Progression

The path to our destination may not always be a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark. I need to stop being afraid. Take bigger chances. Regardless of the outcome, I will be progressing. It has been said that a testimony is like a large rock on a hill; if it is not moving forward it is moving backward. I believe progression is of the same value. Progress is not created by contented people. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. I can no longer idly stand by while the world around me steadily moves forward. I am not saying that I never set goals, that I don't live and learn. I have grown so much in the last five years, and although everyday I find lessons to be had, I am just so tired of my well-worm ways. 

I am reminded of a quote I stumbled upon that I really enjoy:

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another".

~Anatole France~

Here's to stepping out of my comfort zone and into the unknown.

 :)

I can do that!

 Danielle, feeling spontaneous, recently splurged on a beautifully constructed longboard (with such pretty turquoise wheels). Allowing me to ride it in the parking lot led me to a false sense of confidence. 

I can do this!

I invited my neighbor to ride down the canyon with me since she was well versed in the matter. Olivia didn't realize that I didn't know how to stop, and unfortunately I wasn't aware of this fact either. Not even 15 seconds into our descent was I sliding head first on that concrete trail. Thank Heavens I was wearing a helmet, but the lack of padding on the left side of my body may have done some damage. Olivia decided it would be best if we held hands from then on, and if I wouldn't have let go at the first sign of speed wobbles the rest of the ride would have been accident-free.

You ROCK Olivia!

I have firm feelings that if I am going to get hurt, I better have the battle wounds to prove it. Do you think I succeeded? I submit yes!

Maybe next time, we shall see.

Wingback

Turns out my "Bronchitis" only lasted about a week before the doctor told me my x-rays came back positive for pneumonia. I've officially been sick for 4 weeks now, hip hip hooray!

I can't believe I forgot to post my finally-finished Wingback Chair! For months all I had left to do was the cushion, but for some reason I never found the motivation to do the physical labor. She's been done for a month and a half now and I have thoroughly enjoyed her presence in my room.

I should really start taking better pictures

To any of you wanting to reupholster a chair of your own, a little advice-

If you are following directions from an internet site, copy all the notes and save them to your computer. Some internet addresses aren't permanent and disappear forever. When this happens you can either follow instructions elsewhere, or you can wing it like me. I wouldn't suggest the latter, but I must say She turned out rather fabulous being constructed blind!

Happy Friday! 

I Got Bronchitis. Aint Nobody Got Time for That!

I was delighted to hear that I have bronchitis. Instead of ranting on about how inconvenient and obnoxious this is, I cant help but feel that the gal from the Sweet Brown Apt's sums up the way I am feeling to a perfection. 

As soon as the doc told me what it was, I immediately thought of this video that my best friend sent me after seeing it on the news. !

Also, just because someone is wearing a doctor's face mask doesn't mean that they are ill. And even if they do have some rare virus like say....bronchitis....that does not mean you have to treat them like a mutant and flee from their existence (old man from the lobby)! 

literally, moved across the whole lobby to get away from me.

Unfortunately my list of "Can't Do's" is magnified by 4547884x right now, but there is something that I CAN DO! And even though the yellow jackets outside made this process so much longer than necessary, I still cleaned the porch and planted flowers :)

Happy Mamas Day

To the most amazing woman I have ever come to know in the whole wide world. She lifts, encourages, loves, supports, strengthens, and completes my life. I have no doubt in my mind that before we came to this earth my mother and I chose to be together as a family here on earth. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MOM! Happy Mothers Day!!

Loan Training

I wish I could describe to you how exhilerating sitting in a classroom for a week with one other person while training for loan procedures is! Maybe a picture will do justice...

 Oh and on top of that, I am sicker than a dog. 

My boss thought it would be best to buy me Halls and a Red Bull. Obviously.

All week I have been walking next door to a gas station with Gandolpho's connected to it and I saw something while I was eating my sandwich that made all of this loan training worth it. 

... ... ... ... ...

The 2001 ESPN magazine featuring my boys!! If you laugh and say the Mariners suck, so be it. But this is in 2001 when we tied for the record with the most wins in a season with 116 wins! Oh how I love my M's! I have had three dreams in the last month that I have either been at a game or tried out for the team. I am a loyal fan, but I also think it would be so amazing if Utah had a MLB team. It would officially make my summers complete.

On my way back I was also so excited to see one of the longest jet streams I have ever seen. This picture does not even remotely do its justice, but it started behind the mountain and went across the entire sky. I absolutely LOVE watching airplanes and the jet streams that they make. Why? I know not. But it is one of the simple things in life that truly bring me joy. 

:) :)

Moab

Stephanie and I FINALLY were able to enjoy an amazing weekend in Moab! From camping to hiking, exploring to skydiving, this girl and I lived it up. We stayed two nights and three days and were able to explore all of the wonderful things Arches National Park had to offer, and part of Dead Horse Point as well. I wouldn't want to spend this weekend with anyone else besides my best friend, her and I had such an amazing time...I can't even begin to describe.
We took lots of photos and I brought my GoPro, but it was having technical difficulties so the videos are rather peculiar. Enjoy!

On our way back from the airport to my house

our precious camp site where we met some great people

 On our way to Delicate Arch

The one and only Delicate Arch

back side!

exploring

Double Arch

On top of Double Arch

Pool side soak

Landscape Arch

Who knows

balanced Rock

signing our lives away!

Cody getting our parachutes ready

I jumped with Jimmy (whom we later hung out with that night ;)

we dont mess around!

nope, not one bit.

after skydiving we hit a few other places

this is where Steph dropped her glasses and I climbed through to retrieve them

Double O
Steph and I climbed to the top and ate our lunches up there

On top of Double O!

"Open Range"

Dead Horse Point

Sunbathed on the top of this rock for an hour

On our way home- ignore the smiles :(

And once again, Steph is out.