...the secret--clue #1

I have had a lot of people ask about "the secret". I did not realize how many people really read my blog. I was so excited about "the secret" that I needed to share--but can not share until... Anyway, THANKS--you all have made me smile!! But, the secret is still a secret--at least for the time being. Gerb asked me on Saturday, if she could have a hint--just one hint!! So, Gerb and all others out there...here is your hint.

hint #1: "the secret" will take place during a summer month.


Oh, PS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!!! Today is my brother's birthday!!! YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!!

a christmas party and a fire truck--they do not go great together

A Christmas party and a fire truck--they do not go great together. I am glad that they did not happen together. UGH!! That would have been a nightmare!!! See, tonight, we had a Christmas party. Yes, I know Christmas is over and done with, but we had one more party. I did not have to decorate since the decorations are still up!! I have been waiting to take them down after our Christmas Party. Actually, we had planned this party in December, but December became so busy that we had to hold off until January. So, tonight was the night!!! I was so excited to take pictures. I took the before pictures... the formal table setting. We had Chicken Cordon Bleu (thank Melanie!), potatoes (thanks Sariah), delicious green salad (thanks Lisa), yummy green beans (thanks Mary) and the most delicious drink (thanks Celeste).

For dessert, we got out my Chocolate Fountain and had delicious marshmallows, angel food cake, cinnamon bears, cookies, and fruit all dipped in chocolate!! So much delicious-ness!!

We talked, laughed, talked, and laughed so more. It was great fun!!! At around, 12-midnight, our guests were leaving. We had just shut the door to the last guest, when our GAS explosive alarm went off!!! OH HOLY CRAP!!! YEP, that is exactly what I yelled!!! We could not reset it--so 911 was called. If you had read one of my previous blogs--you would have noted that this has happened to us before. My roommate hands me the phone and I call. This time, the 911 operator was a tad big ornery!! After giving her the information, she tells me to evacuate the building and that help is on the way. As we were standing outside (in the cold), she asks if we feel safe. I said, "um, yes." Then, she tells me that help is on the way and that she is going to hang up. As I heard the dial tone on the phone, I looked at the phone--a tad bit surprised. This was definitely not the same 911 operator I had before. This one did not seem to care at all.

Finally, another 5 minutes goes by and the fire truck and ambulance show up. One of the dudes gets out of the fire truck and asks if I called 911. I told him that I did and he said as he is looking around--"Then, what is the problem?" Confused--thinking that the 5 minutes on the phone with 911 would have been transferred over to the fire dude!! I told him what was going on. Okay, by this time, I have decided that these guys are not happy to be here nor do they want to really help. For the next 15 or so minutes, these guys were rude and very condescending. They did get the alarm to shut off--wow!! I was proud of them for that (but that is about all I was proud of). It was apparent that we woke them up. One was leaning against the door with his eyes closed. I guess, the 'better be safe then sorry' does not go well with them. I could go on and on about this--but it makes me furious. I know that next time, I will think twice before calling---but I know that I will call. Thanks to the previous fire fighters for their nice-ness. As for these 4 that showed up tonight, I am truly sorry that you were woke up from your slumber and hope that I never need your help!!

As I am retiring to bed tonight...I am thankful for my awesome friends--their laughter and happiness and most of all, I am grateful that we did not have the alarm go off until AFTER they left!!! Oh, sorry neighbors, for scaring you all once again with the fire truck and ambulance!!!

the remote control

Have you ever been watching something on television and was completely 100% involved with it and then, someone takes the remote and changes the channel with not even thinking that there is someone already involved in the show being televised? Well, that happened to me tonight!!! My mom and I headed to the gym. Mom went for the treadmills, I opted for the bikes today. I checked all the televisions and found the one that I wanted to watch. About 7 miles into the program, I found myself not thinking about biking but about the television show, when all of a sudden, a girl comes from nowhere and turns the station and finds her treadmill. I first thought to myself...did she notice that maybe the other 20 people in the gym was watching the other 10 televisions--or does she own that television and has let us (fellow gym goers) use it when she was not there. Well, I finished the last 5 miles of my biking watching the story about Britney Spears. UGH!!!

As my Mom and I were driving home. She said, "What television show were you watching?" Then, we both started to laugh. We had been watching the same show. So, at least 2 or the 20 people did not know the ending of the show. We were flabbergasted on how the girl did not even turn around to check to see if the 20 people in the gym was even watching the show. But, I will give the girl here proper credit--she probably picked up pennies in the parking lot until she had enough money to purchase the television and then, donate it to the gym.

just a tad bit crazy!!

If you know me, I am a tad bit crazy!!! I dislike circle foods. I do not like being cold!!! I think Tuna Fish Casserole is completely disgusting!! I really do not like Spaghetti!! I do not like contention and go to any length not to confront the person causing the contention!! I have a difficult time with heights--I get scared of falling!!! Sometimes, I let fear take advantage of me because I do not want to fail!! I love to curl up with a good book, a warm quilt and sit before a warm fire. I love homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies! I love little children's giggles and the sound of laughter!! I love to turn my radio up loud and sing!!! I love visiting and having fun with friends!! I love ice cream--strawberry is my favorite!! I love to make cards--but most of all I love to send cards in the mail. I love spending time with my family! I love being around the youth in the church--they are full of fun, entertainment and wisdom. I love to learn!! I love to write in my journal. As the list could go on and on...one thing I really like is HOT DOGS!!!

YEP!! Call me a tad bit crazy!! My favorite hot dogs are at the J-Dawgs on BYU campus!! They are the most delicious hot dogs ever tasted!!! YUM Deliciousness!!! But you can not go to J-Dawgs every night of the week--so, for Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law gave me....

a hot dog toaster!!!

Well, I tested out my hot dog toaster and let me tell you....it was simply delicious!!! Plus, it was so easy!!! It did not take a lot to learn how to work the hot dog toaster!! In fact, it is as simple as making toast!! YEP!!! It is as easy as 1-2-3!!! Such deliciousness!!! If you are in need of a hot dog, call me and we will do dinner!!!

HUGE SECRET

I have a huge secret and I am bursting to tell...but you have to wait until everything is in place and I will let you all know what it is!!!! Just thought that I would share that much!!!!

"good goodness"

I have this friend that is probably one of the nicest people that I have met. His favorite phrase or I should say the phrase that he uses quite frequently is "good goodness!" A simple phrase as "good goodness" can sum up a day in just two words. But, the most important part is how you say it. If you sigh and say it, your day is probably not going the greatest. If you have a smile on your face, "good goodness" could be an expression of sincere delight. But on the other hand, when you say it with a disgusted sound in your voice---well, you see how this is going.

One day, this friend of mine left a message on my voice mail with most delightful sound in his voice when he stated, "Good goodness Michelle!" I have left that message on my voice mail for quite sometime because there are days when life just needs that extra delightfulness of 'good goodness!" It is interesting how 2 simple words can brighten someones day. Thanks Zach for being completely hilarious to talk to and for leaving a delightful "good goodness" on my voice mail!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy 2008!!! I always look forward to the beginning of a new year. I love the holidays and all that brings--happiness and excitement, but the beginning of a new year is EXCITING!!! I read a quote somewhere that said something like this..."it seems as a new year marks a new beginning, a time for us to start over, to leave the past behind and make ourselves and our lives better." Isn't that true? I guess, one thing about the beginning of a new year, you get to a fresh new start. If you know much about me, you know that I am driven by goals. I love to set goals, but most of all---I love the moment of completion. I have this thrill of drawing a line through that goal that has now been completed and accomplished. A weird 'thrill', but the feeling of accomplishment is SUPERB!!

As I ponder all the events that took place in 2007, the new friends that I met, the places that I visited--I would not trade any moment because these are the moments that create me. Even though sometimes days were hard and difficult, there were those days that were fun and new. So, as I look upon 2008--I am excited for the fresh new start. 2008 will be a great year!!!