The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

I haven't blogged for awhile.  Well, a week, that is awhile for me.  There hasn't been much to blog about.  Danny and I had a very chill Memorial weekend.  We didn't travel anywhere and we didn't have any BBQs.  It actually was really nice.  We helped out some family members with their new home (well Danny did) and I hung out with my mom a lot.  She's top notch company, that mom of mine.  Danny and I also whittled down a bit of our Netflix queue list and that's about it. I have been reading quite a bit recently, since a lot of people have given me recommendations.  Now that I've made it through my pile of recommendations, I have a new pile of more recommendations, but that's ok.  I've been reading a lot of memoirs recently, which has been interesting.  I like to hear other people's stories (that is, if they are told in an interesting manner) .  This also makes me ponder if I wrote a memoir, what would I include, but that is ...

I'm one of those people who gets sucked into pinterest, because honestly who doesn't?  There are just so many pretty things.  I've come across a few quotes/sayings on that lovely website that have resonated with me and I feel the need to share.   (Although, I've already shared them on pinterest, but apparently that wasn't enough.)   Here are some words that I agree with...

I first heard about Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand from my friend, Eliza.  Eliza confessed to me, while she's not much of a reader, she loved this book.  I made sure to put it on my "to read" list.  Then I heard more about this book from my friend Talena.  I asked her what she thought and she simply said, "It's just one of those books everyone needs to read."  I then bumped Unbroken to the top of my "to read" list. Unbroken is the true story of Louis Zamperini's life.  It follows him through his rambunctious and sometimes wild youth to running in the Berlin Olympics as a prodigy track star.  His running career is cut short by World War II, which leads to him becoming an airman with Army Air Forces in 1943.  His bomber plane goes down while on a rescue mission and Zamperini finds himself as one of the few survivors floating in a small raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, w...

Happy Mother's Day to my dear, sweet, wonderful mom!  I'm grateful for your example, your sense of humor, your faith, your love, your compassion, you countless acts of service, your encouragement, the lessons you have taught me, your friendship and so much more.  I know they say no one is perfect, but I do think you are the perfect mom for me!  Love you so much!

I keep on running into things here and there online and in the real world that I think, hmmm, I should share that on my blog. Consider this my personal Sharing Time, which quite honestly is every post. First, Opening Song of the post. Remember how I love Andrew McMahon, front man of Something Corporate, then front man of Jack's Mannequin, then kicked cancer and is just plain cool.  He released an EP all on his own.  This my favorite song from it.  It just makes me want to dance, which I do in my chair at work, unashamedly so.  (I'm not going to admit how many times I've listened to this song on repeat.) Talena shared this article with me and I found it so interesting.  It's pictures of what a weeks worth of groceries looks like from countries around the world.  Fascinating.  What a consuming country we are. Danny and I rented the movie  "The Impossible"  this week from redbox.  Many of you may have already seen it, but if you have...

Last weekend was another jammed packed weekend of fun.  I suppose I could do updates of my actual weeks, but those aren't nearly as exciting, in my opinion.  Anyway, last weekend... Friday We went out to dinner with our wonderful friends, Rachel and Joey.  Rachel and I were once roommates, which was a beautiful time.  We went out for Thai food and I learned that the spicy scale differs from each restaurant.  Medium spicy at the last restaurant we went to was just right.  Medium spicy at this particular restaurant was scorching hot.  I went through 4 glasses of water.  However, other than that, we had fun visiting and laughing. After dinner, being the thrilling people we are, Danny and I went to the grocery store.  It was needed. Saturday We got up on the early side to go to our nephew's baptism.  The cute, hilarious red head who I call General J on this blog.  It was a sweet event and J was super excited.  I was honor...

April 2nd - I like when work takes me to different temples.  Just a little photo shoot on the grounds of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. April 4th - I had high hopes for a warm spring.  It was quite the opposite. However this particular day was nice and the flowers were blooming on Temple Square, so it felt like a spring day. April 7th - My cute niece Lady L. drew pictures of Me and Danny. I was very please with how accurate she was with the hair. April 9th - I went out to dinner with some friends to celebrate my birthday.  My sweet friend, Rachel, gave me this beautiful flowers as a birthday present. April 10th - My birthday cake, mmmm. April 11th - Capitol Reef.  Stunning. April 13th - Mesa Verde.  Also Stunning. April 13th - Spectacular View.  Thanks Colorado, it was fun. April 18th - We did a photo shoot up City Creek Canyon.  I was hanging out by the head of the trail waiting for our cast to show up.  They ...