Just what I wanted?

This year, I got smart. When people asked me what I wanted, I gave them a very specific item. New gym bag (size, extra large), Magic Bullet (so I can blend stuff and take it with me), a handmade quilt from my mom using all my old race t-shirts (love it!). It's when people didn't ask or went off the list that things went awry.

I also got a quilt I did NOT expect. I have known of it's existence for 11 years now...when my sister got her quilt on her wedding day. I heard there was one for me, too, made by our great-grandmother. Well, my grandma has decided that she is not going to live to see me married, and so I got my wedding quilt for Christmas. Thanks for keeping hope alive, Grandma! So, if any of you would also like to give me presents that you were saving for my wedding, you'd best give them to me now.

Slightly depressed that my grandmother doesn't think she will live long enough for me to find someone to marry me, I was glad I went ahead and ordered my favorite books in these super-adorable designs. I can curl up in my spinster quilt and read...after all, Jane Austen never found anyone either.

Red Ranger Came Calling

I love this book...It is my most favorite Christmas book EVER...

This unique story of one boy's Christmas wish begins and ends with a bicycle. Using glowing images and a funny, provocative text, the author relives his father's most amazing childhood Christmas. A moody young boy living with his aunt on an island in the Pacific Northwest, "Red" Breathed sees himself as the "Red Ranger from Mars," his hero from the movie serials, and cannot picture life without the gift of a Red Ranger bicycle. Red is far too "swanky a human being" to believe in Santa Claus, but nevertheless he pays a visit to the aged island hermit Sander Clos, rumored to be the legendary man himself now living in lonely, joyless retirement. This strange and bittersweet meeting triggers an emotional response within the self-absorbed Red. It also leads to the most remarkable bicycle ever delivered on a Christmas morning.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

LDS Planet...Is that in the same galaxy as earth?

So, if you read my blog, you know that my friend signed me up on an LDS singles site called LDS Planet. I know many of you had high hopes for this...I'm here to shoot them down. Here is a small sampling of the guys that email me...

"As cute as you are i cant believe your single, ive tryed my best to not be but to no avail here I am still looking and wondering when and at this point if, please tell me about your self and get to know each other it could be fun. ttys Rick"

I was confused and car-wreck intrigued by this missive, so I looked at his profile....I am NOT making this up. I am really really really hoping that someone else is.

A little about me...
Ive been told Im to Nice, I very loyal, kind,will do just about anything for any body, im very trusting, if I look at your profile I read every word, even the words I cant pronounce, lol I am kinda shy so if i look at your profile and dont send a flirt or a message doesnt mean I didnt like you,just a chicken lol. I am working on getting a temple recomend, I will get it just dont know when yet,
How I feel about the Church...
I was born into the church, very strong testamony, but was a big reason for the last two divorces, (long story)
What I do for fun...
I love to eat,movies,and comedy shows, I wished i could get into fitness but its just not me, I did go to the gymm for awhile, My dog just had puppys yesterday 12/15 there so cute ill try to post pictures soon I have a full time job, well at least for this week that could change any time, i also have a handyman bussiness I run from my house, (hence the user name) Im not much into the t.v and as long as its not on i dont watch it.

I don't even know what to say to that, other than, WTH? He found two women to marry him? But, not to worry, I also have this option...an Axl Rose wannabe showing me his softer side by posing with a baby stroller...

I'm kind of sad for myself when I get these emails. I'm hoping some of you out there are sad for me, too, and find a better dating pool for me to wade into.

More Gingerbread...

As if having my Festival of Trees gingerbread house on 2News as Casey's favorite wasn't enough, I decided to barter a gingerbread log cabin in return for a quilt made of my old race t-shirts. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Leaving Las Vegas

Well, you asked for it. Rather, Brooke asked for it, and you all can thank her for my Vegas update. First of all, Vegas isn't my favorite place to visit...when you don't drink, gamble, or want to see nekkid women, you don't have a lot to choose from in the way of entertainment. So, my coworkers and I enjoyed the lovely buffet at the Orleans and then played some skeeball while we waited for our movie to start. (The Blindside is a great movie, by the way.)

We also enjoyed walking over to the Bellagio where the fountains are spouting along to holiday favorites. Also, the Atrium is decked out with giant polar bears made of carnations and flying reindeer made out of almonds...pretty cool!


Although the highlight of Jared's trip was seeing a couple of drunk guys get thrown out of Caeser's Palace and then arrested for public intoxication, I was privileged enough to see this gem in person. Yep...a pimped out Ford Escape with SPIKES!


The spikes caught our attention, and then we noticed the handicapped placard hanging from the rearview, and I thought my blog readers, that's you Brooke, would enjoy the irony. So I went in for a close-up....


Holy CRAP! The flash revealed an alligator head on the front seat, and is that a babyseat in the back? We wanted to hang around to see what kind of a person drove this, but we got scared by the possibilities and decided to let it remain a mystery.

All in all...a very interesting trip. Plus, I logged about 8 hours on the Wii Fit...so if anyone is looking for a last minute gift for me, I would like either a Wii Fit, or an alligator head.

Vegas...Here I Come!

I'm heading to Vegas for a work conference. Before you get all jealous, I would like to point out a few downsides to my trip...

• it's Las Vegas (not my favorite vacay...I'm still pulling for Hawaii)
• it's winter...and cold there, too
• I'm going to a conference full of engineers and they are having a pool party (eek!)

It's true, we stay at Caesar's Palace, which is a very nice hotel, and we get fed at places like Ruth's Chris, but it's a lot of work to sit in a booth and hand out pens and caribiner/compass combinations. Plus, there are a couple of pipe salesmen I have to avoid every year because I am a weirdo magnet. Hopefully I will get in some shopping at the Palace shops so I can pick up a nice souvenir for myself.

Festival of Trees

Here they are...the long awaited photos from the Festival of Trees. My mom's tree was awesome, and I had lots of fun doing the gingerbread house version of Ralphie's house, from A Christmas Story, complete with Ralphie in his bunny suit, Randy stuck in a snowbank, and the warm glow of electric sex in the window.

Utah Human Race...

Troy was, justifiably, afraid of my crane-kick, and showed up at the 5K with this beaut of a sign. Take your time, admire the artwork. What can I say...he's a great brother! Also, I like to pose for pictures with him because it makes me feel cute and petite. Troy turned 22 on the 27th...hope you had a great birthday Buddy!