Christmas Cheer from our blog to yours!

Jamie and I are leaving for California on monday, so I thought I would write most likely my last post of the 2008 year! I cant wait to go home for christmas to warmer weather than the complete white out we have here! I am also excited for the traditional german dinner on christmas eve, and for jamie to experiance it for the first time. Yesterday I finished my last finals and I am quite proud of myself. This year has by far been my best semester since I started at BYU. It probably has to do with the fact that I am not as stressed and over ran by two jobs. SO although the money we use to have isnt there anymore, school is going great, so I will take that trade for the moment. It is a true testiment to me that money dosen't make you happy by any means. Since jamie and I both dropped our second job, we are able to spend more time together and have become closer. I am so thankful for this last year and for all our many blessings! Jamie and I just want to thank everyone near and far for their friendship and love, and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Plasma For Sale

We are finally down to the wire! This is the final week of school and then starting the 15Th finals begin. Jamie and I are both ready for a bit of a break, and to move forward with different classes. Although I will say that I have really enjoyed some of my public health classes this semester. December 19 Jamie and I will be flying home to California to see the family, especially my new nephew Luke, well he isn't that "new" anymore, but I have yet to see him so that's new to me.

Jamie made top honors by becoming "donor of the month" for donating plasma. (For those who didn't know my dear husband goes religiously twice a week to be stuck with a large needle so they can extract his plasma in return for some cash) This is basically a second job and comes in handy throughout the month. Any way he was nominated and awarded the "donor of the month" The prizes that come along with this lucrative title are: An extra 30 bucks for the month, he is free to choose the movie that everyone has to watch ( the process is about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs each time) Jamie was very excited about that because he feels that the movies are always dumb, so with much pride Jamie's first movie choice was "Undercover Brother" The third and last prize allows Jamie to cut to the front of the line whenever he shows up! (Donating plasma in Provo is a big deal so there is ALWAYS a big line) I am very proud of my husband and his great effort to win such a coveted award. He is amazing and contributes to this family in so many ways including selling a part of himself ;)

Happy Thanksgiving Day

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Remember this day all that you are blessed and thankful for! Have an amazing day full of fun and good food!

Love The James

One year down : )

Sunday the 23rd of November, was our 1 year anniversary! I know that I am a little late, but school has been crazy over the last week. I had a couple teachers trying to cram in projects and test right before the break! But now I am off for thanksgiving and I am so excited!

Our anniversary landed on a Sunday this year, so as for the actual day we had church and later that night went over to my friend from Scotland, Lu's place. We had a good time eating and playing games with each other. Saturday Jamie had a party he had for his Honor association, and Friday the same association had an activity for the school that he had to attend, but we went together on both occasions and had fun! And Jamie gave me beautiful flowers! We really did have fun even if we couldn't just go somewhere just the two of us. I cant believe that it has already been a year. It honestly feels like we just got married, in many ways, in others it feel like we have been married for years!! I think that is because of how well we know each other, yet we both know that there is so much more to learn. We are loving life, taking it one day at a time, and love each other dearly. I Love Jamie so much, and I am thankful that he made me laugh for the first time of many back in our psychology class over two years ago. In relief society on Sunday I announced that it was our 1 year anniversary, and right after me another lady announced that Monday will be her 50Th wedding anniversary! I just smiled and thought to myself. One down... 49 to go. I cant wait to make it to that point and beyond together. I love you babe!!

The Day the Music Died

So last night Jamie and I got to go to a musical at a theater in Orem. The Musical was Aida, by Elton John. I had never seen it before and it was a very good musical, although I will say that it is very clear that Elton John was one of the creators! LOL I really enjoyed going, but it really made me miss it all. For a couple of years now I keep telling myself that I am going to try out at the local musical theater company, and time and time again I chicken out. I just cant bring myself to do it. I don't know why, but I have never had that kind of confidence to just jump in and do it. Unfortunately I know that I miss a lot of opportunities because of it. It really made me start thinking about how since I have moved to Utah, music has slowly almost disappeared from my life, and last night really made me realize that I feel like some part of me is missing. Even if I don't join a musical, I am not part of a choir anymore, I don't have a piano, and barely see one anymore, in fact In the last year I have only sat down once, and really played the piano like I know and love. It really is quite frustrating, and I really feel lost. I often say to myself, well just fix it, go try out for a musical or what not, but I also have school and work and family, that I just don't think it is feasible. I really don't know what to do, but I know I need to do something because I think that I am starting to fade fast, and something so important, that made me get up each day and helped me get through the hell my life was from the time I was 8, is slowly disappearing. I almost feel like I have lost a child, my baby, and I am really down about it!

The day my husband drooled

It is official, I today committed and declared myself a Public Health Major with an Emphisis in Helath Promotion! I met with my councilor and went through the paper work, and what was even more exciting is, with this change I am even closer to graduating, infact I could actually graduate next December, but I will probably aim more for April! It is so close that I can taste it!

Jamie turns in his application for the Business school today, please keep him in your minds and prayers as this is a very big deal for us!!

I have to tell this funny story about Jamie last night, although it is kinda gross. Last night Jamie started having a horrible tooth ache that was just putting him through agony. I told him to put some oralgel ( if that is how it is spelled) and to come on the couch and lay down on my lap. So he was in so much pain that he put a lot of the stuff in in mouth and basically numbed his whole mouth. So he is laying his head down on my lap, I was wearing these short shorts that I wear around the house at night ( can you see where I am going with this?) about 15 min later I start to notice that something doesnt feel right and have him sit up. Lo and behold my entire leg was COVERED!! in his syliva. Jamie had been drooling for who know how long and because he was so numb he couldn't tell! I was completely soaked but was laughing so hard because he was so out of it!!

Well just a little note to let you all know all is well in the James Household, untill next time....

Fun... Ok I am really bored!

On this tag, you give five answers to each of the questions and pass it on. To pass it on, name them on your blog and leave a comment notifying them on their blog.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago: (I think that would put me at 7th grade)
1. I had just started jr. High
2. Attempted my frist of many times of Weight Watcher, never worked for me, and now because of my schooling I know why
3. I first met all my choir best friends that would be with me until we graduated from highschool! In fact that is where I met jet and dawn for the first time, we had good times in that Band/Choir room!
4. I told the first guy that I was good friends with that I liked him, he didnt like me back but it was ok because we continued to be friends and he is gay so no harm. Sadly though I haven't seen him since Sophnmore year in German class! :(
5. I think this was the year that 7th ward was established and we lost some good friends!

5 things on my to-do list today:

1. Go to my last class
2. Work out even though I have a horrible sinus infection and I feel like my head is about to explode! Thats right I am dedicated! LOL
3. Homework is always a plus
4. Prepare this week's Sunday School lesson.
5. Figure out what I am going to make for dinner

5 snacks I enjoy: Well I am not a big snacker, but I will try

1. Apple-Must be Fugji
2. Wheat thins
3. These honey wheat pretzels that I can only get on campus in the vending machines!
4. Chocolate chips, but I dont buy them anymore, because this is a bad thing. I cant just have a couple
5. And Ice cream is probably my biggest weakness

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Pay for all of mine and Jamies past and future schooling
2. Buy a Piano
3. Maybe buy another car
4. The rest I would put away for a future home or whatever savings
5. oh and probably give some to my parents!

5 places I have lived:Ok this is sad I have only lived in two places in my life, but each I have moved within the same city at least three or four times!

1. Oakmedowes Apt Ca
2. The Zoo apt Ca
3. Pinetree apt Ca
4. Stonebridge apt Ut
5. The villa apt Ut

5 jobs I have had:

1. I had a paper route from the time I was 8 till 18
2. Worked with jill at the flower power as well as putting big stickers on the floors of grocery stores
3. Video II with my mom
4. Waitress for three years at the BO... Dont get me started on this one
5. Early morning custodian on campus, it really is a layed back job and pays pretty well

5 people I tag:

1. Up to who wants to do it!!

I feel that I must...

So I am at that point where I feel like I need to write on my blog, but then I think "what could I write about or tell you all?" And nothing comes to mind! I mean I guess Jamie and I really are not that interesting to write about that much. But I am currently waiting for my next class to start and I am bored so this is the best thing I can come up with.

As most of you know, last weekend was General Conference! It was great as always. On both Saturday and Sunday we had AMAZING friends who let us come to their home and watch conference with them for the afternoon and then eat some yummy food! Sunday morning I picked up my brother Spencer from his apartment to watch conference with us, and Jamie made a great breakfast for us all! I love having a husband that can cook, especially when it comes to making breakfast type food because I am awful at it! Never was a huge breakfast food eater, so I really cant make decent egg's or hash browns, or even pancakes for that matter. I can however, put the toast in the toaster! Yes I rock! Any way It was nice having my brother around for conference, it felt a little bit like home that morning! Except we didn't play Conference BINGO with M&M's! Dang it! I thought about it though, then realized the calories I would most likely consume and then changed my mind.
Let's see, well school is still school and after today I will be half way done with midterms. Oh Louise and I started working out together three times a week! I am very impressed with Louise, because when she lived in California with me, she never went to the gym with me, or wait correction, she would go and bring a pillow and blanket and sleep on the couch in the lobby! But she is doing really good, and I enjoy having the girl time with her as well!
Well I have to head off to class so that all for now!

Stressing Season is officially Open!

Ok So I googled Stress and this image was one of the first to pop up! I think it is hilarious, and it perfectly illustrates how I am about to feel! Yes stressing has officially begun, and Midterms are underway! It all just came so quickly. So hang on tight, its gonna be a bumpy ride!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE

Today was also Jamies Birthday! He is 26 today! For his gift I got him "The Office season 4" He was very excited and we have spent the night eating California Pizza Kitchen and watching the Office! Plus he got four free foot massages from me! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!!

It's Ours!!

Jamie and I officially own our car! It is very exciting to own my own car! And plus there is one less payment each month! Holla!!!

Weekened Fun!

Well, This weekend was a fun one! I will start with Friday.

Friday Jamie and I had a date night. I was looking through our starving student card to see if I can find any fun things to do for cheap, when I found the buy one get one free admission to the local skating rink. Now mind you I haven't been skating in YEARS! And Jamie has only skated a couple times in his whole life, but I thought it would be fun anyway, besides I thought, it is probably like riding a bike!..... Guess again. I can not tell you how hard it was to Rollerblade around this tiny rink ( is it just me or did those things look gigantic in Elementary school?) The whole night I never felt "comfortable". And poor Jamie was scooting around inch by inch. However he did a great job and I am proud to announce we both didn't fall once. I tell you though, I completely forgot how much Rollerblades hurt your feet! Plus the majority of the people on the rink were under the age of 11 so I was more concerned with killing one of the "little people" that were zipping all over the place! To all my Chico peeps, if you thought Cal Skate was ghetto, you have seen nothing until you been to the Orem Skating rink! All in all I really enjoyed it plus it was good exercise!

Saturday Jamie and I always sleep in (it the only night we get more than 5 hour's of sleep) so I was glad to wake up at about 10:30! Now since my B-day landed on a Sunday this year (thanks to the stupid Leap year!) Jamie was giving me most of my Presents on Saturday. Saturday was my spa day! I went and had a pedicure and a message, got some waxing done, and then finished the afternoon off buying a new pair of jeans that I desperately needed! THANK YOU BABE! Meanwhile Jamie was off with my little Bro Spencer at the BYU against UCLA Football game... that's right BYU SPANKED UCLA by winning 59-0 yes you did read that right, that is a ZERO!! The rest of that day was spent relaxing and watching some movies

Sunday was my 22 Birthday. Jamie and I have early morning church so we were up early and in church by 9:00 am. The night before I had made brownies for the 14-15 year old's that we teach Sunday school to in honor of my Birthday. After church we came home and took a nap. About 3:30 that afternoon Jamie and I had planned to go up to the Canyons to the look out point and then come home to make my Birthday dinner of BBQ Hamburgers, French Fries, and Corn ( really don't ask why this is my Birthday dinner, its not my favorite food, but it is what I have had since I can remember and tradition is tradition! At least thats what they say on fiddler on the roof :) Any way, the canyon was Beautiful and it was a nice drive. When I arrived home I was pleasantly surprised by a decorated house a people there to wish me a happy Birthday! That is right Jamie through me a surprise party! It was a lot of fun and we finished the night off with great Ice cream cake YUM!!! Thanks to all that made my birthday a great success and a lot of fun!

STOP SMOKING PLEASE!!

OK, so we all know that smoking is bad for your health, we have heard about this since our elementary school days when the D.A.R.E guy or the one man with the giant cigarette would come to school and teach us about the harmful effects of smoking. However all this knowledge doesn't seem to really register with people or they really don't care. I know I have friends and family who smoke! Many of you know that I am in the process of switching majors into public health, I am currently an exercise science major, and many of my classes cross over, however I have decided to make a change. In one of my classes on Chronic Disease prevention we are going into deep research on smoking. And I wanted to share some of the new data that has come out recently and somethings maybe you haven't thought of before.

First off we all know that smoking causes cancer, and in the past it has been documented that smoking puts you at greater risk of heart disease, however research is getting closer and closer to proving that smoking doesn't just increase your risk but could actually CAUSE heart disease. (did I mention that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, not to mention its one of the leading PREVENTABLE causes of death).

One excuse I often hear from smokers is "well, we all have to die sometime who cares if I die." OK maybe that is somewhat of a good point, but have you ever thought that maybe you wont actually die, more and more technology as developed to prevent people from dying of lets say a stroke, so have you ever thought that smoking may cause you to live out the rest our your 30- 40 years of your life in extreme pain, unable to move, or take away all previous joy in your life? So maybe you wont just die that is become more and more likely these days. Now you are more likely to live you life with a viable brain but with a body that wont respond anymore, I think that is more miserable then just cutting the 20 years from your life from smoking (yes smoking can cut up to 20 years off your life)

So another excuse is that I could quit at anytime, if I start seeing ill effects then I will stop! Did you know that after a person stops smoking that it takes 10-14 years before their RISK of heart disease even BEGINS TO LOWER! That's right you could stop right now and you are still at the same risk you were when smoking for about 10-14 years, so don't just think I could stop at anytime and then I will be perfectly healthy, I DON'T THINK SO!!

Next, "Its OK I only smoke maybe once or twice a day, its not like I'm some heavy smoker!" Yes I have heard this excuse before but did you know that even smoking just one cigarette per day TRIPLES!!!! Your RISK of heart disease! That's right not just hurts or even doubles your risk, but TRIPLES your risk from one lousy cigarette per day!

So I could go on with more, but I have written a lot! Please people really think before you start to smoke or if you currently are I am BEGGING you to stop now get some help whatever you have to do, just like uncle SAM "I want YOU to put out that cigarette"!

SHIRL.. AKA Shirley Askey.

So this weekend Shirl my best friend from Chico came down from her college in Idaho to visit! I haven't seen her since my wedding so it was a visit greatly overdue. Usually we get together during the summer for a time but Shirl spent her summer working and Disney world! The pictures posted above are from before my wedding, my camera died so I didn't get any pictures this time, needless to say it was a great visit full of laughs and tons of pictures from her adventures at the happiest place on earth! We even got to stop by the mall for a pretzel maker pretzel, an old past time of ours! Oh in case you were wondering the mask is a power ranger mask from the Disney store in the mall! Any way I already miss her and wished that we got together more often. I read a quote the other day that basically sums up how I feel about our relationship currently and gave me great peace.... "The most beautiful discover that true friends can make, is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

Here we go

School is to start Tuesday the 2 of September so we are getting close and I am ready to start the semester. Meanwhile my some of the fam has come to visit as well as drop off my brother Spencer for his first semester of college! That is so crazy to me. Back in California I have my first nephew, Stacy gave birth to her second child Luke Thomas on Monday, he is very cute. Jamie and I are doing well, I think we are both ready to cut back a bit on work and focus more on school! Jamie has started his application for the Marriott School of Business and it is very competitive so cross your fingers for us.... Well him! LOL

SO EXCITED

Alright so about a month ago I hit a wrong button for my blog and I lost my layout opption and only had this template link instead1 It was so annoying because I couldnt add pictures and it had erased alot of my stuff! All month I have been trying to fix it with no avail. Alas today I figured it out and I got all my old stuff back as well as the layout link! YEA!!! So look at the bottom of the blog I added pictures way back before this big mess. ENJOY!

Not much to say

Nothing Special has been going on, basically my day has consisted of early morning work until 12 then I eat lunch and by then Jamie is home from his second job. He has one class from 3-5 so I usually drop him off at school and then either clean the house or go work out, pick up Jamie, start dinner, eat and currently watch the Olympics which I love! Finally bed then start all over again. So I guess I am saying sorry for not having anything special going on. Oh some exciting news is that in May the James family will be meeting together in Mississippi for the youngest James boy's , Terrance's, graduation. I have never been to the south so needless to say I am VERY EXCITED! Oh and just a side note today at work I was scrapping gum off tables,( you would be surprised by the amount of gum under the desk of college student, don't we get past that stage in Elementary school?) anyway you might think this is very gross but actually the way its done now in days it is really cool! I basically spray this stuff that freezes the gum it is so cool! I have to wear gloves b/c if it got on my skin I would suffer from frost bite, in fact b/c I am under a table a lot of the stuff get on my glove and it is so strong that my hand instantly gets quite cold and the glove starts to freeze as well! LOL Maybe you have to be there but trust me it will have you memorized for hours, well it did for me at least!

What it means to be a Daughter of God

Some of you may know that one of my challenges in life is one of self-worth and depression. Over the last couple years I have grown leaps and bounds, but that doesn't mean that I still don't have bad days. Today has been one of those days. I have learned that when I begin to feel this way there are certain things I do to help me get out of the slump. One thing I try to do is exercise, However today I felt impressed to pick up the August Ensign. I read a couple of articles and then I came to the visiting teaching message. For those who don't know the visiting teaching message is directed towards women and usually has short quotes from several different church leaders about a specific topic. This months topic was on being a daughter of god and having a Divine Destiny. As I read I was strongly impressed by the words from James E. Faust. I decided that I wanted to read the rest of his talk entitled "What it means to be a daughter of God". It was an amazing talk I would recommend all to read it. But I want to share a story from that talk...

"A mother wishing to encourage her young son in is piano studies, bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and her son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away. Suddenly it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench innocently picking out 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' His mother gasped but before she could move, Paderewski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, Don't quit. Keep playing. And then leaning over the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon he right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.
"In our lives unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again. DON'T QUIT. KEEP PLAYING. And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, Keep Playing."
I want to bear my Testimony that I know this is true I have felt over and over again as I have today my heavenly father wrap his arms around me and say Don't quit... Keep playing. I so thankful for a loving heavenly father who know me and my trials and who never leaves me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen

HELP

Ok having some issues lost everything to a differnet template and now dont have the Layout opption anyone know??

Blast From The Past

Me and the siblings after my final show

This boy was hillarious and we sang a song together entitled "Kids!"

I love my son. Isnt he cute?

But I HATE is "Mexican" girlfriend! My character kept calling her

Mexican, although I think she was really Pueto Rican

My Friend Christineand I she was also in the musical with me

Closing night applauses!

When I went home last I decided to get some of the pictures that my mom had on her computer and have them for my own file. These are from my senior year of High School. I had one of the main leads in the musical Bye Bye Birdie. I played the mother Mrs. Peterson. It was one of the greatest times of my life and I had so much fun. I am the old lady in the blue dress and wig! Enjoy

NEW

New Layout thanks to my sister stacy, and the song is my new favorite song! You really should listen to it!

Loves

Pain

Right now I am going through some of the worst pain I have ever been through. For months now I have pain on the left side of my lower back, which comes when I sit to long or even laying down, but a couple of days ago the pain went to a new level. I started having pain on the left side of my leg all and down. Those who know me know that I have a pretty high tolerance of pain and kinda believe in just sucking it up, so I usually dont jump up and take meds, but yesterday it started hurting really bad so I took advil, and nothing changed, then later I tried Alieve and again not even a dulling of the pain, as the pain worsend I later tried Ibrophine.... NOTHING! I was in tears by this point but it was late at night so I decided to just try to sleep. This morning I finally decided to go to the doctor. They first checked for clots, (which is a concern being that I am on Birth Control) and the test came back clean, and after further question and testing the doctor said that I have a nerve issue. So I am now on some meds and I will see were it goes from there. Basicailly the point of this blog is to just let you know that I have never been in this kind of pain before. So I am at a lost! That is really all that is new with jamie and I we are just working and relaxing before we have to go back to school!

Loves

ITS HOT!!

Utah is really hot right now and I am melting in my apartment. I swear the weather went straight from freezing to 100 degrees! There was no nice weather whatsoever. Work was kinda fun today. For those who don't know I quit working at Brickoven, where I had been waitressing for the past three years! The last 8 months I have also been working on campus with early morning janitorial work. Any way brick oven and I had some differences of opinions ( ok a lot of differences) and I decided it was time to leave that type of work. I gave it a lot of time three years is a long time in that business. So to keep up with the bills and what not I have added more hours at the school job. Instead of working 5 am-8 am, I now work 5 am-12 pm. But back to why work was kinda fun today. Well I went out side to throw away some trash and the building was surrounded with literally thousands of ants. The whole side walk was black, ants were on top of each other it was that bad. SO I ran back inside (I really hate ants not afraid but they just gross me out and I always think they are crawling on me)and tell my boss that we are under attack by ants. He just looks at me with a blank face and says " Well go kill them" I was kinda shocked I didn't think he would have me do that for some reason, but anyway I went out with two cans of ant killer and had the time of my life just attacking the ants running around like I was in a middle of a war! I was saving our building!! About twenty-minutes later and two empty cans of ant killer I had won the war. VICTORY WAS MINE!!! Well as you can tell I got a little excited. Last week the school had to shoot a deer because it was dying from injuries from a dog, and we were the ones that had to clean up the blood and disinfect the area, needless to say I opted out of that one, give me war with the ants over deer blood any day.

Home Sweet Home

I Finally took pictures of the new place. Now it is far from being decorated or finished but I thought I would let everyone see the lay out. The pictures are of our living room kitchen table and our bedroom with our new five piece set which I love! I didnt take pictures of the kitchen because it was a mess but it is pretty big with a lot of cabnits and the bathroom is nothing special. There is a second bedroom and the lay out is the same as the masterbedroom!

A book of memories

Ok so Jo, who is basically my second mother and real mother to my best friend shirl, has this amazing talent. When I went home she gave me this book of my bridal shower and wedding that she had put together it is a digital way of scrap booking! And I love it! Here are a few sample pages!

Jamie and I are now back in Utah and Im trying to get back into the groove of work and all that not so fun stuff. We had fun back home and it was really great to see my brother graduate! I am glad that I was able to be there for that.

Not much more is new just the same ol same ol. So I will keep everyone updated if anything happens! *LOVES*

CHICO

I am Home!!! Jamie and I arrived in sac at 12:oo pm yesterday. And I was really excited to not see mountains for a while. We have a lot of fun stuff set up for the week and 1/2 we have here. Tomorrow we are going to an outlaw baseball game, tuesday I am finally going to cut my hair and hopefully come out with a really sexy cut and color, but not too short. Wednesday I have a facial set up. So it should be a good week! I will hopefully put up pics of the new place soon!

BYE!!!

Moving is a Pain

We are currently in the middle of moving and it feels like it might never end! We really have so much crap and I am trying to get rid of a lot of it, but my dear sweet husband really has a hard time throwing things away so it is quite difficult. But I must say that everyday there is a bit of an improvement. I love our new place! I can not even tell you how happy I am that we are going to be there I really just need to get all the stuff out of our old place first before I can really relax. I will hopefully soon put up pics of the new place so all can see how amazing it really is! So stay tune for that!

Only one more week till I am home. And it cant go any slower. Sunday I sing in church and it has been a while since I have really even sang that I am a bit nervous. I was asked so randomly, this sweet old lady passed me a note in the middle of relief society asking if I would sing. It was so random that I thought it was kinda funny. Any way wish me luck!

As you can tell I added some wedding pics I figured that I really never put any up so while I wait to take pics of the new place I will post some other pics!

Hope all is well

Confessions of a waitress

OK so I apologize now, but I really need to blow off some steam. I entitled this blog "Confessions of a Waitress" for a very good reason. I have said from the first year I have been a waitress ( going on three now), that I would write a book about the do's and donts of going out to eat. I have come to truely believe that most people dont try to be rude of mean, but they just dont know, (and its hard to understand if you have never worked in the resturant business before), so I am going to let off some steam while trying to inform.
1. A resturant is a place to sit down.... therefor if your in a hurry and need to be in and out in less than 45 min DONT GO OUT TO EAT!! Honestly people that is what fast food is for ( hence the name FAST FOOD ), I can not explain how difficult and frustrating it is to be followed around by a customer who is freaking out because they need to hurry and get to this or that event. At one time I can have up to 5-6 tables all capable of having up to 6-7 people occuping them. That is on average about 35 people I am in charge of. I cant be focused on making sure you get to your sons basketball game on time. You should have planned earlier
2. I feel that I am a women so I have all the right to say this. We are the worst group of people to serve and here is the main reason.... We sit and chat for ever. Here is the problem with this. I only have so many tables and when you sit I can not (what we call in the business) "turn" the table, or get more people and therefore I am loosing money every minute you sit and talk. If you really havnt seen your girlfriends for 5 years and you have no other place to go and talk, just keep that in mind when you tip, and make up for it. Only once has someone thought of this, and the women who sat at my table for more than 3 hours came up after wards and gave me an extra 20 bucks and apologized for taking up my table. That is the way to do it.
3. As a server I am there to do my best to serve you, so if I come up to the table and start talking to get your order or drinks or ask a question, PLEASE, PLEASE, DONT CONTINUE TO TALK OVER ME. OR STOP TALKING ON THE PHONE FOR ONE MINUTE. Thats all I have to say about that.
4. Tiping I know is a tricky situation, but here is the deal, by law resturant are not bound to pay servers minimum wage ( with exception of California). Infact I think most are just bound to pay more than 1.50 an hour. As for me I make 2.15 an hour, and that goes directly to taxes, I never see a paycheck, so your tips are my paycheck. I would just apreciate it if people would stop being so cheap and paying 10%, that amount should be left for if you were not satisfied with your service.
5. After we are closed, as a server dont just go home. once the resturant is empty I have about another hour to two hours left of cleaning and other odds and ends. And a lot of it I cant even start to do until everyone is gone. So please dont come in a resutrant when there is less than 10 min till close. It just is really rude. Or if you have to come just have it be for dessert. But if you are just dying and you have to eat, come sit down order quickly, eat and then leave. Too often people come know that we are about to close, sit and try to figure out what to eat and then stay and talk afterwards! GET OUT OF THE RESTURANT! I HAVE BEEN ON MY FEET FOR ABOUT 7 HOURS AND STILL HAVE 2 MORE TO GO SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD HURRY UP.
I could continue but this is getting long enough, basically I want people to come and enjoy yourself, but just remember your are not the only person in the resurant, you deserve to be served and I agreee that is what you pay for, but you dont have to be ignorant at the same time. I promise if you do these things you will get even better service than you could even imagine. That is the confession of a waitress.

Reflections...

1. So after posting my last blog I realized that by stating I have very exciting news I might give people the wrong Idea! In order to put all your minds at ease, no I am not pregnant! My exciting new is that we are suppose to be moving. And that is very exciting news indeed! I hate my current place, and I am going crazy every day. We have some opptions right now but nothing final yet, thats why I didnt want to say anything just yet.
2. I am officially finished with school for the summer. I finished my last final wednesday night at 10:00 pm. By the end my mind was fried. But passed all my classes, and that was very important.
3. I am really sick of Utah weather, one day it is sunny and 75 d. and then litteraly the next day I wake up the wind is freezing and snow is falling. I am so tired of the snow and winter, I really just want to go home!!!
4. I returned my books the other day and book I bought that was the most expensive, they wernt buying back! I stood in line for about 45 min just for them to tell me they are not using the book I expected the most money from! That really bugs me.

S

So I am officially a utahian, well maybe not compeltely, I have yet to convert to the poofy hair, but for the first time in my life I wore a sleeveless shirt over a T-shirt. I decided to take some pictures, because shirl always gives me a hard time, but I was desperate and I needed something to wear, and this is all I could come up with. After these pics Jamie and I went to Taconos with Jamies Portagues buissness class! The resturant is an amazing brazil grill! The servers walk around with big spears of meat, and what I love most of all is the biggest salad bar I have ever seen, with all kinds of brazil food! Four more finals to go and then I am home free for the summer. I have some exciting news, but I am going to wait for it to be final before mentioning it! So stay tuned

The James

I thought it was time to let people see some updated pics of Jamie and I. We are doing really well and just trying to get through school right now! We have one more week and then we will be done! Any way I am watching th Biggest looser finally and am about to start bawling, so I better get off! Love ya all

So the USB connector for my camra has been missing, and I was unable to show more recent pics since jamie and I got married, but today I found it! So most of these pics are from the honey moon. The one of the dinner table and christmas tree, is our house on christmas eve! Hope you all enjoy!

Stressed

I would just like to state that I am offically stressed out!! I have soooo much to do and very very little time to do it! I think I might go crazy. I just need this thing called school to end.
That is all, Thank you!

BY THE WAY

By the way, I am so excited the tulip festival is coming this month! I AM SOOOO EXCITED!! I LOVE TULIPS

Twist and Turns

Trying to figure out what you want to study and do with your life can be quite complicated. One minute you know what you want to do and then next thing you know you start to question it! So currently my Major is Excise science , fitness and wellness management. And I am not sure anymore that what I want to do exactly. I know I want to stay somewhat in the same field, but I am currently thinking maybe I should look at public health! I am going to take a beginning course next semester to see if that is were I should head, but I just don't know exactly what I want to do so I don't know what major will fit it. I am also thinking of doing a minor in elementary physical education. That way I could work with little kids the way I have always wanted to. So we will see it is just so confusing sometime!

Dance around the world

Last night I went to a Folk Dance Rec. Night! For those who didnt know, I am taking a begining folk dance class. The Rec Night is basically this big dance with the BYU Folk Dance team and club members, but anyone is welcome, and for about two hours we just danced different dances from all over the world. Each dance is so unique and specific that it never gets boring! I will admit I am not very good, and I am sure my teacher feels sorry for me and gives me decent grades because it is a beginers class, but I think I am going to continue anyway, if not just for myself. I am begining to realize that as much as I have always wanted to be a dancer, it is just not in my genes! But I enjoy it and I am not going to let my lack of talent stop me, besides it not like I am one of the people who try out for American Idol when they know they cant sing, but really love it! I am just wanting to do it for the fun and the exercise!! So if anyone is wanting to have some fun, learn some Folk Dances! It is AMAZING!!!

Whats new with the James?

So school has been busy as always. There are only 4 weeks left this semester, good, but also means tons of work due and FINALS! Jamie has decided to get back into student government again. Today he had an interview for the position of Vice Prezident of student honor association. We dont know the outcome yet, but he felt very confident. The goal is that next year he will run as vice prez of the school, and his good buddy will run as prez. This is a big deals, even bigger than prez at ldsbc, plus theres a stipen! It has really payed of being prez of LDSBC, because it was a church school the administrators all know eachother, and there have been many that have put in a great word for jamie! Jamie and I are still teaching 14-15 year old sunday school. We really enjoy it and the kids are great. Thats about it!

GIRL POWER

Kinda missing some girl power right about now!I am just so busy it is hard to find time! Shirl is coming out for easter, and I can hardly wait! Unfortunatly it will be the only time we will see eachother for a long time, she is leaving to florida to work at disneyworld! So I wont see her at all this summer! So I guess this short trip will have to do. But I miss the girls!

TIRED

TIRED! THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY

Heading to Nor Cal

Were Heading to Chico!! Well unfortunatly not until June for spencers Graduation. I am so excited, and I think that three months might be too long! By the time we get there it will be almost a year since the last time I have been home. I really miss california, and feel like the mountians are closing in on me!! I think I am also excited because by that time I will be done with school for the summer, and that just seems too good to be true right now! Speaking of school I better go I have a huge paper I have to finish.. Love ya all!

Just want my money

So for over two months now I have been working on getting my fafsa completed so that I can pay for my tuition. The government has done their part, but my school is making me jump through hoops. I have been going around in circles for weeks now, and I am sick of it! I just want my stinkin money. Currently I am on a short time loan with my school, basically delaying my payment, but that is up on the 15th so I am stressing so much, because after that I have my tutition plus intrest! JUST GIVE ME THE MONEY!!!!!! AHHHHHH

Cereal Galore!

So our local grocery store, Maceys, was having a huge sell! They were selling cereal boxes for a dollar each! And they were pretty big boxes as well! So jamie and I no kidding bought about 15 boxes of cereal. So that has been my staple food the last week or so! And if anyone is looking for a good cereal, Raisin Bran Chrunch is a great cereal, and so is Frosted Mini Wheats strawberry kind. Both a great source of fiber! So I highly recommend it! But you got to love cereal for a buck!

Lake Powell

I found the pics from our trip to lake Powell! It was so much fun! But jamie did make me mad one day and to make up for it I got to bury jamie in the sand. He was a mermaide with the shell bra and everything!

The good and the bad

Today is V-day! Jamie has been great and really gone out of his way, from rose pedals on the stair case to my favorite flowers tulips! So it has been really nice so far! Kinda struggling lately, I know why but I cant seem to get a handle of it! No need to worrie, I am sure I will figure something out! Should get the car back tomorrow! I cant wait to finnaly have transportation once again!

Crashes!

So the car situation just seems to get worse and worse. Who knew you could do so much damage just hitting a ditch at only 15 mph. And of course the price then rises! Oh well guess we will be eating very very light this next month!Another crash happened this morning except this time it involved me and my bike, it been awhile, and I hit the ground hard and had barly started moving, scratches and bruises but will live! Almost quite my job again! Really sick of the place, but I think I will stick it out a bit more at least until the summer. Part of me just wants to do it to stick to them! School is ok, did better on my tests then I thought I would.

President Hinckley

So I just finished watching President Hinckleys Funural. It was very moving. I dont know about anyone else, but I loved Monsons talk( if you call it a talk) I just felt the spirit very strongly and had a comformation that he will be a great president as well, for how ever long. I really wanted to go to the viewing, but due to car issues and the fact that people were waiting outside in the cold up to four hours, I decided it would be best to stay at home. Anyway it was a really nice funural and a great tribute to the humor and witt of president Hinckley.

So Tuesday I crashed our car, and I officially HATE the snow! I told jamie that I am never driving again as long as there is snow on the groung for my car to slide all over the place. I luckly missed the car a head of me who had come to an abrupt stop and when I tried to then stop my car began to slide. I knew If a didnt move the wheel I would hit the car and decided to try to make it on a curb instead, unfortunatly because of the ice I slid hit a ditch poped up and hit it again finally stoping on the curb I had origionally aimed for! At first it looked like not much damage was done just needed to put the spar tire on, but it had gotten worse. The Wheel was hit at the only spot where they could not fix it but it would have to be replace, the tire slashed, and after failing to put on the new tire, we learned that the left arm was pushed back. It could have been worse, but is costing more than I had hoped for!

Still No Computer

So Jamie and I are still without a computer and it is killing me! Jamie and I might be buying a desktop computer soon I hope! I am really getting tired of the Utah weather! If we have one more big snow storm, I dont know what I will do. School is going well and I enjoy my classes. Our home is becoming more organized, but I feel like we just have way to much stuff and no where to put it. Next week I took off work so I can catch up on all my thank-you's so please dont think I have forgotten or dont care, I really do, just life has been crazy. There is this musical theater company just up the street from me and I have decided that this summer I will be at least auditioning and I found out that they should be having auditions for Les Miserables, and Beauty and the Beast! Both I have been dying to be a part of. So we will see!