Monthly Archives: November 2007

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Weight Watchers

November 30, 2007 – 4:49 pm

So today was our big weigh in after a 2 week break, and it wasn’t pretty. I guess it could be worse I’m up 0.7lbs. My goal for the week is to loose 2lbs., wish me luck.

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Book Review- Escape

November 29, 2007 – 6:49 pm

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I just got done reading Escape by Carolyn Jessop, and wow what a story. This book is definitely not for the faint in heart. It is hard to read at times, but well worth it. The painful truth of what life is like within the FLDS cult is worse than fiction. What she went through to get herself, and all 8 of her kids out of the hands of the cult is truly inspiring. She is an amazing woman with amazing strength.

Here is a little about the book.

Escape exposes a world tantamount to a prison camp, created by religious fanatics who, in the name of God, deprive their followers the right to make choices, force women to be totally subservient to men, and brainwash children in church-run schools. Against this background, Carolyn Jessop’s flight takes on an extraordinary, inspiring power. Not only did she manage a daring escape from a brutal environment, she became the first woman ever granted full custody of her children in a contested suit involving the FLDS. And in 2006, her reports to the Utah attorney general on church abuses formed a crucial part of the case that led to the arrest of their notorious leader, Warren Jeffs.

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Neglected Blog

November 29, 2007 – 12:59 pm

NaBloPoMo means that you either spend the month writing like crazy, or reading like crazy thus neglecting your own blog. This year I chose the second of these two options, and have had a great time reading and commenting on others blogs. There are so many really creative and great bloggers out there, and surprisingly Utah is REALLY well represented. I can’t believe how many extremely talented bloggers are right here in my own back yard. I’ve loved NaBloPoMo and maybe next year I’ll attemt to join in. Okay well maybe not ;0)

Posted in Random Thoughts, Utah | Comments (0)

The Scare of my Life

November 18, 2007 – 9:33 am

Wow I just had the scariest experience EVER. I don’t even know If I can write about it in complete sentences, because I’m still shaken up. Yesterday I went to pick Ash up from the airport (very common occurrence lately) and when I got there 20 minutes late he wasn’t out front waiting. I called his cell phone and it went strait to voice mail which either means it’s off or he is on it (I thought probably on it).

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I left the kids in the car on the curb (with Sadie to babysit, and the doors locked, with the cell phone) and decided he was probably waiting inside where it is warm. When I got inside and looked around his flights baggage carousel he wasn’t there so I went and talked to the airlines baggage counter. The incompetent nice airline employee asked if she could help me.

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ME: Yes, my husbands flight just got in and he wasn’t on it could you look into it for me.

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Employee: Yes mam that flight has already arrived.

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ME: Um yes, but he wasn’t on it could you please check if he ever checked in for the flight.

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Employee: Oh, ok. Sure.

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Employee: (after rapid typing) No we don’t show he ever checked in, sorry.

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ME: (thinking: what do you mean sorry, find out more) OK what about his flight from Honolulu to Phoenix did he ever get on that plane.

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Employee: We don’t show that that plane ever took off.

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ME: (a little louder now) What do you mean it never took off? If it didn’t take off he would have called me.

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Employee: I’m sorry that’s all the information I have.

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Seriously people do you think that is an acceptable answer? I mean my husband is missing, and all I get is a “I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

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So from there she tells me that even though we bought the flight through them, they contract another airline to fly to and from Honolulu, and that I will have to call and talk to them (she doesn’t even offer to call for me, or give me the number.). I go back out to the car where my kids are asking where is daddy and all I can say is I don’t know. I call 411 and get the other airlines number but can’t get a human on the phone so I’m stuck talking to a computer and after 20min all I find out that my husbands direct flight from Honolulu to Phoenix left Honolulu at 2:30 am (3 hours late) and arrived in Kana Pali. Kana Pali what the hell is that?

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By now It’s been about 45min and still no answers. I decided to drive around and park and go into the airport to the other airlines counter dragging all 3 kids who by now are panicking to, and not leave until I get an answer. When I get into the airport not only do they not have a counter for that airline, but nobody has even heard of that airline (not reassuring).

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By now I’m not only hyperventilating, but I’m pissed. I march up to the original airlines counter and explained (to a lady who wasn’t doing anything at the time) the situation and the witch nice lady tells me that if I want to get in the back of the line she would be happy to help me as soon as it was my turn. Seriously people! By now I’m starting to worry that they are going to have to arrest me for making a scene in the airport. I (in a very loud tone) told her that no I would not get to the back of the line, that I had been in the airport now for over an hour and a half, and she damn well better start giving me some answers. (Oh and by the way I had talked to Ash’s dad on the phone and he explained that Kana Pali was in Maui, and that the only reason for stopping there would be an emergency landing, not helpful.)

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Right about then I got a text message from Ash that he had just landed in Phoenix, and that he would call me in a minute to explain. I burst into tears, and was shaking. I can’t even tell you how scary this was. It turned out that yes they landed in Maui, because they lost a communications antenna, and a 10 min fix turned into 3 hours (after the 3 hours that they spent waiting to take off from Honolulu.). When I asked why he didn’t call, he said he didn’t want to wake me. I explained that waking me would have been better than what I went through, and that from now on he isn’t aloud to fly.

Posted in Crazy Life, Family, Hubby, Kids | Comments (2)

Happy Late Halloween

November 17, 2007 – 10:46 am

I just realized I never posted the kids Halloween pics, and they are so cute. Sorry. Here you go.

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Cole=Firefighter and Dallin=The grim reaper

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Sis just loves getting her picture taken can’t you tell.

Especially when her friends are at the door waiting for her.

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How cute are these kids. The tiger is Aden (Ben’s son)

and the Kitty is Hailey (Ben’s daughter). I volunteered to get

there Halloween costumes this year because Ben couldn’t. I

think they turned out pretty cute. They both told me what they wanted

to be then I hunted down the costume.

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I told Ash that I was dressing up for Halloween so he had to.

He went and bought a great Pirate costume, and didn’t think it

was funny when I put on devil horns.

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Conquering Fear

November 14, 2007 – 5:45 pm

When I was little my dad took up hunting. He started with a cross bow when I was real young. I have vague memories of it sitting behind my parents head board of their bed. When I was a little older he started hunting with shot guns and taking my brother along.

One year after Ash and I had been married for a few years my dad invited him on a hunting trip. In our family this was a very big deal. They loaded up the motorhome and headed for eastern Washington for 3 days of fun. It turned out to be a trip from hell.

Shortly after arriving my brothers friend, who my dad had told to stay close by wandered off and got lost. They searched in the howling wind and snow until around 2 in the morning when they finally located him. He was frightened, but not hurt.

It continued to snow all night and the snow began to pile up rather deep. The next day they headed out hunting in thigh deep snow. By mid morning my brother (the avid hunter) was whining like a baby along with everyone else, except for Ash. The next two days were much the same everyone was miserable and wanted to go home, the only problem with that was the pass had been closed due to excessive snow and they were stuck. Along with being stuck my dad had injured his back, and there was wrong with the motorhome, and it wasn’t running right.

After much debate, and a few phone calls home they decided to drive around the pass through Oregon. This made the trip much longer, and they also had to go through the Dalls which can be very windy. They crept along slowly and finally made it home safe.

My dad told me after that trip he had a new found respect for Ash. He has brought it up often through the years that Ash was the only one that didn’t complain. This was a bonding moment for my hubby and my dad. Although Ash didn’t ever complain about it he didn’t volunteer to go again.

The funny thing about growing up in a house full of hunters (my mom and sisters even joined in) is I’m completly terrified of guns. This has got to be my all time biggest fear. Even now just thinking about it makes my heart race, my palms sweat, and my hands shake. I’ve never touched a gun and had no intentions of going near one. Ash and I have had many discussions about him wanting to buy a gun, but I absolutly won’t have one in my house.

While Corey was home from Iraq this past week the whole family decided that for family night, and Veterans day that all the adults would go to the gun range and shoot guns. I didn’t want to be left behind so I decided to conquer my fear and go.

Well to make a long story a little shorter, I made it. I did it, and I didn’t even pass out or throw up. I will admit that I was in tears just trying to hold the gun, but I did it and I have pictures to prove it.

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Corey and I. (I finally stopped crying) If you look real close I hit in the center of the orange, not bad.

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Ash, Corey, and John loading up.

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Gail getting lessons from Corey.

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Ash with a M-4

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Look at me I got brave and shot the M-4.

Posted in Family, Fears, Hubby | Comments (3)

Almost There

November 9, 2007 – 12:02 pm

I lost 1 1/2 lbs. at my weigh in today. I’ve got about 8 more to go. So close I can almost taste it. Oh and while on vacation I tried on a size smaller and it fit perfect. Success finally.

Posted in Weight Loss | Comments (2)

Reading Obsession

November 7, 2007 – 11:03 am

I am an avid reader. It is what keeps me sane (mostly). While reading some blogs this month I noticed a lot of people talking about books that they have read or that they want to. I myself have just finished The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and loved it. So now I’m looking for my next great read. I stumbled upon this list in the archives of a blog I read, and was surprised at how many I’ve read, but also how many great books out there I forgot about or haven’t even heard of.

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) Read

2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) Read

3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) Read

4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)

5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)

6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)

7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)

8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery) Read

9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)

10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)

11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)

12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown) Read

13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)

14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)

15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)

16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Rowling)

17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)

18. The Stand (Stephen King)

19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)

20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) Read

21. The Hobbit (Tolkien) Read

22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)

23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) Read

24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)

25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)

26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)

27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte) Read

28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis) Read

29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)

30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom) Read

31. Dune (Frank Herbert)

32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks) Read

33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)

34. 1984 (Orwell)

35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)

36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)

37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)

38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)

39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant) Read

40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)

41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)

42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)

43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)

44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom) Read

45. The Bible Read

46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)

47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas) Read

48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt) Read

49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck) Read

50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)

51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver) Read

52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)

53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)

54. Great Expectations (Dickens)

55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) Read

56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)

57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)

58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)

59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)

60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)

61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand) Want to

63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)

64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)

65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)

66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares) Read

68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)

69. Les Miserables (Hugo) Started but didn’t finish

70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Read

71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)

72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)

73. Shogun (James Clavell)

74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)

75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett) Read

76. Tigana (Guy Gavriel Kay)

77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith) Want to read

78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)

79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)

80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White) Read

81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley

82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck) Read

83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier) Read

84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)

85. Emma (Jane Austen) Read

86. Watership Down (Richard Adams)

87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)

88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)

89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)

90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)

91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)

92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)

93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)

94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)

95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)

96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)

97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch) Read

98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)

99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)

100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

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So how many have you read? Which ones did you like, and what are you reading now? If you want to join in the fun repost this on your blog.

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Deaf and Bitter

November 5, 2007 – 7:16 pm

When I was young girl’s camp was the highlight of my year. I looked forward to it for months. I would get our camp list of what we had to bring, and carefully go over it to make sure I had everything necessary on the list (most of which I never used, like what did I really need mole skin for. Really it wasn’t like we actually hiked anywhere).

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My first year at camp we had meetings months before camp to get us ready. There was lots of stuff that had to be passed off before we could go. One of the things we had to learn was sign language. I was very excited to learn, especially when they told us that their was another first year girl, who was deaf that would be at camp that year. We were all going to be assigned times during the day to buddy up with her, and interpret for her. We had to learn all the camp songs, and signs for general conversation. We all worked really hard to learn our parts, and I was extra excited to get to know this new girl.

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When we got to camp and were introduced to Shelly (not her real name) she made it clear right away that she wasn’t interested in being our friend or getting to know us. She was cranky and mean spirited, and didn’t want anything to do with anyone except for a few girls she had know since she was little. All week long I tried to talk to her, and ask her about herself but I could never get through to her. I felt horrible, I truly wanted to get to know her, but she was not interested.

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The second year of camp I once again tried to befriend her, but after only a day I realized that I was there to do my “job” and nothing else. I continued to sign for her for all 4 years of girls camp, never learning a thing about her. I knew she was capable of being pleasant I saw her with other girls having a good time, but when it came to me she was all business.

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Years have gone by, and I have thought about Shelly from time to time. I’ve realized that she probably didn’t like feeling like a charity case. I’m sure she resented the fact that people seemed to want to befriend her just because she was deaf and all she wanted was to be like everyone else. I’m sure she questioned our motives especially because we were assigned to help her. I know her mother insisted on having people around her that could help her while she was away, and being a teenager she probably hated that. Whatever reason she had to not trust or like us I wish I would have got to know her better.

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A few months ago I was at my local grocery store and noticed a lady a few cash registers down. I couldn’t believe that it could really be Shelly. We now live far away from home what are the chances of running into her here in Utah? Then I noticed her signing to what I assume was her husband, and she had a little baby in her cart. I watched them from afar to chicken to go up and say hi. She looked happy, and her baby was so sweet. I wondered how she would react seeing me years later. I watched them go out to there car and drive away.

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Then again a few days ago I saw her at that same Macy’s store, this time with a van full of kids. I wonder why I care so much that she didn’t like me. I’m not one of those people who has to have everyone like me. Maybe it is because she never gave me a chance. I’m not sure, but maybe this is my chance to try again.

Posted in Friends, Utah | Comments (0)