What to do.....

I used to love my job. I enjoyed planning meetings and company events, and working as an assistant in the marketing department. Lately however, my responsibilities have "shifted" as they have hired more and more people in the department. I no longer enjoy a lot of what they have me doing and work is not "fun" like it used to be.

We can manage on Jim's income alone, although we still have a condo in California we are paying for. The deal is, I am trying to decide if I should quit my job and stay home. I would enjoy getting caught up on projects around the house but I am afraid I would be bored after a couple of months, especially since Jim travels during the week.

The real crux of the matter is, "what do I really want to do when I grow up?" I don't know!! I have nothing that I am passionate about like, sewing, running, gardening, designing, scrapbooking, and that sort of stuff. I love to travel but that takes money and if I quit my job, there won't be any extra of that. I would love to redecorate my house but again.... money is the issue. We would have enough but not a lot of extra. Being with my grandkids is great no matter which way I go.

I could volunteer, write my children's books or do family history but, again, would I be bored after a month or two? But, is being bored at home worse than being bored at work? At work, at least I am being paid to be bored.... so I am back to square one!

Dang! Why can't I make a decision? It is my life, afterall.

It's ridiculous to have a blog site and never post anything on it. But, life has been a little crazy since last fall. Hopefully, Iam getting my ducks in a row again, and I can be more up to date on my communications.

Since my kids are the only ones who really care if I update this, from time to time, and they already know what is going on in my life, I will just briefly say that the highlight of the last six months was our fabulous trip to Italy! It was amazing! I loved everything about Italy and can hardly wait to go again.

So until I start posting on here on a regular basis, here are just a few pictures of the many wonderful sites in romantic Italy. (Thanks again Jim, for the wonderful Christmas present.)

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.