Sunday, November 30, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!










We had a very happy Second Thanksgiving at My parents house on Saturday (Sorry no pictures from the Swift thanksgiving, I wasn’t a very good picture taker)
I was there VERY early and had to wake my parents up to get ready, I think I was a little over-excited.
Audrey and Clara came and made "Mallow turkey-lurkeys" for our center pieces, Clara mostly just ate Marshmallows.
We got an assembly line going and everyone pitched in to get all the food ready-Grandpa was teachin' Jerm how to cut a Turkey. There was lots of really yummy food!
Then the girls did dishes-while the boys played Wi- EVEN GRANDPA!
We got in a few card games- and of course PIE!
I am so thankful to live close to my family!

Monday, November 24, 2008

"That sounded just like an Elephant"


Yesterday Malachi and I just hung around the house, and we were doing different things. He was downstairs, folding laundry (what a good husband) and I was up in the spare bedroom, organizing and hanging out. I was clearing off the bed, and I blew my nose…then Malachi RAN into the bedroom panicky with his arms thrown out blocking me and said “don’t worry honey I will protect you”, I said “from what?”, "there is an elephant in the house!"
Apparently when I blew my nose I sounded just like an Elephant- my husband is such a dork!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Wine Stewardess




Part of my job as Manager at Albertsons is beer/wine management. I decide what comes in, how much, build displays, and coordinate with vendors. I struggled with this for a long time(seeing as how I know NOTHING about beer or wine) but I am starting to catch on…the other day a woman asked me if I was the “wine stewardess?" Yes that’s me, and I helped her pick out wine! Cool huh? I am thinking about going to a vineyard, not to taste, but to discover about the taste and quality of different wines and how they are made! Here are some of my displays at work, I worked really hard on these, so I know its alcohol, but aren’t they beautiful?

1. the first one is my christmas gate wine display
2. Are all my seasonal brews
3. is my big Bud display (bud is the #1 seller in our store)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Sometimes you feel like a nut...


I love Malachi very much, but we do NOT agree on anything decorative. My husband has the worst (in my opinion) taste. I know that my taste is unique, I like geometric, retro...but he likes repulsive style. We will be shopping trying to pick out something (and I am totally willing to compromise) then he will pick out the ugliest, flamboyant, most obnoxious thing and say it looks nice. Blahh! He doesn’t understand the difference between good quality and crap! And certainly doesn’t know how to evaluate color. If you do not believe me, exhibit A- This is what was on my counter when I got home last night. PS. It’s a mug!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Nothin' Much




There is not a whole lot going on in our lives, just work and working on our house. Malachi has a new job (a few months now) and it seems to be going really well! He had a few different jobs since we moved to this side of the mountains, but with the Construction slump they didn’t have enough work. We love his new job, it pays well and he has a professional uniform, he gets his own cell phone and Van...and they are training him for future endeavors. Today he is taking his test for his refrigerant license he has been studying for weeks. Hopefully this is the start of a wonderful life!
This is Clara bug eating Cake- as you can tell-she really likes it! I was in charge of washing her when she was done- so I had to take a picture first.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

My 100

I started working on this after Emma posted hers then I forgot about it, and just recently got the last few. It was really hard and not as interesting as I thought it would be, but enjoy reading....
0.I always chose neutral clothes and accessories (black, white, brown)…I have no desire to stand out or to be noticed, and just want to look clean and pleasant.
1.I am ALWAYS stressed out, I cannot help it! Regardless of how my life is going I have some sort of anxiety about how it should be different or how it is going to affect the future!
2.I Love shopping, I go shopping at least once a week (Not including food shopping…that would like quadruple the number) and I do spend a lot of money, but not because I have expensive taste, because I cannot pass up a good bargain!
3.I like book titles. I like walking though book stores and picking out and buying books because they have interesting titles… I have No intention of reading them, I just want to have time!
4.I tend to go overboard on almost everything. If I am interested or involved in something it envelops all my thoughts and energy!
5.I think argyle is fabulous! It is geometric and fashionable!
6.I love to shop at Ikea- just to look at all the ideas
7.I like squares- they are so retro and geometric- I try to include them in all my fashion choices!
8.I am a good Mormon girl who has never tasted alcohol- and I am the Manager and representative for the beer and wine department at Albertsons- how ironic is that?
9.I move a lot when I sleep- I have at least one knee bent and I flip over lots. Numerous times I have woken up freezing cold with no blankets.
10.When I was younger my parents made me sleep in a sleeping bag to break this habit…it didn’t work!
11.I am a really picky eater… I don’t like things that are too spicy, have a weird texture, have too many flavors combined, or that are bazaar mixture! In other words I like my food bland and flavorless!
12.I love maraschino cherries! There was a time that I ate a large jar a week!
13.I have always felt behind from where I ought to be…probably because my sisters and cousins are so much older than me…I don’t think I will ever catch up!
14.I would really like braces on my teeth…they are so unattractive and part of the reason that I speak with a lisp, but too expensive, I don’t think I will ever get them now!
15.I absolutely resent “crack addict mothers” Since I have been trying to get pregnant ( and have been unable to do so) it is so frustrating that these too young, irresponsible, reckless girls who are drinking energy drinks-on welfare with no baby daddy- probably doing other drugs (certainly not taking prenatal vitamins) get these beautiful babies…they don’t deserve it!
16.I try to mimic my mothers decorative skills, but I fall a little bit short, lucky she is close to help me finesse it!
17.I have a crib, stroller, changing table, jumperoo, exersauser, baby gate, highchair, bouncy seat, swing, cradle, clothes, toys, bottles, binks, burp cloths, bibs, and blankets…but no baby!
18.I listen to the CD’s from our wedding reception quite often- I had selected each love song, and when I listen to them I cannot help but have good feelings toward Malachi and our marriage!
19.I cannot seem to put the toilet paper on the roll- when it is empty I get out more and just set it on the counter- it drives Malachi crazy!
20.I have no friends; I have a hard time going past surface friends. I have lots of people that I like (and I hope like me) but outside of Malachi and my family I have NO one who I can call and hang out with!
21.I don’t use salt or pepper, I don’t mind eating them I just never fell the need to add them to anything-so I bought really decorative John deer S&P shakers so that they could always be out and I wouldn’t have to remember!
22.I like contemporary style houses, and my house is the opposite of contemporary, but it was a good deal I couldn’t pass up!
23.Without a to-do list I feel completely lost- I make lists for everything and remake the list and rewrite it in priority…and mark them off when they are completed
24.I like to keep the recites after I go shopping (especially grocery shopping) I am amazed at what a good shopper I am and all the deals I got. I work at a grocery store and you would be amazed at how many people come in (don’t shop the sales) and leave with 2 bags of $70 worth of groceries…no thank you I can get a full cart for $30!!
25.I only like to eat breakfast when I have nothing to do that day, I feel like I can really sit down, relax and enjoy it.
26.I apparently have really cheap taste- I do not like the shmancy purses at Macys, I have been to a really fancy restaurant and almost threw up when they had goat cheese on my otherwise crazy green salad, and I would prefer to go to Wal-Mart that almost any other store!
27.The lady that sold us our house left is in completely nasty and in dirty conditions.
28.I am really cheap ( I do go shopping a lot, but even then I look for bargains) However both Malachi and I try to keep our monthly bills ultra low, and when we have large expenses (appliances) we shop around and try to get used
29.My Mattress and box spring are the ONLY pieces of furniture in my house that I bought at a real furniture store, everything else has been from Craig list, thrift stores, family, friends, left here by the last owner. garage sales, or the dumpster (yes I have furniture from the dumpster, bet you cant tell which ones they are)
30.I do not like the color pink, I just plain old don’t care for it! I am sure I will like it lots more if I have a little girl, but for now, I avoid it like the plague.
31.I really want to learn and know how to can! But so far my efforts have been disastrous at best!
32.I love the smell of bleach I think it smells so fresh and clean!
33.Sometimes I love the smell of Coffee ( I don’t drink it, but) I want to get a coffee candle, or I don’t mind filling the coffee at work…however depending on the time of the month it sometimes make me nauseous, and I want to gag every time I smell it!
34.I am a really fast at typing, in fact people have commented on how fast I can type, however I spell horribly so it takes me a long time to finish anything because I use the backspace button Often and then have to spell check when I am done.
35.I have really long black eyelashes; people have even asked if they are fake!
36.I hope that when I am not working I will be able to hone my baking and cooking skills.
37.I always though that my eyes are brown…regular old- run of the mill- poop brown. However I have had several people tell me that they are really pretty and more like a Coca-Cola color
38.I was not 13 when Titanic came out and since it was rated PG-13 I didn’t see it, then when I finally turned 13 the big fad was over so I have never bothered to see it.
39.I Love facial hair on men, some of the men I think are most attractive have facial hair. I have kissed men with facial hair and it didn’t bother me…however ironically, I hate Facial hair on my husband, I don’t like the way it looks or feels! Good thing he is cute without it!
40.I love to just sit down and talk. I would almost chose to do that over anything else (Malachi loves it??) It doesn’t mater what we talk about I just like to visit!
41.I use to bit my nails REALLY bad. I would bit the nail until it bleed, and then bit the cuticle. I tried everything to stop. Then I went to my 9th grade cruise and put on fake nail (for the night) and I haven’t had a problem since!
42.I hate camping! I do not like being cold, wet, or uncomfortable. And I need a hot shower and a toilet.
43.I love the show Gilmore Girls, I do not have TV so I don’t see the current episodes, but I do have like the first 6-7 seasons on DVD
44.I love science (especially Biology) and I hope to one day go back to school, so that I can learn more about it!
45.I bought into a independent sales company (like Mary-Kay) for candles, however I completely lack networking skills!
46.I love the look of the vinyl rub-on phrases!
47.I almost always listen to Country music, my favorite artists right now is Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts
48.The only “real” job I have ever had is with Albertsons, I am hooked! Albertsons really is a good store!
49.I wish I were more tan, but you have to go outside to be tan, so I remain white
50.I really want a Piano….it would have to come with Piano lessons….but I keep looking for one on Craig’s-list
51.I am so frustrated that we don’t have a truck. Since we just bought a house we are in the stage of gathering things (large things) and I want to do it cheep (typically when its cheep you need to move fast) and its so frustrating that we have to figure out how to barrow a truck every time we want something….but not frustrating enough that we are going to buy a truck, yet!
52.I keep two boxes of raisins in my purse for when I visit the girls! (mom in training)
53.I Love being an Aunt, now that I live close, it is my favorite thing when Clara or Audrey will run up to me and give me a hug, or want my to hold them, or say “Auntie Wade, can you play with us?”
54.I don’t like watching “scarry movies” it freaks me out and I get no adrenalin rush from being scared.
55.I have REALLY poor circulation and my limbs fall asleep almost instantly when I sit down.
56.I almost always sit criss-cross if I can…even at restaurants, it is not very adult or lady like, but it is more comfortable.
57.I hate baby and bridal showers, the games are awful. Who though up these games, and they tend to drag on…and on, lets get in there open presents and eat cake and go home!
58.I have really bad vision, Probably should where my glasses, but I always make my passenger read all the street signs because I cannot see then until I am almost past them!
59.I am really grateful that I got to live so close to my grandparents growing up.
60.I think the driving on the left “only to pass” law is STUPID
61.I like to read non-fiction books, I get board with novels, but with fact books you can skip around.
62.I love to play Scategories and Apples to Apples
63.My favorite movie is “ A walk to remember”
64.I am a complete sucker for people in distress; I like to swoop in and save then. More often then not I get burned, but I try.
65.Besides Malachi- my mother is my absolute best friend.
66.Don’t tell anyone but there are about 15 video games in the world like I like, think are fun and would play in moderation! I despise ALL others!
67.I really wish my house were perfectly clean always, but I am naturally messy and Malachi is chronically messy, so it’s a struggle. I think that’s normal.
68.The summer after my freshman year of collage I was living in an apartment with a porch. I went outside and swept the porch, I was so ashamed, I had always made fun of my mother for trying to vacuum dirt outside.
69.When I met Malachi the that made me think “he might be a good husband” was how frugal he was. I knew we would have no money, but that we could make that work!
70.I went fishing once, caught a fish, now I never have to go again.
71.I did not have my first kiss until I was 17
72.I love Ice-cream- Cold stone and Baskin Robbins.
73.Malachi and I have discussed the idea of being foster parents or adopting in the future.
74.I have no desire to travel the world. I don’t like to be uncomfortable and confused, and not understand what people are saying, and most importantly I do not like strange bugs or snakes
75.I was Choir President my senior year
76.In Junior high- in 9th grade my choir won “Best in the Northwest”
77.Carnations are my favorite flower- I think it is amazing how they change color if you put them in colored water
78.I kissed Malachi first, I was really waiting for him to take initiative, but he took too long and I am really impatient.
79.I like nick names- I like to have inside jokes and call people by names no one else calls them. Malachi hates nick-names so??? I don’t know what will happen with our kids names
80.The thing I hate most about dieting is it makes me think about food ALL the time. I always think about where my next meal is coming from.
81.I like to play in the babies room; I fold and re-fold all the clothes. I have taken inventory 1000 times. I look at what outfits go together if I had a boy, or girl… and what accessories could make it more tailored one way or another.
82.I really like black and white pictures!
83.my favorite vacation spot is Rigby, Idaho
84.I like songs that have a strong Orchestral are marching band background!
85.I would choose to eat Chicken Alfredo over almost anything
86.I like going on road trips, and driving in general!
87.I watch the videos of Sydney on the blog probably 15 times- more if I think they are exceptionally cute!
88.I keep an small overstuffed Zebra in my kitchen to remind me that I am not fat- just fluffy
89.I love Garage sale season- I cannot wait until spring again- momma and I area going every weekend
90.I have a terrible sense of directions, I have gotten COMPLETELY lost more than a few times in my life and it has been Very bad each time
91.I hate pictures of myself- I am not photogenic
92.Our wedding was PERFECT, just the way I wanted it and I enjoyed every minute of it.
93. I hate haveing a random work schedual and having to work so much
94. I like Reeses Peanut butter cups
95. I wish I knew (or Malachi) more constuction stuff so we could work on our house more.
96. the smell of fish makes me gag!
97. Chocolate and IB-proffen cures all
98. I cannot wait to start a family
99. I love Malachi very much!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Sunday (without papa)





An average Sunday we go to momma and papa's house for dinner. Papa was not here this Sunday because he was on a trip, besides that it was an average Sunday. We eat lots of yummy dinner, and then Clara spends the rest of the night trying to get "snacks"- What a wart child! Audrey and Clara destroy moms perfectly clean house and the boys play Wii, normally golf. This night they were boxing each other, they look like such tards!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Welfare

Disclaimer: Don’t get the wrong-I completely believe there are times where welfare is important and a great resource. There are times in people’s life where they need a little help and this is a good program to get it, however having said that….

The other day I was listening to the radio and there was a man (a mayor or something) talking about Poverty and how we need to take a walk in their shoes. He (and his town) ate on $5.95 per person, per day for a month. He said this was the average for people with food stamps. I work at a grocery store and I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to watch the irresponsible people that use food stamps. An Albertsons card is FREE, it entitles you to the weekly sales, and there are so many people on food stamps that don’t want an Albertsons card, they don’t buy generic, and don’t really shop sales. There is also “cash” allowance, this is intended for toiletries, and other household things, but it is NOT use for that, people buy Beer, cigarettes, and Tobacco with it, OR they just take it out in cash to pay their rent.

AND, these people often ALSO qualify for WIC (women, infants, children) so their Milk, eggs, cheese, Cereal, and juice is already provided for free!

AND I personally know customers who tell me they have had there food stamps card for 3-4-5- or 6 YEARS, this is NOT what the program is intended for. It is suppose to be a tool- NOT a crutch!

With a little ingenuity and resourcefulness one should be able to shop sales and stretch a food budget of $714.00 (for 4 people for a month) + WIC and not only feed their whole family but also gather some food storage. Use the cash side (I am not sure what the allotment is) to help pay off some of their debts and be back on their feet in NO TIME!

That is my rant… I wish government would listen and cut back this program, it is not helping our poverty rate.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Babysittnering the Girls!




Audge is Coloring and Clara buggie is eatin' a pickle! What an enchanted life!

Grocery stores!



I work in a grocery store, I pay attention to the ads and sales all around, and not only for myself but so I am aware of the competition.
So Safeway has the "ingredients for Life" slogan, which I love. It says that you can be creative and make memories and fine all the components are Safeway! And they have all those schemes where you save 10% if you get a flu shot or $.10 on gas if you spend $100.00, they have lots of ways to shop and save.
Albertsons has a great transition going right now, they were bough by Super Value and so they are remodeling all their stores, changing over to higher quality brands, while still trying to keep their prices low. There new motto is "good things are just around the corner" and they promote it well. The commercials make it seem like you just have to run to the corner to grab something at Albertsons, even though the closest one may be 4-5 miles away.
Then Fred Meyer has always had the "you'll find it at Fred Meyer" this is great, they get the convenience of being jumbled in with the grocery stores but they have so much more, and now that is even more valuable because they have highlighted that its a "one stop shop" which is perfect for Gas in these economic times!
However I think the people at Top foods smoked a little to much crack before they published their new catchphrase “Top means Tuff on Prices”…..what does that mean? It makes more logical sense to say Top means Top on prices, but you don’t want to be top on prices, so it looks like they just picked another random word. What the heck does Tuff on prices mean? Tuff luck? Is tuff; is a hard price, what is a hard price? They really should have a meeting and say these things out loud before they print them!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Kinda exciting




We found a scratch and dent place for appliances! Good products-cheap prices! And we got a new dishwasher for our kitchen (because our current one is more like a rinser) and a new Range for our downstairs apartment! Big purchases, but I am glad we found a good deal!

SICK!








I have strep throat, so I feel like crap! It’s my day off so I ought to be cleaning my house, but alas---I don't want to. There is every medicine imaginable on my bathroom counter. Half eaten food everywhere, because I have no appetite, but it feels good going down the throat, and my bed looks like a hurricane. We don’t have cable so I just puttzing around the house, when I don’t feel like doing anything- I fold Baby clothes, and reorganize them. Granted I have done this several times, but I find it relaxing I am sick so I get to do whatever I want!

Monday, November 3, 2008

From the front yard





This is my lest favorite part of the house. It has a flat roof, a carport and does NOT look inviting, we have been working on it though...it use to have a giant fence surrounding the whole front yard, and Malachi tore that down. We would like to put a pitch in the roof, but we are told that will be in the department of $20,000.00 so we are going to wait for a little while!

That’s it, that’s my house---a constant state “work in progress” - come visit anytime!

backyard







Our backyard has a covered patio with a little patio set; I love this table and chairs, mostly because it was free! Then we have a large backyard. The Giant tree it as cherry tree (I am excited to use cherries when it comes back in season. the woman who owned the house before us did some beautiful landscaping, but she didn’t take care of it! I will take more pictures in the spring- it really is a BEAUTIUFL backyard!

Living area in appartment





I know it looks really bland... but I love this couch! I was SO excited when we found it so cheap! Anyway, there are French doors that lead into the apartment, and we have a stove and refrigerator that we need to move into this area to make it more of a kitchen, then it will almost be ready to rent out!!!!