Stranded!!! Dad to the rescue AGAIN!!

There is one thing that I truly hate. I hate being stranded!! Last night, I found myself stranded. I was on my way to a wedding reception. I had a few minutes to spare so, I stopped by Walmart to pick up a couple of things. After purchasing my items, I got into my car. I tried to start my car. It would not start. YIKES!!! I did not know if I should laugh or cry. I might add...I did neither one of them. I just sat there for a bit and then, I called my Dad and Mom--they were having dinner with some friends. So, I waited and waited. It was crazy!! I sat in my car and just waited. Actually, I watched the people go in and out of Walmart. There were people laughing. There were people arguing. There were people crying (hmm....I was not the only thinking that it would be appropriate time to cry). There were people screaming at each other. There were people who were staring at other people and then making slight comments. There were people looking as if they were in a continual daze. It was quite entertaining. Thank goodness my parents came to rescue me (AGAIN)!!

So, tonight, my dad and I replaced the starter in my car. In all actuality, Dad replaced the starter and I just handed him the tools. It was crazy but, I am so thankful for a Dad that helps me and rescues me. He is an amazing guy!!! I have not found anything that he can not fix. Really, I am not trying to break things just so that he can fix them. Thanks Dad for always rescuing me and helping me!! I love you tons!!!

what's a Gerb?

(Gerb trying to take a picture of the sky--in the middle of a lightening storm & in the middle of a field)

I would like to introduce to one of my favorite people. Her name is Gerb!! You might ask, "What is a Gerb?" If I had to answer it, I would respond that "a Gerb" is person who is excited about life--no matter what is going on in the world, she is looking for the excitement that brings smiles to every one's faces!!

Today, we had a our Regional Mia Shalom Meetings for young women's camp. Gerb was asked to teach first aid. Side note...Gerb is not a nurse--BUT, she was able to entertain a group of young women leaders and teach them how to teach first aid. She was hysterical when it came to the bruised, stabbed, scraped, cut fruit that she had prepared. Then, when it was time to create a compound fracture--that poor chocolate orange is...well, let's just say...it is no more. One lady asked Gerb if she liked horror films. Another asked if she was for hire. She told them that she would work for donuts. Gerb, you are one crazy friend and I am glad that you are my friend.

Sometimes, I think that when we teach youth about first aid, we are so serious. But, Gerb brought her personality with her and helped relate everyone to a fun way of learning!!! Thanks Gerb for taking on this assignment. You were simply fabulous!!! Great Job!!



P.S. Thanks for the ride and for the bagels...you are definitely one fabulous friend!!

fabulous things friday...Hot Tamales

One of my most favorite things is...
HOT TAMALES
(chewy cinnamon flavored candies)

Hot Tamales are one of my most favorite treats. They are the most delicious chewy cinnamon flavored candies and I get them as a treat 18 Sunday's out of the year. Is that strange? No, not really. See, our Stake Young Women's President packs her Sunday bag full of these delicious little yummies and takes them to church with her. Since I a get the privilege of visiting the wards in our Stake with her, I get a special treat. We visit 9 wards at the beginning of the year and then 9 wards at the end of the year. So, 18 different times, I get a special treat. You thought that I went to visit the wards because I love my calling...nope...it is because I get a special treat when I do. Just kidding!! I do love my calling and visiting all the wards...but, that special yummy treat is also a great reward!, too!! Thanks Tracy!!

I was a witness to "MacGyver-isms" today!!

Tonight I am grateful for 3 guys, a mom, a dad, and a delicious bowl of homemade chicken soup. This is how the story goes...As the hands on the clock started getting closer to 5:00 pm, my list of things to do started growing longer and longer. I had a lot packed into tonight's adventures. I was on a mission to accomplish most of my list. Well, that was the plan when I left work. I jumped in my car and "CLICK" went the sound of my car trying to start.

"CLICK!" "CLICK!" "CLICK!"

My car was not going to start. UGH!! I had a million things to do tonight. I hate being stranded. So, I ran back into work and asked Russell if he could come and help me. Immediately, he came out. We lifted up the hood and found a corroded battery cable. YIKES!! Then, Jared joined us. Then, came Steven. These 3 guys took care of me. They were not going to leave until I was on my way home. They worked and worked on my battery cable. It was kind of like we were in the old TV show, "MacGyver". They cut the cables, re-routed the wiring and after a few tries...my car started!! They assured me that it would be okay until I arrived home and got it fixed. Of course, they were right.

But, I did not take their advice about driving to my home...I drove right to my parent's home. I knew that if I took it there and waited for my dad to return home from work, he would perform his "MacGyver-ism" and fix it like new. Guess what? He did!! It is just like new!!

While waiting for my dad to come home from work, Mom made her most delicious Chicken Noodle Soup. She makes the yummiest chicken noodle soup in the whole wide world. It was simply delicious and a perfect way to warm a cold Michelle.

I am so grateful for being the recipient for these wonderful acts of kindness. Mom, Dad, Russell, Jared, and Steven...thanks so much for your great example to me today. Life is good!!!

a simple comment can go a long way...

Have you ever had someone say something that was simple, but ended up being the greatest thing that happened to you that day? Well, that happened to me. I was visiting my ward for ward conference when one of the sweetest people made a passing comment to me. It was simple but oh, so sweet.

As I have gone through out this very busy day, my thoughts go back to that 3 minute conversation that happened earlier today. It brings a huge smile to my face and of course, it warms my heart. You know that type of feeling that is like a delicious hug that you receive from someone special. It has now been over 10 hours and I still can feel that wonderful feeling that came with a simple comment. Thank you dear sweet friend for your words today--I definitely needed it and you brought a huge lasting smile to my face. Thank you!!


Have a fabulous day!!!

fabulous things friday...I love to read!!

One of my most favorite things is...

to read.

Yes, I love to read and I can thank my sweet mom for this great love. She loves to read and through her example and love for it, I love to read. Reading is one of those things that can transport me into another place, another time, another era...but, there is one thing that I do not like about reading. It is the last page of the book. I hate it when books end. I want them to go on and on and on. I would love to know what the characters did after the last page of the book. See, we stopped being apart of their lives when the last word on the last page ended--but what happened to their characters on the next page. HMM!! I guess, we will never know.

Anyway, my question to is...do you like to read? What books are you reading now? Do you recommend it? I would love to know...please share.

"If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream."

OK, so yesterday was a big day for America. HMM!! I think that the next four years are going to be interesting and I think a tad bit entertaining. There are quite a few people that voted for this new president. I will admit, I was not one of them. He is the President of the United State--so, I will support him. I might not like him, but I will support him. For those of you that did vote for him, it would be interesting to find out the reasons why you might have--but, it is not my business--share if you would like or keep your opinions to yourself.

As for me, I will be entertained for the next four years to see what the First Lady will be wearing. Already, her wardrobe has been displayed through every type of media. In fact, it was one of the headlines on MSN today. I am going to have fun seeing if she ever wears an outfit twice. Do you think she will?

So, tonight I was reading some random blogs and came across an interesting one that talked about this Presidential race. She is a school teacher and decided to have her own Presidential race in her classroom. This is what she wrote: "The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother.

The day arrived when they were to make their speeches Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium.

Olivia's speech was concise. She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream." She sat down. The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream." She surely would say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn't know. The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream. Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream and sixty percent of the people react like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other forty percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess."

Isn't it true...well, at least I think it is.

the season has begun!!!

Grab your blanket, grab your water bottle, put a "Do Not Disturb" on your door, turn off your phone, turn on the TV...because the season has begun!!!

24 has finally arrived and I am excited. Yes, I am 100% addicted to this movie. I have watched every episode from every season. (Thanks Camille for introducing me to this movie--I have been addicted to it ever since.)

I will admit that life comes to a stand still when I hear "Previously on 24" booming from out of the television speakers. Yes, I will admit--this movie is my weakness and I am excited to spend every Monday evening watching Jack go against the world.

Does anyone have a band-aid?

Yesterday, I posted about my calling--serving with the Young Women of our Stake. I am truly grateful for my calling and I found out how much I love it today. Let me share the story....

I was sitting in Sunday School trying to listen (which I do have a difficult time sometimes--that is listening in Sunday School) when Nicole (my friend and newly called Primary President) peeked her head around the corner and motioned Lena and I to come and talk to her. Gladly...I thought!

She asked if we would teach the 4 year olds. Their teachers had not shown up. I love teaching. I find that teaching the youth is quite enjoyable, so I am sure that "tots" are not that far off...RIGHT? NOT!!

We sat down in sharing time...by the end of sharing time, I had two little ones sitting on my lap. They were admiring my nails. Side note: I have a snowflake on the ring finger of each hand. One of the little girls told me that my nails were "absolutely beautiful." Oh, I was grateful for her sweet compliment. I told her thank you. But, the other little girl said, "Oh, they are way too long--don't you have clippers at your house. My Mom can clip them for you." Oh....

Then, it was class time...there was a little boy who did not want to go to class. So, I picked him and sat him on his chair. While I was doing that--he dug me (yes he dug so hard that blood came out of the little cuts--Personally, I think his mom should cut his nails--at least, I do not go around digging people). Then, if that was not enough...he bit me.

So, dear friends...is that normal? Do you carry a box of band-aids with you to church? All I can say is at least the young women don't dig or bite. Oh, what an adventure!!

Have a great day!!

I'm a Believer!!

Bright and early this morning at the Stake Center, a group of young women and leaders started the long process of planning Young Women's Camp. We are often asked why we start in January--if you have ever planned YW camp, you know why. Since I am serving in the Stake Young Women's Presidency not only do we get the privilege and opportunity of going to camp, but we get to camp with the girls that will be in their last year of Young Women's. It is so much fun. So, this morning, we had our YCL (youth camp leader) Camp Kick-off. It was great and might I add...LOTS OF FUN!!!

The Whole Crazy Gang!!

Chandler, McKell & Jane

Tahani, Hannah, Sis. Crosby & Leslie

Sandy, Mikalya, Nancy & Cristen

Dalene & Gerb
Two of the coolest leaders that I get to serve with!!!

Ashley
She does not like to do "girly" things and guess what...we have proof that she does!!

Gerb being Ashley's personal cheerleader!! (or is that Gerb making fun of her...NAH!!)

The gang working together for a special treat for ALL of the young women of our stake.

I am grateful for my calling and I am so excited to work with some amazing people this year!!
Our camp theme this is year is:

I'm a Believer!!

Oh, it is going to be great!!! Gerb is already starting on the words for our opening song!! Oh, it is going to so much fun!!! I am not sure I can wait 6 months to camp...I am sure that the time will pass by quickly!!

Have a great day! (I did)

Organizing!!!

This is a conversation that happened today...
"Michelle, I have a homework assignment for you this weekend."
"Oh...you do? What is it?"
"Your assignment is to blog--when was the last time you blogged?"

I can not believe that I have not blogged in such a long time. WOW!! So, dear friend, here is my blog...

As of late, I have been trying to organize my life. It seems as if the past few months, my life has been a tad bit crazy and I feel like I am running on empty all the time. No matter what I try to do, I feel like I am always falling short. Isn't there a saying that goes something like, "a dollar short and day late." That is how I am feeling--a day late and a dollar short--completely UNORGANIZED.

I love the feeling of being organized--completely organized--not anal retentive, but completely organized. In fact, organized with a sense of knowing where I am going and how I am going to go there--that is what I want to strive for in 2009. So, since it is is the beginning of the year, I have decided to plan out what I am doing and where I am going. I guess that is why I love January so much--it is a fresh start, new start, and a new beginning.

So, now that it is the beginning of the year, I have decided to set a few goals. I find that goals give me a sense of purpose and perspective. Aby from Simply 101 stated, "When you have your eye on the prize, it’s easier to drown-out the background noise such as bad news on the T.V. or the naysayer who isn’t supporting your new direction. You have purpose. You have clarity about what you want. And you’re inspired to take action and make it happen." I just love that quote. So, I have been thinking a lot of about the things that I want to accomplish--my purpose for 2009. I have set some goals and one of them is to be more organized.

So, on Monday, I started organizing my scrapbook room. It is pretty intense, there is so much STUFF--but, it has been a lot of fun. Since the weather has not been that great, it has been easier to stay inside to organize. As I am organizing one of my favorite rooms in my home, I have come across a lot of fun things that I have not seen in awhile, a lot of things that I have duplicate of--maybe even triplicate (I will even admit--more than triplicate), things that bring back wonderful memories, and many many other things.

Isn't it interesting that if we are more organized in every aspect of our lives, we are more efficient, we decrease stress (how much stress do we create for ourselves when we can not find something?), save money and even create more time to do the things that we want to do. I can not even think how many times I have written the same thing on my to do list over and over because I am not organized. But, I know this will not happen to me very often because I am going to be more organized.

What are some tips that help you stay organized? I would love to hear!