WARNING!! - This is going to be a venting entry to my blog!!
UGH! In my apartment complex we do not have reserved spots. That being said, my friend came over for a visit and parked her car in one of the normal spots that was open and plowed! Apparently, someone thought that it was unfair for her to be parking there and took a stool to her trunk. The reason I know it was a stool was because it was sitting on her trunk when she got to her car.
What right does a person have in vandalizing anothers possessions? What the crap!? I was so angry when she told me that - I went downstairs to get the stool and it has since disappeared. If I see it out in the parking lot tomorrow, I am taking it to the guardhouse and they will see an ugly side of me. I called them already tonight and explained what happened - they said that she will have to call her insurance company and file a claim.
If they could look at my blood right now they would see it boiling with rage. It is stuff like that which make me want to go and take my shovel and bash it into several cars!
Just today as I was shoveling out the parking spot where my car had been parked for the last week or so, I had three cars try to pull in. I looked at them with my shovel and shook my head no. Seriously!? Do you think that I just spent 45 minutes scraping away snow and ice so someone else could park there?? I was standing in the spot! This was before I even went to move my car back! Ugh - frustrating day!
I hate snow - I hate snow more that I am in a place where they don't know how to drive, plow, be polite, be cautious and think in the snow.
When all the world is white... Do you sled down a hill? Do you make snow angels? Do you create a snow masterpiece???? Is that what you do? So do I!!
I am currently in the process of living in DC's biggest snow storm since 1922... And I am loving every minute of it!
Friday the snow started at approximately 10 AM and stopped Saturday around 5 PM. I am living in a Winter Wonderland!! :)
I went along with my friend Bob to go and pick up the AWD vehicle we would be using in case staff needed to be picked up for work. I volunteered to be a driver - when it was mentioned in the meeting that I was one of the drivers, the room literally fell silent! I wanted to scream - I AM FROM UTAH!!! THIS IS NOTHING!!! But, I held my tongue and they finally said that I would be a good navigator for the driver.... Men!!! Ugh!
I arrived home at 8 PM on Friday and ran upstairs, dragging my roommates out of their rooms and off the floor because we were going to enjoy this snow! After waiting 30 minutes for Molly (who claimed to be born ready for snow) we made our way downstairs! My excited wasn't contained!! I was giddy like a little school girl! :)
We threw a few snowballs around and I showed Molly my incredible strength by pushing her down into the snow! He he he! Then I found out the saddest news! Neither Molly or Andrea had ever rolled/built a snowman! WHAT!? I couldn’t believe it! So, to work we went! I had already planned on building a snowman and so I grabbed an extra scarf and hat (I had 30 extra minutes while waiting for Molly!)
I showed the two of them how to properly roll a bottom and we stuck the snowman by the road so everyone could enjoy our masterpiece! I quickly put the two of them working on the middle section, while I rolled the head. It took all three of us to lift the middle section onto the bottom part, but we did it!! I lifted the head to the top (because I’m strong like that) and we put the finishing touches on Rita, our snow-woman! We used pecans for the eyes and mouth. Andrea and I found the perfect sticks for the arms. We were lucky while rolling the bottom, a little pine cone popped up and I could tell it was asking if it could be her nose.
Once that project was completed (with many compliments by passers-by) we decided it was time to make snow angels. Andrea, being from sunny California, never made snow angels and so Molly showed her the steps and coaxed her through her first one! It was excellent! It was finally time to call it a night and we went upstairs where I promptly fell asleep on the couch…
Saturday morning dawned bright and early with sounds of a saw “gently” coaxing us out of slumber… Ha! With the snow being so heavy, it caused one of the trees on the property to fall down.
Andrea went to work making her deliciously perfect cinnamon rolls! I believe this is going to be a tradition with us… They are divine!!
That afternoon, I offered to make lunch for a couple of co-workers who had to go do some driving and also removing trees that had fallen at work. They arrived and after lunch Brian treated us to some tunes on the guitar… He even put up with my trying to harmonize to some of my favorites that he plays!
I am grateful to be living where I do because we still have power, heat, food and Internet! Just across the street there is no power! In fact, there have been notices sent out because quite a few members in my ward are without power as well. Yikes!
I hope you enjoy these photos from my fun-filled snow days here in DC!
Hello, my name is Taci, and I am addicted to shoes.
I don't know when my love of shoes came to be but I LOVE shoes! When asked what the first thing is I notice about people, I always admit it is their shoes. I think you can tell a lot about a person by seeing the types of shoes they are wearing.
Shoes can really show a person's personality! Don't agree?? How many times have you been shoe shopping and have seen a pair of shoes and said - "Those are shoes this person would wear!" Yep - shoes speak volumes about a person!
Today (church was cancelled due to snow) I decided to see exactly how many shoes I own and time to get rid of a few. One of my New Year's resolutions was to only buy shoes if I got rid of some... So, I opened my closet door and pulled everything out!
I sorted and counted and was astonished by the number! After throwing away five pairs of shoes - I have a total of 44 pairs remaining. I put a couple of the pairs back into the discard pile after seeing the total... I have a really hard time getting rid of shoes. Therefore, I finally said goodbye to the slippers given to me back in 2001 and a few others that I had worn through the soles.
I feel like I accomplished something today! Here is a shot of my closet with the shoes that made it through this round - - all 44 of them! :)
This next blog is dedicated to my grandparents - on both sides.
My dad's parents passed away right after we moved to Tridell, but there are many memories I had spending time with my Merkley Grandparents. One thing I will never forget is my Grandma Merkley's love of Spam, sardines and pig's feet. She only made me eat Spam when she cooked it for breakfast - thank heavens! I don't know what I would have done with sardines and pig's feet, I would feel sick just watching my mother purchase it at the store! :)
My Grandpa Merkley was always such a kind and quiet man to me. I remember his moustache and helping him check on the garden or feed his chickens. I also remember him playing his harmonica when I was a child and I have loved the sound of one ever since.
I found out through a reunion about 2-3 years ago that my grandmother was a prankster and also a beautiful singer. My love for my grandparents, but most importantly my grandmother grew for me when I found that out! I remember when they made a tape of just the two of them singing the "Thank you" song and other simple children's songs... I would listen to it for hours just because I loved hearing them sing.
I was always told that I looked like my dad's mother and when we moved to Tridell, I was often called "Little Esther." I didn't think that I looked anything like my grandmother until I went to college... I was at my cousin LoriAnn's house and there she had a picture of our Grandmother Esther Merkley around my same age and I immediately got goosebumps! I was staring at a picture of me - the only difference was the style of hair... I love to see that picture because each time I am surprised over how much I really do look like her. I am proud to be called "Little Esther!"
My mother's parents live in Sunset, right next to the train tracks. I grew up with them always making sure we had plenty of coloring books and crayons while visiting. I loved to visit and play the piano, I felt so accomplished when I was able to play a simplified hymn and grandma came and told me that I played beautifully. With my grandmother being a twin and having the two of them so close - I feel like I have been given two Grandma Harvey's. I remember at one of the birthday celebrations, I was really young and went up to my Grandma and asked her a question. When she leaned down to me and told me that she was Aunt Veon - I remember being really confused and she just said that it was okay and pointed Grandma out - it was really embarrassing that I couldn't even tell my own Grandmother apart! :)
I loved sitting outside in their backyard and having Grandpa Harvey name off the airplanes flying overhead - he was always right! I always love going to their house, even now, there is always some sort of food to eat and I always feel so much love. I always have to go and check to see if I have grown at all since my last visit - nope. I will then go and see all the birthday's they have placed on their huge calendar! I feel so special to see my name in September - I just love it! Also, how can I forget the beautiful quilt my grandmother made for my 16th Birthday - purple and perfect!!
I am extremely fortunate to have grandparent's who did an excellent job in raising their children, my parents! I think it is hilarious when I see my mother or father do something that I remember my grandparents doing.
To my grandparents - I thank you! I love you! I hope to be the kind of grandparents you have been to me!
Well, I have been out of commission for a while now!
I have been sick for the last little bit - 100.4 fever finally left after 24 hours - still trying to get over the sore throat! I was afraid that my brain was cooking itself, but VERY grateful to see that no damage has been done... I think? If this post doesn't make sense to anyone then I guess I better call up the doc!
I have been given a lot of down time, something last week I wished for! I feel like I found Aladdin's lamp, rubbed it, Genie granted my wish - but I forgot to add "and not due to illness" at the end.
I went to the Lab and was informed it wasn't strep - dang! I just wanted something, aka drugs, to make me feel all better... So, this little ugly virus is still working it's way through my system.
My boss called and told me that she felt I needed to be told that I shouldn't come to work until next week, because I am such a dedicated worker. Wow! I didn't realize I actually needed someone to tell me to stay home, but it really relieved some stress. Thankfully, I have had a great person at the office to cover while I have been out. I really owe him big time, because like me, he was covering two jobs BUT on top of that his own position at night (LONG HOURS)!
I have been doing some research online about sore throats because mine is STILL really hurting. And then I found something that got me a little worried. Apparently, a bad tooth can cause some major health issues. I don't think that I have bad teeth - at least not from my perspective - but I haven't been to a dentist in about six or so years. Therefore, what IF this is from dental issues? I was so worried that I ALMOST looked up my dentist's name and thought about making an appointment. Well, I still need to work on that fear... which is a whole blog itself!
Alright - I've written and worried enough for now! Wish me luck because I am scheduled to speak in my ward on Sunday... Eek!
Ah... I am starting with a clean slate! I LOVE the New Year. I love reflecting back and seeing the things I learned and reviewing the things I need to continue to work on.
I had a couple of friends over on New Year's Eve and while playing Phase 10 - which I completely lost, beginner's luck! – One friend asked what our greatest accomplishments were over the year. So, this was my reply:
1) Doing the Silent Auction at our Gala. I worked really hard on that and to see it actually set-up and not just pictured in my mind was excellent!
2) Alesa June's birth. I know that I annoyed Drew and my excitement was barely containable, but to have another sister deliver a baby (no, I wasn't in the room.. Thank heaven!) was very touching and amazing. Erin and I have grown close since I have moved out here and to see her become a mother was special to me.
3) Friends. I have made some pretty amazing friends this past year! I have grown comfortable and confident with whom I’m becoming and friends have had much to do with that growing process.
My friends shared their three things and I will only share a couple... One said that he was grateful for a wonderful boss and job. The other shared his gratitude of finding his religion and starting the process to become a member. So, we rang in the New Year with love and gratitude for the journey life has taken us on thus far. Here is to a wonderful and exciting 2010 - may it be even better and filled with joy throughout!
