California Dreamin'

I flew into Long Beach tonight to spend the weekend with Jim, in our condo. I love the fact that when I walk off the plane I don't need a coat, I can see the stars and the full moon, and there are palm trees swaying in the breezes. Aaahhhhhh.... California. It's a nice place to visit.....but I wouldn't want to live here. Which makes me really sad...

for Jim. The poor guy is traveling all the time! I wish I knew what I could do to fix this situation, but I don't. Some people think I should move down here with him. Then I would have to quit my job and chances of finding another one - in California - are not good. Plus, selling the house in Utah would be a disaster. We would take a huge hit. And, living in this tiny condo would make me crazy after about a week!

We don't want to retire in California so I keep my job which pays for plane tickets back and forth from California to Utah, and it helps cover the cost of the condo. Jim's paycheck covers all of the other expenses that we have with two households. And...there goes all our money. Money I wish I had to remodel the kitchen or build a deck, or get new carpet with.

But, I am grateful that, for now, we have enough to cover all our expenses. That I have a job that pays me pretty well and still allows me to come to California often to spend a weekend with Jim.

Aaahhhh..... California.

It snowed last night and it is beautiful! Although winter is my least favorite season it still has its pluses. A beautiful snowfall is one of them. Jim is out snow-blowing the walks and kids are flying by on snow mobiles. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Let it snow!

I am married to to the best grandpa in the whole world! He absolutely adores being a grandpa to Malia, Ella, and Noah.

A week or so ago he bought some bird feeders because he thought Ella would enjoy watching the birds. He took her outside to see the birds and she loved it, so he decided to help her make a bird feeder for her own yard. He sawed and hammered and then turned it over to Ella to paint. (Waaayyyy more patience than I have....kids with paint?)

Ella had a great time, but Grandpa loved it even more!

I love the Mt. Timpanogos temple! It is beautiful, majestic and inspiring! I needed some time to think so I got up early this morning and drove to the temple.

It is so peaceful and there is such a sweet, calming spirit the minute I walk through the front doors. I always wonder if this is what heaven is like.

I spent some extra time in the Celestial Room after attending a session, where I sat on one of the gorgeous, white sofas and thought about things, and prayed about things, and read from the scriptures that were on the table beside me. It was exactly what I needed.

I am so grateful for temples and all that is promised there. What a blessing!

Eight Puppies!!

People who know me, know that I am not an animal person. I like animals...on a farm, in a zoo, at somebody else's house, in nature, just not in my house or yard. But, people who know me also know that I am forever loosing this battle, either with my husband or one or another of my kids.

During different stages of family life we have had several dogs, cats, fish, hampsters, frogs, snakes, ferrets, and even rats. We were down to one cat Misses, and then Jon and Bonnie moved home. They brought along their cat, Mews. After they moved away their cat stayed.

Then Ryan moved home and he brought his dog, who we thought was a boy, (Bob) then found out she was a girl, (Bobos).

Today Bobos "delighted" us (this is said very sarcastically) with eight(!) new puppies! Eight puppies in her first (and only) litter? I have to admit they are pretty cute, and Bobos is a good mother but, they are going to turn into real puppies and puppies turn into dogs. The trick is to "get them gone" while they are cute puppies and before they are just dogs.

So, with all that being said, would anyone want an adorable, cute, snugglie, fun, precious, loveable, black puppy? For free....did I mention they are free? Just let me know.

People Who Need People...

I am feeling like I live in my own little universe lately. I get up in the morning and get ready for work, all without talking to anyone. Well, that's not true, Jim usually calls me on the phone while I am getting ready, and some mornings Angie calls me because she is an early riser. So let's just say, all without talking to anyone in person.

I arrive at work, wish the receptionist Lita, good morning and head to my cubicle. There I remain for most of the day; frantically typing away on my computer while answering my never ending e-mail, getting an occasional phone call, and "doing my job".

The problem is, I am the only woman around and the only person who is not a software developer. My company moved all the departments around; accounting and sales are downstairs, CSR's are over by support, project management and testing are together, etc. The problem is, my boss and I are the only ones in 'marketing'. That means my cubicle is by his office door, which is right, smack-dab in the middle of all the developers.

Now, don't get me wrong, they are all great guys and I really like them alot. It's just that they are not talkers...they are...developers. They are busy developing. I, on the other hand, am a talker. I'll get my work done, but I like to chat with people now and again, just to keep the job interesting. But where I am situated, that doesn't happen.

So....I work quietly at my desk most of the day. Then I wrap it up and go home, again, to a quiet house. Jim calls to talk, but no one else. I fiddle-fart around here, maybe go too the gym, (where again, there are people but people at the gym don't talk to each other) and then I go to bed. I start it all again the next day.

I need some excitement! I need some fun, on a day to day basis. I used to love my job when there were "talkers" all around me, now I just "like" my job. Actually, the job is great but I miss people in my life! Where are they? I am alone too much!

The Graffs

The Graffs

A fabulous New Year!

I think I am going to make it a New Year's resolution to always spend New Year's in California. The sky is blue, the waves are big and the temperature is 70 degrees! Perfect.

We have had a great time doing nothing. We sleep in, go for walks, Jim surfs while I read or go for a run. We eat, shop, take naps, and just hang out.

Last night our neighbors invited us over for a New Year's get together and surprisingly enough, we had a good time. There are some really nice people who live in the complex.

I don't really have a lot to say because, like I said, we aren't doing much of anything but, we are having a great beginning to 2010 and hope that the rest of it goes as well.

To all our family and friends....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!