May Happenings :)

I need to add a couple things to my list of first that are kind of a big deal I like to believe. We made the trip out to 2,000 flushes!! Many of you might not know what that even is, and to be honest I dont even know what that is and I have been there! All I know is that ever sense I have moved to the windy city of cedar all I have heard about is 2,000 flushes. Apparently your not cool until you been there but your not that cool once you've gone either :) and.... apparently your not really suppose to swim in it or would want to swim in it because rumor has it there are dead bodies at the bottom with many cars people have drunkenly drove into it and numerous amount of different things just sitting at the bottom. Well Check, been to 2,000 flushes. It was in the dark so I didnt "see" too well and got my legs wet so that counts as "swimming" right?

Then... I finally after 22 years can say I have actually been on a motorcycle. For some this might not be a big deal, but for me it is!!!! I was so so so nervous and I had to be talked into it a little bit :) But, I did it a couple times even and I survived to tell the tale.

Photo above: Sammi and her Rommies and Nephews!

We had roommate photos taken by my sister KJ out at the airport where Kat works the day after our girls night. We got all glamoured out with gel toes and waxed eye brows and other things..... :) There are lots of photos of us cruising around looking for things we just might never find in that great town. The bowling alley makes for lots of great self timer photo shoots. The best part of May was memorial day when Kat and I drove out to E-town for the traditional cleaning of the Holt cemetery with my family and the lunch at Marvs where we always run into fun friends. Kat had never really been to enterprise so I took full advantage of showing her around!! We cruised main a few times, went to the reservoir and even took the back road to veyo, yes... we are that cool! On our drive of course more self timer photos were a must! It was nice weather so we headed to STG to swim and hang out with my nephews for a while longer. Lots of memories were made and lots were remembered.

Cant wait to keep on keepin on - hopefully there will be more detailed blogging about it all :)

ps: I dont think I have mentioned that I have wonderful new-er roommates! Laura Wilson, Katherine Caldwell and Jackie Platt- they are the greatest- really, the best ever!!!

Lots of Firsts:

While I have been here in Cedar I have done my share of firsts. Not only just first things here in cedar like laying out!! Yes! There was actually a day, well, more like a few hours that it felt WONDERFUL me and Laura took a blanket out and played hookie from work and laid out in our swimmers! A wonderful first for cedar!!

While playing hookie we experienced another first for the season, driving paisley (Lauras truck) with the windows down, down main street signing our hearts out! The warm weather was short lived but lived it was!

The next more embarrassing first is boiling eggs. Thats right, these girls, right here, never have boiled eggs before. We werent joking around either. We bought 2 1/2 dozen eggs to boil and decorate for this easter holiday. Kat and I are pretty ambitious. Turns out I ended up googling how long to boil eggs for. For how "easy" its suppose to be, there were a million and a half different ways.... a million different steps, but I passed no worries, some might have the grey yolk but for my first time I am sure we can let that slide.

Our wonderful eggs we colored. We had three different egg color packs we bought and I am sure that we will be pros for next year! We defiantly have it down to an art!

Other "first" I have experienced here in cedar is: Driving in the snow...... Western Wednesday.... Buying a bed frame.....apartment searching.... Four hour wal-mart runs..... Works Bombs.....Jessica.......Lund, NV.........Roberto's......Skype..... and one I never thought I would ever do is be annoyed when the dishes dont get done!

Because of my Roommate

Living here is Cedar City has its ups and downs, but one of the ups is my roommate Jennie. She is just a rockstar. period. I am so thankful for her and her words of affirmation, her kindness and willingness to do whatever needs to be done. Because of Jennie and her amazingness, I was blessed this week to have my brakes changed on my car. How does this relate, because Jennie did not change those brakes, but it was her determination to get it done, that got it done! Let me tell a little story that happens to be TRUE. About two weeks ago we were at wal-mart doing our everyday (yes, everyday) shopping when we came across these two boys looking at movies. We thought they were pretty cute and Kamera dared her to go up to them. Who knew she would actually follow through... She approached the gentlemen and said "Do you know where I live?" Smiles on their faces they looked at her and said "No, sorry we dont...?" In all seriousness she replies "Well want my number so you can call and find out?" They took the bait! They took the number and called her before we even got a chance to leave wal-mart! Turns out these two guys have become really good friends of ours over the last few weeks. Just about the nicest people I have ever met, honestly! The time has come that we are house hunting for the summer months, Jennie happened to invite them to come along on the drive. Good thing she did because he noticed right off the bat that my brakes were in need of attention. Attention I obviously did not give them.. :) He volunteered his services which I declined graciously. The next day, Jennie called Garrison and made arrangements for me to drop my car off at their house so they could look at my brakes. She said there is nothing wrong with letting other people help you out now and then. The great people those boys are, told me what I needed sent me to get them and had my car fixed and ready to roll in less than 2 hours! Two good things came out of this story, 1- my roommate is amazing, and a awesome friend 2- I can drive to slc this weekend worry free. Thanks to all these people who have been so generous and nice to me while being new in the city of cedar. I just needed to let everyone know how great it is to have great friends, and its thanks to Jennie for making me realize the greatness.

1st Week Complete

Dont they say if you can do some thing for a week you can do it forever and by "they" I have no idea who I mean. But, the point is, I survived my first week of cedar snow and all!! This is my recap most of it went by pretty fast but there are a few stories I would like to share :) (of course). So monday-thursday I drove back and forth. I didn't have to be up to cedar till nine so it all worked out great. Monday was the "rough" day, trying to meet everyone, trying to figure out what all I should be doing etc. But to be honest, it wasn't all that rough. Everyone at the Cedar IFA is SO nice my new boss is really nice but the pallet jack not so nice.... haha but, I am improving :) We have lots to get done in the new store before it will be ready to open, I was right in my element working with the few IFA guys and all the carpenter guys :) I was then assigned to Courtland as his assistant he is the receiving clerk and its his job to receive ALL that merchandise that is coming into both stores! So, because I have some knowledge thats what I have been doing all week. Kicker is, we dont have all the materials needed to get the job done so its proven to be a little stressful and time consuming. However, the job is getting done! I wont lie this week has been full of working hard and driving early and late to get home, and I have been tuckered out (I am an old maid dont forget!). I dont think I have made it past eight o'clock staying awake. Come in grab something to eat, feed duke, say hey to Jan and then goodnight. I did have friday off I got to stay in STG, I did take the liberty to sleep in till nine then went into work at IFA in St. George. I helped them for one last final day, Darlene took some vacation time so things were a little behind in their receiving department. Then back to Cedar I came saturday morning with my car packed with a few essentials ie bedding, towels, change of clothes, toothbrush. I was a little nervous for this drive because of the storm all night we had in stg. Roads were wet all the way to the black ridge where they instantly turned into snow, they were not THAT bad, but to a girl (me) who has only driving on snow covered roads one other time, it was nerve racking. But as soon as we pas Kanarraville we were home free, it was like there was no sign of a storm at all. I didnt notice how nervous I was until I parked at IFA and walked in, then all my nerves raced and I had a instant feeling I would collapse and/or vomit! Didnt do either and I made it through another day. BARLEY....... barley did I make it through the day... here is my story I obviously lived to tell the tale, but still intense nonetheless. So, there I was driving to IFA to clock out for lunch when some guy passed me on the road and stared me down, like obviously enough I noticed! Then once passed me proceeded to flip around to be driving behind me. I pulled into IFA and sat in my car a few minutes and noticed he was parked across the street just watching me. Getting a eery feeling I go inside the store. I try to sound calm but with no such luck tell them that the car parked across the street just followed me here and was just out there waiting. After five or so minutes of debating and watching him, we decided a call to police dispatch was in order. He left, or so we thought, came back for another look at the store and my car before finally leaving. Finally when a officer showed up I was telling him the story blah blah and he was like did the car look like that, I said no, that was to bright this car was more dull beater-ish, he said like that car! OH MY GOSH! He was back!!! I was like yes, I think that was it, proof be told he speed past IFA once seeing the cop, and the officer chased after him. I waited for him to come back still with that vomiting feeling I couldnt get rid of. When after a while he comes back, hands me a drives license and says, he says he knows you! I was like oh my goodness I totally do know him, why didnt he come say hi or anything. The cop was very correct and still wouldnt give out my name to him or anything, told me to still be very careful even though this one turned out okay. I said yes, thanks, welcome to cedar city right? My first night in town and I am being stalked and calling the cops, go me. I was to 'move' into my apartment saturday night and sunday but with the storm that seamed to settle about 4 o'clock that afternoon I decided to stay put and not drive home to gather the rest of my belongings. I made my bed brought in my pjs and my towels and that was it, that was all the supplies I had until I could make it home. I attended stake conference with two of my new neighbors they were nice enough to lend me some clothes, then of course like any college kids we headed to dennys! We had a riot jamming out to tunes drinking hot chocolate, eating fatty foods ya know the norm! Best of all, I love my roommates, I love my neighbors that are like my roommates. Its great to have insta friends! I love how I have lived off of nothing for four days. I truly feel 'on my own'. haha Good news Charlie Brown, I think I am lovin cedar city, dont get me wrong, the snow and cold, is not my thing for sure, BUT the new job, new people, awesome roommates, fun friends and all that comes with that sure are my new thing!

New Chapter

The new news is.... I am MOVING TO CEDAR! Yes, I have "known" about this for a few weeks now, so its not "new" but, its finally real. I have a date, a time, a place to start working. ahh the bliss of knowing. So, whats all this hype you ask? Well, about a month ago there was word that IFA (the company I work for) was opening a new HUGE store in Cedar City. Well thats just news I suppose unless your me, who has been stuck in limbo land. Stuck in a big ol' rut wondering what to do with my life. Not quite ready to quit my good job that I love to venture off into the life of a full time student, but not quite complete just working my life away. I felt like this was my answer. Move to cedar sure its cold, but I wont have the stress of finding a job like I would if I moved somewhere else, I can go to school in the fields I like (family consumer science/Agriculture) and mostly a new social life or a life period :) Just throwing this out there but... with an agriculture community comes lots of cowboys :) (Or, thats what I am banking on) Just what the doctor order I do believe. Any who, getting off subject here but I still dont have all the answers and still not sure I am going to love it 100% but, its a change and a change I desperately need. I start on monday, I get to help set up the store which for a few reasons I am super excited about, one, its a good change of what I do now so its exciting, two, no customers, no phones :) and three, I will have a say in where things go and will know where things are. I will be driving back and forth for a week or so slowly moving into my apartment when I get a few seconds. I am so excited but at the same time starting to question my knowledge and hope I do not let anyone down. I am excited for the new challenge and the new opportunities I will have. And the best news, if its not all I have hyped it up to be, I have thirty days until my job here in STG is gone :) Its all a bit bitter sweet.

Christmas Peace

Alright this is where we begin. GINGERBREAD HOUSES!!!! Or, I should say gram crackers (three packets each) and some hot glue. Mine: Holiday Square is nothing short with Christmas, Halloween, Valentines and Easter! Cassidy made something... like a spanish house or something. Joshua: A Scottish Castle. Leslies (not pictured) as embarrassing as it is to admit on my OWN blog, won, yes her creative North Pole Fire House was a better idea than ours. It took forever to get them finished and I have decided for everyone that next year will be one basic cottage and the competition will be on the decorating! Yes, everything must be a competition if any of us plan to participate!

Christmas morning was a SUCCESS!! Josh and I surprised papa with not only one, but TWO framed photos of his mountain property. Thanks to ALL the fireman who helped us with this project: Robert Hooper Photographer, Clint somebody Frames, and Kelly Larsen Glass.

Papa and I with our brand new chaps! Yay for us!! We are both pretty excited, cant wait to try them out and save my legs!
I accidentally talked Leslie into getting her boys (Jeremy, Treyden, Colten, Lincoln) a NEW PUPPY!!!! I mean it really was a good idea. Jer was surprised and the boys love her! I had so much fun helping Leslie get prepared for this little bundle now named Dixie. She is a heeler/aussie mix and so soo cute. Right Leslie?! Duke hopefully doesn't feel left out, he is getting more attention with her coming over to play or growl at him whichever. :)

We were all smiles all the while. Glad Josh got to come home and visit us for 9 days. Glad we had family here in town that came over for our annual christmas day brunch. Thankful for the gifts we received and were able to give! We have SO MANY christmas traditions (most including food) but my favorite is becoming Christmas Eve or Day GAMES at the FIRE STATION!!! Its not only because I have won the games played (see competition competition) but because it requires and effort, not only on us loading up in our new matching pajamas with games in hand, but on papa to put up with us and our craziness in front of his co-workers ( who usually join in anyways).

As we make our way into the new year lets just remember one thing..... only 361 days till christmas!!!!

National Finals Rodeo

Yes, those are cute American and French Cowboys! No better way to start off a post than with that photo :)
Jer,Les, Me and Laura at the rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. (dont forget that this venue is FULL of cowboys old and mostly young. Is there a better place to be?)
Laura and I eating some yummy yummy potato somethings or another.
The cutest, most unpractical spur straps I have ever seen! Oh, and probably the most expensive too $85 dollars for these beauties, unfortunately all I got of them was this picture :)

Where oh where to begin. Jeremy Leslie Laura and I went down to the NFR on monday the 6th. We went down early enough to spend the day shopping at two of the three cowboy christmas venues they have during the rodeo. Let me just say 7 hours was not enough time! We'll plan more time off work next year for sure. We drove down and ate lunch in north las vegas Robertos or some mexican place with yummy burritos. Dont worry it was safe, or at least the guy behind the bullet proof glass was safe. We literally shopped till we dropped, dropped into our seats at the rodeo that night that is! We had so much fun checking out cowboys, looking at the endless jewelry racks, and tryin on clothes. Lusting after things we couldn't afford was most of our time passer. Then we cheered on all the cowboys participating in the rodeo, but mostly the UTAH contestants. We decided to check out early so during the "last" bull rider we sneeked down the stairs, turns out there was a few more than "one" more. Which turned out to be a good thing, because standing right next to Jeremy was Tuf Cooper. I didnt believe it was him and I offered Laura five bucks to ask him she got star struck so I pocketed my five dollars and went and asked myself. Turns out it was him and I just made my best effort to flirt with this famous 20 year old calf roper. Got a fun picture and laughs to get us home! Laura was the best date a girl could ask for too! So thankful for good friendships and my fun brother and sister! And of course thankful for all them good lookin cowboys coming to vegas!