Heroes

Thank you, brave men, for your sacrifice and service. You will be remembered. That monster will not.

Rest in peace Mark Dunakin

Rest in peace John Hege

Rest in peace Ervin Romans

Rest in peace Daniel Sakai

Go with God and peace and comfort to your families and the Oakland Police Department

Should I or shouldn't I - I need your input

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy a house.  There are a lot of good deals on houses, including this one in town that I like (2 bedrooms, nice big back yard, deck, very large kitchen and large living room, and a couple of houses down from a family I really like in the second ward).  They are either fixer uppers or have some quirk about them.  But I think it's a good time to buy as I think (betting on?) home values to start rising in a few months.  The problem is I own my condo, but it's value now is less than I owe, so I would definitely have to rent it out if I bought a house.  Even if I rent it out, with the homeowners association fees (over $300), I'd be renting it at a loss, but I think the rental fee would cover my new mortgage and then some.  And of course with the tax write off of the new place, I think that could cover utilities and property tax.  But still, it'd be tight, especially if my condo didn't rent out (but I think it would).  Oh, and to get the down payment, I'd have to almost wipe out my savings.

But I really want a house.  I feel really cramped in this condo and want my doggies to have a yard to run around in.  So what do you think?  Is it a good gamble, or should I hold? I want to sell off my condo when the market turns around (reference the $300 HOA fees).

Going to the Land in July

So as I mentioned before, since I'm not going to Girls Camp this year :( I have some more vacation time and plan on going to Disneyland again. My brother and sister-in-law said they are planning on coming down on July 24th through 27th, and that is also the time for Window to the Magic's Friends of the Magic which is a chance to get to meet some Disney Imagineers and other artists that have helped to make Disneyland what it is. So it should be fun!

Pity party

It's funny how some things get to you. I recently made contact with one of my friends from high school on Facebook. She sent me a message and mentioned that she had been married for seven years. My first thought was, "Wow, I didn't realize she got married so soon after high school." Then I realized, she got married when she was about 26.  It's times like those, or when I see friends from college with their five children that being single and childless really gets to me.  And when I realize how quickly time goes by.

I generally enjoy my life and being single, and part of that is thinking I'm still so young and have plenty of time to get married and have children.  As long as I have plenty of single friends to do things with, I'm fine.  Then I realize how far behind I am.  Not that I can really do anything about it, except go to more singles activities or move out of the area.  And I have single friends to hang out with, but they're getting younger and younger each year.  What, am I going to be 40 and chillin' with 18-year-olds?  I know God gives each of us our challenges, but it gets so tiring sometimes.  Trials are supposed to end sometime, right?  OK, I'm ready.  But the types of guys that are single in the Church at my age generally are either divorced or have some sort of quirk.  Again, don't get me wrong.  I'd say 90% of the time, being single is great!  I get to go to Italy and Spain without worrying about if my husband or children will be OK.  I have my dogs to worry about, but they don't require as much attention as kids.  Being single can be fantastic!  But there is that 10% of the time that it sucks.  OK, pity party is over! 

In the words of Roscoe P. Coltrane: GOOD NEWS!!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29468796/

Scientists uncover the root cause of going gray, and it might lead to prevention!!!

To see why this is good news, see this entry

Pay It Forward

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade (or possibly store-bought) gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch though: you have to post this same thing on your own blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift!

Io vado in vacanza!

Pisa

I am so excited. My mom called up last week and said she found a good deal for a cruise in Italy and Spain and wanted to know if I wanted to go. Now, I'm trying to save money to buy a house eventually, and with the economy the way it is, I was also thinking of saving money just in case, but I really have wanted to visit Italy for a long time, and the good deal coupled with the fact that I don't have any attachments other than work (and my doggies), that I really decided that I wanted to go.

Sorrento

So I'm going on a 12 night cruise from Rome, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. Besides stopping in Serrento, Florence/Pisa, and Barcelona, we'll also be stopping in Malta, Tunis, and Monte Carlo. I'm so excited to be visiting these places. I'm worried about the bill, but if I save up and be somewhat frugal on the purchases there, I should be OK. Besides, this is what people envy single people for, right? That they can just decide to go to Europe. I might as well enjoy it while I can!

Barcelona

Here's my ship:

Azamara Journey

A tribute to Aunt Vi

My Aunt Viola died on Sunday. She was 65 and had many health problems over the years. I was sad to hear of her passing, but not entirely shocked. Viola lived a bit away from where my parents lived, so I haven't got a chance to visit her for a long time. I don't think I've seen her since my grandpa's funeral a few years ago.

But I always enjoyed Aunt Vi. She almost always had a smile on her face. She was overweight since I've ever known her, but she was so good natured. She did have the temper my dad's family has been known to have, but I hardly ever saw that.

I'll miss you Aunt Vi. Go rest high on that mountain.

Finding things to do in July

I found out yesterday that if I go to Young Womens Camp this year, it'll be as a tent leader. And since I don't feel like going as a tent leader and they don't need me to go this year, I'm going to take the year (at least a year) off.

I've loved going to camp every year. It's a great opportunity to get away from all of the annoying things in the world and not be worried about what's going on in the world. It's a great spiritual experience and I've been blessed to go the past five years. Three of those years have been as a tent leader, which can be a lot of fun when you know the girls. Unfortunately, we only have one girl who would need a tent leader and I don't think I want to do the year she's in. I've had a lot of fun being in crafts the last couple of years. I'm not a crafty person, so it was a departure from me, but I had a lot of fun and found it so enjoyable working with the girls for a fun relaxing time at camp. I really want to go to camp sometime as a YCL leader (and yes, I know that means Youth Camp Leader leader). That would be an interesting assignment sometime, and I know my friend Teresa would like that. Perhaps next year.

In the meantime, I'll use that week off of work, the $75 fee, and gas money and instead make another run at Disneyland to use my Annual Pass. I'll miss the girls, and my camp t-shirt collection won't be complete (I still need green, orange, and the new color gold), but I'm sure I can entertain myself at 'the Land.'

From the archives: Being remembered

OK, this is the last archived post, other than one boring one I still haven't posted (but may someday). I think I was feeling melancholy at the time of this post, but it's all good.

Monday, January 07, 2008
Being remembered Current mood: thoughtful Category: Life
You know, when my dog Diego died two years ago, I got a lot of people telling me about how they were sorry for my loss and were sorry I lost my dog. While I appreciated their concern for me, I always felt sad that I didn't hear anybody say - 'I'm going to miss that dog,' or 'I'm sorry to see that dog go.' It saddened me to think that I was the only one that actually cared about Diego. I understand why - usually only owners get attached to their pets enough to make that sort of connection, but still, I guess I just felt sad, like his memory was really only with me. I was so happy when my friend Amy one day, not too long ago, mentioned that she missed Diego. It made me happy knowing he was remembered.
I was thinking about that last night while trying to go to sleep. I don't know why I thought of it. But I hope that whenever my time is up, which hopefully won't be for a very long time, that people will think, 'I really miss her,' or 'I wish she was still here.' I don't want people to be sad necessarily, I just want to be remembered and missed, rather than people saying, 'That's too bad' or 'What a shame she's gone.' I think we all want to be remembered and know that we left a good impression on the world. I guess I just hope that when I'm gone, someone will wish that I was still there, months if not years after I'm gone.

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♫ more than just a BEAUTIFUL MESS ♥ *C4L*

of course you will be missed silly!!I love my favorite aunt and miss her even now!
Posted by ♫ more than just a BEAUTIFUL MESS ♥ *C4L* on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 8:55 PM

Monica

Heck girl, I miss you NOW! Poop on forever! I'd DIE TOO!!!Love love, you'll be be remembered, and don't forget, you are missed right now by the people who are passed before you! Just think how sweet that reunion will be! You won't even think about us down here, you'll be the lucky one on that adventurous journey to the celestial kingdom.xoxo
Posted by Monica on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 11:39 AM