The Resort...

This is the lovely Rosen Shingle Resort where we have been staying for our work part of the trip. Yep, it's heaven.

FYI, we were at the HoJo for our "vacation" part of the trip.

Florida Airboat ride!

*The alligator I didn't hold.

**The marshes of the everglades.

***Me, Stephanie, and Melanee as we began our first airboat ride. The airboat gets rather loud - hence, the earphones.

Daytona Beach

Just a few pics from our day at Daytona Beach today. It was such a clear, beautiful day! I've heard the weather in Utah has been anything but warm since we've been here, so I hope y'all don't feel jealous of our blue skies and 85 degree weather. Nah, go ahead and let the jealousy flow!

Florida, Flori-dah, Floree-dah

On my way to Orlando for some work and some play. Never been to the state, so it should be muy exciting! Have a great 4-day weekend everyone (whoever you may be)!

My favorite Kiwi's

Oh, I love it.

Tagging is sooo not nerdy.

I've been tagged! My first time (thanks, Sharon).

What you're suppose to do.....delete my answers and type in your own. Don't forget to tag four people.
A)Four places I go over and over:
1. Work
2. Macey's
3. Maverick
4. The Red Box (anywhere they've got it)
B)Four people who email me the most:
1. Shannon
2. Caiti
3. Mom
4. Sharon
C)Four of my favorite foods:
1. Quiche
2. Tom Kha Ghai (Thai Soup, and soooo delicious!)
3. Beef Stroganoff
4. I love pretty looking pastries (I'm trying to lay off the sugar, however)
D)Four Places in which I would rather be right now:
1. Eating shave-ice in Hawaii
2. At home watching a good movie
3. Driving along the Ring of Kerry in Ireland
4. Disneyland (haven't been since I was a kid)
E)Four people I'm tagging:
1. Stephanie
2. Mom
3. Kalli
4. Caiti (time to update that blog, sistah)
F)Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Sense and Sensibility (I didn't say P&P so as to not be so predictable)
2. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
3. Amelie (I want to learn French)
4. It's A Wonderful Life

The end.

A surprising combination...

My brother Shane introduced me to this song and album the other night. Robert Plant of 60's and 70's Led Zeppelin rock fame, and Alison Krauss, a bluegrass icon. Put the two together and what to you get? I'm still not sure, but it sounds like magic. Check it out for yourself and tell me what you think.

Bad mood, mal humor, ill-tempered...

I have been told that as a little girl there was a time when I was in a perpetual bad mood. I am the fourth child, and mom and dad didn't stop there. As a matter of fact, they had four more. When Shannon came along, I think I was young enough not to care so much, but when Caitilin rolled into the mix I went berzerk! I am told I said things to the effect of "I hate her!" and "I want to throw her out the window!". Man, what kind of devil child was I?! I was at the time going through a phase where I got glasses (not the cute glasses, mind you), and had my four front teeth knocked out by the forehead of a friend. Such a poor, pathetic child I was! The good news is I grew up to be a very happy girl and have much love for the baby sister mentioned. However, there are moments. We all have our moments. You know what I mean, and you've had them before too. My 'moment' began yesterday and has managed to linger into today. I wish there was logic to a bad mood. It will begin with annoyance at one thing or another, then it gradually just mounts, until it truly becomes a mountain of overwhelming emotion. When I'm in it, I can't seem to 'snap' out of it like everyone would like me to. It gradually goes away, and I when it does, I hardly remember being so hormonal and moody. I'm a stubborn type and will let it go away when I want it to, basically.

As I was thinking about this today and being annoyed with my bad mood, I remembered my nephew Ryan who I visited in North Carolina a couple of weeks ago. Dear 4 year-old Ryan was in a bad, bad mood one Sunday, whereupon he began yelling as we got into the van to go to church, "NO CHURCH!", and repeated it at least 10 times for the neighbors to hear. He reminded me of myself as a little girl and had the amazing ability to maintain the 'mad face' for quite some time. As we arrived to church, he covered his face so no one could see him or talk to him to try to cheer him up, etc. I tried to make silly faces at him so that he'd 'snap' out of it, but being as stubborn as I am, he refused.
Caitilin, the patient and loving mother she is, held him on her lap, all the while snuggling him to help him feel better. Soon after, I looked over at Ryan, who seemed to soften and change his mind about being in a bad mood. He put his hands over his face, and as if magic, he removed his hands and with a sweet smile on his face said "I'm happy now, Mom". It really happened! He continued to be happy for the remainder of church and the rest of the day!
My point is, maybe I could learn something from this four year old. Just put my hands over my face, take them away, and magically be happy again. I should rid myself of the pride and stubbornness and just be happy! It's totally ridiculous, I know. If you ever find me in the aforementioned bad mood, I do apologize, and I'll do my best to be magically happy again! Thanks.

To the leader of the 8 member Curran band!

(pictured with his nephew as a wee babe)

Dear Quinn,

Thanks for the years of being the big brother taking care of all of us, watching out for us and giving us countless opportunities to see the world. You have always been unselfish with each one of your siblings in so many ways. It's not just the airline benefits or the free or discounted concerts and NBA games. It is the way that you make us laugh, and the way you shower love upon us. I love you, big bro! Thanks for all you do for me.

Excluded

Do you ever feel like there are some people that just never grow out of the Elementary School/Jr. High phase of exclusion? It's unfortunate that I know some of those people and see them every day. Pathetic people that have never grown out of that ridiculous phase. Wow, how old are they? Hmm...

Mama...

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Nosy, nosy kiss!

Love you~

Enriching our lives

I came across an article in a wellness magazine and thought I'd share.
"10 Ways Your Outlook Can Enrich Your Life":

1. See the good in every person.
- The story is told of a man who worked for a large corporation at their head office skyscraper. His only duty was to operate an elevator. Although there were three elevators servicing his side of the building, most people favored his elevator because he greeted everyone who entered through his doors with kindness and joy. One executive of the corporation frequently described the elevator operator by saying: "This is our million-dollar employee. He is just as important as the top executives in our company, because all our customers love him." When asked the secret of his popularity and influence, the elevator operator replied: "I look for God in everyone, and it gives me such joy."
2. Forgive yourself.
- Just as you forgive others for their slights, misstatements, and errors of judgement, forgive yourself. Then move on.
3. Learn to bend in order not to break.
- Adapt ourselves to circumstances over which we have no control.
- Go with the flow, and learn to bend in order not break.
4. Maintain a spirit of goodwill.
- When dealing with other people, believe the best about them, see the best in them, hope for their best, and work for the best possible outcomes in your relationships with them.
5. Give up revenge.
- Harboring ill will toward another and cultivating dreams of retaliation only keep inner anxiety and agitation alive.
6. Create your own inspirational book.
- Buy a simple blank spiral notebook. Whenever you come across an uplifting quotation, write it in your book. Transcribe something that moves you in your book.
7. Be a Person of Integrity.
- Say what you mean and mean what you say. Keep your life free of deception and duplicity.
8. Lavish Others with Kindness.
- Find creative ways to spontaneously and generously lavish other people with kindness. When it comes to acts of kindness, go the extra mile and double someone's pleasure when you act.
9. Seek Out Beauty Daily.
- Walk in the park. Listen to music. Buy yourself flowers. Connecting with the beauty of the world around you is deeply healing.
10. Practice Citizenship.
- Show pride in your country by working to make the lives of every citizen better. Your own spirit will be elevated, knowing that you had a hand in improving the lot of another person.


Enrich and be Enriched!

More pics from North Carolina

The yellow house

It's a BEAUTIFUL day here in Charlotte! A lovely 75 degrees. Love, love it! And I LOOOOVE my nephews! Btw, Caiti and her fam live in a delightful yellow house. Hence, the title of my blog.

So, I'm home from Charlotte and wish I was back there. What a beautiful place! I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing weather, the lovely green, the country roads, hangin' with Gavin and Ryan and of course spending time with my li'l sister Caitilin. It's so strange that she is my little sister (4 years younger) and runs a busy household. The girl is amazing. I love, love her.

Gavin and Ryan are of course hilarious. Memorable moments: Ryan's Sunday moodiness (oh wow, I know I shouldn't have laughed, but I couldn't help it), but then snapping out of it and becoming his normal cuddle bug self. Then there is Gavin's thorough knowledge of the world; knowing where every single country is and knowing which plane will take you there. Incredible!

Then there was the moment I dropped the casserole dish while putting it in the oven, then falling off of the ride at Chuck E Cheese. Good times!

When did I get so much junk??

I'm sure many of you can relate to the junk factor. I've lived in the same place for almost four years, and only now when I have to move everything do I realize all of the junk I have accumulated! It overwhelms me! Why, why, why and when, when, when did I become a pack rat??!! Curses! I've been cleaning and cleaning for the past few hours. It is one a.m. now, and I'm no where near done. Why was it I decided to move? Curse the move, man. No fun! A HUGE thanks to Sean, Shannon and Conn for their help tonight. It was a pain, I know, but I really appreciated it. Gosh, I love my family. So good to help me. Love family, hate moving.

Here I am talking about how much I hate moving, and I'm letting it over shadow the fact that I am leaving a most beloved place. I have lived in this house (the Raynes compound) for the past four years. It has truly felt like a home away from home, and I've loved it. Thanks to the Raynes family for letting me live out some great memories here. They are like a second family to me - all of them. Love you guys!