Love my job

I have such an awesome job. I've been working on learning and configuring some new software so we can promote it to the community in the spring, and with that comes developing promotional items. I downloaded the trial of Illustrator (adobe.com)and started to learn, but with only 30 days to use it, I wasn't sure what I was going to do when the trial ran out.

Well, the guy across the hall had the whole creative suite! So, I did some investigating, and finally talked to the CAO, and he had it installed on his former laptop, so he gave it to me to use! (And, he's the coolest boss ever because he knows how to use these programs) Okay, so if you know anything about me, Photoshop, Lightroom, and anything Adobe is pretty much the coolest thing ever, and now I get to use these programs FOR MY JOB. It can't get much better than that!

Hair

I finally had my hair done! My roots had been growing for months and were like 3 inches long. Seriously. My hair was sooo blah. You'd think that I'd get my hair done more often, considering I notice such a drastic change every time I do. What a different color and a little trim can make. :)

I made an appointment the day before, so I wasn't sure who the Catherine girl I got was, or how good she was. I told her I wanted to go darker, so she pulled out the color book. Now usually I'm pretty good with a color book - I know what I want and it's not a problem. This time, however, I messed up. I picked a darker shade, but then let her do a lightener, and my hair as a third color. Oh boy. When she started drying my hair, I started having a mini panic attack inside. My hair was the same shade, if not lighter, than it was before she started. And I really wanted it darker, as did Clark (He LOVES it dark - the darker the better - hence my goth wedding hair). For my poor husband, spending over a hundred dollars on hair is unbelievable - I was wondering what he'd think when I paid to get it done twice. In a row. I debated saying anything, because I hate speaking up, but I knew I'd have to face Clark when I got home, too, so after a few minutes I finally told her it wasn't as dark as I had been hoping, and asked her how soon I could dye it again. She was super nice about it, and had another stylist cover one of her appointments so she could dye my hair over again. We ended up doing one color all over. I have some kind of interesting lighter chunks subtly showing through, but it's darker! And it didn't cost me $200. Phew!

I finally figured out my hair in Utah, but I haven't found 'my' stylist here yet. Suggestions??

Getting back into running

To force myself to get out in the cold and run, I've signed up for two races coming up! Clark's Aunt Dixie told me she was running them and invited me to join, so she gave me the push I needed. :) One is a 4K, and the other's a 5K. I'm sure Dixie is running the 10K, but I don't think that's gonna happen for me this soon. She also reminded me that the marathon club in Lethbridge starts in January - I've always wanted to try it out but haven't ever lived up here while it was running. So, I'm thinking about doing that, too.

I kind of have a love-hate relationship with running. I hate when I haven't been running and have to start again, because it's hard and it sucks (so why did I stop, you ask?....not sure). But there's nothing better than going for that run when it isn't quite so hard, because you've been running regularly, and you just get to be outside in the sun and the fresh air, and you feel alive, and then when you push yourself to go a little farther than you thought you could, and you're sweating and tired at the end and it feels so good - yeah I'm sounding like a dork, but it's a good feeling. And it's addicting. So, I'm excited!

Thinnerware

I just had to share this - check out thinnerware.com.

Thinnerware is dishware that has strategically placed designs to show you how much you're eating/drinking. Get this - a bowl has three flowers on the inside, three different sizes, and each one is a different serving size, like 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup etc. They have bowls and cups with stripes inside that indicate measurements, too, but I don't think you'd ever guess.

This is from their site:

Who can use Thinnerware?
 

People who...

...want to eat healthier portion sizes

...use powdered drinks or soups (ie "mix 2 scoops in 8 oz. water")

...count calories

...are dieting

...attend Weight Watchers or other weight-loss programs

...like to pretend they are on a cooking show and want to display their ingredients in pretty bowls and cups

...just like the designs

Just thought it was interesting! 

My mom's Birthday!

My mom recently celebrated her birthday, so I went out for cake and ice cream and presents - Clark didn't make it since he had dress rehearsal for the fireside. :( I used to be so independent and now I don't want to go anywhere without him!

Sisters!

 

Somebody's not very happy....love this kid! :)

 

Dad and Grandpa

My mom with her requested steak dinner

Blowing out the candles

Me and my mom!

4 out of 6 girls!

My mom is one of my best friends - I can't believe how many hours of talks she's endured, hours of driving to lessons and practices, hours of sitting through games and performances, and last minute late night cookie/costume/project making. She's been my biggest fan and support (besides my dad and Clark :)) and I'm so glad to call her my mom!

Fireside

Our stake put on a musical fireside about the life of Joseph Smith, and Clark was asked to play the part of Joseph. He did such a great job and I'm so proud of him!

Doesn't he look like the real thing??

Happy Birthday Clark!!

29 years ago today, Clark was born - lucky for me! I couldn't have married a greater guy. He's been working so hard on his schooling and at work and his church calling and the musical fireside he was just in  - he's been so busy but I'm so proud of him for balancing it all and still doing well in his classes. You're my hero, lover. ;)

This is Clark on his last birthday:

His parents are out of town so we're holding off on the party for a few days. We did open presents this morning, and I took pictures, so I'll put those up later. It's a lot harder to be sneaky when you're married to someone! :)

Happy Birthday Clark!