Two Months

Today marks two months for me and Derek as an old married couple. It's been interesting, learning all the new things about each other. I'll share a few.

1. I tend to fall asleep in the middle of the bed, then roll onto my left side and take the covers with me, leaving Derek with almost nothing.
2. I like to go to bed around 9:30 or 10:00 when I have work in the morning. Derek doesn't.
3. Derek would eat nothing but Doritos and Taco Bell and drink nothing but Mountain Dew if I would let him. But I won't.
4. Derek loves sports. I do as well, however I don't think I've ever watched this much basketball on television in my life.
5. I'm a huge fan of reading and there are two or three books that I want to read as a couple. Derek isn't wild about the idea. 
6. We both love to shop for things that we can decorate or use in our apartment.  
7. Neither of us ever thought we would ever be excited to get back to Rexburg. But we are.

I love being married. And I am really starting to enjoy watching basketball and I'm even starting to recognize some of the players! I feel smarter now! Also, while drinking soda is not good for you (the ridiculous excess sugar intake in the average American's diet is mainly caused by soda) I have to admit, I love me some Mountain Dew. And even though Derek isn't wild about reading books with me, he still does and I have yet to hear a complaint. 

A Little Project

So the other day I was bored at work. Really bored. The quilt shop was dead, I had already done everything I could do,  and I was tired of standing on my feet. When my friend Sarah texted me I told her of my desperation for something to keep me occupied. She suggested that I write a story about two friends at a fashion show. I took her suggestion and brain stormed ideas while I maintained the shop. 

An hour later I had the story typed out and in an email. I sent it off to my friend and eagerly awaited her reply. Then I had the thought that maybe it would be fun to have a separate blog where I could post some of my writing; these pieces are merely for fun, and it's nothing serious at all. I just think it would be fun, so I've done it! I made a new blog and the first chapter of the short story I wrote is posted. So feel free to take a look and read if you'd like... I would love hear your comments,  criticism, or whatever you would like to say. I'm nervous/excited about this project, so lets see how it goes!

Click here to see the new blog: Fiction for  Fun

Thursday? You too?!

I think it must be The World vs. Taylor because for the past 26 hours I have been making stupid mistakes left and right.  Or maybe it's My Brain vs. The Rest of Me, and if it is that then I have no chance. But seriously, this morning has been just about as bad as yesterday.

My alarm went off at 7:00 am and of course I hit snooze until 7:30 am when I just shut off the alarm. I woke up at 8:00 am, got in the shower fifteen minutes later, and was supposed to be on the road going to work by the time I was dressed. To help out my morning, I didn't put on any make up, threw some mousse in my hair, and left. 

As I'm driving down Meridian my thoughts turned to what I have to do today, so my brain went on auto-pilot. As I approach the freeway entrance I feel like I should be doing something else, but I get on 512... going east. But my work is on Pacific Ave... which is west. This I did not realize until I was at the end of 512. So I hopped off the freeway in downtown Puyallup and took a scenic jaunt through the town, made my way past the fairgrounds and up the hill to Meridian where I had been just twenty minutes before. But this time, I went over the freeway and on to 94th St. so that I could get on 512 going west.

Seriously? I have taken the freeway to work hundreds of times. But this morning I just so happen to get on the freeway going the opposite direction?! What is with me lately? Ugh. Thursdays used to be my favorite day of the week. Even more so than Friday. But sadly, that is no longer.

The only good thing so far about today is that I walked outside to get in my car this morning and Derek was scraping off all the snow and ice from my windows. What a sweet husband. So considering that, I don't think Thursday is in quite as bad shape as Wednesday... but still, it's not good.

What a Wednesday

I woke up to beautiful snow falling outside my window. In my mind I thought that today was going to be a beautiful, wonderful day. "What a fool I was!" (As I typed that I heard it as Sally from "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin.) 

Upon arriving at work, I unlocked the front door and walked over the alarm to enter in the code to disarm it. The alarm system made the little beep that it makes when it is properly disarmed, so I started to walk away, but then it made a sound that I did not recognize. I turned around and saw that it was counting down until the alarm was going to sound. I quickly made my way out the front door and dialed my boss's cell phone number to make sure I had entered the right code. It seems I thought I did, but most likely, I pressed something wrong. So I had to go inside, put in the right code, shut the alarm off, and proceed with my day. I was pretty shook up because that alarm is LOUD.

Around 9:55 am, the UPS guy knocked on the door to deliver a package. I got out my keys to unlock the door. Upon putting my key in, I turned it and it wouldn't move. I was confused, so I tried again but it wouldn't move... again. I must have stood there for at least a minute moving my key around and doing the best I could to get this door unlocked while the UPS guy is there staring at me, watching me struggle with something as simple as unlocking the door. He must have been thinking something about how stupid I was to not be able to get the door open. Awesome.

Well, since then I've just been doing alright. Nothing has turned out fabulously, but nothing has gone as terribly wrong as this morning. Wednesday, why did you do this to me? I always liked Wednesdays. Not anymore.

Healthy and Happy

This post will probably relate mostly to women. However this isn't a club created by a group of ten year old girls, so yes, boys are allowed. 

I feel I am not alone in feeling the way I do. As a female of the human race I constantly worry about my appearance. Not necessarily whether my make up is perfect or my hair looks "put together yet messy", it is a little more than that. These feelings I am attempting to describe are the ones you feel when you try on a pair of jeans at the store only to find that you do not look nearly as cute in them as you would have hoped. They are those feelings that sink a rock into your stomach when you walk by a mirror and find that you do not look the way you thought you did. These feelings are extremely damaging to any attempt to have a good day. Well, at least for me they are. 

Some people are so drastically affected by these feelings of discouragement that it drives them to extremes. These extremes include binge eating, obesity, bulimia, or anorexia. All of these conditions are plaguing society today because everywhere we go images of the "ideal" body type are shoved in our faces. From magazines to movies our eyes take in and our hearts are weighed down by the things that we see. Some people react to and cope with this through binge eating, which can lead to obesity. After a binge, some may become disgusted with themselves and turn to bulimia. And others turn to an internal oath to eat as little as possible; or nothing at all. 

As a health science major I am learned enough to easily discard any of those ideas. However it does not make me immune to experiencing those very same feelings. There are mornings where I get up, get dressed, and go into the bathroom to get ready and upon my first glance into the mirror, I'm discouraged already. We all have a tendency see ourselves through the most pessimistic eyes possible. Picking out every flaw and imperfection. As you begin the make-up-applying and hair-drying process, self demeaning thoughts run through your mind. Thoughts of how you should be smaller than you are, or look better than you do flow at a never-ending pace. But I would like to pose a question to you. A question that popped into my mind the other day, and it helped me.

If you had a friend who talked to you the way you talk to yourself, how long would you let that person be your friend?

It's not difficult to over-criticize yourself. I think this question is great for helping you realize how you should treat and talk to yourself. 

So ladies (and men, possibly) lets give up the awful habit of looking in the mirror and picking out the flaws and imperfections. Lets take off those pessimistic magnifying glasses and see the things about ourselves that are absolutely fabulous. For instance, do a 360 in front of the mirror and think, "Man, my butt looks so good in these jeans." Or look at your outfit and give yourself a pat on the back for being talented at putting together a coordinated and complimentary ensemble. 

Take care of yourself. Be healthy and happy. Those images of the "ideal" body type are total garbage. Eat a balanced diet, do your best to exercise, and enjoy a piece of red velvet cake every now and then! I think being healthy and happy is a bajillion times better than being critical and unhappy. 

Now, who's with me?!

My Birthday

I swear I hit the snooze button at least four times before Derek managed to ask while half asleep,
 “Tay, are you going to work today?”
“Yeah, I should.”
“I think you should take the day off and relax… it’s your birthday.”

And then we both fell asleep again. I woke up precisely 9 minutes later to my alarm again, and this time turned off the switch. That was when I decided I wasn’t going to go to work. I got out of bed, put on my exercise clothes, and went downstairs while Derek was getting ready.

“Have a good day Derek! Sell lots!”
“Okay. I will.”

As soon as I shut the door, I ran upstairs to grab my book and my shoes and headed to the bike to exercise while reading Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want. It’s a good book, the third one of five. I’m entertained by it.  I showered, talked to Michelle for 45 minutes and then talked to Adam for about 20.

My phone rang. It was my mom.

“Taylor, I’m here at Costco and was going to get your cheesecake but then I saw that there is this red velvet cake with cream cheese icing. Which one do you want?”

Of course I chose the red velvet.

I worked on a few projects that day, watched “UP” and “The Incredibles” and then Derek got home from work carrying a huge gift bag that said “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” on it.

For dinner we had steak, mashed sweet potatoes, cooked carrots, salad, and mom’s homemade rolls. Delicious. Then the party started.

The Bronsons came, Dorene came, and then it was me, Morgan, Mom, Dad, and Derek. Smaller group than usual, but very fun!

New workout pants, tank top, and zip up jacket. Costco variety pack of gum. Big box of fruit snacks. Five different candy bars and three pairs of really cute earrings. Macy’s gift card with an adorable coin purse. iTunes gift card. A new Baby Lock sewing machine.
 A big bag of pretzel M&M’s. A Wii.

When I opened the big bag from Derek and saw that there was a Wii in there, I said, "Derek, what’d you do?!” But I’m so excited!

It was a good birthday; full of relaxation, a good book, good movies, and wonderful company. Birthdays would not be as much of a celebration without your family surrounding you. I miss my three sisters and their husbands that are not here in Washington, but I’m grateful that we have the technology that we do so that we can constantly keep in touch. I love my family! 

And I’m pretty sure I have the best husband. Ever. 

Valentine's Day

At every Fred Meyer, Safeway, Target, Wal Mart, and Costco across the nation I’m sure hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of people were lined up with some kind of flower, candy, or gift in their hands.  A gift to give to their valentine, the one person in their life that they are devoted to and love with all their heart. With the nerves, excitement, and maybe anxiety at presenting these gifts, the air seems to buzz.

I’m sure that there were hundreds and maybe thousands of men that felt like their pocket weighed 100 pounds with that engagement ring sitting in there. Their palms could be sweaty, or maybe they’re dizzy, or maybe they cannot help but tap the table repeatedly waiting for their sweetheart to show up for the romantic and home cooked dinner they’ve prepared. And everything seems like a rush, until that moment he finally pulls out the ring and asks her to be his valentine every February 14^th for the rest of their lives.

And then I’m sure there are those who had to get up early and go to work. They anxiously watch the clock tick the minutes away until they can go home. They feel like Valentine’s Day is a waste, and that nothing exciting or special is going to happen. I was one of those lucky people who went to work yesterday, but I had a wonderful evening.  Upon coming home, I hugged my husband and went upstairs to put my bag away and clean up a few things that I had left in a mess that morning. When I opened the door, I saw the curtains moving slightly in the wind, a clean bedroom, and red rose petals scattered all over the white comforter on the bed. With a single long-stemmed red rose, a Dove chocolate rose, a red candle, and a home made valentine, I was happily surprised. I read the card, smelled the candle, smelled the rose, and ran back down the stairs and almost knocked Derek out of the chair when I practically tackled him with a hug.

“Thank you!! I love it. It’s perfect. I love you Derek.”

“I love you too, Tay.”

We had plans to go out to dinner with my parents and Morgan to Stanley & Seafort’s and we were leaving at 4:15 pm. So at 3:15 pm I headed upstairs to get ready to go. But before the hair curling and make-up applying process began, I pulled a bundle wrapped in my favorite blanket out from under my bed. I opened it and pulled out a can of Pringles, an eight pack of Mountain Dew, and some Orbit gum. I placed them nicely on Derek’s side of the bed and pulled out the card.

Around 4:00 when Derek came upstairs to get ready, I was brushing my teeth. He came into the bathroom and gave me a hug and said, “Thanks for the valentine.” With my mouth full of foamy toothpaste I somehow enunciated, “You’re welcome.”

For some people, the affection shown and gifts given on Valentine’s Day seem to have tinted motives. The day itself brings with it the expectation of flowers, chocolate, and gifts. It brings with it a sense of obligation to show the one you love just how much you love them. And some people might find this unnecessary. Why do we need a specified day to give a gift? Or leave a sweet and romantic surprise? Why do we need February 14^th to show our love? Well, in my opinion, we don’t need Valentine’s Day to do all those things. Every day you should feel the need and the desire to express your love and appreciation for your sweetheart. For their kindness and all they do for you.  For those times when they wake up early to go to work and don’t come home until 10:00 pm. Or for all the times you’ve left for work while they’re still sleeping and come home to find the bed neatly made and all the mess picked up. Now, I’m not saying that holiday is a bad thing, I think it’s great! It is a fun reason to go a bit more out of your way and do something extra special for your sweetheart. But I don’t think there is a reason why we can’t express our love every day.

We went out to dinner, came home and made dessert and played a game. It was a wonderful Valentine’s Day.  After an episode of the Cosby show, and two episodes of Psych, we all decided it was time for bed. So after my teeth were brushed and my face was washed, I climbed into bed and snuggled up to Derek. Before I fell asleep, I give him a kiss on his cheek.

“I love you Derek.”

“I love you too, Tay.”

Monday

Waking up this morning was probably one of the hardest things I've had to accomplish in a long time. I sat on the edge of the bed for about five minutes working up the energy to go get in the shower and leave the warmth and comfort of the blue room. I muttered "I hate Mondays," under my breath as I walked to the bathroom. But, this Monday would be different!

It's not often that I blog about my life is plain terms. Most of the time I try to artistically and creatively disguise it in some sort of elaborate metaphor. But today, you're getting the live feed from my day. And let me tell you, it's been a great one so far!

As a newly married young lady trying to save money for college, I am taking advantage of every opportunity I have to earn a nickel or two. Being home for the months of January through April is rather convenient considering that the high school and junior high Solo & Ensemble contests are in February and March, and that I play piano. Thus, I am accompanying quite a few students in both the junior high and high school bands for their solos.  

Band always gives me more students than choir and that is what I was expecting this year. But to my shock, amazement, and deliriously happy surprise, choir has the potential to outweigh band! I got a phone call from my old choir director today telling me that she could possibly have 6 - 10 students for me to accompany. That means that I will be earning significantly more from solo & ensemble than I EVER expected to. 

I also work at a quilt shop and it is a fantastic job. With consistent hours from 9 am - 1 pm Monday through Friday, I am a pretty happy girl right now! Life is going great. It's been one of those days where you find yourself smiling for no reason whatsoever, and you still don't stop.

And to think. Today is Monday.

Happy February

What is it with men that drive big trucks with huge trailers and not signaling as they switch lanes? AND what is it with them taking forever to get their big, fat, trailer-butt into the other lane? AND why do they never check their mirrors for people driving small cars? Like a Ford Taurus perhaps?
I have almost been run over three times today. Because men who drive big trucks take forever to move into the other lane and never check to see if I am behind them. Sweet. Thanks.

Happy February to me.