Blood Drive

Have any of you ever donated blood? I did once or twice, about 15 years ago. The next time I tried to go, I was told I wasn't eligible because of a medication that I'd been taking. So - I assumed that I wouldn't be able to do it ever again, because I still take the medication. So, for around 15 years, I've passed up the opportunity to donate blood when the occasion came up, thinking I wasn't eligible.

Turns out, I am!

There's a law firm in my building that does a blood drive every year. An invitation to sign up went around the office early this week, and I sadly deleted it. Then, a friend at work approached me and asked if I'd sign up with her. I told her I couldn't because of my medications - but then I got thinking, what if things have changed? I decided to call the Red Cross and ask if I was able to donate blood with the medications I take. After a short conversation, I learned that YES - I can participate in blood drives! I was so excited. With images of the devastation in Haiti floating around in my mind, I called the law firm in the building that was doing the blood drive and made an appointment. So I marched down there today, and proudly gave a bunch of blood. Needles don't bother me, so I sat there happily for approximately 7 minutes with a needle in my arm. (I'm weird, you all know this about me.) I didn't pass out or get woozy or anything!

And now I have a bandage on my arm and a giant headache, but I like the idea that I helped save someone, somewhere, who needs blood. :)

Sabbatical

Coming back to work after 2 1/2 weeks off is... tiring. Note to self: prepare better, mentally, before coming back into the office after an extended absence.

Where I work, we get the opportunity to take up to 7 weeks off as a sabbatical, after having completed 7 years of employment. Since I completed 7 years this past November, I became eligible to take a sabbatical; but in my current position, I couldn't take that much time off without being a huge burden on my co-workers, not to mention the fact that I'd come back to not just a mountain, but a whole mountain RANGE of paper piled on my desk. So, I split my time off into two parts, the first of which I took December 17 to January 4, and the other I will take in the Spring. To say I was stressed about taking time off work is an understatement - I'm surprised I still have any hair, since I seemed to constantly be pulling it out trying to get ready to be away for over 2 weeks. I worked hard to make sure I had processes in place and people lined up to help so I didn't have to worry while I was gone. I learned that I'm a control freak when it comes to my job, who knew??

Most people do something noteworthy with their time off - travel to Europe, go salmon fishing in Alaska, take a cruise, or go on an extended road trip. But I didn't do any of that! Since it was the Holidays, I hung around home and went shopping, ate, played with Addie, ate, watched NCIS, ate, cleaned a little, ate, hung out with family, and went to the Cheesecake Factory and ate some more. For those that haven't splurged on this yet, Red Velvet Cheesecake is a slice of pure heaven - TOTALLY worth the calories and fat!

Anyhow, my time off was very relaxing and low-key - I loved every minute of it. And when I got to work today (30 minutes late, because I have to get used to being back on a schedule again!), I found over 700 e-mails waiting for me - but it took me less than two hours to sort through them all, and my desk was as clean as it was when I left - other than a few stacks of paper. I discovered that everything had gone smoothly, with few (if any) complications, thanks to Mug - she really saved me, and made my vacation worry-free! I owe you, Mug! You are the BEST!

Now I can look forward to the next half of my sabbatical. Is it April yet??!?

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I was all prepared to apologize for my lack of posts this month, but - I really have no excuse. I haven't been at work since mid-December, and I don't go back until the first week in January. Truthfully - I've just REALLY been enjoying my time off! (A little TOO much, I'm afraid; I've gained back 3 or 4 of the 40 pounds I lost!! ACK!!) I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and is getting ready to welcome a new year!

This past month has been a time of reflection for me. A time when I really thought about what truly makes me happy. With all sorts of turmoil churning around us in this day and age, and this incredible country, it's so easy to get discouraged. SO easy.

So, in an effort to be more positive (especially around this time of year), I've made a list of things that make me feel happy and grateful.

Who cares about warring news stations and reality T.V.?? I could watch Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray for hours! (And I DO watch them for hours. My brother gave me seasons 3, 4 and 5 of NCIS for Christmas. Woo-Hoo!!!) Don't get me wrong, I'm all about keeping up with current events; but let's be honest, NCIS makes me happy.

AAHHHH. The beach. The beach makes me happy. Especially if the sun is high and the sand is warm. This shot was taken almost 5 years ago in Laie, on Oahu, Hawaii. We truly live in an amazing country - I feel incredibly blessed to be able to experience a few things that the world has to offer, like sun, sand and water - and shave ice from Matsumotos. MMMMMM.

Coke with lime. Preferably from the Blue Iguana in Downtown SLC. Now, I could drink it all day every day and die happy. Of course, if that's all I ate or drank, I'd die young. But OH, I'd be happy! If it were medically safe (and sanitary), I'd drag an IV full of this stuff around with me.

Chocolate. Chocolate milkshakes, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Ritter Sport chocolate, chocolate macadamias, hot chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate milk, chocolate cream pies, chocolate oranges, chocolate cherries. Just thinking about chocolate makes me happy!

My family makes me happy. My parents, wacky brothers, incredible sisters, wonderful uncles and aunts, and the most awesome cousins ever. I LOVE my family, more than I could ever express! And I really shouldn't play favorites, but - I guess I can say that I have a favorite niece! She puts a big smile on my face and melts my heart whenever I see her. I would do anything for this kid.

The temple makes me happy. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to go to the temple and serve every week. The gratitude I feel every time I walk in the doors is overwhelming. It makes me so happy to know that families can be together forever, thanks to temples, and I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life. I wish I could adequately express how much I love the temple, the Gospel, and the Book of Mormon.

What makes me happiest of all, is my Savior, Jesus Christ. My whole life, I've been taught about His birth, His life and ministry, the Atonement, and His crucifixion. But the older I get, the more it means to me. The more I study the Book of Mormon, the more I learn about Him. I was listening to some of the words to "O Holy Night" and they really got to me: "Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love, and the gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; and in His name, all oppression shall cease." Indeed, His law IS love, and the Gospel is peace. And I've found that THAT is where true happiness lies. :)

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Camera-less

Happy December! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My weekend was... well, pretty perfect, actually! Very relaxing and low-key. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of the feast to post, as my camera has fritzed out... I am camera-less right now, and it is SO frustrating. Tonight I was driving home from work, and caught a glimpse of an incredible yellow moon rising over the Mount Olympus, and my first reflex was to grab my camera and get a shot of it; but alas... my camera is sitting on my desk collecting dust. ARGH.

In the meantime, I stole this shot from my brother Mike.

MMMMMMMM.... My mom's apple pie. One of the best things about Thanksgiving - AND Christmas - in my family. I'd peel an orchard full of apples for this stuff!

I Feel Like a Traitor.

When I read the Twilight books, I was ALL about Edward. I know, pretty much everyone was - with a few exceptions. I have a friend at work who liked Jacob better in the books. I wondered how ANYONE could EVER prefer obnoxious Jacob over beautiful Edward.

Now I know.

Seriously, can I switch my 'Team Edward' shirt for a 'Team Jacob' shirt??

Obviously I saw New Moon over the weekend, and while it was over-the-top cheesy and dramatic, I came away with a (dirty-old-lady, as Mug puts it) crush on Taylor Lautner. He's all I hear about when I hear people talk about the movie, and OH MAN - so worth it. But, as my sister Kate reminded me, I am 15 years older than the kid. (Thanks for the reality check, Kate.) He's still fun to look at, though. In the books he was whiny and obnoxious and Edward was selfless and beautiful. They kinda swapped roles in the movie, I thought - Edward was whiny and dramatic, and Jacob was... *drool* I almost want them to change the movies so Bella picks Jacob instead of Edward.

Almost.