Wedding Rings - Official Rant

I'm trying to keep my ranting to a minimum, but I must address this item. Married guys in Utah don't wear their wedding rings. All the guys on my floor and 95% of the men I work with are married but only 40% wear their wedding rings. I don't think they are purposefully trying to be deceptive, I just think they are lazy or forgetful. I would hope that my future husband would make an effort to wear the ring that is a symbol or our union. I guess I shouldn't marry a Utah boy then!

Rocking the Frozen Land of Rexburg!

I had the chance to go visit my niece this weekend at BYU-Idaho. Being back was like being in a weird dream...not quite sure if I was ok with it all. I have many happy memories there and cherish the time I spent there. Tori is a beautiful, funny, bright, sweet, caring freshman. I have no idea why there are boys lined up the corner trying to beat her door down. She is really such a wonderful person. I chuckled that I was hanging out with 18 year olds all weekend, but the truth is...I HAD A BLAST!!!.

I got to chat with my favorite teachers, sit in on Collegiate Singers (my old choir), go to the new Rexburg temple, attend Comedy Improv, go to a social dance workshop (oh dear), eat Craigo's pizza, enjoy Guitars Unplugged and dance until the dance was over. I loved it all. The social dance class workshop was hilarious. It's been 7 years since I learned the steps to Foxtrot (Grrr!), Tango, Waltz, Swing, Polka, and Cha Cha. I was comfortable with just standing by the wall and watching Tori and her roommates dance all night, but dang those outgoing 22 year old boys that dance with every girl in the room. I was horrible though. Poor kids! Although...I will say this...I still ROCKED at Cha Cha. There is a reason I am known as Aunt Marie Cha Cha Cha to my sister's kids.

The dance after Guitars Unplugged was very interesting for me. I didn't enjoy dances at college for various reasons. This one was fun though. I enjoyed dancing crazy with a couple of good friends. I honestly didn't care what anyone thought of me (I always said that at school, but it wasn't completely true). I'm now a confident successful woman that has nothing to prove and finally feels comfortable with myself, who I am, and what I can offer. Man, I wish I had that understanding in college.

Not Quite There

Just when I think I'm whole and can move on with my life, I hit a rough patch. I still can't listen to real music...only filtered music. Linkin Park blind-sided me with a song that made me cry at my desk today. Some would say I deserve it. I'm so sorry for all the pain I've caused.

Vegas Baby

I don't drink a lot of pop...soda...whatever you call it. Every once and awhile I do though. Today was that day. I only had a $5 bill for a $1 pop. Fortunately, the machine gives you change. Unfortunately, it gave me my $4 in dimes. I thought I had hit the jackpot in Vegas with the clinging of all my money. I had to put my hand over the opening because dimes started shooting out because it was so full. It was kinda ridiculous, but very humorous!

Back to Rexburg

I've decided today that I am visiting my niece Tori this weekend at BYU-Idaho...my dear alma mater. I've gotten more and more excited as the day has gone on. I'll get to sit in and listen to my old choir rehearse, introduce her to Craigo's pizza (and maybe 10 pounds if she's not careful), go to Guitars Unplugged, catch up with my old teachers, and see all the changes that have happened. I feel 5 years younger already!

The Luck of the Irish

It's only been in the last couple of years that I've really appreciated St. Patrick's Day. Kathy, my Vegas roommate and one of my BFFs is OBSESSED with Ireland. She dreamed of marrying an Irish boy so she could have Irish children. She's marrying a Filipino boy instead. She was the one that really helped me catch the spirit of the day. Last year she made a seven layer rainbow cake (she is a pastry chef). We threw a huge party and spoke with Irish accents for over six hours.

This year was slightly different. I went to the Irish festival on Saturday. I bought jewelry, ate Irish sausages and watched over 2 hours of Irish dancers. It was a blast. The party at Kathy's house Saturday night...was small. There were only six of us, and a 20-minute cameo from my dear guy-friend from college days past. Highlights of the party include: Paul (Kathy's fiance) putting green food coloring into his eyes like eye drops, Tyler wearing a green argyle sweater, the yummy lime sherbet/ginger ale punch, and watching Far & Away and mimicking the accent for hours.

As for today...the real St. Patrick's Day? It's been quite. There were only three of us from our department here today on the floor (our 2nd floor managers don't really count because we never see them). My favorite part of today is that Greg (one of my favorite managers) took a potential client skiing today. Well, Mr. Potential Client crashed and tore his ACL. It's so sad...but kinda funny at the same time. He didn't have a lucky St. Patrick's Day!

Peeps are the DEVIL

In case you didn't know...Peeps are the DEVIL!!!! Not only do they taste GROSS, but their eyes don't dissolve...in anything...even sulfuric acid. That's right. It was a science experiment in 10th grade (and one of the only ones I actually remember). Avoid them at all costs!

Life Can Change In An Instant

I've experienced a couple times in the last month that everything can change in an instant. We never know what the day is going to bring. As I was running tonight at the gym, I remembered that last Wednesday night I worked out with my friend Catina who I am running a 5K with in May. Last Wednesday night Catina's biggest concern in life was that she wasn't able to keep up with my pace on the treadmill. This Wednesday night she was at the viewing of her oldest daughter. Do you realize how silly it is to cry when you are running on the treadmill? My heart still just aches for her. Tomorrow is the funeral. The first time I saw Abbey was last Thursday. I didn't know a week later I'd be at her funeral. Life is short. You never know what tomorrow brings. I was engaged one day and had it ripped from me the next day. It's been a really hard month. Last year at this time I was also going through a very difficult time because of a series of unexpected turns. You just never know what will happen tomorrow. Cherish today and never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

A Precious Child

The sun didn't shine today. It was overcast and chilly in Ogden. I would have liked it to rain. It seems on days like this that the heavens should weep as well. The life of a child was lost this morning. A future forever gone. My dear co-worker who I love so dearly unexpectedly lost her 13-year old daughter this morning. I actually just met this beautiful young woman last Thursday. I can't imagine the pain and anguish my dear friend Catina is going through. My heart honestly broke for her today. What can I do? No words can console. No flowers can brighten. No hugs are tight enough. It was a very solemn day at work. There was no laughter in Business Development today. My heart just aches. I have no more tears left in me. I wish I could take away her pain. I wish I could make it all better for her. I wish there was something more I could do. I feel so helpless.