Grateful for the Little Things

I am often amused by the things people are grateful for. I really don't have much room to talk, because I have often prayed for things that may seem trivial to some. One night in February I said a little prayer that we would have a snow day in the morning. I fully understood that this was probably not something prayer worthy, considering all of the needs that I and others have, however Heavenly Father loves me and I woke up the next day to the glorious sound of school cancellations. One good thing about the frozen tundra.
Okay, so on to my real story. Sitting in church today a woman stood up and started sharing. I would say 'bearing her testimony' except she wasn't doing that. She was just sharing. Well, she was mentioning some things she was grateful for and suddenly the 'blah, blah, blah' turned into "I'm just so happy because I have these really cute shoes with every color in the rainbow and I'm so glad it is warm enough to wear them." I'm pretty sure that I heard the bishop sigh.
Things I am grateful for:
1) Girl Scout Cookies (I got mine at church today. All 8 boxes of them.)
2) Days when certain students happen to be unable to come to school (Hoping that tomorrow is one of those days)
3) Shopping. Even buying groceries puts me in a better mood.
4)Ponytails. My hair is almost long enough for one now. John keeps asking me when I'm getting my hair cut. What part of 'easy hairstyle' does he not get?
5)March 29th 3pm Nauvoo Temple. I guess one serious thing needs to go on the list.
6)Spring Break with the girls. If you haven't heard I am California bound in 1 month!! Start the planning now. Clear your schedules and get ready. I am counting on a trip to that restaurant with the coconut sweet potato things. Rachel, get on that. Stat!
7)Cheesy moment: All my wonderful friends. Love you guys!

Ponderings

I recognize that my blog has typically not included any Liz-like types of thoughtful, insightful posts and frankly this doesn't promise either of these things, but it is something I've been thinking about lately and wanted to send it out to you girls to see what you have to say. I'm really looking for some guidance here, so any advice is completely solicited.
So, my issue right now is that I currently feel like the major areas of my life are sort of up in the air/out of my control and I feel overwhelmed by that. I have certain things that I want to be moving towards and there really is nothing I can do about it.
Thinking about Liz's post a few days ago about feeling like you have to have accomplishments, I am frustrated because I have nothing I can really do to move myself in the direction of my dreams (currently). I know that we have all probably felt like this at one time or another, so I guess this is my time.
My problem really doesn't lie with this, but with the fact that for some reason I am allowing these feelings of frustration to overwhelm me to the point that I make no progress with the smaller areas of my life that I do have control over.
I love making lists and do so regularly, but then I find my way to the couch and watch Project Runway or any cooking show for the 100th time this week. Even when I saw the same episode yesterday.
What I want to know is how to move past the big things and focus on the small things. How do I set aside the large goals and focus on the daily do-able ones.
As I am typing this, I am realizing that this is probably much like the frustration that some feel over not being married. I never really experienced that frustration, so maybe this is my chance to figure out the answer to this question. Maybe for those of you at home with children, you have this same question. Is this a universal thing of large goals being out of reach for a time or forever, to force us or allow us to master the smaller more important things. I only say more important because so often the small things really define who we are when they are added up.
Okay, enough of that, more silly posts later. I have a good one coming thanks to a recent package from Rachel! I know you'll check back now!

The Secure and Not-so Secure

I am writing this in a bit of a tizzy, so you'll have to pardon me if this post seems to be directed at you. I am not so irritated by you as I am with my own computer ignorance.
What is bothering me you ask? This is blog related and I'm just about done. When I go to read the lovely comments that have been posted by many of my friends, there pops up a really annoying box that says something to the effect of 'this page displays secure and unsecure items. do you wish to view them.' Then I have to click a stupid little yes or no button. When I am in the mode for witty comments I really can't be bothered with this box.
The first part of my frustration is the time element. I mean how many minutes of my life am I spending clicking that dumb button anyway? I have really important things to do with my time and I don't know why someone's picture is considered insecure (or unsecure). Are you guys feeling self-conscious or are you embedding secret codes into those pictures? Just curious.
Second part of the frustration is that I really don't even know what it means that there are insecure items on the page. I hate it when any random box pops up on my screen and I instinctively just hit 'close' or 'cancel' having no idea if that is going to make my computer explode. Favorite moment: "John, my computer is doing weird things." "Yeah, what is happening?" "Well, a box is popping up." "What does it say?" "Blah, blah, blah...I don't know."
I mean seriously?
So, any of you know how to fix this? I actually did some poking around and there is no 'don't ask me again' button that they conveniently put now a days. Hmm...
I'm feeling so much better. Sorry all you with pictures. I still love you, even though I don't really know most of you.

Daniel Craig Needs a Pedi

Well, who knew that the frozen north was the home to :

So, just in case you guys are looking for some nails that will withstand any sort of international covert operations, you know where to come. You will be happy to know that they are a franchise in these parts.

I have been laughing over this sign for the last year and finally got it on film. I just love it. I need to do some research. Maybe one of the old Bond Girls is the owner and has a secret super-duty nail regime. Oooo, I know. Those little flowers they attach can come with a secret spy cameras! I think I need one of those. And only 3 dolla more.

Really Folks???

Since when is a conversation important enough to have while you are peeing? Is there anything that has to be said that badly? And, is there anyone in your life that you feel close enough to, yet at the same time have such a disregard for that you would actually subject them to listening to you in the bathroom? Huh?? I wouldn't even do that with John!!
So in the last week I have entered two different public bathrooms only to hear someone chatting away in the stall. Maybe you think that they have just excused themselves to the bathroom to have privacy instead of stepping outside into the unbearably cold weather. I would like to believe that and give them the benefit of the doubt until....they flush! This removes all doubt and all respect for these people. They leave the stalls, and do or do not wash their hands as if nothing weird has just happened. Apparently, if you are talking on the phone while using the restroom, washing your hands becomes optional because you have one hand occupied.
I am sooooo confused on this one.
I am sure there are plenty of annoying things that I do, but I think that this is possibly at the bottom of the social faux pas bucket.
I'm mean really folks!!!!
The End

9,102 Steps to Go!

I get so jazzed up with the idea of a competition. I somehow secretly or not so secretly think I am talented at everything and that if there is a competition of any sort, I should win. Cheating is allowed , but I would always prefer to win on my own merits. Highly unlikely, but preferrable.
Little piece of advice: Do not go to a bridal or baby shower with me if there are games and prizes to be won. I will have forgotten about the bride or baby within 5 minutes and hyper-focused on the prize. (Katie, I miss your little party trivia games)
So at work we got a little email that got me excited about the newest opportunity to prove myself. We are having a walk-a-thon. Okay, not really, but we are supposed to walk around all day with a pedometer and make goals to walk more than we did the day before. We each put in $15 and that money goes towards prizes for those meeting their goal. You see it isn't really a competition at all. I am probably the only one who entered for the sole pupose of winning.
So, I am now wearing my pedometer and unfortunately I don't get steps while sitting. Apparently the $4.88 model is fancy enough to recognize the difference between a legitimate step and a chair bound hip shake. Rats!
So, here goes. You know they say that you should get 10,000 steps in a day? How does that exactly work? Anyone ever worn a pedometer before and reached any substantial number?
I am for sure wearing this to my tap dance class. 1 hr 15 minutes of steppin' fever!
Wish me luck!

My New Home

Okay, I as I've mentioned before I am going to be a farmer someday. I have found my new farm. Just in case you are curious, follow this link!
Since I can no longer say 'when my wealthy benefactor comes along' I must wait for my inheritance or lottery winnings. Both are equally as likely, so I'll find great comfort in the dream.