The Orphan Car

Every morning at 6:45 a.m. when seminary is over, I pile 3 of my students in to my car and drop them off at their high school, which happens to be on my way to work.

They told me awhile ago that they call my car "The Orphan Car." I asked, "Why do you call it that?" They said, "Because we are like your orphans."

Still confused I asked for further explanation. One girl explained, "Look at us. We are each a different color. It's like you adopted 3 orphans." I looked and sure enough, one student is white (Caucasian), one is brown (Native American) and one is black (from Liberia). I love my diverse little seminary class but I never noticed the "colors" in my car.

Now they think it's hilarious that when they get out of my car in front of the school they yell, "Bye Mom!" It makes me laugh every morning.

What?!?! Shocking!

I saw this on Yahoo tonight when I checked my email. I'm still reeling from the shock of the news. Wow! All the years I've been a Clay fan, I never saw this coming. It's going to take me many hours to get over this bombshell.

I'm not ashamed to say I own all his CD's. I voted for him on AI (2nd season rocked) and saw him two times in concert with my sister. Aahhh...the memories of my sister screaming at the ten year old girls in front of us to put their posters down so we could see.

Be what ya gotta be, Clay but I won't be buying the magazine.

I'm having a Melinda Moment

Melinda? Are you reading this?

Tonight I made my own home-made laundry detergent and it was truly a Melinda moment. My friend Melinda is the most resourceful person I know and this seems like something she would do.

I am trying to save a little money, oh and the environment. All I needed was my (NEW!) food processor, 2 small bars of Ivory soap, baking soda and Borax. I can't wait to try this fine concoction on my laundry. There are many recipe variations. The one I tried was at instructables.com. Good thing I have no life and I can do my laundry on Friday night!

Rule #27 of Salsa Dancing...

If you don't feel like going dancing, DON'T GO. You'll only embarrass yourself and no one wants to dance with someone who is ornery and tired. Furthermore, you won't have fun and then you'll come home and write a miserable post on your blog for your friends and family to see.

Premonitions?

On Saturday night I went to an open house. A friend of mine has launched her own on-line clothing boutique. Check out www.vintagefringe.com to see her cute clothes. I bought a new shirt and I was so excited because it's unique and I haven't bought any clothes for a long time. Today I wore my new shirt to work.

Now I have this co-worker who doesn't quite live in reality and she, shall we say, makes up a lot of things. Most of the time I think she makes up things so as to try to initiate a conversation with me and I just refuse to oblige. Here is a recent example:

Co-worker: "It's gorgeous outside."
Me: "It's 50 degrees and overcast. What are you talking about?"

She tries to initiate a conversation about the weather and I just flat out won't go for it. It always begins with "It's gorgeous outside." I don't know that I've ever used gorgeous to describe the weather conditions. In fact, I don't know that I've used gorgeous since junior high when we said things like "Ralph Macchio and all the guys in Duran Duran are sooooooo GORGEOUS." But I digress...back to the shirt.

So I walked into work today and here is how the conversation went:

Co-worker: "I had a dream about you last night."
Me: Silent but slightly freaked out.
Co-worker: "Yeah, we were processing ballots and you were wearing that EXACT shirt."
Me: "That's not possible. I just bought it this weekend."
Co-worker: Acts as if she has just had a premotion about my weekend clothing choices.

Good thing I didn't buy the green one or I would have really blown her dream.

Remembering

This morning in Seminary my students and I were talking about September 11, 2001. Most of the students in my class have no real memory of that day because they were 7 and 8 years old at the time and they couldn't really grasp what was happening. One of my oldest students is an immigrant from Liberia. She was still living there and even though she was 10 at the time, she doesn't really remember much about that day.

Not only did this seem strange to me but it also made me feel old. As adults we have the ability to remember where we were, what we were doing, and how we were feeling when the September 11th attacks happened. Sometimes I'm not sure if I like those memories.

I mentioned before that I was on my way back from an election mission in Belarus and was stuck in Germany for several days. Here are the snippets of memories and feelings I have from that day:

--The kindness of strangers. A man at the airport let me and my friend use his cell phone to call home because the land lines were jammed, we said, "but we have to call America" and he said, "that's okay."

--The love shown to me by the people in Germany. So many times people out of the blue would say to us how sorry they were and how their prayers were with our country. Many of the churches opened their doors to just let people come in and sit and reflect.

--The longing to be with my family. I remember that I just wanted to be home with them. Not that there was anything I could do and it didn't make much difference where I was. I realized, though, that I really, really wanted to hug my whole family.

--When I finally made it back to Salt Lake several days later I remember the American flags that were hung and posted everywhere. It felt like coming home to a different and changed world. I wondered at that time if that "united" feeling would last. Seems like it's hard to hold onto that.

Hearing the news reports is still hard for me. I can't even imagine how hard this day is for those who lost family and friends. Though it's hard to hear, I don't want to forget.

What's that barnyard smell?

Still feeling (or rather smelling) the effects of henna.

Tonight I went salsa dancing and the minute I started to sweat I could smell something repugnant yet strangely familiar. Yes, the smell of wet straw in a stable. It was my hair and the henna has come back to haunt me. Who knew the smell would come back when my hair was wet with perspiration?

Well, I hope no one noticed it. I don't want to be known to the guys at the salsa club as "the girl who smells like a farm." How embarrassing!

Amy+Henna Hair Color=Bad news

Since I had major car repairs last month, I am trying to find ways to be more frugal. The woman who does my hair is on extended maternity leave so I figured this would be a good time to try to color my own hair without feeling guilty for ditching my hair stylist. I love her dearly but it costs me a fortune to have brown hair!

I went to the Sunflower Market (my favorite store!) and bought some henna hair color. Yes, I'll admit that I am much more granola since I moved to Colorado.

Well, the henna was a disaster, a total mess and it smelled like wet hay in a stable. After I mixed together the green concoction I tried to paint it on my hair as the directions said. When I was done my hair looked and felt like green straw and my sink looked like this.















The rest of the bathroom was splattered with green henna as well. I thought it was such a bright idea because I could let it sit on my hair for an hour while I prepared my seminary lesson for the next day. That didn't happen because I spent the next hour cleaning my bathroom. When I finally rinsed it off the shower was a green disaster--the tile, shower curtain and tub were covered in henna. Luckily it was a good excuse for me to clean my bathroom and the seminary lesson went on the way back burner.

Lessons I learned: 1) Henna is a bad idea when you don't know what you are doing. 2) Suck it up and pay $150 for someone to color your hair for you because it's worth it.

Finally some down time

I actually had a free weekend this week. I haven't had one of those in many, many months...probably since before Memorial Day. Granted, I did have to go into work yesterday but I went in when I felt like it and worked until I felt like it. No rushing around trying to get in 5 hours of schoolwork for me anymore!

Saturday I went to the gym with Renee' and we did power walking on the treadmill and a Pilates class. I got my grocery shopping and laundry done. I also went to a singles activity up in Lyons. It's about an hour from Denver and it was fun.

Today I went to church, did my Seminary lessons for the week, had a nap, talked to my mom, and caught up on my email. Aahh...I love being back to my boring life!

Aunthood!

"Aunt Amy" is one of my favorite titles. The last 2 weekends I was able to be in Utah with my family. The first weekend I took Callee's kids and last weekend I took Tony's kids. It's so fun for me to do things that I never get to do in Colorado because I have no kids here to play with.

Saturday I took Megan, Logan and Kimball to the Children's Museum at the Gateway. We had so much fun that it was hard to leave. Afterwards we had ice cream. The great thing about being an aunt is that the kids are always obedient and well-behaved around me. I don't have to discipline or get after them like their parents do. Funny how that happens...

I also survived Kimball's bloody nose (a real gusher!) at the Museum. The next day in church Kate had a major explosion and pooped all over me. So I think I've had enough with the bodily fluids for now.

Sunday the whole family was together for my mom's birthday party. It's so fun for me to be with my family. I love them so much--I must because I've seen them four weekends in a row and I live 500 miles away.














Silly kids! Logan, Megan and Kimball at the Gateway. (Notice the tissue I stuck up Kimball's nose. Enlarge the photo and you can see the blood all over his shirt!)















Aunt Amy and little Kate















Grandma Liz and her seven cute grandchildren

Friends for Life

Last night my friend Leslie from DC was here on business. She got to my place last night and we went to dinner and then she stayed here (couldn't get a hotel room in Denver during the DNC!)

It was so great to see Leslie. We met back in 2001 when she recruited me to go on my first election mission to Belarus. Because I had listed my church mission on my resume she knew I was Mormon and told me that she was as well. We met for the first time in Minsk, Belarus.

The election was very interesting and it was very clear that we were not really welcome there by the government of Belarus. We were all anxious to go home when it was over. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 thirteen of us from the US boarded a very early flight from Minsk to Frankfurt, Germany. We landed in Germany thinking we'd be boarding a plane to the US when we learned very sketchy details about the attacks on our country. We ended up stuck in Germany for 3 days because we couldn't get home. (There is more to this story that I'll tell some other time.)

United airlines put us up in hotel rooms but we had to have a roommate. Since Leslie and I are the same religion and we decided that it would be good for us to share a hotel room. After all, both of us realized we had to do laundry in the sink and well, you get the point.

Unfortunately with the lack of sleep from the election, food issues, stress, etc. we both ended up sick, and I mean really sick. Both of us were throwing up, had diarrhea, had coughs and had colds. Hotel bathrooms are not so sound proof and we put up with each other in this condition for 3 days, add to that not knowing if or when we would be able to go home.

So last night Leslie was on the phone with her husband trying to explain to him how she knows me. She was retelling the hotel/sickness/September 11th story. I commented that once you share an experience like that with someone, you are friends for life! That certainly holds true for Leslie. I think we got to know each other at the worst possible time and we both still liked each other. Though I don't get to see her often, she is my friend for life.

This photo was taken in Minsk on Monday, September 10, 2001. That's me in the middle and Leslie is on the right with the yellow sweater.

The World of Star Wars According to my Nephews

While in Utah I took Mason and Ethan to see the Clone Wars movie. The movie was alright. They enjoyed it anyway. After the movie we went back to their house and we played Star Wars, talked about Star Wars, and watched Star Wars. Here are some Star Wars references I learned.

Light savers=light sabers
The force=a power people have to "force" things to happen like people to choke and light sabers to fly.
Eterial walkers=Imperial walkers
Dark Sivious=Any bad character who cannot be otherwise identified
Chihuahuas=Ewoks

I sure love those boys. They are so good. It was fun to spend the day with them and babysit them Saturday night.

My $2000 Utah Vacation

I just got back from yet another weekend in Utah. I had to go pick up my car that broke down there 2 weeks ago.

Turns out it was my transmission that blew out and it couldn't be fixed in Ephraim, Utah where I last left it. The car was towed to Provo to a transmission specialist. Then the nightmare with the warranty company began. It's nice to know I have a warranty for these types of disasters but trying to get them to do anything was such a hassle. It took 2 weeks to go through all the crap and 24 hours to actually FIX the car. Then they only paid a portion (more than the warranty cost, though, so I can't complain too much) and I was stuck with a rental car bill for 2 weeks. Add to that the gas going back and forth and this was an expensive summer. I took advantage of a free Saturday and got my haircut, had a pedicure, and took my nephews to see the Clone Ward movie.

Now me AND my car are back home in Denver. I have busy week ahead of me. I am volunteering for the DNC and Early Morning Seminary starts tomorrow. It's back to 9:30 bed times and 5:00 a.m. wake up calls.

I have something in common with Michael Phelps!

I heard that Michael Phelps eats 12,000 calories a day. Wow, that's amazing because sometimes I do too!!! Granted, he swims and trains for hours each day and is able to burn those extra calories. Well, that's where Michael and I differ. I eat 12,000 calories, exercise for an hour and think that eating so much is okay because I "work out."

So tonight I went and swam for an hour at the pool here at my apartment complex. Thanks Michael...and congratulations on your 8 gold medals.

Great Graduation Gift

I got many gifts for my graduation. (Thank you all, by the way.) One very special gift I bought with the gift certificate Grandma Macey gave me.

It's a Cuisinart PowerBlend Duet Blender/Food Processor.














I love to cook and if there's one thing I can get excited about it's a kitchen appliance. Let me just take a moment and explain my reasons for getting excited about these small counter top electronics.

I grew up in Utah where everyone gets married really young. All a young lady has to do is get engaged, go to Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond or whatever and register for kitchen appliances, and then people buy them for you as gifts. Those of us who don't get married are left to buy our own appliances when we move out.

As an apparent punishment for not marrying, I have had to buy my own towels, linens, dishes, furniture, etc. (I am not bitter, mind you; I am just stating the facts of life.) So...many of my appliances are hand me downs (crock pot), extra wedding gifts (someone gave me a blender because they received 2), Christmas gifts I've asked for over the years (electric skillet, waffle iron), or things I bought myself (toaster). I have wanted a food processor for so long but just have not been able to justify the expense.

Well, with Grandma's generous gift certificate I went to Macey's and bought this bad boy. I can't wait to make smoothies AND chop vegetables all at the same meal. Some things are just worth the wait!

Finally Graduated!

I finally got my Masters degree today from the University of Denver. It was a gloomy, rainy 52 degree day in Denver so they moved everything inside. It didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. Everyone was wishing each other congratulations and it was fun to catch up with some people I got to know while in the Applied Communication program.

Mom and grandma Macey flew in last night to be with me. My good friend Kathryn also came. I was glad they were there to help me and cheer me on. At 7:00 a.m. this morning we had to be at the school for the hooding ceremony for Masters students.















Then we went to the general commencement. I wish I had something to say that was grand and inspiring but honestly I'm just happy to be finished and to be able to do other things besides work on my paper.














We stopped by my office and they had a cake and flowers for me.















Then we had dinner with Kathryn and Mike and they got me a graduation Barbie Cake. It was really the "icing on the cake" for the day!

Twas the night before the Colorado Primary Election

...and I am exhausted. You can plan, plan, plan and at the last minute it is chaos no matter what. We're not even expecting a high turnout, which is disappointing with all the work we have put in. I did my last judge training class today and I can't say I was sad. We may have a few weeks to collect our thoughts and then it's full speed ahead for November. So I'm going to bed!

Seven Seminary Students

I just got back from an Arapahoe Stake fireside where they did a seminary "kick off" program for students and teachers to meet. I am going to have seven students this year which is so exciting because last year I only had four. I teach two wards combined and we are going to be in a member's home this year rather than the church. Our church building is located in what you might call the "inner city" even though it's in a residential area. Some mornings we would come and the door was left unlocked all night and knowing the area, it just is too unnerving for me to worry about building security all the time, so we moved to a member's home nearby.

I continue to be impressed with the youth in our area. As a teacher I sat on the stand part of the time and looked out and thought, "All these kids get up and go to seminary at 6:00 a.m. every day. Wow! They are really devoted to learning the gospel." Seminary was the foundation of my testimony and I am grateful to be a teacher now.

I almost missed my best friend's wedding!

My best friend Stephanie got married yesterday in the Manti Temple. I was able to drive from Denver and our friend Amy came from Seattle. It was great for Steph's husband (Phil) to see the 3 old political science majors from the University of Utah together in action.

I almost didn't make the wedding. First, I wasn't sure if my work would let me take off the Friday before the Colorado Primary. Luckily things are slow and they agreed to let me go.

I started my 7 1/2 hour trek from Denver at 6:30 a.m. on Friday to make the 3:00 wedding. Everything was fine until I got off I-70 in Salina for the 28 last miles to the Manti Temple. That's when my car started having trouble. I didn't know it at the time but my transmission was completely blown. I was parked at the side of the road in hysterics sort of praying for help but more raving lunatic than spiritual. My mom was coming from Salt Lake and her cell phone wasn't getting service. I wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't believe I'd come all that way and gotten so close only to miss the wedding.

My frantic prayers were answered when one Deon Rosequist pulled over and asked if I needed help. He was the one who told me my transmission was shot and when I told him I had one hour to get to a wedding he got me to put my car in low gear and offered to follow me 20 miles into Manti while I drove really slow. I must have looked pretty pathetic standing there bawling my head off to a stranger, but it got worse. You can see in the picture the skirt I'm wearing is very flowy. Well, standing out on Highway 89 with traffic moving so fast was not a good idea because as soon as a semi truck passed, my skirt flew up completely and I flashed the good Samaritan. Nice, Amy.

I made it to the temple with 10 minutes to spare and I walked into the sealing waiting area and continued sobbing hysterically and then I started sweating and had to explain what was going on. So much for reverence.

It was great to finally meet Phil and to see Steph's family. Steph and I met my second day of college in Russian class back in 1990 and we've been friends ever since. We were room mates for a few years and have done many road trips, rock concerts and other fun things together over the years. I am so happy for her.

So now my car is sitting at a Ford dealership in Ephraim, Utah and I had to rent a car to get back to Denver. It will be at least a week or more before it's fixed and then I'll have to make a return trip. Luckily I bought the extended warranty on the car so I'm hoping this is just a major inconvenience and not a reason to file for bankruptcy. This turned out to be the most expensive trip to Utah I have ever had. But I made the wedding and it was worth it!

Mental Exhaustion

I just got home from teaching 3 election judge training classes in a row. I love training but I have literally been talking for 9 straight hours. I have to give the same instructions, tell the same jokes and tell the same stories over and over again. Do you know how exhausting it is to try to "sell" the joke when you've told it so many times? I have to remember that it's the first time the people in my class are hearing it and I have to give them the same energy I gave in the first class I taught 3 weeks ago. Not easy. I have lost count of how many classes I have taught over the last 3 weeks but I think I'm getting close to twenty. I'll be glad when the primary election is over next week. I'm tired!