Happy New Year! 2012

I missed all of 2011.  Didn't post a thing, and believe me there was a lot I could have posted.  But, rather than reviewing all that I missed, I'm just going to start now, at the beginning of a new year.  (OK, 10 days into the new year.)

Jim and I spent New Year's Eve in Oceanside again.  He loves that place!  Even though I would rather of stayed in Utah, I went and we actually did have a good time.  It was very relaxing and although I hate to admit it, it was exactly what I needed.  It gave me some time to think, reflect and plan for the upcoming year.  And I am off to a good start.  All my Christmas stuff is organized, labeled and put away.  My food storage room is cleaned and organized so I can see exactly what I have and what I need.  My jewelry box is organized - believe it or not it was a huge mess - and the hall closet is clean.  I'm ready to tackle something new!

I'm hoping to do a couple of things differently this year, one being to not stress out so much.  I have been so busy since way last September, just one huge project, meeting, event, party, or crisis, one right after another, that I felt like I was going to burst a blood vessel in my head.  I'm really going to try and take things a little easier in the new year and enjoy the ride a little more.  Jim gave me a book in my Christmas stocking, Don't Stress the Small Stuff...and it's All Small Stuff, that I am really enjoying reading.  It really puts a calmer, less stressful perspective on everything. 

I'd really like to get a handle on my depression, that would be great.  I don't know why I am so down...well maybe I do know a couple of reasons.  I feel like I spend every day on trivial things that don't really matter.  I feel like I am irrelevant and don't contribute much to anything, really.  I don't know why my compnay keeps me employed because they don't give me anything to do until the Fall.  I just show up and try to look busy most of the time and then end up leaving early because it is just against my principles to collect a paycheck while I just sit there.  (Although there are many there, who do!)  I'd like to find a passion that I can really get hooked on, something that I can't wait to get back to when I have to be away.  But, what that is, I have no idea. 

I miss living by my kids and grandbabies.  I think I would be a good grandma if I lived by them but, it is hard to do when we live so far away.  But, we do get to go there often so that part is good. 

I think that is enough rambling for now.  Maybe next time it won't be so general and superficial. 

I can't promise I will keep up the blog.  I'm not going to make a resolution about it or anything but, it would be nice to post things from time to time, just for my own record and maybe a few pictures the kids can take a look at. 

One last Happy New Year!

We haven't added anything new to the blog since we first started it so I thought maybe it was time I did.
The condo is rented for Thanksgiving and Christmas but there are a couple of weeks it is available in December and there are plenty of available days after the first of the year.
January is the perfect month to plan a get-away! The cold and snow has settled in and it is still several weeks, if not months, before things start to warm up. Why not plan a get-away to beautiful and warm, sunny San Diego! The days are warm and comfortable although the nights can be a bit cool.
January is the perfect time to do a little shopping at the awesome outlet malls in Carlsbad or San Ysidro. And of course shopping is always great in San Diego.
There are so many great places to eat, not only in San Diego, but Oceanside and Carlsbad, as well. One of our favorite places is 'Overseas Restaurant' in Carlsbad. Kind of a boring name for a great Chinese restaurant. This is our very favorite Chinese restaurant anywhere, not just in California! We have been going here for years! They are located at 2820 Roosevelt St. in Carlsbad.
Go ahead and google them and read the reviews. This is Tony Hawk's (famous skateboarder) favorite restaurant in Carlsbad and Junior Seau loves it too!
And of course we love Ruby's at the end of the Oceanside pier. Walking the pier at night and watching the surfers is one of our favorite things to do while in Oceanside. Beging able to stop at Ruby's and enjoying some of their delicious food makes it even better.
Reply to this post or send us an e-mail through craigslist to find out if your dates are available. We would love for you to be able to STAY IN OCEANSIDE!

One of the blessings in my life, at the moment, is being able to work in the Young Women's program with some wonderful young women and some awesome leaders. I am constantly amazed at the "quality" of these young 12-17 year old girls!

They do well (really well!) in school, they give service to others, they are so genuinely sweet and kind to each other and love each other, yet they have great fun together, too.

They are organized and they are learning leadership skills that would amaze the rest of the world. Many, if not most of them have unbelievable talents! In our little group we have many piano players, flutists, violinists, harpists, dancers, singers, actors, and artists! It is utterly amazing!

I am so blessed and truly honored to associate with these girls! Thanks girls for the cards, notes, treats and yes.... sidewalk art!

Love you all!

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!