All Packed

Saturday I packed for my trip. I am so excited. It is my first real vacation ever. Although I am nervous to drop Meisje off, and a little worried about plane to train connections, I can't wait!

BIG THANKS to Geni, Pat, and Iva for taking care of my little fur-baby/ monster-dog.

Meisje is in a picture here, playing with her Santa Bear. When she chews it, it growls like a bear.

Happy Holidays!

CANCER FREE!!!

I just opened the mail. In it there was a Christmas card from the Vet, my friend Te'e, my sister, and letter from my doctor. The letter from the doctor was the best news ever! It says that I am cancer free. Yup that's right, I am free from cancer finally. YAY!!!

I did a dance of joy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPg5LjGYz8&NR=1

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend has been busy. Aunt Geniece, Uncle Patrick and I drove down to Grandma's, switched to Grandma & Grandpa's car and then we all drove to Uncle Les and Tamar's house in Springville for a lovely meal. It sure was fun to hang out with all of the cousins and their kids. My cousin Ashlee's little boy Morgan (age three) and I watched part of a Disney movie together. He snuggled up in my lap and gave me what he thought was a compliment. "You sure is soft", he said.




After dinner, we went back to Grandma's house to look at her remodeled kitchen. It is beautiful! The picture is not the best quality, since I took it with my camera phone. I think their kitchen is as lovely as what Extreme Makeover does.






This morning Meisje surprised me. I was picking up her toys and putting them in her basket, when she went and got her hedgehog toy and put it in the basket too. She took out her orange ball then and played with that. I can't believe my little "monster" of a pup picked up her own mess. Usually she just makes the mess, and I get to clean. Today, I will call that a blessing. :-)




PS: My Grandmother usually has everyone tell three things that person is thankful for on Thanksgiving. This year, I am thankful for family and friends, my dog, and divorce. Yup, I am thankful for divorce. It may be lonely sometimes being single, but it sure beats being miserable with a deadbeat for a husband. One more thing, I am thankful Direct TV is coming out today to fix the dish. Its been broken for a week, and I found out I like watching TV.

A new job for Kristen

The economy has been slow, and its effects are being felt in Utah too. Bullfrog had to go through lay-offs. They did not want to, but times have been hard not only in the US, but throughout the world. When so many people have such a hard time financially, I can certainly understand why not as many hot tubs were being sold. On 10/30, I was laid off.

Thursday I interviewed with CCI Mechanical for a job in their accounting department. I must have impressed them. :-) Right after I interviewed I dashed off to Provo to spend the day with my sister Mijken and her cute six-month-old Sully. I got some incredible news while I was there. I was offered the job. I got to share this moment with Mijken. It was so very exciting.

Naturally, I was really worried when it was announced to me that I would be out of a job. I am so grateful for this new opportunity. It came about very quickly, and I won't have to work two jobs to take care of myself and the dog. The good Lord does provide, and many prayers have been answered. All-in-all, I was laid off just long enough to get rid of a bad cold and get some good snuggle time in with Meisje the pup. THANK GOODNESS!

Science Project

In spite of having a horrible cold and the stomach flu this week, Meisje and I were able to schedule a day of FUN!

Iva -- my bestest girlfriend after my family has two delightful children, who think of me as their "Auntie". It is a position I cherish and I spoil them every chance I get. Yesterday, I had a chance to fulfill my Auntie duties. Kiana (now 10), had a science project to do. Since her Brother Deion (11 yrs old) had one due at the same time, Iva turned one project over to me. YAY!! Yesterday Kiana and her cousin Fa'aesea (also 10) came over to take care of the science project.

We blew up bottles of Diet Coke with Mentos. We also painted Pumpkins, borrowed a dog playmate -- my Aunt Geniece's cute Zuzu, watched a movie, and the girls picked out a dress for Meisje to wear for Halloween. Whew! I was thoroughly exhausted after the day was done.

How can you deny me when I beg like this?

Meisje loves her bath time. She likes my bath time too. Actually, she likes any form of warm water. Once she jumped into my friend Sharon's Hot Tub, and enjoyed the water there. Here is a picture of the "water bugg" begging to jump into the water filled bath last night.

Back-Pain

Ouch!!! All week long, my back has been hurting. I pulled a muscle on the right of my sacrum. Today it got so annoying that I made a little song for it. Think of the 1960's Batman TV show theme song. Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Back-Pain! Back-Pain ... Back Pain!

Big Screen Update

The larger monitor was installed yesterday. With the 22" wide screen and handicap settings, I can now see my work without straining. Yea!!!

Go Bullfrog!

Big Screen

GOOD NEWS! Bullfrog finally approved me for a BIG screen for my PC (I think it is going to be a 21" widescreen). I have such a hard time seeing, and I think straining to see causes a lot of my migraines. I went to the IT/IS department head today, and I asked for accommodations again. When I mentioned that I would miss less work by having the larger screen, he said he'd talk to the VP of operations and arrange for it.



He came up to my office just now and told me that it is being ordered today. I am so excited I could dance a jig, and I don't even know what that is!

Lunch

Mijken, Sully and I had a lovely lunch today. We got locked out of the car (with the keys in the ignition). Not to worry, the locksmith came to save the day. When we started the car, the battery was dead. The locksmith was nice enough to jump start the car. All ended up well, and it was lovely to spend extra time with Mijken and Sully. Here is a picture of Sully and I at lunch. He sure is cute!

NEW YORK CITY???!!!!

It is official! I am going to visit my parents for Christmas. They live in beautiful Conneticut.

I'm flying into JFK on Christmas Eve, and taking the train into CT. While I am there we plan on taking the train into New York and pretending we fit in.

Iva has graciously accepted the duty of dogsitting Meisje the "Monster Dog". Now that's a good friend!

What is that fragrance?

Yesterday, while running errands, I was stopped. Why? Two words: fabric softener. The only scent besides deodorant I wear is in my clothes. I love fabric softener. I always use a little extra. My current favorite is "Snuggle". I like green snuggle. I guess other people do too. A very posh looking lady asked where she could purchase my perfume while I was at Smiths'. I told her "Aisle 12". She was surprised that it was my fabric softener.

I thought this was humorous. Hopefully you do too.

Meisje -- Protector from Evil Tablecloth

08/23/08 We all know that tablecloths are slothful. They never do much but sit on the table.

The red tablecloth at my house is evil and quite possibly possessed if one asks Meisje (after all it does wiggle and flutter if the air currents are just so). Friday morning at 3:12am the tablecloth was apparently very naughty. Meisje showed it who was boss. I woke up to the sounds of the attack. It was a long battle, but eventually, the tablecloth learned its lesson. It won't lay there doing naughty lazy things anymore! Thank goodness Meisje is here to protect me from this particular tableloth's antics. Whew!

Arf! I can sing!

8/10/08 As I was getting ready for Church I was singing a hymn (In our lovely desert....) when I got to the chorus, Meisje started to bark and howl. I wanted to see if she would do it again, so I sang the song again. She did it three times, but only when I sang the chorus. I think she was trying to sing with me. It was darling! I guess she is not really a monster all of the time.

Sherlock Holmes???

I sometimes can't sleep at night, and I don't like to watch TV in the middle of the night. After all, how many infomercials can a girl watch? Not many for me.

Anyway, my Dad gave me a list of Genealogy that had him and other relatives stumped over the past decades. July 7th I signed up for a website that has imaged copies of original birth, baptism, death, and marriage records from Scotland later than 1553.

Today I found the record that stopped many others. She was listed on the wrong page. How exciting! I can't wait for my Dad to check his e-mail and find the copy of the birth record for Grizel Tough. She sure was "tough" to find.