Greetings and salutations everyone and a Happy 2014!
I have been reading some of my other favorite blogs and have thought about, maybe, deleting this blog. I haven't been so great at updating it and caring for it. I would think about things to post, and then, for whatever lame reason, I wouldn't. While other have made their blogs flourish, I have just kind of stopped caring.
But why? Why have I stopped caring? I am trying to figure that one out. Is it lack of time? Heavens no! I am not really that busy. Is it that I feel inadequate? Not really. While I could always improve my writing skills, I'm not that bad at it. Then...what? Unfortunately, I think it's all in my head. Along with way too many other things.
I try to remember why I started blogging in the first place. Back in 2008, that is what you did. This is how you shared things with others and connected to the outside world. It was a digital journal that could be viewed by strangers. Jump to present day 2014 and now it's all about video blogging, or vlogging on YouTube. With social media being as it is, the written word is starting to go "out of style".
I find myself watching vlogs now more than reading blogs. I am slowly getting caught up in the whole social network craze. I watch YouTube, have a Facebook account, take pictures and post them to Instagram and Twitter, I will Pinterest like crazy, and I am figuring out the world of Tumbler. And why? Why does it matter what someone did in their day? Do I need to see a picture of what you had for lunch today? I know one thing for sure. I don't need to read the ramblings of the Kardashian clan. NO ONE DOES! But, I digress...much like they do on a daily basis.
But I have decided that I need to blog. And not for other people, but for me. I have so many strange thoughts and ideas that need to come out of my brain. And with the current costs of health care, I can't afford therapy. That's a $35 co-pay every time I need to be told I'm not crazy, or that I'm beyond help in some cases. Besides, it may be nice to have a record to look back at and map my journey into insanity. (Crap, I'm already there!)
So, my goal is to write twice a week here for a little while and see how it goes. I have a feeling 2014 is going to be a good year and I have high hopes for more adventures and self discovery. I want to revamp the blog, or start a 2nd one. But we will start here first.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, October 25, 2013
Confessions of a ghost hunter
Welcome back everyone! So sorry it has been so long, but it is time to start writing again. This has been a crazy year, and I wouldn't mind forgetting about some if it. But for now, I am going to open up about something that, until the last little while, I didn't want broadcast to the world. So, judge me if you will, that's fine. But here goes...
I believe in the paranormal. I have since I was a little girl. It's something that has always been apart of my life, whether I wanted to admit it or not. It was hard being so sensitive to environments. If there was tension in the house, I felt it. If my siblings were fighting in the basement, I would be upstairs, crying, and didn't know why until I heard about the fighting later. I would take on other's emotions and not understand why. I could walk into a room and literally feel the emotion of something that had just taken place.
My house was a home to 10 living people at one point, and a few not-so-living things at others. When my room was upstairs, I could hear someone walking up and down the hall, up and down the stairs, downstairs in the kitchen, at all hours of the day and night. I would go to find out who was up, and there would be no one. I would be in the kitchen and look at the hallway to the front room, and see shadows sneak by. There is a bed in the basement with a creepy closet. It was always very cold in there and there was always a funky vibe. You would feel as if you were being watched.
When I got older, I moved to the basement, in a different room than the one with the creepy closet, and the family room was right above me. I could hear someone pacing back and forth often. I hated crossing the basement family room to get to my room in the dark, because I knew someone, or something, was there. I would have the strangest dreams and find myself sleep walking. One time, I walked straight into a wall and woke up with a bloody nose.
At one point, something happened with my older siblings, and my dad finally blessed the house because it was even starting to concern him. And it wasn't until we all grew up and my parents sold the house that we started talking to each other about what had happened. Even my mom asked us about it and if we ever felt or saw anything there. That's when I knew that I didn't imagine it and didn't make everything up in my crazy head.
By this time, I had started doing my own research about the paranormal. Now, I don't believe all the theories out there. Some of them are just too weird, even for me. But what I do know is that there is a lot more to the afterlife than we know. I could go on and on about different experiences, my college stories, my work stories at different theaters, and maybe they will come at another time.
For now though, I guess all I can say is that I do believe they exists. I don't believe that all of them are evil or dark spirits, nor do I believe they are all good. I do believe that emotions and energy can be absorbed by the world around us, and that sometimes, that's all the is witnessed. And, on a spiritual side, I also believe that, at times, the veil between Heaven and Earth can be very, very thin. And those are the moments we have with family members, or with others while at the temple. Those are the best kind of "paranormal" experiences one can have.
Anyway, if you are interested in my other stories and experiences, let me know and I will share more. If not, than we do have Christmas Shoes 2013 to look forward to. And this year is going to be pretty epic!
I believe in the paranormal. I have since I was a little girl. It's something that has always been apart of my life, whether I wanted to admit it or not. It was hard being so sensitive to environments. If there was tension in the house, I felt it. If my siblings were fighting in the basement, I would be upstairs, crying, and didn't know why until I heard about the fighting later. I would take on other's emotions and not understand why. I could walk into a room and literally feel the emotion of something that had just taken place.
My house was a home to 10 living people at one point, and a few not-so-living things at others. When my room was upstairs, I could hear someone walking up and down the hall, up and down the stairs, downstairs in the kitchen, at all hours of the day and night. I would go to find out who was up, and there would be no one. I would be in the kitchen and look at the hallway to the front room, and see shadows sneak by. There is a bed in the basement with a creepy closet. It was always very cold in there and there was always a funky vibe. You would feel as if you were being watched.
When I got older, I moved to the basement, in a different room than the one with the creepy closet, and the family room was right above me. I could hear someone pacing back and forth often. I hated crossing the basement family room to get to my room in the dark, because I knew someone, or something, was there. I would have the strangest dreams and find myself sleep walking. One time, I walked straight into a wall and woke up with a bloody nose.
At one point, something happened with my older siblings, and my dad finally blessed the house because it was even starting to concern him. And it wasn't until we all grew up and my parents sold the house that we started talking to each other about what had happened. Even my mom asked us about it and if we ever felt or saw anything there. That's when I knew that I didn't imagine it and didn't make everything up in my crazy head.
By this time, I had started doing my own research about the paranormal. Now, I don't believe all the theories out there. Some of them are just too weird, even for me. But what I do know is that there is a lot more to the afterlife than we know. I could go on and on about different experiences, my college stories, my work stories at different theaters, and maybe they will come at another time.
For now though, I guess all I can say is that I do believe they exists. I don't believe that all of them are evil or dark spirits, nor do I believe they are all good. I do believe that emotions and energy can be absorbed by the world around us, and that sometimes, that's all the is witnessed. And, on a spiritual side, I also believe that, at times, the veil between Heaven and Earth can be very, very thin. And those are the moments we have with family members, or with others while at the temple. Those are the best kind of "paranormal" experiences one can have.
Anyway, if you are interested in my other stories and experiences, let me know and I will share more. If not, than we do have Christmas Shoes 2013 to look forward to. And this year is going to be pretty epic!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The games that left me hungry
And that, my friends, was me trying to be clever with my title. Note the word TRYING...
So, for Christmas, my wonderful husband got me a Nook HD e-reader. It was all I wanted for Christmas and the mister delivered. I have spent the past few weeks trying things out and getting used to this technology that the kids are crazy about these days. I have even figured out how to link up with my local library and check out books and audio books. It's been fun going through the catalog and deciding what to read or listen to next.
About two weeks ago now, I decided to revisit a book series that I had quit before I had really begun...The Hunger Games. I read the first book of the three book series a couple of years ago. I had nightmares for weeks! All I dreamed about were the kids in the book that were sent in to this gladiator-like arena and had to fight to the death. After that, I decided to be done with the books. But, in my intrigue and morbid curiosity, I decided to listen to the series. When I have a hard time reading something, I do better if someone else reads it to me. I am not sure why that is, but I can listen better and retain the story much better. Maybe it's the ADD, who knows? So I listened to the series and got hooked! The lady reading the book was interesting and fun to listen to. I got totally wrapped up in the story and couldn't stop listening.
Once I finished listening to the books, I decided that it was time to finally watch the movie that came out last year. I sat down to watch it, got wrapped up in a blanket, and 143 minutes later, was VERY disappointed. In fact, I was pissed! I couldn't believe that I was so caught up in the story that I was getting mad at the director of the film. I went off about it all to my husband, who just laughed at me. Four days prior, I wouldn't have anything to do with the books. Now, I was demanding an apology from the director and the editor for making such a half-assed piece of crap!
Now, I am not a purist, by any means. I am usually ok when a book is turned into a film. As a writer and a playwright, I understand that you cannot always include everything from a book into a movie. You have to decide what is going to move the plot along and how to tell a good story that will keep your audiences attention. I was fine with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I was fine, mostly, with all the Harry Potter movies. I loved the new Hobbit movie. But The Hunger Games movie was so shallow and vague, I didn't even understand where they were going with it. I am scared to see what will happen in the next movie! If the next one is even half as bad as the first, the producers can just kiss their payday goodbye.
Even today, I am trying to figure out why I am so upset about this. And I think I finally know why. I think it is because I could have totally done so much better than the director, editor and screenplay writer did. Yes, that sounds elitist of me, because hindsight is 20/20 and I don't know what happened between the director and the production company and everyone that had their hand in the cookie jar. But I feel like I could have done a better job. And this is my overall feeling about film, in general, today.
So many movies have come out over the last few years that have been good. And there have been twice as many that have been awful. And yet, they still get made. Someone decides that they are good enough to back them and give these people money to make the film. It blows my mind! The millions of dollars that go into making films that are crap astounds me. And the fact that people go and pay money to watch these horrible things is even more perplexing! Why do people support such things?
Sorry about the rant. It was a bit more than I was planning on. But I guess my philosophy is, if you think it's crap, then you should try and do it yourself. Which also gets me thinking that I need to start taking writing seriously again and write more. Write a book, a play, a screenplay, something. Even writing more on this blog. I need to stop being so critical of others and start doing it myself. And then, maybe I can let go of this angst and jealousy. Because, really, that's what this is. Oye!!!
Tune in next time for the annual post of Christmas Shoes!
So, for Christmas, my wonderful husband got me a Nook HD e-reader. It was all I wanted for Christmas and the mister delivered. I have spent the past few weeks trying things out and getting used to this technology that the kids are crazy about these days. I have even figured out how to link up with my local library and check out books and audio books. It's been fun going through the catalog and deciding what to read or listen to next.
About two weeks ago now, I decided to revisit a book series that I had quit before I had really begun...The Hunger Games. I read the first book of the three book series a couple of years ago. I had nightmares for weeks! All I dreamed about were the kids in the book that were sent in to this gladiator-like arena and had to fight to the death. After that, I decided to be done with the books. But, in my intrigue and morbid curiosity, I decided to listen to the series. When I have a hard time reading something, I do better if someone else reads it to me. I am not sure why that is, but I can listen better and retain the story much better. Maybe it's the ADD, who knows? So I listened to the series and got hooked! The lady reading the book was interesting and fun to listen to. I got totally wrapped up in the story and couldn't stop listening.
Once I finished listening to the books, I decided that it was time to finally watch the movie that came out last year. I sat down to watch it, got wrapped up in a blanket, and 143 minutes later, was VERY disappointed. In fact, I was pissed! I couldn't believe that I was so caught up in the story that I was getting mad at the director of the film. I went off about it all to my husband, who just laughed at me. Four days prior, I wouldn't have anything to do with the books. Now, I was demanding an apology from the director and the editor for making such a half-assed piece of crap!
Now, I am not a purist, by any means. I am usually ok when a book is turned into a film. As a writer and a playwright, I understand that you cannot always include everything from a book into a movie. You have to decide what is going to move the plot along and how to tell a good story that will keep your audiences attention. I was fine with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I was fine, mostly, with all the Harry Potter movies. I loved the new Hobbit movie. But The Hunger Games movie was so shallow and vague, I didn't even understand where they were going with it. I am scared to see what will happen in the next movie! If the next one is even half as bad as the first, the producers can just kiss their payday goodbye.
Even today, I am trying to figure out why I am so upset about this. And I think I finally know why. I think it is because I could have totally done so much better than the director, editor and screenplay writer did. Yes, that sounds elitist of me, because hindsight is 20/20 and I don't know what happened between the director and the production company and everyone that had their hand in the cookie jar. But I feel like I could have done a better job. And this is my overall feeling about film, in general, today.
So many movies have come out over the last few years that have been good. And there have been twice as many that have been awful. And yet, they still get made. Someone decides that they are good enough to back them and give these people money to make the film. It blows my mind! The millions of dollars that go into making films that are crap astounds me. And the fact that people go and pay money to watch these horrible things is even more perplexing! Why do people support such things?
Sorry about the rant. It was a bit more than I was planning on. But I guess my philosophy is, if you think it's crap, then you should try and do it yourself. Which also gets me thinking that I need to start taking writing seriously again and write more. Write a book, a play, a screenplay, something. Even writing more on this blog. I need to stop being so critical of others and start doing it myself. And then, maybe I can let go of this angst and jealousy. Because, really, that's what this is. Oye!!!
Tune in next time for the annual post of Christmas Shoes!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
It's the end of the year...as we know it!
So friends...here we are. We have reached the end of another year. And as far as I can tell, we made it relatively unscathed. Not too shabby!
There have been so many things on my mind over the last few months. Everything from politics to religion to why my feet are so cold right before I go to bed. And then everything in between. Life, as I know it, has not changed drastically. I will say that the Holidays have been wonderful this year. It has been good to spend time with family and friends. I must have been a good girl this year because I got everything I asked for.
Beyond that, I have been trying to decide what to write about. I guess I could write about how I went through a rough patch a few months back and had to change my anti-anxiety medication. I could right about how the new medication made me go crazy and turn into a manic beast. Those were not so good times. I would even venture to say they were dark. So, I will not write about it. All that needs to be said is that I have changed medications, again, and to the pleasure of my husband, I am me again. I feel better than I have in quite a while. Huzzah!!!
I could write about my feelings on the election and how upset I was over the division of the country. I could tell the story about who I voted for and why I feel alienated by a certain political group. But that was during those dark days. I have come to peace with my feelings and feel very optimistic for the future. So, I will not write about that.
I could write about the over zealous people I have come in contact with regarding the LDS church and their need to be right and equal. PS - I did not wear pants to church a few Sundays ago. My clothing doesn't deter from my worship. Nor does it make me feel inferior to the opposite sex. It makes me feel like a lady, and I like that. But, I will not write about that.
I would write about Christmas Shoes 2012...but that deserves it's own post.
No, I shall write about that happy things. My family is healthy, safe and sound. I have my loved ones around me, supporting me and loving me unconditionally. I have a good job and work with wonderful, caring people.
But most of all, I want to talk about this little guy!
He is one spoiled little boy. Zander came and joined the family back in September and has been so much fun ever since. I can't believe that he is 3 1/2 months now! He is starting to try to talk and lets you know when he is not getting enough attention. Overall, he is a happy baby!
Here is a little video that Andrea, Squishy's mommy, made last week. It shows what a big boy he's becoming and his Nana doesn't like it one bit!
There have been so many things on my mind over the last few months. Everything from politics to religion to why my feet are so cold right before I go to bed. And then everything in between. Life, as I know it, has not changed drastically. I will say that the Holidays have been wonderful this year. It has been good to spend time with family and friends. I must have been a good girl this year because I got everything I asked for.
Beyond that, I have been trying to decide what to write about. I guess I could write about how I went through a rough patch a few months back and had to change my anti-anxiety medication. I could right about how the new medication made me go crazy and turn into a manic beast. Those were not so good times. I would even venture to say they were dark. So, I will not write about it. All that needs to be said is that I have changed medications, again, and to the pleasure of my husband, I am me again. I feel better than I have in quite a while. Huzzah!!!
I could write about my feelings on the election and how upset I was over the division of the country. I could tell the story about who I voted for and why I feel alienated by a certain political group. But that was during those dark days. I have come to peace with my feelings and feel very optimistic for the future. So, I will not write about that.
I could write about the over zealous people I have come in contact with regarding the LDS church and their need to be right and equal. PS - I did not wear pants to church a few Sundays ago. My clothing doesn't deter from my worship. Nor does it make me feel inferior to the opposite sex. It makes me feel like a lady, and I like that. But, I will not write about that.
I would write about Christmas Shoes 2012...but that deserves it's own post.
No, I shall write about that happy things. My family is healthy, safe and sound. I have my loved ones around me, supporting me and loving me unconditionally. I have a good job and work with wonderful, caring people.
But most of all, I want to talk about this little guy!
Little Squishy has had me wrapped around his finger since before he was born!
He is one spoiled little boy. Zander came and joined the family back in September and has been so much fun ever since. I can't believe that he is 3 1/2 months now! He is starting to try to talk and lets you know when he is not getting enough attention. Overall, he is a happy baby!
Here is a little video that Andrea, Squishy's mommy, made last week. It shows what a big boy he's becoming and his Nana doesn't like it one bit!
By the way, Nana is Andrea's mother, not mine. But my mom thinks he's getting too big as fast as well.
And that is all I have to say about that. Stay tuned for the next post...Christmas Shoes 2012!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Capitol Reef Country Adventure
Last weekend, my in-laws treated me and Mike to a wonderful, quick trip down to Capitol Reef Country. I have lived in Utah for almost 25 years and have never been to this area of the state. The drive down was full of rain, singing and snacks. We stayed in a town by the name of Torrey. It was interesting because you get into Wayne County, driving through cow and farm country, and you turn the corner and see this:
That evening we made our way to Boulder, a small town 40 miles away from Capitol Reef. The place is full of hippies. And kind of rude hippies to boot. We didn't stay there for very long. But on the way back, we stopped at a few of the overlook points. Once again, words could not describe the wonders of God's beauty.
There is so much more that happened during this trip. And I will finish blogging about it tomorrow!
Red rock everywhere! It was beautiful! Red dirt and volcanic rock all over. It was such a contrast from everything we had seen on the drive that day. We stayed at an adorable little bed and breakfast called the Skyridge Inn. It was a quaint little place just off the side of the highway and tucked away.
The owners were very nice. Our room was right there by where Mike is sitting. Breakfast was always an adventure. One morning we met a couple from East LA and the next we met a family from Belgium. There were a lot of Europeans down there, taking their summer holiday and going to all of the national parks in and around Utah. The thing I liked most about being down there is how quiet it was. So nice to get away from the city and the craziness. It rained every day during different times of the day, but it was wonderful.
One of our days down there was spent at Capitol Reef National Park. I had only read about it in stories up to this point. But words cannot explain how amazing and beautiful it was. So here are a lot more pictures:
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| This book was for sale in the visitor center. I wish I would have bought it. |
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| It was very humid that day. But it was good to be with the hubby! |
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| Some hieroglyphs from thousands of years ago |
That evening we made our way to Boulder, a small town 40 miles away from Capitol Reef. The place is full of hippies. And kind of rude hippies to boot. We didn't stay there for very long. But on the way back, we stopped at a few of the overlook points. Once again, words could not describe the wonders of God's beauty.
There is so much more that happened during this trip. And I will finish blogging about it tomorrow!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Happy 4th of July!!!
I love the 4th of July. This was our 4th celebration of the 4th here on Center Street, and it did not disappoint. Every year, I fall more in love with Murray and our small community feel in the middle of the Salt Lake valley. It started early that day with the annual parade. Some of Mike's family came to celebrate with us for the day.
After the parade, we made some lunch and then went over to Murray Park. There we saw the vintage car show, the community talent show and the kids got hosed down by the fire department. That evening we watched the fireworks and went to bed. It was a lot of fun and a good time with some of the family.
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| Murray Fire Department |
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| The SWAT Team |
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| Mayor Snarr and his Mustache |
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| Riverton City Royalty |
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| The X96 Short Bus |
After the parade, we made some lunch and then went over to Murray Park. There we saw the vintage car show, the community talent show and the kids got hosed down by the fire department. That evening we watched the fireworks and went to bed. It was a lot of fun and a good time with some of the family.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Springtime Fun
Well friends, this has been a long month...not gonna lie. But, things have improved since my last post, at least on my insides. I don't feel so down and blah. I am actually starting to feel a little better about life.
So I have been doing water aerobics now for almost a month and I am still totally in love with it! I love being in the water. I really did forget how much I missed swimming. I haven't had a swim or water aerobic class since my senior year of high school. I can tell my endurance is getting better and each class I can push myself a little harder. I sleep great the nights I go and even though I really haven't lost much weight yet, I don't feel so self conscious walking around in a bathing suit. If these people who are in their 50s and older don't care, then neither should I! I have made some friends in my classes and it really is a great way to spend an hour in the evening after a crap-tastic day at work.
Thanks to my hubby and my father-in-law, I have been able to take my bike to water aerobics everyday. I have a sweet basket on the front of my bitchin' ride now.
So I have been doing water aerobics now for almost a month and I am still totally in love with it! I love being in the water. I really did forget how much I missed swimming. I haven't had a swim or water aerobic class since my senior year of high school. I can tell my endurance is getting better and each class I can push myself a little harder. I sleep great the nights I go and even though I really haven't lost much weight yet, I don't feel so self conscious walking around in a bathing suit. If these people who are in their 50s and older don't care, then neither should I! I have made some friends in my classes and it really is a great way to spend an hour in the evening after a crap-tastic day at work.
Thanks to my hubby and my father-in-law, I have been able to take my bike to water aerobics everyday. I have a sweet basket on the front of my bitchin' ride now.
It has been fun to ride my bike. It gets a little rough when I am riding home because I am already tired and my legs are usually burning. But it burns so good! I want to build up my endurance enough so that I can start riding my bike to and from work. My office is only 1.5 miles from my front door, but some if it is uphill. But we'll get there.
A few weeks ago we got a late Easter present from my sister, Jill. Her friend from work build planter boxes that are meant for apartment porches, or anywhere that has limited spaces for growing stuff. So she bought us two along with some dirt. We spent last weekend, when it was warm and in the 80s and prepared the boxes by waterproofing them.
It was a good thing that we got them done when we did. Thursday night brought some crazy wind and rain and our poor boxes would not have fared so well. We are hoping to plant stuff this weekend, as long as the weather cooperates. I think we'll do some tomatoes, cucumbers, green pepper and maybe zucchini. I am excited to see how this experiment will go.
This week will be crunch time to get ready for the 2012 Komen Race for the Cure. It is in two weeks and I feel like I will be ready for it this time. This will be my third time doing the race and it just gets more cool every year. Two weeks after the Race for the Cure, my family is doing another run up in Ogden. It's called Run for the Wounded. It is an Eagle Scout project for a young man up there. The donations are for the Wounded Warrior Project, but is something that is very dear to my heart. Two years ago, my brother-in-law, Dave, was serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. On March 10, 2010, his convoy was hit by a road side bomb. He shattered his entire left leg, from the hip down, among other injuries. It took 86 pins to put it back together. We knew he would live, but the healing process would take a while. He was moved to the base in San Diego to heal and recover there. As a part of his healing, he would do races and other projects with the Wounded Warrior Project. This was better therapy for him that what could be done in the hospital or physical therapy. He is now home and will never forget the wonderful opportunities he had with them. So now, it's time for us to give back. If you want more info, or feel inclined to get involved, you can click here for more info.
So this is what we have been up to lately. I will post more about the garden when we get it planted and pictures from the Race for the Cure!
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