Zion

(kudos to my brother Matt for this fab picture)

Nearly a month ago my family took a trip to Zion National Park in Southern Utah for my mom's 60th birthday. It was so much fun. They rented this house that was amazing and we all just hung out and played pool and talked and watched a movie and then hiked around the park all day. It's funny because I really don't consider myself a lover of hiking - but when I'm there and I'm in it...it's really the most fun ever!

The river was running to high and fast so we couldn't hike the Narrows. Sad. I really wanted to do Angels Landing (where someone died the weekend we were there) but it's a 5hour hike and we got a bit of a late start.

Blake had a friend he knows come over and so Matt and I just hiked around together. It was actually really fun. Sometimes Matt and I are hit and miss in the getting along category. But when he's mellow and whatever - we get along fine. How can you not be mellow in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world?
This is a picture of Blake and I waiting for his friend to show up. I miss that kid! He's seriously my favourite person in the world! I love that he's SUPER laid back. And while it drive people in my family crazy - it just makes me love him even more. He doesn't really pre-think about much. Just show up and it'll work out. And if it doesn't - that's fine too. Man it would be great to be like that some days. Unlike the classic Jamie behaviour that over thinks, well....EVERYTHING! I've actually found myself more mellow in the face of a lot of stress lately at work. So maybe there's still hope for me.

L - A - Z - WHY?

I'm am the epitome of lazy these days. Well kind of. Work is insane. After an 11 hour day with no lunch break I consider myself well-deserving of doing nothing when I get home. Yesterday I went to the drawer for a fork to eat my dinner I had prepared and....no forks. No spoons for that matter either. I apparently have been so lazy I have forgotten to run the dishwasher. All the dishes are in there - waiting to be cleaned - I just never pushed "go". Grilled out chicken became finger food last night. I should hire a maid. I kind of want to encourage this slothfulness, at least a little while longer. TEE HEE!

My life doesn't do well with limbo. I currently feel like I am in limbo. Should I move? Should I just try and stick it out - finish school (maybe never) and then move? Do I really miss being around my brothers or is it really just my nephew I would rather be around? I'm not sure of answers to those questions. I don't actually care to know the answers either - so, maybe I like limbo more than I think!

On a positive note - I'm totally rocking this project at work right now. So that's great! Also - I think I'm ready to cut my hair again. I'll keep you posted on that one. I do love it long, but perhaps short will kick my limbo funk right out of the water. We'll see. It grows so fast anyway, even if I hate it - it'd be long again in no time. Plus I want to have long hair when I turn 35 because my mom thinks that at a "certain age" you can't have long hair anymore. Is it wrong that at 33 I still do things just to spite my mom? (aka - the blonde hair phase of jan 2010).

Worst Commercial EVER!!!

So for those of you that know me well - you know I don't have cable. Seriously haven't in....well I can't even remember the last time I had it. Anyway - I watch a lot of hulu.com because I do have the internet. This commercial came on tonight just now and I literally think that the person that signed off on this one should get fired. Straight away! Seriously - hands down the worst thing I've ever seen. There's like a flock of turkeys and the singing is horrible? I could've done a better job producing a cat food commercial. WOW.

Drive By Truckers

The other night I went to a concert for a band called the Drive By Truckers. I went with my friend Laurel, her husband Aaron, and her friend Kelly who I've met before. The concert was good. Mostly it was fun to just listen to SUPER loud music and watch people dance. Man do I wish I was more like that most days - where I could just let the music move me and not care what people think. But alas...I never will be that person - So I just enjoy the music and smile at other people enjoying the music.

Here's a little sampling of what we saw

First blog in 3.5 months!

Wow I just looked at my last post and realized I haven't kept up on this blog at all. Not that I needed to look at my blog to realize that tee hee. I haven't even logged into blogger since then I think. I'm a bit behind on everyone's life.

Here's what you missed while I was away:
1. This weekend my FAV taking class friend Samantha moved. *POUT* But she is living in the UK for the next few weeks and then traveling for the summer and then settling in San Diego - so it's not like I'll never see her again - but I will miss her dearly!

3. I've been traveling non-stop for the first quarter of the year. I swear I've been on a ga-zillion trips.
California
California
Portland
Portland
Seattle
Portland
So. Utah
Clearly a theme there as well! haha.

And now you're officially caught up! So it's not like you really missed much. Work has been crazy - and not expected to let up until at least Mid July. I'm currently on the job hunt because I'm pretty much expecting to not have a job after I kill myself off finishing up this conversion. They've decided to make a bunch of changes that our division has no control over. I guess only time will tell. I've already applied for a job in Olympia, WA (kind of hoping for that one) and will probably apply for one in Chicago. I guess we shall see. Those are the ones internally I would apply for I think. There are a couple in Los Angeles - and you all know I love California, but probably don't want to live in LA. Nor commute from where I would want to live :) I hate driving. My 10 minute commute to work daily makes me want to pull my hair out.

Other than that - things are pretty normal here. Hope you are all doing well!
Sorry I've been MIA. No promises on being better though :)

California - Take 2

I am in California for the 2nd weekend in a row. Last weekend it was to hang out with the parentals for my 33rd birthday! This weekend it's for CHA (Craft & Hobby Association). It's a lovely day here and when I got in my room though, the thermostat was set at like 76. BLEH - too hot! So I went to the thermostat in order to bring down the temperature and I actually sang the following song.



ps if you aren't watching the show Modern Family on ABC - you're seriously missing out! It's HILARIOUS!

Christmas Eve Eve

Since I haven't posted since before Thanksgiving...and I'm sure you've all been dying for the next post...I'll oblige in updating this blog.

Thanksgiving was SUPER FUN! I went to Portland (drove..lost my voice singing in the car for 12 hours haha. Worth it!) for Thanksgiving and had the most fun ever with the cutest nephew in the world! They cut his hair - which was really really sad...for me. He looks like such a grown up boy now! I do miss his "surf hair" as we lovingly called it. But no denying it - he's still the most adorable boy alive.

This was take one of his "scary" face. He's too sweet to even be scary!

I'm not lying when I swear I have a picture of Jake as a kid somewhere making this EXACT face. This was take 2 of scary faces. He's really not good at them! haha.

We laughed and played games and "I Spy" forever. We roasted marshmallows and read books and one night before bed he said "You're the best aunt in the whole world!" Awww...love him!

Then I came home. Melissa had her baby before I left and I got to see her (Thanks for coming early Paige! I would've been sad if I didn't get to see her newborn). Miss Paige Lund Hinderman was born and she's the most petite little girl I've ever seen! So sweet and cute.

Then I got to babysit! Kurtis and Melissa had tickets to the Christmas concert with the BareNaked Ladies - so I got to watch Preston and Paige! SO FUN! Paige slept the whole time and is just the sweetest thing ever. Preston is a GREAT older brother and he read me a story before he went to bed. He's just learning and did a super fantastic job! My fav part of the night was when he was getting ready for bed, he comes in from brushing his teeth and is wearing his boxers, t-shirt and socks and says to me "does your husband just wear his underwear to bed?" I told him I didn't have a husband. He says "oh, but when you do - he will I promise. He will only wear his underwear to bed." haha. Love that kid. He's quite the character.

And now you're all caught up!

For Christmas I'm staying put. I usually burn out on travel by the end of the year, and will enjoy some peace and quiet around my own place. Wishing all my friends and family the best of holidays and looking forward to a new year and new memories! Praying for snow, and Peace on Earth.
Just Imagine...

Love,

Jamie

xoxox