One Happy Wall

I have this wall:

When Roy and I moved into our little place we had so many pictures to hang up that I didn't even know where to put them. I just started hanging up anything and everything anywhere. The kitchen to me is one of the busiest rooms in the house and I just felt like it wasn't the room I wanted it to be. Don't get me wrong....Moses and the burning bush is a great picture, but it doesn't show any of our personality (really Roy could care less about this wall, but I thought of his wacky off-center character when I thought of this idea). Needless to say the wall had to be changed. Most of what I wanted to convey on this wall was "our life". It's not a stagnant project, in fact I plan on it growing and taking up more and more of the wall. The idea of seeing that visual progress in our life makes me so stoked! Here is just the beginning of "our life" wall: pics of places we've been, friends, family, etc.

So now I have this wall:

Among the Goblins

Holiday weekends provide us the chance to spend time with the fam and what better place to do that than in the Valley of the Goblins. I've been here before on several occasions but somehow I missed out on the coolest sights. Everything about this landscape is alien and unique which provided us with plenty to see and do.Roy and Casey climbing up through the numerous narrows

on top looking down at the desolation below

Roy and Casey making it to the top as a storm rolls in

All on top

At dusk we made our way among the Goblins. The valley floor is littered with thousands of these mud hoodoosHere is just one of the many smaller squat hoodoos

Making our way among the larger hoodoos

A harvest moon was just rising as we wondered back. I only wish I had a camera that could do it justice. Absolutely amazing!

The sunrise the next day was just as spectacular

The next day we were going to hike little wild horse canyon, but we opted for a safer canyon due to the flash flood potential.

Entering the narrows of the canyon and the amazing sandstone

Roy stretching out between two slaps of rock

I would say a most enjoyable trip was had by all!

Glum Rock!

It was brought to my attention recently that I listen to glum Rock. As Melancholy and depressing as that sounds it's rather accurate. I confess that I completely enjoy a good listen to the sulky tunes, and perhaps it's saying too much, but this type of music puts me in a rather good mood. My interest was peaked thanks to my siblings who introduced me to the great hits of Morrissey. However, I give most of the credit to a roommate named Aubs and a band named Travis. Since then I have been hooked and I just can't help myself. Take a listen to some of the goodness playing it's way through my life at the present time.

Otherwise know as....

The weekend review. There were just too many good things that happened this weekend that needed to be put down somewhere. Like taking a long run with the sister up past the new Oquirrh Mt. Temple. That hill is some kinda something else, but what a great view it provides so I can't take that away. Among other events of the weekend...
-Sean coming over for dinner on Friday...not only did we get to catch up, but he also got to witness the Jordan El at it's finest and he would concur that it is indeed the "boil on the butt of humanity".-Saturday morning family sealings in the new Oquirrh Mt. Temple.
-Watching Roy baptize the youth. Roy said he felt very nostalgic being able to do for his young men what his leaders did for him.
-Realized for the thousandth time that Roy and I are pretty much unlike anyone in our ward. I think more times than not we are seen as the young punks instead of the adult leaders that we are, but I wouldn't want it any other way. We. Are. Fun! -Irish baby blessing. Charlie is here to stay and we are stoked about that!
-"Spaniard Towers" or at least that's what John called them. Tradition in Spain in which towers are constructed out of humans...our towers were only 2 people tall, but still quite the feat.
-Competitive water sports.
-BBQ on the patio, watching the stars, and good chats in the warm darkness with old and new friends.
-Falling asleep content and happy next to sweets.

This weekend summed up....JOY!

It's Tuesday night and...

Harry Conick keeps me company while Roy is out riding. I'm cooking some fabulous goodness, and holding this beauty.

That's right folks: Among the "firsts" of this year...our first ever, very own business license. We are pretty stoked about this baby seeing as it's the gateway for us to progress. We have christened our new business "Elevated Racing". We started it with the intent to do race timing of all varieties, but we are also dabbling in a few other ideas. The equipment has yet to be purchased, but this seems to make this venture of ours just that more real.

Besides the obvious excitement around here. I'm also looking at this baby and getting some fun ideas to infuse it with a little more life. I think the idea will be fabulous, but we will have to see if my vision for this dull little wall is as great in real life.

Now back to the brown rice and Italian chicken.

Darkness and Personal Space

I'm sitting at work today trying to keep my eyes opened. I've determined it's going to be a long day, not a bad day...just a long day. My body is craving sleep and I haven't been giving it what it needs. So in an effort to keep myself going today I've been thinking about more important things like....

-Summer slipping away. This morning when I got up at 5:30 to run, I did so with the intention of running 4.5 miles. However, at 5:30 the sun had not yet shown itself. I didn't feel confident running in the dark without sidewalks, and seeing as the longer run twists itself though busy thorough ways lacking said sidewalks I opted for the shorter 3 miler. I like watching the first sun beams breaking their way over the Wasatch range in the morning, but today I was deprived. Even as I finished my run the sun had not crept over the peaks. Lame! What's the point of getting up and running if you can't enjoy a splendid sunrise I ask you? So for this reason I'm in mourning for the passing of summer. I love fall, but I'm going to miss seeing the sun rising before six.

-Personal space. Let me set this up for you.

This happens all too frequently at the store. I'm sitting their doing the numerous things that must be done before one can leave with ones purchased goods. Transactions must be made, pins imputed, receipts given...nothing out of the ordinary right? Than why must the person behind me insist on pushing themselves into my bubble. It's not going to make me go any faster so relax and step off!

Obstruction

Last night while cleaning my bread knife I accidentally sliced the tip of my finger....the middle one at that. The cut itself is not bad, it's the blasted band-aid. I struggled the whole day when I went to go write something I had to consciously think about how to place my fingers. It was like learning how to write all over again...very annoying. On the positive side though it brought me back to the reality that I take so much for granted...including holding a writing utensil. I'm very fortunate and I often forget all the intricate details my capable body can preform. When you start to think about it's pretty dang cool!