Check yourself.

I have been reading a book called Mile Markers. It claims to be a book about running and why women do it....it seems to me that it is a book about life, real life, and how running plays a part in most every part of this specific woman's life. If you know me I like books that are real, raw, and believable...this book fits all of those categories. I do not claim to be a runner, but I do run (well I jog)in races here and there. I actually love running. Sometimes I forget that I love it up until the moment I am actually doing it, but once I am on my way I remember all of the good things running does for my mind and body. This is one of the many quotes from the book that I love.

Good reminder to put myself in check.

"I wish we could always support each other without comparing. I wish we could always allow others to be sad without trying to fix it. I wish we could always be happy for someone else without seeing the holes in our own lives. I wish we could always share in another's gratitude for good fortune instead of poisoning it with our own regret. I wish we could always laugh together without our mirth coming at the expense of someone else. I wish we could always lift each other up without having to be on top. I wish we could always applaud others' gifts without pining. I wish we could always freely celebrate our own gifts without feeling the need to play small."

This quote does not really have much to do with running at all, that is why I like this book. It takes something I can relate to, running, and after each chapter I realize I have learned important lessons about life.

Random--but so true!

How can you not love this?!~

Random Thoughts of the Day
by Unknown

o Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

o Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

o Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

o I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

o The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

o LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

o I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

o Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

o Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

o How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

o I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent some idiot from cutting in at the front.

o I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

o Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

o Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from; this shouldn't be a problem....

o There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

o I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

o I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

o I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

o It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

o I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

o Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I’d bet everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

o The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself.

The Poinsettia

As I was pulling off the dead leaves of our many Poinsettia plants at work I was plagued by the idea, I have believed for a number of years, that if I happened to eat a leaf of a poinsettia plant I could possibly die--- someone, somewhere told me they were highly poisonous. The truth be told, I read today, that a 50 lbs. child would have to eat 500 leaves in a short amount of time for it to even reach a potentially toxic level. Really?!~ I would seem to think that eating 500 leaves of any plant in a short amount of time may be potentially toxic.

The mayo clinic says that if a child eats a poinsettia leaf to have them rinse their mouth with some water. In rare cases they may develop a stomach ache. Not the stomach pumping I have always somehow imagined.

The Best City in America

As I was talking to a friend yesterday about 'So You Think You Can Dance' auditioning in Salt Lake, she had the nerve to say something to the effect of..."So help me if there is someone from Murray on this show. There probably will be and they are going to end up being good. That is just what we need." And my sister responds..."well ya!"

We'll just say, around these parts some of us may believe Murray is the best city in America, have the mug that says so, and for some reason others just do not believe. I think they are afraid with one more great thing coming from here it may just put them over the edge and they are going to start believing it too.

So Ya Know...

*I watched the finale of the Biggest Loser last night and it was absolutely inspiring. It is amazing the things that you can do when you decide you can and put your mind to it! Ali is the freaking bomb.com

*The Jr. High School Musical was a roaring success! Loved it...just missed it a whole lot! Good work Nat and Lisa!

*Not sure what is up with the weather?! Monday was beautiful and then...well, Winter decided to grace us. I guess I should look on the bright side...we could have not experienced the beauty of Monday.

*I met a guy from Africa that I am... (I know you are hoping for some good dating news right here---do not get your hopes up--- trust me I wish that is what I was about to tell you)...hoping to share the gospel with.

*I am seriously contemplating chopping my hair this week...I have thought about it a thousand times before but I think it may really be time.

*My cousin just got back from his mission in Florida, I got to hear him speak on Sunday...he has some physical trials that I think would make serving a mission more difficult than for most, but he showed so much faith in his Savior. It helped boost my faith in him as well.

*Started getting more information on my High School Reunion-- 10 years really?! So not ok---I gotta find me a husband!

*Hmm... I gotta go golfing!

ThE PuBlic LiBraRy!

I can not count how many times people have asked me what it is that I do and I wished that I could have their facial expression on camera. When just getting to know someone and they ask this question, I have gotten many a weird look when I answer that I am a full time librarian and a part time hair dresser. Somehow, people just don't seem to think the two fit. Well, what is nerdier than any of this??? Quite possibly that there were some sort of celebrations with cake, ice cream, and lunch because I have been at the library for ten years today! I have not quite decided if it is a good thing or bad! I guess it could be far worse, I could have the same job title and pay I started with... that would be bad! Luckily that has all changed a few times. Anywho, bottom line... I aM GrAtefuL fOr mY JoB!Grateful I have a job, it is a low stress job, I feel comfortable and competent there, I like the people I work with (all sooo different from me, but help me to be more accepting and less judgemental of all those around me), they treat me well, I kinda like that if when I am gone for a few days things are a bit out of control--makes me feel sort of needed, I make enough to pay for what I need, and I do not have one thought about my work once I leave there--- I can fully leave my work at work. I may dread it from time to time... it is work...but I truly am grateful, for so many reasons, that I have it.

SO YA KNOW...

...first off, anytime I begin with this heading I become aware that I pretty much only use it when I have too much to say and have been a blogging slacker!
...I went to the Disney Princesses on Ice and it was a super great time. My cute nieces were both feeling a bit under the weather which was unfortunate but we loved it none the less. Natalie knew exactly what every song was from, for example a song from Mulan came on and she informed us that is was from Mulan 2. Very insightful I would have never known a '2' even existed
...My nephew Ezra is still adorable--I actually think he is getting more adorable as the days go by
...Spring has sprung it seems, at least most of the time, and I love it.
...I bought a pedometer. Linds has been the walking/moving queen as of late. She is in some competition for school and she is gung-ho(is that a word(s)?!...either way I am sure I spelled it wrong). It has inspired me
...got to color Easter eggs last night... I love coloring Easter eggs. I attempted to create the Backyardigans. It was good times
...playing "kick ball" with Bentley brightens my day.
...in less than a week I should have $0 on my credit card and the proud owner of a new laptop
...Startstruck performed at a fundraiser for Best Buddies and they were adorable. Got to walk a 5k for the event...made me excited for some summer running
...I am not posting my typing score due to the fact that my high is shameful --linds and kelly are nuts!
...I may or may not hear the golf course calling my name. And even better I have 10 free rounds! THANKS MOM AND DAD
...the local Jr. High is putting on a show. I have co-directed it the last 3 times it has been done. Not going to lie...uber jealous and I totally miss it
...life is good.

so ya know...

...windshield wiper fluid may just be one of the best things ever. I absolutely can not stand to have a dirty windshield. The worst are days when the snow is melting so the car in front of you is constantly throwing stuff at your windshield-- but not enough that it gets really wet, just dirty. When I drive with some one else I always seem to wonder how they can handle their windshield with spots on it. The slightest thing on mine, drives me nuts. ---oh and the other day, not sure if anyone else noticed, but something that came out of the sky was like a big mud speckle rather than snow or rain.

...book club was once again a hit. The book we read "Left to Tell" is one of my new favorites. It was very humbling and inspirational. If you have not read it I highly recommend that you do. I am amazed at the things that go on in the world that I know little to nothing about.

...I got the best looking elephant from my friend Karla last night. It is made of, well-- I am not sure, maybe wicker. Any who, I actually have a smaller version of the elephant she gave me and now they are like a little elephant family...love it.

...the way the weather looks, maybe not so much feels quite yet, is making me excited to bring out the Buddy. (my amazing scooter)

...right now at this moment I am grateful for the comfort of my favorite jeans (these pants really deserve a post of their own, so.... to be continued)

...sometimes it seems that I can not find good balance. For instance, if I focus on something in my life specific that needs improvement-- something else that I was doing at least mediocre at starts to slip. I have got to figure this out.

...it occurred to me last night at book club, while thinking about a part of the book we discussed, that maybe many times that I pray for things and do not seem to be finding the answers that maybe the Lord has placed me right on the road to finding them but, I am not walking.

...in a world of counting calories---Diet Coke brightens my day.

a small nudge...

Alright, the reality of the situation is as follows: I have absolutely nothing exciting, or non-exciting for that matter, to blog about but, I am sick of seeing those stupid cheeseburgers every time I get on the computer!!!

As I was just sitting here thinking about all that I could or could not blog about I came to recognize that there are a lot of things that I take for granted or fail to see the good in, on a regular basis.

1. My flat iron (every time I blow dry my hair I ponder what life would be like if I had to go out in public looking that way)

2. My job

3. Parking in the garage

4. Shoes (Honestly ---meaning, yes shoes so I do not have to go bare, but really multiple pairs i.e. Which brown pair should I wear?)

5. Advil

6. My ward (as I was actually typing this I had a little bit of a cringe... the idea that I am in a student ward means I am not married and it is the constant singles scene. Not exactly what I would say I dream of in life right now but, very much so SINGLE is my situation and I am very grateful I have somewhere that I can go to church, feel the spirit, and not feel completely out of place)

7. Elastics and bobby pins

8. Cell phone (remember as a kid when you would have to call collect for a ride home... we would always say a whole sentence when you were supposed to say your name.... "come and get me at the mall")

9. Coordination (I am not the most coordinated person in the world but, I am grateful I can do a jazz square or throw a ball if I want to)

10. The internet (sounds a little silly but, sometimes I find myself being frustrated that ours won't work right when I want it to or how much crap is on the internet now but, never stop to think about when so much information was not right at our fingertips---the communication possible, email, BLOGS, Google, paying my bills online, so so many things---YIPPEE for the world wide web)

11. Windshield wiper fluid

12. Under armour

13. Deodorant (a little awkward but, I forgot to put some on the other day and quickly recognized how grateful I am for it)

...I guess that is enough for now but, grateful for the small nudge to remind me how much I have.

hmm...

A few thoughts (this is so not like me but, I am going to give it a try)...

-Why is it so hard to motivate myself to run when I LOVE the feeling I get when I do?
-I kinda had a bad attitude about working Saturday rather than Friday on a holiday weekend but, now I am kinda grateful cause it seems a little like I get two weekends.
-Single Awareness Day or if you rather, Valentines Day...yep, still pretty much sucks.
-Working at a library I come in contact with soo many interesting and weird people...I shouldn't judge, maybe I am one of them.
-Colbie Caillat is pretty much amazing...singing is her thing and she does it well--LOVE IT.. putting on an entertaining concert-not so much. I have come to realize there are not many artists that I think have an amazing talent for singing live as well as entertaining. I have a greater appreciation for those that can do both.
-People make dating and falling in love look so easy.... HOW?!
-Calorie counting--- the joy of my life.
-My nephews and neices may or may not be the best thing ever.
-My sister who is over 4 years younger than me is having child number two in less than a month... kinda scary... but could not be more excited for her. She is a wonderful mom and wife--- hope to someday be as good as she.
-I am on the look out for a good pair of red shoes so if anyone sees any great hits let me know. I have decided everyone should have a pair of red shoes.
-I love the mountains, they are beautiful. When I see things like the mountains... or the ground with fresh snow... it makes me wonder how people could ever believe God does not exist.

Nothing and something-- all at the same time...

I was just thinking about how some people have the ability to blog about nothing at all really, but at the same time, very much so, something. This may not make sense to anyone but me, but I am amazed. More often than not that something is highly entertaining and inspiring. I, the blog reader, thoroughly appreciate and enjoy it. There is a blogging art... I think some are just gifted with it!