The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

Last night I had a dream that I went on a tropical vacation to Hawaii, which started out heavenly.  Danny was there and so was my immediate family.  We were staying at a resort right off the beach.  Then President Obama and Michelle decided to come for lunch. How nice of them to drop by.  We took them outside to show them the view of the ocean, which was right out our patio door.  Michelle recognized the signs of a tsunami coming our way by looking at the waterfront and became rather distraught.  I vividly remember her saying in my dream, "We must get to where the winds can't get us."  Funny, since tsunamis don't have much to do with wind, that thought crossed my mind in my dream as well.  So the secret service whisked the Obamas away to safety and I was a bit miffed they didn't help us out as well.  I mean my tax dollars do pay for their jobs. Whatever. Anyway, I ran into the condo and told my family (parents, siblings and husband) that we needed to get out of

Danny already posted our little project from this past weekend on facebook, but I thought I'd share it here as well.  This is what I did on Saturday instead of laundry...  I share this not because I think I'm a particularly remarkable singer, but because making these little music videos with Danny is so much fun.  I love that I have such a musically talented husband!  Also, I had no idea Danny was going to add the out takes at the end, too funny, well at least I think we are funny and that is what is important. In other news, for those who know me well know I'm not a big animal person.  It's not like I hate animals, I love the zoo just as much as anyone.  Maybe I should say I'm not a big pet person.  Honestly, I can barely keep plants alive.  And I wasn't that kid who always wanted a pony, well that is until now... Article where this picture came from . Isn't this quite possibly the cutest thing ever?!  Shetland ponies wearing Shetland sweaters

This winter has been, well, cold.  So very bitterly cold.   (Those in Northern Utah know what I'm talking about.) For more than 2 weeks, we barely saw temperatures over 20 degrees F.  Most mornings were single digits at the beginning of the month.  Plus this inversion is killing me , the smog and pollution in the air is beyond gross.  Something needed to be done.  Last week I was chatting with my sister online and coveting the warmer weather down in Southern Utah.  She was telling me how bored she was getting while waiting around during these last few weeks of pregnancy.  So we came up with the grand idea that Danny and I would come down to visit over the long weekend so we could enjoy the sunshine and entertain Michele at the same time.  We had a fun, chill weekend.  Here were the highlights of our quick trip... Playing lots of card and board games.  I had great beginners luck the first evening we were there, but that was not the case by the last night. Attending Michele'

I thought I would share a few online finds to help you start your weekend off right.  Yay for weekends!  First, I came across this quote on a blog that I follow, which I really liked. "The ancients are right: the dear old human experience is a singular, difficult, shadowed, brilliant experience that does not resolve into being comfortable in the world.  The valley of the shadow is part of that, and you are depriving yourself if you do not experience what humankind has experienced, including doubt and sorrow.  We experience pain and difficulty as failure instead of saying, I will pass through this, everyone I have ever admired has passed through this, music has come out of this, literature had come out of it.  We should think of our humanity as a privilege."  -Marilynne Robinson Man, I love that.  It's something I've pondered a lot.  It's not that we should go and seek out difficulties, I wouldn't recommend that.  However, it is interesting to me that we (m

Can I tell you how much I love after Christmas shopping?! On purpose, I didn't get any clothes for Danny or myself for Christmas, except for a classy tie for Danny, because I wanted to wait for all the deals.  Luckily, I'm married to a man who encourages my buying something cute to wear here and there, since I'm known as the saver in the family I don't do so very often.  I found some awesome deals (50% off clearance prices) and got a few new skirts and sweaters.  My favorite purchase was flannel shirts for both Danny and myself which we just so happened to wear on the same day, because we are cool like that. Love!

How I welcomed the year 2013, with a root beer float. I'm still playing catch up with all these blog posts.  Now that we are 10 days into 2013, it's about time to discuss resolutions.  However, first, a look back at the year of 2012.  2012 was an interesting year.  It came on the coat tails of 2011, the year that tested my strength.  In 2011, it felt like the earth under my feet had  rocked so hard for the purpose to bring me to my knees in humility.  Last year at this time, I was filled with a lot of fear of what 2012 had in store.  I didn't think I could take anymore.  2012 turned out to be a much calmer year, which I am grateful for.  Although it had it's ups and downs, this past year gave me a moment to catch my breath and heal a bit.  While 2011 was the year to be humbled, 2012 has been the year of patience.  Patience with myself, my job, other people, God's timing.  Lots of patience.  Times like these have helped me focus more on the present, because ther

Dec. 1 - We had a baby shower for both of my sisters who were/are expecting.   Noelle made t his adorable baby carriage out of diapers for Michele.    Such creative family members I have. Dec. 1:  Another example of my creative family members, Katie made these cute onesie cookies for the baby shower.  PS Noelle was expecting a boy and Michele is expecting a girl. Dec. 1 : Oh Holy Night...We also went to Temple Square that evening to enjoy the Christmas lights with some friends. Dec. 1:  This was a very busy day for us. Danny and I also got a Christmas tree after visiting Temple Square.  I think these ornaments my Mother-in-law made for us are so cute. Dec. 3:  Our friend Laura got us tickets to the Utah Chamber Artists Christmas Concert, since she sings in the choir.  This was my best attempt at getting a picture of her during the concert. Dec. 3:  My and Danny's attempt of being classy, by attending the fancy Christmas Concert. Dec. 10:  We babysat our

The day after Christmas, Danny and I hopped on an airplane (hopped is an exaggeration  since I don't have that much energy at 7am) and headed down to Danny's homeland.  We had such a blast spending time with his family. We spent a day in Louisiana and then traveled over to Florida to see Danny's sister Becky and her family for a few days.  Then back to Louisiana.  It was such a nice and relaxing break.  Here are a few pictures of our adventure. In Louisiana I had my first experience with the famous Natchitoches meat pies.  A little greasy, but good.   After lunch we took a walk by the Cane River. We returned to downtown Natchitoches that evening with Danny's parents to enjoy the Christmas lights that were up along the river. I found this amusing, love the South. Four wheeling at Becky and Joseph's house My awesome sister-in-law Becky and Me. Our nephews Sir J and Sir M and Danny on the four wheeler!  (These nephews get the t