUMBA you must!

Maybe one day Betto (the man who started it all) will let me join his crew! 

Every time I have completed a ZUMBA class I feel revived and energized to take on my day.  No matter what life throws at me I will always have dance and of course ZUMBA!

Through every trial comes blessings if we but endure.  I have to tell myself this daily.  I hope to find a new job as soon as possible but in the mean time I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to do what I have talked about doing for over a year now.  I hope to bring joy and excitement into others lives as I share my love for ZUMBA!

"Doors close regularly in our lives, and some of those closings cause genuine pain and heartache. But I do believe that where one such door closes, another opens (and perhaps more than one), with hope and blessings in other areas of our lives that we might not have discovered otherwise." 

Howard W. Hunter

“Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery” 

Spencer W. Kimball