Few things in life...

My family (parents, two brothers and a sister) will be joining me for Christmas on the East Coast! My excitement to see them all again can barely be contained!!!

I have always loved Christmas and therefore wanted to share the Merkley Family's version of the "12 Days of Christmas":

12 - Grandkids visiting, plus two more, plus two on the way, plus four that couldn't make it..... What!? The song is for "12 days of Christmas"!
11 - Children Singing (I couldn't remember the original one)!
10 - Original Siblings!
9 - Paintball Warriors!
8 - Conversations Going!
7 - "Oh My Hearts!"
6 - Black Friday Shoppers!
5 - Minutes Late...... per person!
4 - Trailer's Parkin'!
3 - Minutes of Hot Water!
2 - Wrestler's Wrestling! (No, Kari did not win!)
All for ONE incredible time!

Dumb Full Moon...

I always would hear stories of how a full moon could affect an individual - I didn't believe that... Until working here.

I can always tell when we are getting close to a full moon because the residents are easily agitated or just weird events take place.

For example - December 2, 2009 - Full Moon. This is what happened to me:

* Came home from Utah and had a very dead battery in my car - no idea why!
* Co-worker quit on the spot - packed up and left - now I am covering her job as well as mine.
* Went to pick up Erin and Drew at the airport hit a pot-hole so hard that it dented my tire rim and I could literally hear the air escaping my tire.

So, this month we have a Blue Moon - 2nd Full Moon in one month. I am thinking a "mental health day" will be hitting me around that same time. Dumb Full Moon!!!!

Utah - My Home

The time came and flew by as I went home for my little vacation! I cried a little bit on the plane ride home... I was really sad not to be able to stay longer, but the tears dried up as the airline showed the movie "The Time Traveler's Wife." I was excited because I read the book and wanted to see the movie!

Here is a quick recap of my amazing time in Utah! I will have to do these in a couple of posts, since I couldn't probably type a novel about all the fun laughs and good memories!!

I fell asleep on the first leg of my trip, but almost smacked the guy sitting next to me when I jerked awake. On the second leg of my trip, I jerked awake and must have had a scared look on my face because the lady sitting next to me asked me if I was alright. My sister, Mel, picked me up late Thursday night and wasn't too mad when I couldn't even keep my eyes open to chat it up.

Friday dawned a beautiful Utah morning with fresh air and I was excited because I was meeting friends for lunch and then it was off to see "NEW MOON!" Kari, Cassie, Mel and myself were geared up and ready to see the movie... I must say that although I didn't like the second book at all - I LOVED the movie! I thought that the actors did a great job and the reasons why I didn't like the book were small parts in the movie. It would say that it this is a must see and buy!! :)

We found out in the middle of the movie that Cami was coming home from her mission, which meant that all of my siblings would be together for Thanksgiving! I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have them all in the same place.

I was able to meet up with my old highschool friends for lunch and we chatted about where life had taken us and just had a great time catching up! I decided that it was time for me to chop off my hair (it was too long) so it was cut and colored.... I LOVE it!! :)

Cami came home and in true Merkley fashion, I was about two minutes too late! She was already there and I about walked right past her yelling at my other sister that we weren't late! Ha ha!

Thanksgiving was great, we had about 72 people all gathering and munching at the Tridell church. We had all of my siblings, spouses, kids + Aunt and Uncle's kids, their spouses and grandchildren + my other Aunt and Uncle with my Aunt's mother and brothers. TONS OF PEOPLE!!!! And that just made it all the more fun and crazy! My cousin Stephanie (with a couple of additions from my father) decorated the place as cute as it could be!

I ended up snoozing through my alarm and my sister trying to wake me up, so I was late for Black Friday madness! I ended up getting up around 5:30 and scrambling around to get everything together so I could join in the fun. It was a lot of fun to shop, eat breakfast, and just be with five of my siblings!

I didn't realize how much I missed Utah and it's beautiful mountains until I watched them disappear behind me. I guess I will have to visit more often!! :)

FIRSTS!

These are my firsts. If I tag you it means I want to know yours. Copy and paste this note into your blog, delete my answers and fill yours in. Tag me back and anyone else whose "firsts" you want to know about...

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
Never went to Prom - - Hey, no tears. Ha ha!

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Nope - haven't in years.

3. Who was your FIRST boss?
That would be my parents at Grub Box, unless it was my first real paying job which was Thelma M.

4. What was your FIRST job?
Well, kinda tricky... I was paid a dollar for every bucket of curly fries I made at Grub Box. I also was over getting pickles (could be why I don't like them to this day) and cleaning the meat cutting room (still dislike the smell of chlorine). But I could my first "real" paying job as milking cows - 4.5 years!

5. What was your FIRST car?
The first one I purchased was a 90-something Grand Am.

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
Brian S. - he was scheduling a meeting with Bishop.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
My Dad, I am really excited to see him!

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Miss Frank - I don't think she liked me.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
San Francisco with Erin! We stayed in a HUGE mansion and had a ton of fun!!

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
Chelsie B. - we do!

11. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
It was Desiree and Shorty's house! Pretty sure we stayed up all night listening to "Waterfalls" by TLC... Those were the good times!

12. Who was the first person you talked to today?
Molly, roommate

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
Just in a line? Kari's. In the temple? Logan's.

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Thought if I could get away with calling in sick to work - it's payroll day.

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
Dixie Chicks with my sister's and Calley.

16. FIRST tattoo?
Not my style--never gonna happen!

17. FIRST piercing?
My ears. Thought a couple of times what a tongue ring would feel like! :)

18. FIRST foreign country you went to?
Australia

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing?
First one I remember was Little Mermaid with Cassie C. and Katie D.

20. When was your FIRST detention?
I would have DIED if I had gotten detention!!

21. When was your FIRST kiss?
The one I count as my "first" was when I was 15.5... I was ALMOST 16.

22. Who was your FIRST roommate?
My room roommate was Marci B. but I also had three other awesome roommates at Old Farm - Marcie P, Megan P and Julia D, with Megan G as an honorary member!

23. If you had one wish, what would it be?
Really, is this question about a "FIRST"... I will say that I would love the ability to move an object with my mind. I always thought that would be so handy.

24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
I think a couple of people just randomly through these questions in here!
Ballet - I have always loved to dance and would have loved to learn ballet...

25. Did you marry the FIRST person to ask for your hand in marriage?
Ha ha! Well, we all know that is a NO! ;)

26. What was the FIRST sport that you were involved in?
That would be church basketball until I was moved to be the cheerleader because I was considered a "liability." I went home and looked that word up because I didn't know what the coach meant.

27. What were the FIRST lessons you ever took?
It is a toss-up between voice and tap... I remember both happening around the same time. Mom, do you know?

28. What is the FIRST thing you do when you get home?
Get the mail! It's a habit that I haven't been able to break. It is the first thing I think of when I get off work. Weird, huh!?

29. Who do you think will be the FIRST person to post this in return?
I would say Melanie or Katie

Well, there is a little bit of my "firsts"! Hope you enjoyed...

I am coming home to Utah in TWO days!!! I think my boss is ready to drive me to the airport if I don't hush up about going home!

Thankful for:

My sister listed things that she is thankful for and I thought it was a great idea! I am going to only list ten because this list could go on FOREVER!!

1) I am thankful for a great car - it has been so dependable and good to me.
2) I am thankful for my VT SC, she knows exactly what I need to hear and is hilarious!
3) I am thankful for great roommates, they really put up with some of my crazy ideas.
4) I am thankful for such a large and loving family - seriously, I love it!!!
5) I am thankful for my friends from highschool, looking back we have been through a lot together and I am glad we are still in touch!
6) I am thankful for my religion for the guidance and joy that it brings into my life.
7) I am thankful for my residents who are constantly teaching me patience, understanding, and showing me that you really end up back in highschool when you get older - oh the drama!
8) I am thankful for the freedoms I enjoy and the men and women who gave the greatest sacrifice so I could continue to enjoy them.
9) I am thankful for technology, I love that I can call anyone in the middle of the woods or video chat with my parents (at my sis's house).
10) I am thankful for loving parents who are still teaching me many lessons of growing up, loving all and forgiving me when I forget what time zone I live in! :)

Just a reminder to all - SIX days until the mountain of Utah are in my view!!

Dear Blog

I have found that I am really glad that I started a blog. I have enjoyed reading some of the old entries and seeing the comments by my friends and family.

Things have been really hard at work and home lately and not being allowed to talk about either is enough to drive a person insane. This is where a person who has a blog has a bit of an advantage - I can say what needs to be said and no one interrupts!

It has been rainy and cold out here lately - I actually turned on my heater last night! I haven't been sleeping well; therefore, I have been doing a lot of random reading, watching movies, blogging, work, etc. It is at times like this I am grateful I don't have a husband that I can annoy or wake-up... Ringing a bell - Melanie?

I come home in 6 days!!! :)

Court TV - not really!

Monday was my first experience in a court room. I went to face the man that decided driving while drunk was a good idea - that was until he met my car!

I was a little nervous as I found a parking spot and walked into the courthouse. I had a little bit of a laugh as I was nervous and I wasn't the person on trial. I arrived about twenty minutes before the subpeona stated the trial would start. I watched as people entered and exited the courtroom next door and then the elevator door opened (for what seemed like the twentieth time) and he walked out.

I admit I was a little worried that I wouldn't recognize the guy that hit me, but as soon as he walked off the elevator I remembered everything. My hands started feeling a little clammy and my heart started beating a little faster. Let me clarify that I wasn't scared he was going to attack, I just was surprised at the emotions that arose when I saw him.

The time finally came when we were allowed into the courtroom and I made my way to the front to introduce myself to the attorney per her request. I found a seat and then the circus began! I listened as one by one cases were brought before the judge and they listened to their fate. I hid a laugh as the judge seriously asked why one girl had her license suspended eight (8) times - I was trying to listening extremely hard for her reason but couldn't hear! I wanted to hear the answer to that question! I continued to listen for another two hours before the attorney representing Mr. Drunk Driver approached me.

Mr. Attorny asked if I could point out Mr. Drunk Driver and I stated that I could and described where he was sitting in the courtroom. He then asked some details about the incident and informed me that this may not be going to trial today. I took my seat and a 15 minute recess was called. Mr. Attorney asked if I still lived at my old address and I informed him I had moved. Mr. Attorney then asked where I worked, I began to be a little uncomfortable with this questioning as the gentleman that hit me was sitting two rows back and Mr. Attorney was asking me these questions from across the room.

Mr. Attorney asked again and I gave him the cross streets. He mentioned that he was heading to this place called Knollwood to see his mother. I couldn't believe what a small world I was living in - seriously!! The attorney for Mr. Drunk Driver has a mother who is a resident where I work! That was a little weird for me!

After sitting in the court room for 2.5 hours, I found out that I will be going back again. The arresting officer wasn't present due to falling off a bridge and breaking her back - OUCH! Therefore, the trial has been rescheduled and I will be back to testify at a later date...