BREAKING NEWS: I Have a Hobby!!!

I was sitting in relief society one day looking at the birthday list for that month printed on the RS bulletin. I thought, "you know I bet some of these sisters don't get very much recognition on their birthdays." I thought how sad that maybe for some because with my friends and I birthdays are big deals. (I know this isn't the case for everyone But I enjoy a good birthday. whether it's mine or not) I kept looking at this list and thought, "I think I'll send them all a birthday card." That was the beginning of something great!

I decided that it would be more cost effective for me to make the cards then buy each one. I bought some scrapbook paper and some velum sayings and one thing of stickers and got to work. I just want to say I LOVE IT! Making cards that is. I have never been one to scrapbook. It stresses me out to much. As I was making these cards I have a great realization. I HAVE A HOBBY!

What do you like to do for fun or what are your hobbies has always been one of my most dreaded questions. I hate it when people ask me that because as soon as the question comes out of their mouth my mind goes blank and I sit there frantically searching the corners of my mind for anything I do that can fall under the "hobby/do for fun" category. I mean don't get me wrong, I am a fun person and like to think of myself as dynamic, but there has never been one specific activity that I think, "Oh I have some free time...I will go work on my hobby, (fill in the blank)."

I mostly enjoy being with people. I like talking to them, interacting, and building relationships. I can sit around doing nothing and be content as ever if I have some one to talk to. I mean I Play the flute, I love rock climbing, dancing, hiking, kickboxing, baking, traveling, and many other things (which now include card making). Although I have interests I don't do them often enough to make me good at them or call them hobbies, Which is a good reason for why I draw a blank when people ask about my hobbies.

But I am very proud to say that next that question comes, as it always does, I finally have a hobby to list! "I love making de cards!" (To be said in a foreign accent.) Every time I make a card I get so giddy and have to show it to EVERYONE in my family like I am 5 and just drew the greatest picture ever. LOL Anyway, I will end my narration here and just show you a few of the cards I've been working on. The ones in the pictures are all just birthday cards but I have made others like mother's and Father's day cards and wedding cards. Maybe I'll throw those up here another time.

Thankful Thurday

I've wanted to do this for a while and just never have. After doing a bit of blog searching today I found out that a few people I know from when I lived in VA do it too and was motivated by their brilliance to actually do it. I wanted to have one day of the week (I was thinking Sunday but I like Thursday better) where I take time to reflect on my blessings and the great things about my life. So here we go.

1. I am so grateful for days off of work.
Can I just say how nice it has been to not have to think about best buy? My list of things to do has really started to pile up and last night I pulled my dusty time management skills from winter semester out of my closet and outlined my whole day. It is only 2 pm and I have already gotten dressed (yes it is a big accomplishment for me when I don't have to go to work), done 4 loads of laundry (I am so grateful to have the laundry room right across the hall from my bedroom.), studied my scriptures, did work on my redecorating project, called Tressa to check up on her, did research for my secret project hopefully to be competed within a year, and met with an insurance guy to appraise the damage on my car. FINALLY! OH Oh! And my mother would be proud....I ate lunch! (Many times I get so busy I forget to eat) I have quite a bit more to do but I am determined to get as much of it done as possible. Especially because I wont have another work day off until next Thursday!

2. I am grateful for my brother Eldon.




That man is one of the greatest people I know. I have told many people this fact about the two of us and I will say it again. Eldon and I are complete opposites! In almost every way he and I are different. He loves technology and I could really care less as long as I can check my email and blog when I want. He is very analytical and logical and I am emotional and intuitive. He is cool and calm and I am bubbly and dramatic. Although we are so different he is one of my favorite people in this whole world. LOL he puts up with a lot with me as his sister. He is one of the sweetest and kindest men I know and has served me in so many ways. One story that I have told often happened about 4 years and one month ago. After spending some time in the hospital I was released to finish my recovery at home. I found myself in INTENSE physical pain. I wasn't very big on medication at the time but took Tylenol or Advil anyway. It really didn't help and there wasn't anything the doctors could prescribe so they advised me to wait it out. My aunt called and suggested a natural remedy that required things from the grocery store. It was the middle of July in Maryland and humid as heck! We were down to one car and my father was at work. Eldon could see how very uncomfortable I was with even the slightest movement. He got on his bike and peddled two miles each way in the heat to buy the items my aunt advised and an extra bottle of Tylenol. When he came back he was quite sweaty and smelly but he was my hero. Yesterday I came home from work and had a few errands I needed to run. My family knows this the most but I get into these moods where I HATE not having people with me. I just like to talk and socialize and have that person, whom ever it may be, there with me. Last night I was in one of those moods and asked him to come with me to make the returns I needed to make at various stores. I didn't expect him to but he said yes and got in the car not knowing exactly where we were going. We pulled up at JcPennys and I informed him that we were going inside to return some panties I bought on impulse a month ago and didn't need. (I hadn't worn them) He rolled his eyes but obediently followed behind. We stood in line behind a group of 3 women at the register speaking a different language with the biggest pile of sale items I have ever seen! We stood there for about 20 minutes and the people behind us were commenting on how patient he was standing there surrounded by racks of panties in a line of only three buying groups for so long. As we walked out of the store he was so patient and I was grateful to have him there with me to tell me not to buy anything. Really I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful and patient guy as my brother! To him I say, "you're a good man Charlie Brown"!

3. I am grateful for letters and pictures from Leslie. She is such a dear friend and sends me periodic updates on her sweet family. Today as I was writing this blog Rachel came with a new envelope from Leslie. I am so amazed at how her adorable little boy is growing so fast. It's been a while since I have seen them and he is so big! They have also had a new addition to their family about 7 months ago and she is adorable. Its fun to see how much Leslie's two children love each other. She is a phenomenal mother and I'm sure when I get married and have children I'll take some pointers from her. They are so dang cute! I am grateful for how kind Leslie is to me and what a wonderful friend she has become over the years.

4. I am grateful you've stuck it out and read all the way to the end of my blog! Whew! I know, I know, I am long winded. Next time I'll try to keep it shorter.

Back to the drawing board.

When I was in Oregon on Catherine's grandmother's farm I was so excited to land in MD and hit the ground running....literally. I had talked to Catherine's marathon running father and he gave me one of the most amazing pep talks of my life. I ran for recreation my senior year of high school and loved it. After high school life got in the way and I found myself very out of shape. Many people scoffed at that statement but when I would get winded after walking up a few stairs I told them they had no idea what they were talking about. For some reason the thought of how I would feel after running a mile was not appealing when i felt horrible just carrying the groceries in from the car and no one could talk me into returning to my old hobby and tennis shoes.

This is where if you are a male and get embarrassed reading about girly things you will want to stop reading now and find a more masculine blog. My marathon training has started off pretty slow, but hey! I figure since I am getting back in the saddle after 5 years I should start off slow. While I was getting ready for my last run I could not find my sports bra ANYWHERE. I am in desperate need of a new one but that is besides the point. I can NOT go running with out one. I hate that feeling and feel like a moron running down the street with my arms crossed over my chest. I was determined to go on this run and kept searching the house as the sun went down! I saw an ace bandage on our Ottoman and got an idea. I was rather pleased with my creativity at that moment and called for Rachel to come help me wrap it around my torso. I grabbed my new CD and went out side for an evening jog.

The beginning of the run was slow going but optimistic. I was having trouble breathing but felt very supported. It was all in the name of my marathon I told myself. Half way through I knew we may have problems as my make shift "Haines sport" began to slide. I kept tugging and pulling it up hoping I would make it through the run but quickly realizing I was loosing the fight with gravity. A little while later with about a third of my run to go I had given up and ran with an ACE bandage sagging around my stomach and my arms crossed over my chest laughing at my "great idea".

It's been a while since I've gone for a run because I am still working out the kinks on my newest Idea to fix the missing sports bra problem. You would think I would just go to the store and buy a new one but it is rare for me to find one that fits and when I do they are usually way out of my poor college student price range. I went to walmart and found one that I think gives pretty good support, however it was about 8 inches to big in the band. I grabbed the bra, a needle, and some thread and started to fix it. I finished and it was my perfect size! However the new 30" band that would fit my very petite rib cage doesn't fit over my shoulders. I was not deterred and thought of a new solution. (that one didn't work either) Tomorrow I plan on fixing it a third time and this time to should work.

This marathon better be worth all the trouble, pricked finger tips, and nights eating ice cream while sewing the perfect sports bra! I don't think Catherine's dad had this problem getting started.

I have goals and I will get around to completing them soon. I promise!

(This picture doesn't have anything to do with anything and it's not even recent. I just thought I would post a picture so there you have it. Enjoy)


Once again I find myself sitting at the computer at a ridiculous hour reading many blogs. I figure so many things have happened that I should have written about and haven't I should stop looking at other's blogs and update my own.

Seriously I think something needs to be done. I have some type of attention disorder because as soon as I wrote the statement of not reading other people's blog and updating mine I thought of another blog I wanted to visit and immediately pulled up another tab and checked out the fun new pictures my cousin had posted. OHY!

So when I was driving away from Rexburg I wasn't in the best of spirits and wasn't sure how this fall was going to go for me. I had quite a bit of time to myself and time to think as Catherine slept on our way up to Oregon to visit her grandparents farm before we parted for the fall. And I set some goals for myself this fall. here they are:

1. I want to put together humanitarian aid kits such as hygiene kits and new born kits for the church before I go back to school

2. I want to work and SAVE as much as possible and earn enough money to get me through next school year

3. I am going to train for a marathon next year.

There were more I think but I can't remember them right now. LOL I feel funny admitting that. I know I wrote them down in my journal but one: I am to lazy to go look at it and two: the three I listed above were the three big ones I really want to happen.

Another goal I have is to review my goals I made every Sunday and see what I can do next to work on them. LOL and Obviously that isn't happening but you know, next Sunday is a new Sunday. Tomorrow I think I will take a look at them to! (I just hope I am not to tired because I am up right now)

At least I can laugh at myself and my attempts to be organized, goal oriented, and motivated. I am learning and that's what we're here to do right?

A bunch of girls

I have never considered myself a girly girl at all. Snakes, spiders, and mice have never made me squeal, I can move furniture with the best of them, and if there is a dirty or scary job I don't have much trouble gritting my teeth and getting it done. Now, that does not mean that if there is a man around I will fight over carrying the heavy box up three fights of stairs or who will change my oil. I am capable but not stupid. In fact, I'll admit that at times I've just played the helpless girl to get things I need done done quicker. Hey, I am not proud of it but it works. And usually I only use it as a last resort....ok not always. But I do usually only bust out my maiden in distress routine when I am at work and my male coworker has been asking for help for ten minutes with no response. But I digress. That is not what my post is about.

My father has been partying it up in Utah for the last week and so our house is pretty much and estrogen power plant.

It has been for a while but Dad or Eldon are usually here to Represent and mow the lawn. Today we had just finished up dinner and my mother was running out of the door to go visiting teaching. She yelled for my sister to grab the dog so she wouldn't run out into the drive way and as I was clearing my dishes the next thing I know Rachel, Tressa, and my mother (who is much like me in the fact that she mans up when she needs to) are all screaming like girls on the top of their lungs.

My first thought was "Oh great. My mother's visiting teaching companion ran over the dog." I sat there for a second or two and still heard the dog's tags jingling on her collar in the front yard so I thought I would investigate the situation. I found Rachel standing on the couch in the living room, Tressa running back and forth not quite sure what to do, and my mother jumping around in the entry way and finally bolting out of the front door all screaming at the top of their lungs while a black snake like this one: (okay, it was a little smaller) Slithered around our entryway.

I told them it was okay, walked to the kitchen grabbed the trash can while my sisters were still screaming and calling for me and proceeded to catch the snake. I will admit for growing up in the high desert of California my snake catching skills have become a little rusty. I am no expert on snakes and wasn't sure if it was poisonous or not so I was NOT about to pick it up. My mother who is afraid of nothing....except snakes ran to the car to go visiting teaching and left me with two screaming girls, one snake, a trash can and a stick. The stick was to thick to scoop it up and the snake was very good at dodging all my advances with the trash can. eventually I got him out side and chased him out of sight yelling at the snake while joking with my sister that if he slithered back I would get my machete.

All in all it was a very eventful day and I got a pretty good chuckle out of it. Don't tell my mother, because all night she has been walking around muttering about the snake, but I wouldn't be surprised if he pays a call again. However I don't think he will be as polite as to use the front door again. He didn't get the warmest greeting last time he did.

My Charmed Life

Today has been a really good day. I finally painted my room and I am pretty excited about it. My dad and sisters helped me and at first I was sad because the color was NOT the same as the color swatch I asked them to match it to. It's a light lavender! But I have gotten used to it and like it okay. That all has nothing to do with my thoughts tonight, but I thought I would give an update on my project.

When I was a teenager and used to complain my sweet father would turn to me and say, "Deborah, you have such a charmed life." I would roll my eyes and go on secretly wishing that whatever I was complaining about was different. Today I was down stairs in the basement cleaning out a few of my drawers in my old room for Eldon and I ran across a very sweet note from a dear friend. As I continued to go through my things I found pictures and other reminders of just how blessed I am and what a truly charmed life I really do have. I was reminded how heavenly father has blessed me to have so many wonderful people in my life who have brought me so much happiness. If you are reading this you can consider yourself part of that group.

I am so grateful and happy to be where I am in my life right now. I have had many wonderful experiences that I wouldn't exchange for anything. Some times I can forget who I am and the valuable qualities I posses. I wasn't necessarily reminded of those tonight when I went through my things in the basement, but I was reminded of what a good life I have had and how much I have to be grateful for. I feel like I am repeating myself a bit in this post, but I guess what I want to say is how grateful i am for each one of who who have taught me something during the long or short period I have known you and I truly am grateful for you.

Just a quick update: You can put the wedding bells and rice away.

Well, the news of my engagement last month traveled fast. Like ultra fast. I made about two calls to my family, one to my best friend, changed my relationship status on facebook and within 2 days it seemed like the whole world knew. Even people I don't speak with very much were texting and messaging me their congratulations. To everyone in that group I thank you. It is very sweet and encouraging to know that so many people are interested in the exciting events in my life. I now understand what a wonderful tool the Internet is in spreading news. However, I have found it is a little harder to reverse it.

Yes, it is true. You can take this as the editor retracting previous posts about finally choosing one guy. This is my official statement on my new relationship status. I'm single. It took me two days to notify everyone from middle school that I was planning on tying the knot in October and three weeks for people much closer to me to find out it was off. (And I am still getting congratulations and questions about my engagement.) Granted, I didn't make many calls or feel much like talking about it after it first happened, but I did fix my facebook profile and started to put the word out a few days after it was all settled. I am in no way ranting or upset. I feel worse for the people I am putting in the awkward situation when after they ask me when the date is I have to tell them there isn't one. I really do just appreciate your excitement. I am more embarrassed about the short duration of the engagement. False alarm.....sorry.

Now that I have set the record straight I am sure those of you who are just finding out or only heard the wedding is off have a few questions. And those who know me well wont be surprised that I am more then willing to answer them for you. First, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Cameron. He really is one of the finest quality people I know. When we were dating I cared about him very much and was excited about the thought of spending eternity with him. However, after we got engaged I got a very strong feelings that it was not right and soon after Cameron came to me with similar feelings. It is kind of hard to deny what the spirit is saying when both of you feel it. I can't speak for Cameron but when we decided I was going to go home to MD everything became more of a reality and I wont lie, it wasn't the easiest thing. But I do know it was right and this is where the Lord wants me. I am grateful that he directed us both and we were able and worthy to receive the promptings.

I am grateful for the experiences and the growth I gained from spending my time with Cameron. Really I think he is amazing and will be a general authority one day. (and you can quote me on that) I told him that he shouldn't worry about getting married because if my track record holds true he will find a wonderful woman fairly soon. I swear I am the walking prep for eternal marriage course and I am very comfortable with that. He says he thinks I will get married before him.....So in order for me to maintain my 98% success rate I have come up with a plan. If you know any AMAZING single girls in the rexburg area bring them around because:

"Next up for bid is a date with Cameron Gardner. He's handsome, funny, spiritual and he's going to the highest bidder." (and may be if your cute the second highest;))

















Well, at least I think I'm funny. :)