A Change of Pace

Has it really been months since I've posted? Because honestly, it feels like even longer! The last few months have just dragged and dragged and dragged. Many things have happened that have turned me from a manager at an educational publishing company to a stay-at-home wife (which is what I've secretly always wanted to be). But the road that lead to my new position wasn't quite the way I planned things.

About five or six years ago I have a disc in my lower back that ruptured. Surgery fixed the disc and life was to go on as normal . . . until about six months ago. I started having consistent lower back pain again. I ignored it, like I do most pains, thinking it will eventually go away. Well, it didn't and turns out that same disc is giving me problems again. Except this time, the disc can't be fixed the same way. The long and short of it is that if I want a "quick fix" for the pain, I have to have a major surgery that will likely cause a domino effect of surgery on other discs in my spine over time. I could potentially be a 40-something mother with multiple discs fused, mobility limited, and a sucky outlook on life. So, I'm taking the alternative, less medically-intrusive route: quit my job since it's too painful to sit all day and make my new full-time job my back. I do physical therapy, I'm about to start cortisone shots in my spine, and I'm doing lots of things that keep me from sitting in a chair at a computer all day. All this in an effort to fix my skeleton so I can start doing the second thing I've always secretly wanted to do: pop out some kidlets.

So, here I am in my velour suit (dubbed my official uniform of stay-at-home-wifeness), witnessing my brain slowly turning to mush, and watching a whole lot of Rachel Ray. She really is every bit as adorable as the middle-aged women claim she is. Here's to a healthy 2012!

decem part 2

So, by now you're probably thinking that I'm a total scrooge and maybe I am.

I get notifications almost every 30 minutes that someone else has written a comment on my class of 2001 reunion facebook group's wall. From what I can gather, I'm the only person in my graduating class that isn't making a countdown chain to this reunion. It's not that I hated high school, it was just a rough time for me.

For starters, I was 17 years-old. I was a completely different person emotionally, socially, etc. I would hope that the other people in my class could say the same thing about themselves. So maybe part of me is embarrassed to think that someone might remember what a dork and then what a brat I was. Right, I think that's a really big part of it.

But most of it is that I spent the better part of my senior year in and out of the hospital, was "home-schooled" since I was too sick to go to school, and was completely deserted by a number of "good friends." That sounds so stupid because it was so long ago and I have completely different adult friends now, but it still makes me lonely to think about it. I had a close group or really good, really fun friends. But when I found out I was sick and wasn't able to be present for most of the important things that seniors do, I found out who my real friends were—and that was really disappointing to me. The friends who were there for me when I was sick were a couple of girls who were a grade younger than me and a few of their guy friends. And most surprisingly, the other friends who stood by my side were a group of rowdy boys that lived an hour away. They drove up to see me in the hospital after both surgeries and would skip school to drive an hour and hang out with me on the couch when I was too sick to get up and out. These boys and girls are still my good friends today! They are people that I will always hold in the highest regard. And although I don't see them too often or talk to them regularly, they have proven themselves as people worthy to keep as friends for all of my life.

So that's my baggage with high school. Maybe you can understand now why I'm not too anxious to go and hang out with a bunch of people who deserted me when I needed them most.

This is a pretty dramatic post. At which point am I so broken up about this that I need to go see a therapist?

decem

Well, elephant in the room: I found my Cadbury eggs. Thanks to all of those who supported me and stood by my side through this challenge. I knew we could do it.

I have a lot of unrelated thoughts going through my head tonight.

The first is a facebook group. I don't understand a lot of things behind the technology of how facebook works. Somehow I was added to a group that didn't require my approval. Didn't know you could even do that. It was a group for the 2001 graduates from my high school. Apparently there is a ten-year reunion in the works. As soon as I saw the page I was sick. Is that weird? Actually, don't answer that. As I scrolled down the page and hovered my mouse over the thumbnail images of people in the group, I didn't know who a good third of the people were. My high school was huge. Incidentally, so was my graduating class. Then as I saw faces of familiar people, it threw me back to a different time from which I knew these people. I was a completely different person then. It just seems so strange to me that one would want to go and spend a bunch of time with people they haven't spoken to or seen in over ten years. I'm not a total heartless witch. I'm always glad to run into people I knew from school and catch up when I see them. I still keep in contact with some, I'm facebook friends, and a blog follower of many. But, why dwell on history? We keep in contact with those we wish to and wish well for those we don't keep in contact with. Is it just me that feels this way? Everyone was writing such excited comments on the group's wall. One person even mentioned flying in from Germany to come! High school has come and gone. We were kids. The best part of our lives is happening now, now that we're old enough to make it happen.

Needless to say, I won't be going to my high school reunion. But, I'm sure you figured that out by now.

And all of the other thoughts floating through my head, well, I was going to pass on them because I'm too tired . . . and as I typed this last sentence, I decided I am, in fact, too tired to go on rambling. Plus I figure it might be one of those emotion-filled posts that you end up regretting later. And although you can un-publish it, the post still remains on others' Blogger home pages and GoogleReader. And that's just not a risk I'm willing to take this late at night. I'll give you a teaser though, I hate it when people dislike, de-friend, or blame me for ruining their lives. I'm only human, Harry!

How did I forget to mention this?

Laterly

Oh, hello there. I know, I know. It's been a really long time. But the good news is that I shaved my legs. It's been a little while, perhaps three weeks or so, but that doesn't matter. The point is that I shaved them.

This last month or so has been really busy. I had to go to a conference in Denver for work. Spending five straight days smiling and acting excited about history can wear a person right out. (Not to say that I'm not excited about history. Just that sometimes you want to let what happened in the past, stay in the past and "live in the now."—Thank you Garth.)

Then a few days after that, husband and I went away for our one-year anniversary to a little place we like to call Maui. Because, you see, it is actually Maui. The weather was grand. The fish were friendly. The service was great. My freckles reappeared. And then we came home. (enter feelings of depression) What's the deal with snow, right?

So last night we went to see Harry Potter with my little eleven-year-old friend. I confess that I gave up on the book series halfway through. I have book series commitment issues. But the movie scared me half to death. ****SPOILER ALERT**** Everyone dies! And you jump ten feet out of your chair more times than you'd ever care to. Also, Harry's kind of a weird looking boy/adult.

I had a check up with my doctor on Tuesday, and he called me a failure. Good things he's handsome and has a slight southern drawl, or I'd be upset.

Aside from that, we've had so many fun things happening with family and friends in town, oh, and my perm experiment, that it's just been hard to keep track of it all or find the time to blog about it. But rest assured that fun is being had and calories are being eaten.

I have to stop typing now because my fingers are frozen.

MIA no more

You know, you're right. It HAS been a very long time since I have posted anything. In case you were wondering, you have missed out on innumerable exciting things in my life. Here are just a few I'd like to highlight.

On Sunday, a sweet, older lady in my ward who I see at least twice a week asked me if I was pregnant. And just in case you are wondering, I'm not. I just so happen to have a large quantity of empire-waisted shirts. They're in style, people. So, that was a first for me, and most likely a last . . . the last time I wear that dress.

The other day my sister stopped by my office with her kids to say hello. One of my nephews pulled down his pants and underpants and said in his "old man" voice, "I need to go potty."

Visit teaching (Can you stand the excitement in my life??!)

Church stuff

My husband has all but commandeered my iPod for his e-hunting pleasure.

Oh, yes. I sent a horrendously behind schedule project to press only a day late. (Hence my MIA behavior.)

I gave my husband a blender for his birthday because I'm the best wife ever. ("What is this? The 1905s? Give the little wife a blender?!") — Name that movie!

I had a sleepover with all the "'big kid" nieces, nephews, and myself while Dan was away hunting. I actually slept.

I saved the world in under an hour and a half.

I had lunch with one of my longest running friends and I laughed so much and so hard my face hurt the rest of the afternoon.

I  killed a spider all by myself.

I got to be with one of the cutest families I know as they were sealed in the temple. I cried a lot.

I ate a lot of Neilson's Custard.

I spent lots of time at Dr. appointments and with old people.

That pretty much sums it up. Stay tuned for what will no doubt be a very exciting early fall.

File your complaints here:

To the woman driving the gold Honda Odyssey van with the Ragnar sticker headed north on I-15 this morning, you are a cotton-headed ninny-muggins. Pardon the language, folks. But I feel confident in declaring this woman the most clueless human being on Earth.

Did you even run in a Ragnar race? Probably not. I'm sure they disqualified you not long after you started for CUTTING PEOPLE OFF! Thanks for turning into my lane at 5 mph when there was no one behind me for miles... you must've been in a big rush. I could tell by your turtle-paced speed. How about the three times you cut me off without signaling on the freeway, just to go slower than I was going? Those were my personal favorite moves. You must be in a big hurry, something important going on. . . I could tell be the very animated conversation you were having the entire time you were blocking me from changing lanes in traffic. I've never wanted to go-go-Gadget into a monster truck and run someone over so bad in my life.

By the way, did you notice that you were in a car? On the freeway? Driving?

If you know anyone who fits the description of this woman, you have my full and encouraged permission to slug her in the stomach. Then yell, "Take that, soccer mom," and flee for your life.

On that day in history . . .

4th of July, 2009

Last year, I spent the 4th of July as I usually do . . . Sleeping in and rushing to make it to the parade early enough to get a decent parking spot. I danced around and fought for candy, then headed to The Training Table for lunch with the fam. There was probably some swimming in the afternoon, possibly even a cat nap, then I gussied myself up for the fireworks at the local high school. I was, of course, planning on meeting up with dozens of my single pals.

TMIM offered to pick me up for the fireworks. When he showed up at the house, I invited him to join in on the family BBQ taking place in the backyard. Being a man, he accepted the invitation. He already knew about half of my family, so I didn't think it would seem a big deal to have him at a family gathering. Boy, was I wrong. The teasing from the nephews was relentless in the few minutes we were there. As soon as I could, I gave him the "Let's get out of here look," and we were on our way to the fireworks.

We brought a blanket to sit on with our friends and chatted until we found them. That was the last I saw of TMIM that night. I spent the rest of the fireworks next to my good friend, Michelle, trying to hold back tears of frustration and figure out why I was so bothered that TMIM was sitting next to a girl that wasn't me!

When the show was over and we met up, I asked him to take me home before he could finish telling me about the after party at his place. The awkward walk to the car seemed like it would never end! Then, as if things weren't painful enough for me, he began to tell me what a great time he had sitting by that other girl. I wanted to vomit. Then irony took it's place and Colbie Callet's song "Falling For You" came on the radio. TMIM sang along here and there, and I made my best effort not to punch him in the face.

I was so mad at him, and I had no idea why. I was mad that I cared that he wasn't sitting with me. And I was mad that nobody told me that I could start having feelings for a friend . . . Especially when it was completely unplanned.

And then I met back up with my friend Michelle, told her I was feeling weird and didn't want to talk about it. After that, I laughed harder with my friend than I had in years. I went home thinking everything was fine and that my feelings had calmed back to how they should be.

But, I'd never been more wrong in my life.

2009 Year in Review

Special Olympic Utah Winter Games

"Just add water" boyfriend...

.... who my nephews had really high hopes for.

Cinderella revival

Dinner with my friends

Recognize the guy pulling the awesome face? Yeah, that's my then-friend turned husband.

I celebrated the Holi Festival of Colors by having one single handful of chalk tossed right into my eyes, then rubbing my face on my friend's shirt.

Date nights with the Wee Ones!

Best concert yet, featuring Mat Kearney...

... and Keane

Oh, yeah. I spent a good chunk of my summer in Europe.

I went here....

Swam in here....

Slept here (with many strangers)...

Toured here....

Was ECSTATIC about going here...

Even more excited about eating this...

Strolled by here....

And returned home to celebrate my birthday with friends like these.

Weber River tubing excursion and near-death experience

Antelope by Moonlight

Lots and lots of giggling with this girl

My first "date" with my friend... who is now my husband

I invited him to hear the Symphony play at Sundance

The first bouquet of flowers I received from a boy that didn't send my running...

though I thought about it briefly

Summer nights at Deer Valley with the Utah Symphony

Engagement party in Oregon with T.M.I.M.'s family

Where we were spoilt beyond belief and received these awesome hats

Indoor surfing on T.M.I.M's golden birthday

Wedding dress shopping

I got a new niece!

I GOT MARRIED to my best friend and the love of my life. I never have been so happy.

[Insert wedding pictures that are on husband's 

computer at a later time]

See our friend Lindsay's blog for some of our photos of the big day.

My long-coveted Kitchen Aide mixer

My first Christmas as a married woman... my husband and I gave each other the same gift

So far, so good, eh?!

Good Idea. Bad Idea.

Good Idea:

Making buttercream frosting to go with your sugar cookies

Bad Idea:

Putting 7 cups of granulated sugar in the recipe that calls for confectioner's sugar

A Cold Night and a Warm Heart

Last night my husband and I were invited to see the lights at Temple Square with my sister and her family. Of course we couldn't resist an invitation to see the reactions of my sister's cute, little monkeys. They met at our house and waited patiently while I put on the layers of thermal, fleece, and cotton. Topped off with some synthetic goose down. The boys were so excited and kept asking when we were going to see baby Jesus.

We headed for the cars and the two year-old said to me, plain as day, "You guys going to follow us to the temple?" Off we went. We parked the car and got the kidlets piled into their plastic, Graco chariot. The boys looked so silly in their puffy, marshmallow coats, hats with ear flaps, and mittens that couldn't actually come down far enough on their wrist because of their coat sleeves. The two year-old look at me and said in his excited voice, "We're going to go in the TEMPLE." I was so sad to have to break the news that he couldn't actually go in the temple.

We walking around Temple Square and helped the boys reach all of the lights that they wanted to touch. They kept asking where baby Jesus was, which we were saving for the end. Finally, we began making our way to the nativity scene that lights up and has some narration and music that plays every few minutes. I was holding hands with the four year-old when we heard the music playing as we got closer to the nativity. He yelled, "Let's go see Jesus!" And he pulled me along even faster. It was at this point that I realized he might think that we were actually going to see the real baby Jesus. He kept pulling me and every now and then, he'd look up at me and ask, anxiously, "Where's Jesus!?" This pulled at my little heart strings and my eyes started to well up with tears. This little, innocent child and his brother don't know a lot of things yet in this life, but the all ready know the significance of Christ. He was so excited to see Jesus. That's all he really wanted to see the whole night. What a touching little moment. We have so much to learn from little kids. It's no wonder the scriptures urge us to be child like. I hope we can all find Jesus this Christmas season, whether it's on Temple Square or in our hearts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ch-ch-ch-Changes

A few weeks into marriage and I'm noticing some big changes all ready. The biggest of which has been the switch from a "pre-marriage ward" (a.k.a. singles' ward) to a family (a.k.a. retirement ward). No, I'm not joking about the retirement. The boundaries of our current ward include a retirement community, a small neighborhood of condominiums, and a small set of townhomes.

So essentially, I will be going from this:

U32 Ward End of Year Slideshow - 2009 from Tanner Christensen on Vimeo.

To this:

Yikes.

My day just got a whole lot better

What a crappy morning and day so far. I feel like my head is going to spin off and I have to much to do before the wedding and not enough time to do it.

BUT

Thank you Cadbury for making Christmas candies.

Thank you retail chains for stocking Christmas candies at a ridiculously early time.

Thank you Albertsons for keeping your shelves fully stocked... and for answering you phone and confirming that the shelves were stocked before I made my journey.

Thank you car for getting me to the store in a safe and timely manner.

Thank you taste buds for working so well and recognizing delicious and creamy things.

Thank you metabolism for burning through this entire bag of eggs quickly. (This won't actually happen... but a girl can dream....)

Good-Bye, Old Friends

Today I say good-bye to a few friends that have meant a lot to me over the years. I have been very close to them and during almost all moments of my life have been inseparable.

Good-bye to the blue with yellow and pink stars, hot pink, days of the week-style, "Laughing Out Loud," boy-fit style, and my personal favorite, wide red and white stripes. You know who you are and what you've meant to me over the years.

If you are confused by this post, that's probably for the best. It's meant to be cryptic. If you understand this post, you, too, have made the change. I couldn't be more excited.

Stay Tuned...

Dear Interweb,

I am sorry that I have neglected you as of late. And I'm sorry to leave you hanging without the rest of the details of my story I've been telling. Work and other things have consumed my every moment... including moments usually spent on blogging. A travesty, I know. But never fear, I will soon write the end of my story. Although, I must admit that finishing with, "... and the rest is history" did cross my mind.

Also, I heard the all too familiar sound of Canadian geese flying south for the winter this morning. Which can only mean one thing, that they were flying south for the winter. I hate winter. Especially in my state, blah. Here's to hoping for a swift and mild winter!

Talk to you soon,

Megan

Showered With Gifts... And Attention

Last night was my very first bridal shower. Three of my very best friends threw this party for me. I call it a party because we laughed the whole time and ate lots and lots of delicious sweets! I have always dreaded any kind of shower (except the kind that keeps you clean and covers the bathroom mirrors with steam)... even my own bridal showers. But this was SO FUN!

I have to admit, though, that I think this cultural tradition of ours is very, very odd. First of all, after mingling a bit and eating some goodies, everyone sat down in a circle and stared at me. I felt a little like a circus monkey or at the very least a winter window display at Macy's. I had an almost completely captive audience of good friends who suddenly acted as though they were hearing me speak for the very first time. I like attention as much as the next gal, but not of this magnitude. Then my cute friends who threw the shower shared a funny video of my fiancé answering questions... which lightened the mood and made us all laugh really hard. (Don't tell him, it'll go right to his head.)

THEN the strangest thing happened... everyone started handing me gifts, for no reason other than my pending nuptials! I felt so silly. I should have accomplished something or won an award to merit that kind of attention and those kinds of gifts. Even today, I feel a little silly and spoiled. Perhaps I'll go do something big and noble today, so I feel like I've earned all the doting. Then again, I'm sick, AND pretty busy today... so maybe tomorrow... or the next day....

I forgot to take pictures until almost all the guests were gone. Luckily, I got some of my BFFs. The others are just going to have to recreate the night so we can get proof that they were there.

Some of my best friends...

Oh, the memories we share!

When you're as cool as Michelle, you carry a film camera at all times.

This little stud had all the guest eating out of the palm of his hand...

or was it the other way around?

And our little night owl stayed up later than she has in years...

that's how much she loves me! ;)

Thanks for the wonderful evening, friend-Os!

Over the top?

All this frilly wedding planning stuff has got me thinking...

So I added a background to my blog. I think it's cute, but I feel kind of claustrophobic. It might just need some getting used to, or it might just drive me crazy. How do so many of you change up your backgrounds all the time? I hate change.

Look at me... growing up so fast and stuff.

Something New to Blog About...

For the past couple of years, I have been blogging about a lot of things: vacations, family, work, memories, but mostly dating. This blog has served as an outlet for each and every dating frustration of mine and of others. Let me take a moment to thank those who have endured my many dating-centered posts and especially those who left comments of empathy. And I do mean empathy. Dating is really difficult, and I think it's supposed to be that way. As my dad has always reminded me, nothing worth doing is easy. And to this phrase, dating has stayed true. But every once-on-a-while something good happens in dating to remind you why you're doing it in the first place. It isn't because you don't know anything different, it's because you want to find someone you love who loves you back. And that's not an unworthy goal— it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's easy to get lost in the dark abyss of first dates, dead-end relationships, and awkward break-ups and to forget to enjoy dating and to enjoy the search for someone to love.

[cue "Somebody to Love" by Queen]

I claim to be no expert on dating. I developed a talent of flying by the seat of my pants in dating over the years. Worked for me, but not the best option for everyone. However, I am please to announce that in addition to dating, I will now have a new topic of which to blog.... MARRIAGE! I'm engaged and I couldn't be happier about it. I will have all sorts of new adventures to post and new stories to tell.... and new insights on relationships. And for those of you who fear losing the enjoyment of my single life stories, never fear. I have kept years of journals and notes for just this purpose, entertaining you.

I have intentions of posting more details about the exciting news, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. So, stay tuned for juicy details of how two best friends fell in love (but not too mushy, 'cuz I'm just not that girl).

Danger is My Middle Name

So I was pulled over last Thursday, for the sixth time. How many tickets do I have, one might ask? The answer is complex, because I don't believe ZERO qualifies as an actual whole number. That's right, no tickets. Now, just to be fair, I should admit that I did have a ticket on my record at one time. It's been clear for some time now. The dialogue from the most recent run-in with the law went a little something like this:

Scene One: At a local Chevron about 1 mile away from place of residence and work. Parking lot and pumps are completely filled with cars of neighbors and old acquaintances. Suspect car has just entered the last empty parking stall and police car has torn into the parking lot with lights on and short siren noise. Police can remains parked behind suspect's car, lights on.

me: Hello

him: Did you know your car's registration is expired?

me: [small gasp] I had no idea. Is it really?

him: Yes. In fact, it has been for over two months.

me: [cheeks flush with embarrassment] I had no idea. I didn't get anything in the mail. I'm sorry.

him: May I see your driver's license and proof of insurance.

me: [hand him the requested items]

him: [returns to car]

[Moments later, the officer returns...]

him: Did you also know that your driver's license is expired?

me: I totally forgot.

him: Yeah, it's been expired for three months.

me: I'm sorry. I've just been so busy lately and part of that time I was out of the country.

him: While you were gone, did you have someone getting your mail?

me: Yes, my parents.

him: Hmm... I see that you have no record so I'm just going to give you a stern warning on the conditions that you go directly to the DMV to get this taken care of.

me: Okay, I will. I'm so sorry. Thanks so much. Have a nice day. [Thinking, "Yeah, right. Like I have time to go to the DMV. Little does he know my oil hasn't been changed for 1,000 miles over the suggested mileage."]

him: [walks away, expressionless]

Morale of the story: Be honest, play dumb (or in my case, be dumb), admit your wrong-doing, and you'll drive away with a clean record. This seems to be the pattern I've experienced through my many run-ins with the law. That's right... I'm dangerous like that. Look out world, this girl drives with an expired license... unregistered. [Insert mental image of Lloyd Christmas at the phone booth in Aspen giving one deep "she's unlisted" breath.]

Summing up some summer

I'm currently sitting at my kitchen table, trying everything I can to avoid doing more editing. As I was sitting here, pa rousing some blogs (non-productively), I heard some music begin from a spare room at my house. I listen closely and realized it was a lullaby CD that is kept in the CD player at all times to aid with naps for the kidlets to whom I'm related. How did this lullaby music suddenly turn itself on? I don't have the answer to that. But I do know that it's beckoning me to take a nap. I don't usually believe in signs... but this one is just so clear.

I have been tired a lot lately, for good reason. It's summer, and there are a lot of fun things going on in my life as of late. Such as:

Coke slurpees

Mozart

Flowers

Mendelssohn

Deer Valley

late night convertible drives

Robert Redford (indirectly)

Electric harp

Miniature golfing

Moonlight bike ride

swimming, swimming, swimming

yoga

Tchaikovsky

Burgers

Friends

Burgers with friends

Run-ins with the law

Dinosaurs

Muddy Buddies

Star Wars

Weber River

Backroads and parkways on my bike

Deer with HUGE antlers

Cannons

Editing, writing, standards, assessments....

Here's to hoping for an even more eventful August!