Great Guy

This weekend I was reminded of what a great guy Neil is. He is always sweet and loving but this weekend he was just extra sweet. It all began with an impromptu window shopping trip. Shopping is definitely not one of Neil’s favorite things. But he was such a good sport. He always politely looks at the items I pick out and tells me they are great and I can get them if I want. I know that he probably would have much rather been playing a video game or shopping at Home Depot. He did try to convince that we could find a decent end table for our living room at Home Depot. Nice try.

Saturday afternoon something I ate began to disagree with my stomach and I became quite ill. I assumed Neil would want nothing to do with his sick wife but instead he held my hair as my stomach released its contents time and again. I heard that if someone holds your hair back for you during that moment of absolute helplessness that means they are a true friend. I’m so glad he’s my best friend.

It makes me wonder would he say the same about me? Do I do things for him that makes him feel loved unconditionally? I have to admit that I complain whenever I have to watch one of his “science” shows. I complain if I think he has played his new computer game too long. I tease him when he wears his black socks pulled up with brown shoes while wearing basketball shorts. But after this weekend, I am committing to refraining from complaining when we have to, I mean get to watch “Future Weapons” and “Mythbusters.” I will insist he play his video game more and I will not tease him on his outfit choices. Those things seem so easy in comparison to the compassion, love, and thoughtfulness that he shows me each and every day.

Oh Logan

Oh Logan. We have such a love/hate relationship. I love the rural feel. But I hate that the closest Target is in Ogden. I love that commute traffic consists of getting stuck behind a tractor on 1000 West. I hate getting stuck behind tractors that only go 20 miles an hour and I’m late to work. I love the cute shops on Main Street. I hate that Main Street is impossible to drive on because of the traffic and poorly timed lights. I love to see the sprawling fields. I hate the smell of the cows whenever the weather changes. I love that I work so close to the mall. I hate that the nearest Banana Republic is in Salt Lake City. I love the small town feel. I hate that everything closes at 9:00 PM and I’m not even sure what there is to do. I love the sometimes breathtaking drive through the canyon. I hate the feeling of claustrophobia being trapped in a valley that canyons are my only way out.

Waffle Crisis Adverted

Yes. The waffle crisis has ended. Thanks to my fabulous co-worker Tina! She had an extra waffle iron, which she gave to me. Thanks Tina! You can come over for waffles anytime! Now I can worry about more important things like planning my weekend.

So glad it is Friday. Looking forward to some reading time, sleep, and some golden delicious buttermilk waffles drizzled with butter and saturated with syrup.

Waffles, Anyone?

We had a casualty in our household. The waffle iron died. See I love breakfast foods. I’m an extremely picky eater but when it comes to breakfast food, I can’t get enough. I can eat breakfast any time of the day. So when I was making waffles for dinner about a week ago, the waffle iron decided it had had enough. Now, thoughts of waffles consume my every thought. Not only do I want waffles now, but I need waffles. I’ve even progressed through the stages of grief. First came the denial. I was in denial so much that I left the batter in the waffle iron for almost 30 minutes, hoping it would just cook. I was willing to wait for the delicious golden slice of goodness. But it never did turn into more than a mess. Second came anger. Why did the waffle iron have to stop working? Especially when I wanted nothing else. How could it do this to me!? Stupid waffle iron. Next, came bargaining. Well, I’ll clean it up real nice and let it rest and then try again. I suppose I could make pancakes instead of waffles. I could buy Neil a waffle iron for his birthday. Then came the depression. I don’t want pancakes, I just want waffles. If I can’t have waffles, then I just can’t be happy. Finally, came acceptance. I accept the fact that I no longer can make waffles. Yes, I could go out and buy a new waffle iron but now I want a really fancy one that won’t break down on me. It has become an issue of trust. I have to save up for that one.

I don’t know what my obsession with waffles is but since my loss, all I can think about is waffles. All I ever feel like eating is waffles. I’m probably even dreaming about waffles. The funny thing is I don’t feel the same way about pancakes or french toast. IHOP here I come!

Goals

1. Take more pictures of Neil and me
2. Clean out all the closets in my house
3. Finish scrapbooking current pictures
4. Drink more water
5. Read more books
6. Open a doggie day care

How I'm doing:
1. Failing miserably. Thus only wedding pictures on the blog
2. Check
3. Working on it
4. So-so. My little way of being healthier. Only problem is the frequent trips to the restroom.
5. Good. Averaging about a book a week
6. Not even close. But it would be fun.

Dr. Kevorkain for Plants?

I’m a plant killer. I don’t understand it, I love plants. But apparently they don’t love me. I really haven’t tried taking care of a plant until recently but I’m starting to get a complex. Last year for Mother’s Day my mother-in-law bought me a plant. It was beautiful. A Scarlet Pimpernel. I was so nervous to take care of it. Not only was it my first plant but my mother-in-law gave it to me. I did research on the plant and took the best care of it that I could. It bloomed beautifully all summer. I got compliments from my neighbors. I cannot take full credit for its death. We took a two week trip to the West Coast last summer, so I took it to my parent’s backyard where the sprinklers could water it. Well, it drowned. But since I owned one plant people started getting the idea that I needed more plants. I took each one in. But they quickly left me. Some died quicker than others. Now, I have an empty pot graveyard in my garage. I currently have two mini rose bushes waiting dormant for spring. Even though they look dead now, I am told they are supposed to come to life again.

This is all brought up because this morning one of my co-workers bought a beautiful plant for me to keep in my office. I warned her of my track record. But she insisted I could take care of it. So I’m giving it one more try. But perhaps plants just come to me to die. Am I the Dr. Kevorkian for plants?

According to Cheryl

I recently read “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. It was a good quick read. I was most intrigued that the author is LDS. I have loved how much exposure the LDS church has had in the media lately. However, I have been disgusted by the lack of knowledge of the Church there is. I will be the first to admit that I don’t know everything about every religion. But if I don’t know something, I keep my mouth shut. Anyway, I have to admit I read “Twilight” looking to see how an author of my faith would write. Please note that I am super conservative in most of my opinions. I just finished another book that had awful language and descriptive sensuality. So I was interested how an LDS author would write. I was happy to see no swearing. And obviously in my opinion swearing can often take away the integrity of the character for me. There were definitely romantic moments but nothing that offended me. However, I was disappointed that in the description of the main characters clothing it was not modest! Now, I know this is a small thing but I was disappointed. I don't think the author's agenda should be to shove the LDS values in people's faces but it seemed to me that the descriptions could have been left out or modified.

I have begun reading many discussions about this book online. Check out Goodreads. It’s a great website where you can share what books you are reading and have read with friends. If you enjoy reading sign up and add me as a friend (I only have one so far!). Interestingly enough, the fact that the author is LDS has come up numerous times. Somehow people see a schism in a book about vampires written by an LDS author. Some have asked if it was against the LDS religion. I just don’t understand! Why would it be? Don’t people understand that vampires aren’t real? Are we not allowed to be creative and imaginative? Seriously people. I even saw an interview with the author where she was asked that question. She answered very diplomatically explaining her books were more about light than dark. But if it were me I would have laughed and asked if they believed in boogie man too. Am I wrong?