Category Archives: Back in the Day

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This one time, at band camp…

May 20, 2008 – 5:13 pm

OK so I have a confession to make. When I as in high school I was one of those band geeks. I started playing the flute in 5th grade and ended up playing for 7 years.

When I first started I loved it, and I have to admit I was pretty good. I was never the best, but I was always in the top 3 in my class. My mom sprung for private lessons, and I improved even more.

I started competing at music festivals and loved it. I loved hearing the judges tell me what I did well and what I could work on. For a child who was lacking in coordination finally I found something that I was good at, I mean really good at and it felt great.

When high school rolled around I suddenly became painfully aware of how uncool band was and my desire to continue playing came to a screeching halt. My social life soared and my grades dropped. I needed to keep my grades up to not only keep my parents off my back but to keep my GPA within a reasonable range. So back to band I went.

Band was easy if you showed up you got an A, and I really needed that A. Then came out of town trips, and I was convinced that band was the coolest thing ever (as long as my friends didn’t find out I was in band).

Our first trip was to Canada, and never being out of Washington that I could remember I was excited. Not only was this going to be a trip out of town, no parents, but we also had a curfew of 4 am can you believe it. Who thought that giving a bunch of 16 year olds the chance to run around a town they didn’t know anything about until 4 in the morning was a good idea?

We slept at a local high school camped out (co-ed) on the gym floor. We watched movies, ordered pizza, and went shopping at the local mall. Shopping in Canada rocks! No taxes, and everything was so much cheaper.

So what would you do with no parents, out of town, with friends and a 4 am curfew? I know what I would do, invite my boyfriend to drive up and stay with us. Of course being the loving boyfriend that he was he agreed. He made the 3 hour drive and picked me and some friends up. Great boyfriend huh? Yeah I thought so to that’s why I married him.

By Monica | Also posted in Hubby, Me, Random Thoughts | Comments (2)

Moving, Not Fun!

February 26, 2008 – 5:02 pm

I have been MIA for a while due to a horrible move (more on that later). I have been without Internet for a week, and to stressed to share whats been going on.

Thank you to Dev for tagging me and giving me something to blog about.

HOW OLD IS ASH: 32! (nine months older to the day)
WHO EATS MORE: Ash (I’m dieting)
WHO SAID “I LOVE YOU’ FIRST: hmmm. that was so long ago… I don’t remember.
WHO IS TALLER: Ash is at least a whole head taller.
WHO SINGS BETTER: Ash hands down, No question. I think I’m probably tone deaf.
WHO IS SMARTER: Ash, but I’m pretty street smart.
WHO DOES THE LAUNDRY: ME
WHO DOES THE DISHES: Me
WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED: Ash, I sleep on the side closer to the kids.
WHO PAYS THE BILLS: Ash does, but I used to. We seem to take turns every few years.
WHO MOWS THE LAWN: The lawn people, but Ash did before we lived in a neighborhood that did it for you.
WHO COOKS DINNER: that would be me.
WHO IS MORE STUBBORN: I would say Ash, but I’m sure he would say me.
WHO KISSED WHO FIRST: He would say that I did on the first date.
WHO ASKED WHO OUT FIRST: We met on a blind date, but then he asked me out the next week (and the rest is history).
WHO PROPOSED: Once again, he would say I did, but that is not how I remember it.
WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE: I’m not sure, I guess it depends on what topic.
WHO HAS MORE FRIENDS: we really have the same friends…
WHO HAS MORE SIBLIINGS: Ash is one of five.
WHO WEARS THE PANTS: I do all though I like to let him think he does ;0)
WHO ARE YOU TAGGING: I don’t want anyone to feel left out, so whoever wants to play.

Check out my post at Fight the Fluffy and find out what is your Happy Weight.

By Monica | Also posted in Crazy Life, Hubby, Me | Comments (0)

I’m Giving It Up

February 4, 2008 – 4:18 pm

I have pretty great parents. I grew up in a very socially and ethnically diverse area. I feel it made me a pretty understanding and tolerant person.

As a kid I was aloud to try many religions, and have learned some amazing life lessons from all the wonderful religions I had the opportunity to visit. I loved how the Southern Baptists celebrated there faith with music and dance. While visiting you could really feel there faith. They also had a awesome summer Bible camp that I attended every summer (until they found out I was Mormon, and asked me to never come back)

As a kid I remember the Jehovah Witnesses as being the funnest church, did you know that a lot of there buildings have cafeteria’s with ice cream machines ( I think it’s their equivalent of a Stake center). During intermission my friend and I helped ourselves to huge cones and I couldn’t help but think they were way cooler than our church.Â

As a teen I went to a Methodist sleep in, totally fun. It’s like a huge slumber party only better.

I enjoyed the solemn rituals of the Catholic church, (the Catholic church was by far the dominate religion in our area) and learned from the Muslim’s to always research what you believe, and not just take everyone else’s word for it. Gain your own testimony not just have one handed to you.

The lesson’s I’ve learned have served me well in my life, but our religion has always been where my heart belongs. All the other church’s had a lot to offer, but I always came back to what I knew to be true. I have always been grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to find out for myself.

I want this for my kids, but find it difficult to show them diversity while living in Utah. Don’t get me wrong I love living here, I just realize I have to work a little harder to teach my kids that not everyone thinks the way we do and that it’s ok.

This year I have decided to join the Lent band wagon. I am not Catholic, but as a Mormon I know a little something about self deprivation. So this year in honor of Lent (and my diet) I will be giving up soda. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but for me it is A LOT.

In honor of our dear late prophet I will also be reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days for the 97 years of his life.

So tell me are you giving something up for Lent? If not do you have any special goals or New Years resolutions?

By Monica | Also posted in Churchy stuff, Utah, Weight Loss | Comments (0)

Snow Day Extremes

January 9, 2008 – 11:18 am

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Growing up in Seattle we didn’t see a whole lot of snow. Rain yes, but snow no. When it did snow, it was a big mushy mess, and everything shut down. We could get less than 1/2 an inch of snow and the whole city would come to a grinding halt. No stores open, no work, but most of all no school.

The city was just not equipped with snow removal gear or at least not enough. Since it only snowed once or maybe twice a year, I guess they didn’t think it was worth it to buy a bunch of plows.

Of course we didn’t mind, we loved snow days. We would brake into the golf course and slide down the hills.

When we moved to Idaho we had lots and LOTS of snow. The first week we were there it snowed about a foot and a half. I waited for the announcement that school would be closed and planned on a fun day with snow forts, sledding and hot coco. The announcement never came, Idaho schools don’t close because of snow. I couldn’t believe it how did they function with all this snow.

In all the years we lived in Idaho they only closed school once, and that was not because of snow. It was because the heater went out in the building and it was about 5 degrees outside. That brings me to another fun fact about Idaho, if it is above 0 then the kids have to go out for recess. They are only aloud to stay in if the temperature dips into the negative range. How crazy is that?

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland outside, and I couldn’t’ get off our hill to get the kids to school. A very nice neighbor put chains on his car and drove them to school late.

Being new to Utah, I’m just wondering what is Utah’s policy on snow days, and what are your favorite snow day memories?

On a side note, I got a phone call from my mom last night. She called to tell me that the girl in Lehi who was killed by her husband at church was my childhood friend Christy from Seattle. I hadn’t put it together since I haven’t seen her since we were little and her last name is different. I’m still processing this, I’m sure I’ll write more about it later. Until then please pray for her family.

By Monica | Also posted in Kids, Utah | Comments (0)