Today, I painted my toes green.

Montana Skies!

I finally did it! I took a vacation. Last monday I packed up my car and Bella and I drove up to Bozeman, Montana to visit my cousin, Travis who until this last week, I haven't seen in about five years at least. This is the drive up.


Bella napped most of the time

This sight was amazing! I had been driving through boring Idaho farms when all of a sudden, this came out of nowhere. Lots of snow and trees!

The last two hours of my drive looked like this. Bit scary, but we made to our destination with no major incidents.

This is the view from a walk Bella and I went on. There is a park by the library with a trail. I started on it, and it took me about three hours to get back! Bozeman is full of trail systems going to cool look outs or along streams or around ponds or lakes.

Bella enjoyed the long walks.

Travis and I went cross-country skiing. It was my first time! I fell down A LOT but Travis said I did really well for my first time

Unfortunately, these pictures were taken after we got back. I left my camera in the car when we went. Travis got some videos on his phone, but his phone won't send video so I don't have them.

I also did yoga with Julia and went swimming at the Hot Springs once with Travis and his daughter, Rose, and once with Julia. This is at the Hot Springs. The picture didn't turn out amazing because it was so steamy in there.

I also went shopping, watched movies and basically just enjoyed myself. I needed it so bad!

and . . . The drive home. I was super worried because there was a snow storm that last all day the day before I left, but the drive home was nothing but sunshine and blue skies!

I think now, I am ready to go back to life and feel good about it until the next vacation ;)

Bon Appetit!

This Painting I've been working on forever and a day and I finally finished it this weekend! The photograph was taken a La Caille. Too bad they are out of business now :( At least I think so, anyway. I haven't been following the story.

Dress Up

So I realized that lately I haven't really worn much makeup. Actually, I haven't worn any at all in months! Which really isn't such a bad thing. But I, just like any other girl likes to dress up , make-up, and "feel pretty." So I decided to play "dress up." I gave my self a makeover, pulled my hair up (which I also haven't done much of in the last year), and wear my fancy scarf. Then I took pictures. So of course, these pictures are not what I look like all the time, its just me having fun.

What Makes You Happy?

I asked this question to nearly everyone in my contacts and these are the responses I got (I won't add names just for the privacy of certain people.)

Music, writing, the energy within the universe

Nature. and good food

Guitar and my best friend when we don't fight.

I don't know anymore. How about you?

Hmm. . . I'd have to say, visiting my family that I haven't seen in a while, or going out with my friends. Mainly just knowing all the people I know makes me happy. Is this a test? Lol

My family and friends! What about you? What makes you happy?

The gosple and learning the truth of the restored gosple, and having the spirit all the time. Why do you ask.

Chris and Brooklyn make me happy. Peanut butter makes me happy. Chocolate makes me happy. Working out at the gym. I have to make up for all that chocolate and peanut butter. Thats pretty much my life.

And being with my hubby :)

Well rounded life. Many things involved in that happiness. Joy!

Lots of things

I guess lots of things like a drop in temperature when its been hot for a while. Over cast days. Rain. Relaxing. Knowing I have a long life ahead of me to progress though. These are just some things. I guess

Everything! Haha :) that's a broad question, love

Hmmmm. . . I would have to say chocolate ice cream :-)

Good music. Playing the piano. Cuddling with my boyfriend. Eating chocolate. Learning something new, especially when it's related to things I'm really interested. in like web design and music.

um. . . chocolate?

Thats a good question. Being around people I love, doing the things that we both enjoy. Amaing music. Making things. Doing a good job. Making the right choice. Laughing

laughing

God, food, music, and friends. Why?

When my kids are happy. I know, it's so cliche

Lots of stuff. May I ask who this is?

Pain killers

People. The gospel. Kids laughing. Being with friends. Outdoors. Sports. Memories. Food.
Massages. Smiles. Friendships. GOD

My family, friends, the gospel in my life, sunny days . . .andy. Whate makes you happy?

My daughter

My boys Living a good life Eating peaches on a hot day Jumping cliffs

Art. And to me everything is art. Therefore everything makes me happy.

Many things. But right now having the piano moved does

A lot of things, how come?

Getting random texts from good friends :) And, of course, my religion. What makes you happy?

Tire guy. haha cuddling with a cute boy . . .

Food. Wait, is that a serious question?

Why do you ask? You make me pretty darn happy, if that counts. :) Umm. . . I'm usually somewhat happy. I mean, you know I don't mind getting woken up, even during the night. I'm like that all throughout the day. But . . . Having a productive day, even though I can be sorta lazy sometimes. Learning something new, as long as it interest me. Watching marvels of engineering at work. Music and art. The sound of water/rain. Kids, lol. Getting texts and calls from my amazing girlfriend ;). Laughing, especially with friends. Driving when I don't necessarily need to be somewhere on time. Sorry, this text got big fast! Haha :) but the list goes on and on!

There's a million dollar question . . . so to speak.

Me and the people i love choosing the right.

Kindness and babies

Hm . . . a hug from emily would make me happy:)

Oh, you know. yummy food, sleeping in, good music, cute boys, the usual. :-)

Doing what i'm supposed to do

You, just now.

Your little story on facebook brought a smile to my face. Generally though, being with friends, the rain, good music, and cookies make me happy. Oh, and Muppets

People I love. Why?

Oh, hi Em! Bagpipe music makes me happy too! . .. . unusually happy! P.S. please marry my son, Jeff

Friends

People in good moods

:) alot of stuff

Well alot of things make me happy such as the gospel what makes you happy

My man

The gospel

Well my kids make me happy and stability and success.

Oloo i dint i know that makes me happy no matter wher i am

music is good

wait, did u mean to send that to me? If so, Harry Potter and food!

Awesome! Well music, like the violin and piano make me happy, as well as being around close friends and family:)

Being in love:) Why do you ask?

Hiking:) Sorry, this number isn't saved in my phone, who is this??

Lol ok um playing soccer, hang out with friends, play pool, being outdoors, food, Pretty much anything :)

Smiling Makes me happy! and perfect weather.

Beethoven's Seventh, Dostoevsky and weed

Singing. Why?

Really ymmy food

You :)

Family, friends, the church, Bollywood(foregin films), pbj, pjs, chapstick, stuff that smells pretty, stargazing, physics and chemistry

Hmm, well today a random hug from Evan, David laughing at my jokes, and some inspiring vt visits made me feel all good inside. :) How about you?

Music makes me happy. Singing, performing, listening, writing, playing. . . there's nothing to compare to music

Music. Laughter. ward activites. Lol why?

I love being around friends, serving other etc. . . .

That's a funny question lol People do

Happiness to me is loving yourself. After that everything falls into place

Chocolate, among other things

I honestly don't know

Lol didnt know if you texted the wrong person :P kinda hard question to answer. I like playing basketball and running till i puke I like drawing, i like relaxing, i like working till i shake so bad i cant even get a drink without spilling. The general sort of thing

Service does

Hmmm. . . Lots of stuff. . . Why?

Leslie makes me happy

That is a vague question. So your vague answer is Happiness

Food, sleep and friends.

Hey emily, u remember u asked me the other day what makes me happy. I was worried about taking my national exam which I didn't pass, so I was trying to remind myself of what made me happy. The answer? The fact that their are second chances in everyday life. I can study and retake my test, I can reach out to the quiet shy young adult at church, I can look into other career paths that will fulfill my professional needs. Ultimately out of the things I mentions and those common things that is the great gift, which goes into the lords teachings.

A lot of people asked me what makes me happy. I will try to say something about that. The gospel makes me immensely happy. Knowing I have a testimony. My Father in heaven loves me. My family loves me and I love them. Pursuing my interest like music and art. Giving a good massage and knowing someone feels better because of the work I can do. Making other people happy. Service. Reading a good book. Finishing a project. Trying to be my best self. Surprises. Being close to someone. Going for walks. Work, play, sleep. Good food. Paychecks. Getting out of debt. When people call or text me first. Life makes me happy. With all its ups and downs and stresses, it is quite an adventure. I'm grateful for all of it. Even if I don't feel that way all the time.

Improvement On the Mind

After Christmas, The company that the company I work for works for decided to cancel the product that I do customer support for (which is a loan product). So, naturally, it has been pretty slow. During all the free time I have in between calls, I've been reading books. This is what I have read in the last month or so.
Hunger Games (all three books)
Book of a Thousand Days
Princess Academy
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
How to Hug a Porcupine (still in progress. About half way through)
I also enjoy making up stories about vampires, werewolves and aliens (all in one story) over IM with my coworker, Pratt, playing cards, drawing pictures on paint, listening to other peoples conversations about their love lives, taking kids to the doctors, surgeries, etc., having card readings done, and any other random things we can come up with to entertain ourselves while being tethered to a phone, and taking naps that cause me to wake up in pain from sleeping in a swivel chair. This is what my life consists of from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm every day.

A long overdue Update

Hello blog readers if you still exist because I know it has been forever! sorry it has taken me so long to get this updated. I've been so busy! These might be out of order but thats ok, you'll figure it out. enjoy :)

So Sarah and I have had this eternal argument about her hair. She like to plaster it down to her head so it looks like its glued on. Don't get me wrong, Sarah has always had gorgeous hair. But she insist that if she blowdries it, it will just turn into a frizzball. She also takes about two hours to straighten it and then has a stiff head all day trying not to let it get to tangly. Not so. I dragged her to the bathroom the other day and working my magic, gave her conditioned, blowdried, straight, non-tangly hair that lasted the rest of the day. Take THAT, Sarah!

Everyone knows I play bagpipes, of course. But did you know my teacher lives in canada? Well he does. Rob menzies is a fantastic piper and also a pipe jugde that people basically pay hundreds to travel around and judge them and then give them tips on how to play better. How cool would that be? A couple month ago, my band hired him to come and do a workshop with us and he offered to give me lessons. I told him I didn't have the money to pay him and guess what he said? not a problem, they are free! So whenever we both happen to have time which is . . . .well not very often, we hop on skype and struggling with headphones and a stopping camera and echoes, we somehow manage to have a decent music lesson.

With getting off work super early, I have been able to take up piano again! YAY! sadly, I still do not have enough time to play as much as I want to but the time I do have is an improvement. At the moment I am working on a christmas duet with Christie burgon (my fantastic teacher who gives me lessons for free in exchange for giving her and her husband massages) Also, Dance of the Knights from Romeo and Juliet and Venetian Boat Song by Felix Mendhelsson.

Metasource is the call center I work for. Not sure if I meantioned it before, but I have a full time job doing customer support for a loan company called First Bank of Deleware. Now for those of you who are going wait! what happened to massage?? don't worry, I still do massage, just not as an employee of anyone. I had a few job opportunities with massage but they didn't work out with other things I wanted to so like piano and being in a pipe band. So I took a job working from 6am to 1 or 2pm and I get the entire afternoon to do whatever I please with my time. usually, anyway. I have my massage table and I can work on people at home or I do events with chiropractors, that sort of thing.

My wonderful, beautiful sister-in-law, Leslie, has agreed to be my personal trainer in exchange for art lessons. So here I am getting ready to work out. I must say, I am not the best at it. My work out habits are sporadic at best. But I do try, I promise. Probably not hard enough though.

And here is me at the end of a work out. nice and sweaty and tired.