Good News!

Maybe the black cloud that has been following me around is finally going away.

My security clearance is finally complete. I got an email on Tuesday morning. It is such a relief to have that done. I talked to the registrar at the Department of State and it does take a few more weeks before all the final paper work is done. Needless to say I am still not on the "list" of hires just yet but I am getting closer.

I also received word from my insurance company that the car accident is settled and it wasn't my fault. I knew that anyway, but I still had to pay upfront until they could prove it. So I am getting my $500 deductible refunded.

I still haven't closed my blog only because I haven't had the time or energy. I am still trying to recover from my illness. Unfortunately it turned into a sinus infection and I've been on antibiotics for a week now trying to kill it. I am feeling better and things are looking up!

This blog will go private

Not that I really have anything interesting to say on this blog...but events in my life with my career have made it necessary to close this blog to invited readers only.

I really don't mind giving people access, even if I don't really know you that well, so please email me if you want me to add you to the list. I'll most likely make this blog private next weekend.

I'm sure you won't miss much because my life is really quite boring. The problem is that it's about to get not boring (hopefully) and, well, I'll explain later.

Amy

amynaccar@yahoo.com

I should never leave my house again

Do you know what this is? Yeah, that's right. It's a donut tire. If you can't handle another story about my bad luck with cars, do not read any further!













I've been holed up in my house since Wednesday afternoon with this monster of a cold. Normally I bounce back pretty fast but this one is a doozy and I have just been knocked flat on my butt.

This morning I needed more cough medicine and even though people have offered to get it and bring it to me, NOOOOOOO, I'm too stubborn and have to do it myself. So this morning I went to drive to Albertsons which is literally 3 blocks from my house. I ran over a curb and could tell something was wrong. I pulled into a park and sure enough, my back tire was flat.

All I could do was laugh. I was standing there in my sweats coughing uncontrollably and blowing my nose. Some good Samaritan named Leo stopped and put the spare on my car.

Earlier in the day, my sister posted this comment on my Facebook page: "maybe you could get in your car and go for a drive, then something bad might happen to your car and it would take your mind off your sickness! Sure love ya"

She had no idea that it would really happen. Yes, my mind is off my sickness because I now have to worry about a tire. However, as much as I wanted to run right out and get it fixed, the flesh is way too weak. It's not like I'm going anywhere this weekend since I'm stuck in bed with this crap! I'll have to deal with it on Monday when things are back to normal.

I just got my car back on Wednesday after it was in the shop for 10 days after the wreck.

Let this be a warning to all of you! Stay away from me because I am a walking catastrophe! When does my run of good luck start?

More of Sagan

I'm finally getting around to posting this cute video of Mr. Sagan Man on his first birthday. Such a happy boy!

And then we have the crew of Helpy Helpertons...

Kleenex Wasteland

I have come down with a brutal head cold that came out of nowhere on Wednesday morning. I felt fine Tuesday night and had no idea I was about to get slammed.

I didn't sleep well last night because I swear I was blowing my nose every 20 minutes. Apparently when I was done with the Kleenex I would pitch it off the side of my bed and grab a new one. This was what my floor looked like this morning. Amazingly they all landed in roughly the same spot. What exactly does this say about my pitching arm?

Sweet Sagan turns ONE!

I went to SLC this past weekend because it was Sagan's first birthday party. He is the happiest kid you have ever seen in your life!














We also got some good photos of the family.













And the Naccarato siblings.














So here is what I did on my whirlwind weekend in Utah:

--Left Denver in a blizzard
--Had a sleepover, a dance party and a game night with Tony and family
--Went on a Utah Heritage Foundation Home Tour and ate at Cucina with mom
--Had a nap
--Loved the birthday party
--Slept in on Sunday
--Went to church with mom
--Had dinner with Joel Macey and family, Ben and grandma Macey for Joel's birthday
--Left Salt Lake in a blizzard

Spring Blizzard

Our wonderful 70 degree winter/spring was rudely interrupted by a major blizzard today.














This photo is right outside my door and it really doesn't due justice to what was going on. For example, you can't tell that the roads are a sheet of ice and you can't tell that the wind is blowing the snowflakes horizontally.

Pretty much the entire city (schools, govt, libraries, shops, etc.) shut down. They closed Arapahoe County at 2:00 but those of us who live farthest away got to leave earlier. I left work at a little after 12:30 and got home at 3:30.

Growing up in Utah I could never figure out how snow could cripple an entire city. After living here, I can see why it does. The wind up here at this elevation on the top of the mountains is fierce. The snow in and of itself would be fine but add the wind and you get iced roads and blinding snow. It's supposed to continue snowing all night. The county is not opening until 10:00 so I also get to sleep in!

Snow days were much more fun when I was a kid. You got out of school and could play in the snow all day. It wasn't so much fun white knuckle driving in my rental car that I was so paranoid I would wreck. THAT would be all I needed to top off this week.

Ballroom Dancing

We have quite a little group of dancers coming to our Middle Singles Ballroom Dancing night. We go to the Denver Turnverein which is the same place I salsa dance on Wednesdays.

On Monday nights they do all types of ballroom and each of us knows something a little bit different. I'm more of the salsa/cha-cha person, some are more into swing, some are into traditional ballroom (waltz, etc.) and others are beginners. It's great because we can all learn from each other.

Back row: Carol, Charles, Amy, John, James
Front row: Carlene, Kristen, Kevin














John is my favorite student and I am his favorite teacher :)














Carlene with the guys: James, Kevin and Charles. Two words for guys who can dance YUM-MY!

Call back every 10 days

I checked on my security clearance again today. "Call back every 10 days from now on" is what I was told. I try to get a reading on if this is good news or bad news but I honestly can't tell.

I started keeping a log each time I call so I know exactly when to call again.

Lots of salsa dancing at this wedding

Yesterday I attended the wedding of two of my salsa dancing friends Jason and Theresa. The wedding, dinner and party were all lovely and so much fun. I have enjoyed getting to know Jason, Theresa and the "group" over the past year.

Several of us arrived early to help with the decorations, favors and programs.














Evan, Jason (groom), Theresa (bride, obviously), and me.












And even salsa dancers do the chicken dance! (I won't--bad memories of the chicken dance that only Tony will understand.) Audra, Greg, Christy, Renee' and Renee's daughter Macie.














Renee' and Mauricio Leon with Jason and Theresa. Renee' choreographed Jason and Theresa's wedding dance which included a waltz, cha-cha and lindy hop. They surprised their family and friends with their dance skills but we all knew what they were capable of because we dance together once a week. Fortunatly for us there was lots of salsa music during the open dancing.














I'm so happy for Jason and Thersa. Love them!

Is that ANOTHER rental car?

Why yes it ! So what happened this time? Well, this morning I was going to get manicure because I am going to a wedding tonight. I was driving through a pretty empty strip mall parking lot at 9:00 a.m. I went to turn right into a parking space and some idiot young guy behind me didn't think I was going fast enough so instead of going around me on the left, he tried to pass me on the right through the empty parking spaces. The only problem with that is I was turning into one of them.

It was totally his fault and he wouldn't admit it, not even to the police officer. Unfortunately the accident happened on private property so they can't do anything about it and they don't give tickets. She told us we would have to duke it out with our insurance companies about fault. FORTUNATELY for me, a young lady who works at the hair place next to the nail salon saw the whole thing and came out and told me that she saw it and it was totally the guy's fault and she was willing to be a witness for me. Awesome! Thank you Annie H!

The police officer told me to try to drive my car because my front passenger tire looked very bent. Turns out the car is undriveable because they tire is very damaged. I had to use my AAA towing and have it towed to a repair shop. The idiot guy insisted to the officer that it wasn't his fault and he said "She hit ME" which was technically true but why was he speeding past me on the right in a small parking lot. I think the officer knew it was true and she pulled me aside before she left and said, "Go into that barber shop and make sure you have Annie's contact information."

So I did get my nails done. I then got my cardio in by walking 30 minutes to my home. The rental car place paid my cab fare for me to come get the car and AAA insurance is ON THE CASE. If they can prove fault on the idiot guy I won't have to pay any of the repairs. And my insurance covers the rental car no matter what.

Boy, what a contrast from my transmission experiences. I hate to say it but it's much easier and cheaper to be in a minor car accident than to have your car break down.

Now I am going to go have my makeup done and have fun at Jason and Theresa's wedding tonight. I"ll look dang good in my Chevy Malibu!

The Gospel is funny

Please forgive my irreverence but it's been a funny week at seminary. We started the week off talking about charity. We talked about all the things that charity is: kind, not puffed up, seeketh not her own, etc., etc. from 1 Corinthians 13. We talked about how Christ was the ultimate example of charity and everything he did was unselfish. At this point I had one student disagree with me and say that Christ's atonement really was selfish on his part because he really did it so he would not be lonely in heaven. In other words, it wasn't about us, it was about him having companionship in heaven. Hmmm....interesting take on the plan of salvation. I said the only thing a good seminary teacher says when my kids try to teach false doctrine: "If you can find a scripture or a prophet that backs you up, I'll believe you."

Then we tried to do some practical application of charity. I had the kids role play a student getting teased. So there were the kids teasing her and the kids who showed kindness and charity. After the skit the kids tried to tell me that the ones who were making fun of the girl were most charitable because they were actually HELPING her by pointing out her flaws. That way she could "correct" herself and not get made fun of so much. Hmmm...another interesting take on a gospel principle. I then said the second thing they hate to hear out of my mouth: "Really? How would Christ have handled that situation." Yeah, not like that!

The kids initiated a good discussion on how to tell where the line is between good and bad. We got into a discussion about movies and the kids had some very perceptive questions and shared their experiences with each other about times when they felt uncomfortable.

Friday I brought 20 Wing Steet chicken wings for breakfast at the request of one of my students. She got her braces off on Thursday and I told her I'd bring a treat. I asked, "What do you want to eat that you haven't been able to have since you've had your braces on?" I was thinking caramel popcorn or maybe taffy. No, chicken wings. They have no problem eating anything at 6:00 a.m. Old teacher here ate one wing and had serious heartburn the rest of the day.

Tonight I went to the adult session of stake conference with my single friends. The entire session was about strengthening your marriage. Well, so much for that. It was a funny end to a funny week of gospel discussions.

Fire scare

Today when I was driving home from church I could see a huge column of thick black smoke coming from the direction of my apartment complex. Traffic was at a dead stop so I had to do some fancy maneuvering through the back roads in order to get home. Turns out the fire was in the grassy field behind my apartment complex. It's been so warm and dry here and the fire danger is so great. There are acres and acres of dry brush in the open space behind the complex.

Here are some photos I took from my balcony. Thankfully the fire was mostly contained before I got home. I couldn't see the flames from my balcony but it's true what they say: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."







































After they contained the fire they dowsed the hill in water so that there wouldn't be a chance that the dry brush on this side of the dam would catch fire. We were all very lucky that they got it under control and didn't have to evacuate any of us.

As I was out on the balcony watching this happen it occurred to me that a better use of my time might be to get out my 72-hour kit and take a look at it and make sure I'd have what I needed if I needed to leave. Turns out my kit could use a little updating. I also started to think about what possessions I have that are so valuable to me that I would have grabbed them and put them in my car if I had to leave suddenly. I was making a mental checklist of what I'd take and I'm glad I didn't have to put that plan into action.

I am thankful that a trained fire department knew what to do to keep people and homes safe. Tomorrow I'll venture out and take some photos of the scorched earth. It was a little too dark to do that by the time the fire trucks left. I'll be cleaning ashes out of my house for awhile.

No Karaoke for You

It was my friend Theresa's birthday so we all went out for karaoke. Normally I am totally up for sharing my horrible singing with the world but I have had a cold and I couldn't really talk, let alone sing. So, I just hung out and watched everyone else and quietly drank my ice water (and took pictures).

I feel so lucky to have such fun and great friends that I enjoy hanging out with. This particular group I met mostly through salsa dancing and I am just so fortunate that a group of such different personalities has really bonded.

I left early and I heard I missed a midget and a tennis team doing karaoke but these are a few of the photos I did manage to get of our group.














Jason and Theresa entertain the crowd.













Me and Dave. Do I look like I just took a decongestant?















Evan and Christy

Party like it's Mardi Gras

Last night my friends and I went to a Mardi Gras party at Darcy's Pub. I'm not sure why an Irish Pub was celebrating Mardi Gras, but that's beside the point. We were actually celebrating Evan and Christy's February birthdays.

We had dinner and a cake and then we danced the night away to a band that played New Orleans-type music and then other random stuff. This is the group of friends that I met through salsa dancing so we had no problem getting out on the dance floor and just going for it. Dance is dance and we just did our thing. It took awhile for the rest of the people at the party to get into it. I am so lucky to have awesome friends!

Here are a few highlights from the evening:













Back: Rob, Evan, Theresa, Jason, Renee, Amy
Front: Christy, Laura













Party girls: Christy, Amy, Renee














Birthday girl Christy and Birthday boy Evan














The band

Salsa dancers getting the party started

Call back in 3 weeks

That is the latest I have from the FS. My medical clearance is done but the security clearance is still pending. Today the guy said "Call back in 3 weeks." I wanted to ask what in the process is still pending that MIGHT be done in 3 weeks but I don't really want to mess with these people. So I keep waiting...and trying not to stress out about the future.

I Never Promised you a Rose Garden

Today's adventure (day off work for President's Day) was a trip to the Botanical Gardens. It was free entry day for Colorado residents too. (They do that every so often because we all pay sales tax to fund these places.) It was a lovely 50+ degree day and a great day to be out. But I have to say...the Botanical Gardens in winter? Not so spectacular.

Let's start with the good...The Japanese Gardens were lovely.
















The Rose Garden, now that should be nice. Well, maybe if it's only meant to be a garden of thorns.



No? Let's try the Romantic Gardens.




Noxious weeds? Well at least THEY are blooming.








The verdict? Go back to the Botanical Gardens in the summer. Or maybe not; I've already checked it off my list.

Red and White Ball

Saturday night was the Salsa Central Denver Red and White Ball. It always happens around Valentine's Day but this year it was ON Valentine's Day. I almost didn't go because I thought it would be weird to show up at a dance by myself on Single's Awareness Day but, as with most things, it turned out to be fun and there were lots of other "unattached" people there too.

It's really great to know people and be part of a little salsa community. The dance was held at the Mercury Cafe which serves local and organic foods. The desserts were all organic and I wish I would have taken a photo of them. They were yummy!

Amy, Theresa and Jason










Amy, Andrew, Karen and Jake








The dancers--everyone was supposed to dress in red and white (hence the name "Red and White Ball.")

The Valentine Party

We had our Valentine party at work today. Many of us created Valentine boxes that were masterpieces. Here is the competition:










Though there was only one grand prize winner, everyone got an award. We all knew Briana would win because her box included white lights, a bubble machine, and a slide made out of pvc pipe. Who could compete with that?








Some of the other awards included Judy K winning the "Best Use of a Pancake Box" award.








And Judy M took the "Best Use of Feathers" Award








And we can't forget Gail winning "Most Kissable Box"









I got a box full of Valentines and candy. We also brought treats so it was a feeding frenzy all day long.

Valentines Box

Well, it's that time of year...the second annual Valentine's Day box competition. This year, it's serious. I don't know that the blog will do justice to what I have created, but here goes...

I created a "replica" of the building where I work and I found photos of co-workers I have taken over the last 2 years and given the observer a chance to peek into the fun and fabulous lives of elections workers.













Seems like an innocent looking box. Let's take a look inside...








































It's what is behind the curtains that counts!

















Hopefully my co-workers will find it hilarious. Unfortunately I don't think I'll win the grand prize because I've heard that one of them is coming with a box that requires an extension cord and batteries!