It's My Life: Episode 4: Can I Get A Hallelujah?

Well it's time, time for me to tell you all about my life over the last few months.  It's been a while.  I like my life, so I think you should too.

I don't have anything incredibly significant to report on in the earth shattering ways one might hope for, but alas, life doesn't have to be earth shattering to make one happy.

I did survive the bitterness we suffered through called winter. Can I get a Hallelujah? That was a feat in itself!  Blasted winter.  But I mowed the lawn and prepped my garden yesterday, so what is past is past and fare-the-well winter 2012-13. I will never have to repeat you again!

I have yet another "Could Have Been"  sad, but it was for the best and a mutual agreement, a huge bonus in a break up. I do miss the friendship, but onto the next.   I never mention boyfriends on my blog, but I thought I would this time.  Here's a picture too, and if it wasn't a mutual agreement, I wouldn't share this.  

I did have a previous "Could Have Been" inform me of how great of an "Ex" I am.  We are good friends now, so I took it as a complete compliment, but giggled a little inside when he informed me of this unique gift, talent, curse I have been blessed with.  People should want to date me just because I am such a great ex girlfriend.  Not sure what makes me so great at it, but it's better than being a bad ex girlfriend.  OOH MY, I wish others could experience my dating life from inside this dating head of mine... it's quite entertaining and it really is quite the comedy, maybe a comedy of errors, but a comedy none-the-less!

Transformed (except for the sewing part) my HAPPY SEAT!  Thank you GOOD WILL!

And... visited the best tour guide, host, chauffeur, trainer in TEXAS!  Thanks Ang!   I didn't eat BBQ, my only regret.  I did however, get a picture by this landmark, that I have no idea what it's called, but the flag is worth the photo. 

 Tapped my inner Cowgirl!

 So did Angie and Darnell.

 Met some fake cowboys...

 ...at Cowboy Stadium...

 ...where we apparently struggled with our poses.

Met the real cowboys at the stockyards...


..and a camel with a sweet tooth for peppermint.  My gum apparently was incredibly tempting.

Did not perfect our jumping photos...



Was this disrespectful to JFK?

Overindulged on German pastries...In Texas.  I didn't eat BBQ but I did eat German Strudel.


Last but not least...I appear here.

This is not me, but my dear little roommate (yes, I used little) because she's just a wee little one, but she has a huge spirit, and fight, and competetive edge, that's why she has this masterpiece of a bruise. MVP, of course.   Hope you feel better soon! Almost had to sit down after looking at it, made me light headed.

THE END! 

It's My Life, Episode 3: They Call it Transition...

To some, this may not be a big deal, but to me...it's been a 4 month in the making big deal. There is a culture that is perpetuated by us, the Mormon's.  It's a culture within the culture, one that I've been a part of for the last 13 years of my life, one that most people only step into for a couple years and then successfully bow out of by way of what has been pegged a "graduation" of sorts, it typically involves a blushing bride and handsome groom.  The crowning success that YSA bishops track with tick marks on the office white board or a "Wall O Success" displaying all wedding announcements from their tenure.

I WAS one of them, I was a YSA, young single adult, now technically the "Y" in the equation has been removed and now I'm a SA, single adult. Unfortunately I was not a graduate, but fortunately my tenure was one of the longest allowed. I have had so many unique opportunities to serve.  I have been able to do things that have stretched and pulled me in ways I would not necessarily have thought possible.  I was SPORTS Co-Chair for Heavens sake!  I don't play sports, I know sports but I don't play them, I had the time of my life. Sacrament meetings were silent, allowing for great thinking time, I've had my share of free meals at mingles every other week.  I could go on, but you just can't explain the culture until you live it

So this brings me to the transition part of this message,  I was out, it was my time to transition.  It was scary for me, so I hung on as long as I could, I felt comfortable, productive, helpful, and needed in the YSA ward.  But I finally decided, January was the right time, a  new year, a new ward.  The family ward was it.  I know I have a place, I know I belong but sometimes knowing it and feeling it are different, it takes time.  I know my talents, I know my abilities, I know I can get along with people, I know I have the capacity to serve faithfully in whatever calling. But it doesn't make it easy.

Enter the Kenwood 1st Ward.  If you want an example of how to make one such as me feel welcome, you may consult the Kenwood 1st ward.  A huge blessing. They have got it right and my prayers have been answered, and to those who have said hello, stopped me in the hall, sent me a quick e-mail, remembered my name and sat by me, I thank you.  I once was the one on the flip side of this, the one who felt I needed to seek out those who needed a friend, now, I'm the needy one and this is how Heavenly Father takes care of everyone, through others.  I now understand a bit more and my life is better, much better and I'm going to love my new ward home.   

So, transitions can be hard, and may involve tears, but in the midst of the transition you find blessings, it took me 4 months to be okay with my change in status from a YSA to Wendy, I'm not a single adult named Wendy, I'm just Wendy. It's simple, and I like it.


A few unrelated photos just because....you have to balance out the words with photos.  It's necessary.

 31 and living up the D-Land dream. Happiest place on earth especially with a 4 year old.  It really was magical for the kiddos.  Well, most of the time...

 The new Princess at D-land, we'll call her Wendalyn.  Sure I'll sign autographs as soon as I get my own movie.  

 I'm still happy to report, I'm healthy and hydrated.  After 40 minutes, 40 short minutes. 

 New glasses.  Mom looked at me and said... You Look Smart!  I hope that also means, I am smart.

 Do I get the 2012 courage award or what???  The haze even seems to be glowing red.

And...I'm just really grateful for family.  REALLY GRATEFUL!  I don't let them know enough.  So, family, I love all of you.

I Have People!

Last month, December, I walked into my house and saw this...

I had a thought, I am blessed.  Very blessed! I HAVE PEOPLE. I have lots of people who I have met in different circumstances, family, elementary school, COB, BYU-I, Salt Lake, Ecuador.  All have influenced my life in great ways.  So, thanks to all my peeps, even if you aren't posted on my fridge know that I am grateful for you. If you don't see your card on my fridge, it may not have arrived yet, this was early in the month.

That's all! 

It's My Life, Episode 2: HIGH-5 FOR LOVE!

I LOVE  - - LOVE.  Rarely do I get annoyed when people get engaged.  On rare occasions it is a relief, because well that darling, fun, beautiful "has it all together" girl who took all of the attention of several men now has that bling on her finger. Which means that all those swooning circling boys hoping for a break-up now have to wave the flag of defeat and focus their attention again on finding the next big girly thing. Go ahead judge me if you will, sometimes that tinge of "mean girl" just comes out and yes I said it out loud and yes I published it, and yes I feel badly saying it, but it is what it is and I am who I am, and girls who have been around the dating block for long enough, you' know it's true!   

But then there are those darling little couples that it works out for and my little heart sings for them.

Let me introduce you to Travis and Rebecca.

I made this happen, I take 100% credit, and I love their love.

I've known the T-rav for a couple years now, we met in a former ward.  We've gone on a few dates here and there over the last year or so. About 6 months ago, T-rav called me to see if I could go to the symphony with him that  night, he had an extra ticket.  Unfortunately I had something going on, I was getting my hair done, my roots were back with a vengeance and I just couldn't cancel I needed them fixed stat.  I think it was divine intervention on his behalf that I am vain and couldn't live one more day with my finicky follicles.

Anyway, I told him I couldn't go and that I had plans, he never knew the real reason and quite frankly he could probably care less at this point.  I did mention that I had a friend, her name was Rebecca, and she was the little sister type, I just adored her. She would be good company if nothing else.  And you can fill in the blank  THE REST IS ___________.  It's been a good half year or so since then and well  BRING ON THE BLING, BELLS, something BORROWED, and something BLUE.

I TAKE FULL CREDIT AND YES THEY WILL NAME THEIR FIRST CHILD WENDY or WENDELL (if it's a little boy child). 

Definitely A HIGH-5 for LOVE moment.

It's My Life, Episode 1: Stretchy Pants and Mini-Van's

IT'S MY LIFE... a new series, by me.

We all have our little niches in life.  Mine, I just figured out, is singleness.  It's not a curse, it's a blessing. It took me a long while to peel away the stigma I placed on myself in regard to this status that appears on all my tax returns, medical records, and insurance cards.  Not the blessing I anticipated I would be enjoying at this time in my life but it's mine and I like it.  

Bottom line:  The grass is green where you water it.

So with that, the first episode in this series includes stretchy pants and mini-vans.  Sounds a lot like all my mommy friend's lives too, but only with a twist.  ENJOY! 

This angle does wonders for the stretchy pants physique, guaranteed not that pretty in real life.

A DATE STORY

[Adapted from an e-mail] 

Unedited, forgive the grammar and punctuation.  

So, first of all I was looking all cute in my stretchy padded bum biking pants, but then I was like, I can't wear just stretchy pants on a date with someone I don't hardly know, so I put shorts on over them, which is a complete NERD thing to do.   But let's be honest stretchy bum pants are not the most flattering so it was 6's it was either total nerd with shorts over the top or Wendy in all her stretchy pants glory.  I chose the nerd shorts over route.  Which thinking back… I should have just worn normal shorts and forgot the stretchy pants all together.  Whatev it is what it is.  Other than the stretchy pants, I was looking cute, my hair was good, I was wearing a BYU t-shirt, which he is a Utah fan, but I had to represent on GAME DAY.  

So I get to his house and we load up the bikes and away we go.  The drive up the canyon was really pretty, the leaves were changing.  I was not on my A game though, the conversation wasn't as free flowing as it was the first date (probably because I had gotten normal sleep the night before) and the first date I was completely sleep deprived, and running on only 1 hour of sleep due to the Timp hike hurricane debacle earlier that day but boy did I have a lot to say that first night, I was on one and our conversation was really really good. Even I was astounded at my opinions and my passion for what we were talking about.  So maybe I was expecting it to just pick up where it left off.  

So we get to Huntsville and unload our bikes, put on our biking shoes and helmets and we were ready to roll, then he shuts his car door and immediately he realizes he locked his keys, wallet, and phone in the car.  Funny, you know how I am, I'm pretty chill when it comes to these type ofthings and I just laughed.  I think he is worried about what to do so we start riding our bikes and then make it to a little cemetery and then ride back to his truck, it was about a 4 mile round trip ride, completely doable, no biggie.  Then he decides he should probably call his parents to get the spare key, I agreed, it was a good idea.  So who would have thought that Huntsville's, tiny little Huntsville would have a state of the art library open on Saturdays… well they do.  So the nice people there let him use their phone to call his parents, remember he didn't have any numbers because he didn't have his cell with him, it was back in the truck, locked up nice and safe. :) So he got ahold of his mom, but his dad was at a genealogy conference at Weber State, and she couldn't get ahold of him because well, his phone was off.  Anyway, so funny!  Side note… Remember my internal cooling system is extremely overactive and any ounce of water in my system  I sweat out… it's like I have little faucets are always turned on full blast.  Yeah, so after only 4 miles,  pretty sweaty and my hair starting to get a little damp.  Aye yah, whatever, and a helmet doesn't allow it to blow in the wind and dry much while riding.  ANNOYING!  But I am who I am.  

So there is nothing more we can do, his sweet little mom is trying to get ahold of his dad and we go off on another bike ride, this time to the end of the Huntsville world to a catholic monastery also known as an Abbey.  Did you know Catholics have monks?  I knew Buddhists did, but Catholics?  And they live in an Abbey?  I thought Abbey's were only for nun's.  Maria lived in an abbey in the Sound of Music.   So this is how uneducated I am about the Catholics.  Maybe they should start an "I am a Catholic" campaign for all of the ignorant Mormons like me in Utah. :).  

So we ride out there, and I love riding my bike but for some reason I was really tired, and slow.  I do not know why.The ground was flat.  Not many hills.  I was bugged with myself that I was tired.and tried not to make it sound like I was out of breath when I was talking to him on what he probably thought was a leisurely little ride. Ha!   So we make it to the monastery/abbey for the 12:15 chant, it was kind of interesting, I tell you what, those monks are getting old.  Who would choose to be a monk, yeah  solitude, pondering on life all day every day and chanting 5 times a day and taking care of bees?  Boring  Good for their dedicated little souls.  So not for me!  The gift shop was closed so we didn't get to even see the honey they make, wouldn't have done us much good because well, Boyd didn't have his wallet remember. 

Ooh my word, remember how we had ridden just about 4 miles and I was sweating profusely… try adding 7 more miles to that.  DRENCHED!  So disgusting, It was beyond my normal sweat.  It looked like I had just gotten out of the shower my hair was soaked through, It was to the ring out stage.  Seriously. I could not believe it and it didn't even seem that hot.  So just add soaked to the image of my shorts over stretchy pants.  I'm a winner FOR SURE!  So we headed back to the park where the truck was to see just by chance if his parents were there.  Nope, nothing.  So now we're just winging it.   I suggested that maybe we go to a gas station to see if there was someone who had a slim jim that we could use to get into his truck.  So onto bike ride number 3 for the day.  This was probably around 1: 10. Originally we were going to just ride for about an hour then have lunch and come home.  We have now been riding for ooh about 2  hours intermittently. So began bike ride number 3 for the day.  WE get to the gas station we had no collateral except my watch to offer anyone even if they did have a slim jim and remember no money so we couldn't pay for anything.  So funny.  I stay outside witht he bikes and he goes is gone for a few minutes.  While he's in side, I'm drying desperately to find some wind do dry out my hair a bit.  SAD.  Then he comes out, no slim jim.  But he got ahold of his parents and they are on their way, it would be about another 1/2 hour.  So onto bike ride #4.  He thought there was a trail on the side of the road that went along the highway, there was but only for about a 1/2 mile. Then we were riding on the highway for a bit, he's worried he is going to get us both killed, so we end up turning around and coming back, which I was fine with because that this point it's getting hot and my legs were TIRED!  But of course I act all tough and pretend like this ride is nothing, which it wasn't bad I was just surprised at how tired I was.  We were at mile 14 when we started ride #4 on the highway.  finally we made it back to town, We did ride past President McKay's home on our way back into town which was pretty neat to see.  A PROPHET LIVED THERE.  As we are riding the final stretch of our 19.4 mile ride he asked me a funny question.  He asked what my dream car would be.  I was torn as to weather I should be honest or go with the second option which is much more socially acceptable,  because well my dream car is a mini-van, yes I know COMPLETELY NERDY and a good reason for someone to not ever ask me out again!  He may have taken it as my over zealousness to get married and have a billion kids, which is totally not the case, I just think they are very handy vehicles for active people, a place for my bike, friends, gas mileage is better than an SUV, overall very practical vehicles.  So I went with the honest answer.  Then we round the corner and there are his cute little parents standing there to meet us.  So nice,  they were a bit older than I expected, his dad just turned 75.  My grandma just turned 80.  

They had the key and so we were saved.   So then we all decided to go across the street to this cute little BBQ place, we are standing in line and his dad tells us to go ahead because he was buying, Boyd wasn't sure how to handle this… I think he was having an internal battle with his "man pride".  Who can blame him, here he is on a date and his parents had to come rescue him, he had to introduce his date to his parents, and his dad was offering to pay for his lunch.  I loved it.  That's when you really see who people are, his dad was pretty persistent, so we went ahead and the parents got our food.  We went outside and age and just chatted , it was a lovely time!  I love meeting parents.I sure can genuinely shmmooze the parentals, guaranteed I would have been married along time ago if the parents had anything to do with it.  The best was as we are leaving the restaurant and walking to our cars his dad yells across the street.  "I HOPE BYU WINS!"  LOVED IT!  

So then we head back down the canyon, back to his house and we are talking,  right before we pull in his driveway he goes back to the mini-van conversation.  I think to myself ooh boy, here it comes, he's going to tell me how ridiculous I am for liking min-vans, I had all of my arguments about why they are superior vehicles loaded and ready to fire, when he surprised me and agreed that he too feels that mini-vans are superior to any other vehicle.  So we had a good little bonding moments of the Toyota Sienna swagger wagon.  

So the date ended and he gave me a hug.  Hopefully there is a 3rd date, if so it won't be because of my incredible biking ability, or sense of stretchy pants fashion or even for my incredibly good looks, because let's be honest by the time the date was over….my hair was whacked out from sweat and all crazy pouf and ridiculous.  But it would be because of our mini-van bonding moment.  

That was my story from this last weekend.  One for the books for sure.  I am definitely interested, this is the point where I usually back off, just because of past experiences and let things just kind of fizzle out, but I kind of don't want this to happen with this one.  Whatever happens happens. So I guess time will tell…

Later, 

Wen

What Went Wrong...

It's late and I should sleep, but I don't have real life tomorrow so just going to write a blog, or post, or blog post.

About what?  Well about my most recent adventure, Backpacking the back side of Timp (short for I don't know how to spell the full name of the mountain.)  I've had a lot of little adventures in the last few weeks. I'll get to those soon including Seattle, but for now, this is fresh on my mind and the photos are close so... BE EXCITED!

WHAT WENT WRONG
 1. Timpanookee trail head was closed.  The one trail head Nate was familiar with.  And apparently Shelby is a Jerk.

2. Followed Tennesseans with snowboards strapped to their packs.
3. Realized  1.5 hours in that Tennesseans only knew how to get to the summit via Timpanookie trail head, not Aspen Grove Trail.
4. Followed Tennesseans up a trail clearly not a trail looking for the trail.
5. Almost lost my life on trail clearly not a trail.


6. Finished our 3 hour warm up pre-hike at 11:30 pm.
7. Summit-ed at 4:00 am after hiking (including pre-hike hike) 7 hours.  3.5 hours past our ETA  
8. So completely soaked through with sweat that I had to take everything wet off. Shivered myself to sleep.
9. Inadvertently left my extra dry t-shirt in the trunk.
10. 10% chance of rain = downpour at 5:20 am after only 1 hour of sleep.
 
Don't let the smile fool you, it was Capital "C" COLD!

WHAT WENT RIGHT

 1. The moon was full and bright and BEAUTIFUL.


 2. I experienced Melissa and my new friend Andrea's first backpacking trips ever. Even though Andrea only went on the pre-hike with us, she was sure a champ. 

3. My new friend Andrea pegged me for 24 years old, and according to her 19 year old self she has the wisdom of a 30 year old. Or maybe it was my childishness in front of the camera.












 

4. Prayers were answered, after complete exhaustion Missy made it to the top, she doesn't know how she physically did it, but she did! We both really know how she made it.  Heavenly Father LOOOOOOOVES HER!

5.We weren't struck by lightening, sometimes I thought it may be close.  But we live!
6. The shelter. Saved ours and about 60 others soaked little skins. 





7.  The view, right, ooh so right! 

 8. Cesar = Gatorade and Sweet and Salty and chauffeur.

9. Accomplishment. I can do hard things.  You can do hard things.  We can do hard things!

10. SLEEP

Bride Friday - by Becky

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012

COB Part II—Bride Friday

It doesn’t take many weeks into the summer break to notice the phenomena that happens every Friday on temple square. You will see hints of it here and there leading up to the weekly event as an unconventional bride or two decides to get married on an absurd day like Tuesday or Wednesday. But the majority of the brides (the smart ones, I guess) get married on Friday.

If you are into weddings and bride watching, which my friends and I happen to be, then this is a prime time to get it in.  In the summer heat you will see a large variety of brides and tastes ranging from brides with orange spandex under their short wedding dresses to brides in their traditional  dress. You will see brides who don’t look a day over 17, brides caught in rain storms, bridezillas, and everything in between.

Not long into my first summer working at the COB, we turned Fridays, every Friday into a holiday, complete with ice cream from the COB cafeteria (more on this to come!)

The first requirement for Bride Friday was to make a guess as to how many brides we would see as we ate.  The one closest won bragging rights until the next bride Friday.

Then participants were required to buy a treat of some sort to go with their lunches—ice cream, cookies, whatever. Something that set this aside from a normal day!

And finally all participants of Bride Friday must enjoy a good game of Bride Bingo which is played much like a scavenger hunt for brides. As we ate our lunches and walked around after, we would be on the lookout for all of the items on our list. This included things such as:

·      Brides in vintage dress

·      Cardboard cutout of a missionary who was unable to attend

·      Children in matching outfits

·      Scantily clad bridesmaids

·      Etc.

We would hunt these down until we found them all or our lunch break was over.

I celebrated my last Bride Friday a few weeks ago, and it was one of the best. We had a record for how many brides we saw—somewhere around 12 or 13 (Corlan guessed the closest and thus won and has bragging rights forever!). We took our hunting to a new level and casually wandered inside the temple grounds to get a more accurate count and to try and find things on our list, and we got our picture taken with a real-life bride!

 (Look closely...she's back there. Her mom is reapplying her lipstick. Fluffly blond hair!)

I will miss these Bride Fridays, but am sure that it  will be one thing that I put the extra effort into coming back to experience!

For tips on how to hold your own Bride Friday, leave a comment and I will get back to you :)

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