Bloggy Love

Each day on my way to work I see a cute little mom walking her three kids to school. I love seeing her because she always has a smile on her face as she is talking with her kids. The kids obviously love being with her because they are usually laughing and smiling too.

The first day I saw them I just sat and stared. I was waiting at a light and they were walking through section of road that is under construction. The kids were listening intently to something their mother was saying. Then came the smiles. I tell you - each day I see them it is the same scenario! And it warms my heart. I look forward to seeing them each day. I sometimes have the urge to pull over and give her a hug.

This is how I feel about my blogging friends!

I can't wait to read your posts. I love hearing of the fun and exciting things in your lives. I laugh when you share embarrassing stories and funny events. I hurt for you when you are hurting or experiencing hardships.

Each one of you brings something to my life. I love all of you and your blogs for so many reasons. You inspire me. You make me laugh. Really laugh! You make me stop and think about the important things in life. You've even made me cry.

So, if your name is on my sidebar, you inspire me. You make me want to be better.

Thank you!

So, gather 'round everyone for a great big group hug - redhoodoo style!

Random

Cute Tammy tagged me! Thanks.

The rules of the tag are to name 7 random things about yourself and then tag 7 others.

Let the randomness begin!


1) I am extremely claustrophobic. I hate being trapped or confined in any way. Shudder!

2) I have an ice-cube fixation. I love ice. I have ice with me at all times of the day.

3) The other night I had a dream that my SIL adopted a human-sized baby beetle. She dressed it really cute but I couldn't get past the hideousness of it. Just ew!

4) I have lived in Tallahassee, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Santaquin, Layton, North Ogden, Murray, East Millcreek, Draper, West Jordan, Salt Lake City and Sandy.

5) I am hot. Well, what I mean to say is that besides the way I look, I usually FEEL hot. After drying and straightening my hair in the mornings, I can be found opening all of the windows in the vicinity and turning my floor fan on high. Phrases like "I CAN'T WAIT TIL IT'S WINTER" and "WHY DOESN'T IT SNOW INSIDE THE HOUSE" come spewing out of my mouth at a fevered pitch. At this point my son will come running into the bathroom and laugh hysterically at my frenzied state. Then he will proceed to inform others in the house that I'm having another 'hot flash'. Dear child. I have to wait until I'm in the parking lot at work to put on my makeup or else it would probably melt off of my face. Yeah, I'm hot!

6) I love the nicknames family and friends have given me. Red. Higgie. Showie. Yikket. Josephine. Chickie. Jodster. Missy. JLW. J-Lo. Higgs. Chod. Yikkety Yikkety Yak. Bodi. Bo Bodi. Momster. Stepmomster. I also love to give nick names!

7) I love playing the Nancy Drew computer games. Okay - I know they are for younger girls and not for moms of teenagers who have hot flashes - but they are sooo much fun. I have played every single game and cannot wait for the next one that comes out next month. I usually giggle maniacally when I see the UPS fairy dropping the box off onto my porch.

So now I tag 7 (or so) people and then I will stalk your blogs and learn random things about you. I tag my real life friends this time: Rusty, Cindstress, Amanda, Tash Bo Bash, Lonna, MCF, Melissa, Carrie, Nicki, Susan, Megan, and Karlie.

Work and balance

I have survived two weeks of being back in the workforce. Whew! I wasn't sure I could do it. I forgot that eight hours were so long. Those eight hours flew by when I was at home.

I am reminded of the things that I liked and didn't like about working. The pros and cons have come screaming back to me again, as if I haven't had a year-long sabbatical.

PROS:

1) People. It's nice being around people again during the day. I have strong hermit-like inclinations so it is good for me to be out and about. It is good to laugh with others. It is good to enjoy lunch with new friends. It is fun to get to know new faces...and when you start a new job - EVERYONE is a new face.

2) Clothing. Going back to work means I get to dress up and not walk around in fuzzy slippers and pajamas during the day. Yay for me and for all who live with me. I have actually broken out the ironing board a few times lately. Miracles never cease!

3) Building and location. Holy cow - the building I work in is beautiful and it is in a perfect location. My building is next to a golf course and at the base of a canyon. The view of the city is incredible. At least that's what I hear. I sit in the dead center of the building and don't have much of a view. But the word from those that sit near the outskirts is that it's pretty incredible!=)

4) Money. A little extra cash is always good.

5) My job function. I love what I do. I work in the licensing department for a physician staffing company (aka locum tenens) and I love it. I am a total nerd when it comes to doing my job. I love being organized. I love being efficient. I love being busy. I love results! Love it!
CONS:

1) Guess what I did over the weekend.













DUN DUN DUN......































But that's not all - there was also grocery shopping, ironing, and general cleaning of the humble abode. Do you think my kids are saving it all for me during the week because they think I miss it?

2) Tired! At the end of the day, I am soo tired. I sit at a desk all day so I'm not sure why I'm so exhausted. I think I just need to get used to my new schedule. Hopefully it will get easier.

3) Exercise - or the lack therof. I have exercised one time in the last two weeks. Again - the tired thing. What are some things you do? How do you make time for it? I'll take all the advice I can get.

4) Blogging. I have put blogging toward the bottom of my priorities. Something that has given me so much joy is now at the bottom of my list. I still lurk, by the way. I don't always comment, but I read your blogs and they inspire me daily.

5) Family. Unfortunately, my family gets a busier mom. They get a more stressed drama mama. I am controlled by the clock and don't have time for the smallest of inconveniences. I'm easily annoyed by the simple things. Usually it's the things that might make me late for work. Such as the homework left at home that is realized on the way to school. The "oh mom, I'm out of lunch money" as I'm dropping the kids off. Little things. Small things that tend to make steam come out of my ears.

I don't want my kids to remember a stressed mom. I know I'm human, but I want them to remember me as fun, loving and caring. Not stressed. I'm trying to find balance and I know it will all work out. Maybe I should try a little T'ai Chi or yoga. T'ai Chi anyone??

But overall, I feel blessed. Stressed, but blessed.

Just now, my cute daughter Larissa shared a scripture with me that she has memorized. She said, "Mom, Tessa read a really neat scripture in Young Women's today that I memorized."

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, neither do man light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine forth before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in Heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

I'm blessed indeed.

For a good laugh...

My kids have made me a fan of Brian Regan. He is hilarious! Here is one of our favorite clips. The "dead yak" had us rolling!

Enjoy!

Wow...

Lovely, wonderful Jan posted this incredible video on her blog. I cried. Please watch it.



Burnside family, I am thinking of you all right now. Love you.

Thank you!

I was so pleased to see your comments wishing me well today. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and kind words. It made my day!

I survived. The house didn't burn down while I was away. I think I really like this company and my job.

Life is good.

Now on to more important things like catching up on your blogs!

Sometimes this is how I feel ...

Gloom, Despair, and Agony

Push start to set the tone for my somber mood.

After exactly one year at home, I am going back to work. Work. W.O.R.K!

AGGGGGHHH!!

Work. As in cubicle. As in having a boss. As in being confined for 8 HOURS A DAY!

Monday is the Day of Doom.

For me, there will be less time to blog while lounging in fuzzy slippers and engorging on crazy bread. Most of my spare time will be spent with my husband and offspring.

Sadly, my blogging may become even more sporadic than it already has been lately. I will still stalk your blogs because I get such a kick out of my blogging pals. You all are truly the best!

Please say that even when you move on to more frequently written, exciting, normal, and clever blogs, ones that don't talk about cats and cups, you won't forget about me.

Love,

Red

Home again

Since school has started, I'm finding it a lot more difficult to get access to the computer. I mean, my children act as if their homework is more important than my blogging! ;)

Todd and I went on another excursion to Yellowstone. It will probably be the last time for a while. It was crowded, cold, rainy, we noticed few animals, but it was WONDERFUL!

We went on a drive to the top of a mountain near Island Park. We go to Island Park (near Yellowstone) several times a year but we had never explored the backcountry to the west.

The top of the mountain was shrouded in fog. The cool air was so inviting.

Every winding turn showed us something new.

Todd and I had a wonderful conversation and actually kicked around the idea of moving to the Yellowstone area after Larissa graduates high school in four years. Who knows?!

On our way home, we stopped at this gas station in Ashton, Idaho.



I really didn't think the trip could get any better. But it soooo did.







THEY SELL MY CUPS! Remember my obsession over a cup? (Read cup post here).


And I stocked up on even more of these babies.

Aren't they beautiful?










And while picking up the girls from their mom's house on the way home, I got to hold these little cuties.





A great weekend, indeed. And I think we're done traveling for a while. Maybe life can get back to normal again! (Ha!)