Catching up!

I really truly haven't been on here in so long. In fact, most people probably won't even notice this new post because they have given up new posts from me! lol. I am going to update on my life in numbered form:

1. In July, my sister Bonny moved in with Rick and me. It was fun having her here, but she decided that she needed to go back to AZ in November and isn't sure if she is coming back or not. I really love her and I hope she does, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?!?

2. My brother, Collin, and his wifee, Jenn, have birth to their first little baby/girl on July 30. They named her Irie and she is just so cute! It has been fun to watch her grow and become more alert and smiley! I really like her a lot and think she is super cute!

3. I got a job at Nordstrom selling clothes! I love clothes! I love fashion! I did not love working retail. I quit on my fourth day. I did get 3 pair of really cute jeans at a great discount out of the job, so that was good.

4. I finished my 2nd year of school last Thursday! I only have 3 classes left till I have my associates. However, I am not planning on stopping there...I was hoping to go to UNLV next semester but I didn't apply in time, so I will have to load up on classes there in the summer to catch up on what I won't be able to during the Spring.

5. Not so fun news: My grandpa Burke died recently and I went to Arizona for his funeral. I miss him a lot, and while it was very sad to be at his funeral, it was really wonderful to see family that I haven't seen in years. I love how funerals are not as life stopping as they are for many other people, and I contribute this to our gospel and the faith and hope we have that we will see our family and friends again. This knowledge comes in handy now, because my Grandpa Mac is in the hospital, and we are all preparing for the near time when she will say goodbye to us, and move onto the next part of her life. I love my family, and feel so blessed to have such a huge and wonderful support system!

6. It snowed yesterday!!!! In Las Vegas!!!!! Nevada!!!!! I woke up yesterday morning to take my doggies to the bathroom. As I opened my bedroom door, I glanced out the hallway windows, only to do a double take at the giant snowflakes that were gently falling to the white ground below! It snowed all day and I loved it! I truly had not been in the spirit of the season until yesterday. I spent part of the afternoon decorating my house for Christmas, and then Rick and I watching 3 movies, all while cuddling on the couch under warm blankets. It was a good day!

And it's been awhile...

We have been in our new house for almost two months now (don't know how the time goes by so quickly), and alot has happened. I'll start at the beginning...

Three days after moving into our house--these same three days being filled with continuous painting of the downstairs interior--almost the entire bottom floor flooded. This wouldn't have been such a big deal, except for the small detail of wood flooring. Needless to say, the baseboards had to be torn out and we had five huge, loud fans blowing in half the downstairs, making it hard to think, carry on a conversation, or really have a nice, peaceful moment. The floors also had to come out, but that was put off till after Christmas.

The day after the floors flooded, my entire family was scheduled to come spend Christmas with us in our new, warm and cozy house, and the fans kind of detracted from that. Everything was cool though, because the fans would be gone in two days, and really, other than the missing baseboards, everything else looked fine. Who needs baseboard, anyway? Things would be fine...

Shower time! Collin and Jenn had just moved in with us, and after running the shower for 10 minutes to get hot water, no results had been produced and the water was still frigid. We checked my bathroom and, even MORE fridid. At this point, a light bulb went off over my head, and I went down to gas stovetop, turned it on, and...nothing. I'd forgotten to transfer the gas into our name, and the builder had turned it off. No big deal, I thought. I'll just call the gas company and they'll come turn in on today, right? WRONG!

The very condescending lady told me, "Ma'am, I understand you were moving, but you really should have called us a week before you moved to let us know you needed a transfer." I politely replied, "Ma'am, I've been wiping my own butt for several years now, and I don't need you to tell me what I should have done. I am well aware. However, I have 16 people, including small children, coming to stay at my house for Christmas. I understand today is Friday, and you are really busy, but isn't there anyway you can have someone drop by?" She was completely unsympathetic, and told me, for the second, unfeeling time, that Wednesday, a complete FIVE days from that moment, was the earliest someone could come out. Grrr. I yelled at her, and then hung up. For the record, I was very stressed and I don't regret it. She was a bee-och.

Four days later...Family came, and went. Busy house, teeming with people and noise and games and conversations. Lacking in hot water and the use of the stove, but warm enough thanks to space heaters and bodies. A good time, but nice to have a quiet house when the company left.

Five days later...Hot water! Delicious soup cooked on a hot ring of fire issuing from a stove that works! Space heaters? Relegated to the garage, with the house heater heating at 74 beautiful degrees of hotness. Mmmm. You don't know how much you appreciate the little things till they're gone.

This brings me to my message for the 2007 Christmas season. Never, ever, take anything, or anyone for granted. When you think your life is not the best, take a look around you at all the things surrounding you, and pick your favorite. Now think about this...you have a favorite, and a lot of people don't get that opportunity. Next, think about all the wonderful people in your life. Are they mostly happy and healthy? Most likely they are. Many people also don't have this security in their life. If you don't feel better at this point, repeat the process.

We are blessed, and we should never take this for granted.