I can't really think of anything to blog about. . . . but I thought that this picture of the Salt Lake Temple a couple of weeks ago was pretty amazing.  

So, until I come up with something clever to blog about I'll let this keep you company and give you something to think about.  

He's back. . . and Thanksgiving

We celebrated with Thanksgiving dinner/lunch and doing what big families do -- eating, playing games and just being together.  The day after Thanksgiving we went to Perry to see my Grandma Webb and then I went up to Logan to see some of my cousins. 

I missed my California buddies, but maybe next Thanksgiving I'll make it down there again.  Daniel was worth staying in Utah for.  (I guess)

Daniel made it home just in time for "Blizzard 2010" (you know, the storm that never actually happened).  Good thing it snowed and snowed the morning he was speaking in church.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving when Daniel spoke in church was perfect and it was great to hear about his experiences in Ukraine and even have some of his Ukranian friends come to our home.  Not the greatest of pictures, but we had lots of fun visiting and spending the week and weekend of Thanksgiving together.   I

Many are cold but few are frozen

On Thanksgiving Day Heather, Jason and I ran in the "Earn Your Turkey" Turkey Trot in Orem.  

It was a balmy 6 degrees when the race began.  

I ran really fast, mostly because I wanted to be out of the cold.  As I was running at about mile one I said out-loud to a friend of mine:  "My fingers are frozen" A man who was running next to me heard and said back to me "Well, many are cold but few are frozen" 

Only in Utah.  

I must admit it was clever.  

It took all day for my fingers to thaw.  

Why do I run in the freezing cold weather you might ask?  

Because it is fun of course.  

Thanks to Heather and Jason for running with me!  

Here we are thawing out after at my house!  Still smiling.

Tights and a skirt -- quite the looker in this outfit.

irreplacable

I don't think that anyone should really ever move "out of my life" or my ward or my neighborhood.  Especially the family that I sit by in church every Sunday.  Seriously, at a loss.  And I might have, just might have, burst into tears after sacrament meeting when Angie told me that they were moving at the end of the month.  

As is usual, 4 of the 5 Johnson children were on and or around my lap, wearing my jewelry, reading books and making pictures for me at church today and I loved every minute of it. Every "use a whisper voice" and "lets count how many boys are passing the sacrament" and "close your eyes and think about your Christmas tree" and "Yes, you can come see my house" and "close your eyes for the prayer" and "Look at the clock only 4 more times around and you get to go to Primary" and "Thank you for 'helping' me hold the baby." and hearing "I love you Amber Osaler (while accompanied of course by a small hand rubbing my leg)"  made me feel like I was actually a part of something bigger than my one person household.  I even had a slobber/spit up stain on my dry clean only sweater and it didn't bother me for 2 seconds. 

I don't really have anything to say about this except for that if I thought not being married and having my own children wasn't fair this is pretty high up on the not fairness scale.  I cannot sit alone at church.  I just can't.  I already do a lot of things alone and this was the one thing I didn't have to do by myself.  In fact I actually found myself looking forward to and planning ahead for Sundays.  (So much that sometimes if I had another ward to go to I would go to church twice just so I could sit with the Johnson family).  Pathetic commentary on my life. but true.  

I can already picture myself standing at the doors to the chapel scanning to see who I can sit with and not feel in the way or out of place. (if that is possible as a single person in a family ward)  I can already feel that insecure feeling of knowing that it is obvious I am at church alone looking for someplace to sit.  Not excited for January.

No one.  I repeat.  No one will replace the Johnson family.  

Maybe they could just move in with me. 

I think I'll go back to being sad and trying to think of ways that the Johnson's can stay in the ward.  

I don't handle change well. at all. 

O Remember, Remember

I used to be really really good about keeping a journal.  I have journals from my childhood, journals from my teenage years and even journals full of my college days.  Somewhere along the way as I became an "adult" I let go of my resolve to keep a journal.  Last night as I lay in bed pondering my day I wondered about why I wasn't as consistent about my efforts to keep a journal.  I didn't have any really good reason except for that I felt like that over the past 2-3 years I had nothing really important to say except for recording one more time that I had just endured another failed relationship.  Really, I felt like there wasn't anything else monumental or worth documenting happening in my life.   

I know that is not true.  I have lots of important things that happen to me daily.  They are important because they show me, and those who might someday read my journals that the Lord does have a hand in my life.  He blesses my life every day.  In little, sometimes hard to find ways.  

So, as of today I am committing once again to keep a journal and to record, in my very own handwriting and somewhat informal way, the things that happen to me on a daily basis that show the hand of the Lord in my life.  

Keeping a journal can be difficult because it feels to me like I am sharing a piece of my soul, my thoughts, feelings, inspirations and desires with an unknown audience.  Even if for now it is just a piece of paper I am recording on. I also know that by putting things down in writing it makes them more real, believable and helps me to define who I am and what is truly important to me.  It shows me how I am becoming the Daughter of God that I need to, and want to be.  

I regret that over the past years I haven't rememembered and acknowledged these blessings in the way that I should be.  I probably won't be able to ever "make-up" what I lost by my lack of attention and willingness to record things in my journal.  However, I can start now to remember and record these things.  

I think that November is a great time to be thankful and remember and I love this message of President Eyrings.  Such a touching reminder and example. 

quilting

Lately, I have kind of been on a  

quilting frenzy.  

Okay, frenzy might be stretching it, but I have been sewing a lot (a lot for me that is) the past month or so.  

I totally cut my finger and couldn't find a band-aid, but improvised! 

I am in a quilt block a month club and I just want it down for the record that I had my quilt blocks for October done almost 2 weeks ago.  Unheard of for me.  

My friend Julie came over and quilted with me, which made it that much more fun.  

I also just finished this quilt (that I started a LONG time ago).  I'll take pictures of mine once it is actually quilted.  Any suggestions of where I can take it to get it machine quilted? I'm looking for someone new. 

I'm not sure what I want to quilt next, but I always get fun ideas from the blog of another friend of mine. 

(but if we were being honest it is apparent that her skill level is 1000x mine)  

I used to teach her kids in school and little did I know what a talented quilter she was.  I should have been more attentive and aware of her great abilities.  If you love quilting you really should check out her blog.  Plus, she is giving stuff away and don't we all love free stuff.  I do, especially when it is fabric.  

will have him back

in 23 days.  

He'll be home.  

I think I've written 6 times.  

I am a bad sister.  

I read all of his emails and always have great intentions of sending a message.


I think he will understand. 

Maybe.  

At least I didn't get married while he was gone. 

That was nice of me.  

Also, I am "growing my hair out" for his return  
(meaning I won't cut it really short again until after Thanksgiving).  

He'll be so happy. 

And I got this really cute yellow sweater. . . 

because he loves yellow   

( at least I think it is his favorite. . . remember I only wrote him 6 times and he is 10 years younger than me, but if I remember right he liked the yellow power ranger so it must be that he will love my yellow sweater. right?)

Okay really I bought it at Target without even checking my budget because I have been searching and searching for a yellow sweater my WHOLE life (like before he even left on his mission).  I think buying it for his return party is justified.  for sure.  

Enough about my cute yellow sweater.  This post is about Daniel.  

November 23rd is going to be here before we know it 

(I might even find an outfit I like more than the yellow sweater before then, but probably not)

I can't believe little Daniel is all grown up. 

The baby of the family. . . a return missionary.  

Let the countdown begin. 

23, 22, 21, 20, 19. . . . . 

shares a birthday

I share my birthday with Katy Perry

and Pablo Picasso.  

 

What do you think that says about me!? 

Seriously, they are both a little bit/ a lot crazy.  

Talented but crazy. 

Good thing I am so normal.  I am going to assume that they day I was born (Ocotber 25th) really doesn't define who I am.  

I guess if I am going to assume that then I should assume that how old I am getting doesn't actually define who I am either.  

Unless of course there had been 2 really cool people born on October 25th in which case it would have totally fit because I am so awesome and only people with the same level of awesome as I have could be born on October the 25th.  

The point of this post is to say Happy Birthday to myself.  

I don't have a husband who is going to write up a post about the 31 reasons he loves me and thinks I am wonderful, so I am expecting you, my readers to give me at least 31 comments about why I am so great.  

I can hardly wait to see what you all have to say.  

Oh and just in case you are wondering what I looked like the day before my birthday 

(last Sunday) 

behold below

Loves

Right now I have a few loves Including but not exclusive to the following things:

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara 

(coupon in the Costco mailer = double love)

My new planner that keeps me ultra organized and I just check, check, check off all the things I am doing so that I feel productive.


Fall Air and the changing colors. I drove up the canyon today to go to some meetings I had at Aspen Grove and had to really try hard to stay on the road instead of staring. A nice long bike ride of the loop is scheduled in on the planner.

My keys. Yes, I love my keys and the neighbor who comes to rescue me at 6:30 am when I lock myself out of my house (in my running clothes) without keys.

The new pictures I got in the mail today of the prettiest nieces anyone could ever have. Actually, this is kind of like a love/hate situation, because really, the cutest girls ever to come to earth were born into my brothers family and that might leave me high and dry on ever having the option of cute girls. I'll keep my fingers crossed that maybe there is still some beauty in the form of a little one with bows and ribbons just waiting to grace my home someday, and until then I'll just look at their beautiful pictures.

post edit:  this post is from like a month ago, but I can't figure out how to date it from a month ago.  You wouldn't think I was such a blog rookie.  Alas, I am. 

Might take up a new sport

I'm thinking that running and cycling just aren't the same as they used to be.  Not quite the rush that it once held. 

So, how about the luge.  

I think that if nothing else I look pretty darn cute doing it.  

 I think that "the finger" pointing is trying to show me how to control the blades. . . you do this by squeezing your legs in.  It is harder than I am making it look.  (which probably just goes to show that I am going to be a pro at this someday).  I think I'll start designing my slick one piece bodysuit right now.  Rest assured that it will have at least one hue of pink if not more. 

I think that I could get some serious speed on this thing.  Plus, if I get REALLY good at it I can spend my summers in Park City shopping at the outlets. . . I mean training every day.  

Is thankful she is educated

Education

Today I was really disheartened when I read an article on ksl.com (the deseret news) about how women in Utah don't see value in higher education.  I am aware of the fact that a lot of these beliefs come from the idea that a lot of these women are going to be mothers and they don't feel like an education is necessary to fulfill their responsibilities of motherhood.   The article states that women associate education with a career and women in Utah don't forsee themselves having a career.  

Well, I am here to tell you that I didn't foresee myself having a career either.  I've been working for 12 long years. Working in a job that requires a higher education degree.  Without an education I would be in a heap of trouble.  I would like to believe that even if I had married at 20 instead of finishing my schooling and starting a career I would have still felt the need to further my education.  

When I went back to school for a Masters Degree it was definitely a difficult decision because I thought that I was resigning myself to being single forever if I got more education.  I pushed through those ridiculous thoughts and ended up with a Masters Degree to accompany my Bachelors degree.  

Maybe I am an education snob, but if I am it is a title that I will gladly hold.  I hope that someday when I do have children they understand that my education wasn't obtained because a family wasn't the option I was offered, but rather because I know that when my family comes I will be nothing but grateful that I am educated. Grateful that I worked hard to define my beliefs, increase my skills, make myself a better servant in the Lord's kingdom and use my education to make a difference in my life and the lives of those around me.  

I'll get off my soapbox now but I don't think that this is the last post you will see about this.  Too much passion behind this belief system of mine.  

Nelson Mandela sums it all up:

Education is the most powerful weapon which YOU can use to ChAnGE the world.

The article can be read here.  The study can be found here.  

Educate yourself by reading them.  

Continue in Patience

Continue in Patience

(click on the link since I can't figure out how to get the actual video to stream on my blog)

I have nothing really to add to this.  Just a lot to learn from it.  

I'm sure most of you have seen it.  I think it is worth watching over and over.  

Also, all the conference talks from the 

October 2010 General Conference are now up and posted -- video, audio and text.  

Which ones are your favorites!?

Looks like a lion with really great legs

You know how when you have curly hair you want straight and when you have straight hair you want curly?! Yes, it is true.  Well, I am one of the people who is blessed with curly hair and I am always trying to make it straight.  

A few years ago when I was teaching school I had done my hair curly and gone to work.  It must have been the first time for that school year that I had not spent 45 minutes trying to get my hair to give the illusion of straight and beautiful.  

One of the little boys in my class said to me:  "Teacher, you kind of look like a lion with that hairdo" Dead serious.  I think he was trying to give me a compliment.  Yes, a lion.  I looked like a lion. I obviously laughed it off.  This child was, after all, 7 years old.  However, I have never forgotten that comment and always look in the mirror when my hair is curly and think to myself "Do I look like a lion?!" Maybe I do, but it doesn't stop me from doing my hair curly every now and then and giving myself a break from the straightening routine.  

I don't know if anyone else gets really random "compliments" like I do, but in March I was running the Rex E. Lee Run at BYU and I got a compliment that is almost at the same place on the rating scale as looking like a lion.  

Legs picture compliments of my nephew on the beach.

 

 

 

After I had finished what had to have been the worst race of my life (seriously horrible - I walked in a 10k and didn't know how to handle myself with "the old flame" at the race) I was just visiting with a couple of friends when this girl, who was a total stranger came up to me and said to me:  "I know that this might be weird but I saw you before the race and while you were running and I just wanted to tell you that you have got really great legs" 

How would you respond to that?  I said thank you, but didn't really know what else to say. A few other friends heard the comment and I have been teased about it since.  

So, for the record I've got lion hair and really great legs.  

Amazing that I am not married with that on my resume.  

Has got my hands full

With lots and lots of fall projects. . .


and yet I can't decide which of these Halloween wreaths to make. 

Maybe all of them.  What do you think!?

Oh the joys of sewing and projects.  Be excited for homemade Christmas presents this year. 

Has 30 days left at being 30

What am I going to do in the next 30 days of my 30 year old life?  Good question.  

30 has been a pretty good year to me and I am sure that the next 30 days will prove to be just as adventurous as the last 335 have been.  

I am not quite sure I am ready to be 31. . . . . then it is officially like you are "in your 30's"

Old. 

Maybe I'll post something everyday for the next 30 days about what I am doing as a 30 year old.  That should keep me, and everyone else thoroughly entertained. Side note, but I am pretty sure my mom had her 5th child when she was 30. I will not be posting about having a child in my 30's. Too bad. 

Is learning how to swim

No really, it is official.  I am really going to learn how to swim.  I am thinking that really it can't do any harm right!?  If anything it will make me look better in a swimsuit while I sit by the side of the pool next summer after I swim my laps.  

Not to mention those "tri suits" are something to behold.  My body in one of those is going to look FANTASTIC 

Not my body pictured below (sadly I don't have that many curves), that is just for reference sake.  

However, I am wondering if November 6th is too lofty of a goal to think that I could do a Triathlon by then. . . .The Turkey Tri.  I think I can. 

I have no worries about the bike (climbing 400 South is one of my strong points) and I can kill it on a 5k run. . . just don't want to drown at the end in the pool.  I would rather die with spandex and a Garmin watch on my wrist or some really great  helmet hair and a jersey tan than with a swim cap and swimsuit on.  I'm much prettier the first two ways (not to mention I have more experience with almost dying when running and riding than I do with swimming so it just seems more natural that way).

But

I'm not going to die, because I'm learning how to swim. 

wants a mini-van

Yep, I pretty much love them. One time when i was in college and test driving cars I was REALLY, REALLY tempted to bring home a Honda Odyssey just to throw my roommates off (and make them laugh -- being hilarious and all, making them laugh was easy to do).

I'm not totally positive where this love of the Honda Odyssey came from, but I just thought that driving a mini-van would be so great and how I would just sit in the front passenger seat while my husband drove and hand out sandwiches and pat his leg and say "good job driving honey" when we were on vacations.  But that would have been the ONLY time I would have made him drive the mini-van.  Honest.  All the other places he went (without family) he totally could have driven his fancy sports car. Fine with me.  I was going to drive the mini-van.

 

(I know you like it. this is the 2010 model)

I really believed that my mini-van love was normal and that a mini-van would obviously be a part of my life in just a few short years (I think that was in like the year 2000). 

sidenote: think of all the improvements that have been made on the Oddesy in 10 years. If it was great in the year 2000 it is phenomenal now I am sure.

Unfortunately for me, I have never dated anyone who felt the same way as me about mini-vans. Like, serious disagreements about the mini-van issue and these were only boys I was dating, but they were very firm on the fact that they would not drive a mini-van and that I wouldn't drive one either if I was married to them. Ridiculous.

One guy that I dated made it very clear that he would NEVER and I repeat NEVER drive a mini van.

Funny how I saw him today, driving a mini-van. I couldn't decide if I should laugh at him or be angry that he is living the life he said he would never live (with someone else as his wife telling him "good job driving honey"). I decided to just laugh. . . . and for the record he didn't look as great driving a mini-van as I had imagined him looking all those years ago.

Oh, and I think it is safe to say that at the rate I am going I won't ever really need a mini-van. If and when I ever have children 3 might be the most I get and they fit just fine in a mid-size SUV.

Maybe mini-van war is a battle I won't ever really have to fight after all.

But I still love them. 

 

Don't be jealous

Seriously. 

Don't be jealous of my really fantastic house and life.  

It looks a little bit like this:  

Here is my empty, always clean table. 

Here is a close-up my always clean stove-top. 

 

And the view from my house is even better:  

Behold, the freeway and the construction crane. 

This is my view that I have as I wash my dishes, in my kitchen (Don't be fooled, I didn't cook.  Remember the always clean table and the finely polished stove top.  I was just washing dishes from the food that I pulled out of the fridge, because it went bad).  

(The sunset was pretty even if it was muted by the big trucks flying by on the freeway and the shadow of the crane)

No, really.  

Don't be jealous that I basically live on the freeway and work too much - just to stay busy, and I don't have time to cook meals or people to eat them with.  

I love living alone on the freeway and wasting money on food that gets thrown away.  

Next time you want to tell me that you wish you were single and how I should just be enjoying this time and how great it is that I can do everything that I want to and travel and spend money like I want and not have to clean up anybody's messes and blah, blah, blah, reconsider. 

(or just reference this blog post) 

I'd trade my pictures for pictures of dirty faces playing in  the sandbox in the backyard and dinnertime disasters and toys on the floor.  So, if that is what you have:  Be grateful, not jealous and think twice before you say something stupid to the single girl in your ward about how lucky she is.  Remember that she probably just put on those stiletto's and that smile to come to church and cried when she was home by herself staring out the window at the freeway full of mini-vans.  Just saying. 

Doesn't know how to date

I don't really usually talk about my dating life on my blog (like ever) and I don't plan on making this into a complaining post.
I just have one thing to say.

I don't know how to date.
Seriously.

Maybe that has been my problem all of these years. 15 years of not knowing how to date. That has got to be the reason why I am not married. Well that, or possibly my short hair. 50/50 chance.

I think I don't know how to, nor want to play the game.
These are things that a 30 something, cute, accomplished, wanting to get married and have a family girl shouldn't have to figure out. If there are rules in this game I am not good at knowing them, keeping them, or even getting my game piece anywhere past the starting line.

Why does it have to be so hard? Or, maybe the real question is why do I make it so hard.

Also, don't tell me that when it is "right" it is "easy" because I don't believe that.

I don't know how to date. I just don't.

On a side note/very related note:
I really hope that he calls again, because if he is like all the others and done after one date then I might have to look into using my money wisely and taking dating lessons instead of swimming lessons and I don't think that dating lessons are going to help me in a triathlon.
Or maybe I'll have to look into hair extensions (much more expensive) since the verdict is still out on whether or not I just don't know how to date or my hair is too short. Let's just hope it isn't both because I would be out of money and then there is a 100% chance that I am not in the game.

End of the dating post.
You won't hear about this again.
Probably.
No Promises.

actually did read the new era this time

Was talking to a friend last night about some decisions I am trying to make and things I am trying to figure out. He suggested that I read an article that he had read in the New Era.

I did.

Twice.

I think I could read it 5 or 6 more times.

Yes, it is that good.

Elder Bednar just has a way.

Read Me

Blue Lemon and Red Mango

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not really a food lover. Sure, I like food, but generally it all tastes the same to me. Not really picky either. There are very few things that I absolutely won't eat. However, I do like to "eat healthy" and am always grateful for good company while I am eating.
In fact, now that I think about it, I usually don't eat unless I have someone to eat with or something to cook for. I have a pantry full of whole wheat pasta and brown rice and a fridge full of vegetables and fruits. . . This poses a small problem in that I live alone and usually don't have someone to eat with and the food will most likely expire and go bad before I use it. I digress.

Last weekend I went to both the Blue Lemon restaurant and Red Mango. Both have healthy and/or organic food choices and both had good company. win-win situation.

I think it might be something with the names of the eating establishments that make them just a little bit more enticing. They sound healthy and fresh. When you say to someone "Where did you go to lunch today?" and they reply, "Oh, I had a nice lunch at the Blue Lemon restaurant downtown." that sounds much better than "Oh, Panda Express on my way back to work" or "Tanjee's Diner served up a great hearty lunch"

See what I am saying?
Which one would you pick?!

I tend to like the more fresh approach to food and both the Blue Lemon and Red Mango hit the spot for me on Saturday.

Why doesn't Utah County have more places like this to eat at?

And why can't I find great company to join me more often?!
Those two things on a more regular basis and it really would be a constant win-win scenario.

I think I'll have some crackers and cheese for lunch now.

is thinking about investing

Investing in some things that can help me so that I don't crash on my bike. In the past month of my cycling career (which if you break it down is only a very small percentage. . . like less than 2%) I have crashed TWICE. Twice in one month is unacceptable. The first time I crashed it was because of some guy on his bike in my lane with a dog tied to his seatpost who ran right into me and sent me straight off my bike. I did a pretty good job of laying the bike down on its side, but I also did a pretty good job of breaking a piece of bone off of my ankle. It was horrible.

Fast forward 2 weeks. . . I decide to have a little pep talk with myself and decide it is time to brave the canyon again and just get over my fear of crashing. So, after a convincing pep talk I hop on my bike ride South Fork and come back home on the road instead of the trail (avoiding the site of the last "accident" if you will). Not even 5 minutes from my house I turn off of a busy road to take a more residential street back to my house and someone backing out of a driveway doesn't see me so I slam on my brakes. . . panic. . . . can't get out of my pedals. . . . say some bad words. . . .reverse the pep talk and wonder why I got on the bike again. . . and ultimately I go down. This time I go over my bike hit my head, scrape my face (it looked beautiful) and separate my shoulder. Ridiculous and horribly painful. (still is actually) Who crashes twice in a month. I decided for a short time (like 4 days) that I was done riding my bike and then I missed it.

But I am thinking that I am going to have more than just a pep talk if I am really, seriously going to ride again at any speed over 20 mph. ever.

I already have some pretty good gear for when I ride my bike. I have :

1. A nice white helmet
2. Gloves
3. Cylcing Jersey's and Padded Shorts
4. A light that attaches to the front of my bike for when I ride at night
5. Reflective gear (that isn't cute but it keeps me alive even if I get hurt)

Obviously these things aren't enough for me to be noticed or stop me from crashing.


So, I am thinking that if I am going to be riding my bike again I am going to need to invest in some or all of the following items:

1. Training Wheels (You know, to provide some stability)

2. A bell or blow horn (to warn people that I am coming)


3. Streamers for my handlebars (just for good measure. . . they kind of match the other items)

4. Full Body Armor (You can never be too protected. Who knew it came in pink!?).

I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully my ankle never looks like this again
(Really, I've never had cankles before and I didn't really like it. Also it hurt. a lot.)

and my shoulder stays put together instead of separating/tearing like this. (I'll spare you more disgusting pictures)

Riding a bike really can't be as dangerous as I am making it!
Also did I mention that it is expensive. I did spend more on getting my bike fixed than I did for Dr apt's but still. Expensive.