simply won't go without

There are a few things in life which I just won't go without. I am not going to say I can't go without, because technically I could, I just don't want to. And on these items, sadly, brands do matter.

Number 1:

Seriously, how do people live without this stuff!? I do buy it in industrial sized amounts from Costco. I tried to switch over to the swiffer. . . . no luck. There is nothing better than a sink full of Pine-Sol and a mop. Is is sad that the first thing on my list is a cleaning item? probably.

Number 2:

What is not to love about sticky notes? I am pretty sure I have sticky notes in every room, drawer, bag, nook and cranny of my home. You ALWAYS kind find a reason for a sticky note. As I type this I realize that I have become my mother. However, I have not resorted to writing things on sticky notes an putting them on the microwave as reminders to myself. Not yet.

Number 3:

Love this stuff. Dove exfoliating body wash. I like the bar soap to wash my face too. I have tried other brands. Nothing quite cuts it like Dove. The little blue beads make me happy.

Number 4:

Does it make you hungry just thinking about it? mmmmmm. I love cottage cheese. Yes, it must be this very container. I could eat it for breakfast (which is a big deal since I hate breakfast) lunch and dinner. With crackers, with tomatoes, with a spoon. Always in my fridge and usually the only reason to go to the grocery store.


While I am sure there is more that I won't go without. . . . I'll stop there before you are sure you have found all the reasons why I am still single, and living in my own perfect little world.

Might be crazy

Seriously, might be crazy.

I might be just a little bit obsessed with fitness. I like to eat healthy, stay in shape and I have an insane drive to run and ride my bike.
(Remember my post about my new bike. . . . still loving it).

Anyway, I am signed up to run the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan this September. I am also seriously contemplating doing another century ride (or two) somewhere in all the madness of running and riding to train. Serious milage I am getting.

Keep in mind that I am not working right now (aside from a few music lessons here and there) so I have plenty of time to dedicate to my little hobby.
I think I like calling it a hobby rather than an obsession. Having a hobby is healthy. Some people like to crochet or scrapbook. I like to torture myself with just my own two feet and sometimes a set of wheels.

This past weekend was one of those torturing experiences. Truly a, maybe I could die and be better off experience. I was seriously questioning my sanity.

I think I pushed just a little too hard.
I decided to skip the long run and ride the Nebo Loop with some friends - cross training.

Being smart, I knew that I couldn't make it from Orem all the way around the loop and back to Orem (like 120 miles or something) so, I just met the guys in Payson with the vehicle and we rode from there. The climb was challenging, but totally doable. It was beautiful and there weren't too many cars in the canyon. It wasn't until we dropped down into Nephi that the drama began. One of the guys tire ripped and of course there are no bike shops to be heard of in Nephi to replace a tire. So, we left him at the park and continued on our way down the roads through Mona and Santaquin back into Payson. I felt fine for like 5 or 6 miles. It was relatively flat with just some rolling hills. . . nothing compared to the climb. Should be easy right? Then, the heat set in and I am pretty sure that the 100 calories I had left to create energy were gone. I ddin't really have a choice so I pushed through, but looked like death warmed over.
(seriously, not looking good, even Mike who totally had heat exhaustion and was throwing up on the side of the road looked better than me).

I felt better when I knew the end was in sight and then, in Spring City, like 2 miles out from the car, I got a flat tire and Mike had flatted twice. So, he took my good tire, put it on his bike, finished the ride to the car and came and picked me up.
So, technically I didn't even finish the ride. Maybe next time.

See, crazy!

This is us at the summit of Nebo (if you can't see the sign it says 9345 feet).

loves having her family visit

These past couple of weeks my brother Jim has been in town with his family. They live in CA, where is getting his PhD at UCLA, but had a break so came to Utah. It has been great to have them here visiting.

It makes the summer complete! (Not that I am ready for it to be over. In fact maybe I need to take a little trip to LA before I actually start working again.

Here are some of the fun things we have been able to do.


Camping at Granite Flats. . . 5 little boys! Crazy, Dirty, Smokey, Fun!



Sleepovers
One night all the boys came and slept over. Just for the record 3 car-seats "fit" in the back of my little Accord. Who would have thought? It took me like 15 minutes each time to get them buckled and unbuckled but we still had fun getting snow cones and going to the park. Not to mention, the boys slept great in the "guest" room that they think is theirs.



On a Friday afternoon we all went to the open house for the new temple in Daybreak.





There has been lots of food eaten, pool parties in the backyard, hikes, games and "stuff"
You don't realize how much you miss someone until they are back and you remember how much fun you have when you are all together.

Wants to wish a Happy Birthday to her Grandma!

Happy Birthday today to my Grandma who is now
87 years old!

My grandma Reva Maxine Moulton Owen Webb was born on July 17th, 1922. She is incredible in every sense of the word. She grew up in Heber City, Utah and then Salt Lake. She attended "the BYU" where she met my grandpa in October of 1947. They were married in June of 1948.

(my mom used to tell me all the time that there was hope for me since my grandma didn't get married until she was "quite a bit older". . . 26 if you do the math. I passed that a while ago. However, I do love that my grandma talks a lot about her "dating years" at the Y and how much fun she had in her single years)

During the next 20 years or so my grandma had 9 children, nursed my grandfather through polio, helped him through medical school, worked in the clinic, managed a busy home, served in the church, and was all together a wonder woman. Sometimes I wish I could have seen her trying to juggle all of those things, because I know I would have learned a lot.

In 1979 my Grandpa, James, passed away due to complications of kidney failure. My grandma, had moved to Leeds, Utah (kind of by St. George) and in 1980 remarried LaVarr Webb (the only grandfather I ever knew). Now with their combined families she had a total of 19 children! They lived, served and loved together until 2001 when LaVarr passed away from Lukemia. During these years I watched my grandma juggle many roles and responsibilities. She always had a smile on her face. Truly, always. She served a mission with grandpa to New York City and typed up many of grandpa's stories for his posterity all while being a grandma to a growing posterity and continuing to be a neighbor, friend and help to anyone who needed it. My grandma was and still is giving, giving, giving. From 2001-2003 she lived with her sister Evelyn and was her caregiver, friend and sister until she also passed away.

My grandma has had her own share of health struggles and pushed through all of them with beauty, dignity and a an ever present positive attitude. Not only is she cheerful and optimistic she is also independent. Seriously, she can fix anything. I think a lot of that is due to her creativity and frugality.

To this day my grandma still spends her time productively and in ways that enrich not only her own life but others. She is always making an afghan for one of her grand daughters or crocheting hats for humanitarian aid. She likes to try new recipes and "make things" She always wants to look nice (which she always does) and I am amazed at her ability to keep up on what is going on in the lives of all of her children and grandchildren.

Someday I hope I am just like my grandma and I hope that she sticks around for another 10 or 15 years.

Sorry about the poor quality of pictures. . . and grandma I hope I got all the information right!

Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you.