Stinkin' Ants

Manteca, like everywhere else in the state of California, has been getting a lot of rain. With that being said when it rains it pours, when it pours it brings in the ants. I HATE ants. I can't seem to decide which is worse, ants or flies. For now since I'm dealing with them currently I'll say ants. They've been coming through my outlets in my kitchen and weep holes in my master shower. PUNKS.

Having this discussion at work a co-worker, Valerie, asked if an of us have you ever mashed an ant with our finger and smelt it? It totally stinks. None of us have and since I have plenty of specimens I gave it a go. Gross as it sounds, it's just one of those things you have to do. (Kinda like placing your tongue on crepe paper) Valerie, you are right! Ants do stink when you smash them. Who knew???

I love this man...

Gordon B.Hinckley dies at 97 We're going to miss you.

Even those that are not members of our faith have asked me if I've heard the news...yes, I sure have. What a man he was!

Pulte in the snow

Our division president got wind that there was a crew of us that wanted to go to the snow one day so he make it a company snow trip for all those who wanted to go on Jan 22nd. They even got a HUGE bus to drive the 12 of us to Bear Valley Ski Resort. I know right...it even has a bathroom in the back. Our bus driver, Frank, was a little random. He pulled off on the side of the road in Farmington to get some "chocolate". Really that's what he said. Sure enough he came back with a candy bar and Cracker Jacks. (I think he just wanted the prize) He commented that he's never been there but he was taking that bus around the hair pin turns like we were in a go-cart. So I went from sitting in the back of the bus to right up front.

When we got there it was beautiful clear skies and we thought how perfect is this? Well that didn't last long. Boy oh boy did it start snowing. The only other time I've seen it snow like that was in UT. There were times while I was boarding down it was a white out. I couldn't see who or what was in front of me.

This is the crew after lunch and a picture of me coming down. Burr, the bottom of my braid was frozen by the end of the day. We had a blast though!!

Sunday children

For those that aren't Mormons you have to know how it works...our church is three hours long. Oh that's right, I said three hours. It's really not that bad. The first hour is like mass. The whole congregation gets together and we pray, sing, take the sacrament and listen to talks usually by the members of the congregation then we sing and pray some more. The next hour is Sunday school-basic. The third hour the men go to one class and the women go to another. Each have the same lesson but it's kinda nice to have that support group. The men can share their experiences with other men and vice versa with the women. I know what you're asking yourself...what about all the children all those Mormons produce? Where do they go and what do they do? The answer is Primary.
Primary lasts for two hours. They have also have basic Sunday school. After there is a time when we all get together for talks, singing, a group lesson, and other cool and fun things. Some Sundays are better than others. Today I think was one of the "better" days. The children were so well behaved. They showed respect to each other during talks and other sharing activities. Some would say being single in a "ward" or congregation of families would be hard. I won't lie at times it is. I do sit in the back and have a smile on my face while the parent is raffishly chasing their child down the isle and think, I want that. There are other times I'm with the primary children and think, wow this is great birth control, I do not want kids. I think it's all a learning experience just like everything else. With the good also comes the bad. It's that whole Yin Yang, keeping that balance, harmony thing.
I think the five years I have from teaching has helped with patience, respect, and boundaries. I've thought about being a single parent. I know I could do it. It would be tough but I know I could do it. But I just don't want to do it alone. To have that person tap you on your shoulder and say I got this one...yeah I think that keeps me on the fence. I just wonder...where is he?

The smile says it all

I was just notified that pictures are in...however since there were about 15 people that came across the finish line the same time I did you can't really see me. So, below you see the link to see the final photo after the race.
http://www.asiorders.com/stf.asp?EVENTID=29137&PWD=&ID=45745758

First time for everything...

My friends here in Manteca had talked me into setting up a "myspace" account and it was a blast to find friends from high school and to keep in contact with my current friends. However, there has been an internal need to express myself during my adventures (in life).

I begin now.

I just finished the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in Arizona this past weekend. It was amazing, perfect weather, nice people and Cafe Rio afterwards. There is something to be said about those who run and those who support runners. I was able to not only accomplish a PR (personal record) but I enjoyed the entire race and showed it with a smile. It's one thing to run in solitude and have some personal "me" time. It's a whole different ball game when you involve spectators. They mean everything to me! I'm serious. I have never realized how vital and joyous they truly are until this weekend. When a "sluggish" feeling came over me and there were spectators available...I would run so close by them and just get a burst of energy. It was ELECTRIC. That is the only way I can describe it. It's an energy that you can't get from a sports drink or a shot of GU or a favorite song that's playing on your iPod. It comes from that personal contact (almost direct contact). Looking back there was a little girl no more than 7-years-old with her mom standing waiting for dad or another family member. The mom was cheering everyone along and the little girl wanted to give all the runners high fives. I took her up on it. As I left her I thought to myself, she has no idea how much that meant to me. For those of you who have supported and been there for me in the past and want to personally thank you with everything that I have in my soul, and tell you you made a difference to me!