Choices

Why I LOVE the Mormon Church!

2007-05-31T23:40:00.001-07:00

I, Liz Pedro, LOVE being a Mormon! Here are the top 5 reasons why:
1. I love the concept of an eternal family! Could there be anything more awesome than living with your family forever?
2. I love the temple! I went today and oh my gosh, it is so peaceful, so enlightening and so eternal. It's hard to put in words how I feel when I go there to do work and every who works there is so happy and loving. They just glow and they all say "hello sister". So hard to explain and I never want to leave once I go!
3. I love serving! I love the opportunities the LDS church has for me to serve. I am a primary teacher, a visiting teacher and a Mom! There is no greater feeling of happiness than serving others. Serving others has helped my depression more than anything else!
4. Celestial Marriage: I've been married almost 19 years and it is more awesome now than day one. I credit that to being married and sealed in the temple and keeping my covenants I make in the temple. Also for marrying such a great man!
5. Love: The gospel is based on love. My Heavenly Father loves me, the Savior loves me and everything is just based on love, love and more love. How amazing in a world that is full of unhappiness, disapointment and heartache!

I think the best thing about the gospel to me is that I don't have to apologize for loving the gospel or the church. I love the church, the gospel, the Book of Mormon and it is who I am.

She's Alive!

2007-05-31T23:26:00.001-07:00

I take a week of vacation and here's what I've learned so far.
- Oh my gosh am I stupid? Why aren't I taking more vacation? I am having a ball, getting a lot done and recharge. Europeans do have it right!
- There are a lot of funny things in life to make us smile. It's all about choices. For example, I was in Kmart tonight and I noticed that they sell Women's bikinis. Ok, I'm sorry but if you are wearing a size 22 womens bikini, is that right?
- Each week you have 168 hours and you only work 40 of them or 1/4 of those. So why in the hell do I let something that is 1/4 of my life affect it 100%? Holy crap, I let it affect my sleep, my evenings, everything! I need a swift kick in the rear
- Shorts for fat people. So I've been going to a reservoir every day I'm off and loving it!!!!!!!!! But yesterday I looked in the mirror in my shorts and oh my hell, I shouldn't be wearing shorts. I mean I am not monster fat, but damn I should not be wearing shorts until I get so lipo or something. Ew on myself!
- "One rotten apple can spoil the bunch" Chinese proverb "rotten wood cannot be carved". "The only disability in life is a bad attitude!" "A bad attitude is the worst thing that can happen to a group of people. It’s infectious"
- Quitting CAFFEINE is possible and healthy! I am sleeping better, not so tired during they day and much more. Probably the biggest success I've noticed from quitting is the ability to think clearer. Odd but true. Oh and weirder, my fibromyalgia isn't as bad. I read that before but I didn't believe it. My aches and pains just aren't as bad.

I miss my sexy beautiful friends and you know who you are. Love ya! Hugs and Kisses!
Liz

A Woman of Distinction

2007-04-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

About 10 years ago I met someone that really impacted my life. Her name was Kari Ozuna. She is now Kari Mason but still stands out in my mind as someone I will remember forever.

Kari was married for 10 years to her childhood sweetheart. They were never able to have kids and they ended up getting divorced. Later she started dating a coworker who was divorced and they got married. They were unable to have kids but he had 2 kids with their earlier marriage. A few years ago Kari was diagnosed with cancer and along the way got pregnant. Well so many miracles and years later, instead of both them not making it as predicted, the baby is fine and has absolutely no problems at all.

Kari however is getting worse. She only has a few weeks to live possibly and I've been crying all night over the news. Not one day of her cancer time or the problems with the baby did she complain, in fact when I worked with her she would talk to me about my problems and try to cheer my up. She is an angel amidst mortals and I wish miss her dearly when she is gone.

A week of experiments

2007-04-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

This week I thought I'd try some things different to help me lose weight. Here a some of them and a quick update on them:
- Replace soda with lemon water. I bought a case of water which I keep in my trunk and I've been buying lemons and adding them to the water. It's supposed to help cleanse your body and has something to do with alkaline/acid.
- Replace news with scriptures. Last Sunday I woke up and just said ENOUGH news, I'm sick of it so on my drive now which can take as much as 90+ minutes a day I listen to the Book of Mormon on CD. When I do treadmill, I listen to music on my Chocolate phone rather than CNN on tv. Ok sometimes I still watch Fox 13 news cause I love watching Big Budha. He makes me smile!
- Protein shakes for bfast. I am having protein powder with some diet smoothie mix with water and some fruit. Not bad I tell you! I even bought a cool little hand blender because one reason I hated making smoothies was I hated cleaning the blender thing. This little sucker you just rinse off under the sink, so easy!
- Harder workouts. I seriously worked my butt off this week with the treadmill. I used the incline, I ran more etc. I decided that if I want to look better I need to work harder, so I'm giving it a try.

Anywho, I'm down 2 pounds this week and I am going to keep it up! I don't feel depressed, I am cleaning my house, working on my flowers, helping my friend write a book etc.

It's amazing what a little TLC to ones self can do! Have a great day!

We've All Seen These Guys

2007-04-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

WE've all seen these guys, heck I even dated one or two in high school. And every few years the look resurges. In fact, hey he looks like Blake on American Idol this year. LOL

Click here to see the full size picture

20 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

2007-04-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds".
7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."
8. Don t use any punctuation.
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat...use a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."
12. Sing Along At The Opera.
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme.
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!"
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, "Run For your Lives, They're Loose!!"
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity.......Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.

The Drunk Indian

2007-04-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Easter and we went to the parents for an Easter egg hunt and some grub. My son, whose 12, was kind of tired so laid outside to take a nap on the grass. Sometime during the afternoon he got teased by his brother and cousins that he's an emo. It hurt his feelings and he took off.

He went to the church next door and laid on the grass. A neighbor took a look at him laying on the grass and called in to the police that there was a drunk Indian passed out on the church lawn. Only in Utah. The policeman showed up and kicked him to see if he was passed out. Then the officer started asking him questions like:
- Do you know you are at a church?
- How old are?
- Where do you live?
- WERE YOU ABUSED?
- Were you yelled at?
- Have you been drinking?

Again, only in Utah. Luckily the policeman was a nice fellow who understood that Ben was upset and took him back to his grandparents.

Oh my gosh. How sad. How racial. How prejudice. How funny!

Sick Notes and other funny stuff

2007-04-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is going on but I am so sick of negative news, negative people and negative everything. So my new goal is to find something funny every day and share it! Here's my entry for today, courtesy of Doug H. Click here to read some hilarious sick notes

I also want to list things that I am grateful for. Today I am grateful for my job. I have a friend who has been laid off for 1.5 years and I can't even imagine. No job is perfect but seriously I love my job and my coworkers. ;-)

A smile and other random thoughts

2007-03-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Well basically if I ever get down I don't call people and I don't blog. Not sure why I was down but I was and I'm back. Some things that have made me smile lately:
-Keys: Everyone has them, come on, admit it. Now I am not talking about your car or house keys. I am talking about those keys that you have no idea what they go to. I have a pair. I am sure my daughter took them (she likes to take things) and I think I know who they belong to. But they sit in my car because I can't throw them away, someone might know. I have other keys too and I have NO idea what they are for.
- My husband: He loves me unconditionally. Could there be a greater gift?
- My kids: I doubt they know how much I love them and cherish every second with them
- Teenage Drivers: Holy crap, my 15 year old son got his drivers permit and honestly while he is a way better driver than me, it still is so hard for me to drive with him. I get so nervous!

I always have SO many ideas going through my head, so I am going to start a few lists I want to keep track of somewhere.
Ideas to save money
- Use cash: You are less likely to spend cash that you would a card or check
- Sodas: If you like sodas always remember to use a refill cup. If you can save 50 cents a day

Losing Weight
- Drink water: Then drink some more. It's awesome for so many reasons!
- Exercise: Not pansy casual walking but the kind where you sweat! You'll feel great after I promise!

Why didn't anyone tell me.....

2007-03-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Why didn't anyone tell me how hard it is to lose weight? Holy crap - I honestly think I wouldn't have eaten so much crappy food if I would have known how hard it is to lose it.

I've been on Weight Watchers for almost 3 months now and lost only about 10 pounds. I have lost a few inches yes and I know Weight Watchers works, it's just taking so darn long! I want to try some different things to see if I can speed things up a little. Some ideas include:
- Cut out soda (ma ha - that' going to be hard)
- NOt be such an emotional eater
- Drink even more water
- Exercise more. I am doing about 30-40 minutes now but either take that up to one hour or add another 30 minutes at night.
- Eat more healthy?
- Add more weights? I've been doing upper body in my car while I'm driving and lost about 1 inch in the past four weeks which is great

To be continued....

Common Sense Lesson #111

2007-03-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

Eggs Explode. I learned that this morning. I put some eggs on to boil since that is what people on diets eat. And then I forgot about them.

So about an hour later I went downstairs and was taken aback by a really rotten smell. Honestly I hate the smell of eggs so bad that usually I can't eat them at all. I turn the corner to the kitchen and there is crap all over the counters, floor, just everywhere. I walked over to see what it was and oh my heck, there's pieces of eggs everywhere. I guess once it ran out of water in the pan, they exploded.

Six exploded eggs can make quite a mess. I started giggling so bad I thought I was going to die. I started sweeping up quickly and wiping off everything in like a 15 foot radius so my husband wouldn't see the mess I made. I thought I had it all cleaned up when he came down but I missed a very important place - the ceiling. Cause I'm short, I don't look up there. So I climbed up on the counter and wiped it off. It took forever and I'm scared of heights. I mean there wasn't just egg up there, there was black ok and there still is black. I still need to finish cleaning it.

The moral of this story is if you are going to boil some eggs that remember you put them on to boil. ;-)

Losing Weight Rocks - 10 pounds down!

2007-03-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Wow I've lost 10 pounds. Last weekend I was in bed all weekend totally depressed from not losing weight fast enough and just life. I spent a little time over the weekend researching how people with thyroid problems can effectively lose weight since I guess it's harder for us! YOU THINK?

It turns out that there are things I can do like drink tons of water, exercise even more and harder, increase my fiber (sounds fun huh), increase my protein and eat less gluteny foods like breads and cereals. So anywho, I did that for four days and it paid off - I lost 3.8 pounds this week. I even switched from having my cereal in the morning to having two grapefruit.

Which brings me to the grand total of 10 pounds! That is so cool.

Ok so I signed up for another 10 weeks. The whole I have to go weigh in to someone makes me really behave. Plus I have a great friend at work that's been coaching me.

Rock on ladies and gentleman!

Today's Forecast: A Little Sunshine

2007-03-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

Amazing, what a difference a day makes. All last weekend and first part of the week I was down, so down. Then the sun comes out yesterday and it's like a whole new Liz.

Oh so now it's raining. Today's forecast - stay tuned. LOL.

The Winter Blacks

2007-03-07T05:14:00.000-08:00

Every winter I get the winter blacks. Most people call them the winter blues but mine are a little darker so I call them the winter blacks.

It's so hard to explain depression to someone who has never had it. My Mom called the other day and said she hadn't heard from me in three weeks. I told her I had been down and she told me I should have called her. So here's the thing. When you are down you don't think of asking for help or even calling anyone. Personally I am doing everything I can to just survive.

If I could sleep forever I would. Thanks goodness for medicine. It's helped me keep things in check plus with my new eating habits, exercise and supplements I feel much better than I have other years. I am especially blessed to have a husband who loves me and helps me when I struggle. My kids are great too. They know to leave me alone and actually to help out.

10 Food Fibs That Make You Fat

2007-03-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

I came across the most interesting article today that I wanted to share. Here's the link but I've listed the top 10 things as a quick summary:

1) I deserve it
2) I've saved calories from skipping breakfast.
3) It's free!
4) It would be rude to refuse
5) It's not the same without [popcorn, hotdog..]
6) Supersize and save!
7) It would be wasteful not to.
8) But it's a party, we've got to celebrate.
9) Just this once won't hurt...
10) It's too complicated/expensive to eat right

Idol who?

2007-02-27T21:14:00.000-08:00

What is the heck is going on with Idol? Is the 5 year run over?
- I am so sick of the fighting with Ryan and Simon. It's getting old already
- Does Paula ever shut the hell up? Wow, she never lets Simon finish his sentences. Gees.
- Does Randy know any more words than dawg, dude etc? weird for an older guy to be talking like that

I'm impressed with the following girls: Melinda, Lakisha and Gina

For the guys, I have to say that I LOVE Chris. Ever since I started watching Lost, I love the Sawyer and Matthew Fox looks. Something about the rough and tough looks and Chris is hot. I'm pulling for him. ;-)

View From the Drivers Seat

2007-02-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

Five days a week I spend an hour plus commuting. I have been doing this about a year now and here are some things I have learned about driving:
- People love their cars. I have seen some pimped out cars, ok mostly trucks because I am in Utah, but we are talking way pimped out like wheels, spinners, rollbars and more...
- People put weird things on their cars like a sign I saw yesterday that said "100% Jesus". What does that mean anyway? Is it like Calcium fortified too?
- There are some bad drivers in Utah. I mean seriously where do these people learn how to drive?

Ok, when it was time for me to learn how to drive, my Dad took me to the Utah State Hospital and had me drive up and down the long driveway there. I am not sure if this is because he was the LDS Bishop there or wanted to take me somewhere I could drive and people wouldn't question me. But it was a memory I will never forget.

I did do something fun. I bought some wrist weights and I do a little weight lifting now as a I drive. It's kind of fun and maybe it will work.

The greatest feelings in the world

2007-02-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

* Losing weight and inches! I have lost 3 inches in the past few weeks just on my waist and hips.
* Walking. I like it, I really like it. I'm getting a new treadmill tonight and I am so excited!
* Being a Mom. I love my kids. I haven't slept for a few nights due to Sarah and her drama including a cap breaking, cracked tooth, pulled tooth, sore throat, fever and finally STREP.
* Privacy. Having kids means you don't get a lot of time to yourself. It's awesome to commute ALONE in my car and another one my favorites, lock the bathroom door.
* Drinking Soda. I can't give it up. Ok, I have gone to diet and caffeine free and tons less. I usually only have a 32 ounce one in the morning and then tons of water, I mean tons.
* Having a honey. There's something honestly so magical about feeling loved 24 hours a day. It's transformed me.

I love life. I love my family. I love my job. I love losing weight.

I'm Sorry Sarah

2007-02-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry Sarah about your tooth. It's my fault that the Dentist had to pull it yesterday. Maybe if I would have been more diligent in helping your brush your teeth, then you wouldn't have had to have a cap and you wouldn't have lost the cap and part of your tooth come off and then had to have your tooth pulled.

Seeing you cry as they used MAN-SIZED pliers to pull it out was really painful. I cried with you but not as loud cause I was the Mom and needed to be strong.

Then when the bleeding wouldn't stop, my heart bled with you.

I'm sorry Sarah. I'll try to be a better Mom.

Doctor/Docter, .coms and The Damn Candy Bar

2007-02-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, my 7 year old daughter was doing some reading games online to help her become a better reader. Click here to see the awesome website. There was just one problem. Sarah got all upset saying that the program told pronounced a word "Doctor" and she said no it should be "Docter". I had to have a whole conversation with her about why in Utah we says things a little differently. Funny.

Ok, this story makes me giggle. The other night my daughter was on the computer when all of a sudden she said "There's a lot of .coms out there". My husband and I started smiling and asked her what she meant. She said she can type in almost anything and then .com and then there is a site for it. She said for example, there's a sara.com. I rushed over to the computer thinking there was some skankly website but instead there was one called "Scientific Applications & Research Associates Incorporated." Funny!

One thing I have never been good at is discipline. For example, if I want to buy something and I only have $5 left in cash, I will spend all of that. If I want treats, I will buy some and then some more. So this weekend I bought some treats for my church class and I found one this morning in my purse. Instead of eating it, my usual response, I am saving it. I want to say no to it and every time I look in my purse I see it. Go Liz, get some freaking discipline in your life.

Getting Older REALLY bites!

2007-02-09T18:02:00.001-08:00

How sad. I'm getting old. Someone looked at me yesterday and said they knew why I was missing my outer eyebrows, it was because of my Hypothyroidism. How depressing, I feel like a freak now. I guess I have to learn how to draw in eyebrows and maybe get my damn thyroid tested again.

Here are just a some medical conditions I've been diagnosed with:
- ADHD
- Hypothyroidism
- Asthma
- Heart problems
- Endometriosis (but I got a hyster so I am soooo much better)
- Food intolerance (77 foods I know of so far like pepper, parmesan etc)
- Fat butt (oh wait that's not a medical condition just a consequence of excessing living)

Honestly I hate it and feel like a 'sickie', however if I don't take care of some of these, then it sucks worse. For example if I don't take my thyroid medicine, it affects like over 90 things in the body and I get so tired I can't even function. If I am not careful what I am not eating - I get so sick that I can't function either.

The point of my complaining is that I think I understand something finally. Last night I weighed in at Weight Watchers and had gained .4 pound in the last week. It was really depressing but the leader said for us to try to understand why we overeat or make poor eating choices. Honestly I figured it out tonight. I already struggle with depression a little but it's even harder when I feel hopeless about my medical challenges. Like today I was feeling bad about me not being healthy and so I ate more today than I had in the last week.

Slow Down and Breathe!

2007-02-06T04:24:00.000-08:00

I feel so stressed and I hate it! Things that are stressing me out lately:
- Commuting: I have driven 80 miles a day for a year, not sure why it's bugging me so much now
- Messes: The Superbowl party left me lots of dishes and cleanup to take care of
- Work: I am a pretty accomodating and helpful person but calling overseas at 5 am in the morning and then being asked to do a project in an totally unreasonable amount of time is really stressful!
- Restlessness: I am really restless and I'm not sure why. I used to fill up my spare time with reading news online, reading gossip magazines and sleeping. But these things bore me now and I haven't quite found something else to replace them.

Is it true? Is dieting and watching what I eat turning me into a monster? I used to be pretty happy eating my Reeses bites and Diet Pepsi. I had less worries ok maybe I didn't deal with my issues but I swear I wasn't this stressed out. I mean my neck and shoulders are so tight I want to cry and I've been getting these horrific sharp headaches that are just awful. I'm sure I'll be fine, I just need to slow down and breathe!!!

I Want my Office Back!

2007-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

Holy cow if one thing I can't get used to at my job is that I sit in a cubicle again! Gees at Novell I had an office for like the last 10 years. Ok honestly having ADHD doesn't help as I'm already in a state of pure distraction (EEKS) but to be back in cubes again is really hard some days. I mean honestly it is so quiet here I can hear my co-workers burp, every one of their phone calls and don't get me started on smells. It's really hard when I am on business calls and some people around you are having a party. Honestly I am usually the one having the party, I have a question board in my cube which invites everyone to come talk to me. It might be time to retire the thing.

I found some tips for working in cubicles:

Click here for the article
Click here for some cubicle etiquette

Everyone knows that when companies have cubicles it saves them money, but is it worth the decrease in productivity and increased employee stress level?

The Long Night

2007-02-01T22:37:00.000-08:00

The sky is dark and yet my mind is just awaking
I try to sleep but sleep seems so far away
Too many thoughts running through my head - they never end

I think of to-do lists, food and memories
I listen to sounds like snoring, the wind and my own beating heart
My own energy boils inside me like a fiery tornado

The books are piled next to my bed, reminders of things not done
My soul longs for peace day in and day out
Searching for answers I might not ever find

The challenges I face are in my own mind
Doubting and challenging myself every day
I long for a peace of a quiet mind
One that can rest and let me sleep. Please.

I'm losing weight - Weight Watchers is AWESOME!

2007-02-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! I lost almost 4 pounds in the last week. I am so excited that I want to scream it from the rooftops!

I can do it! It's an amazing feeling to do this and I already feel so much better it's crazy!

Stay posted for more and remember the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. lol.

The Fog Has Lifted

2007-01-31T15:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, first of all, I am really sick of numbering my entries so screw that idea.

Second, the fog has listed, literally. We had a stinky inversion here for a week or so that totally aggravated my asthma and made me wish we would have moved to Phoenix!

Third, here's some accomplishments:
- I have started exercising, in fact I did 40 minutes treadmill this morning. I have to do treadmill first thing in the morning or else I talk myself out of it.
- I am learning a lot about how my body reacts to food. I actually think I might have Celiac Disease which means I am gluten intolerant. I am not sure but I'm being more careful with my gluten eating.
- I love my job! How many people can say they LOVE what they do? I do and it's a really awesome feeling.
- I love my family! I am so blessed to have an amazing (and hot!) husband and three AWESOME kids who are my pride and joy! I don't think I tell them enough but I love them

I've lost a few pounds this month and man the inches are starting to fall too. It feels really good, I can't believe even small weight loss can make me feel so much better already. It's a really great feeling!

Go Pedro!

Choice #18: Less Time on the Computer!!!

2007-01-26T05:08:00.000-08:00

It's official. I gained a few pounds back already (DANGIT). However, last nights topic at Weight Watchers was 'move more'. I finally realized I have hit a point in my life where I'd rather sit on my butt and do 'stuff' than anything else. It's the last thing I do at night and the first thing I do in the morning. I have five main things I do well at least a few times a day: (1) Check work e-mail (2) Check my blog for comments (3) Check news (drudgereport and ksl.com) (4) Check my bank to see how much money I don't have and stress about upcoming bills and (5) Check my gmail account for personal emails. I am on computers from about 6 am until 10 pm, with some breaks for commuting, meals, tv and meetings.

Now that I've realized the problem. What am I going to do? I am going to get off my butt and exercise! See ya, I have to go jump on the treadmill! ;-)

Choice #17 - Getting People out of your Cube/Office

2007-01-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh! I am going to laugh my butt off. I came across an article online today that is so freaking funny! It's called "The unspoken language of…" and it has some tips to help encourage people to leave your cube/office. Here's a link to the full article but I have to share a few of my favorites! If you read the full article, I have to say the 70+ comments people have added to the article are pretty damn funny too!

Febrezeing
There isn’t a lot to say here. If people see you spraying Febreze on the seat of your chair, they won’t come around much anymore. By the way, Febreze really does work!

The Thousand Yard Stare
When you’re done listening, but your conversational counterpart isn’t done talking, consider the Thousand Yard Stare. Simply gaze at something way in the distance. Even if there’s nothing but an unadorned wall behind them. This is so unnerving that most people stop talking almost immediately. The effect increases exponentially the farther you direct your eyes from their face. Staring directly over their shoulder is the most subtle and the farther your eyes stray from theirs, the more intense the effect. For additional oomph, throw in the Slack Jaw, where you breathe through your open mouth while staring into the distance.

The Stand
This is a powerful classic. Sometimes you’ve just got to get someone out of your office/cubicle so you can resume your solitare game. When other tactics fail, turn to The Stand. It’s simple to implement. Just stand up. Take it easy, though. Too fast and you look like you’re about to rush to the restroom. Too slow and you look like you’re stretching your legs. No need to say anything upon rising. Just stand. If you’re cramped for space when you stand up, don’t give in–they’ll move. Often they’ll just say so long and be gone. If they don’t take the hint, place your hand on the door to your office, or the edge of your cubicle opening. If all else fails, take advantage of their need to draw a breath and say, "Well, thanks for stopping by."

The Lip Smack
I must admit, this is a personal favorite. So much a favorite that it’s lost some of it’s effectiveness around my office. Everyone knows what I’m doing and they just make fun of me. I hope it works out better for you. To implement the Lip Smack, simply pretend that you’re chewing gum loudly. The slower the better. Envision a cow chewing cud–that’s about the rhythm you’re aiming for. Don’t be afraid to show that tongue. If your conversational counterpart hasn’t witnessed the Lip Smack before, they’ll be temporarily struck dumb. As I mentioned, this effect eventually wears off and they begin to make fun of you. You’ll become a caricature of yourself. So don’t overdo it.

The Fast Walk
Nothing says "urgency" like The Fast Walk. Incorporate The Fast Walk into your daily routine and watch people stay away from you. Turn it on as soon as you park the car at the office. The Fast Walk says you’re busy. Combined with crossed arms, it says you’re really, really angry. Unless you’re walking in the direction of the restroom–use your own imagination to understand the unspoken message here.

Choice #16: Letting Go

2007-01-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Top 10 things I Should Let Go of to Find True Lasting Peace and Happiness:

10. My first year of college, a 'friend' totally stiffed my parents of some money. I thought it was pretty damn unethical what this 'friend' did and I felt terrible for my parents.
9. One time my husband was up at BYU and he was called into the honor code office cause his hair was too long. Hello, they are so stupid. He was NOT a student there, his hair only touched his collar and he's Native American and sometimes they have long hair. Ooh.
8. Novell laying me off. Ok so I wasn't a perfect writer but I was a good to very good employee and I have skills such as integrity, trustworthy, intelligent, professional, flexible and adaptable, reliable and consistent, self-motivated, productive, respectful and sense of humor. And I am a pretty positive person with a lot of passion, which managers have always loved. Until November 2005.
7. When I was 7 and living in Taiwan I was asked to dance with the Ali San singers when they came to our ward to perform. I was dancing with them when suddenly everyone started laughing at me. I ran off thinking they were making fun of me. Now I get it, it was cute that a little blond hair girl was dancing with all these Chinese ladies.
6. Taxes stink. For a few years I made money selling books online and I hated doing the paperwork and ended up owing like $5k in taxes on the books I sold. Why are people not rewarded for their entrepeneurial skills?
5. A boss that freaking wore the same clothes every day. He had like 7 pairs of the same pants, shirts and tennis shoes. Weird huh?
4. A boss that went by two different names, it depended on her mood. Man this lady could mess with my head like no other. One time she asked me to look for some rocks for her on my vacation. I spent my whole vacation swearing and pissed off that I was doing that. I am so stupid sometimes, I should have said no.
3. Problems with my family growing up. I have an awesome family and parents that did the best they could and man the older I get, the more I realize how awesome they are. Dang, they were A+ parents and I have awesome brothers and sisters. But it seems like our past experiences always keep us from moving forward
2. BYU experiences again. I had a few times I wasn't allowed to have articles published or do research I wanted to do, because it was too controversial. That still kind of cracks me up because I am so not controversial.
1. The prejudice towards my children for their skin color. They have been called a bad racial slur for another race, which makes no sense except some people in Utah are ignorant. There have been other cases and there will be continue to be more. I need to let go.

Choice #15: Being a Happy Working Mom

2007-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

Growing up, I honestly never thought I'd have to work. I don't know why, there just weren't that many working moms way back then. Well voila, here I am a mom and working. I started working when I was 12 years old catching nightcrawlers and I haven't stopped since. Oh yeah, there was that laid off stint for a few months which I hated!!!

So let's talk about being a working mom. Honestly it's has its up and downs like everything else. The downs are worrying about dinner every freaking weeknight, being really tired all the time, trying to stay up on the laundry and dishes, not getting to go to all my kids school activities, having to worry about homework every night after working and being tired as a dog, and there's more but I am so not going to sit here and whine all day about it.

As far as good points of being a working mom, I have social interaction during the day and there are more. For years though, I've been a guilty working Mom and last night my husband said "Liz you need to focus on your professional career. I can take care of the kids and house." It was an odd feeling, like I felt like he was giving me permission to not be guilty. What a moment! I've always worked hard but I have to admit I think a little piece of my heart was always holding back. Oddly enough, I felt like if I enjoyed work too much then I was betraying my children and my mother role.

To all you other working moms out there, don't let the guilt get to you! Rise up and enjoy both motherhood and working, it's possible. In fact, I dare you!

Choice #14: Making Your Own Happiness

2007-01-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

According to a good friend of mine, today is Blue Monday: The unhappiest day of the year. Great huh?

"Today, say experts, is the unhappiest day in the entire year. Unpaid Christmas bills, nasty weather, and failed New Year's resolutions combine to make January 22 the gloomiest in the calendar." Read the full article

Hey, Have a GREAT day! ;-)

Choice #13 - Top 10 Reasons I Want To Lose Weight!

2007-01-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

10.Cause I can!
9. Because I turn 40 in 3 months
8. Be an example for my family
7. Mobility
6. Discipline
5. Walk up stairs without running out of breath
4. Looking Hot for my Honey
3. New Clothes! No more shopping in the 'woman' size clothes (I can hardly wait!)
2. I want to feel good about myself when I look in the mirror
1. I'm really curious what I'll look like skinny!

Choice #12 - Believe in Miracles

2007-01-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

Two Missing Boys Found Alive...

Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby disappeared 4 1/2 years and 40 miles apart. Police were stunned to find both boys - alive and apparently well - in the same suburban St. Louis apartment.

Read the full story Read the Full Story

Choice #11 - Women Supporting Women

2007-01-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

I have worked in the Corporate World for nearly 20 years now and one thing that continues to freaking baffle me is how women can sometimes treat other women in the workplace.

For example, yesterday Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, attacked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for being a childless woman. See full story Wow, how tacky.

What if she couldn't have kids? I had problems getting pregnant and miscarried three times, and it killed me (UNDERSTATEMENT) when people such as co-workers and even my LDS Bishop asked me why I hadn't had kids yet. Even worse, was when I returned to work after having kids and was treated so poorly by men and women (!!!) for being a working mom. Come on. Like I wasn't in TOTAL hell already going through post-partum depression, the guilt of taking my newborn to a daycare, the pressures of being a working mom in Utah, let alone our LDS society. I could write probably a few hundred posts about the rude, insensitive comments that have been made to me over the years, and again most by women.

Can't we all get along?

Choice #10 - Staying Focused!

2007-01-12T06:17:00.000-08:00

Last night was my first Weight Watchers weigh-in and OH MY GOSH - I lost 5.2 pounds in a week. Is that so awesome or what?

One of my challenges of my life has been staying focused. As an adult, I was diagnosed with ADHD and I would have to say that staying focused is not easy for me. However, since I lost 5.2 pounds already, I am going to have to find some focus and keep it! I've actually had some weak moments already in the first week, but I treated each new day like a new day and started over on the points I need.

Probably the most important thing I've done is increase my water. I went from drinking only soda in a day (usually 2-3 32 ounces) and NO water to now drinking probably 100 ounces of water and maybe one 8 ounce soda in a day. The lady at Weight Watchers said drinking water is huge if you want to lose weight.

My theme for 2007 is "Taking Charge of Your Life". Go Liz!

Choice #9 - Defining my Career Goals

2007-01-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

A while back I had a job interview where I was asked what my career goals were. I wasn't able to answer and honestly this has been a major thorn in my side for a few years. I used to be very career driven and worked 7 days a week, many evenings included. But then one day I realized I didn't want to. I had worked so hard and never really gotten promoted financially or with a promotion so I decided to give 110% of myself at work and then be with my family at night and on weekends.

This has been one awesome decision I've made! However, it has caused me to not know my career goals! Since that interview I have spent a few (LOL) hours on the internet searching what a goal answer would be to this question. I think part of the problem is that I've done quite a few things and need to decide what my career goals are.

So I had some ideas. What if I broke them into short-term, mid-range and long range. Here is my attempt at doing this:
- Short-term goals (6 months)?Become Marketing expert (read, become certified etc) (others)
- Mid-range goals (1 year)? Become well-known in industry, ie speaking opportunities, publish articles etc
- Long-term goals (3-5 years)? Manager or Director of Marketing

Choice #8 - Caffeine OR NOT!

2007-01-08T14:36:00.000-08:00

One my challenges over the last 23 years has been caffeine! Thanks to signing up for Weight Watchers last week, I started drinking tons of water and cutting back on my caffeinated soda drinks. Yesterday, I only had ONE 8 ounce can of Diet PEpsi (MIRACLE, trust me). So then today my friend send me an article about the health benefits of caffeine. Read the article .

To drink Caffeine or not - That is the question....

Choice #7 - Less news, more laughs

2007-01-06T07:34:00.000-08:00

As some of you know, I watch and read WAY too much news, which is pretty damn depressing. I mean honestly for hours a day I listen to news about deaths, murders, natural disasters, politics (yuck), affairs, and other lame stuff that has nothing to do with MY life. I feel like a robot at times "Must watch news" just because I don't want to sound stupid if someone asks me if I heard about x, y or z story.

In an attempt to laugh and smile more, I am going to have to do something about this. I learned about a new site Click here and I've come across a few others.

Here's a few fun or interesting stories:
* WOMAN'S BRA BLOCKS BULLET... (Ps I am glad to hear they are good for something)
* Bank issues credit card to cat (Wait, I have a cat...)
* Bronx toddler saved during four-storey fall(I love this story!!!)

Choice #6 - Balancing my life

2007-01-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I went to a lecture and having a balanced life. I was asked to rank myself on a scale of 1 to 10 on the following areas:
- Career
- Finances
- Health & Self-Care
- Relationships with Friends and Family
- Romance
- Your Personal Growth
- Fun and Recreation
- Home and Physical Space

This is a great way to divide up things so here's my take. Romance is a 10+ and all the others need some serious work. Honestly Health and Self-Care I would give myself a negative and also my personal growth. Oh well, it's an interesting way to look at things.

Learn more about the wheel here
Learn more about Libby Gill here

Choice #5 - Taking Charge of My Life

2007-01-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

It's time for me to grow up! I mean seriously, what 40 year old do you know that eats what they want, sleeps in some mornings, swears like a sailor at times, and is just so immature? Well, that's me.

I want to take charge of my life and do it now! So I thought about signing up for the Army, just kidding, they don't take princesses like me. Instead I am going to do my own thing where I seriously work on getting more disciplined etc.

The first area to work on is weight. I signed up for Weight Watchers last night and wow, I can do this! I found some great resources online for Weight Watchers and other diets Click here. I'm so excited to get started. I hope I can keep my motivation up!

Choice #4 - Getting Off the Bench

2007-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I had a friend speak at a church activity for me. She talked about in life as in basketball we need to get off the bench and 'participate'. I've thought about this for a few years but I think I get it now. I am more of a watcher than a doer at times, especially when it comes to fear of losing anything.

I am in a situation where I am totally unsure about the outcome. However, instead of me sitting on the bench and watching everything going on, I really want to play. So yesterday I did. I got involved in a project that is hard and a bit out of my comfort zone (on a few levels) but I am doing it. And I am giving it 110%.

Go Pedro!!!

Choice #3 - Weight Watchers or Not?

2007-01-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

The dreaded 40 birthday is coming along and I think I'm ready to do something about losing weight. I've seen some pictures of me recently that scare the crap out of me. I can't even look at myself in the mirror anymore.

So I am seriously like 95% about there ready to sign up for Weight Watchers. There are meetings every Thursday in Springville and according to all the research I've done like people who do weight watchers lose weight and keep it off.

What's the hesitation? I don't know. I'm scared. I hate to pay money for almost anything. I guess the first step is to admit I have a problem. Ok, I have a problem. I'm fatter than I am comfortable with, I don't know very much about eating right and I need some motivation/accountability.

Ok, I'll sign up. Wish me luck!

Choice #2 - Drink more water

2007-01-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I am very addicted to Diet Pepsi, so I have decided for every cup of diet soda I drink, I have to drink a cup of water. Should be a good way to keep me from being so dehydrated.

I love my Diet Pepsi, I've been drinking it since High School when I worked at Reams in Provo at the Snack Bar. I love it, love it, love it, love it and love it!

But increasing water I will do. Cheerio mates!

Choice #1 - NO More Resolutions

2007-01-01T19:19:00.000-08:00

Last year when I was laid off, I decided I wanted to write a book on choices and how they affect our lives. In 2007, I want to talk about a choice I've made every day and the impact on my life.

Today's choice is about resolutions. Every year, I set them only to beat myself up later for not achieving them. 2007 is going to be a year of life style changes and choices that will be with me for the rest of my life. I think that's the problem with resolutions and even dieting. These are short-term fixes which is why they probably don't work for me.

This is the year when I grow into the woman I've dreamed of, blossom into a beautiful rose, transform into a beautiful butterfly, ok enough with the trite sayings. I hope you get my drift! Anywho, so not making a resolution feels awesome! So much pressure is off me.

Let's Go for a Ride

2007-01-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas vacation and your family wants to do something. You take ideas, then vote and number one is to go for a ride in the canyon with your family. My husband and son go 4-wheeling all the time. It will be fun, right?

Hell no! We go up Diamond Fork canyon and in less than 5 minutes I am already scared to death! My honey sees a little road going up the side of the cliff and takes us up there. Oh did I mention that it was covered with snow and ice? So we go up about 1/4 of a mile when lo and behold we can't go anymore. Our tires suck and they aren't gripping and like we can't turn around because um we are at the top of a snow/ice covered hill. Oh we are in four wheel drive and spinning. So basically my husband can't use the brakes, the gas, or steering. So we slide backwards, even sideways at times. Now this wouldn't be a problem usually except for one thing. When I was kid my Dad and my Uncle Kent would take us 4-wheeling in the old jeep. They liked hills that were vertical and I can remember getting on the floor in the back seat, covering my head and crying. I'm such a baby anyway, and add the possibility of death and my drama skills go into overdrive.

I was sure we were going to die.

But we didn't. I am still alive thanks to a smart husband and a vehicle that behaved. I was shocked when we got back to the bottom and I realized the cliff wasn't that bad. In my mind I had imagined it much worse. Could a catastrophe have happened? Well yes it could of. Did it though? Um, no. It was fun after all.

Things to do on Vacation

2006-12-26T20:34:00.000-08:00

- Watch lots of Mythbusters episodes
- Catch up on laundry and dishes (FINALLY)
- Play tons of games with the kids from Aggravation, Chinese Checkers, Phase 10
- Sleep and then sleep some more
- Go to lots of movies
- Not work (My favorite)

Great Christmas presents!

2006-12-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

I sure got some awesome Christmas presents! My favorite present is a back massager which feels so amazing. I think I know what I'll be doing during the next few days...

Another great present I got was some frying pans! For years I had thought I can't cook and that I am a failure when it comes to cooking! However before Christmas I thought it would be nice to have a few new frying pans. So I got some, I am so excited! I already cooked some eggs and pancakes and they turned out great. Funny.

I had some serious fun with Lemuel's present this year. We were shopping in Macey's a few weeks ago and we saw a Nabisco display with Rachel Ray on it. Lemuel LOVES her cooking show and thinks we kind of look alike. So I went back to Macey's later and asked the Manager if I could have the cutout. They called me later and said I could pick it up. I've had the cutout poster in my son's closet for weeks. This morning i put it by the tree. I don't know if I've ever seen Lemuel laugh so hard as when he saw Rachel Ray this morning by the Christmas.

Too Much Time on My Hands

2006-12-23T19:53:00.000-08:00

I survived the family Christmas party- In fact I had an awesome time! I didn't get upset by anything and loved it all! I really love my neices, especially GEISHA. Ok, she's not really a geisha but she has the most beautiful porcelin skin that is just gorgeous and she died her hair black so I called her a geisha (LOL). I'm weird.

Honestly, I am worried about the next week or so. What the heck am I going to do for a whole week?? I am working a few days but the days I am off, I am just stressing about. I mean what does a normal person do all day when they don't work? I love going to movies but since it's almost Christmas we don't have much money left. And I can't just sit and watch TV all day and night cause I don't roll like that. I don't read magazines all day and night anymore. I am not just the type to sleep all day.

I Want my Lizzy Back!

2006-12-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

I want my Lizzy back! My good friend, Liz H. left me for a new job and I miss her terribly. I cried on my way home last night because I miss her so much. Here are some of my fondest memories of Liz:
- Doing a high-kick contest and Liz fell on her butt!
- The trip to the mall that included someone taking a nap
- The trips to Motif
- The lunches where I got to hear my Lizzy ask for her 'special' requests
- The mediation service she provided
- Her laugh (it always made me smile)
- Our bathroom talks
- And so much more

I'm going to be wearing black for a while, ok more black, during my mourning for her.

A woman's purse....

2006-12-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

A woman's purse is sacred men - Don't get into them! Last week I was giving a few male co-workers a ride to lunch and one of them who was holding my purse pretending to get into it to see what I'd do. I kind of freaked out.

I didn't freak out cause I have anything to hide, it's just that a woman's purse is sacred. I don't carry tampons anymore (Thanks GOSH!!!) but I did have some other things that I was embarassed about:
1. It's so bloody messy! It's hard for me to find things
2. I carry things that are weird. If I pick up the house or car somethings I throw things in my purse (Ie little people guys, racecars and other odd things)
3. Medicine(I am a walking pharmacy - I carry Ibuprofen, tummy stuff etc)
4. Lipstick (I think I have like 7 different lipsticks, glosses etc). Guys always say things like 'Isn't one enough?' Whatever - you women know what I am talking about right?? (LOL)

OK, that's enough. I think you get the picture. Have a nice day!

The Family Christmas Party

2006-12-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

In 5 days, I get to go through one of the hardest experiences I have to deal with every year-- The family Christmas party! Every year, we meet for a few hours and it's hell seriously. Take a trip with me and you'll see why:
- Chaos: There's like 70 people or so and my ADHD cannot stand all the sights, sounds, smells etc. I'm overwhelmed in the first few minutes I get there, which then I retreat into a room to escape. Which isn't very social but it's called survival mode for me
- The Control: Some people like to be in charge and control things. Nuf said.
- My attitude: I walk into my parents house and cop an attitude! Here I am almost 40 and I turn into a rebellious teenager. I swear a ton, and I do things just to bring shock to others. Nice huh? As my son would say "Very mature, Mom".
- The fun factor: Because certain people like to control things, I feel like we are in a military camp and the fun isn't there are much. It sucks.
- The family: I recently learned that some of the new members to our family through marriage feel left out. That makes me feel bad as I like some of them a ton!
- I'm a terrible aunt: I don't even remember some of my neices and nephews names

Why aren't we friends anymore? Why is there so much stress? I mean honestly I love my family, but why can't we get along for even a few hours?

Some people should NOT drive!

2006-12-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

I am starting to think it's me! This morning I was on my way to my buddy Liz's wedding and I freaking ran over some metal and ruined another tire! SHOOT! I coasted down to McDonalds and left it until my husband could come fix it. Here are some other car experiences I've had which make me wonder why I still drive:
* 1983 - Locked KEYs in my car while it was still running
* 1984 - Experience where I flashed my brights at a cop (not a good idea)
* 1985 - Was driving my parents to the airport in SLC when my car engine caught on fire
* 1995 - Accident from hell where our car was nearly total and insurance companies fought over it for like 2 years
* 1998 - Car broke down on the way to Arizona
* 2000 - Car broke down on way to Seaworld
* 2006 - 2 flat tire incidents, 2 cars died in St George

These aren't even all of them. So either I have sucky experience with cars OR we have sucky cars. Not sure, but dang I am surprised I still drive!!!

Is Christmas Over Yet?

2006-12-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

Honestly, it's not that I hate Christmas, it's just so much work. In honor of this 'special' holiday, I thought I'd write some of my favorite and not so favorite things about Christmas:

Favorite Things About Christmas:
1. How Happy the kids are on Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve
2. My Christmas Potpourri (I'm preparing another batch this year due to the huge amount of requests from family and friends)
3. The yummies people make and bring over to us
4. The time off work! It's so nice to take a few days off when the rest of the world is taking a few days off too.
5. All the movies that come out! Being a movie addict, I love going to movies all over Christmas vacation. Fun, fun, fun, fun and fun!

LEAST Favorite Things About Christmas:
1. Going to the post office to ship stuff to family out of state. It honestly doesn't matter when you go, between the lines and grumpy people, it really sucks.
2. Crowds! Oh my gosh, I hate crowds so much that I only go to the mall maybe 1-2 a year. I had to go today and it took me 22 minutes to find a freaking parking spot.
3. What a sap I am! Oh my gosh, I cry in almost every movie I go to and yes even movie trailers. Christmas kills me between hearing about poor kids not having Christmas and people spending Christmas alone, I will pretty much cry for the next few weeks straight.
4. The money or the lack thereof. Years ago when I was more disciplined, we used to set money aside every month and then have about $1200 every Christmas. Well not any more. We had to sell our Expedition to even afford Christmas this year.
5. The pounds the yummies put on me.

Surviving vs Thriving

2006-12-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

This concept has been on my mind lately, well ever since I went to a conference in Texas about a month ago and heard Libby Gill speak. She talked about having balance in your life and some other awesome stuff. But it has launched my never-ending thinking into a new area.

Why do I exist in a state of surviving all the time rather than a state of thriving? Here are some examples of me just surviving:
- Making minimum payments on my credit cards and bills
- The laundry is done but never folded
- Most of the dishes are done but there are a few dishes always left in the sink to be washed
- I want to lose weight for my 40th birthday but I'm not doing anything about it
- Drinking Diet Pepsi NON-STOP during the day to give me enough energy to get through yet another day
- Getting sick every few months from pure exhaustion
- Not having any real hobbies that I love and can relax doing which means I am in a constant state of go-go-go

These are just a few things but this is really bugging me. I've had enough of this! I want to thrive now. Is it possible? I think it's a great idea but I'm afraid I'm just too tired to do anything about it (lol).

A Hunting We Will Go

2006-11-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

Ok since I was a little kid I've held back on complaining on this topic, but Oh my gosh I can't hold it in anymore. I do not like hunting! When we were growing up my family hunted a lot and our meals usually included Venison and here's the worst one for me - Jackrabbit! Ew, ew, ew, ew and ew.

So last weekend we went to the little town of Fremont, Utah and for breakfast we had rabbit. This is a very complicated topic since my 12 year old son is starting to like hunting a ton! I mean he LOVES it. My son went hunting with Grandpa and got themselves some rabbit. At breakfast my Dad gave my son the heart and said "In Mongolia, the hunters eat the heart of the animal they've killed because it makes them stronger." Ok, we aren't in Mongolia but my son ate it anyway. Then (drumroll please) my Dad sent the rabbit pelts home with my son and they are now in the garage drying out.

Are you Connected?

2006-11-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

Ma ha. I'm sitting in the middle of a small town and have wireless. We came on vacation to Fremont, Utah and we have spent the last few days finding wireless hotspots and getting on the Internet. Funny! My 14 year old can't live within getting online and checking his myspace page. And then my 12 year old has been checking his email since he didn't miss any e-mails from hot babes.

Wicked. In Spanish Fork, where we think we are so technology advanced we only can see a few wireless networks and yet we go to the middle of nowhere and we have four times as many wireless connections.

It's cool now though. We can't find the BYU/U of U game on the TV, and so we are sitting here on some road watching the score. Awesome, I love being connected! GO BYU!

Random Thoughts From A Tired Mom

2006-11-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

I survived Thanksgiving and I made my first mashed potatoes. Ok, they weren't great cause I was way too inpatient to get all the lumps out. BUT it was a good idea to add cream, cream cheese, warm milk and butter. They were pretty darn good even my boys said so.

The last few days I have a been a little down and when I talked with my husband to see why, the only thing I've been doing tons more of is reading magazines like People, OK, and stuff and of course my usual getting stuffed on news. I mean I think he seriously has a point. Lately I HATE reading about breakups in the news, like Reese Witherspoon, ok Britney's Spears breakup was good but now supposedly even Rachel Ray's husband cheated on her. Since I have been married for nearly 18 years and that is one of my biggest fears, the thought of cheating REALLY bugs me and I feel sorry for these women. I think I am going to have to go on a news/gossip mag diet.

More random thoughts:
- I have a new boss and I love him! Gosh, this is like the first holiday in years and years where I am not like working and checking e-mail the whole weekend. It is so awesome!
- I love movies! Oh my gosh! My favorite is the Illusionist, tonight I saw DeJa Vu, it was aight
- I hate crowds! My husband went to a few stores today and there ain't no way I would ever do that. I would rather pay more and wait for an item than be there at 7 am or around hundreds/thousands of people (YUCK, YUCK, YUCK)

News that makes you go WHAT the HELL?

2006-11-21T18:47:00.000-08:00

China Admits Selling Prisoners' Organs

Coast Guard catches cocaine-filled submarine

My Meal With Poison Spy

GOOGLE HITS $500 A SHARE; MARKET VALUE $154,570,000,000.00

Where Did You Get Married?

2006-11-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Ok, I can't resist. I came across a news article yesterday that is still making me reel. If you haven't seen it yet, take a look. I mean I thought getting married in Vegas was bad but wow. Here's a blurb and a link for the full article

"Room 15 at the Caliente Hot Springs Motel seems like an unlikely place for a wedding. There are no flower-covered arbors, pews or candles. It is an apartment-style room with a kitchenette, a bed, a dresser, a table and a couch. But it was in Room 15 that dozens of weddings took place between underage girls and men from a polygamist sect, church insiders say."

Full article
Motel room was often site of polygamist rites

Enjoy and hey if you come across some odd news or interesting stories, please share! I really get a kick out of them.

Is It Prejudice?

2006-11-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

David Letterman used to have a segment and he probably still has it which is called "Will it Float?" In this game, he used to take an item and then ask the audience "Will it Float?" and a hot babe would put it in a tank of water to see if it floated.

Well, since we moved in our home here four years ago, we've had a few thing happen that made me wonder "Is it Prejudice?" Now according to my husband and kids, it's not prejudice, it's just a bunch of dorky kids across the street and they even think they know who it is. But it's a little upsetting to me, just a little. Last night, they switched the power off on our house which with the help of the awesome Spanish Fork Power Company employee who helped us out, we troubleshooted and got it turned back on within about 20 minutes or so. But other things that have happened include leaving a soda bottle filled with pee on our porch and some other things that aren't your usual neighborly things to do.

So I have a choice to make:
- Option 1: I can think it's prejudice and get all upset, frustrated and offended.
- Option 2: Or I can think it's just a bunch of stupid kids who think they are funny and just brush it off.

And I choose.... Option 2! Bring it on, boys.

Not enough News

2006-11-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, I think I have a problem, yes another one (ma ha). I am addicted to the news. I wake up at 6:00 am or so and start listening to the news on the radio and then listen to it while I get ready and during my commute until I get to work at 9 am. Then a few times throughout the work day I check my favorite news site (Drudgereport) and even other news sites. Then on my way home I listen to more news on the radio while I am commuting.

Oh my hell, I was adding it up today and that's like 4-5 hours a day of news. NO wonder I am so negative, and morbid and all that. Eeks, imagine if instead I filled that time with something positive. Tips anyone?

Finding Happiness

2006-11-14T23:24:00.000-08:00

CNN just released a new article on happiness. Here's a few snippets. "Americans will spend $750 million on self-help books this year and more than $1 billion on motivational speakers. More than 100 colleges now offer classes in positive psychology -- the science of happiness. With all those resources focused on achieving happiness, we should all be brimming with joy."

According to a Pew Research Center survey, the happiest age group is men 65 and older; the least happy: men 18 to 29. The survey also found:
* Married people are happier than singles.
* College grads are happier than those without a college degree.
* People who were religious are happier than those who aren't.
* Sunbelt residents are happier than other U.S. residents.
* Republicans are happier than Democrats -- but both are happier than independents.

Read the full article "The truth about happiness may surprise you".

Finding Your Niche in Life

2006-11-13T04:57:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how life's little turns and twists can help you find your dream job! Honestly, when I look back at my life it's amazing I found this job at all!

I started at BYU in 1985 and had no idea what to study. Honestly I went there because I was 18 and there were no American boys where my family was living in China. I was a typical teenage girl who wanted to be around boys. So I came to BYU and did terrible (LOL). Only after I was kicked out for poor grades and got back in a year later, did I find what I wanted to study - Communications! I loved those classes I took and eventually graduated in Print Journalism and a minor in Sociology. I say eventually because it took my from 1985 until 2004. Holy cow, that's a long time but hey I did it.

In the meantime, I started working. I spent 12 years in call centers and then ended up managing worldwide sales programs at Novell and doing sales communications and eventually employee communications. So pretty much 18 years in sales and marketing.

Gosh if they wouldn't have laid me off, I would never have found my job now which I absolutely LOVE. I love working with customer references, I mean love it! I love working with customers, I love helping sales out, I love getting the references. I love it all! Thanks Novell for laying me off!

Thanks Mom! I love you!

2006-11-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

Why oh why does it take us so long to get things? When I was in High School I had something happen to me that was rather embarassing. Ok, honestly I had quite a few embarassing moments in high school, but today I am just going to focus on one of those times.

I was either a junior or sophmore in High School and my Mama and me went to a gas station. This gas station was in Provo, Utah and it was a little gas station on 9th East by my house. When we went in there to pay (You used to have to pay inside in the old days) I saw a kid from my high school in there. Heck, it's been 23 years and I still remember his name but for the sake of privacy I won't use it.

Anywho, so this kid being the popular, smart aleck kid he was made some wisecrack about me. I don't even remember what it was, but I remember it maybe was a phrase with the word 'ho' in it. So my Mama got mad as all get out and popped him in the nose with her hand. Now I have to tell you, that would not have been so bad if it would have just been her hand, but my Mama wears jewely larger than most people's noses. On that particular day, she had on a ring with a big stone, I'm pretty sure it was Amber stone and she punched him so hard he almost cried.

I was humiliated then and humiliated up until about five minutes ago when I realized what she did for me. She stuck for me at a time when I wouldn't have. Bless her heart, I love my Mama. Thanks Mom.

Observations of a Traveler

2006-11-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Can I just tell you how much I love watching people? For some of my life I have been a little reserved and kept my head down a lot. However, since approaching 40 I have suddenly found this new burst of confidence, and it's kind of cool. I think it's a combination of getting to know myself better, having an amazing family, having a job I love and working with really neat people.

So today I had the opportunity to travel from Utah to Dallas. Honestly it was the first time with my new confidence that I have traveled. It was awesome and it was such a different experience. People came up to me and sat by me and talked to me like crazy. One lady and her son came up and her little boy came right up to me and wanted me to hold him. I did and made me smile and laugh. It was cool and it helped the Mom have a break before she got on a long flight.

It's funny how much blogging has helped me. I have ADHD and my mind constantly wanders, it honestly doesn't stop with new ideas, thoughts etc. So finally I have an outlet to release this, my blog. When I was in the airport today, I just whipped out my notebook and wrote some random thoughts (traveling, being cool, getting old, people walking, clothing, jewelry and weight goals).

Ok, quick update on weight. I did lose 10 pounds and got my nails done, which was a fabulous motivator. However, with Halloween and my lack of willpower, I didn't meet my goal for this trip. Oh well I won't give up.. I only have like 5 1/2 months until my 40th birthday and I really need to get my butt in gear. I want to so feel good at 40. I feel like I am about to enter a new phase of my life.

My Busy Guardian Angels

2006-11-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school, I was a terrible driver and had all sorts of interesting experiences. Here are just some of my experiences:
- Locked my keys in the car at a high school basketball game WITH the car running
- Had a car engine catch on fire while driving on the freeway
- Had my Dad's jeep for MORP one winter, snowy night when the drivetrain broke in the middle of an intersection
- Was pulled over by a policeman on the night of my high school preference because I flashed my brights at him (d'oh)

Anyway, one day when I was a senior in high school I had a thought that just made me start giggling. I realized I probably had not one but maybe 2-3 guardian angels, because when I get on the road it's a little dangerous. I actually pictured them trying to keep me from getting into a few accidents a day. Sad to say, I still kind of suck at driving. I now commute 60-90 minutes a day and continue to do stupid things. Here are some things I did on my way to work today:
- Applied my eyeshadow and mascara (the lighting is so much better in the car)
- Plucked my eyebrows (I've become really good at doing this without even looking)
- Ate my breakfast burrito including putting on hot sauce every bite or so
- Called American Express to pay my bill online which include lots of entering numbers in my phone
- Did my lipstick including lip liner
- Reviewed my calendar and to-do list for today

Ok, enough you get the picture! I need to start being a better driver so those guardian angels can help someone else.

A Mighty Army

2006-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a great experience I wanted to share. My awesome Dad has worked at the LDS Missionary Training Center (MTC) for 5 1/2 years as a volunteer. He would be there 7 days a week, 6 am until midnight sometimes. He held a few jobs there, but his last one was District President and he got released yesterday. He mostly counseled missionaries, if they were sad, lonely, confused, sick or any other needs. He was like a unpaid counselor and worked with tens of thousands of missionaries.

So we got to go to the mission conference at the MTC because he was being released. There were over 2,000 missionaries there, young and old. It was really awesome. As soon as I walked in the room, I could feel something special. Ok, maybe it was because I walked in with my two teenage neices who are hot (even I know that) but there was something so awesome about it.

During the two hour conference, there were a few talks but mostly there were some incredible musical numbers. I bawled. I'm not shy to admit it, I am so moved by music. My neices laughed at me. I went up to talk to the missionaries after and told them how much they touched me. They were kind of shy.

Like a mighty army, they go forth with faith.

All I Want For Christmas is... A House Fairy!

2006-11-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

So I have an idea what I want for Christmas! It's a House Fairy! Now many of you might not know what a house fairy is! That's because I just made it up.

House Fairy : A little Fairy who comes and cleans your house every week. She does it quickly (because she has a wand) and she does a great job (because she's magic) and she never messes up (because she's a fairy - Hello - A Fairy with a magic wand). And she's free, cause she don't need no money, she's a fairy!

Some jobs for the House Fairy:
- She replaces toilet paper on the toilet paper roll
- She cleans toilets until they rae so clean you can eat off of them
- She finishes the last few dishes that never get done
- She folds the laundry INCLUDING socks
- She cleans windows inside and out
- She dusts the blinds and the rest of the house while she's at it
- She cleans our cars inside and out!
- She cleans all the walls until they look new again
- She specializes in cleaning up cobwebs
- She repairs things like leaking sinks, fixes holes or anything for that matter

If anyone knows where I can find one, please let me know!

The Transformation of the Workplace

2006-11-03T15:15:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! What has happened to our society? I was just sitting here at my dream job and realized not a soul was talking but instead everyone was typing away at their computers. What has happened to us? Why don't we talk in the workplace anymore? I've also noticed that I would MUCH rather e-mail someone than call them! And heck I even e-mail or IM (the devil of all time stealers) someone rather than walk one cubicle away to talk to them.

What has happened to our human race? Why don't we talk, or do as much interpersonal communication anymore? Is it that because of computers, we interact less and we are getting worse at it?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Anniversaries!

2006-11-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

Wow - I can't believe it! Today is the one year anniversary of me being laid off from Novell! Amazing experience! For the last few weeks I have been in a funk over this. Being laid off had it's positives and negatives. On the positive, I had been there 12 years and I was a little burnt out and the team I was on wasn't the greatest fit for me for a few reasons. I probably wouldn't have left if I wouldn't have been booted. I also needed a surgery for about three years but never had it done because I didn't want to inconvenience my team. STUPID. The day I was laid off, I got myself scheduled for the surgery.

However, being laid off killed my self-esteem, well what was left. Another thing was sitting at home. When I was ten, I started working. I lived in Hong Kong and had a babysitting business. When I was 12, I had a nightcrawler business. I actually spent one whole summer catching and selling the little squirmy things and I made $800 dollars which I used to buy schools clothes. Pretty much my whole life I have worked since age 10 so sitting at home is not fun for me at all. I hate it. I mean HATE it!!! Plus being the primary breadwinner and not working was a lot of pressure. You know the recommendation of having like 6 months salary saved up, um no, I didn't even have two weeks. I did get severance which like a few months worth but then that was taxed at 40%.

Another thing I've been upset about is wondering if my friends are going to get laid off. I hope all goes well for them and that they survive.

Some tips about being laid off:
- Never join a team like 9 months before a layoff.
- If you know your teammembers don't like you, GET OUT! Find a new job asap and don't even look back. Loyalty to a team that doesn't care about you is worthless.
- Be as classy as you can about it. Try to keep your composure as how you react to being laif off will be remembered and talked about for years!
- Be prepared: I had the insight to copy all my 60+ phone numbers for friends and family that I didn't have anywhere else. On the other hand, I forgot to get email addresses and 12 years of emailing people, I had a lot of family and friends that I still don't have their email addresses.

Oh well, enough bellyaching. Time to go back to work! Have a great day!

Halloween Report

2006-10-31T19:41:00.000-08:00

Ok folks, the results are in:
- Sarah got 204 pieces of candy tonight! Sarah gets 5 pieces a day and so she should be done with the candy in 40.8 days
- Most received candy was suckers, 18 of them in all, and she likes them
- Weird things she got (purple plastic cockroach and little container of playdough)
- Strange items (chocolate laffy taffy, small granola bar, an eyeball (??) and money)

"Today was the best day of my life," said Sarah. "I got tons of candy, went to a fun Halloween party, my teacher dressed up like a nurse and I get to stay up. One of my friends had the coolest outfits, he was batman and the bat on his shirt lit up."

The end!

PS - Ben had to chime in with the weirdest thing he got. He got a coupon, yes a coupon, for a karate class. Ok, it's not a bad idea, but heck he's 12 he don't want no coupon, he wants candy!

Lies Doctors/Grownups Tell You When You are a Kid

2006-10-30T20:35:00.000-08:00

1. "Don't worry, you'll grow out of your zits. Grownups don't have zits!" Whatever, Dr. Nimer, here I am almost 40 and I get zits. Growl.

2. "Oh your menstrual cramps won't last forever." Um, well yes they did. And the only way I got them to stop was to get a freaking hysterectomy in November 2005. Which by the way, was the best thing I ever did. One time I had a 6 month period, oh that was fun.

3. "Breastfeeding is Amazing." Ok, honestly it is pretty cool but damn it hurts too. Holy shiz. I worship the ground of women who do this.

4. How about this one? "Winning isn't everything" OH yes it is and how. Seriously, in work, in life, in school, winning is everything.

5. Oh here's a good one "Looks aren't everything." I call bull on that one. Seriously, I was just reading the other day how those with the good looks make the most money, get the best jobs, and have great lives. Check out this interesting article "Good Looks, Good Pay" If this topic interests you, there has been tons of research done on everthing from the shape of your face, to your height, to so much more. It's so fascinating.

There are probably quite a few more, but that's it for now. My ADHD is ready for me to move on to another topic.

Things that Make Me Say WHAT?

2006-10-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

Lately a lot of things have been on my mind including:
- How come I am great at saving for my retirement ($100k+) but then I live paycheck-to-paycheck? I don't get it. I make enough to live but yet I am always out of money.
- How come when I start walking finally, I am now having shin splints, sore swollen knees and my left foot is killing me? I just want to lose weight, not feel all this other crap. ON that same topic, why is it that I just started walking every evenings and then with the time change I can't walk at night anymore cause it's dark!!!
- Why is it that some couples are married forever like 10 years and can never get pregnant but then some teenagers look at each other and get pregnant?
- Why do kids grow up? They are so darn cute when they are babies and little kids. When they get older they start talking back, they fart and they smell. (JK kids I love you)
- Why is it that people who are nice always get screwed? My Dad is seriously like the smartest, nicest person I've ever known, but yet he got fired/laid off a few times.
- When company x does their yearly layoffs, why do they always lay off good people? Last year when I got laid off, another fellow I know did. That guy was employee of the year a few years, always worked like 12 hours a day, was VERY good at his job and the nicest guy ever. I didn't get it then and I still don't get it now.
- Why is the laundry NEVER done? I seriously can't remember a time it was all washed, folded and put away. I need a maid!!!
- Where do those missing socks go? My husband needed church socks yesterday and we found like four socks but not their matches. Arggg.

Halloween Candy!

2006-10-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

I fall for it every year! I buy my Halloween candy early so that I have that checked off my to-do list and get my endorphin rush. THEN we eat it all and I have to buy more. It's probably a plot to get us to spend more!

The National Confectioners Association estimates that 2005 Halloween sales were $2.1 billion, easily making Halloween the biggest candy season. This year, sales will certainly be higher. HOLY MOLY! Does that sound shocking to anyone but me?

Ok, so let's protest! Let's change Halloween. Let's give out pieces of bread, that way if someone is starving at their house, they'll have food not candy. Plus if you give out wheat bread that is healthy, then we should see the impact on American's obesity problem, say in 5 years. Let's do it!

Time Changes: I still don't get it!

2006-10-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

I hate the time change! OK, there are benefits, especially in the fall when it falls back, I benefit with an extra hour of sleep and I get on a better schedule BUT I can never figure it out. I know the whole 'Spring Forward' and 'Fall Back' but what does it mean and why is it so hard for me to grasp? Honestly just typing this makes me realize it can't be that complicated but yet it is. All I know is that if I wasn't married and my honey changed all the clocks then I would be in some serious trouble!

Oops! I Did it Again!

2006-10-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Being married has it's ups and downs. I have been almost married 18 years and I love it! There's only one problem that we have and that is that I drive my husband crazy. He's so mellow and I'm so hyper. He's really peaceful and I'm so chaotic. He's very centered and I'm ALWAYS working to improve myself. Anyway, it's the old concept of yin and yang and it has worked great over the years. But every day there is at least one or two things I do that just drive him nuts.

Ok, so today I did it again. I have this nasty habit of taking lids off of things and not putting them back on. We were having tostadas for lunch and we love this hot spicy mexican sauce called 'el pato'. Well I put some El Pato in a container and then it wouldn't come out so I took the lid off. And then I set it back on, thus the problem is that I set it back on, not screwed it back on. SO when my honey went to get some El Pato, about 3/4 of the hot sauce spilled all over his tostados. Oops. He looked at me and said "You did it again huh." OH well, you can't cry over spilled El Pato, but I guess I can learn to start putting lids back on.

MEET Your Weight Loss Goals

2006-10-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

Due to the incredible shrinking Liz, I have been asked to share how I am dropping so much so fast. Here you go. Quit eating. ok, just kidding

It's the acronym M.E.E.T.:
1. Make realistic goals This was step 1 for me. For example, it took me a few years to gain all this weight, I aint gonna lose it in a few days or weeks. Another example, I aint gonna be the skinny prom queen I was in high school. Ok, I was never a prom queen but still I need to realistic. Years ago I heard a quote "The Only Way to Eat an Elephant is One Bite at a Time". I love that. I know try to keep in mind that all worthy goals take time to accomplish. I apply it to everything. The only way to lose weight is one bite at a time, one decison at a time. The only way to save money is one quarter at a time etc.
2. Exercise Get off your butt! Yup, seriously I don't care how religious you are, you can pray all you want, but that aint going to help you lose weight. Do some exercise, heck I just walk and it's starting to drop off. Cool, huh?
3. Education This is a huge one for me. Dude I didn't know a donut from a pigs butt. I was eating stuff like supersize sandwhiches with salami, sausage, cup o noodles, breakfast burritos and couldn't figure out why my ars was getting bigger. So I started reading magazines like Prevention, Weight Watchers Magazine and a new one I found called "Looking Good." What a great investment rather than the trashy gossip mags I used to read.
4. Treats Treat yourself to rewards. I mentioned earlier that I get a magazine for every 5 pounds I lose and my nails done every 10 pounds. I love magazines and my nails getting done. This has probably been the biggest motivator

Well, good luck! You can do it! If I can do it, heavens anyone can! For years when I was struggling with my endometriosis and a bad work environment I lived on Diet Pepsi and Reese Bites Candy. lol.

Things That Make Me Smile

2006-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

1. When my little girl comes in my bed during the night and snuggles with me
2. Losing weight but more importantly having people notice (BIG HUGE GRIN)
3. My husbands' kisses, smiles, hugs, smell, and snuggling with him
4. Seeing expensive cars (Porsches, audis, bmws) broken down by the side of the road
5. Getting the 'nod' from my boys and their friends. You know that nod that means "you are aight Mrs. Pedro"
6. Seeing my #2 son get better grades. He used to get poor grades and has brought them all up this term, even gotten a few A's. What a superstar!
7. Helping others out
8. Shoes, especially nice Italian leather ones (ooooooh)
9. Diet Pepsi
10. Good Friends

Dad - Mom has too many shoes!

2006-10-25T03:55:00.000-07:00

Guys will just never understand that women love shoes! At our home, we keep our shoes by our back door. My teenage boys are always complaining about Mom's shoes and how I have too many! They are boys, they need um maybe three pairs - school, sports and church? Anywho, they are always complaining so this morning I thought I'll count them. Ok, I guess I do have a problem. I have 12 pairs of black shoes alone. But they are all different, I promise. I have black boots, black flip flops, black flip flops with heels, black dressy patent leather, black dressy matte... Ok, you get the picture.

Why do we love shoes? For me it's because shoes make me feel like a woman, they make or break an outfit and they totally reflect my mood. Totally. Like recently I have been losing a little weight, so I feel better. I have a pair of shoes, black of course, for when I feel hot. They have ankle straps, oooh. I love those.

Anyway, gotta go. I have to decide which pair of my lovely friends I will wear today! PS - No broken ankle, just a 2nd grade sprain but I got him some crutches since he can't hardly walk at all and they will make the babes totally go crazy (LOL).

Broken Bones and Love is Alive

2006-10-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

WE think it happened again! My #1 son appears to have broken his ankle. What is wrong with that you ask? Well, let's see he has broken four bones in his life so far. What is up with this kid? Oh and he's had stitches and concussions and so much more. My two other kids have never even had anything. He does play sports a ton, so a lot happen then.

So tonight's incident begins at Basketball practice. Hello, football just ended two weeks ago and he's already got practice every night for bball which starts next spring. When he called me for a ride home I knew something was up cause he just seemed like something was up (mommy intuition). Then I went to get him and I saw it. His right ankle, which is the foot he broke before, is swollen like 4 x its normal size. Nice, oh well, it's iced and he's resting. Good thing honey has tomorrow off so he can take him to get x-rays. Fun huh?

Is love alive at your house? It sure is at mine! Last Saturday the Pedro family band played at the Ward Chili Cookoff/Variety show. It was the first time we had played together ever. I signed us up for the variety show and then just told them like a week ago. The 12 year old has had a few drum lessons, the 14 year old has taught himself guitar and bass, I sang, my little girl danced, and my husband played guitar. We did "Love is Alive" by the Judds, it was so awesome! Very fun. Love is alive and well at our house.

NINE pounds down! Week Two Update

2006-10-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Wow! I am doing it! It feels amazing. Some observations and lessons learned:
1. Walking is so working! Wow, my clothes are getting bigger. I haven't even done a ton but my body must like me doing some. I am doing about 30 minutes a day but I am going to increase that since it's working so well
2. Rewards really work I really want my nails done but I my goal was at 10 pounds I can get them done. What a motivation!
3. Skipping meals is dumb - I am thinking the 6 meals a day thing body for life teaches is good. I'm trying to do that. Oatmeal for bfast, lunch something good, few wheat thins here and there. wheat bread etc. I need to tighten this up a little
4. Power of Suggestion - I am a food ho. If anyone suggests a food, I have to have it. Scary. Last week someone mentioned oreos, I went and bought some and ate them. I don't even eat oreos, scary huh? A few months ago someone mentioned the Carne Asada burrito from Betos and I've probably had 10 since. Crazy, I don't even like them. lol.
5. PEPSI is the devil. Nuf said.

On another note, I am so blessed to have some friends that I do! They know who they are but seriously thanks! You make me a better person and that is what life is about!

Chili Cookoff Update

2006-10-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Dang! I didn't win the Chili Cookoff again this year! Last year I won 2nd with my old recipe and this year I used a friends recipe (thanks Doug and Heidi) and it was like the best freaking chili I've ever made. Oh well, there's always next year (insert evil laugh here). I might just have to try one of the recipes I mentioned in an earlier blog (alligator chili, the one with alcohol etc.) JUST KIDDING.

Ok seriously folks, it's been a really hard week. I almost quit my job. It's been really stressful for a few reasons, and I left Wednesday thinking I couldn't do it anymore. I took a few days off to think things over. During those few days, I interviewed at another company and was even asked to go back to final round interviews on Friday. However, after much thought decided I wanted to stay at my current job. Have you EVER loved a job so much that you are like excited to go to work in the morning? Or worked somewhere where almost everyone you work with is just totally awesome? Or had a job where you are making a difference? Well I have all three and I don't want to give them up.

What this means is that I need to learn to deal with some challenges I have at my current job and seriously even do some changing to adapt to my current situation. I mean honestly I have so many things I want to work on to improve my work performance and to be a better team player.

ON another note, the diet isn't going too great but not too shappy. I have kept off the 6 pounds I lost, PLUS I am starting to lose inches from walking (Thanks Nichole!) I swear one of my favorite feelings in the world is to have my clothes getting baggy on me! Wahoo. I went back on soda because of my inability to handle stress but I am going to get back on the wagon next week and keep walking and dieting.

Deep Thoughts from a Grown Up

2006-10-20T20:38:00.001-07:00

So much to say but no words come out
So much to learn but where do I start
I thought I knew the answers
but now there are more questions

So much to see, but not enough time
So much to hear but I don't listen
I thought I knew the way to the door
but then I saw there are many doors

So much confusion and even some pain
Not sure where to start or where to begin
So many things I don't understand

Can't Get Enough of the Internet

2006-10-18T04:26:00.000-07:00

US full of Internet addicts: study

The United States could be rife with Internet addicts as clinically ill as alcoholics, an unprecedented study released suggested.Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine in Silicon Valley said their telephone survey indicated more than one of every eight US residents showed at least one sign of "problematic Internet use."

According to preliminary research, the typical Internet addict was a single, college-educated, white male in his 30s, who spends approximately 30 hours a week on non-essential computer use.

Read the full article

Odd News and Other Stuff

2006-10-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Wow. Sometimes do you ever read news and go what the heck?!!!!

*Diamonds are icing on $20 million wedding cake
* Drunk Norwegian breaks into prison
*Fried Coke a big hit at US state fairs
*New jail visitor dress code: Bras a must

Attention!

2006-10-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a paid writer! I can't even tell you what an awesome feeling that is. So I love writing, if you can't tell (LOL). But to write and get paid, is really cool. And to write, get paid and get positive reviews is totally amazing! I have been writing for a friend on interesting (and sexy ha ha) topics like:
* What is Bluetooth Technology and Why Do I Need It?
* Important Tips on Buying Cordless Phones
* Panasonic KX-TA824: Advanced Hybrid Phone System
* Choosing a Cordless Headset
* iPod Accessories: Getting Started Guide
* On-Hold Marketing and Advertising for your Business
* Crosley Radios Yesterday and Today
* Phones for Persons with Disabilities
* EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Emergency Gas Shut-Off

Honestly though it's been amazing! I think I have written like 15 or so now and I LOVE doing them. I love the whole process from research (my favorite), to like compiling (2nd favorite) to fine-tuning them (yuck) to emailing them to my buddy who posts them (ok that is my favorite)

Anyway, if you need a quick overview of any of the above, take a look and if you like the guide, you can vote you liked it, which makes the numbers go up and I scream and get all excited every time. lol

Click here to see the guides I have written

The Only Way to Eat an Elephant is 1 bite at a time Week One Update

2006-10-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

1. Cup o Noodles for lunch is a really stupid idea (Bird you were right again). It has so much sodium and carbohydrates for probably the whole day. Duh Liz! Where is that Dieting for Dummies book of mine?
2. Starving is not the way to go. Ok, so my initial idea was to do Isagenix mornings and nights and then just eat lunch. However, I feel like I am flipping starving. So I am going to start doing Oatmeal for breakfast, as fiber has been proven to help lose weight. And then I'm thinking about doing the six meal/snack a day thing from Body for Life. Heck that's worked for millions of people, gosh Liz maybe you should try it. LOL
3. I miss drinking soda. I mean come on, water gets boring. Even my little caffeine drinks get boring. I am allergic to milk so that's not an option.
4. I don't care what you add protein powder too, it don't taste good. Yuck! A few years ago a neighbor told me about some protein powder called MLO Super High Protein. I bought some and gave it a try. The weight fell off me like skin on a leper (ok that was bad but hopefully you get my point). However, it takes yucky. I just put some in oatmeal (EW), I usually just add it to water and mix it up but man that tastes like cardboard. Oh well, I'll try it for a week and see how it goes.
5. Rewards work! Since I lost 5 pounds, I got to buy a magazine. Funny when I got laid off I got REALLY addicted to those gossip magazines like People, US Weekly, ok and quite a few others. But when the severance money ran out so did my purchasing of those magazines. When I bought my magazine this weekend, I bought a Prevention Magazine that I have been devouring bit by bit. Five more pounds and I get a new outfit! Wahoo!

Dad - The Tooth Fairy Didn't Come Again!

2006-10-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

Dang, it happened again! The Tooth Fairy forgot to come last night! What is wrong with her and is there a number I call to complain? Gosh, she came with my two older kids but now on my 3rd kid, my baby, she always forgets. How sad. Some day my daughter is going to need therapy to figure out why the Tooth Fairy never visited her. And that poor therapist is going to have one hell of fun time explaining that sometimes the Tooth Fairy gets old, get a thyroid condition, and fall asleep BEFORE they take care of the tooth/money exchange. Oh well, I'll run upstairs now and sneak a dollar under a different pillow and say the tooth fairy mixed up what bed she sleeps in. Gees, it has worked about 10 other times, maybe it will work this time too!

Best Damn Chili Ever!

2006-10-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love to win! So this next Saturday is the 3rd annual Somerset Ward Chili Cookoff. Last year I came in 2nd and it was funny cause my son and friends voted and so people said I cheated (LOL). But it turns out the numbers were mixed up and they had voted for the wrong chili and so I REALLY did win 2nd place. (Insert Evil Laugh here)

There are only six days left until the cookoff, so I have spent the better part of the morning researching on the Internet. I mean honestly if there was a job I could just do research on the Internet, I would be happier than a tornado in a trailer park. Anywho, so I found quite a few recipes and some that puzzled me. Ok, when I looked at the recipe titled "The Best Damn Chili" the first ingredient was "1 can good beer (bass/guinness, etc.)" Hm, maybe not that one. Another one actually had "negros' listed as an ingredient. That just don't sound right to me! And then I came across the "Alligator Chili". It actually calls for one pound of Alligator meat. Heck, where am I going to get a pound of alligator in the fall in Utah?

My plan is to research recipes and then create my own that is a mix of all of them. Honestly, I already made a really good chili but I want to win, and first place this year!

Halloween Costumes

2006-10-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Halloween is an interesting holiday. Boys are pretty easy when it comes to costumes, they usually want to be vampires, ghosts or something gruesome. A few years ago I bought a basketball head and my boys have been wearing that. Anything for candy.

When I had my little girl, I was pretty excited. Ooh, I could get her girly costumes like princesses, fairy, etc. When she was younger, she went along with my Mommy choices. But now she is 7, it's been a little more challenging. For weeks we have been arguing on what she could be. She just wanted to be a vampire or something else dead. Nice, huh? Yesterday we went to Kmart and spent two hours (YES TWO HOURS) in the Halloween department looking at every single costume. I would start out and say something like "Be a cheerleader, look how cute this is". And she would say 'What about a dead cheerleader?" I would pull out a cute witch costume and she'd come find a girl vampire costume. She even wanted to be an inmate (yeah nice job to whoever came up with that costume).

Finally I came across a medical uniform that was pretty cute. She hated it, UNTIL (drum-roll please) I suggested we get a beating heart thing and suggested she carried the heart in her hand and say she's a heart surgeon. It worked! Yeah, and it didn't break the bank. Will I ever have my girlie girl? Oh, I really doubt it but I adore her to death anyway!

Two more quick updates. Husband is on medical leave now and thinks the pressure/pain he has had for over three weeks now is finally alleviating a little. He has appts with chiropracter and neurologist this week. Also, on the diet. So I've lost five in a week, I expected to lose way more but I guess that's a good start. This morning I added in protein. Since I don't like meat too much, someone once told me to take protein powder and it would help. We shall see.

“Liz is NOT going to be a fatty at 40 plan”

2006-10-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have 6 months and 10 days until I am forty. And I'm overweight, relatively not like Kirsti Alley before, ok so maybe, no probably not. ANYWHO, I came up with a plan last weekend which I have been asked to put on my blog. So here is my plan and I'll keep you updated on how it's going.
* Quit soda cold turkey
* Start drinking a buttload of water (about 120 ounces day)
* Do Isagnenix shakes 2 a day (am and pm)
* Eat lunch (anything I want, but try to be smart about it like lots of protein, no dessert, salad, veggies, watch fat). Ok honestly sometimes I just have a cup o noodles cause I’m lazy but hey, what can you do
* Few snacks a day (little bag of wheat thins and isagenix snacks)
* Walk 2 a day (30 minutes each time)
* Caffeine as need (those little Morning Spark things I've mentioned below)
* REWARDS: (every 5 pounds I lose I get a magazine or two. every 10 pounds I get to have my nails done which I love and every 15 pounds, I get a new outfit and pair of shoes)

I'm already down 5 pounds in 6 days but that's probably mostly water. And hell considering I never did ANY of this before, it shouldn't be too hard to lose some weight.

K, last thing until my next ADHD moment hits. MOVIE RECOMMENDATION: Akeelah and the Bee. Wow, 3.5 stars out of 4. Really cute movie, did not expect it to be so great. It's a keeper! Have a good weekend everyone!
Liz

Dad - Mom didn't pay the Homeowners fee!

2006-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

So first of all I have to admit I am bad very bad when it comes to paying bills. I have PERFECT credit but it's cause I know how to play the game. In the past I haven't worried about some bills too much, like homeowners fee. NOw I pay, but just every now and then and I'm not even sure if I pay the right amount.

For years, the Homeowners Association has been threatening to cut off cable to those in the 'community' if you don't stay caught up on your fees. I guess I thought since I was the first owner, they'd cut me some slack. And because my brother-in-law is the builder (lol). So last night after my son's game the kids tell me that our tvs aren't working. All of them. D'oh! I knew exactly right away. I feel so bad, well kind of. I guess they were serious. So I fumed all night. But then this morning, I guessed on the amount (yes again) and wrote the guy and kind of pleasant/but kind of bitchy note that asked him to turn it back on. And also said "PLEASE let me know what I owe to turn it back on. COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY" and I gave him my email and phone number.

I haven't heard anything yet. And the tvs aren't back on yet. Oh well. Maybe in a few weeks. And this week is UEA in Utah, which means all 3 kids (14, 12 and 7) are out of school with no tv. How funny is that! Good thing we have dvds.

Odd News and Other Stuff

2006-10-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep again which means, drumroll please, it's time to surf the internet for weird stories. Here you go and enjoy!

*Death-row prisoner gets pregnant in solitary (NEW)
*Turkish woman gives birth at the age of 64
*Cockroach-eating contest bugs animal group
*For some men, sports pre-empts emergency room stop

The Laundromat and the Last of the Toilet Paper

2006-10-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Ew, ew, ew, ew and ew. Tonight I was headed to my son's last football game (ok it was Varsity and he's backup quarterback but he's still part of the team). Anyway I needed to use a restroom quickly due to my major overconsumption of caffeine today. So the closest place was a Laundromat. I ran in there and ew, ew, ew, it was dirty and gross and I was a little scared. I know it sounds silly but when I was first married there was a local laundromat where some women were kidnapped, then taken somewhere raped and beaten. So I am a little scared of being at one.

And you know what? I did something terrible. I think I am going to go to hell. I used to always be so responsible, so thoughtful of others, so considerate. I hit 39 and damn I am not the nice little girl I used to be. Ok, you might laugh but I've been a pretty straight-laced girl my whole life. It's kind of weird to be thinking bad thoughts. Ok, bad thoughts for me aren't too bad but it's still funny. I did something bad tonight. I used all the toilet paper in the bathroom. Eeks, how scary some person won't have toilet paper and it will be all my fault. I am turning to the dark side. ooooooooooo.

Morning, Afternoon and Evening Spark

2006-10-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am such a wimp! I couldn't take the headaches anymore from the caffeine withdrawals, so a friend told me about a new product. It is made by Sturm Foods and called "Morning Spark". It is a sugar free caffeinated drink mix. So I did some research on the internet and according to a Lisa there "Each serving of Morning Spark contains 160 - 180 mg of caffeine which, according to Lisa, is the equivalent of two cups of coffee or two eight ounce Red Bulls." Note - each packet is two servings, so wake up. I went to Wal-Mart and couldn't find them. The nice little food guy (Thanks Haraldo) went in the back and found me some. I bought six boxes. I feel so much better now. Wahoo!

Miracles and the Snicker Bar

2006-10-10T23:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight a miracle happened. I was at my Son's football game in Kamas which should be named FREAKING COLD KAMAS. Holy moly. So while I was there a friend offered me a Snickers bar and I said no thanks! WOW - It's a miracle! I love chocolate, food etc. I think it's from when I lived in China and Taiwan when I was growing up. There weren't many 'real' treats there and so I've spent my whole life making up for it. lol

Ok, one funny story. So another thing I love from living overseas is Cup o noodles. I am allergic to seafood and many other things we had in China but one thing I wasn't allergic to was Cup o noodles and I love them! Today at lunch I am eating my exciting lunch when I got the hiccups. You know I get them all the time, I think it's from eating and talking at the same time and trying to shove food in at 100 miles an hour cause I have so many other things to do. So I hate the hiccups. Well everyone knows the tip to heal hiccups is to drink water upside down on your top lip. Laugh all you want but since I have hiccupitis I know it works. I did this right away today and dang if I didn't forget to do this with water. Nope I had my lovely Crystal Lite Raspberry Lemonade and it went right up my nose. Crap, that hurt. I had to blow my nose quite a few times to get that sweet taste out. ouchie. I lived, the hiccups left and another lesson learned for the Weird Liz.

Morale of the story - When eating, eating slow and good heavens never drink crystal lite upside down.

Dear Diet Pepsi

2006-10-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Diet Pepsi,

I know that we have been friends for 23 years now, but we just can't go on. I give you my heart, soul and money and all you give me back is cellulite and emotional cobwebs. I feel like I have given 99% to this relationship and you have only given 1%. I think about you morning and night and while breaking up is hard to do, I know it must be done.

Tomorrow is going to be a new day for me and you just aren't in the picture. I hope you understand. I'll miss you dearly and think of you often.

Love Forever,
Liz

Mama is so Proud of her Boy!

2006-10-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, remember the teenager who thinks I am not cool and that everything I say is wrong? Well I have to tell you I am so proud I feel like I am going to burst. Since this little man was two years old, he said he wanted to play quarterback. Honest to goodness, he used to have a little BYU quarterback uniform that he wore around the house, even on Halloweeen. We still have the little helmet that saved his life when he fell down some stairs trick or treating one year.

Anywho, so here he is a Freshman in High School. He goes to American Leadership Academy (ALA) and he is the JV Quarterback and the backup Varsity Quarterback. I am so proud watching him play. He loves doing the shotgun so I call him "Shotgun Sam". Ah. He is really good. He also plays Basketball and Baseball but since his Mama loves football, it's the game I love to watch him play. Tonight was the last JV game of the year and he rocked! They lost but he did great, I mean great! Mama is so hyper from tonight's game that she can't even fall asleep at all! More blogging I guess!

Nice job Sam!

What to say to a teenager?

2006-10-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Nothing! Because anything you say is wrong. For example, if you ask about classes, they get annoyed cause they are fine, perfectly fine. If you ask about girls, oooh, don't do that. If you ask about football, you get a look, like you don't know mom so get over yourself. If you mention any flaws, like let's say a zit, you get told "Mom, I don't have a problem with it, so why do you?" It's amazing, no matter what I say it's wrong. He said it was just around his friends, but guess what every morning when I drive him to school, his friends aren't in the car. Hmmm. How long does this stage last?

The Mirror

2006-10-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

I want to walk where I haven't walked before
A world where I'm at peace
Peace with who I am and who I want to be
Will I ever find it?

When I look in the mirror I want to cry
Who is that woman looking at me
There's too much pain when I look in the mirror
I just won't look anymore

How do I start the journey of finding me
And where do I begin
I want to start
but I don't know how

Discipline and Willpower are not my friends
I don't remember ever meeting them
Where do I find the strength inside
to find myself again

The layers hide me and my pain
I'm scared to discard them
What if I expose myself
And then I get hurt again

It's a scary journey to go on
but one that I must
For I not only crave the peace
I must find it

The voices in my head tell me I'm ugly
and to give up
But I know better than to listen
For they don't know the truth

For nothing is stronger
Than a woman who knows
That she is stronger than the ropes
that try to bind her