Friday, December 26, 2008

Under Construction

Hi folks! I hope that you had a very merry Christmas. I am currently redesigning my blog in an effort to want to blog more. Thanks for your patience. I can't seem to figure out how to make the header stretch, as you can see.

Life here in Utah is grand. We have guests arriving tonight and are excited!

Be well, my friends.

Monday, November 10, 2008

My Exercise Routine

I would like to share with you my exercise routine.

Oh wait. That would mean I actually HAVE an exercise routine.

Went to the gym for 25 minutes on the treadmill at lunch today. It's raining cats and dogs so I decided to dodge the raindrops. Can I tell you how much I loathe the treadmill? It is so boring.

I am coming to the end of yet another year's gym membership. I am sure that I paid about $51 per time I went based on the ridiculously few times I used it. I am never getting a gym membership again.

I went to a yoga class for the first time Saturday. Wholy moly. That was a workout. I think I might try to do that once each week. Saturdays at 9am should work for me.

I just can't seem to get this exercise thing down. I know how important it is but consistency is just not my forte.

What do you do that works for you?

More Random Questions About Me

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I was 21 years old. I was in my first semester at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. I was one year post bone marrow transplant. I had just decided to live my life for Christ, thanks to God's relentless pursuit of me. I was living in what is my most favorite apartment ever: 2020 East 2nd Street holds many great memories of my 20s. I was thankful to be alive, and listening to my body by taking 3-hour naps every day. Every. Day.


Favorite Snacks?
Skittles. Dr. Pepper. Coca Cola. Chai tea from Starbucks. Anything with sugar, really. And I will skip the chocolate.


To Do List?
I love the concept of sorting high priority and lower priority items, but usually you will find me wandering in a sea of disorganization.


Jobs I Have Had?
Waitress
Retail sales associate
Non profit grant writer and program planner
Patient educator at holistic health care clinic
Health coach
Health coach training and development specialist
Clinical director of corporate wellness program


Favorite Characteristic about Self?
My ability to analyze situations and keep perspective on life.


If I Could Follow Someone Around for One Day?
Oprah Winfrey


Biggest Wish?
That I could just be happy with who I am, just the way I am.


Places I Have Lived:
North Branch, MN
Morris, MN
Duluth, MN
Salt Lake City, UT
Stansbury Park, UT


Bad Habits?
Nagging my husband, thinking I know everything, procrastination


5 Random Things People May Not Know?

1. I once thought that Jim should consider surrendering Duke so we could find a nice place to live, without having to find a place that accepts big dogs.

2. I hate that I have had my hair highlighted in the past.

3. I like the idea of being a forensic anthropologist.

4. I feel guilty when my linen closet is disorganized.

5. I like watching the NFL on Sundays.

What I'd Do if I Were a Billionaire?
I would relax. I would get serious about deciding what impact I would want to have on individuals I come into contact with.


Favorite Household Chores?
Laundry. Laundry. Laundry. It's so great to be able to start and finish a project. And with just two people, it's quite manageable. I am a proponent of hiring everything else out.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Election Day

Today was an exciting day. I got up bright and early and was in line at 6:59am to vote. The line was about 40 people long, and it took about five minutes for the doors to open.

It was exciting! I stood between two young women. One was voting for the first time in her 32 years. The other was a transplant from New Orleans; she came to Utah after Hurricane Katrina.

I was in and out in 39 minutes.

I think it's such an exciting day. I am so glad that so many people are turning out to cast their ballot. I have many people in my life who will vote differently than I will, but I am just glad we all take the opportunity to vote. That's what it's all about!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Happy Halloween!



What a cute little girl! April had so much fun being wrapped like a mummy at school.

Jim and I were not home Friday night, so we didn't enjoy the onslaught of trick-or-treaters. We didn't buy one piece of candy which was a very good choice for us.

My opinion is that Halloween decorations should come down immediately after the holiday. Autumn decorations like pumpkins and scarecrows can stay, but get rid of all the ghosts and goblins, please.

The other thing that I do not condone is hearing Christmas music on November 1. Which I did hear yesterday when I was out running errands. That is just a bit too soon for my taste. What do you think?

Sunday, October 19, 2008

April's First Day of Kindgergarten

I met April eight hours after she was born. It was October 15, 2002. She was this tiny little bundle of joy, the new daughter of my very best friend Kate. It was late in the evening and the hospital was quiet. I remember being so proud as I walked confidently past the nurses station to Kate's hospital room. It had been the longest 4-hour drive from Duluth to Morris, Minnesota ever!

And now she's in kindergarten. Here she is, all grown up on her very first day. She was heading off to Spanish immersion kindergarten where she is rapidly surpassing my own language skills.

Wow. I don't have any of my own but I am still shocked at how quickly they grow. She is such a cutie pie and I am so thankful she is in my life.

Sunday Morning Ritual

This Sunday is like every other. Duke is curled up under my feet. I have a cup of sugar and milk with a splash of coffee in it. And I am reading people's secrets at http://postsecret.blogspot.com/.

If you have never visited this site, take a peek. It may not be for you, but I find it fascinating. New secrets are posted every Sunday morning.

I can say with almost certaintly that I covet no secrets in my life. I don't think I can think of something that I have ever experienced or felt that I wasn't able to share with someone else. My husband is my greatest confidant, so he hears it all. I am thankful that he encourages me to simply be me. Every day. No matter what.

And I am thankful for friends whom I can share tough stuff with. Friends with whom I can be real, honest and genuine no matter the circumstance.

I did send in a secret once, though. And now that I think about it, it wasn't so much a secret as it was a statement to myself. It was a about a victory I had made in my life, something I had finally overcome. Creating the postcard and sticking it in the mail was invigorating.

For now I will get back to my coffee and then carry on with what will turn out to be a fabulous day. No matter the circumstance.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

A Silly Game

I will use the 1st letter of my name to answer each of the following questions. Play along, people.

1. What is your name? Amy. Duh.

2. A 4 Letter Word: Alta. The favorite Utah ski resort of my friend Sarah, who says she is bringing me there this year.

3. A Boys Name: Andrew. My first serious boyfriend.

4. A Girls Name: I love the names Amelia and Avery.

5. An Occupation: Accupuncturist.

6. A Color: Autumnal. I just made that up, it's a shade of orange.

7. Something you wear: Ann Taylor. The best brand ever. At least for my line of work.

8. A Beverage: Long Island Iced Tea. Wait, that doesn't begin with A.

9. A Food: Apples. My absolute fave, couldn't live without them food.

10. Something found in the bathroom: Apricot Face Scrub by St. Ives. I used this all the time in college but have since moved on.

11. A place: Anywhere But Here, USA. Did I mention I need a vacation?

12. A Reason for being late: Auto problems, but this has never happened to me. Only once have a run out of gas and my dear friend Megan promptly bailed me out. In thiry degree below weather in Duluth. I loved those warm spring days in Duluth.

13. Something you shout: "Amen!"

Ok, I tag anyone who needs blog fodder.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Random Thought of the Day

"Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses because the Joneses are broke."

I heard someone say that today on a CNN interview and thought it poignant!