The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

Just so you know, I have a whole email account pretty much dedicated to all the different travel websites that I am a member of.  I usually just peruse the deals that are sent out and daydream, but lately I've found some very doable getaways that I couldn't resist.  This is what led us to Aspen.  I had some credit with the website Jetsetter  that I needed to use up before it expired.  I was scanning through all the deals and the one for Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, Colorado jumped out at me.  Neither Danny nor I had ever been to Aspen and it seemed like a perfect fall foliage getaway, so I booked it.  Honestly, I feel like we struck gold. The resort was beautiful, the leaves were gorgeous and the weather was nice and clear.  We had such a fun time.  It was the perfect weekend getaway.  Now for a multitude of pictures.  If you don't like nature and all of its beauty, then first off, I don't understand you and second, this post migh...

Last week I went to my friend, Megan's birthday, which was such a blast.  It included delicious eats and a petting zoo.  Just so you know, ohhing and ahhing over cute animals is not just for kids.  Danny couldn't make the party because he is in the middle of writing a score for a play his friend is directing. (I know, my husband is cool.)  I was planning on driving up to the shindig, but right before the party, I realized I've lost some social skills or should I say outgoing skills since marriage. So I called my friend Amy to see if she wanted to drive together. I think I tried to play it cool and used some lame excuse about saving gas by driving together, but then I told her the truth about not knowing how to be outgoing anymore around people I don't know.  Amy laughed and said she would give me a ride and I'm so glad she did.  We had such a good chat on our drive to and from the party.  Anyway, here are some pics from the party. (They aren't the best...

As many of you know, General Conference was a week ago.  I felt spiritual fed, which I have been really needing lately.  I usually make a list of questions of things I need help with in life to listen for during conference, but I didn't do that this time.  I feel like my questions have been relatively the same for the past couple of years. Instead, I just thought I would listen for what I needed to work on.  By the end of the first Saturday session, I already had a long list!  This usually would make me feel guilty, but not so much this time around, which makes me think it wasn't just me being hard on myself, but instead me gaining some guidance and insight. I just tried to pick one or two things from the list to work on for now. There were so many great talks, that it is hard to choose a favorite one.  If I did have to choose one, it would be  President Monson's talk on Sunday morning.  Many of the speakers testified boldly and lovingly. ...

Hi Friends! So I've been working on my General Conference Gems post, where I list all my favorite quotes from conference, but it is taking me awhile.  So, to hold you over, I thought I would share some recent little things that have brought me great joy over the past little while. First, my dad emailed me this comic strip this morning.  He said he thought I would appreciate it.  He knows me too well.  Oh the joys of being an introvert. Second, I like to mention periodically on this blog about how the last time I went to England, my friend Talena and I stayed in Bamburgh castle and how it was the most amazing experience ever.  Well,  this website  lists castles, manor homes and other places of historical significance that you can stay in while on holiday.  Most of the places are in the UK, but there are a few in France and Italy as well.  Do you know how many hours of daydreaming this has brought me?!  I probably shouldn't say. ...