For Hire

Looking for someone to clear your driveway this winter? I'm for hire--a little pricey, but worth it.

Winter White

One of the things I'm looking forward to this spring. . . a white kitchen makeover.


Oh, my heart. I LOVE the crisp clean sleek look of a white kitchen. With touches of color, I think it's far from sterile. It's chic and timeless. Watch out WHITE, I'm headed your way!

The Downhill of Winter

YAY for FEBRUARY!!!

Enduring One Accessory at a Time

I really should be climbing in the shower at this very moment, but instead, I'm sitting in my warm bed listening to the rain splash against my big window to the world. BLESS the rain. It gives me a slice of hope that winter will end with Spring's unpredictability and pending beauty. Granted, I'm a realist from the frozen tundra of Idaho. I understand that winter is far from being over and that my semi-spring (March 10th for your gift-buying needs) birthday is likely to be surrounded by gray winter sludge. I'm fine with it. As long as Mother Nature sends bits of hope into these gray winter days, I can endure. Besides, I have the cutest umbrella to sport today. Sassy weather accessories bring smiles all around.

The Good News

I know that when my own mother comments on my blog absence that it's time to get back on the horse. I also know that I have a tendency to let winter paralyze my spirit. I think the snow, frigid temperatures, and darkness stifle my creativity and take some of my sparkle. I've been determined not to let it get to me--but alas, with each flake that falls, I can feel myself slipping into the depths of slick roads, treacherous conditions, and BAD hair days. Here's the good news (and there is still lots of it to be found)--

1. I find refuge at work. As soon as I walk through the doors, my spirit calms. It's the weirdest thing. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of things to be done and upcoming stresses, but I'm at peace in our little flower shop. It's times like these when I'm grateful not to have windows in the store. Sometimes I just pretend it's spring outside--enjoying the flowers that seem to arrive at our doors despite the storms around them. I want to be more like those flowers--

2. Yesterday my mile and a half commute was a 40 minute adventure. The worst part of the drive is the approach into our parking lot and maneuvering into my parking spot. Last night I made it--tonight not so lucky. I had to park my car elsewhere and hike home. The good news you wonder--I have a home to hike to.

3. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a pillow--but not just any pillow. It's a replica of the pillow found in the Marriott Hotels and the Virtue Hotel. Oh, the joys of nice linens.

4. Our neighbor Ed is a dear. Despite the fact that he often wakes me in the morning by yelling at his dog outside my window--the man hasn't stopped shoveling snow for the past 2 days. He warms up his wife's car every morning and makes me wish I had a husband--though I'd prefer a non-smoker who weighed more than me. . . I'm picky--I KNOW!

5. Apple cider. Enough said.

Flakes, Flakes, GO AWAY

It's officially snowing. Yesterday morning, I witnessed a flurry or two while I was at the gym. I decided to overlook it & live in winter denial. It was serving me well. I was happy. I was still wearing flip flops. I was content with cold beverages and frozen fudge delights. This morning the flakes are more apparent. There are more of them and several have settled themselves atop the mountain. They seem to be mocking me with each little flutter. I hear "we're coming for you, Michelle. We're going to make your life cold, slippery, dark, and barren." OOOOh, I'm dreading winter--like a bad eyebrow tweezing. Besides--I just barely put my fall header up last week. Come on, winter, give me just a little bit longer.

Winter Lingers

As though I haven't had enough winter this year, I'm heading to the northern wilderness of Idaho (a.k.a. Island Park) to spend some time basking in the still snow covered mountains for a little Memorial Day R&R. Packing the mittens, parka, and cocoa. . .watch out winter--I'm on my way back!

A Winter Goodness

On frigid mornings like this one, there's nothing like a mug of Pero. I love to add a little non-dairy creamer & a packet of Splenda. It's a winter goodness. . .and a perfect break from coffee.

Hats Off to Mom

There are 3 main reasons I've rededicated myself to blogging. Firstly--I heard a rumor that Cub Momma was mad at me for my lack of posts. Secondly, I think people were worried that I had met an untimely demise. And finally--this hat! One of my favorite Christmas presents was this hat Lula knitted for me. She had to make some finishing touches & after a month of me bugging her about it, I received it in the mail today! I told her I'd start blogging as soon as she mailed this little wool morsel. Oh, I love it. I love that it's red. I love that it keeps my little head warm. I LOVE that she made it for me. . .knowing that I would appreciate the time, talent, and attention to detail.

For once this winter--I don't care if it snows tomorrow. In fact, I welcome the white stuff. I'll be protected in my new and wonderful hat!

A Joyous Heart

You know this time of year always gets me a little bit down. It's no secret that I'm susceptible to the winter blues. It's cold outside & I just want to keep to myself. I want to curl up and pretend that the days are long again and the air is warm. I want to forget the slippery sidewalks and the grayness that seems all-consuming.

Then, as if straight from Above, I receive a glimpse of reality and a dose of joy's happiness. After a few weeks without blogging--a direct result of my recluse, I feel that glimpse of hope. The kind of hope that warms your heart--the part of your heart independent from the outside world. You know the part I'm talking about. It' s the part of your heart that feels and experiences true joy. The part that recognizes good in others. The part that sees your own potential and longs to make every other part of you heart live to make it a reality.

The brisk air is still here, the dirty snow lingers. . .but my joyful heart is back. Fortunately, my blogging gene dwells in my joyful heart. Stay tuned for a daily dose of my life's happiness.

Smitten by these Mittens

Oh my cuteness.

A Few Things

Michelle's Pillow PaloozaBad blogging week with no real excuse--other than things have been busy. I sometimes wonder what I would do with a husband and kids. As it is, I don't have time to keep my own head above the proverbial holiday water. Here are a few things I've been thinking about and noticing the past few days:

1. Why do people have large dogs in small condos? It's rude, ridiculous, inhumane, and filthy.
2. Ever since WFB went private, I've been missing some friends. Granted, I don't really know who they are, but I can strangely sense their absence.
3. Studio 5 yesterday was great. . .quick, but great. Brother-in-law Eric made a superb showing. Word is that they showed the segment again on the 4 o'clock news. Must have been a slow news day.
4. I have developed an exercise routine that is flawlessly consistent. I meet a girl from our apartment complex MWF to go to the gym & my friend Jerilyn and I head to the smelly BYU track to run TTh. My conscience won't allow either of these girls to suffer in the cold of winter if I don't show up--so I do. It's a brilliant workout tactical move & it's finally paying off. I feel good again.
5. I've been invited to go to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert by three different people. I have had to turn down all three invitations. It totally stinks because I REALLY want to go. Oh, well.
6. Remember how I feel on the ice on Monday? Well, I think I hurt my shoulder. It about kills me to take off my bra (I know--more information than you wanted). My shoulder feels old.
7. I'm in love with Febreze Air Effects.
8. I went to the mall on my lunch break to drop off some pants that need altering & there was not a parking spot to be found. It was mid-afternoon on a weekday. Curses.
9. Kimmy & I are back into popcorn eating. Mmmm.
10. I'm having a sleepover with the 5 Jenkins tonight so the 2 marrieds can getaway for their anniversary. Pray for me.

Winter Slip 'n Slide

I had my first winter tumble this morning on my way into work. A patch of sneaky black ice in the parking lot nearly took my life. Gosh, I love winter. . .full of surprises.

Dear Winter Blues,

I heard you knocking on my door last week. I didn't answer. The truth is that I don't really like you all that much. You make me feel cold, grumpy, and less than sparkly. In fact, I blame you for the blahhs in my life--including bad hair, dry skin,difficulty getting up in the morning, and the banning of my open-toed shoes to the closet.

I was visiting with my dear friend, Summer, last week. She is so much fun--always warm and inviting. She was explaining to me why some animals hibernate for the winter & it made perfect sense. First of all, they just sleep off everything they've eaten all year--who couldn't stand to do that? They don't have to face icy surfaces in heels. Long naps prevent grumpy bear syndrome. No laundry or housework if you're in hibernation. Car window scraping is unnecessary. Probably no chance of running into x-crushes if you're asleep, right? So, if you insist on invading my life and greeting me with the usual winter symptoms, I've decided to adopt a serious hibernation program of my own. . . just as soon as I get back from the sand & sun of Hawaii.

Can't wait for you to get the hint & hit the road.

Winter Denial

This is my cousin Charles (a.k.a. Chuck) who unknowingly illustrates my new winter philosophy. I've decided not to let the snow and cold get me down. I'm going to go about my everyday life and pretend it's summer--flip flops? perhaps. running? definitely. ice cream? hopefully. training wheels? likely.

A Piece of Heaven

OH, the joys of having a computer back in the house. OH, the the rapture that fills my beautiful bosom. OH, let us get caught up.

I suppose I might begin this post with an ode to my computer.

The box of white that sits so still,

Getting you back well worth the bill.

You know how there are just certain things and certain circumstances where money is no object? The perfect pair of shoes. A cup of ice at the hottest football game ever. Cheesecake Factory. Lipo. Need I say more? I would have paid almost anything to have my photos, internet access, and music back. . .priceless.

Now that the motherboard has been repaired and returned to the mothership, here's what I've been thinking.

1. I love the smell of Christmas. Our holiday greenery arrived in the store yesterday and every couple of hours, I just walk over to our cooler, open the door, and drink in the scent of cedar and pine. It is heaven on holiday earth.

2. 5 weeks. Hawaii. Heat. Sand. Pineapple smoothies. HEAVEN.

3. Have you ever wondered if you've dismissed someone as a romantic interest and then regretted it after it's too late? Am I letting good ones get away?

4. Sometimes when no one is watching, I eat Elizabeth's Reese's cereal. Shhhhh.

5. Laura introduced me to the greatest salad in the world. We had it at Thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit. I sure wish she would post the recipe on our food blog.

6. Work Christmas Party on Thursday. Huh. Didn't we just do that?

7. I think my bedroom is getting cuter by the millisecond. I just put my new red sheets on my bed with a lovely sequenced paisley red pillow. It rocks!

8. Remember how BYU beat Utah on Saturday and I've been smiling ever since? Remember how Eric is treating me to cheese fries at Training Table?

9. I secretly wanted Marie Osmond to win Dancing with the Stars. . .even though Kimmy didn't. Marie and I once talked in Deseret Book.

10. I really love this season. Who wants to go see the lights in Salt Lake with me?

Bye, Bye Winter!

Based upon my countdown chain, today is the last day of winter. I say--GOOD RIDDANCE!
My sweaters are packed up and I'm hitting the pool (in a few weeks).

I've been thinking a lot today about how precious time is and how quickly it passes. It seems like yesterday that I was playing Barbies with Kimmy. There's no question that I'm a time freak. I am so selfish about what I do with my time and who I do it with. I have calendars, computer programs, clocks, and lists to manage my time. Maybe I need to relax a bit. Maybe I need to be more generous with my time. We were talking at work about a student that was killed in an accident while riding his scooter to work. Newly married and young. Let's face it--I take things for granted. I forget how wonderful it is to walk into work and hear about everyone's weekend. I forget that it's a treat to talk to mom on the phone or listen to my favorite Lisa Loeb song with all the windows down in the Passat. I forget to make time to call dear friends or to do something completely spontaneous. Time is precious. I'm going to do better at treating it as such. It's time!

Have Hope

Word in the weather world is that today is suppose to be near 60. YIPPEE. All of my dreams are coming true.

Word on the next street over is that we will have freshly fallen snow by tomorrow morning. Oh, well. Take what you can get.Vincent Van Gogh :
Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, 'What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.' Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.

Warning: Cold Winter Running Proves Deadly

I've been on a sort of running sabbatical for the past couple of weeks. January is not my favorite month. It's just miserable outside. . .cold and dark. It effects me. It keeps me in bed in the mornings and that isn't good for the running routine. So, I've regained my mojo. The girls in my FHE group have committed to running the 1/2 marathon (which is now available for registration for those interested) and we decided to go to the indoor track yesterday morning. Unfortunately, our plans were foiled by a bunch of high schoolers and their track meet. . .ArggggHh. I thought I might just to the gym. . .but that didn't sound too appealing. So, in all of my brilliance, I decided to take a stab at the great outdoors. A couple of miles into my run, I thought one of my lungs had collapsed. Unfortunately, I still had quite a trek back home. This is what I looked like after my run. Yes, that right ear was amputated yesterday afternoon. You win some. . .you LOSE some.

9 Degrees

So this is the official Passat reading from this morning. 9 degrees. . .and that's actually the temperature on the upswing. My look of winter despair. 9 painful degrees.