The Job

I've had a few of you bug me about posting pictures of my work, cause you are too lame to come see it for yourself. So, here ya go! When I made it into a collage, it mixed up the order of the pictures. You'll have to mix and match the correct tag with each picture! Have fun!

* View from the book shelves
* Front view. Check out the yummy pies
* Behind the counter (didn't know you were going to get the backstage tour, huh??)
* Inside the kitchen where masterpieces are created (check on my ipod on the counter, oops...)
* Me! (mom hates picturs without people in them. this one's for you mom!)
* Delicious cookies (see the bottom ginger cookies, I kinda goofed up on them...)
* Back storage space behind the walk in fridge and freezer (this is where i hide to text, don't tell!! I sit on the little ladder)
* Me, again (I'm demonstarating how I sit on the ladder)
* To the left of Sariah you will see the walk in fridge. Oven to the right.
* Sariah out front (again, a people pic for the mom)
* Cowboy Jed helping out with the trash. He's a good kid (and single, ladies! but he's preparing for a mish)
* More delicious desserts!

Movie Stars

I'm missing a few pictures of the other movie stars we met, but here's a good group

Hello my little friend!

Bekah, watch out! Don't run into the wa-all, er, I mean the dinosaur :)

Oh, sweet Wall-E

Check out Courtney's neck...

Fun and Fancy Free

Recent developments in the life that is mine has provided me with the opportunity to reevaluate my life's goals and my focus in life. Earlier this week I was able to hang with the cousins and have a carefree day. Here are some pic's from the day. Thanks for helping me smile!! :)

Auntie Burlene and Cousin Beckah roasting their toesies

Awaiting our turn. Micah was too pre-occupied texting the Human Boy

Can you tell who is who....? There appears to be some Duncan and Jones influence. Aren't they pretty?? Pedicures always take the "ugly" away, and make you feel, oh so much better!

Uh oh...

"Didn't you notice the two BIG signs on each side of the highway??Once you go under the over pass, the speed limit changes to 55. You were crusing along at 70."

"Um, actually, no. I was on my cell phone."

"Ok, I need to see your license and registration please."

"Alright ma'am. Just start paying attention to the road signs. Especially when there are TWO. Have a good night."

"Oh! Thank you sir!"

Thank goodness...

My Curls are Gone!*

* You will probably never see my hair quite like this again . . . You know how those hair dressers have a magic touch.

So, I wanted a change, something new. Erica at Remidez was kind enough to give me a new do, and I LOVE it!!!

Disney: Where Dreams Come True

So, this has been rolling around in my head for a long while, and has moved to the front of the list this past week. Across the hall from Deseret Book, is located The Disney Store. In the middle of the hall between Deseret Book and The Disney Store, is the Tangerine Jewelry kiosk. Where do I work? Deseret Book and Tangerine. What do I have the privilege of listening to day in and day out?? Screaming children. On the days I work at the kiosk, I get to watch first hand how the kicking and screaming begins. When I work in Deseret Book, I am able to see the irritated and fuming faces of the parents as they drag the screaming child through the length of the store. I have had many thought processes stem from this continuous occurrence.

First, why set your child up for disappointment? I watch these parents bring their children in all sorts of restraints being forced and cohered into seemingly endless amounts of hours patiently awaiting the promise of a treat, or perhaps a trip to the Disney Store. All through Deseret Book we are "blessed" to listen to the screaming previous to entering The Disney Store, and the screaming following a trip to the Disney Store. They usually end up at The Pantry in search of the magical cookie to ease the child's displeasure.

OK, so speaking of restraints, what do you think of the kid leases? I just don't know how I feel about them... I probably see two of these a day. One time I saw a dad pulling along his little daughter. As they were passing the Disney Store, Dad saw someone he knew and they stopped to chat. Naturally, the daughter walked up to the TV sets that are playing clips of Disney movies. The Dad's conversation ended and he proceeded to walk away, I guess, assuming the child was going to follow. As you may guess, she didn't, and ended up sprawled out on the floor and was drug a foot or so before Dad realized she wasn't coming. He pulled up the lease, expecting her to jump right up on her feet. Dad showed no remorse. Yes I know, I don't have any kids, so I don't have any true opinion, but still....

Another thought process I had, was of the true magic that seems to emanate from Disney. As I sit at my little kiosk, I am able to participate in the game of People Watching. I have found it very intriguing to see each persons' reaction as they pass the store. It doesn't matter how old the individual is, grandma to teenage boy, they always pause. It's the smallest pause, but it still happens. Your heart starts to swell, and when the magic starts, all sorts of feelings come rushing back at you. The Disney Classics have taught many life lessons, and have touched us in ways that have changed us. We learn to wait for our Prince to come rescue us, we learn that Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind. We learn that good always triumphs evil, whether that evil is a giant sized octopus, or a raunchy step mother. Nowadays, frankly, the cartoons suck. We've lost the dreamy magic of Mickey and Minnie, and have found ourselves surrounded by people with triangle shaped heads called Phineas. Hopefully that Disney Vault will continue opening up so our future generations will be able to see the true nature of Disney and that the magic can continue! Thanks for listening to be blab!

Scrum-dili-ocious!

One Year Ago

June 2, 2008 marked another milestone. I've been thinking about it this past week, realizing the greatness that comes from the Gospel. I've seen it within my own life, and within those I was able to meet and teach in the great state of Oregon. During the last six months of serving in Oregon, I was in Santa Clara (no, not in Southern Utah :)). It's a suburb of Eugene. There we had the blessed opportunity to meet Milo and Kym Wiltbank. They were a part member family, whose Home Teachers referred them to us. We began teaching them, and had some of the most spiritual and heart warming experiences. It wasn't until June 2007, after I had returned home, that they were baptized. Because of some very dear friends of mine, I was able to return and witness it. Milo was able to baptized Kym, and their son Austin. In the coming year, their daughter Hailey will be turning 8, and I hope to once again return and visit. It was so fun to stay a few days and see other dear people who have touched my life in more ways than one. A part of my heart will always lie in Santa Clara, OR. I am happy to hear that they are continuing forward with the goal of attending the Temple and receiving their patriarchal blessings in the coming months. I love you Wiltbank family!!

Memories of the Rain

Yes Tena, my excuse for not blogging is work. I am starting to regret the second job. I didn't have much of a life before. Now, I really don't....

I apologize for the slack. I think it was on Wednesday that it was rainy here in Orem. I, of course, was slaving away in the kitchen at the good ol' Lion House Panty. For my lunch break (which is a lame 20 minutes), I bust it across the Mall to the Food Court. To shave off about 5 or so seconds, my fellow co-workers have found that if we take a short cut outside, you can get to the food court quicker. So, outside I headed. Because I was stuck inside, I had no idea it was raining. I open up the door and I was met with a rush of chilly fresh rain smelling air. My mind instantly was transported to Oregon. My home away from home. Faster than I could realize what was happening, I was re-living specific memories of mission life in the rain. As you can see in this first picture, we were out tracting- rain or shine. There is a common saying among missionaries: "The longer you tract,and especially the worse the weather, the hotter your eternal companion will be!" :) Missionaries are quite desperate sometimes. I have come to love the rain, even crave it. I was bummed to have to be at work. I was wanting to go for a walk desperately. It actually made me happy to be out in the rain for that 5 seconds.

It rains so much, that moss grows like carpet on the sidewalks!!

The Crazy Cousins

Here is a glimpse into the life of the fantastic Greers. They bring many
smiles and giggles :)

Busy but, Good Weekend

My dear friend Camilla Weber-soon to be- Deans, was able to enter the Temple for the first time this weekend, and she invited me to attend. It was my first time to visit the beautiful Salt Lake Temple. It was an extrodinary experince. Many thoughts of the Pioneers and their many many sacrifices to build such an amazing structure to further the Teachings of Jesus Christ came to mind that day. I was reminded of my own personal responsibilites, and did a self evaluation on ways to be better. Life sure gets stuffed with crap, and its easy to fall to the wayside and go through the motions just to survive. It seems like that anyway. We always hope and wish for an easier way to find happiness and to complete our plans and goals. I'm finding that lately. Wishing for such a thing, isn't going to get me anywhere. "Happiness is a journey, not a destination." I'm trying to implant this in my brain, or maybe tattoo it on my forehead... I do know that this journey can only begin and continue when focused on the Gospel of Christ. The Temple helped me to refocus, I'm sure grateful for the many blessings in my life.

I was a little nervous to go into the SLC Temple by myself for the first time, so I called up my dear Auntie Burlene. She eased my worries, and helped me to enjoy the moment.

I love you Leenie!!

Surprise Visit from my Mom!

My Mom works at Costco (she's an 8 year vetren!), she is a Manager over Membership, plus a whole lotta other stuff I'm sure. On her Marketing Team, is a crazy and fun sweetheart, Melissa. They came up to SLC for the Primary Chidren's Medical Center Telethon. They came to present a check of their donation, and to answer phone calls. Thankfully, she gave me a call and we were able to meet up. Melissa had never been to the Myan Restaurant, so we met up there for the sweet entertainment and good food. As you look at the photo of my mom and me, you notice the man to the right of us. We were ordering our drinks and Melissa shouted out TEQUILLA! This man looked over and continued to give crusty looks all night.

Burlene's signature look :)

After being with Burlene all day, I finally noticed we were wearing twinner skirts!
Rubbing the Budda Fish

The Primary Children's

Medical Hospital Telethon

The lovely phone answerers
Behind the scenes look at the set
The beautiful Melissa presenting Costco's donation check.
She could be the next Vanna White!

Sweet family sharing their experince at the Hospital. At the end of this segment, the 3 year old was giving his donation of coins he had earned. As he was holding it up for the camera, the bag burst open sending coints everywhere! It was funny, and his face was so cute.

I was able to sneak in for a picture with the check...

Good Times with the Familia

I know there are some of you who haven't had the blessed opportunity to meet my dear family. I thought this would be a fun way to introduce them! I picked some good and interesting memories to share with you. Our favorite past time is sitting around the dining room table chatting about none sense and crazy memories. As the kids we are AKA, The 5 M's. We are: Monica, Mallory, Michael, Makinzee and Maddison. Yes, Michael is the only boy, but don't you worry, he can take it just as well as he can dish it out! Our house is always loud and rumbly, but its full of love and laughter. I hope none of them will be too mad at me for my choice of pictures...

This is our latest family picture at the delicious Pizza Factory

Dec 2007
The Lovely Brenda Fawn
Sweet Papa Dean-o boxing on the Wii with his big bro.

They are getting quite the work-out!!
Beautiful Mallie
Redneck Mike

Kinzee's Sweet 16, she's so pwetty!

Cute Maddi staring at the wonderment of snow!

We don't see it too often in St. George...