Thursday, February 19, 2009

Good, Better, Best

The Good
Thanks to a very energic puppy, we needed to replace a window in the front room. Since all the windows in the front room are painted shut with layers and layers of paint, this was a good thing.
Before

After


The Better
Our hot water heater started leaking. I know you are thinking, that is not a "better" thing. But, when you have great neighbors who can give you a great deal and install it for you, it is a very "better" thing. We upgraded from 40 gallons to 50 gallons. No picture of the old one (I know, to bad) but, here is the new one.


The Best
Thanks to the same great neighbor, we also got a new furnace. Now, I think the old one was the original one that was put in some time in the 50's or 60's. We, not so affectionately, called it "The Monster". These pictures are great. It was so big the installers had to break it into a bunch of pieces. After they took it all out they found an old bike tire and shower head (with pipes still attached) behind it.




The new one is so pretty. Shiny, clean, and effecient!


We gained about 2 feet of space. We are green stickered and up to code. It feels so good to do something for/to the house.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Double Post of 25 Random Things

I am posting the 25 random things about me that I wrote on FaceBook because alot of people in my life are not on Facebook. If you have already read the ones on facebook, I added 1 more to keep you interested.

1. I always had a perm growing up. My Mom was obsessed with giving me perms. I was the white kid with an afro in elementary school.
2. I was shot in the head when I was 7 or 8.
3. I always wanted a powerful job where I would rock the world.
4. I have a powerful job that rocks my world. I am a mother to the best 4 kids anywhere!
5. I love to drive. Mostly fast (except when kids are in the car :)). I want to drive a racecar around a track and see how fast I can go.
6. I have the smartest cat ever. He goes on walk with us.
7. I teach piano. I am teaching 11 kids right now. I love it.
8. I don't remember a time when I couldn't play the piano.
9. I love Perry Mason shows. I have seen all of them many times.
10. I once (or more then once) drove from Orem to Sandy in under 20 minutes.
11. I use to be terrified of flying. The first flight I ever took is a complete blank. I remember gripping the arm rest before take off and the next thing I remember is picking up my luggage.
12. Mary Higgins Clark has autographed my collection of her books. She was at Deseret Book (at the ZCMI mall) and I brought 15 of her books. It took a while to sign them all so we had a conversation. It was awesome.
13. I would love to see a real autopsy.
14. I have been to Las Vegas once. Jason and I went before we had kids. I felt guilty the whole time. We put a quarter in a quarter toss machine and it got stuck. The machine started shotting out quarters. We got like $40 bucks and I thought we would get in trouble.
15. I have been married for 14 (almost 15) years to my best friend.
16. I have never had a broken bone. Lots of stitches, though.
17. When I first saw my husband a voice said, "You should get to know him." I was in the 10th grade and in Ms. Beck's journalism class.
18. I have a strong dislike of feet.
19. Reading is one of my favorite things to do.
20. My favorite book right now (and has been for awhile) is The Poisonwood Bible.
21. I enjoy doing laundry. There is something very theraputic about folding, hanging up, putting away the clean clothes.
22. I always have a lip moisturizing chapstick (with the blue wrapping) in my pocket.
23. I have always wanted red hair. I am not brave enough to go all red, so I just highlight.
24. I cried for days when our puppy Baxter died. I had no idea you could get so attached to a pet.
25. It has taken me over a week to commit to posting this list. But, I will buy shoes or purses at first look.

26. I love Diet Coke. I tried quitting once. I have submitted to my addiction.

Jason has also made a random 25 things list, so for those of you who haven't read it, here it is.

1) I believe in ghosts and haunted houses.
2) I always wanted to be a Spy.
3) I am a Teacher in the making. I hope to teach at Payson or Springville High one day soon.
4) I am very sensitive to light; I hate overhead lighting with a passion. Lamps only if it were up to me. Light sets my mood.
5) I hate the sunshine but I love overcast days.
6) I have stood in the Oval Office when White House tours were off limits. I saw the bathroom where the magic happend. I have stood at the podium in the White House Press Pool. I toured the CIA that same day.
7) I don’t dream much, but when I do I pay attention, too many times my dreams have come true! It is how I receive revelation.
8) My twin brother and I can communicate telepathically; or at least finish each other’s sentences.
9) I love art and music and I have the Springville Art Museum down the street from me and we go often. I hope paint or sculpt something that will hang in that Museum one day.
10) When I first saw my wife a voice said “That is your wife!” I was in the 11th grade and I was in Ms. Beck’s Journalism Class.
11) I love to fly and I have almost flown around the world. One day I plan to do it.
12) I narrowly escaped going to Federal Prison thanks to the Holy Ghost.
13) I am a Republican and I love my Conceal and Carry Permit!
14) I always look armed; Airport TSA people always search me! It was a running joke when I was a flight attendant. I was searched in 90% of airports on earth. I would be the worst drug mule!
15) I love to teach High School! I love it when my students recognized me in public.
16) I am a night owl in the worst way! I have never been a morning person.
17) I was a Marine Scout…once. I really hated my unit in the Marines when Abu-Grab happened I swear I thought my unit was responsible.
18) Jeffery R. Holland and C.S. Lewis are my heroes and I hope to hold my own with them one day.
19) I am a huge Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop fan! My music tastes are very diverse!
20) I am a very easy going guy; once pushed too far Pandora’s Box has been opened!
21) My Wife and Kids is the most fascinating people I know! I choose their company over anybody else. I learn so much from my family. I am so excited to see them grow up.
22) My mind never ever shuts down! It drives my wife and co-workers nuts!
23) My Cat Crookshanks has mind control over me. My Dog Jasper is a jerk-in-the-box!
24) I was an overnight DJ in the mid-90’s for Smooth Jazz 97.9 The Breeze
25) I believe Jesus loves me. I believe that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in that grove of trees, even when the rest of the world doesn’t. I have picked my team.

I agree with #25 for Jason's list. I too have picked my team!