Meags

how dear i...

2012-01-12T21:16:00.001-08:00

...forget my favorite part of Feburary
rugby at its best
Sevens International Tournament
in Vegas!

we go down on the Thursday before.
Spend Friday shopping
then the best of all,
all day Saturday is spent watching RUGBY!

These are our Bristish friends,
spent all day sitting in front of them
rugby fans get crazy!
These guys were no different.

Here's hoping we run into them again this year!
#fingerscrossed

2011 at its best!

2012-01-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

2011 was welcomed with a sweet baby girl, Miss Kenney Lo
auburn hair and brown eyes
different from her siblings
Just 4 days after our sweet Kennedy arrived we said goodbye to our Gram Mick.

Charles and Dorthy Mickelsen's posterity

3 of our boys were/are serving faithful missions

1 has since returned, the others will be home in June

February was spent taking pictures of this beauty

and getting ready for the big day!

In March we celebrated Ashy and Spence!

The Sealing was beautiful,

Ashy looked fabulous,

Spence was a handsome groom.

The reception was beautiful

It was a special day!

April brought birthdays for Steph and I...

I just deleted the picture....
and another....

I graduated in May

Thanks to all that helped me reach this goal!

It was a nice night

I then jumped on a plane with these beauties to the Dominican Republic.

We spent 7 days doing whatever we wanted.

It was a great way to celebrate the end of an era

June and July were spent going to Family Reunions,

going to the Oakley rodeo,
and endless days at Lagoon.

First the Phillips reunion.

The Phillips never disappoint

Grams chocolate fudge cupcakes are always a favorite

here Gram is with some of her siblings

Next the Lamb BurnThis chest of drawers/files was my Grandpa's

We decided it should be in Chesterfield

where he grew up

here it is in the museum

For Matthew's birthday in June, he and I got to spend an afternoon at 'Magoon'

this aunt Mae loves her Matthew.

Many summer afternoon's were spent riding rides,

over and over again.

This photo is out of order...Oops!

In Sept...I went to Mary Poppins

It was practically perfect in every way.

In August I ran away to Montana!

it has become one of my favorite places...

I sent the first couple of days helping my family finish remodeling

we did redneck things...

we didn't have time to get the truck and go back into town.

Lindz and I just held this roofing metal outside the car.

I flatten boxes in a dumpsterWe welcomed our Trever home from an honorable mission

This handsome face was a welcomed site for this Momma.

That same week the rest of the fam joined us in Helena, for a weekend of Fun!

Brooklyn quickly learned she could get all the attention she needed from her boy cousins.

We could often find her cuddled up with Darin and Trev, doing and eating whatever they were. She stole there hearts. our nights included endless hours of Just Dance 2

Family reunions now consist of adult cousins.

and cousins babies.

it is just as much fun today as it was when we were kids.

we spent a good hour filling water balloons for a water fight.

it only last 5 minutes.

it was SO fun!

September brought my first experience at the E.I.S.F

Eastern Idaho State Fair.

there is nothing like this fair.

we spent the weekend people watching

truck pulls

rodeos

horse races

Indian horse races

Bingham family history

Rupes

Yummy food

October brought our trip to Lake Powell

Matthew and Brooklyn joined us

it made for an anxious Mae

but we all survived

and enjoyed our time

Matthew and B experienced

boating, jet skiing, tubing with Grandma, Mae and Aunt Annette

water fights between Poppa and Uncle Mike

It was a great week in the sun!

October also took me to Denver with Shell Bell.

We went to see our dear friends Ben and Allison

and there sweet girls.

We spent our days relaxing

reading books

loving Rosie and Eve

watching scary movies

going to Downtown

shopping

going to Boulder

such a great time!!

oh, and playing chess like the professionals we are October also took me to Bozeman,

a change in jobs

and decisions to apply to Grad school

November naturally took us to the grand opening of Salt Lake's very own

Crate & Barrel

and H&M
We didn't stand in this line...

we went back later that night

December brought the first home game for our Utah Jazz!

Here it is 2011 at its best

Summer lovin'

2011-08-16T22:10:00.001-07:00

I just can't get enough!

Lamb Burn 2011

2011-07-11T16:50:00.001-07:00

Each year our family takes a tour of Chesterfield, Idaho
Each year it gets more meaningful for me.
This is Aunt D telling us what it was like to go to church in this building.

Aunt D asked if any one could play the organ,
Spence must have smiled big,
Aunt D asked him to play for us.
Its a pump organ

I snapped a photo of Ashy looking at our surroundings.

This is original hardware, I can't remember how old it is...

Maybe that is something I'll catch next year?!

Aunt Connie taking a turn at the organ.

As my family cleaned out my Grandparents home we found a home for most everything with in the family. My Grandpa's chest of drawers were hard to place. It was decided that they would go to the museum in Chesterfield for all to see. These are it.

This fancy contraption is setting close to the drawers. I thought it was for photos of sorts, turns out this how they gave perms in the olden days. It was in my Great Aunts salon. We heard a story of a young girl going in to get a perm and whomever was giving the perm placed the clip in the wrong spot, the young girls ear, burning it badly. She may have never received a perm again.

We took the opportunity to take some photos. I am trying to build my portfolio. Ashy and Spence were the victims...

It was like another engagement session...not so sappy though.

2011-06-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

tonight someone smiled, laughed and couldn't stop laughing.
tonight someone completed a task on the first try.
tonight I smiled, and knew it was all worth it.

Republica de Dominicana

2011-06-13T15:59:00.001-07:00

The DR was great! I've dreamt about being on the beach everyday since I've been back...

When Shelley, Shannon and I arrived to the DR we had a two hour van ride to La Romana. We had a very nice driver, he didn't speak much English but would slow down and try to communicate what we were seeing...

We saw lots of men in the streets trying to sell things...

Lots of families, friends, whomever on the back of scooters.
Lots of Baseball fields with lots of people. The DR is home to Sammy Sosa

We spent our days sitting on the beach, swimming in the oceans and enjoying BananaMama's. We read books, magazines, and people watching.

We spent time by the pool too...

This is not the most flattering of me, this is how I spent my week in the DR.

We made sure to have multiple ways of protecting ourselves from too much sun exposure.

Shanny D was extra cautious, we would sometimes find her like this.

The ocean was warm and beautiful. We spent hours enjoying the waves. One day Shell asked if that it all it had after enjoying a wave. It then graciously took her over the coral and she scraped her knee.

Me on the other had just wanted to help out a friend. Shell had asked me to help her reapply sunscreen on her back. It was too awkward to do it from my chair, so I decided to stand up and do it. Well, I must have gotten up to fast and was not paying enough attention, and caught my toe on Shells chair and trip. I went face first into the sand. It was AWESOME! Neither Shell or Shannon saw, just everyone else on the beach. My injuries...a pretty good scrap between my toes and my ego. What's a vacation without stories to tell?!

Aren't we cute?!We did do a little more then just lounge all week. We did water aerobics one day. It was good except they picked the rockiest part of the ocean.

We also had our picture taken with Tarzan the monkey. We had avoided it all week and then they finally got us. They won't let you take your own picture because they want to you to buy the print from them. That is why you can't see my face, we had to be very sneaky about it.

We meet lots of new friends. There were only a handful of Americans, at least that we saw and meet. There is entrainment multiple times a day, they have a theme song. By the end of the week we could have danced it with them. At the nightly entertainment they would begin with the dance. One night this Italian family sat next to us and stood up and danced part of the dance. We also joined them. For the next 3ish nights we saved them seats and we all danced with the entertainment from our seats. The last night we got a picture with them so we could remember our friends. In return, they brought us alcohol. We ended up taking the drinks and leaving them at our feet. We ventured out of the resort one night. Just outside is a street lined with vendors. They all told us it was free to look, and then would make us a bracelet. This was one of our favorites. His name, Tyson number 1.

Shanny D put her brave face on and did the Trapeze at the resort. We spent most of our early evenings watching everyone attempt the trapeze. Shanny loved the British boy. We called him Harry Potter, or HP for short. This is him...

This is Shanny D getting her lesson before performing...

Her performance. She did great. After doing it a handful of times. They put another trained professional on the other side where you get to leave your bar and land into the hands of professional and then jump back to your bar. Shanny D did it on her first attempt! Not many of the others were able to complete the task at all.

The trip was so great! Being the beauties that we are. We ended up taking home a few names and emails...The Dominican Men loved us!

Sunday FUNDAY!

2011-04-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon we went of a photo shoot, Shell, Shan and I.

I had asked Shell if she would mind taking some photos of me.

Of course, being the super awesome friend that she is,

she agreed!

Shan came too!

We walked around Westminister's campus,

I saw a spot, and said

"Shan go over there, I'll take your photo"

Shan "No Meag, this is for you."

"No, we are going to take pics of all of us"

"No, you go"

I climb under, the spot just didn't work for me...

It was perfect for Shan... She was a perfect model, not direction needed. one pose after the next. Shells took a turn next, she too is a great model, I started to shoot... One shot after the next Shell had great poses too!

The afternoon was filled with lots of laughs, all were much needed.

I don't enjoy being on the other side of the camera.

And it is hard for me..

But, in all seriousness I am grateful to be able to capture great moments in my life

and the lives of those I LOVE.

Ones we'll be able to cherish forever!

don't you just want to pinch those cheeks? should they be that pinchable as an adult?

Put me on a plane!!

2011-04-08T16:07:00.001-07:00

In 34 days I will be on a plane to the Dominican Republic

to spend 7 great nights here...

I'll read whatever I want...

and maybe even do a little of this... Until then, I'll be writing papers, giving presentations, taking a test finishing my internship.

YAY! for school!

Things that should not be forgotten

2011-04-05T21:08:00.001-07:00

when going to the gym...

or you may have to wear these....

OOPS!

So maybe I should have stayed in class...

I just couldn't...

the Director of the program was teaching us about Stats...

Kind of...

We learned he paid $799 for his first calculator in 1977

and $2400 dual floppy disk computer

and that on a spreadsheet the cells are usually related to each other.

Instead...

I biked 15 miles in my Toms

and played a little raquet ball with the love birds.

Don't judge me

at least I committed to something...

tonight...

Together Forever

2011-03-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had Family Home Evening,

We talked about what it was like to all be in the Temple together.

It was a really great feeling.

I feel SO blest to be apart of this Eternal Family!

Naturally, someones eyes are missing.

sweet baby cakes!

2011-02-25T19:04:00.001-08:00

a sneak peak...

2011-02-25T19:00:00.001-08:00

The bells will soon be ringing for the love birds...I'd put up more but I don't want to ruin anything.

2011-01-28T23:10:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I sat in my Gram's hosptial room
Two weeks ago my love grew deeper
We took her to a skilled nursing facility
within 24 hours she was back in the hospital
Sunday I sat holding her hand
Wishing she could no longer be in pain
I kissed her forehead
Whispering I Love You!
Grandpa took her home early Monday morning
The following Monday
I did the same
I kissed her forehead
Whispering I Love you!

How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge I have that Families are Forever. To know that Gram is with Grandpa and they are watching over their posterity. We were fortunate to be only missing 5 from this family photo. Our three missionaries. One granddaughter who was watching over the 17th great grandchild. As the Grandchildren sang Love is Spoken Here. I could help but think of my Grandparents and how proud they are of this crew they have created. When my Grandpa died almost 9 years ago. They had two great grandchildren. Gram never meet the 17th, she saw pictures though. What an incredible accomplishment, to have 5 children who marry, who give you 20 fabulous grandchildren, who then give you 17 great grandchildren and counting. I can only imagine what this feeling is like for our Heavenly Father. I am grateful to have felt a small piece of it.

Roller Coaster of Love

2011-01-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

January 13, 2011

Charlie and Hannah welcomed baby number 3.

Her name Kennedy Adele Mickelsen.

I could not hold her until today.

I have been sick with a cold.

This is how Kennedy felt about it...

Onced she realized her favorite Aunty could finally hold her,

she decided she needed to let me know with a little smile.This week has been a little crazy for our family. Our sweet Grandma fell on Tuesday morning, she spent most of the week in the hospital. She was able to leave and go to another facility where she has to learn how to stand up and walk with a walker. I spent the day with her yesterday. I had to leave the room, to cry and pull myself together.

This week we welcome a new sweet spirit in our lives, and we also have to start preparing ourselves for another to leave this world. Since September my Gram has had life changes that come with getting old. No longer being able to live in her own home, moving to facilities where she is totally dependent on staff. All things we wish we didn't have to deal with. Depending on others to love and care for someone you love is hard, but we have to do it, so our Gram can be safe.

Life is hard sometimes.

Thanksgiving to New Years

2011-01-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

of course Thanksgiving to New Years was spent enjoying the holidays, family and friends. It was also spent doing finals and interviews for a new job and internship to be able to graduate in May. I was also able to fit in sometime trying to increase my photo skills... here are some that turned out.

Conquering Colon Cancer 2010

2011-01-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

One of my greatest accomplishments of 2010 was the race. When I started this project I had no idea how much work it really was going to be. It was all worth it! I started to have panic attacks and nightmares about how it would happen. I was nervous I didn't have all my I's dotted and T's crossed. It's a good thing my family and friends loves me. The night before the race my Aunt was a life saver. She made me sit down and organize things I would have never thought of. The morning of the race, my team and I woke up early to make sure we had time to get everything ready. We set up a in freezing wind and rain. SO COLD! We were all saying prayers that the weather would lighten up for the race. It did the weather calmed down long enough for us to send the runners on there way and run the race. As soon as started cleaning it up, it started raining and blowing again. I will never be able to express my gratitude to those who made sacrifices to participate, help, and donate to this cause. As runners were starting to show up, I felt like I was running all over, trying to make sure we were ready. Before I knew it, we were cleaning up. As I drove home I couldn't control my tears, my heart was full. I thought about what I was able to accomplish. I would have never been able to accomplish it without the help of my classmates, family, friends, and strangers. I continue to reflect on what the race was able to do for not only me but those who participated in any manner. I learned that I can be a leader. I can do hard things. I can ask for help, and I don't ever have to do it alone.

Conquering Colon Cancer 2010

(Don't judge us...it was freezing and the wind was blowing a 100mph)

Conquering Colon Cancer

2010-11-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

My cousin was recently diagnosis with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He is now on round 4 of chemo. Due to the cost of Cancer, I along with some friends and classmates have put together a 5k and Fun Run this Saturday in Tremonton to help with some of the cost. For more information visit conqueringcoloncancer.weebly.com

Engagment!!

2010-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

It's not me...
It's Ashy, she has found the love of her life.
Spence popped the question November 6, 2010
It happened at Cottonwood Rec
She had no idea!!

Max set these two love birds up

The crew that made it all happen.

at one point I had my camera

everyone else had roses...

Ashy was clueless untill Spence was on his knee.

(Sorry it's blurry... I think my camera is dying :( )

We took some engagements the next morning...candids are my favorite.

I think they are HAPPY! We laughed a lot.

YAY! for happy couples!

we are cuttin' potatoes...

2010-10-03T08:58:00.001-07:00

This is what our house looks like this morning.

Matthew was eager to help Grandma

cut the potatoes and make them into squares.

This weekend I have been thinking about how lucky we are to be so close the headquarters of the church. My cousin from Rexburg who recently returned home from an honorable Mission, came to Salt Lake to go to Conference with a women he baptized in May. She is from Mississippi, she flew in on Friday afternoon, they spent time downtown at the temple and then my parents drove them to Draper, Oqrriuh, and Jordan River temple. In one day Mitzi saw four Temples! We talked about how on her way to Rexburg she would be able to see four more. Bountiful, Ogden, Idaho Falls and the Rexburg, potentially five if they wanted to detour to Logan. Stephanie also had one of her companions from Maryland here. As I watched both of these women enjoy Salt Lake and all that they were seeing for the first time. I realized all the things that I have taken for granted. I am lucky to live so close to all the Temples and blessings that come with attending the Temple.

After everyone attended Conference we all went out into our backyard and pick grapes for my cousin to juice. In the eight years we have lived here I have managed to miss the grape picking. I told my mom this as I was picking grapes for the first time. Mitzi looked at me and said "This is my first time too! We get to experience a first together." She then continued "You all are an inspiration to me. I keep thinking about my family and wishing they could get there act together." I told her that in time they will. I thought of Elder Hollands talk An High Priest of Good Things to Come, "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. they come." I know that for Mitzi the blessings of an eternal family maybe far away, but as she continues to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ her blessings will come. I am so grateful for this reminder, to know that as I continue to do live my life to the fullest, by living the gospel of Jesus Christ I will be blessed.

Disneyland!

2010-10-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

We went to Disney, it was so fun! It took us several more hours then needed to get there, but we made it. We got up early(not too early) spent a few hours in the park, then we went back to the hotel to put the babies down and all took naps, then spent several more hours taking in what the parks had to offer.

Ashy and I took Matthew on his first roller coaster. Both of us were very nervous about he reaction once on. He fooled us. He got in the car and started pulling the bar down before I could get in. No need to worry I stopped him soon enough and was able to shimmy in. I pulled him close and put my arm around him. We started moving and as soon as we started climbing the hill he put his hands up. Ash and I just looked at him, how on earth did he know what he was suppose to do.

Made sure we had a picture with Mikey

Both kidlets loved all the attention, everyone pretty much gave them what they wanted to we would not cause a scene. Matthew loved seeing the charcters. He still today will tell us who he saw at Disney.

We love DISNEY!

Girls Weekend

2010-08-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago we decided to have a weekend with all the girls (minus one) who aren't merged. it started with a photo shoot... then dinner at Cafe Sabor,

we were a little thirsty
sisters
cousins

then it was back to Grams for some childhood games...

simon says...

Gracie had us doing some crazy things!

spent some quality time with Gram

some freeze tag

quality time with our Aunty
and a human pyramid

Bair Sisters

2010-08-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

to see more visit: maemaephotography.blogspot.com

Golden!

2010-07-29T07:39:00.001-07:00

Ashy turned 22 on the 22nd.

She celebrated all week long.

One of the parties was a sweet pool party.

Those in attendance...

Two of her most favorite people
Her Favorite Super Hero,
He has his own theme song

Superstars!

Kappa Girls

This little Lady said it best....

Ashy is a Princess...

Sharmane made her a cake too.

Put them together and you have

A UTE PRINCESS!

Happy Birthday Ute Princess!

will you hold me?

2010-07-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago we hoped in the car and went to Idaho. Stephy's Mission President were reporting. We decided to take the babies with us. Matthew and I sat in the back. We were almost to our pit stop when he asked if I could hold him. I told him I could not because Papa was still driving. Instead we cuddled, we held hands. Ashy thought we should get a photo. She took one picture which did not turn out. So she took another, as soon as it snapped Matthew yells "Stink Eye!" He did the stink eye without us telling him...We may never get a picture without the stink eye...OOPS! Brooklyn was loving the ride in Papa's truck

Stephy and Ashy needed a car photo too...

She loved all the attention she was getting....

the highlight of Matthew's weekend was riding in the Tractor with Uncle Mike. Going to the farm is one our favorite get aways. When we go we can always count on having the famous pancakes with pear butter. And some kind of adventure that includes the snow machines, four wheelers and now for Matthew the Tractors. Uncle Mike has always been the favorite Uncle, it is no surprise that he will be the favorite for the grand babies too. ( i can say that because none of my other uncles read my blog, even if they did, they know he is the favorite)

We obviously are the favorite Aunties!
At one point Brooklyn was between Ashy and Stephy, (where Matthew is, I wasn't on the four wheeler for that ride) she couldn't see so she stood up. She was moved to a safer position on the four wheeler. She maybe an adrenaline junkie.
They did have fun even though it doesn't look like it.

YAY! for the Farm!

Lamb Burn 2010

2010-06-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

Every year we head to Chesterfield Idaho for a Family Reunion. It is all of may Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Mickelsens posterity. This year we did a historic tour of Chesterfield. All of the buildings have been turned into museums, well most of them...

Some waited in line for the outhouse...

We took advantage of the awesome scenery. I did a shoot with my cousin and her family (which can be found at maemaephotography.blogspot.com), but also got a shoot in with my sisters. Alicia was kind enought to take some of us...Ashy may not be very happy with me when she sees which ones I put on. However these were the best moments. Candid's have always turned out to be my favorite!! Photo shop is AWESOME!! It was over cast and rained most of the day...

Maybe for a dollar...or free!

2010-06-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

Imagine this

Three beautiful girls getting there daily dose of Vitamin D by the pool. No one around...except a young boy on his bike. The girls are catching up on what is going on in there lives.
When they hear...I give good foot massages.
They look at each other and ask, Did he just say that?
Another ride by...they are free.
What did he just say?
Again...Or maybe a dollar...
By this time they are laughing so hard they cannot speak.
His last attempt...or free. I give foot massages...

This maybe the first of many stories that the pool with bring us over the sumer.

Tri = Success

2010-06-03T16:24:00.001-07:00

Here's the proof!
The swim was the roughest. No matter how much you train, nothing can prepare you for the actual swimming with EVERYONE. The hitting, pushing, whatever it maybe. The last hundred yards were the worst. A girl was in front of me and she would not allow me to pass. Every time I went to go around her, she would go the same direction. I was so frustrated! I eventually just slowed down and let her have it. When I walked out of the water my legs were so heavy.

I was nervous about the bike. I had a couple of nightmares the week before about crashing and ruining my bike. The course was a little harder than expected. The first three miles were pretty much uphill. By Mile 5 I was hating life. I thought for sure that I had gone a lot farther. Mile 10 I was feeling good and was thinking about doing another tri. Mile 15, I knew it was all downhill and I could finish.

The run! the course was pretty much uphill too! It was up, down, up, down. I was not hating life too much, but I didn't train for hills. In this photo I was probably seeing hills.... I did run about half of the course. The hills were just a little too much for my tired legs...

Here's the finish! It is not the most flattering pic of me...As I crossed the finish line, so did the confidence. I never once thought about quiting. I did find myself thinking about how crazy I maybe, but I was going to do it. I found confidence in myself that I have been searching for. I find myself trying harder, I can do anything!

This tri was not as hard as I expected it to be. Do not get me wrong I was challenged, my body was exhausted for several days after. I was challenged mentally. I panicked before I left for Vegas. It was one of the worst panic attacks I have ever had. I was anxious here and there until it was time to get in the water. However I conquered it!

Next stop IronGirl Lake Tahoe, Sept 19th

Visit

2010-05-21T15:21:00.001-07:00

Mae Photography to see more...

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!

2010-04-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

First we celebrated Steph's Birthday!

She had companions over Friday night

they tried to play Guitar Hero...very funny to watch. Bless there hearts!

Then Mom and Dad took us to Texas Roadhouse for dinner on Saturday night...

Dad thought it would be a good idea...

Everyone else in the city thought so too...

we sat right by the kitchen...there were several HANDSOME servers...

Ashy and I tried really hard to get there attention

we were not successful

It was a very enjoyable night!

Sunday everyone came over to celebrate on Steph's actual bday.

We enjoyed some of our favorite little faces...

how could you not?!?!

Then for my birthday on Monday we did the same...

We had to force some pics...
his response..."I too busy Ashy!"

Then we got him...

(we must be related...Squinty eyes!!)

He is becoming more and more silly...

Thanks for a great Birthday!

the end is near...

2010-03-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

today I meet with my advisor...guess what she gave me?
MY APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION!!! I was so excited to show is to my mom. She too was excited. I can finish this semester! I can do 16 more credits of lecture, and 12 of practicum! YAY! for great moments at school!

My unLOCKed heart

2010-03-25T11:07:00.001-07:00

I heart RUGBY!

Last night I attended the Utah v. Byu game.

It was a GREAT game!

The UTES WON!!!

Positon LOCK maybe one of my favorite players...

How much did we say about him?
With his parents sitting right behind us...OOPS!

do you think they heard us?

His mom's funny stare maybe a good indicator...

I heart RUGBY!

I can do hard things!

2010-03-11T20:56:00.000-08:00

A friend convinced me to do a Mini Triathlon. It's in Vegas on May 15th. I went swimming for the first time today. I am ready to fully committ to the race. I am going to do it for me, I am going to do it so I can allow myself to be confident and know that I can do hard things.

Racquetaball 101

2010-03-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

When playing Racquetball you must follow the rules...

When playing Racquetball you must hit the ball...

When playing Racquetball you must not be intimidated...

When playing Racquetball you must have an opponent...

When playing Racquetball you must hit the ball after one bounce...

When playing Racquetball you must tell Justin that you have meet your goals, so training today is on the court...(then you don't have to do crazy lunges)

Ashy and I have found a new workout at the gym...RACQUETBALL. We love it! We don't know the rules, we allow the ball to bounce more then once. We have been using the gyms racquet's and ball. But someone hit the ball too hard. So we decided to get our own racquet's.
Playing racquetball for me has become a release, I can be as loud as I want, I can scream and yell and only Ashy can hear me. (Sometimes when we are training with Justin, I tend to make loud noises when something is too difficult or I just don't like the exercise we are doing, Justin HATES IT!) Back to the story at hand. So last night I may have missed the ball a couple of times. Of course I am being loud. I am facing the glass, unsuccessfully playing racquetball when a gentlemen walks past our court. My mouth is open, I am in the air and the ball has already hit the glass. OOPS! He gets a huge grin on his face and starts to laugh. Ashy and I start to laugh. We are both unsuccessfully playing now. Misses everywhere. He walks past our court again. Still smiling. The laughing continues, with several others. Ashy and I don't really care at this point, we are just having fun. I asked her if she felt like a caged animal. Her response... YES! We didn't mind what others thought at this point we were just doing something new for a workout. After we were done, we went and filled up our water bottles. The young man who laughed first, came over and told us that he wasn't laughing at us, he was laughing with us. I told him that it was OK if he was laughing at us, we can only imagine how silly we look. He then gave us a few pointers.
Ashy and I would love to share a mad skills with anyone who would like to see them!!!

How I know

2010-02-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Over the last several years February has not been a good month for us. If something is going to go wrong it happens in February. The last couple of years have not affected us directly, however the things that happen to those around us tend to have an impact on our lives in one way or another. Last week Ash and Steph were talking about how we were going to make it this year with out any tragedy. They spoke much too quickly.
Yesterday we found out that a dear friend has Leukemia. I don't remember the exact diagnosis, but it is a chronic Leukemia, so it is slow growing. She will not have to go through chemo, however she will have to take a pill the rest of her life. If you have to be diagnosed with Leukemia this is the one. (not that anyone wants to be diagnosed with Leukemia)
When I first learned of the diagnosis, my first thoughts went to how she has been living her life and the way Heavenly Father has prepared her. Not only her but her family. They are prepared to take this battle on.
My thoughts have turned to the challenges of the world and am so sad that not everyone has the love and support from our Heavenly Father. I can't imagine going through life without it. My testimony may not always be the strongest and I have my moments of doubt. I know that it is Satan trying to work on me. I know that we are here to learn and grow and become better people. To share the light with others. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us all. It may not always be easy to follow that plan, and it is hard sometimes to always find faith in the plan. But it is the plan for us. I know because I can see His hand in others lives. I know because He make it possible. I know because He loves me for me.

does it mean I'm a good student if....

2010-02-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

I am at school before the library opens? I arrived to school this morning a few minutes before seven and had to wait for the library doors to be opened. A fellow student was waiting patiently too. He was walking around the sidewalk measuring how many of his feet it took to go around one square....ok maybe not, he was however walking around in circle just waiting.

And...I almost died being a good student. As I was waiting to cross the street I contemplated crossing without the proper sign saying it was ok to cross. Just after I decided I was just going to be a law abiding citizen an officer appears, heading my direction. The proper sign appeared so I started walking. The officer also had the proper sign...He was making a left turn. He didn't see me until he was like thirty feet away. I was watching him, so I had already stopped to make sure I could make it to the library. He slammed on his breaks. I made it across the street safely....

While riding the bus....

2010-02-02T07:14:00.001-08:00

This semester I am riding the bus. I have classes all day Tuesday and Thursday so instead of driving and being tempted to not stay for a class, I have found a way to be at school. Last week when I was riding a gentlemen got on, after sitting down he pulled out a comb and brushed his long luscious silver super greasy matted hair. I was grateful to not be sitting by him. GROSSS!

Today while waiting for the bus, a gentlemen comes running down that street, in his Army warm ups. He stops at the bus stop puts his back pack down and starts to stretch. It wasn't just a back stretch. He got all his leg muscles, arm muscles. He meant business! After stretching he continued to do a few more exercises. I felt as if he was getting ready to play football, basketball....no need to worry. All that stretching and warm up was to sit on the bus. Maybe I need to start doing a little routine in the morning while waiting for the bus....

here I am...

2010-01-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

Ashy and others keep telling me I need to update...
I started another semester of school. I already want it to be summer ( i've only been to class four times) it maybe a very long semester. Last semester all my classes were inter related and I really enjoyed them. This semester is not like that. I have poli sci, stats, economics, hbse and a pratice class. The last two are related to social work, the rest not so much....
We have also had some drama within the program. Silly stuff really. I just know who not to share my life with.
I can't wait for spring. It is killing me! I am so stir crazy! I can't wait to be outside and enjoy fresh air. I am planning some trips down south so I can enjoy the sun for a minute or two until it decides to show its self in the salt lake valley...

She is Home!

2010-01-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

the morning of December 29th we all waited anxiously at the airport. Steph's flight came in at 9:30. Everyone was getting antsy at 10:15 when we still hadn't seen her. Someone asked if we were sure she was on the plane. We all looked at each other and said well I guess she couldn't have gotten on the plane. Of course she is on the plane someone finally said. Steph finally appeared at the top of the escalator. We are all getting use to having her home, she is getting use to being home.

How much more do you want?

2009-12-18T18:38:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Vonda and I went to Provo to go dancing. This is not unusual for us. We get there and this young man asks me to dance. He has asked me before, he usually asks on a slow song (NOT MY FAVORITE). He just spins me around and around, not fun spins, just a continually awkward spin. He usually just ask the one dance and moves on. Not this night. He didn't ask me to dance again, but came and hung out by us. He would ask me questions. I was polite and answered, however they were one word answers and I never tried to continue the conversation. He eventually left.

A week of two later Shelley and I went to Studio for free tuesday. Not thinking anything of this boy because he was in Provo. Far away right?!? Shells and I are just hanging out, chatting, people watching when someone bumps into me. You'll never guess who it was, ok, maybe you will. Yes is was this young man. He starts conversation, I introduce Shells so she can be part of the conversation. I'm not sure what we talked about, maybe the basics yet again. He eventually walked away.

Vonda and I went to Provo again two weeks ago. He is there. At this point, I don't want to dance with him. We have gotten the basics, any conversation will be more about my life, and well I'm not sure he needs to know that information. So the whole night I avoid. Dancing in Provo is just at a old rec center, so the floor is not very big. I don't think that I danced at all that night, because I was avoiding this young man.

Last night I went to Studio with Meg. I again not considering who might be there. Meg and I are going to Celebrate the end of the semester and the freedom we will enjoy for the next 3 weeks. He was there. I pointed him out to Meg so she could help the avoiding process. We did pretty well...He and I made eye contact once, and very brief. At one point Meg and I were caught up in the dancing that was going on and someone has kick my knee in. I don't even look around to see who it is. I grab Meg and we start walking very quickly in the opposite direction. He then taps me on the shoulder. I don't look around. I'm a brat I know! At this point Meg and I just go hip hop. Another friend is there. I tell him about it. He says "Meag, I would be flattered." Of course you would, I thought. He didn't know the whole situation. So I discounted his comment a little. I'm not sure if the stalker stayed or went at this point but Meg and I hip hopped longer then I enjoy.

I know I am a Brat!! However if I had wanted to get to know this young man I would have made bigger efforts. I obviously don't have any interest. All of my conversation with him has always very short. I'm afraid the only exposing information I gave him is that I dance at Studio. OOPS! Dancing has not been the same. I can't enjoy my time because I am avoiding the whole time. Maybe next time I will just have to lay down the law...

Introducing....

2009-12-18T18:20:00.001-08:00

Mae Photography

I have been hesitant to put myself out there because I feel like everyone has there own camera, or knows someone. I am not sure that my photos are any better then the next persons. However if I don't put myself out there I can't get improve my skills. So here it is....

These are shoots I have done over the last couple of months.

I have put them on a photo blog

maemaephotography.blogspot.com

Handsome Boys!

2009-12-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday Shells, Shannon, Jenn and I went to the Phil Vasar concert at the ESA. The Jazz were playing the Lakers in L.A. We walked around the corner and there he was....Matt Harpring shooting hoops. He was doing pre, half, post commentary. So what do we do? We get a picture of course. He was very kind. Yes he was touching Shells and I!! He is so HANDSOME!

The Handsome continued throughout the night. Bomshell and Buckeye Covington opened for Phil. Buckeye is the most awkward performer I have ever seen. Its a good thing we didn't have to watch him the whole night or else we would have left. Phil is an AWESOME performer. He had a whole band of HANDSOME boys!

Thanks for the great show Phil!

So GRATEFUL for moments like these...

2009-11-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

Over the last couple of days I have been thinking about the last year, ok maybe the last 18 months. Stephy comes home in 43 days, not that any of us are counting (we may or may not have a paper chain hanging in the living room) and the funny moments that have taken place...

These were taken during our family staycation just before Steph left.

Char at the State Fair...we were all off of sugar. Dad decided (maybe us kids) that it wouldn't be the State Fair if we didn't have any funnel cake. So we did. ( I think this was taken cause Char had powered sugar all over his face...)

Sometimes my Dad gets in really great, funny moods. We were leaving to my Gramms for Christmas eve dinner and her pulls out his cowboy hat and poses for a photo. He made some kind of comment....wish I could remember it.

At Gramms for our hot dog roast. Christmas eve wouldn't be Christmas eve without our hot dogs, macaroni salad, and potato chips. (not the greatest pic of me...but is a funny one)

New p.j.'s....

Our sweet baby girl just keeps getting bigger. When we get the camera out she is very interested and will stare into the lens. We sometimes get a good one where her eyes are open and she is smiling.

Matthew too loves the camera. He knows how much we love his Squinty eyes, we will usually do them without us asking.

At my Dad's birthday this year, Charlie and Hannah decided to have a whip cream fight. It was SO FUNNY!! I don't remember exactly what happened, but they both made a comment to my parents about there son, or daughter in law who was making a mess. (they are probably going to be mad that these are up, but it was one of those moments that just puts a smile on my face. they are genuine faces!)

I couldn't resist...

This was at the Lamb burn. It is a reunion with all my Grandpa Mickelsen's brothers and sisters. It is always enjoyable. Brooklyn was letting Gramm love her. My Dad loves this pic because it a genuine smile from my Gramm. (Gramm loves pics, just not of herself)

This is at the State Fair this last fall. The wind was blowing...It would be a really great pic of Ashy and I....

Rock Stars in the Making!

2009-10-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Every year my mom's work gets all dressed up for Halloween. Hannah has taken Matthew dressed all up the last two years. So to keep the tradition going she made there costumes. They are Rock Stars! My mom decided that since they were going to be Rock Stars she was going to be one too. So this morning I got up early to spike my mother's hair. It didn't work so well...we made some distinct curls however.

The school of Social Work throws a big carnival for Title 1 schools. I am participating this year as a volunteer, so I have to dress up. I have been thinking about what I was going to be for weeks, and yesterday I decided that I be a fairy. Thinking I could make a simple skirt wear one of my shirts and get some wings. I got fabric and a pattern to make a skirt....not as easy as I thought. Its a good thing a I have a mom that loves me a lot, hehe....she sewed for me last night. I did help, a little. It's so cute. I am excited to dress up....it may be the first year I am really excited to dress up.

Here are the pictures from my mom's Halloween Parade.

My mom will hate that I put this up....it was the better one of me. I'll get a full shoot of the skirt cause it's so fun!

Brooklyn really didn't know how to react. She was SO DANG cute though!

I love this picture of Matthew. He has started to make more facial expressions....I'm not sure he wanted me to take a picture.

Singing his heart out!

I love Matthew! Just look at his face...I think he is thinking...."Yep we're for real, We'll be in signing autographs later!" I could just eat him!

Who order this?

2009-10-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Snow,

please come back in six weeks.

Just in time for Christmas, Ok?

Love,

It's still fall!

Yes its true!

2009-10-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

I danced with this man last night....

Mad dog Mark Madsen. I know! no need to be jealous.

Its not the first time either. One night probably like two years ago Mark was at studio and asked us girls to dance. He flirted with my friend Meg, he told her that that he played basketball for the t-wolves. Meg didn't believe him, he asked her to dance a couple more times (I think). We went home and looked him up. He wasn't lying he really plays for the Minnesota T-wolves. Anyways last night Meg and I went dancing when we got there we saw him and debated if it was really him. He caught us talking about him...Oops! He has a whole list of names, when we tell him our name, he finally ask Meg to dance. She came back and told me that he had remembered that she was going to pharmacy school. I think that he was just really good at smoozing. It was so funny! I danced with him after. He did this spin that I am horrible at. I don't like it. On the third spin you lean in and they spin you into a dip...I went the wrong way into his knee. He spins me out fast and says we're doing something wrong, we try it again still wrong, the third time we got it...kinda I didn't go into his knee and I was almost successful in getting the dip right. Its just one of those moves that scare me a little. Funny that he was so worried about his knee. Guess it's how he makes his money! Meg and I laughed all night. you may have needed to be there....So funny!

I haven't washed my hands yet, anyone can touch them if you want, only teasing, they have been washed multiple times, however they were touched by Mad Dog Mark Madsen!! I am available anytime for pictures, kind of a big deal!

As Meg and I were walking to our car this is what we here from I think 4 cowboys

"Hey, do you have a lighter? "

we said no

"Hey, you're hot"

"You're friend is hot too!"

They continued with other things, Meg and I just continued to walk. Meg did look at me and said "they are cowboys" My response "do you want me to slow down?" We didn't slow down.

the night was unforgettable! Dancing with a NBA star and then getting hit on with some really great pick up lines.

Powell of Lake

2009-10-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

We spent the last week playing in this...

eating, sleeping and hanging out on this...

admiring all of the red rock around(I think I picked the blurry pic...oops!)

Spending lots of time doing this...

Almost!

And just a little of this...

The Rents taking a little adventure...

Couldn't leave without a family pic!

For ASHY!

2009-10-08T12:34:00.001-07:00

This is her....

Why for her you ask? Well because of her determination....

the story goes....there have been many times when we are hanging out, just being silly and Ashy will say something that is so funny. I tell her that I am going to blog about it because it is SOOO funny! I have yet to blog about her. Last night she was looking at my blog again reminded me that I have not blogged about her funniness. I wish I could tell you some of her funny comments.....I can't remember them. You'll just have to trust me. She is a funny girl!

Love you Ashy!

A fair 5k...

2009-09-22T07:12:00.001-07:00

Ashy and I went the fair on Friday night. This is what we found walking around. A lone goat just hanging out. He was trying very hard to get something, he would go in and out of the railing. Poor Guy!

One of the Fair traditions is to go on the big yellow slide. Excuse my hair it was very windy...

Saturday morning I got up at 430 to get ready to go to Logan to run the Top of Utah 5k. I have never really loved running, ever since Ash and I have been training I have said that am going to start doing races. So 9 months later I finally did it. Vonda said she would do it with me. So here we are in Logan, before the race.
Here is the competition...We call him P90x, he was doing all kinds of stretches, many of them Tony does on P90x.
Here is Gramps, He is a pro 5ker. He has done many...I don't know that for sure. It sure looked like it though.

Here is P90x, look at how fast he is going!

There I go. Almost done...I had to get new shoes last week, I have had shin splints every time I have ran. So my run wasn't as good as I hoped for. I walk a little, maybe a half mile. The rest of it I was running. My goal was to get it done in 40 min. I did it in 36min 50 sec.
here we are! It was a really great accomplishment. I will be running more(in different shoes) and eventually a marathon.

Just a few of my FAVORITE things!

2009-09-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

This last week was full of the things I love the most right now in my life. Most of you know that I am a HUGE Rugby fan! The fall season is only six weeks long. (which isn't long enough if you ask me) I missed the first game. But made it to the second one. Steveo is back from his mission, so he an Mikey are back on the field together! YAY!

I know its a little blurry, I just thought is was a good pic.

Shells do you love this one?

Another on of my loves is Cowboys and Rodeos. I don't think I could ever get enough of them! I am being honest. There is nothing better then a night watching cowboys on horses and bulls. Vonda, Meg and I headed to the Utah State Fair Saturday night for our dose of Cowboys. I was a little snap happy on Saturday. I took over 700 pictures....YIKES! I did capture a few good ones. Here are a few of the few

I love this one!!

The things we see at the gym

2009-09-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

While Ashy and I are doing our last set with the trainer today, an old man comes out of the locker room in nothing but his tighty whites. Yes I know! Can you believe it? He was walking towards the scale. He weighed himself and walked back to the locker room. Many people were laughing. Our trainer talking a picture of him with his cell phone. I wish I had a picture to show you. They weren't tight tighty whites either. Visualize if you'd like. If not that is fine too.
Ash and I thought we could start a little series of the things we see at the gym. We may not be able to top this but we will keep our eyes open for the oppurtunity.

How the rest of the summer went down....

2009-09-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

I finished at Pingree the 23rd of July, did the whole Pioneer day, then Ash and I hoped in the car and headed to Garland, Utah to road trip to Bozeman, Montana with our Gram and Aunt for a farewell. We went to hear Trev speak and spend the last couple of days with him, and with the rest of the fam. We don't get to see them very often because we do live in different states. Wednesday morning (early) we took Trev to the Bozeman Airport. Our experience with Trev was nothing like the Missionary experience we have had in Utah. Side note: His farewell on Sunday was so great! The congregation was full of his friends who are not members. He planted seeds before he every left. Trev checked his bags, we took a few pics and sent him on his way. He is a great young man is doing great in Minneapolis.

Thursday we headed to Helena for a little Mickelsen reunion. My Aunt and Uncle have some really great friends that have an amazing cabin/mansion they let us stay at. We all slept in beds and had a bathroom in our bedroom . This is only half of us.
Beautiful cousins!
the family also had a boat, they allowed us to use. The best part...very few boy cousins. Us girls spent hours on the lake, no battling the boys for a turn. My uncle was very skilled at throwing us off the tube. Just seconds after this photo was taken, I went flying(blue vest) Cortnee(red) went flying over me and Ash(yellow) just slide across the tube. Cort and I surface and Ashy is just laughing on the tube. One of the many times we were in the water.
We came home and prepared for my Aunts wedding. My mom's youngest sister found the love of her life. Here we are at her Bridal Shower. All the sisters are here...we ar just missing all the nieces and cousins.
Here we are at her wedding this last Saturday. Again only about half of us. Two of them are Missionaries. The rest couldn't make it. It was a beautiful day!
All the rest of my time was spent with these two little ones. I just can't get enough of them!
Brooklyn is full of sass. She has become quite the little tease.
Oh, How could I forget? School! I started at the U two weeks ago, I was accepted into the Social Work program in the spring. School is very different inside of a program. I love being able to focus my studies and the classes all connect. Go Utes!

Birthdays!

2009-07-05T17:16:00.001-07:00

The monkey turned 2 on the 30th! I decided to take pics on his birthday. He wasn't very excited. I probably took 100 pics and not one of them is he looking at me, and there aren't very many of them that he is smiling. Ashley says I am too critical, I probably am..

Our Neighborhood has a little parade on the Fourth. We walked Matthew and Brooklyn in it. Matthew was not sure what was going on. He really enjoyed watching the fire truck. He had no interest in me.

After the parade we thought we would try and get a picture of the Monkey and Brooklyn together. We had Success! Aren't they cute?

I had the camera out all day. Matthew would pose sometimes...I snag a few of Brooklyn and Aunt Ashy.

Sassy Ashy!

2009-06-07T15:03:00.001-07:00

I took a friend families pictures a couple of weeks ago and I decided that I needed something to help me create levels. So Ash and I went to a consignment store and found a red chair. I was so excited about it that I made her come home and be a model. We only got a few cause it was raining....Here she is, sass and all!

My favorite one...
she knows exactly how to pose...

How to climb the Grainery

2009-05-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

You first think about it...

You still consider while approaching...
take a few good pictures with the Grainery in the back ground to make sure its still a good idea...

Make sure you have the right shoes...some good old sk's..

Yep they will work!

Use all your arm muscles...

Make sure to hold on tight! Or you might just fall...
A fall may include some good laughs..
You must try again...
Almost there...
Success! while posing for pictures make funny faces....

Kick your legs out if you must...
Warning: may include bird poop!

Weeks of the Past..

2009-05-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

So my birthday came and went. It was probably the hardest birthdays I ever had. I always wondered what it was like to have your own birthday. Now I know that I don't like it. As I was driving to church on my birthday tears just feel, all I wanted for my birthday was to celebrate it with Steph. It was a good birthday, I spent all weekend out with friends. On Sunday I spent it with the family.

What would the day be without Smash and I making faces at the camera.

The day would not have been complete without this little one and her smiles!
How could I forget him? Playing the piano with Great Gramm and Grandma.
When Matthew and Brooklyn are here I usually get the camera out. I was taking pictures of Brooklyn the other day, Matthew comes right up to me and points the camera towards him. It is so funny to watch. If he sees my camera in the room he will also pick it up and bring it to me. Model in the making?
My mom celebrates her birthday just ten days after me. She turned 50 this year!! whoot, whoot! Bet you would have never guessed she was that old huh? Smash and I decieded a couple of months ago that we were going to through her a surprise party! It was a hit. We pulled it off! We thought for sure she knew but when she pulled up and saw what was going on she didn't quite know what to do. We just celebrated with the fam the night of her actual birthday. The following Saturday was when the big party happened. Smash and I are still recovering from it...

I love this picture of my parents laughing! My dad isn't going to be very happy that I am showing everyone. But I enjoy it so much!
I told you he just poses for the camera.
I turned to see this face during my Momma's birthday dinner. The funny part she keep looking at me just like this. I said "Smash what do you need?" Her response "take a picture of me Meags." Isn't she funny? Side note: I love running. Never in my life did I ever think I would say that. Last Thursday I decided that I was going to run home from work. I work at the Pingree School for Autistic kids. Its only three miles away. As the day came to a close, I started doubting myself, I didn't leave myself any other options beside running home, so I had to run it. I started and pushed myself the whole way. I did it! It was a huge accomplishment. Yay! for over coming a challenge I have face my whole life. I still have my moments. However I look forward to the next challenge.

Steph, Stephy, Rebecca...

2009-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

are just a few of the names we call our sweet sister Stephanie. As I turn 24, she turns 23 the day before. We haven't ever celebrated a birthday without each other. Some may think I am kidding. However I am not, she arrived just one day before my first birthday. Our birthdays are on Saturday and Sunday, it is the first year we will not be celebrating together. A few months ago I made a very selfish comment about how I was going to have my birthday to myself. As the day draws closer I'm not sure what to do with myself. It will just not be the same. We have always wanted to be our own people, do our own things. Life hasn't always taken us in that direction. In high school we both were student trainers with the sports medicine program, we both wanted the car at the same time, we both spent two summers doing pest control, we both went on our first cruise together. Wanting to be our own people we have done plenty of things by ourself. I stayed close to home after high school to do sports medicine for one more year, she went away. The biggest difference between us is that she is Amazing! She loves helping people, she is an amazing peoples person. She can talk to anyone, I'm not quite the same way. As hard as it is to no have her here for our birthdays. I know that she is doing something she loves. Heavenly Father has truly not only blessed her in this adventure, but He has also blessed me and the rest of my family. I don't know what we would do without her. She is an inspiration. She makes me want to be a better person.

I want to share with you all a little of her greatness. This is the email she sent me for my day of birth.

Hello Meags! I know it is early but I wanted to send you a birthday wish! I know that we are apart but you are very close to my heart! I love you so much! You have always been there for me. I knew that you would always stand up for me when I needed you there. You are a great strength to me. Thanks from the bottom of my heart! You have a strong testimony and a desire to serve. You love people and you work hard. You know that you are a daughter of God. There are many people in this world that don't have that knowledge. Thank your Heavenly Father everyday for that knowledge. Know that I love you so much and that I think of you often. It is sometimes hard to grow up and have that realization but everything has a purpose. Evern though we are apart we are closer than we have ever been. We have the opportunity to grow through our letters, words and prayers. Thanks Meags for all you do! You are a bright spot in my life! I love you! I wish the happiest birthday ever!
Love your dear sister
Steph

¡Te amo!, in the words of Sister Colwell ¡Te freakin' amo!

Reflections of my 23rd year!

2009-04-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

**I'm not sure what I did to make somethings underlined or highlighted...Oops!

April 27, 2008 I was in a car driving to Sacramento California by myself. Another summer of pest control, some of my thoughts of that day...who signed me up for this again? what am I thinking? where the heck am I? Without summer sales I'm not sure who I would be today. My last three summers have been some the best worst summers of my life. I wouldn't trade them for a summer of enjoyment. I've learned who I am, what makes me. Sacramento was a whole new summer for me. Steph wasn't with me and I only knew three people, I was going to be living with people I had never lived with. I was terrified. It turned out to be a really great summer. I lived with three of the best girls I have ever meet. They all inspire me to be a better person. I was not always the most pleasant to be around, they were always there and understood what it was like. We all worked hard this summer. We also had some really great days of FUN! Sundays were by far the best. We went to church, and then enjoyed the rest of the day together. My favorite part is that today we can still get together and just laugh and remember our summer of pest control.

Part of the summer I don't ever wish to relive is the weeks that we lived with ANTS! you would think that as a Professional bug killer I would be able to keep them out of my house. Nope! I'm serious about the weeks, I don't remember how many it was, but it was plenty. Ants are GROSS!

I was able to enjoy a vacation with my friends over the summer. We went to Disneyland, and a cruise to Mexico. One of my favorite things in life is getting on a boat, not having a cell phone and being worry free for days!

one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico is Mazatlan! I've only been twice in my life, both times have been great! We go to this resort that has a really great pool and you walk along the pool right to the ocean. I went para sailing this time around. It was not the thrill I had hope for, however I did enjoy it.

Steph put her papers in the end of May got her call and was to report the MTC by July 23rd. That meant I had to get home for a minute to see her before she left. I was able to come home over the fourth of July. It was up in the air for a couple of days, I fought it and was able to come home...some may remember that the battle didn't end with the purchase of my plane ticket. I got to the airport and they couldn't find my reservation...it turns out I purchased for the day before. Awesome right? I had no other choice, I had to buy another ticket, the only one left. First class. While at home we had a Staycation, just enjoyed what the city of Salt had to offer us.

The day Steph left was one of the hardest days I have had in a long time. The summer by myself was tricky, but saying goodbye to Steph was hard. I'll never forget the feeling I had when we hung up and said goodbye for 18 months. We write and email every week, its just not the same as hearing her voice. She is one inspiring girl! I hope to be half as good as her someday.
I meant to make this a little more funny... I'm getting sappy...Lets start here. I came home and just hung out for a while and then got a job working at the Carmen B. Pingree school. It is a school that specializes in Autism. All the kids have Autism from high functioning to low functioning. Its a very tricky job, however very rewarding. They took school pictures like two or three weeks after I started....its my best school picture ever. Sad! right? My white shirt may have been on backwards all day long too...
A highlight of the last year, was welcoming Brooklyn Ruth to the world. She is one of the sweetest little girls, I maybe bias. Her smiles are so sweet! I would hear people say that having nieces and nephews are the best thing ever. I didn't always believe them. I can retract that statement and tell you that having nieces and nephews are really the best thing ever. I go through withdrawls and can't wait to see there faces...I may call sometimes to go over and see the babies. I love being the FAVORITE AUNT!!

I don't love admitting this all the time, however it is true. I love to country swing dance! By love I mean LOVE!! I go at least once a week and if I can't make it I go through withdrawls and can't wait to go....ask smash about it. Another LOVE is rugby! and my love I mean I LOVE IT!! I too go through withdrawls if I can't watch my rugby. Shells and I may have made special trips to St. George and Moab, of course we did other things. I had never been to St. George or Moab. Two very great places! even better to watch rugby.

Here are the boys were supported! GO UTES!! Aren't they handsome?

I went to Vegas, for Megs birthday, we had so much fun! One to be in the sun!! We had boys hit on us...dang funny! I am sure they would have said the same thing to any other girls walking past them. Don't get me wrong, we are dang cute girls, they were just drunk! In Vegas you have to ride the coasters. So we did. We decided that we need to go on the one on top to the Stratosphere. This one below wins the most terrifying ride I have ever been on. I was fine for the millisecond we were over the building, the rest of the time I was so scared and that I honestly almost peed my pants. Truly terrifying!!

Over all it has been a good 23rd year. I don't know where the time has gone. It's come and gone. I have learned a lot, what makes me me, what makes me happiest. Here is to another great year! 24 will be great!!

Wheeler Farm

2009-04-10T19:13:00.001-07:00

We made a trip to Wheeler Farm today, the Monkey loved it. We followed him around, he just explored, I tried to get some photos of him doing it. I took some Reece's Pieces along to help keep the happiness going...Daddy enjoyed the treat for walking around. It was fun to see him see the animals, he neighed with the horse. My Grandpa, along with Matthew's Grandpa would be proud. It was Brooklyn's nap time, so she was a little grumpy, I snapped a few of her unhappiness, they didn't turn out as well as Matthew's

Matthew is a Mickelsen! Squinty eyes! If we smile big enough and you'll miss our eyes. He does is to well. All of his facial expressions are so great! He was so ready to have me go away.

The baby animals were so cute, so fun with Easter just around the corner.

SICK!!

2009-03-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

I was driving to the gym tonight talking to Smash, when I look over and see this older man in a mini van with car seats in the back. Guess what he does? did you guess this...he winks and blows me a kiss! SICK!!!! Really? I'm sure my face was priceless. It was so great that he did it again. Gross! That is no way to win me over. I know that there are plenty of boys that read my blog. Please take note that I probably will not respond to you if you blow me a kiss and wink at me if there are car seats in the back of your mini van. Please don't take offense...

Viva Las Vegas

2009-03-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

I went to Vegas last weekend with some of my girlfriends. We had lots of fun, we stayed at the Luxor, walked the strip, layed out by the pool, went to a really great outdoor mall, and went on some of the roller coasters. We did the New York, and then the ones on the Stratosphere. Meg and Vonda did all three, I just did two. I think that they were called Insanity and Xtreme. Insanity was insane. Its the only ride I think that I've ever almost peed my pants cause it made me so nervous. I think that everyone we rode with enjoyed watching me more then the ride.

Farm Weekend

2009-03-09T16:14:00.001-07:00

My cousin blessed her sweet little girl this weekend, Emayln Nadine. She is one month younger then Brooklyn. I took advantage of the opportunity to take photo's of the girls. We enjoyed watching them play together. At one point they did hold hands. We think that the girls were excited to see each other, this was there first meeting on earth.

LIttle Monkeys

2009-03-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Ashley is going to kill me for putting this on, but it brings me such joy. It's a good pic of Smash, but it's an even better one of the monkey. Reason number 2 for Joy, Steph has a pic from last Christmas that is very similar. Matthew and Steph's face's are very similar. When I showed Smash the pic after I took we both laughed and remembered the pic from last Christmas. I would put it on but I really don't know how Steph would feel, I will write her and see what she says and if its a yes, then I will allow everyone else the Joy that comes to my face when I see these pictures.

I am venturing more into the photography world, so here is a little shoot that Matthew and I had last night. He just sat on my lap and posed for the camera, he never does this...and by this I mean sit on my lap. He probably only did for like five minutes. Here are some of my favorites.

He got into Grandma's purse and got her badge. He wouldn't give it back....

Shells Bells!

2009-03-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

A friend asked if I could take some pictures of her, I of course accepted. I really need the practice. I only took 17 pictures because that it what I had left on the roll of film. With only 17 pictures taken I hoped that would get a couple good ones she could use. That is one thing that makes me nervous as a photographer with little experience. Producing something that the client likes. I guess that is why they pick you though, because the like your work. Shells could have picked several of them, it really turned out to be a good shoot. These are my favorites. Thanks for letting me practice Shells!

A night of Fun!

2009-02-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

How to start...last night I went dancing with my friends. We decided to hip hop during one of the slow songs. We walk in and start dancing. This guy looks at my friend and gets this huge smile, and turns back around. Meg looks at me and just smiles. I just laugh and keep dancing. We back to country swing and one of my crushes from the gym comes in. This kid was one of the ones to get us signed up...a good sells men I guess! His good looks probably helped him ge the sale just a little....So I watch him for a minute, it turns out he is friends with the Warrior. When I first saw this kid at the gym, I knew I had seen him somewhere. I just couldn't put my finger on it until last night. Lets go back a few months, to Halloween. I went dancing the Thursday before Halloween, amongst those that were dressed up was a young man dressed up as Troy. You could tell that he had been fake baking, he was only wearing a neck piece and a skirt of sorts. It was very funny! I must admit that when I say him, I just laughed and said "Really!" My thoughts then turned to what kind of attention are you looking for? I did tell a few more people about this boy who had dressed up as Troy for halloween, cause I thought it was silly. If you haven't made the connection yet, the boy from the gym and the boy dressed up as Troy are the same!! As soon as I saw him talking to the warrior I knew exactly who he was, and how I knew him. I didn't waste anytime, I went and asked him to dance. He isn't the best dancer, but he is fun to dance with. The rest of the night was exciting. We hip hopped a couple more time and each time someone joined us. Meg says "Guess our hip hop skills have improved if others want to dance with us." I'm not sure mine have improved, but it was fun. Every time I go dancing I often think about what I will do when I won't be able to go dancing anymore. I'm sure that it'll be just fine, and I'll find something that I love just as much. I have to remind that the time hasn't come and I can keep enjoying it and cross that bridge when I get to it.

Uh....

2009-01-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

So my life has been a little crazy...just full. I started school, work and Ash and I decided to get a gym membership, we also decided to get at personal trainer. I only tell you that so I hold up to my end of the deal, so that I am responsible. So far so good. Our butts get kicked every time we see him, but its a good kick.

I have also been dancing a lot, many of you know that one of my favorite past times is country swing dancing. The other night was so great! I went with friends that I always go with and then some of my roommates from the summer. We were carefree and just enjoyed ourselves. I asked a boy that I've only danced with once before, this is how the conversation went. His name...well I'll just call him the "Warrior" We were dancing and he says to me

W: I really like dancing with you.

M: Thanks!

like a minute later

W: I'd like to date you

M: how many girls have you said that to tonight?

W: you're the first tonight

M: oh...

another minute goes by

W: I'd really like to date you.

I'm not sure how I responded this time. I just keep thinking, ok do I trust him? do I give him my number?

the song ends and I ask what his name is and he responds with Thanks for the dance!

Ok, so he doesn't really want to date me. I go back and tell my girlfriends how the dance went. They tell me that I need to give him my number. My thoughts were I'll dance with him again and see how it goes. So I ask him to dance again. The conversation pretty much went like the first one. He stopped us and said I have a new dance move. I ended up dragging him for a minute. It was a awesome dance move!! (not so much) The song ended and I again asked him what his name was. His response....Dan the Warrior. Awesome right? I just kind of laughed. Needless to say I didn't give him my phone number. I will probably ask him to dance again. 1. because he is not to bad on the eyes. 2. he is a decent dancer. The only thing is that he is such a flirt. He probably goes dancing as often as I do and he is always trying to get the ladies. I'm just there to do something I love, and that is all I go for, if I were to meet someone who really does want to take me out, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Until then, if and when, I am just going to go because I love it!

This is a picture from Christmas Eve. Looks a little funny? It is tradition in our family to have a Weenie Roast on Christmas Eve. The last couple of years its been a little tricky because my Gramm moved into a condo, that has a fireplace but it doesn't work if the door is open and our fireplace is full of something, the previous owners put something up there to reduce the draft. So this is what we have come up with, a fake fire. A propane tank, and a fire ring, in Gramm's garage. Don't worry the garage was open a little so we wouldn't die. My Daddy is a smart man. This is one of my favorite Christmas tradition.
And here is our little Brooklyn. Look at her curly hair, it is also red. She is a very sweet little girl.

Twas the night before Christmas...

2009-01-03T17:49:00.001-08:00

And all through the night, not even a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Ah...just kidding all kinds of creatures were stirring. We were headed to my Grams house for our Annual Weenie Roast. I told my dad that I was taking the camera so we could document it for Steph. His reply "shall we take some props?" I said "sure." So we put on Cowboy hats and took a picture. We didn't really take the hats, but it was funny. This is one of many of the funny things my Father said over the holidays.

Rock Star

2008-12-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to do this for a couple of weeks...hehe. I just finished yet another semester of school. Only one million left to go. Just kidding, I am getting closer and I think we are down to one hand of semesters left!! Maybe someday I will be done.

My dad watches Matthew every Wednesday. I was playing with him this afternoon and thinking about how great he is. He makes me smile, makes the day so much better. He has his fake laughs and his real laughs. Both are really great but his real laugh is the best! He is a very smart boy, and usually knows what you are talking about and will do what you ask. He loves to help. Here are some of the things we have been doing....

Being silly the night before little sister joined us. Look at his little teeth...

His favorite place to sit. The fireplace.

I asked if I could join him one night, everyone doubted I could get in there with him, so of course I had to prove them wrong. I fit and still had room for him. I don't sit in there for fun though...

with his favorite Auntie!

Playing Rockband! He's an awesome singer. They make a pretty good band, Mom on drums, Dad on guitar and our little monkey, singer!

Yet another....

2008-12-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

I had a little photo shoot with Brooklyn. It didn't turn out quite the way I had hoped. I haven't really taken photo's inside so I don't know how to work the lighting...practice makes perfect! Here's our little princess...

Ash and I couldn't resist these ballerina's. you can't tell but the shoes are a little to big...good thing she is a growing girl.
she isn't very happy with me...but its the only one that turned out with her curly hair. It's so CUTE!

Couldn't leave Big brother out. The photo is a little blurry, but his facial expression is so great! Priceless.

Brooklyn Ruth

2008-11-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Here she is! We didn't think she was going to come until next week, but instead she came yesterday. She weighed 8lbs 7oz. and she is 19 1/4 in. long Her hair is curly when wet, and is very sweet little girl. Big brother was a little upset when he first saw mom holding her, but he soon realized who it was and gave her kisses. Momma and Daddy are little tired but are doing great!

Life...

2008-11-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about summer sales lately, it's not what you think though. I can't say that I will never do it again, however I am almost positive that I will never do it again. I was thinking about summer sales because of the way it makes me feel. I have always been closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior. I'm not sure I can explain it but I am going to try. Doing a summer of sales entails 6 days of work and at least 12 hours a day(at least as a technician). You have very little time to do anything besides work, and when you do have time to just hang out you hang out with someone who has just work just as hard as you. You usually don't have TV, and don't watch TV. Some apartments may have a TV and a DVD player so you can watch movies occasionally. What I am trying to get to is that you live in your own little world, and you stay in it. It is sometimes hard to get out of it and into the real world. As the summer slowly comes to an end you are so anxious to be back into the real world and be a normal person again. It is so easy to get back into the real world. What I miss about the summer is being in that little world. Not having all the temptations of the world. I know that it can be accomplished in the real world, its just a matter of finding that in a world you've lived in for so long and are comfortable with. I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and knows what I need in my life. He has sent me a great family and some of the greatest friends, who are always there in a time of need. His Tender Mercies are not going unnoticed. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have and the opportunity I have to continue to gain that knowledge and share it with those around me.

Three Great Days!

2008-11-12T15:31:00.001-08:00

This past weekend was so great! Shells and I attended three sporting events. First we started with some football. The U vs TCU. It wasn't the game I thought it would be, I was upset that the Utes couldn't pull of a better game. But a W is a W. We had some really great encounters, one a old friend from High school. He was So drunk! He said some of the funniest things. YAY! for High school friends.

I really couldn't believe that they pulled it off. I was getting anxious.

The second event was the Jazz game against the Okalahoma City Thunder. Who? Yay that's right Okalahoma City has a NBA team. They put up a decent fight, not to bad for first timers. The Jazz pulled off the 1000th win for Jerry Sloan. GO JAZZ!
And my most favorite was the rugby games. One of the my most favorite things in the world. The U has a fall rugby season, which was so great! They played St. Mary's College from the Bay area. The B side pulled off a W, the A side had to put up a bigger fight however, I do believe the pulled a W as well. GO UTES!
The most exciting event was at the RioTinto. The USA Rugby Teams played a New Zealand team and Uruguay. SO GREAT!! New Zealand won the first game against USA Select. Then the USA Eagles won there game against Uruguay. I'm not sure what it was about Rugby but I just love it. I could be a happy girl watching rugby for the rest of my life. I had a moment during one of the games where I thought, "What will happen when I can't watch rugby anymore?" I may have panicked for a moment. I know that someday it will probably happen and I will handle it just fine. For now I will be watching as much as I can because I love it so much!!

The New Zealand team doing the Haka (I'm not sure if that is spelled right)

Another shoot

2008-11-09T08:55:00.001-08:00

One of my longest and best friends asked me to take pictures of her and her sweet little family before the snow comes and the welcome a new little one to the family. The day was perfect. Micka had a hard time seating, so we did what we could. I think we got some good ones.

This is one of my favorites of Andre and Micka, It's very genuine, he is one happy man, and Micka is smiling.

This is one of my favorites, they are looking somewhere different.

Coco tagged along, he(I think Coco is a boy) calmed Micka down when she had to sit.

Halloween

2008-11-09T08:49:00.001-08:00

Here is our little Monkey, he was a very cute pirate. Hannah made his outfit. I tag along to make visits to Charlie at work, and then the Grandma's, both of which really loved showing him off.

Wiikend!

2008-11-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

I should have blog about this last weekend, but I didn't, big surprise. The company I work for during the summer has an end of the year banquet. It was last weekend, I didn't find out about it until 3 days before, that is what happens when you are just a technician. I had a friend fly in on Friday night, I had spent the day with a friend in Provo on Friday, I stayed until the very last moment possible before I had to be at the airport. I had been on the freeway for like 100 yards and this semi starts to come over in my lane. All I could do was slam on my brakes, honk my horn and swerve into the emergency lane. I left some skid marks that were probably like 10 feet long. I sat in my car for a minute to get my heart back to a normal pace. I then got out of my car to make sure everything was ok. It looked to be fine. When I started driving again my wheel shook a little bit, I called my dad who was in Vegas, he didn't answer. Which is unusual for him, he always answers. I try again, nothing. So I call my brother, he assures me that I am ok to drive home, but if it gets worse to stop and call him. I thought about crying, but didn't cause I was ok, I wasn't hurt and my car was fine. So I try to rush home, so that I can make it to the airport on time. I run home and switch cars and make to airport on time. As I'm getting to the airport my dad finally calls me back, apparently his phone didn't ring and he got my message an hour after I had called, he told me not to drive my car and to have my brother drive it the next day. I was totally fine with that, I love driving my moms car, so it was good excuse.

Saturday Ash and I just hung out, got our hair done, then I went to the Banquet with my friend. The banquet is usually filled with good food, and reminiscing about the summer. They give away really good prizes. The first year Steph won a Mountain Bike ( which she is now using on her mission) Last year we both won a ticket on to the Cruise, and this year I won a Wii, and rockband for the Wii. So great!! Ash has been saving her baby-sitting money for rockband and the wii. So as soon as I won it I called her to let her know. She was so excited! I couldn't get home fast enough to set it all up. It is so fun! I love Tennis, and bowling. I am not so good at rockband, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time. Smash is really good at it. We have had several people over to enjoy the great win.

How do you take it?

2008-10-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I went dancing in Pleasant Grove, some of the old dance team was there. One of the boys on the team, who I have learned a lot from and is always telling me how much I have improved. Which is very nice of him, sometimes I don't feel like I am very good, but I LOVE doing it. With that being said he comes up to me on Saturday night and this is the conversation we have....

him: Hey I have a question for you?

me: Ok

him: I have this new roommate who is from Michigan( I think) and wants to learn how to dance, I think that you would be great to teach him, he is a bigger guy, and I think that you would do great.

me: ok, sure...as he was talking, my first thought was that I was not going to take it personally. I'm sure that he was not meaning anything other then I'm a good dancer.

Well last night was the night, I took a friend so I would have someone else to teach too. It is easier to learn when you dance with other people. I was afraid that I was going to get stuck dancing with this boy all night. He was catching on pretty quick, but we did the same three moves, and his hands were super sweaty. I did get to dance with others, one who I've seen around a lot but have been to intimidated to ask to dance with, last night I found the courage, it was a really great dance. I can't wait to dance with him again. YAY! for dance crushes!

At work today I got the same kind of question from a co-worker, I think we were getting kids ready to go to somewhere and she asks me what my last job was, I told her that I did summer sales, and before, I was in a class room with 7-12th graders. She goes "oh, I thought it was some where, where you got to shop a lot." How do I take that? I was a little shocked, and I think she say that in my face, later she says "I hope I didn't offend you, by my comment." I told her no, I think that it is a compliment. I have noticed that I do dress differently from those that I work with, but not that much. All my life I have always like to be a little different, sometimes is really crazy and weird, and others it is just like everyone else. I guess that it really comes down to my confidence, it really has grown a lot in the year. I am so grateful that I can take both these situations and take the best from them. Its these situations that make us stronger.

Fall Photo Shoot

2008-10-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

I know that I just posted the Zoo pictures, but we went up East Canyon tonight to take some family pictures. They are so DANG cute! I just had to post them. Matthew was good as long as he didn't have to sit and be still. We did however get some good family pics.

Day at the Zoo with Matthew

2008-10-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

Char and Hannah called me a couple of Fridays ago and asked if I wanted to go with them to the Zoo. Of course I wanted to go, so with camera in tow, we went to the zoo. It was so much Fun! It is hard for Matthew I think to really know where we are and what he is seeing. We all enjoyed it. Here are some photos of the baby. He is so DANG cute!!

Milk taste better when....

2008-10-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight we were playing games, my mom asked me to get her a glass of milk, so I asked her which kind of glass she wanted it in. She said "the one I always have milk in, it taste better in the tupperware glasses." It was so funny! Ash is a very picky girl, when of the things she has to have is Costco milk. My parents had to take a gallon of milk to our family reunion in Montana this summer because she refuses to drink anything else. Can you say SPOILED? Then we are playing a different with my dad and he is shuffling and he tries a new way and he says it is going to work. Well it work, he had such great hands, I even tried this new way of shuffling, it didn't help me, it helped him every time. My parents smoked us! It was a funny and enjoyable night.

Smash...

2008-10-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

So the recent post didn't go over so well with the other aunt living with me. Brooklyn will love us both the same. WE are all excited for her arrival. Smash I am sorry!

Tuesday, Vonda and I went to Logan for a Yellowcard concert. I have a great friend who gave us floor tickets. I have never been to a concert where my tickets were on the floor. I loved it SO much. We didn't push our way to the front, we just did our own thing. It made me feel

important and special. We hung out after the concert to see my friend, and Yellowcard came back out and we got pics with the lead, Ryan and the Fiddler, Sean. It was SO great! Vonda is in love with Ryan! it was a good night! I got to see all my roommates from the summer. Although its not quite the same, but it so great to see them! I love them all!

Little Brooklyn!

2008-09-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Char and Hannah came over on Sunday, Char was helping us put some lights around the Hot tub for Ward Stare, I was inside with Hannah, she put her phone on her tummy, and Brooklyn kicked it. Many times when I see Hann I aske her if Brooklyn is awake, she always says she is only awake at really odd hours. Here was my chance. So I put my hand on her tummy and see if I can feel her, we had to do a little convincing, I told Brooklyn it was her favorite Aunt, and she finally kicked my hand. YAY!!! it worked, I am her FAVORITE aunt. I yelled loud enough that Ash could hear me. She came running, and put her hand on Hannah's tummy, and tried to do some convincing, not luck. Guess Brooklyn has her favorites already. YES!!! I'm Matthew's favorite and I'll be Brooklyn's favorite too(already am...) Is there anything better then being the favorite Aunt? I think not. Brooklyn will be joining us aroud Thanksgiving.

This weekend was also filled with a really great Rugby game. I LOVE rugby! There is just something about the game, and the boys that play it. mmm...I just love it!
Shells and I also attended the Relief Society Broadcast at the Conference Center. It was so great! We are so lucky to live so close to the Prophet and Apostles. I love the Gospel! YAY! for great friends and great weekends!

Logan

2008-09-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

this weekend I went to logan for a bug party. I was able to see friends from last summer, and some from this summer. It was so great! Brad and Missy were kind enough to have it at there house. Missy made some yummy spaghetti and we had brownies! We played the Wii and just had a fun catching up with each other.

Saturday morning Janalee and I got up early, so I could take her to the buses, which were taking all those who were running the Top of Utah Marathon to the starting line. Janalee signed up for the marathon before the summer, she trained for it during the summer. CRAZY! I went to the half way mark to cheer her on and then the finish line. She finished in 4:05. Which is so great! It was her first marathon. She is a continuing inspiration to me. We hurried of home after so she could talk to her bishop and stake president so she could put her mission papers in, and they are. She is anxiously awaiting her call.

I really am blessed to have some of the great friends, and examples.

State Fair!

2008-09-18T17:40:00.001-07:00

So I've heard from a couple of people that I need to update my blog. I won't mention names, Kami, Ash are so beautiful, Random! I was afraid of this. I would start a blog and then after the summer I wouldn't have anything exciting to blog about. I was dancing a couple of weeks ago and I had a deja vu. And I thought to myself. I need to blog about that. But I can't remember it for the life of me what it was, and it was good! So instead I'll blog about the state fair. My dad got tickets. So we all found a night when we could go. We had lots of fun! I haven't been to the fair since I was probably five. I think it was so great because of the baby. He has quite the personality, he wants to be very independent when he walks, no holding on for him. He tried cotton candy for the first time, the first reaction he didn't know what to think, but once he realized that it was sugar he wanted more. We all had some funnel cake and cotton candy. Yes this is against our no sugar, but the dad okayed it. I only had a little, my stomach was not very happy with me. We also learned you shouldn't inhale the powdered sugar, Char cough for a good minute. The most exciting event was the big yellow slide. We had never been on it before. Ash and I got our tickets, or bag to sit on and headed up the stairs. As we were walking up there was a couple going down, she was red in the face and screaming very loud. She had laid down thinking it would make her go slower. She missed that physics class. Needless to say she went faster. When we got to the top, I asked the young boys what we should do. One responded "yell loud, It gives us great advertisement" the next told us to fall off, its funny! Ash and I just got on the sacs and went down. It was so fun I even put my hands up!

I have tried to put pictures up and they just aren't working the way I want it to. so this is what we get. better luck next time huh!

Transition

2008-08-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why some people are placed in your life? I have thought about it a lot lately. This summer I lived with some of the greatest girls. So many times we all found ourselves thinking that we were suppose to be together and that no else is as lucky as we were. There is no coincident to why we were together. Summer Sales is not for everyone, it is a challenge. Heavenly Father really blessed me to now who I am and what I stand for. The challenge know is how do I deal with it? Transitioning the life I were living and then mesh the life I knew before. How is it suppose to work? Back into friends and family I haven't seen in months. I know that I love them and want to be around them, however sometimes it is a little weird to be there. I find myself wanting to go back to the life I were just living, even though it was hard and all I wanted to do was go back to the life I knew.

Heavenly Father challenges us so we can learn. This is a lesson I am continually learning. Fortunately I have been so blessed in my life. My challenges are probably very minimal to others in this world. I look up to those that are able to handle challenges that are much harder then mine. Just another Testament to me that Heavenly Father knows us and knows our limits. How grateful I am to have the knowledge that I have been blessed with. My hope is that I will be able to use it to help those around me and be the example I am suppose to be.

Does life get better then this?

2008-08-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

On my drive home yesterday, I had lot of time to think. I am saddened that my summer is over. However I am so excited to return to real life. We all have been talking in the last couple of days about how we wish we could all just be going to the same school, and we could all continue to live together. That is what makes the summer so great! The friends you make that quickly become your family. It's all we have during the summer. Its to bad we can't cut out the Pest Control out of it. Summer would be so great!

I am home now and I don't quite know what to do with myself. I don't know what to do with freedom. I am sure that it will only take a moment to get use to it.

The ending of summer is bitter sweet. I have grown as a person, I learned a lot about myself this summer. My confidence in has grown. My hope is that confidence will only continue as I transition back into real life. My Heavenly Father has really blessed me this summer. There is no question that I was suppose to be in Sacramento this summer. How grateful I am for the lessons I have learned. Just another Testimony that Heavenly Father knows us and knows what is best.

Mini Golfing

2008-08-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

This last week one of the Owners came into town to do a little recruiting for next summer. We set a goal of 12 sales for the day. If we meet the goal Iverson would take us Mini Golfing. At 5:20 pm we had only one sale. Granted we still had 3 and half hours to reach the goal, I was doubtful. But we did it. Somewhere they found 12 people to buy pest control! GO TEAM! We all meet at Scandia and went mini golfing. It was fun to do something other than our norm. I didn't do the best but I did have one amazing HOLE IN ONE!

My shot was right down the middle of the hole. If you hit one of the side pieces your ball would go down hill and then you had to go back up hill to get to the hole.
My HOLE IN ONE! It was the most perfect shot. Straight down the middle, speed just right. It was the only one of the night but it was so GREAT!
Doug's techniques. They worked pretty good for him. He lost to Brad though, so maybe not the best.
Janalee and I! I was able to go home and shower, I returned looking just like everyone else. We were all wearing our White polo's.
this is Brad's photo smile. Everytime.

Week in Review

2008-08-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

The last 9 days have been quite eventful, both happy and sad....

Sunday everyone came over for dinner, we were making spagetti and I burned the noodles...really is it possible?

Yep it's possible....don't worry no one went hungry.

Monday I woke up and couldn't find my keys. There is only one thing I hate about the weekends and that is I don't ever keep things were I usually do. I am pretty good about coming home on the weekdays and putting everything where it needs to go. Like putting my keys in the front pocket of my bag. It never goes that way on the weekend, we are all so excited to have a day off we go crazy! So I called my boss and told him that my truck keys were lost, but I could drive my car to the office to get spares. So I did, I get all ready to go for the day and I put the keys in the truck and they don't turn. So I call again, they have another set and they are sending someone to our apartments to give them to me. YAY! so I eat some breakfast. Joe brings me the keys and I'm off!

The best part about Monday was that Brad got us all tickets to go to an A's game. YAY! for baseball. We all got off at 3, went home go change into normal people cloths and we drove to Oakland. We all took proper clothing for the Bay area, and enjoyed an evening off. The A's lost. Thanks Brad Lee!

Tuesday was pretty normal day.

Wednesday I had some down time. So I decided to clean all my junk out of my day bag. And found my keys. I thought that they had fallen out of my church bag and they were at church. Nope. They were where I usually put them, only in a different pocket hiding. I couldn't wait to tell my boss where I had found them.

Thursday was back to normal

Friday night after work I was talking to my dad, and fixing dinner when I see this trail of ants! I couldn't believe it. They went from our oven to our pantry. SICK! So I clean everything up and go out to my truck to get my spray. We aren't messy girls, however we aren't the cleanest. Some nights the only energy we have is to change our clothes and climb into bed.

Saturday was pretty normal, sales have been pretty slow so I wasn't so busy with work. However I had a late appointment, and the memos read, Mice and Rats in attic, include garage and fence line. Usually when this happens it means that they have had mice and rats, but are currently seeing anything. I have been fortunate in my job to not have done many mice and rat jobs. Last week I did remove a Rat from a porch, which made me very anxious. Do you know where this is going? I started talking to the home owner about what they were seeing. The wife thought they were hearing mice. So I get all my stuff together to go and set mice traps in the attic. My ladder wasn't tall enough so I used the home owners. I turn on the light and peek up....there is one dead in the trap, and laying next to it is another, and it definitely not a mouse, they are Rats. SICK!!! I don't really remember what my reaction was but the home owner wishes he had it on tape. So he could send it in somewhere. It was that good. So before I get all the way into the attic. I go back to my truck for bigger traps and my gloves. I removed the dead rats and set three more traps. I pray that I don't have to go back this week to check the rats......

Sunday we went to San Francisco. One of the girls in our ward was running in the half marathon. I had never been to a marathon before. When we got there I was so overwhelmed. What a great accomplishment? Lydia only started the half about fourty five minutes before we got there so we just watched and waited for her. People from all over come to run 26.2 miles. CRAZY! They train for months, I was so amazed at the time and effort it takes to accomplish this goal. There was a 12 year old boy from Sac that ran it with his dad! I can hardly run a mile, and had no intention of running that far when I was 12. As we were watching a couple of people fell just yards from the finish line. Two of them were older men probably in there 60's. One in the marathon, and they other in the half. The gentlemen in the half got tripped up and hit his head, he got back up with blood just running down his face, he started to head the wrong direction. the third person we didn't see but the announcer was out in the middle of the runners saying there names and he yelled for first aid and ran. It broke my heart, and still does just thinking about it. Everyone works so hard to accomplish such an amazing goal, and are cut short because their bodies can't take it anymore. It was very inspiring. It is now something I would like to accomplish in my life. My roommate Janalee are going to run the San Francisco Marathon when Janalee comes home from her mission.

We then went around San Fran just enjoying the rest of our day. I just love San Fran.

Monday, On my drive into work a light came on in my truck, I wasn't sure what it meant so I made sure to ask about it. One of the guys came out and helped me. One of my tires was low. So I went to a gas station and checked my tires. I did some appointments and then didn't have anything for the rest of the day so I went to Lodi, where the sales team was. As I am driving the light come on again. I get to the exit and pull into Chevron. As I am walking around my truck I can see that it doesn't look right. I had a flat tire!! Just what I needed. I call my boss, he tells me he will make some phone calls, and as soon as I hang up with him, Brad calls me. "We've got one for you!" Of course. I tell him I have a flat tire and that I have already talked to Alan. Julio was my knight in shining armor. He put the spare on and sent me on my way. Which was not home. I didn't leave Lodi until 8 pm. Lodi is about 50 miles from where we live. I didn't get home until about 9:30. It was a little scary driving 50 mph on the freeway.

All is well. I only have 11 more working days!! I hope that the adventures are keep to a minimum.

Birds, Rats, and Ronald.....

2008-07-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

This past weeks have been so crazy!! I have killed 3 birds, driven over 180 miles 5 days in a row, serviced Ronald McDonald's house and picked up a rat, SICK!! I was so anxious when I was picking it up. The rat was on Ronald's front porch. Ironic?!? Had my worse day out here, and cannot wait to come home.....21 more days and I will no longer be in the pest control industry! I've done my time for summer sales.

A day from...

2008-07-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for today all week. The morning went well, I was ahead schedule for every appointment. I got lunch, and even had time to make an exchange at Kohl's. I thought that everything was going to go off with out a hitch. It was inevitable, I soon was rushed and anxious.......I BECAME A DRAMA QUEEN. I am not one for drama, so I try very hard to keep it on the DL. I don't get this way very often, but when I do watch out. All my summer friends saw a different side of me. I am going to work very hard on trying to be better at the no drama when I am anxious. Why was I so anxious and rushed? Well because I had a plane to catch. After deciding what the best situation would be, I took Ryan's truck home and he took mine and finished the services that they needed to meet the goal. When I drove into our complex I realized that my key to the apartment was on my keys with Ryan. Should of guessed it and Steph's farewell was this weekend, and I felt that I needed to be there, It was important. So I purchased plane tickets a couple of weeks ago and only told very few people, getting out of town would be my biggest challenge. I made it to the airport on time, everyone asked if I got the tickets for the right day!! ( so funny) I flew into Salt Lake about 230 in the morning, my partner in crime(Shells) stayed up super late and came and got me. I slept at her house, I figured that the surprise wouldn't be so great that early in the morning. Shells was kind enough to take me over to my parents the next morning. As we approached my house I got all nervous, How was I going to do it? We decided that I should go in the back door cause no one would be see me. As I'm running into the backyard to make sure no one sees me in the front, I run into my dad, brother and Ashley. Oops! they were setting up some canopies for shade. Ash looks over and says "what the" she runs over and gives me a huge hug. Then my mom comes out, and says "oh my" another great hug, Steph comes out "Meagan?" and yet another hug. My dad and brother didn't respond like the others because they knew. ( I had to tell someone, I couldn't keep it in). The reaction the rest of the day were much like the ones of my family. My aunt leaned over to me and said the everyone was so excited to see me and not Steph. I don't think that is true, and that was not my intention. My whole goal was to spend this amazing and sacred time with my family, and those we love. It is important to know that you are supported in your decisions. I am so excited for Steph and her decision to serve the Lord. She is doing a very selfless act that will not only bless her, but those that she shares the gospel with. I wanted nothing more then for her to know that I support her and wish her the very best in all that she does. She is a great example to me.

My testimony has grown so much this summer, as a summer sales team we all received callings fairly quickly in our ward. ( it maybe because we added a good portion to the ward) They asked me to be a Relief Society Instructor, I was so nervous and very intimidated by the calling, I accepted of course. It has been so great to prepare my lessons. I teach on the third Sunday, so I am up this week, the lesson is on the True and living Church. I get so excited every time I read it. Heavenly Father really knows what he is doing. He really knows who we are, and what we are going through. He knew I needed this calling and he knew that I could do it. He has the confidence in me to teach the truthfulness of his gospel. More then anything I needed to know that I could do it. My first Sunday teaching I was so nervous, I was afraid of just bawling. Usually when I bear my testimony or speak its just a bawl fest. Not this time, I prayed all week that I would be able to teach what I was suppose to and be able to answer anything I needed to. Tears just fell when I bore my testimony at the end. Heavenly Father really has blessed me, I don't know where I would be without Him or my Savior. I'd be lost without my great family and all there examples. How grateful I am to be a member of this church, how lucky we are to be able to share it with all those around us.

Retired and lovin it!

2008-07-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks we have been servicing in a town called Lincoln. Its just a little town. They have a little community with in Lincoln that is a Del Webb community. A del webb community has requirements to live there. You have to be over 55 to live there. Also another requirement. Be an owner of a Golf Cart. I'm not kidding. They even have parking spots for the golf carts at the Grocery store, it gets better, they have a cart lane right next to the bike lane. Its incredible. The first day I service out there I couldn't believe how many golf carts and smart cars I saw. It is as if they live in there own little world. Some even look like there Buicks parked in the garage. One was a mini Hummer. My favorite cart I saw was one with a car seat in the back seat. That is right your Grandkids can tag a long too.

Hot, hot, hot!

2008-07-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first day back to work, I walked out of my apartment at 6:30 in the morning, it was so hot. I couldn't believe it. When I got in the truck and turned on the radio, the Dj announces the temperature, its 75 degrees outside. By 9:00 it was 90 degrees. the high for the day was 114. SO HOT! To make things better, there are wild fires all around us in Sac town, the air quality is to bad. Today as I'm driving to the boonies, the djs says that we should stay inside if at all possible. What am I to do? My job is outside, guess I have to take the risks. Instead of hanging out in my truck all day, I decided to to to Safeway, they have wireless. The little cafe is full of people who are trying to stay cool and stay inside. They have cooling places for those who don't have air conditoning, It's CRAZY!!!

YAY for summer sales, and working through the crap! If the pesticide doesn't get me it'll be the air quality.

Staycation

2008-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Because we are all so busy at our house, my parents decided that we should just have a staycation instead of going somewhere to have family time. Our staycation has been very nice. We just do what we want. Here is the most recent picture of the family....just a little different from the last one. YAY! for family Staycations!

Flights and I .....

2008-07-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

Every time I go to fly somewhere something happens.....Today I am sitting in first class flying home. Why first class you ask? Cause I bought my ticket for the wrong day!!! I was so mad this morning at 5:00 when the attendant told me that I was on the Flight for YESTERDAY! My only choice was to spend MORE money to get home. It was either first class and I get home the same time or I wait at the airport until 1 o'clock this afternoon and not get home for our Family weekend until 3. AHHH!!! I thought that I was going to be able make just one flight without any mishap....not this time. Maybe next!

He's a MICKELSEN

2008-07-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

Matthew celebrated his first birthday yesterday. Which I missed, the family took pictures so I could feel like I was a part of the celebration. Here is one of the pictures. Isn't he the cutest?

One of the family traits is that when we smile you either see our eyes or our teeth, not both. And if you see the Eyes we probably aren't smiling. Matthew has inherited the family trait. Oh, how I love our sweet boy! Happy Birthday Munch!

The best Family ever!

2008-06-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying this is not the most updated pic of the family....we all have changed a little in the last year. And that cute baby is turning one tomorrow!

I have been reflecting on how blessed I am. I definitely don't Thank my Heavenly Father enough for blessing me so much! I am so grateful for my Mom and Dad and all they do for me. I would not be where I am today without them. They both work so hard so that there Kids can be happy. My siblings are the best. Charlie and Hannah are great examples. I hope that I can be as Happy as they are someday. Stephanie is making one to the best decisions in her life. She is serving the Lord for eighteen months. She couldn't be doing anything better in her life right now, her selfless acts continue to amaze me. Heavenly Father is really blessing her. Ashley continues to surprise me. She has become an amazing young lady. I don't know why I got so lucky, but I did. I only hope that I can someday be as great as those that have blessed my life.

Cheesecake for all!

2008-06-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

Something that comes a long with summer sales is lots of eating out. This weekend we had a triple crown incentive for the Cheesecake Factory. I had never been Cheesecake until I worked for Eclipse. We meet our Friday and Saturday goals, yesterday we had one sale at 5 o'clock. We needed at least 9 to just go to dinner, 13 to go to Cheesecake. As I was driving home from my last service are a little excited to be able to go to bed early cause we weren't going to make it to dinner. Mondays are slow days. The unexpected happened, the sales team reached there goal. We had 13 goals at 9:15 last night. I don't know how they did it but they did. So at 10 o'clock last night we went to dinner with Miles. He is one of the co-founders of Eclipse Marketing. He is a really great guy, and really believes in the hard work that it takes to do summer sales. Which is why they treat us to Cheesecake every year. YAY! for yummy food.

Crusin' Mexico

2008-06-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Kanoe...Me....Vonda at our Muster Station.
Here we go....My lesson is over and now have time to blog about my fun trip. I'm sitting in my truck waiting for a service. No time like the present.

Me...Vonda....Kaone.....Bryan.....Cory.....Skyler at Lover's Beach

Our first stop was Cabo San Lucas, both times I have been to Cabo, I have gone to Lover's Beach. They call it that because it is where the Cortez Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. The waves are rough and big. On one side of the beach the recommend not to swim in the ocean because it is so rough. A lot of people like to snorkel there. I like to just sit in the sun. So that is what we did. We took a water taxi, the taxi will take you to the arch and to see the sea lions. The middle of the boat is glass so you can see the fish below. They also stop so they can feed the fish, they feed them tortilla's. After hanging out on the beach for a couple of hours we went back and walked around the shops. Vonda and I went back before the rest our little group. They came back with better stories then us. They were offered Marijuana and Cocaine, they actually say the cocaine. Yay! for Cabo.

Getting ready to fly over the ocean!

Our next stop is my favorite. Mazatlan. We went to a resort called El Cid. I highly recommend it to anyone. Its a resort right off the beach. SO GREAT! We went right to the beach were we went parasailing. I had to flirt a little to try and get the price down. I didn't do as well as a I could have. But I think that it was a decent price. I was the first to go up. They just take you off the shore. I have to say that is wasn't the adrenaline rush I had hoped for but it was fun and beautiful. By the third person we got a camera up in the air too. After parasailing we went to the pool and jumped of the waterfall that they have, SO FUN! I love Mazatlan. We stopped at the shops on the way back, they were playing the chatahouchy, we all stopped and did the line dance. Vonda and I stopped to take a picture with Senor frog, and meet a man who was from Whales. He was so great and had lots of recommendations for future cruise. The next one will be the caribbean.

The last stop was Puerta Vallarta. I haven't done anything really fun in PV, been to the Wal-mart. YAY! by this time Vonda and I were ready to be by ourselves and not have to do everything with everyone so we split up and just did our own thing. It was nice. We just went to the shops, did some bartering. Vonda got pretty good. She needed a little coaching. She feels like she is ripping them off. She talked some prices down.

The next two days were spent on the boat....they would have been really great if the sun had of been out. Friday was really windy, Saturday was just ugly. The boat rocked all day long I think. The Coast guard had to come and get a lady who had gone into labor 7 months along. So everyone had to be on the inside of the boat. We watched a movie in the theater, I was so sick. I took motion sickness pills from a complete stranger, it was bad. The pill helped a little, I had a headache the rest of the day. The worst part is that you can't go anywhere to get away from it.

Sunday when we got off the boat we went to Dodgers Stadium for a Dodgers Cubs game. The only problem was that they had delayed the game from 1:10 to 5:10. We debated on whether we could still make it. We drove around for a minute, stopped at a park, talked to some native L.A.ers and them about traffic and such. We decided to go if only for a moment. We couldn't get into the stadium until a few hours before. So we went to this fun little diner, and then went to the game. SO much fun!

It was a really great trip. I was ready to come home to Sac Town, but really wanted to go Home Home, my flight was delayed about an hour, and a flight headed to Salt Lake was leaving right next to my gate. I was very tempted to just get on it.

More pictures to come...I have a hard time uploading cause our internet is slow.

update....

2008-06-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

My sisters are begging me to update my blog. The only problem is that I need to prepare for my first relief society lesson on sunday. Here it is though.

My trip started and ended the same way. Delayed at the airport. Whenever I fly into LAX or out of LAX my flights are delayed. Vonda and Bryan arrived on time and had just enough time to walk the hundred miles to my terminal. If I had not been delayed we could have meet in the middle somewhere. When I finally arrived we got a shuttle and went to out hotel. Once we got there we decided walk around Downtown Disney. We had lots of fun in the stores. Vonda had just worked the night before and hadn't had any sleep so we didn't stay to long. We ate at Bubba Gumps and then went back to the hotel.

Thursday we got up early and went to Disneyland. It was so fun! We rode Indiana Jones first, we got all the classic rides in. Our last ride of the day was Space Mountain. Bryan and Vonda rode together, I sat behind them, the girls behind me were screaming so loud. I had a headache so I decided to close my eyes and plug my ears. What I didn't remember was that they capture your enjoyment. We got off the ride and saw the picture. We had to get it because it's so funny! My embarrassment only lasted a moment. We went to Disneyland the next day as well, it was really great fun! Saturday we meet up with one of our friends from Provo, Mike. He is from LA so he took us around. We went to Venice Beach, I wasn't the biggest fan Venice Beach cause it was dirty and the one street performer we watched was so rude. We then went to Hollywood. I had never been to the walk of fame. It was fun to see all the hand and foot prints. Mike also took us to the Griffith Observatory. We say all of LA.

We woke up early Sunday and went to San Pedro to board the Visions of the Sea. It was Vonda's 21st birthday. What a great birthday week! We meet a couple on the shuttle to the port that go on cruises to gamble. They won 12,000 on the first night! I think there names were Sue and John. I was looking through one the books that Vonda got in the mail about the cruise. One of the pages was birthday, anniversary banners that you could buy to have put in your rooms. So I told Kanoe that we needed to do it and she was in charge of distracting Vonda so that I could purchase it. Kanoe distracting tactics were amazing. The only problem was that we didn't know when it would be done so we had to keep her out of the room as much as we could. At one point we both just looked at each other and decided that if they were decorating it would have to be okay cause we didn't know what else to do. We lucked out and they decorated while we were at dinner. We went to our room after and when she say it she was very excited. I think it made her day. Which was my only goal.

The first night on the ship was so great! We made lasting impressions on a lot of people. Vonda and Kanoe decided to order drinks, Virgin of course. They told us that they were, we decided to go to the movie of the night, which was Transformers. We showed up and there were two boys there so we decided to sit in front of them. It only took a moment for us to say something to them. The only problem was that we were so giggly. The only explanation for our craziness is the sugar. Don't worry I only had one little sip. Skyler and Taylor thought we were drunk. We told them over and over again that we weren't. It was the start of a great week. This is where I have to end because I need to prepare for my lesson. To be continued.....with pictures.

Mishap...

2008-05-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

This week I got a new webber. I use it to take down all the webs and wasp nest around the home. It is a poll that extends like 50 feet. My old one was fiber glass and really old. I was getting slivers from it because I don't have to wear gloves when I am using it. So I asked for a new one, this new webber is metal and really heavy. I didn't realize how much power it had until I was letting it down and it fell. My hand was in the way....

I pinched it pretty good, I thought that I could get away with finishing the service and then run to the grocery store to get it all cleaned up. I was bleeding all over the place. I had to knock on the customers door and ask to wash off my hand and a band-aid. She was very helpful. I finished the service with only a little more gushing from my wound. I ran to the grocery store to get more band-aids. The rest of the day I battled with dry blood all around the band-aid.

It will be a nice callus when it finally heals. It won't be the only one. My hands turn into man hands over the summer.

This week has been quite the adventure, our office lost 4 people. Some because they weren't selling, others cause they just wanted to travel and others cause the didn't have the determination to do summer sales. Sumer sales isn't for everyone. This gig isn't easy, I think that a lot of people think that its a walk in the park and anyone could do it. I am here to tell you that it isn't and it can be really hard and your not sure why you do it. It also can be rewarding. The money defiantly is worth it. It's a really great accomplishment, to say that you worked really hard for four months so you don't have to work quite as hard while in school, is all some people need. I still have to work just as hard because I am a Technician and I don't get paid as much. It is still an accomplishment for me to be able to say that I did summer sales and it was hard but I got through it. It is still early in the summer, and the hard times are yet to come for me. I know that they are coming, its a matter of time. But I will take them on and push through them, to become the best person I can be. I hope that I can remember that it is a small challenge, and that I have it pretty easy. I am very lucky to have the family and friends that I do, and to be where I am today.

Summer Romance

2008-05-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

What would summer sales be without a little romance? It is only a matter of time before someone has found another. It usually always turns out to be friends with benefits. It must be in the water. Last summer it stayed on the DL. Not a lot of drama. The summer before it was huge drama! It was a mess. It is only the beginning of this summer, but it has happened. The summer romances have begun...no need to worry, it is not me. YAY! for Love!

Girl Technicians?!?

2008-05-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am driving out to my area this morning when a car full of boys drive by me. They were all in white dress shirts. As they drive by, they all look. One continues to look so I waved and said Hi. He smiled, turned around and told the other boys something. What I don't know. The driver then does the raise the roof motion. I can only imagine what they were thinking. Then this afternoon I was driving out of a gas station when another car full of boys where white polos drive by. They all smiled.

My conclusion to this is that we are all out here for summer sales. They knew that I was not a regular technician. And I could tell that they were not just a group of boys just hanging out. It was so funny! Two in one day. Every company is going for the same look.

I do get a lot of "you normally don't see a lot of girls doing this job." Sometimes customers are grateful to have a girl and others don't like it. Its just one of those things. Girls can do the same things as boys. We just aren't use to seeing things that aren't normal. Me, Not normal!