30s

2010-09-11T01:36:00.001-06:00

A big pigeon is hanging out in front of my door. That crazy guy has trapped me in where the bug is trying to run me out!

2010 - Waves of Change

2010-03-23T23:40:00.002-06:00

New job - New struggles - New fruits of my burdens. I must say that all in all the efforts in my life are paying off. I've spent the last several months working writing and researching an ultrasound report which we finally published today. The title could not be more appropriate for my life:

Rachel's home!

2009-06-03T00:14:00.002-06:00

My little sister is home for the summer and I can't remember being this happy!

Niece Date!

2009-04-29T00:09:00.002-06:00

Friday I was in complete withdrawals from no time with Cameron and Addison and I drove to Kaysville to spend some time with the amazing duo! I showed up and before I was even out of the car they'd handed me the vase full of flowers they'd picked for me. Seriously... these two totally spoil me. The plan had been ice skating, but the rink was closed and their little hearts had been set on this... We decided instead on ice cream and time at the park. However, on the ride to the ice cream parlor we got lost and found ourselves in front of Chuck E Cheese... Cameron's eyes light up at the possibility and Addison took some convincing... Two minutes later we were in the door and purchasing WAY too many tokens (I could tell by the way the cashier looked at me.) It was probably evident at that point that I was a rookie... We then found our table and split out the tokens and then proceeded in awe at all of the possibilities. We had a hard time choosing the first ride, but settled on this cool bike ride which looked scary to me, but Cameron hopped right on. Then Addison... I love these pics because they look a little nervous. We then hit some additional games and found out that Addison had been hiding her talent for bowling and skeeball and Cameron had an incredible lucky streak! At one point she found me and urgently explained that her machine was just spitting out tons of tickets. People were amazed and formed a circle around her in awe. At several points in the mix they would comment on how much fun it was and, "why don't we do this more offen?" I think the same way... It was fun and more fun than I've had in a VERY long time. The plan is to have a date at least once a month. By the end of the night they had a ton of tickets which I counted diligently and then we went to buy our prizes... The girls experienced some sticker shock and after I told Cameron it'd be 200 for a necklace she said quickly, "FOR A NECKLACE???" They both got some cool things for themselves, but also saved enough money to buy some things for Axel and also tried hard to push something on me. They are so so so sweet! On the road back home they were both silent... 4 hours in a Chuck E Cheese and they were OUT! I had a blast too and really can't believe how often they thanked me and hugged me, even though I gave addison a run for her money at skiball.

Hawaii!!!

2009-04-28T23:53:00.006-06:00

Such a busy, crazy Spring and I almost forgot to say how WONDERFUL Hawaii was! We stayed in an amazing resort for 8 days and just relaxed. I had worked like crazy prior to leaving and packed the whole night before and by the time I got there I felt so beat up! However... My wonderful friend Monique met me in the lobby with a beautiful fresh flower lai that she'd brought from another island for me along with a much needed hug. Sweet Monique! Then she and her boyfriend (Jody) helped me take my luggage to my room and took me to a wonderful thai dinner as I tried hard to be any conversation after being so so tired. Back at my room and super tired I found a dead cockroach! UGH! Definitely wasn't sure if it was dead or stunned, but called housekeeping just to be sure!

The next day I spent just relaxing at the beach and of course working.... still much better to work at the beach than in an office watching the snowy weather outside.

Then the next day Crystal flew in from Seattle to visit for a couple of days. We had massages, wonderful runs and walks on the beachy and rocky coast, and ate amazing food! We also found a couple of people to take pictures - well, one guy who didn't know how to work the camera phone...

Crystal stayed a couple of days and monique had left already so the next couple of days were just me, the beach, and the whales playing RIGHT off the coast! It was so phenomenal and already feels like its been too long!

Axel and the Car

2009-03-11T22:35:00.003-06:00

On Sunday Axel was just so very happy and I managed to get a couple of shots of him looking right at the camera. Some others are of his best race car driver impression.

Battered....

2009-02-25T17:01:00.002-07:00

So there are days that you just get beat up. Then there are weeks. I have been sick with some stupid cough and sinus infection for almost two weeks. There is a girl I work with who would rather complain than be successful. I am her main target because sadly I have shown you can be successful.

After numerous meetings with her this week that also involved my boss I find it hard to see that no one just says, "stop pointing fingers at those in the game and GET IN THE GAME." I also have no ability to understand those who would rather fail and complain than succeed.

If you see me this week... give me a hug.

sun

2009-02-24T22:33:00.002-07:00

today on the way to work the sun peeked out between the clouds for a second and I just stared. Instant happiness overcoming me. I thought instantly: wow! It's a whole sun. That's how long it's been since I even saw the sun.

Panick!

2009-02-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

change

2009-01-21T22:15:00.002-07:00

today we had budget meetings all day and I realized two things:

1- I Get super bored in long meetings

2- people that make you feel bad will always make you feel bad.

In setting goals I have focused on only working with those clients who appreciate what I do for them and their practice. I know that those who don't treat me well will only bring down my ability to help those who believe in me. I realized suddenly that I should do the same in my personal life. New goal.

So to those friends and family who constantly spoil me you will be getting more focused support from me this year: my sisters and crista, Gardner, shad, parents, janele and monique I am sorry It took corporate goals. Thank you!

Specifically this week... Thank you sweet shad for being willing to treat me differently if and when that's what I need!

In Stitches

2008-12-16T21:47:00.003-07:00

So today I went to my oral surgeon as a follow up to getting my wisdom teeth pulled. For those of you who don't know this happened last week by a somewhat orange physician who has been intermittently hitting on me.

Today when I met with him he mentioned how it he was sad to know that I didn't have any follow up appointments since now my teeth were pulled. I laughed kind of and he followed saying, "yeah, so I should call you." Without thinking I told him yes.... argh.

Then he examined my teeth - or I should say lack of teeth. He asked if one side had felt sharp. I said no. He said that there seemed to be a stitch remaining, but that it should disolve or "fall out." It was a busy day and I didn't think about it again until JUST NOW.

While watching "how I met your mother" (the best new show on tv) I felt something sharp on the back of my tongue and reached in to find this:

Resilient

2008-12-15T00:39:00.002-07:00

Today Cameron broke her arm again. It broke my heart because I can remember the pain still of broken arms and I can remember the worst part - being frustrated at being down to one arm. Thing is that she's bound to get injured in life because she goes about everything she does at full speed without fear. I can't feel too sorry for that. In fact - one of the things I love most about her is that she's already planning what she'll do when the cast is off.

Also... Another thing I noticed about her tonight is that she didn't let her broken arm change her plans at all. She had her Sunday planned and was determined to go through with her plans. When she and G and C got back from the hospital she settled in and immediately began to think forward into the week - Addison's choir concert tomorrow, her cousins coming in on Wednesday, etc.

Until I saw her I was absolutely crushed at the thought of her having another broken arm. But she cruised through this without so much as a second thought. I can promise you that this is a trait she pulls from her mother. Crista has never been held back long by any injury or sad event in her life. I find myself constantly amazed at her ability to snap back to her loving successful self. What a joy to see this passed on to her daughter.

Wisdom Teeth

2008-12-12T00:02:00.002-07:00

40 minutes is how long my dad said I was away from him. Quick. Every time I'm put under anesthesia I really think perhaps I won't wake back up. This time I remember thinking how strange it is that I willingly sat in a chair as they strapped monitors to my arms and one leg and then tenderly put a needle in my arm. On the outside I was making jokes to the nurse and to the CRNA. They laughed and then when the surgeon entered I made him laugh as well. When I'm nervous I tend to talk too much. But the whole time I though how strange that I sat so still and so calm when moments before I'd signed the document releasing them from any fault should I not wake up. I tried to think about what I'd want my last thoughts to be... then I was awake again and I don't even remember waking up. Slick. That's all I can call it. Not so slick... That's what I'd call my humor before going under. When the surgeon entered it went like this:
Surgeon: Well how are you doing today Emily?
Me: Actually... I'm more concerned about how you're doing.
Surgeon: Well, I'm REEEALLLY REALLY tired... I didn't sleep at all last night (smirking a bit)
Me: Seriously? We should trade places then.

Right... And yet everyone in the room laughed because somehow they all knew I was thinking, "wow... what if I don't wake up."

Reviews

2008-11-24T16:26:00.003-07:00

Today a chocolate craving hit me at work and it was the kind that refused to be ignored. I had no choice but to bargain with a colleague to trade a "full report" for a fun sized Baby Ruth. This led me to thinking... You all might be witnessing the first of many, many reviews. You must feel so lucky!

Recently I had the pleasure of experiencing my first baby ruth. For those of you who have not yet experienced the sinful taste I highly recommend it. Upon first view the BR (yeah, I shortened it) seems fairly similar to other candy bars in that it contains similar ingredients - peanuts, chocolate, some sort of softer chocolate, etc. However, I unhesitatingly assure you that the BR possesses a unique quality above any other bars in its category. Once in your mouth its almost as if it is a welcome relative coming back home. The pleasure it gave me to chew it was only rivaled by the sadness that overwhelmed me upon swallowing...

Being Nastalgic

2008-11-18T22:30:00.003-07:00

Its funny how talents exhibit themselves early in life. Recently my little nephew who is incredibly adept at what I would call Physical engineering has figured out how to "disable" a bottle. He has always had such a fondness for figuring out how things work... mind you when I saw ALWAYS he is nearly one and half... Age aside he seems to have an uncanny ability in this area. Recently while on a trip to Salt Lake he sat in the middle row of seats and after days of studying his bottle finally figured a way to open it. He has tried pulling, unscrewing, and biting... none of which worked. On this trip he pushed the nipple to the bottom of the bottle and found a way finally - to open the bottle.

So what I already miss is how even when he was in the middle of play he would stop short, find his bottle, and snuggle up. This is the only time to get real snuggle time with him... I have to admit that I truly wish he wasn't so very smart.

Janeal

2008-11-18T22:10:00.004-07:00

Stalled in my move till
You organized my spices
Now I am down town

My boyfriend

2008-11-05T21:35:00.006-07:00

Democracy

2008-11-04T21:11:00.002-07:00

So today was election day and I am sick as I can ever remember being... I needed to go to the Dr. and I needed to do some work... But I postponed both because my dad said something Sunday which really made me feel super lucky. He brought up that the American President is likely the most powerful position in the world and that every four years it changes - and this is key - without bloodshed. Today as I was lying in my bed after a sleepless night and my throat ached from coughing I felt lucky and I got my but out of bed and cast my vote.

Thanks Dad!

Computer Chats...

2008-09-15T21:56:00.000-06:00

My mom states that she still remembers being in the other room when Mr. Rogers was on and thinking that perhaps I had a friend in there with me b/c I was so chatty... Turns out I was just responding to all of Mr. R's questions... I'm quite sure that I didn't know the difference between tv and reality. Later my brother went to pre-school and it was explained to me as "kind of like Romper Room." For you youngsters that was a tv show at the time. When he'd be eating dinner at night and my dad asked about his day it was never the same as what I'd watched on Romper Room and I'd think, "you liar."

Yesterday I was talking to my sister Rachel and her daugher over the internet and via video and my niece did something that made my heart leap... She said, "E A Yee where's your hand?" So I held my hand up backhand facing her... "E A Yee other side." So I flipped my hand palm up to her... She immediately tried to push her little camera through the computer... It needed fixing.

Man... Someone should really sit down with both of us and explain technology!

Proud!

2008-08-06T23:20:00.001-06:00

My adversary...

2008-07-07T22:21:00.001-06:00

Tonight my vacuum kicked my a. I had great big plans about moving furniture out onto my deck and vacuuming every square inch of this place - perhaps even a couple of times. My vacuum however, had a different set of plans. Namely to scrape every last bit of polish off my nails while I ATTEMPTED (yes I did say ATTEMPTED) to replace the belt that had broken with one I had ordered online.

Some things I learned in tonight's three hour battle in which my vacuum was victorious - yet again:

1 - If you're frustrated by your vacuum because you don't know how to use it... don't buy some cheap piece of crap vacuum thinking that your next attempt with your original vacuum will go better - it won't. Buy a real vacuum that you can understand. Yes... tonight I tossed not just the ONE vacuum, but TWO.

2 - If your vacuum belt breaks you should DEFINITELY look at the size of the belt prior to tossing it.

3 - If you didn't happen to check the size and you don't have the model number of your vacuum with you at work DO NOT ORDER THE BELT - they all look alike. It is a super bad idea to guess and it turns out that not all Kirby's take the same belts.

4 - If your vacuum is older than you are but you are holding onto it because everyone tells you how great it is and well... BAD IDEA!

5 - If you are keeping this huge heavy vacuum due to an emotional attachment you have formed to it since its the one your mom used your entire childhood you might possibly need help.

6 - My last lesson was of course that the belt is in fact an important functioning part of the vacuum. You might waste your efforts trying to vacuum without having one.

All bleeding eventually stops...

2008-06-26T22:39:00.000-06:00

So its been a rough couple of months even though its Spring here and yesterday I was talking to my brother who's having the same type of months. I found myself relating one of my favorite phrases that an old friend told me a few years back moments before it was too late and from too far away to do much else than to save me with words.

Even as I wrote the words to G I began to feel the wave of relief that hit me the first time I heard this phrase. I realized that the most difficult time of our lives is when we're unsure of an outcome or in the midst of some turmoil. Not when things aren't going our way, but when we're not sure which way we want them to go. When we're crouched waiting to jump or run or lie down... when we're ready but have nowhere to direct our action, intelligence, and reasoning.

The one thing I know to be true of all the advice I've ever been given: All bleeding eventually stops.

So I wait. Patiently crouched and much less frustrated, angry, or sad because I know that it will stop. When it stops I will know what to do and I have learned I can deal with anything once it is done.

Salt Lake Spring!

2008-03-22T22:27:00.000-06:00

Today in Salt Lake City it was SPRING! I wish I could tell you of the transformation that happens inside me at this time of year. Its like all of my thoughts and feelings are painted yellow. I can even watch the news with a smile. I thought I'd pay quick homage to this amazing time of year with a list of why this is the best time of the year:
1 - you can wear flip flops which cuts down on laundry time and decision making time (i.e., what shoes or boots or blah blah)
2 - you can wear a sweat shirt if you WANT but you don't have to.
3 - on weekends the sun wakes you up.
4 - the sky is almost always blue
5 - the mountains are still pretty and white.
6 - everyone seems so happy
7 - all of a sudden there's this incredible burst of energy
8 - even though (as sara said) mini eggs have been out for a while... this is when they're truly meant to be eaten.
9 - memories of Payson and Easter egg hunts seem to swamp me every time I drive by a park.
10 - I start to make lists and actually get things done again
11 - I look better in the sun - my eyes are a bit more green.
12 - In unpacking my summer clothes I have this amazing sense of anticipation.
13 - YARD WORK! And yeah - I like it.
14 - Sunlight at 8 p.m. That's like the biggest gift ever.
15 - CANYONS CANYONS CANYONS
16 - I get to break out my camelback, tanks, and hiking shoes!

Horsepower in all things

2008-01-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who know the boys in my family you will understand this conversation that I witnessed Sunday evening. My sister in law and Gardner are discussing purchasing a new vacuum but will also be building a new home soon. They are debating purchasing a Kirby vacuum or getting a central vacuum in their next home.

dad: you ought to get the central vacuum. Its so handy and great and I love it in the garage. There's nothing better for cleaning out cars.

gardner: I'm worried about the suction in a central vacuum.

dad: I haven't had anything that cleans out cars as well. Its amazing - its great to have in the garage.

gardner: With such a long hose how can it have that much suction?

dad: What do you mean? Its airtight so it has the same suction at the end. Besides its got a ton of horsepower. I'll bet you couldn't find a vacuum out there with nearly as much horsepower.

gardner: Really? How much horsepower do you think it has?

How were they able to equate something typically used only to clean the house with cars and horsepower? That's a rare genetic Crane trait.

Cancun to New Year!

2008-01-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

It reminds me of that phrase, "it was the best of times and the worst of times." The best being lying by a beautiful white sand beach as sweet waitresses brought any drink of our choice every few minutes. The worst being packing to go home and realizing that as the plan landed there was SNOW SNOW SNOW everywhere. Merry Christmas!

Highlights Include:
the wall fountain that greeted us in the main hall. It made mom so happy.
the beautiful jacuzzi tubs in the rooms (and mine and m's worked too).
the amazing deep cavern on the way to chickenitsa.
Cliff jumping over and over so that we could catch it on camera! We didn't have to twist M's arm...
Some of the most amazing ruins I've ever seen.
But, the most important highlight was THE SUN!!!
Oh yeah... the best highlight for me was that I realized I look like mom! FINALLY! YAY!

Our company was fantastic (I can't think of anyone I'd rather share such a great resort vacation with), our hotel was beyond belief, the food was safe and yummie, and the weather was PERFECT!!!

Mouse in the House?

2007-10-17T00:03:00.000-06:00

Above are a couple of examples of why its been hard to be back home after taking more than a week to soak up the sun in Maui...

Tonight I walked out of work with a friend and we stood in the parking garage talking. While Jess was filling me in on all that happened last week I stood fidgeting (if I listened to my mother and didn't fidget..). I began scraping my open toed black shoe back and forth over some strange lump on the floor. I wasn't really thinking, but if I had been I'm sure I'd have been thinking about ten billion other things other than the obvious: what is this thing I keep scraping my foot back and forth over? Yes - had I been thinking at all I'm sure I'd have been looking down at my nearly split ends that badly need trimming or my toes that badly need painting... the beach was rough on me!

Anyway as I said, I stood thoughtlessly scraping my almost bare foot over this lump when suddenly my friend looked down for a minute and then back up. She made direct eye contact with me and nearly screamed, "WHAT IS THAT THING?" Not too concerned I allowed my eyes to wander where my foot had been wandering.

Two points I'd like to make is that there are TWO of whatever this is and that one of them has been PAINTED over by whoever painted the parking lines. Nice work guys. Really great attention to detail. I guess had I decided to nap in the wrong place I too could have been striped.

Rolling Stones and Relief Society

2007-09-15T01:43:00.000-06:00

This past Sunday while in San Diego with my family we attended church together. When the women were in class together we had a lesson on morality. The teacher commented about how Mik Jagger had oppenly admitted that their music was geared at making teens engage in immoral acts... she went on about how important it is that as women we take a moral stance and be sure that we choose even good music, etc... My youngest sister lightly poked my side and made pointed out that a couple rows back a girl was actually WEARING a ROLLING STONES t-shirt. It was the one with a big tongue and had the letters printed boldly over her chest... I couldn't help but squirm a bit for her and realize how perhaps our lesson should have been on understanding. I guess I just have a hard time believing that the band's goal was more financial and that their goal was to SELL ALBUMS just as that poor girl's main girl was fashion... I just don't know that it was as much about immorality...

Good news (and that's the biggest understatement I've ever made)

2007-06-18T00:47:00.000-06:00

Maren is 18. I was thinking today about things that happened in my 18th year. One year of college, a pepper spray incident, my first bout with mono, my first crush on someone over 20, a job turning bottles at the Pepsi plant (the 3p.m. to 1a.m. shift), I lived off lettuce and Count Chocula, and my cousin and I invented long walks together. I can't remember anything super, super tough.

At 18 Maren has already had mono twice (once very seriously), worked away from home for a summer, kept me sane, had a boyfriend (one who is REAL), and found that her boyfriend had cancer. Most importantly she has remained funny and kind through all of these things. Shortly after she missed the wedding of one of our sister's (due to mono) I picked her up to take her to the wedding dinner... even though she was sick sick sick and disappointed at having missed the wedding... she managed to be so incredibly funny. I tell people all the time how funny this sister is. They smile or nod, but they don't get it. She's not just funny, she's funny at times when you NEED it.

At 19 Adam has found out that his life was in serious danger 1 week before leaving for a mission. Diagnosed with a very serious cancer he has exhibited a mental and emotional toughness that I have never seen before. I am sure that there must be moments where he feels like this is unfair, but he has never shown that. He has battled like no one I have ever met. Never in my life would I have thought that my Sunday night would entail a visit to see my YOUNGER sister's boyfriend at Huntsman Cancer Institute and I never would have pictured laughing or smiling as much as I did tonight.

For this boy there was finally good news. Numerous MRIs taken last Friday could not find this tumor about which his life has revolved for the past months. Shock fell over his oncologist who had never considered this an even slimly thought of hope. She is not sure which direction this takes his treatment since they had planned for many many more months prior to this type of outcome. She has a meeting on Monday to discuss Adam with her fellow physicians at Huntsman.

If you could see this boy who has finally put on ten pounds to his cute lanky frame you would be so impressed. He walks in the hospital now and smiles when he hears his name again (even with those dreadful chemo bags at his side). This is the boy who has more strength than anyone I know. I did not know how hard he could fight when we first got news and I must say that it was tough to go through the motions of everyday life thinking about possible outcomes. I have noticed that age plays a much smaller role in life than I had ever thought. At 19 he has shown me that there is a way to be happy and to hope through anything.

I hope that you will all pray for the minds at Huntsman to be at their most sharp during the next couple of days. I would like to think that more good news awaits Adam and his family and to my sweet, funny sister.

Maren... thank you for tonight. I love that you inspire kindness in me even in times of hurt.

Braid For Sale?

2007-05-23T23:50:00.000-06:00

So I was in this little coffee / juice shop that is downstairs from my friend J's loft... We were waiting for our drinks and just wandering around the little shop when she happened on this flyer tacked up to one of the columns in the shop. We couldn't stop laughing and reading every detail...

Some things I'd like to bring up:

1 - This is HAND DRAWN... and by that I mean NOT A COPY either. In this computer era where we can download photos from any website in the world or scan in actual photos this person actually took the time to HAND DRAW each flyer they posted around town.

2 - AMAZING DETAIL... ok before I didn't want to purchase a braid, but now that I've seen how it can make earrings sparkle and pearls gleam I might change my mind... Plus - is it just me or would the new braid actually make me bustier?

3 - BRIGHT RED... so the actual HAND DRAWING pictures a soft orange hair while the writing in the ad boasts BRIGHT RED. Is this a form of false advertising?

4 - PLACEMENT... Seriously? A coffee shop? Now I don't spend a lot of time in coffee shops so I'm not sure, but does the average coffee drinker NEED a BRIGHT RED braid?

5 - LENGTH... 35 inches? Seriously? This is either WAY too much hair to use on your head or not enough to make a bright read hammock. Give me a length I can use!!! There is no way I can have my prince climb to my window using only 35 inches.

6 - CONTACT TAGS... At the bottom there are little tags with a phone number... All I have to say is SOME ARE MISSING???

Seriously if any of you have in your possession a little tag - THROW IT AWAY!!! To be clear I DO NOT want this for my birthday. I can think of no better way to introduce lice or any number of diseases to myself and my house or both if I decide to use it to make a hammock.

HOA

2007-04-26T22:52:00.001-06:00

Monday was our annual HOA (Home Owner's Association) meeting. At 6:30 (after HOURS of work meetings) I walked across the street to the library and found Conference Room C. I have only lived in my condo a while and I'm a bit shy - and work too much - so I really only know about 2 people in my complex and they consist of: the woman in the wheel chairish thing on floor 2 who gives me a smile too big for Monday mornings. It always makes me feel so guilty that someone with the need of a wheel chair can smile so much on Monday morning when all I'm thinking is how much life sucks - who needs that guilt! STOP SMILING! And, my neighbor who recently purchased Justin Timberlake's new CD.... I need to buy him some new music since I don't think hearing that CD over and over is "bringing sexy back."

Sorry, back to the meeting:

So I walked into the meeting with my own bottle of water only to find that someone had gone to Costco and evidently purchased ALL of the snack items in the store. I picked up a bazillion papers (the financial report of 2006, the budget for 2007, the last year's notes, etc) and a cookie looked for a place to sit. Immediately I noticed the Smiler and said hello and she cornered me (which was unfair since she had a motorized chair on her side) and said that she was going to be nominating me for the board. WHAT??? I was so taken off guard by anyone actually speaking to me at all that I nodded shyly. I looked around the room and this is what I saw:

Four chairs at the front of the room facing about 600 chairs which were occupied by 4 board members at the front and then about 6 other people. I think judging by the extra treats and chairs that someone might have overestimated the attendance...
The board members consisted of a guy with very curly bushy hair that was slightly gray, a guy about my age with jeans that were too tight and a tucked in button down shirt and half-boots, the Smiler, and a woman with red-ish pink hair with a bunch of pencils and a crazy look.

The meeting began and I realized immediately that the pink-ish haired lady was the Secretary, but was also slightly deaf. BAD COMBINATION. Although I must admit that her need for constant clarification on things like roll call became quite funny. She in fact was in charge of taking role and right off the bat when realizing there were only six people in attendance versus the 30 that didn't show you would think it might be most efficient to get the names of the people there rather than call through the WHOLE LIST. Nope - she called the whole list and the best part is the list was outdated and so she never called our names. Then she asked our names, but again... she's slightly deaf. About 90 minutes later we finally headed into the meeting. They actually "called it to order." I nearly laughed out loud because at first I thought that they were feigning professionalism. Again... NO! As the meeting progressed and each topic we discussed had to be addressed by someone who "had the floor" and then agreed on and then "nominated" and then "seconded" and then "voted in" I became acutely aware how serious they were taking this meeting.

The meeting was long so I won't bore you with all of the details - even though I heard most of it TWICE thanks to the deaf secretary. However, a couple of funny points I'll point out:

1 - the guy with half of his hair in a pony tail who wanted to have the "common areas" of the condo reasssigned so that the garage was not his responsibility since he didn't use it... I pointed out that since our garbage is stored there and since the garbage men have to pick it up USING the garage he technically uses the garage. Also all of our utility meters are in the garage. But, most importantly IT HOLDS UP THE BUILDING HE LIVES IN! He was still allowed to put an idea to vote since he "had the floor" and then it was Seconded by the deaf secretary who probably didn't even hear what he said. Obviously this didn't pass...

2 - the deaf secretary who wanted to readdress the fact that once a year our condo fees pay to have our outside windows washed in keeping with the maintenance of the common areas. Evidently since she's on the first floor she was offering to wash her own windows since she could reach them... She didn't want to pay for that out of her condo fees. WOW! What a savings it would make for the company that washes the windows to not have to do FOUR windows. I explained to her that there wouldn't really be any savings and that it would also be a problem because we wanted them all clean at the same time. She was frustrated and said that she didn't feel she should have to pay for anything she didn't use - like with the garage. I nearly laughed again, but explained that when you choose to buy a condo you choose to live in a COMMUNITY and to abide by the HOA rules. I suggested she buy a home so she could pay only for the things she wanted. Again... this went to vote, was seconded, and that's when the president realized that we didn't have enough people in attendance to vote on ANYTHING! Let's just say I wanted the last four hours of my life back.

3 - after the meeting and I'd been voted to the board I was about to leave when I heard the secretary talking to the president about reimbursement for the treats she'd brought. Keep in mind that she had just said, "I don't think I should have to pay for the things I don't use."
Deaf Secretary: I need to be reimbursed for the treats.
President: How much money's worth of treats do you think we ate?
Deaf Secretary: What? Well - I bought all of it for the meeting. I should be reimbursed for all of it - it was 72 dollars.
President: So do you want me to just take this stuff home and bring it to the next meeting?
DS: NO. I have some friends coming over this weekend and I need something for them to eat.

WHAT???

Oh - the good news is that at the meeting I found out what holiday is in February... A WEDDING! I found this out during roll call when the Deaf Secretary asked the girl next to me her name and she answered "Joe's Wife." We all laughed for a while and then asked her her name to which she replied "Tammy" to which the DS said, "Sammy?" She said, "no, Tammy." DS then nodded and I saw her write Carie down on the paper. Evidently Tammy and her now husband were married in February. Too bad because I'd grown used to those two being drug smugglers.

Quick Coincidence

2007-04-07T01:28:00.000-06:00

Tonight I went to dinner (I'd been wanting to eat anywhere with an open patio). As we turned into the restaraunt parking lot we passed a BRIGHT RED CORVETTE which was parked illegally. I commented something to the effect that people with Corvettes evidently can park wherever they want - since the rules don't apply to them. We parked and walked in. Once we were seated I noticed a couple at the next table. This is an EXACT description: The man seemed to be in his 60s and had very tight curly hair cut in a shorter "welcome back Kotter" style. His shirt was silky and a bit loose and unbuttoned far too low. He was VERY tan. I'm not sure if he was wearing gold chains or if I just imagined them since it seemed he should be. Though I couldn't see his shoes I guarantee they were something slip on and leather. The woman was in her mid 40s and had not quite blonde hair which was actually more hair spray than hair. She was wearing a very small black skirt with dark brown nylons and very high black pumps. Her shirt was BRIGHT RED. Immediately I knew we were sitting next to the Corvette couple. There are few cars which so easily betray their owners. After paying their check the couple stood and we watched eager to see if our instincts paid off. We both smiled as the couple walked to the illegally parked "vette."

Later that night I was on the phone with my younger sister as she recounted her evening. At one point our brother had picked her up in a new car - a brand new Tahoe. She was suprised to see him in a new car and asked about it a bit. She laughingly told me that since he'd bought a brand new (you guessed it!) Corvette the dealership had also given him a very good deal on a Tahoe. Now I am left wondering if I was seated next to my own brother in a restaraunt would I know?

What holiday is in February?

2007-02-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

I know that seems like an odd question - and in all reality it is. However, it is prompted by an odd situation. Tonight, February 24th (saturday) we noticed something quite odd...

My neighbors, not the ones right next door, the next-next door neighbors (2 doors down) seem to be preparing for the holidays. AGAIN or perhaps just VERY EARLY.

While inside my place I heard the familiar sound of a shopping cart being pushed along the concrete walkway outside my window. K who was at my house actually looked out and then came back in with a bit of a shocked look. Evidently the next-next doors were pushing two shopping carts full of holiday wrapped gifts to their condo. Not really that odd except that it is not December. I realized that my christian upbringing may have made me a bit close minded about holidays and so I actually did what anyone with a question does these days. I turned to Google. I searched Holidays February.

While February houses both Black History Month as well as GroundHog's Day (which as my cousin S states we do not observe as promised) I could find no holiday in February warranting carts full of wrapped gifts. Which leads me to question the sanity of my next-next doors as well as the contents of their carts. I don't want to make assumptions, but obviously I live next-next door to drug smugglers. Which pretty much makes me famous. If you need anything autographed just send it my way.

Valentine's Day...

2007-02-14T23:16:00.000-07:00

I thought today might be a good day to remind myself of all of the people that I belong to and love:
Maren: She was my gift for making it to 13 years of age and continues to be my gift for making it through each day. She reads my mind and heart better than anyone I know and is always so ready to say or do anything I need. By far the funniest girl I know and she can make me laugh with just a look. I have often wondered if Maren has always been my favorite word or if it became so the day I saw her snuggling in a tiny cap in the hospital on her birthday. She is the first reason for anything I do and the last person I would ever want to be without. I want everything for her and since she was born I have lived differently. With more purpose and with more love.
Gardner, Crista, Cameron, Addison: The most amazing family I've ever known. My brother is so conscious in his life of every decision to be sure that he is doing what's best for his family (extended and immediate). He has the most discipline of anyone I know in personal change and it is because of his wife who has an ability to communicate to him in a way that is loving and yet expecting. Their girls came with such amazingly different personalities and are the sweetest, smartest girls I know. I am so excited to see the way they grow.
My sisters: You couldn't list more than two or three similar traits we have and yet we have a bond that is one of the strongest I know. One trait I will say is that of loyalty and honesty. There's not a single girl I'd rather be related to than these ones. I smile at the thought of each one of them numerous times throughout the day. I must say that as the oldest sister it is a true gift to have been able to see them grow and change and become these amazing people. At times I look at them and see both the child (most often toddler) they were and the person they have become and it is too much happiness at once.
Mom and Dad: There has never been a better pair. EVER. EVER. EVER. Together they are everything I need and everything they need. They are the most different people in terms of personality and yet have had common goals and dedication that have provided a great incubator to all of us and will continue to do so. They are funny together. Nothing is funnier than my dad when he comes home from a long run and my mom's reaction as he hugs her to his sweaty self. I hope that one day I will be capable of loving someone as well as they love each other.
Janeal: She will know this, she is one of the greatest gifts of my adult life. She has battled changes and decisions in her own life in a way that make me so proud. She fights for every ounce of happiness and yet makes it seem so easy. She has started a new life and kept everyone in her past in tact and put them first in every possible way. I hate her struggle, but love the way she accomplishes it.
Kristen: There are few people outside of blood that can move with you for decades. In all this time she has never given me reason to distrust her. I know she would do anything for me. I don't deserve it. Every memory of her is one of support. She has lived with me and still wants to know me. That is truly tough. I know that there are a million times she has had to stick up for me and yet she would never have me know. She shares her life with me without question. If I had my way I would see her everday.
My Grandma: She died the Christmas of sixth grade. I know I will never feel love like hers again. Without question or hesitation. This is the one that brings tears. Crazy 8s on the deck and looking at the wall of her kitchen plastered with her grandchildren's pictures. Letterss she wrote to me before I could see color. She didn't need to know me to love me. I know that I am most like her and that makes me smile. I like that she had struggle and emotion and toughness. That some days she wanted to give up, but never did. Her children share this love and the gift she gave the world should make her proud. I would give so much to have more time with her and can't wait to have her hug me again.
Laura and Sara: If we weren't cousins I would still find them. I have needed them at ever stage of my life. In all of the biggest turning points of my life they were holding my hands. It isn't easy being the oldest girl in a family and because of them I didn't truly have to be. I find it so difficult to relate to people, especially women, and yet I have never had an ounce of struggle with these two. I wonder if Laura will remember cookies in the dorms on days my eyes were so red from homesickness or if sara will remember our pact to get better on the porch at Chatsworth.
I am also very fortunate in the friends I have had... I would have to say that I probably would have died of starvation while on vacation in San Francisco if Ben had not had the presence of mind to make me get back into the car instead of screaming at him from the road with the rest of the hungry homeless. Vacationing to San Fran and when I couldn't decide on clothes he hung a clothes rod across the back of the car so I could take EVERYTHING I wanted. I would also probably still be working for DD and listening to an old lady tell stories about how her doctor doesn't understand how sick she really is as she cried at my desk or how her cat can tap dance... He can say exactly what I need to hear in just a few words... and will.
Then Kelly who I've known FOREVER. Through I don't know how many cars or houses for him, but through the biggest purchases of my life and through the biggest moves he has been the consistent. Today I told him how in each place I've lived I can sit in it and feel so loved for the things he changes for me. The lights, the paint, in this last case the actual condo. Through holidays and holidays and holidays which are all so rough on me and by association (poor guy) on him. He is one of the smartest people I know and has changed so much about how he deals with people. I hope he can remember painting my trim while I vacationed in San Francisco or taking pictures of me in a completely empty condo... letting me use hot water since I bought shoes instead of a hot water heater. Putting me up...

K's wedding

2007-02-13T00:47:00.001-07:00

K's wedding
Originally uploaded by em_crane.

A Saab Story

2007-02-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd write a brief history of how this industry has come to be last on my list of industries which help to further the progress of mankind. I'll start here, today: Tonight I went to see a friend of mine who lives a couple of blocks from me in downtown salt lake. She, being thoughtful, called to remind me that there was a Jazz Game and thus no parking would be available. She offered to open their gate when I got there so that I could park inside since there are a couple of free spots. I don't know if many of you have driven downtown on the night of a game (and it doesn't count of you're going TO the game), but it is wretched. There have been times when I just wanted to pull my keys from the ignition in the middle of the street and just run free as tears cascade down my cheeks. There have also been times when I was to meet friends at some restaraunt or club and after circling the block for about nine hours I just give up and go home. My friend Janeal knows this. That is why it is so sweet of her to open the gate.

Once parked I went upstairs to Janeal's where we opted for a low-key night, just due to the stress we'd both had this week regarding our jobs. We hung out a while and then WALKED (not drove) WALKED TO a fantastic little Thai restaraunt. We then headed back to her place for a bite of ice cream and a couple of minutes of Office Space. All in all not a bad little evening, right? After the goodnights I found myself looking at a blank space where I thought I'd parked. I wasn't incredibly sure, the doubt now due to the car being absent. I walked up and down and couldn't find my car. My head dropped... That was for sure where I'd parked. I then began the hunt for a phone number that might help me out. Having found a TINY sign I finally I reached someone who was in bed and didn't know much since he wasn't "at the computer." This response used for each of my questions:

me: did you tow a gray saab?
him: I don't know, I'm not at the computer.

me:Do you know how I can find out?
Him: I don't know I'm not at the computer.

Me: Is there a way I could speak with someone at the computer?
Him: I just take the night calls. I am not at the computer.

Me: Can I come pick up my car?
Him: You can't pick it up on the weekends........... or at least if you do there is a weekend fee.

Me: OK. I need to pick up my car NOW. So I'll pay the fee. Do you know how much that is?
Him: I don't know. I am not in front of the computer.

Me: I understand that, but you HAVE MY CAR. I just need to know how to get it back.
Him: Perhaps you can call back and get someone else.

Me: How would that... I stopped as he'd hung up on me.

Me: DIALING FAST AND ANGRY

Me: I think we must have gotten DISCONNECTED SOMEHOW. I need to know the address and how to pay.
Him: We only take Cash. We are in the midvale area.

Me: The midvale area is pretty vague. Could you just give me the address?
Him: 8600 South and 50 West.

Me: Thank you. Do you know what side of the street that is on?
Him: It is near State street.

Me: How much do I have to pay you?
Him: I don't know (If he says computer I might fly at him like a howler monkey) I guess its 100 dollars for an hour of towing, another 50 for the weekend "service", and another 50 for the storage.

Me: I have to pay for storage? You TOOK my car. I still don't know why I was towed... I definitely DO NOT WANT STORAGE.
Him: Oh wait, actually you'll have two days worth of storage.. Its 11:45 now, by the time we get it out it will be after midnight and into another day.

UGH!!!

Me: No, I'll be there. You had better be there b/c I am only paying for one day. I think you can at least do that for me, right?
Him: I'm not the boss.

Me: Well I'll be there in time. If you're not that's not my fault.

Frantically we drove to an ATM to collect the necessary cash and then drove on to the sketchiest, seediest part of Salt Lake with extra cash in hand. Safe.

We found a dark parking area (is it a lot if its all mud?) it was entirely surrounded by old fallen down barbed wire fencing. Inside there were cars parked askew and most times too near one another. I hesitantly exited the car and walked to the truck gripping my cash with my friend waiting in her car, her phone ready to dial 911... The man told me it'd be 181 since he'd knocked off the extra day. Which was nice given it was exactly 12:03. Basically he gave me three minutes of free storage. Nice. I need to remember to get a thank you note in the mail... When I handed him 200 dollars he said he had no change. I said, oh- then can I just be a dollar short?

Him: No.
Me: Then what do we do? do you want to wait while I go get change?
Him: No

Me: sadly handing him another 20... ok.

That made me swear a bit on the drive home, but no one was in my car so it was just like that tree falling in the forest without anyone there... the swearing didn't really happen.

Me: Where's my car?
Him: Right there. He vaguely waved to the bulk of the cars in the mud lot.

Me: Oh. I see it.

I teetered through the mud in heels (my favorites) and got to my poor car and walked around it. Which disgusted the tower - audibly. I then backed out slowly. The whole time trying to decide if I'd be making my bed with Satan by peeling out right in front of him where he stood ready to close the gate... Thoughtss of mud splattering up and onto his eyebrows was too much for me. TOO MUCH! Besidess - he'd made me walk through much in my favorite heels. Hopefully he used my 19 dollar "tip" to cover the drycleaning.

Q20 - The Perfect Holiday Gift?

2006-12-26T00:37:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know what Q20 is I will say this... I am not sure it is evil and I am not sure it is holy, but it definitely varies between the two and it is SCARY. Scary like the way babies can fold all the way over their legs. Scary like my mom's ability to grab a hot pan out of the oven (with no mit) and not flinch. Q20 is a small, round, plastic object (about the size of my fist - or your's... whatever.) It can READ YOUR MIND. You think of a word and Q20 will ask you a series of questions and guess the word in less than 20.

My first introduction to Q20 was VERY brief and occurred at work so I did not have the opportunity to fully test its capabilities. A colleague of mine had one on her desk and said, "think of a word." Well I was put on the spot and my word was in retrospect, stupid. "Firetruck." I said to her. She then handed me the Q20 and it began a series of questions, "Is it animal?" and so on. After about ten questions it said, "I know what it is... Its Firetruck." Stunned, I almost dropped the little devil. I hurried back to work and forgot the entire encounter.

My second meeting was much more intimate and relaxed. In helping a friend decide which of three gifts to take to a holiday party as a white elephant I found myself thrown together with Q20 once more. I began hesitantly and asked my friend to think of a word. He did and Q20 began a line of questioning. Within about 18 guesses it had found that his word was BUS. I became intrigued as did my friend and we decided to do our best at stumping this little marvel.

We had a brief conversation about words this thing would not know... We settled on toe and quickly found that the Q20s line of questioning, while adept, could not narrow down to individual filanges. The closest it came was foot, which obviously still amazed us and almost had me shooving it down the garbage disposal out of fear! We played another couple of rounds and lost each time as the Q20 somehow read our minds... At this point I had decided we could not say the word outloud fearing some sort of mini-ear on this object... But, my next word was genius! MOLD! I just couldn't believe that some programmer had thought that "mold" would be a word that needed to be programmed into Q20's scary little brain. We began our line of questioning, "is it an animal?" Obviously some of these questions were somewhat stumping even to me, "Does it move?" hmm... Finally after 20 questions had passed Q20 arrogantly said, "I know... Its DUST." I stood happily shocked and a bit crushed... I had beaten Q20. But what does that mean?

I decided to further test the Q20 to see where its weaknesses lie and found that it was like playing 20 questions with a small child. Granted, a very smart child, but a child. It could not guess small body parts, reproductive organs (giggle), or anything beyond a PG-13 rating. However, if you stick to objects you will lose to Q20 every day of the week and find yourself becoming slightly paranoid. You will catch yourself thinking thoughts and then just as quickly thinking, "oh - crap - did it read that thought?" You'll want to throw it out of a moving vehicle or at the very least smash it with a hammer, but then you'll think, "did it just read THAT thought?" You are best to never pick it up at all...

Almost Christmas

2006-12-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

So I realized today that there are a couple of things that thwart Christmas for me. I'll explain:

1 -OFFICE GIFTGIVING:
Today one of the guys I work with decided to give everyone little mini basketballs... Yeah I realized right off that this probably wasn't the best idea since I work with all guys. By the nine bazillionth time that I was on an important call and caught yet another one of these balls in my eyeball I was over the holiday season. Funny thing is that all I could hear everytime it happened was my highschool basketball coach's voice in my head, "dammit crane...keep your eye on the ball."

2 - SECURITY GATES:
I don't know why I thought it would be easy to just load my car up with the already wrapped, already purchased gifts for my friends and just drop them off at their houses. Its not. Somehow security gates have popped up everywhere that I needed to go tonight. And ODDLY no one was home - which leads me to...

3 - HOLIDAY PARTIES:
Everyone seems to have a million holiday parties to attend. I have to be honest in saying that I have never realized how many friends I don't have when I thought I had quite a few. I can't really be annoyed by these parties, because I don't seem to go to any. Later I hear about them and how they were annoying or long or whatever BLAH BLAH BLAH. But it basically leaves me trying to figure out why I thought I was friends with people that I'm obviously not. The worst part is that now my car is full of gifts for all of these people that aren't my friends and as I said, they're already purchased and already wrapped.

4 - HOLIDAY CARDS:
I love seeing all of these pictures of happy people and hearing about their happy, perfect lives.. no really, I do. My favorite card came from my Aunt and I need to remember to give her a big hug. It simply said, "Gordon continues to have back problems and I had meniscus/knee surgery..." I love the honesty in that card that points out that life is not perfect.

5 - FAMILIES:
I have realized that this holiday in particular is not for the single people. It is not in fact fun to buy a tree to set up in your house where you rarely go (except to sleep) because there won't be any presents under it - they're all in the car! It is less fun to realize that you no longer believe in Santa and yet you have to be careful about what you say because someone does and inevitably I'll be the horrible aunt who accidentally spills the beans talking about a guy I know who "dressed up as santa..." and probably scar some poor child or at the very least illicit glares from any other conscientious adult around.

All in all I am just trying to see this as some nice time off work. I think that if I plan on much more I will be very disappointed.

Wednesday

2006-12-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

It is winter in Salt Lake again and every year it comes on so fast and dark. I become like a bear needing more and more sleep. Not wanting to leave home, but feeling lonely and a bit trapped.

I am finding that so much goes on in life lately. That I can't keep track of all of the births, birthdays, weddings, and surgeries, etc. of all the people in my life. What a strange thing to have come from such a simplistic existence into this. I worry that I miss little important moments because of this. A couple that I managed to catch I'll note:

Sunday my two nieces were playing with magnets on the fridge when the older (4) said, "Addison move your hand." It seemed a bit bossy for her and I said, "Move your hand PLEASE." The younger one said, "move your hand seese (please)." The older one replied saying, "no Addison, I say that." Such a funny conversations to overhear.

Today I had a friend who was having windows installed and I spent the day at his house since he was afraid to leave them there. I overheard a conversation the two installers had about Mountain Dew: "I love Mountain Dew." The other replied, "Why don't you marry it then?" The first guy replied, "I think I will and then at the wedding we can serve Mountain Dew and I can say that my wife's initials are MD." They continued on to describe the wedding to Mountain Dew in suprising detail.