Glad Gatherings

Gathering #104

2012-02-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

I saw this on my friends blog and thought I would copy the idea.
February (so far) favorites.

I am in love with Downton Abbey. If you have not seen it stop everything and watch it. I love it and it is the highlight of my week.

Smoothies. I crave them and I start every morning with one.

Adele. I know I am a little behind on the times, but her songs get stuck in my head all the time.

Pandora. At work I don't get great reception on the radio. This has started my love for Pandora. I listen to it in the mornings while my students are working, during lunch, and after school. I can always listen to whatever I want when I feel like it.

Donors Choose, if you love a teacher, and want to help them out go onto Donors Choose. It is a program that teachers put things that they need for their class and people donate money toward their project. I love it, my kids love it. It is a win win.

Gathering #103

2012-01-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

On my mind...

#1- What am I going to do for math tomorrow?

#2- Why am I so tired?

#3- I need a vacation.

#4- Oh that's right I am going to Disneyland in 21 days

#5- And hopefully to Carson City 2 weeks after that

#6- Kinda craving a smoothie

Thanks for letting me clear my mind.

Gathering #102

2012-01-20T15:58:00.000-08:00

Hello world!

Its been a while!

I think I will do a quick update so that we are all on the same page:

November: Thanksgiving came and with it Nic, Ash, and Sam spent the week with us. We had a very small but very enjoyable Thanksgiving day. Highlights were: Daniel coming to dinner in a suit, being buried in a pile of leaves by my favorite two year old, Ashley's cheesecake, and my mothers delicious food.
December: I only had to work 2 weeks (so that is always nice). Christmas was awesome really low key, but very enjoyable. We went to a couple of movies, spent time as a family, and gained a ton of weight.
January: Back to work, no snow, 2 cavities filled, car insurance due, Dad's arm issue. I LOVE January. Just kidding it has not been that bad. Nothing really out of the ordinary.

Lets hope that I can keep up a little better then I did in 2011.

Gathering #101

2011-10-23T19:18:00.001-07:00

So being a school teacher, I get a nice fall break every year. This year I had only one thing planned for the weekend. Book Club! I love book club. Well book club came and went, and then I thought what should I do with the rest of my long weekend. Well I decided what better thing to do then hang out with her!

Best weekend in a long time!

Gathering #100

2011-10-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would actually get to 100 posts. I am a slow blogger and am not as dedicated as I should be, but I made it to 100 gatherings. In honor of that here are the abc' s of me.

Age: 27
Bed size: Queen
Chore you hate: Mopping the floor
Dogs: Love them, but don't have them
Essential start to your day: Channel 2 news (gotta watch the weather)
Favorite color: Red
Gold or silver: Silver.
Height: 5'10"
Instruments that you can play: I can kinda play the piano. I took some lessons, all I know are the basics.
Job title: Teacher, sister, and favorite aunt
Kids: 25 but none that come home with me :)
Live: Utah
Mom’s name: Char
Nicknames: Kimbo
Overnight hospital stays: The day I was born, and that is it.
Pet peeve: whining, being late
Quote from a movie: "Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life. Well, valuable, but small. And sometimes I wonder, do I do because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So goodnight, dear void."
Righty or lefty: Righty
Sibling: I have 3 brothers (Nic, Daniel, and Benj) and 1 sister (I claim her as blood even if she doesn't like it)
Time you wake up: 6:15 am
Underwear: white
Vegetables you dislike: mushrooms and tomatoes
What makes you run late: Me being lazy. I hate being late so I try not to let it happen!
X-rays: on my teeth, and once on my finger (long story)
Yummy food you make: Everything I make is yummy. Examples here
Zoo favorite animal: Elephants, turtles, and penguins

There you have it!

Gathering #99

2011-10-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

Fall is finally coming to Utah. I love fall, as a teacher it is a brand new beginning. It is a time for reflection. I love that it is the beginning of holiday season. I love that I can pull out my sweaters and turn my heat on. I love that I can eat pumpkin bagels, bread, muffins, and cookies, and not feel out of place. I love that I get to start my Christmas shopping. All in all I love fall.

P.S. Stay tuned next post is my 100th post. ITS GOING TO BE GREAT!

Gathering #98

2011-08-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been M.I.A. the last 2 months when it comes to blogging. My summer got a way from me. I spent the majority of the summer remodeling (post to come about this), but on a happy note I did do some traveling. In June I spent a week in Southern Utah. We went to a ton of National Parks. I went camping with my family, spent a weekend in Logan, and spent a week in Disneyland.

Yes that's right a week in Disneyland. So this post is all about that week. My camera got ruined on Grizzly Rapids. So all of my pics where stolen off of my friends facebook page. Gotta love facebook.

Day one:
We (My friends Jeff and Kim, and Daniel and I) drove the entire way in one day. We laughed a ton. It was a lot of fun, and my first road trip actually being allowed to drive. We stayed at the Del Sol Inn. Right across the street from the main gate. We checked in, got our tickets, and then got beignets at the Jazz Kitchen (this would become a nightly tradition).

Day two:
Was actually day one in the park. We immediately got a fast pass on Indiana Jones, and then our first ride was Pirates (my favorite). We stayed in the Disneyland side this day. Some highlights of this day riding the tea cups that fit 6 (NOT) and coming off extremely dizzy, walking through the gate, and eating at the carnation cafe ( a new favorite)

Day three:
Daniel and I went into the park by ourselves this morning. Our friends had to put in some hours with their internships. We rode Indiana Jones, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, and Splash Mountain. We meet up with our friends and rode some more rides. We went to a late lunch early dinner at the Blue Bayou.

Day four:
This day we used our magic morning early admission. We immediately followed the crowd and rode on Star Tours. It was awesome. We hung out in the park until 10 am. And then went into California Adventure. They did Tower of Terror. I don't like it at all so I got us fast passes for Soarin over California (my favorite ride in California Adventure).

Day Five:
Last day in the park. I went to lunch this day with my good friend Kristina who lives in Anaheim. We rode every ride we wanted to ride and laughed as much as we could. My camera and phone got drenched on Grizzly Rapids. But all in all had a great day.

Day Six:
We drove home!

Favorites for me:
River Belle Terrace Breakfast
Jazz Kitchen Beignets (my brother Daniel was addicted)
Blue Bayou
Carnation Cafe
Shopping for my family (especially trying to narrow down what I wanted to get for Sammy)

But my favorite part of the whole trip was getting to spend time with my little brother Daniel!

Daniel, Kim, and I after Mad Hatter Tea Cups

Our first ride of the trip!

Walking into the park our first day there

Gotta love Space Mountain!

Jeff and I in line for Peter Pan

We love Splash Mountain!

Daniel, Kim, and Jeff on Tower of Terror

Kim and I on Splash Mountain

Gathering #97

2011-07-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

I love baked goods. I especially love cupcakes. My favorite cupcakes come from Lovely Lorraine's Cupcakes. They are so moist and delicious, and the are gorgeous. Well Lovely Lorraine's is having a contest giving away FREE CUPCAKES. Go to facebook and like her today you will not be disappointed (especially if you win some cupcakes).

Gathering #96

2011-06-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a big one for my family! My niece turned two and my brother turned twenty. Saturday was spent with my niece playing. She is the joy of my life to say that I spoil her is a little of an under statement. I feel it is a pleasure that she is a part of my life. I can not imagine her not being there to tell me stories in her own language or bounce on the tramp with. She is my best little buddy.
Sunday was Benj's birthday. My heart aches just a little that he turned twenty in Mexico. I will never know my brother as a twenty year old. I think about what this year will bring for him. But I know that him turning twenty means that he is just one more day closer to coming h0me.

Overall great weekend, with lots of happy times!

Gathering #95

2011-06-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Started a food blog today. Check out Glad Eating and tell me what you think

Gathering #94

2011-05-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Big weekend! My older brother graduated from law school yesterday. He is an amazing person who works his butt off. I am proud of him and everything he does. He is a hard worker, a great dad, an amazing brother, and a supportive husband.

Gathering #93

2011-04-24T16:35:00.001-07:00

So this past week I was on Spring Break, and I realized on like Friday that I think I had tried a ton of bakeries along the Wasatch Front. So here is my review of each place in order of days that I tried them:

#1 Krispy Kreme: There is nothing better then a hot Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut. We tried glazed, custard filled, chocolate cake, frosted. My favorite was the chocolate cake. I rank this 4/5
#2 Branbury Cross: They were all out of apple fritters when I got there (if you have not tried their apple fritters, run do not walk and get one today). We tried glazed, chocolate cake, raised with chocolate icing, white cake, and old fashioned. My favorite was the chocolate cake. I rank this 2/5
#3 Dicks Market: Nothing like Dicks bakery. We tried chocolate frosted raised with chocolate filling, a raised with mint frosting, and cake doughnuts. This is my go to bakery I love almost everything they have. I rank this 3/5
#4 Schmidt s Pastry Cottage: No doughnuts at Schmidts but we tried cookies. We tried German Chocolate Cookies, Mint and Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Snicker doodle, Oatmeal Raisin, and Sugar Cookies. If you are a fan of Schmidts I do apologize but not a fan. I would go get the mint and chocolate sandwich cookies. I rank it 5/5
#5 Parsons Bakery: We tried Chocolate Cake doughnuts, White Cake doughnuts, German Chocolate Cookies, and Sugar Cookies. It was all so good. Parsons was my favorite bakery of the week. Every time, everything that I try I like. I rank it 1/5.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions of pastry shops for me to try. I am always up to trying new baked goods.

Also just an idea that I am trowing out to the cosmic cyber space, maybe I will start doing restaurant rankings. You never know

Gathering #92

2011-04-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Spring Break is here and I am having so much fun! I went to Denver on Friday and got home on Monday nothing exciting happened there just hung out at my Aunt and Uncles house.
Today Dad, Ash, Sam, and I went to Utah County we hit up Krispy Kreme, and then headed to the Disney Store. I think that it is safe to say that my neice is very very loved. We also went to lunch at my favorite Deli. If you live close to North Salt Lake you have to try Leger's Deli.

Stay tuned tomorrow the Mills Hit the zoo!

Gathering #91

2011-04-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just wanted you to all know:

In 4 days I will be on my way to Denver
In 5 days I will get to see my Aunt and Uncle
In 4 days I will be on spring break
In 4 days I get to play all week with my Ash and my Sammy

Don't be jealous but I have a great life!

Gathering #90

2011-04-02T19:15:00.000-07:00

Went to book club this past week, and I realized that the women I love the most I read with. I love the opportunity that reading brings. I love how I feel when I finish a book, I love how it feels when I can't put it down. But the biggest thing that I love about book club is the women. I love them for different reasons. Here is what I love:

Jenny is so amazing, crafty, fun, and always positive. She is an amazing women, and brings a different perspective to my life.

Jessica is the life of the party. She is funny and cute. I love that she will read anything and see the good in it.

Wendy is deep. I feel like she is the one that brings the books into a different sphere. She is the one that can show us things that I never would have seen.

Ash is the founder of our book club. She is bubbly and cheerful. I love her to pieces. I love that she comes with questions about how we can apply any book to our lives. She is the sister that I always wanted (I am grateful that the above women have shared their sister with me).

Mom is the reason I love books. She made me read in the summer for 30 minutes a day, if not for her I don't think I would have the passion for books that I do.

Two of these women are my family. But I feel like the other three are my sisters, and I love them.

Tonya and Anna are amazing women and I love spending time with them.

All in all I love book club and the books we read, but more then anything I love the women.

Gathering #89

2011-03-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Today I drove to the airport to drop off my moms boss. I love the airport. I love the shuffle of people. I love the anticipation I feel when it is time to go on vacation. I love that the airport is always me happy to be going on vacation and usually happy to be coming home. It made me want to go on vacation. I am going to Denver in a little less then a month. That will have to get me through for now. 21 days till I go on vacation. I think I can make it through!

Gathering #88

2011-03-22T16:49:00.001-07:00

I turned 27 this past weekend. 27! I am closer to thirty then twenty. And all though this should cause me panic and distress. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday. I think my expectations were a little bit smaller because my birthday was on a Sunday. My family spoiled me rotten I have the greatest friends and I just got to chill. Oh and I had the coolest cake ever!

Gathering #87

2011-03-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder why some things happen the way they do? Or why you feel very confident about things that you say yes to for all of 5 seconds and then you think what I am doing?
Sometimes I am not sure what I am doing or why I am doing things I just try to keep chugging on and moving forward. Maybe when I look back I will understand what I am up too.

Gathering # 86 Day 29 and 30

2011-03-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

I think this challenge took me 60 days to finish but I am finally done.

Day 29- Something I could never get tired of doing.

I could never get tired of eating, reading, and cooking

Day 30- Place I love

My list of places I love are:
Hawaii
Disneyland
My House
My Bed

Gathering #85 Day 28

2011-02-25T17:49:00.000-08:00

I love to read and try to as much as possible (which usually means I read 2 weeks in December and from June to August).
Some of my favorite books are:

The Hourglass Door
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Host
Fable Haven Books

Gathering #84 Day 27

2011-02-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

In my purse I have

My calendar
My cell phone
1 green highlighter
1 pink highlighter
2 pens
7 receipts (all to eating establishments, I think I need to stop eating out)
A sticker for the parking garage at the roof (it should be in my car, oops)
My wallet
an envelope
a letter from SLCSD
hand sanitizer
Soft-picks (there like toothpicks)
my Roof name badge
emery board
my school work badge and keys
scissors (don't know why those are there, must have something to do with school)
1 package of Dylan's Candy Bar Orange Mints

Gathering #83 Day 25 and 26

2011-02-25T17:34:00.000-08:00

I love my ipod. It gets me through a lot of things. My music taste is a little eclectic, but I can usually find just what I am looking or listening for.

On shuffle the first ten songs were:

Little Wonders by Rob Thomas
In the Moonlight by Ja Franco
True Love's Kiss from Enchanted
Bust Your Windows Glee Version
Toxic Glee Version
What'd I Give by Sugarland
Somebody to Love Glee Version
Teenage Dream Glee Version
Ku'u Wehi O Ke Aumoe by Keali'i Reichel
Red High Heels by Kellie Pickler

Gathering #82 Day 24

2011-02-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

A picture I took... LOVE HER!!!

Gathering #81 Day 23

2011-02-25T17:27:00.000-08:00

Something I want to buy...
Today is an airline ticket to Hawaii!

Gathering #80 Day 22

2011-02-23T16:15:00.001-08:00

I have been on so many vacations, and I love to travel. It was very hard for me to just pick one trip but I came up with my last vacation. My brother and sister were living in DC for the summer and we went to visit them. It was so fun to see our nations capital and spend time with my family.

Gathering #79 Day 21

2011-02-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

A recipe

Monster Cookies

2 sticks (1/2 Pound) Butter (salted) Softened
½ cups White Sugar
1-½ cup Brown Sugar, Packed
2 whole Large Eggs
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
1-½ cup All-purpose Flour
½ teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1-½ cup Oats (either Quick Or Regular)
½ cups M & M's (more To Taste)
½ cups Pecans, Chopped (more To Taste)
¾ cups Chocolate Chips (milk Or Semi-sweet)
½ cups Peanut Butter Chips
2-¼ cups Rice Krispies

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter with sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and beat.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt. Add to mixing bowl and mix till combined. After that, add in remaining ingredients in whatever quantity you prefer. Add more nuts if you’d like, or more M & M’s, more peanut butter chips or chocolate chips.

Add Rice Crispies at the very end, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix!

Use a cookie scoop to scoop balls of dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, then allow to cool on a rack.

Gathering #78 Day 20 Me from 10 years ago

2011-02-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

Gathering #77 Day 19

2011-02-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

My hobbies are:

Reading
Cooking
Shopping
Spending Time with my family

Gathering #76 Day 18

2011-02-20T16:02:00.000-08:00

Something I miss, today is really someone I miss.

Gathering #75 Day 17

2011-02-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

My pet peeves are:

People not following through with commitments
When someone does not return my phone call
The sound of metal scraping against metal

I am sure I have more but these are just a few

Gathering #74 Day 16

2011-02-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

I am looking forward to warm weather!

Gathering #73 Day 15

2011-02-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

I have never really thought about what my dream house would look like. I think I would want a house that is relaxing and I think of it more as a destination home. I know this will shock some of you but I would want a beach house, but not in Hawaii. I have always wanted a beach house along the east coast maybe in North Carolina. So this is what I think of as my dream home.

Gathering #72 Day 14

2011-02-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

I love a lot of aspects of this picture. #1 I went to DC this summer and loved every minute of it. It is a place that I will want to go back and visit again. #2 I loved the Thomas Jefferson monument, he was a great man who said some great things. #3 These three make my life so amazing. They are my best friends and I love to do everything with them (they clean up good too).

Gathering #71 Day 13

2011-02-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite memories is going to Hawaii for the 1st (but really 2nd time). It was so much fun! I got to spend 3 weeks in Hawaii with my family.

Gathering #70 Day 12

2011-02-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

My to do list for today most of it comes from school so it is a little boring.

Copies, Math, LA packet, comprehension, math tests, spelling stuff, DAZE, science, homework
Team Meeting
Enter Reading Calendar minutes
Door Calendar type and print
Math Am I ready for next week?
Centers- Copy comprehension, word sort
Language Art- Talk to Library about using computers to create character, setting, and plot web
Math Tests- Correct
Drop off ESL homework
Write morning journal, daily schedule, and today I will board
Call Ashley about Boutique
Go to boutique
Try to stay awake until at least 9:30 :)

Gathering #69 Day 11

2011-02-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

My favorite TV shows, this is hard because all though I do watch a lot of TV, I watch more movies.
So a short list:

Glee
Drop Dead Diva
What Not to Wear
Matlock
Mash

Gathering #68 Day 10

2011-02-11T19:53:00.001-08:00

Day 10 asks for a baby picture don't be jealous that you could all not be this cute!

Gathering #67 Day 9

2011-02-08T16:23:00.001-08:00

My favorite places to eat are:

Maddox
Mimi's Cafe
The Blue Bayou
Leger's Deli

Gathering #66 Day 8

2011-02-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

I have had a lot of friends in my life. I fill blessed that I have so many groups of friends. Here are just a few pictures of some of my friends.

Gathering #65 Day 7

2011-02-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

In no particular order my favorite movies are:

Jane Eyre
You've Got Mail
Anne of Green Gables
Pirates of the Caribbean
South Pacific
Transformers
Mulan
Singing in the Rain

Gathering #64 Day 6

2011-02-05T13:16:00.001-08:00

All I can say about the last purchase I made is Happy Birthday Dano, Ash, Mom, and Dad!

Gathering #63 Day 5

2011-02-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

My Family!!!
What else can I say but who wouldn't want to be with them for all eternity?
They are the reason I get up in the morning, work as hard as I do. They are the voice inside of my head pushing me forward.

Gathering #62 Day 4

2011-02-03T16:00:00.000-08:00

I love to cook so it was very hard for me to pick a recipe. I kept thinking do I want a dessert, an appetizer or main course. I decided to go with a main course. So here it goes (one of) my favorite recipes.

Comfort Meatballs I serve them with potatoes, corn bread, and beans, but they are also good as mini meatball sandwiches.

FOR MEATBALLS
1-½ pound Ground Beef
¾ cups Oats
1 cup Milk
3 Tablespoons Very Finely Minced Onion
1-½ teaspoon Salt
Plenty Of Ground Black Pepper, to taste
_____
FOR COOKING MEATBALLS
1 cup All-Purpose Flour (coating For Frozen Meatballs)
Canola Oil
_____
FOR SAUCE
1 cup Ketchup
2 Tablespoons Sugar
3 Tablespoons Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
4 Tablespoons (to 6 Tablespoons) Onion
1 dash Tabasco

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all meatball ingredients. Roll into medium-small balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place sheet in freezer for five minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove meatballs from freezer and immediately dredge in unseasoned flour.

Brown meatballs in canola oil until just brown. Place into a baking dish.

Combine all sauce ingredients. Pour over meatballs and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Gathering #61 Day 3

2011-02-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

Today was an uneventful day. I worked, went grocery shopping, hung out with my sister and my niece.

Gathering #60 alson known as Day 2

2011-02-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

Not a very great story on the name of my blog. I started this blog at a time when I was trying to find the best in every situation. So like Pollyanna I wanted to play the glad game. So that is how I came up with Glad Gatherings

Gathering #59 also known as Day 1 of the 30 day challenge

2011-01-31T16:21:00.000-08:00

I am a daughter.

I am a sister.
I am an aunt.
I am a friend.
I am a teacher.
I am a reader.
I am a cook.
I am LDS.
I am a Ute.
I am fun, organized, lovable, and moody.
I wear my emotions on my sleeves.
To say that I don't take criticism very well is an understatement.

Interesting facts about me:
It took me 2 universities, 3 majors, and 7 years to graduate from school.
My best friends are my parents, my brothers, and my sister.
I have the worlds most adorable niece!
I always wanted a sister and almost 6 years ago I got the best sister anyone could ask for!
I have never only worked one job (something within me always needs a backup plan).
I spend most of my weekends falling asleep in my rocking chair around 10:30 pm.

Add it all together and you get me!

Gatheing #58

2011-01-30T16:49:00.001-08:00

I have decided to start the 30 day blog challenge, lets see how it goes!
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, interesting facts

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3-A picture and description of how your day was

Day 4- A favorite recipe

Day 5-Your Family

Day 6-A picture of the last thing you purchased

Day 7-Favorite movies

Day 8- Friends

Day 9- Favorite places to eat

Day 10-A baby photo

Day 11-Favorite TV shows

Day 12 –Detailed to-do list from today

Day 13- A fun memory

Day 14-A picture you love

Day 15-Dream house

Day 16-Something you're looking forward to

Day 17-Pet Peeves

Day 18 -Something you miss

Day 19- A Hobby

Day 20-Picture of yourself from 10 years ago

Day 21-A recipe

Day 22-Favorite vacation

Day 23-Something you want to buy

Day 24-A photo you took

Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26-Favorite Music/Artists

Day 27-What’s in your purse

Day 28- Favorite Books

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing

Day 30- place I love

Gathering #57

2011-01-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

So it is already the middle of January and I am having a hard time with a couple of my resolutions. I need inspiration.
Can anyone inspire me?

Gathering #56

2011-01-01T11:24:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about 2011 for a couple of weeks. Thinking about what I wanted to change in my life. I am never very good at resolutions and never make them. But this year I thought I would give it a go. So I sat with my index card and pen ready to write down what I wanted to change about myself, surprisingly enough it was easier then I expected. So here is what I am resoluting to do this year.

Live a Christ centered life
No excuses! There are no excuses in life either do it or don't but I don't want to make any excuses.
More random acts of kindness
Don't be afraid to get messy, make mistakes, or act like a complete fool

We will see how long this lasts!

Happy New Year!

Gathering #55

2010-12-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

"It's coming on Christmas, they're cuttin down trees, putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace, Oh I wish I had a river, I could skate away on..."

Christmas is coming and I am trying very hard to be in the holiday spirit. I love December and all that happens but I am so busy this month that I have not found time to stop and smell the evergreen tree, look at the lights on the houses, or enjoy anything that I love about Christmas. So my plans for this weekend are: sit down and read "A Christmas Dress for Ellen" By President Monson, drink hot chocolate, watch a Christmas movie, and go to see the lights at temple square. We will see how if I have the Christmas spirit by the end of the weekend.

Gathering #54

2010-11-23T16:23:00.001-08:00

‎2 days... #16 the generosity of others! I handed out 8 donated (gotta love when someone shows up at my school with 60 turkeys) turkeys to my students today. Gotta love how a thing as simple as a turkey makes a 4th grader feel so proud!

Gathering #53

2010-11-21T18:48:00.001-08:00

4 days... #14 a clean bedroom. I love it when my room is clean it makes me feel so much better.

Gathering #52

2010-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

With the Turkey Trot this weekend I got a little behind so drum roll for # 11-13..................................

5 days... #11 my bed. After a long day of work and my crazy life I like to curl up in my bed. #12 snow! I hate to drive in it but it makes the world look pretty! #13 Christmas music. It makes me smile just to hear it!

Gathering #51

2010-11-17T17:28:00.000-08:00

8 days... #10 my job. I am grateful that I get to go to work everyday and spend time with 26 CRAZY 9-10 year olds. They make me laugh, and sometimes cry, but all in all they make me grateful to be apart of their lives

Gathering # 50

2010-11-15T20:12:00.001-08:00

9 days until Thanksgiving... #9 I am grateful for free stuff. Shutterfly is doing a great promotion right now where they are giving away 50 free Christmas cards to people who do a blog post about them. I love that it is the holiday time and they are helping the little people. Christmas is the best time of year and I can not wait to send out our cards.

My sister in law uses Shutterfly for her invitations and cards. The card she picked for my nieces 1st birthday was so cute and original. Shutterfly has the cutest cards and make life so easy for busy people. It is the best thing that I can plan my card and do it all from home, and for an extra charge they will stuff, address, and send out my cards. What more can we ask for?

This year I think that I am going to choose this card because then I can combine my card with what we have done this year or this one that is more simple and expresses our love for the season.

So what more to be grateful for then getting my Christmas cards done for free?

Gathering #49

2010-11-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

10 days... #8 people who look out for me. I am so grateful that I have people in my life that think about me and have faith in me.

Gathering #48

2010-11-14T16:45:00.001-08:00

11 days... #6 my car. I never worry about weather since I got new my car. #7 Sunday dinner with my family. I love how sometimes we talk about serious stuff and other times we just laugh.

Gathering #48

2010-11-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

11 days... #6 my car. I never worry about weather since I got new my car. #7 Sunday dinner with my family. I love how sometimes we talk about serious stuff and other times we just laugh.

Gathering #47

2010-11-12T16:46:00.001-08:00

13 days... #4 the weekend. I know this is dumb but I look forward to not having to correct papers, or get people back on track. My weekends rejuvenate me.

Gathering #46

2010-11-11T14:58:00.001-08:00

14 days... #4 the men and women who put their lives on the line for my freedom and safety!!! Thank you to any and everyone who is the armed services!

Gathering #45

2010-11-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

15 days... #3 my ward! I love the spirit I feel each week at church.

Gathering #44

2010-11-09T15:46:00.001-08:00

16 days till Thanksgiving...#2 my home. It is my favorite place to be. It brings me happiness and joy when I pull in the drive way after a long day of work.

Gathering #43

2010-11-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

Well this never posted yesterday so...

17 days till Thanksgiving! So 17 things I am thankful for... #1- My family! They are my best friends and the little voice in my head that keeps me going. So thank you, Dad, Mom, Nic, Ash, Dano, Benj, and Sammy for always being there for me.

Gathering #42

2010-10-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Only 1 and 1/2 more days until my WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

Gathering #41

2010-09-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

As I was reading through my blog today I noticed a few things. #1 have only blogged a few times in the last couple of months. #2 my blog is turning a little negative. So today is a clean slate of my blog more positive blogs more often.
Today is my brothers birthday and I have learned from him about being positive. I love him and his happy attitude. He makes me laugh and he always has something nice to say about people. His actions remind me:
A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.

Gathering #40

2010-09-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.
I feel like stripping my gears but I am working on idling!

Gathering #39

2010-09-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

Life has been a little crazy these last couple of weeks. Been a little depressed. But when all else fails. She always makes me smile!

Gathering #38

2010-08-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

Structure!!! School starts for me next Wednesday and I can not wait for the structure school adds to my life. I am nervous about teaching but excited for a schedule and structure. I need structure to function. School adds the structure.
What helps you add structure to your life?

Gathering #37

2010-07-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

I bought a new car!!! I know life changes so fast. I have been looking at cars since I got my job. Spending hours looking online and researching all different kind of cars. I finally found one that was just for me. I am now the proud payment maker of a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Gathering #36

2010-06-24T09:15:00.001-07:00

Dano and Benj getting ready to jump off a cliff.

Chilling in the airport on the way to Molokai. Hanging with Afton.

Sunset in Kauai

Wamiea Canyon in Kauai

Princeville

In Kauai at the pier

Gathering #35

2010-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hawaii!!!
I just spent the last 13 days in Hawaii. We had a great time and did lots of crazy things.
We left on June 10 and drove to Las Vegas. We ate at the MGM Grand Buffet and then chilled until we had to leave for our flight. We were on a red eye flight so that we could be in Hawaii early the next day. We stayed in Princeville Kauai for the first part of our trip. It was GORGEOUS! We did lots of playing on the beach and seeing the sights. We ate a couple of snow cones. The boys jumped off cliffs and we found a rope swing ( yes I did it once and only once, scared me to death). We also ate an amazing Mac Nut Milkshake. My favorite part of Kauai was watching the sunset at night and hanging with my family.
We then went to Molokai, while Kauai is green and lush Molokai is dry and barren. We have been to Molokai before and so I was ready to play. We had a few bumps in the road on this Island (i.e. dead mice in our oven) but it turned out to be great. My cousin Erin is engaged and we (my uncle paul and aunt wendy) surprised her by flying her fiance over to this island. We built towers in the water, snorkeled, and just played.
My families flight left earlier then my cousins so we headed out at 8:30 Hawaii time and traveled for 24 hours to get home. I am frequent flier after that day. Molokai to Laina (20 min flight), Lanai to Oahu (30 min flight), 3 hour layover in Oahu, Oahu to Portland Oregon (5.5 hour flight), 6 hour layover in Portland (yes we stayed at the hotel, and yes it was from 11 pm to 5 am), Portland to SLC (1.5 hour flight).
So to sum it up:
I played hard
Got tanner
Hung out with my amazing family (cousins, uncle, aunt, brothers, parents)
Ate way to many ice cream cones, milkshakes, and shaved ice.
Laughed until I cried
HAD A GREAT TIME!!!
see gathering #36 for pictures

Gathering #34

2010-06-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

Wish me luck I am making up my a recipe!!!
Vanilla Blackberry Ice Cream
I will let you know how it goes
I am kinda scared

Gathering #33

2010-06-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

School is out summer is officially started. I love the first part of Summer. I love the anticipation of thinking about what I have planned for the upcoming months. I love thinking about my vacations. I leave for Hawaii this week. I love Hawaii. I love relaxing. I love playing in the water. I love seeing the beauty all around. In July I am going to Washington DC. Big plans this summer for me!
What are your plans for the Summer?

Gathering #32

2010-05-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today I gave a presentation for staff meeting on Investing Personally. I have worked on this presentation for a couple of weeks and it has opened my mind and eyes to what I need to change in my life. Investing personally in a work place is something that take a life change. So in the interest of investing personally, I am wanting to make a few changes in my life. I need to have a better attitude about things. I can only control myself not those I work with or talk to. If someone chooses to not hire me or take what I say too personally there is nothing that I can do about it. I need to see the world as a spot of beauty and sun shine, even on rainy days there are good things. I need to come what may and love it. I think that when I start making these simple changes that things will get better.

Gathering #31

2010-05-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

25 days from today I will be getting in a car and driving to Las Vegas.
26 days from today I will be getting on a plane.
27 days from today I will be lying in the sun.
28 days from today I will be seeing Waimea Canyon.
29 days from today I will be getting tanner.
30 days from today I will be relaxed complete stress free.
To sum it up in 25 days I will be on my way to Paradise!

Gathering #30

2010-05-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

5 years ago today my life changed. Before May 14, 2005 I went about my life not knowing what I was missing out on. I loved my life and could not see anything wrong with it. Then on this day 5 years ago, my older brother got married. It was on that day that I realized that I had been missing a sister. So this post is for you Ash. To the women who became my sister 5 years ago today! I appreciate the way you include me in all your girl things. Shopping, crafts, and pedicures. I love the way you share your sisters with me. Thanks for everything you have done over the last 5 years.

Gathering #29

2010-05-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Your prayers have paid off. My life has changed dramatically over the last couple weeks. So here is a list of exciting news:

My Dad graduated this past weekend. I am so proud of him. He went back to school 3 years ago after not going to school for 30 plus years. He has worked hard and it was a great moment to sit with my family in the E-Center and watch him walk across the stage.
My older brother got an internship in Washington D.C. and they leave in a week. My older brother is one of the hardest working people that I know and he deserves to go far in life. I hope that this internship leads him to where he needs to go in life. I am hoping that I get to go see them this summer.
Since my brother got an internship, they are moving. I am going to miss talking to them at Sunday dinner. I am going to miss going places with my sister in law. I am going to miss my little sweet niece. All in all I am going to miss them.
As most of you have heard being a teacher is not the best job to be looking for right now. Lots of budget cuts, so as of today. I am out of a job come June 3.
Good news I go to Hawaii in 36 days!

I know that this list is not long but it is what is going on in my life!

Gathering #28

2010-04-28T18:08:00.001-07:00

Nothing to say, life is boring, pray something happens soon!

Gathering #27

2010-04-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

And the answer is ...

Mexico Tijuana!!!!!

August 11!!!!!

Gathering #26

2010-04-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

My littlest brother gets his mission call today.

The question on everybody's mind is

Where in the world will he go?

Answer to come soon!!!

Gathering #25

2010-04-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Correct me if I am wrong it is April right? I sometimes think that we have gone back to November with snow and rain every other day.

On that note I am getting more and more ready for school to get out and to go on vacation.

I love working and I love teaching, but I am ready to see the ocean, and lay on the beach.

I am ready to get tan and to eat coconut shrimp.

I am ready to get on an airplane and fly far away.

I am ready to search for seashells on the beach.

I am ready to laugh until I cry with my brothers and my cousins.

I am ready body surf and boogie board.

I AM READY!!!

What are you ready for?

Gathering #24

2010-03-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

Since my last post things have gotten interesting. I am still not feeling 100%. I am running on about 85%. Slowly but surely my body is healing. My little brother Daniel came home from his mission he had been serving in Sierra Leone. It has been great listening to his stories and learning about the people he served. My birthday was also this weekend, didn't feel very good but all in all it was a nice day. Also my little brother had his homecoming talk at church. We had a ton of people at our house (and just a side note, if I never see a sloppy joe again it will be to soon). My March has flown by!!!

Gathering #23

2010-03-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sick!!! I hate being sick!!! I am sitting at school wishing that it was 2:57 instead of 9:57. I wish I could be at home on the couch. But in my quest to be positive I am going to list the positive things about being sick.

#1= My pajama's. I love to snuggle up on the couch with my pajamas and sick socks.

#2= Food. When I am sick I get to waited on hand and foot. I usually do half of the cooking in the week but not when I am sick. No one wants to eat food that a sickly has made.

#3= Today my Aunt Wendy (I LOVE HER) called me before school, just to ask me a question, when she heard I was sick. She made me homemade soup and dropped it off at school. I love being taken care of.

I hope that I feel better soon. But if I don't I will be taken care of.

Gathering #22

2010-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

This post is all about my little brother Benj. He is the baby of the family and is all about having a good time. He makes me laugh. He is super involved and is always running a million miles a minute. We don't always get along but when we do we have a GREAT TIME! This last week he had to get stitches and has spent more time at home. I have loved that we have chilled a couple of days this week. He is the person in my family that I can play with. We laugh and joke around all the time. This past summer the two of us went to Disneyland for a few days. It was one of the funnest things I have done. To just spend time with one of my siblings for more then a few hours is an experience I would like to try with the rest of the family. He makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me smile, and sometimes makes me want to scream.

But all in all

I LOVE MY LITTLE BROTHER BENJ!!!

Gathering #21

2010-02-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

I have decided that for the next few blogs I will be spotlighting different people in my life. These are the people that bring me happiness. They are there to push me farther and to make do things that I never thought I could. They are there for me to lean on when I think I cant do it and to listen when I need to vent. They make laugh, and cry. But all in all these are the people I love. So stay tuned for those of you who want to hear why I love the people I love.

Gathering #20

2010-02-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

The Olympics have started, I love the Olympics. I love how for 16 days the world comes together for one cause. I love how people are cheering things that in my day to day life I don't even think of (i.e. CURLING). I love how I am sitting on my couch cheering on the little guy (i.e. speed skating JR Celski bronze medal). I love it I love that I wanted China to win in the pairs figure skating. I love that I would normal never watch snowboarding and I am glued to the TV. In the end its all I want to do and talk about.

Just like Visa I shout "GO WORLD" but I do shout "GO USA" even louder.

Gathering #19

2010-02-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

I love Valentines Day!!! I love the hearts and the flowers. I love the idea that we think even for just a day about someone else. About the people we love the most. I love to see the look on kids faces as they are excited to give their valentines to their friends. So yes it may be a made up holiday to get us to spend our money, but in the end I love that someone is forcing society to think about the people they love.

This post is dedicated to the people I love.

You know who you are!

Gathering #18

2010-02-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

All about me right now at this very minute. All in one word answers

Where is your cell phone? Purse
Significant other? NONE
Your hair? Curly
Your mother? Fun
Your father? Stressed
Your favorite thing? Family
Your dream last night? Didn't
Your favorite drink? Water
What room are you in? Class
Your hobby? Cooking
Your fear? Rejection
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy
Where were you last night? Home
Something that you aren't? Patient
Muffins? Chocolate
Wish list item? Job
Last thing you did? Taught
What are you wearing? Skirt
TV? YES
Your pets? Chicken
Friends? Some
Your life? Hectic
Your mood? Optimistic
Missing someone? Definitely
Drinking? Water
Your car? Red
Something your not wearing? Ring
Your Favorite Store? Eddie Bauer
Favorite Color? Red
When is the last time you cried? Yesterday
Who will read this? ?
Where do you go to over and over? Bedroom
My favorite place to eat? Blue Bayou
Favorite place I'd like to be right now? Disneyland

Gathering #17

2010-01-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Whats in a name?

So I am kinda a nerd and love to read my horoscope or find out what is significant about my birthday. Today I found out what my name stands for.

Does it sound like me?

Kimmy

You are smart and curious

You are a seeker of knowledge and you have learned many things in your life.

You are also a keeper of knowledge- meaning you don't spill secrets or gossip.

People sometimes think you are snobby of aloof but you're just to deep in your thoughts to pay attention to them.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot is a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're to busy having fun to care.

Check out what your name means

www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Gathering #16

2010-01-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

It's the little things in life that keep me moving forward.

So far this week has been GREAT!!! And it is the little things that have made it wonderful.

So you may ask yourself how do I have a week as great as Kimmy's well here are the steps

Step 1: I did not have to work on Monday or Tuesday

Step 2: Took my family to The Roof Monday night. We had a wonderful time!

Step 3: Everyone else had to work on Tuesday, I had a house to myself, sat in a chair and read all day long.

Step 4: Found out that my brother is coming home from Africa on MARCH 18!!!

Step 5: Worked out so hard that I came home completely ready for a shower and bed (realizing that I can work out that hard is what makes me the happiest. Thank you Torri!)

Step 6: Realized that I really am the happiest when I spend time with my family.

So ultimately it is Wednesday and this week has already been great.

I think if it gets any better I might just have to cry!

Gathering #15

2010-01-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

With all the fog that has rolled in and out of the valley the last little bit it makes me think about what fogs my life. I love fog but it does create some problems. There are some things that fog up my life. I don't ever want to face them, but then there are times that I need to. So just to name a few things that fog up my life. I am selfish. I am usually only thinking about my self, and what I want. I am lazy, I do not like to work.

These are some things that I want to work on. So this week. I am going to work as hard as I can on not thinking of only myself, and of stepping up to what needs to be done and not just waiting for someone else to do it.

Maybe my life will be less foggy if I can work on these 2 weaknesses.

What fogs your life?

Gathering #14

2010-01-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Why do we think that it is fun to work out? I am not sure that I always think through these brillant ideas that flash through my mind.

I like sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and chocolate.

I like drinking my soda pop.

I like thinking that I am OK with the fact that I can eat whatever I want and NEVER work out and nothing will happen.

And then over the holiday season we watched home videos. I don't privilege the world that often of seeing me in a swimming suit. But when you are in Hawaii you kinda need to be in a suit. I DID NOT like what I saw. So I started thinking that I could work out tune up my body and that it would be no big deal. Well I was wrong. I truly hit it hard last night. My trainer kicked my butt within the first 10 min of class and I still had 50 to go. So I made it through class and home and thought nothing of it until this morning. I like being able to move. I can't. Sitting down is a major chore.

Am I crazy?

I feel like I am.

Yesterday I almost died, today I can not move.

I will be OK, until tomorrow.

When I get to do it all over again.

Gathering #13

2010-01-04T08:26:00.000-08:00

As 2010 has begun we all take some time to think about what we want to do differently in the New Year. How we are going to better our lives. At work on New Years Eve everyone talked about their resolutions. I told them that I don't make resolutions because by the 5th of January I would have broken my resolutions. But they did get me thinking. So this weekend I thought about what I wanted out of life. I want to be happy. I want to do things that make me happy. I want to spend time with my family. I want to travel and see the world. I want to get in better shape. I want to read more.
So still no resolutions for me. Maybe just some things to think about. I can accomplish my goals to make my life happier. I have added some things to my blog to help me become happier.

#1 I love to read. I have added my reading list. Lets see how many books I can read this year.

#2 I love to travel. I have put my count down of days until I go to Hawaii

#3 I am hoping to write more things that happen in my life, maybe keep me more focused.

Maybe this will help me be more happy. Maybe this will be the way to keep me focused on what really matters. I don't know we will have to wait and see.

Gathering #12

2009-12-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving Point so I hope I win this www.sweetlifeinthevalley.com/2007/09/loading_13.html

Gathering #11

2009-12-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

As I looked out my window this morning and saw the snow falling from the sky I took a minute to just watch and listen. I heard nothing when I opened my window but what I saw made me smile. I have nothing to huge to do today and I can walk to and from work. I am blessed!!! Tonight I am watching a Charlie Brown Christmas, and Prep & Landing. What is better then Christmas movies, and snow. My shopping is finished and almost all wrapped and under the tree. I think that it is finally starting to feel, smell, sound, and look like Christmas. So as I sit and write this post I think of all the memories of Christmas past. I remember moments, and smells. What do you like most about Christmas? What is your favorite memory from Christmas? And most importantly Do you feel BLESSED?

Gathering #10

2009-12-07T09:53:00.001-08:00

Last night I fell asleep sitting in a rocking chair. Maybe that is a sign that I need to slow down. I think I run at the speed of light and when I do finally sit my body gives out on me. This last weekend I worked 23 hours in two days. I tried to be nice to my guests and to wish them all a Merry Christmas, but at about hour 20 I had lost the spirit of Chritsmas myself. So as I sat down Sunday night to listen to the Christmas devotional with my family, I didn't make it through the 1st song and I was gone.

Do you think I need to slow down?

Do you think that I need to take a breather?

Do you think I need to find the Christmas spirit and live it even on a dead run?

I think the answer to all these things is Yes. I am re-evaluating my life and my attitude. TODAY I am keeping the Christmas spirit in my heart and in my life. And maybe if I slip you could give me a nice reminder to be kinder and more loving.

Oh and Santa if you are reading this.

I THINK I NEED A VACATION!!!

Gathering #9

2009-11-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!! This years Halloween was one of the best. On Thursday Sam, and Ash came to see me at school (I was a witch for the day). We watched the Halloween parade. On Friday I went to the ward party and yes I dressed up again. This time I just put on tons of makeup and wore black and orange. Kinda scary!
I carved 2 pumpkins the scary witch lady from Sleeping Beuty and Mickey Mouse.
Gotta love Disney

And Saturday we had the annual Mills Family Fire. We sit out in our driveway and roast hot dogs, eat smores, listen to music, visit, and hand out candy. I LOVE IT!!!

How was your Halloween? What are your Halloween Traditions?

Gathering #8 part 2

2009-10-31T21:11:00.001-07:00

On my trip I went from weather like this (yikes)

To this (much better)

And a special treat we saw the University of Utah truck on the way home from the Colorado State Game

These 2 pics are from my uncles party!

And I also got to hang out with my 2 cute cousins Emily and Anna!

Gathering #8

2009-10-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

My trip to Denver was great. My dad and mom drove and left early Friday morning. Benj and I flew. We left our house around 1:45 pm and got to Denver around 5:00. We flew with our Uncle Paul and Aunt Wendy and they gave us a ride to my Uncle Jacks SURPRISE PARTY. So we got to the party and waited for the rest of my extended family to show up. My uncle had no idea that we were coming and when he got there he was very surprised by all of his friends that were there. My cousin Ashley had to point out my mom and my uncle Paul. We ate food and talked at the party. The next day we just hung out at my aunt and uncles house, our rental car had a flat tire so dad and I went to get it fixed. That night we went to my uncles favorite restaurant Maggiano's Little Italy. It was great. The food was amazing. The next day we packed up the car and drove home. Short trip but none the less a fun trip. Pictures will be on the next post I don't have my camera with me.

COMING SOON

2009-10-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to a computer near you. Gather #8 My trip to Denver!