News Challenged

My dear husband sensing that I'm a wee bit obsessed challenged me to not watch or listen to the news for an entire week.

An entire week!! (Not a typo).

Normally, when I'm not grounded, I like to watch the news while getting dressed and ready for work. Toggling between channels 5 and 13 provides the visual stimuli needed to start the day.

Then, in an obstacle course worthy of American Gladiators - I flip off the tv and run down the stairs, while I simultaneously grab my purse, pet my cats, and yell at to Connor that I'm out in the car. I feel a little thrill when I finally turn the key in the ignition and I hear the soothing sounds of my beloved news station - KSL 1160.

Lunchtime news gives me an added jolt through my work day and I unwind with KSL again on my drive home.

Is this behavior a little abnormal or do you feel as addicted as I do? With the economy and the presidential elections and the OJ Simpson trial - are you drawn to the radio and the tv like I am?

I'm not sure I'll survive the week - I'll let you know. But looking on the bright side - I did find a music station that plays 80's music during my lunch hour.

Duran Duran just may keep me sane!

Autumn in the air

I love this time of year. Here are some of my favorite things.

The smells of cinnamon and spices.

General Conference. I loved President Monson's talk during the Sunday

morning session. The choir sang my favorite song -

"I Know that My Redeemer Lives."

Mmmm. Pumpkin Pie. Mmm.


The changing of the leaves.

My Nancy Drew game that comes out each October.

Black cats.

The first hint of snow (from this morning).

But there are two things I'm definitely NOT looking forward to...

~

SNOW! I'm not ready for this!

~

CHRISTMAS!! AHHH!!

Are you ready???

Have you started your shopping?

Sicko

<--- This is me today.


Can you believe I called in sick to work? I haven't even been there a month yet. It's killing me.



I feel awful!! I've slept all morning and haven't even felt well enough to play the Nancy Drew game that showed up on my porch yesterday.

It occurred to me yesterday that I haven't had the flu or a cold for about a year because I haven't worked for the past year. Working in an office is like the daycare syndrome. When one person gets it - we all get it.

So this weekend, I'm stocking up on all things anti-sickness - hand sanitizer, vitamins etc etc.

What do you do to fight off evil germs?

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!