Addicted

This series is well worth the read. It will keep you up late at night, and you will probably have some very vivid dreams about vampires, demons, shadowhunters, and werewolves, but well worth the lack of sleep. Go pick them up from the library, or splurge and get them from the bookstore. They will keep you company through the holidays, and you will keep going back for more!

Earth...A Giant Present for each of us, still not completely discovered

Today we talked about how the earth was created for mankind, and how we are given dominion over it. We also related the earth to being a present that God and Jesus created and gave to each one of us...appropriate for Christmastime. So, if the earth is a giant present, then we should probably appreciate and take care of it, right? But then, we talked about how the earth is not only here for us to live on, but also here for us to enjoy. Like the several world wonders, and undiscovered parts of the planet. This made me want to travel and see every piece of God's creation for us. It also made me want to enjoy the world and all that it holds. And, as I logged onto my laptop today and msn (my homepage) opened, I saw that there was a slide show about all the beautiful wonders on the planet. I flipped through the slide show and loved the sights. It is all very inspiring, and makes me yearn to learn and see more.

Last year, my husband and I were lucky enough to go on a road trip for two weeks, and we decided to do a West-Coast trip. We started out in Northern Idaho, Couer D Alene, for those who are familiar with Idaho. It is an amazing place to visit, with a lake surrounded by trees and huge homes. The city itself started booming with logging companies when logging was in high demand years ago. Then, slowly turned into a popular travel spot on the map. This pine covered mountainous region is surrounded by rolling hills with farmland, which is consistent with most of Idaho.

As we turned our noses to the west, we traveled through Spokane, and all the way across the state of Washington to Seattle. For some reason, I had always imagined Washington completely covered in trees, but it is not. There are millions of acres of farmland, and rugged mountains. We crossed the Columbia River, which has created a huge gorge in the soil, splitting the state in half. In Seattle, you drive through a hill with homes built on top that are located directly over the road. This amazed me. Seattle is a busy city. The space needle stands proud in the city scape, calling all who enter. As you gaze west to the ocean, south to Mount St. Helen's, east to the United States, and north to Canada from the top of the space needle, you feel like you can reach out and touch the world with your fingertips. It is truly humbling to realize how small we humans are, yet how much we can accomplish together. Building a city as great as Seattle may have taken years, but it happened, which proves much can be done if we put our minds and souls into a collaborative effort.

Since we couldn't travel further west by car, we headed down the coast on HWY 101. The ocean was met with huge cliffs of rock and pine trees scaling over 100 feet in height. The beaches were not covered with people, but eerie fog. A kind of desolation and undiscovered feeling radiated from the vacant beaches. Moss smothered every rock and tree in sight, creating a green landscape. Even the homes had a hint of green to them as they flew by the car window. Only the road seemed to remain a constant black shade, except at the edges where the moss threatened to seep over.

Entering Oregon, we visited Astoria and enjoyed the massive bridge that connects Washington and Oregon over the Columbia River as it heads out to sea. We learned, at a coast guard museum in Astoria, that several ships and lives have been lost along the Columbia River because of the turbulent waters that collide from river to ocean. Who would've known? The waters looked calm to us, but videos showed the towering waves that spurred human invention to create a unique boat to scale the waves without becoming capsized. Large saw mills and giant trees on semi-trucks were seen on every corner as we drove through cities and towns up north. Then, past Portland, we were released from the grips of green and became overwhelmed with the acres of farmland on lush hillsides. If Oregon didn't rain so much, it would be the ideal place to live. I would say it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

As we entered California, we headed west again, to see the great Redwood Forest. Again, green everywhere, but this time, tree trunks bigger than the semi-trucks carrying the already harvested wood. We actually drove our car through a carved-out redwood. How many people can say they have driven their car through a tree, and lived to tell about it? We sure can. Above the Redwoods, we found a quaint little town called Smith River. We spent the night in a cabin that is located on a cliff just above the beach. We left our windows open all night and listened to the tide come crashing into the rocks. Then, in the morning, we set out to the beach, discovering shells, and other deep sea wonders. The water had moved 30 foot trees onto the shore, which were bleached by salt and sun to a light shade of gray. Still moist from the night tide, the tree made a perfect sunrise seat. The sun rose over tree covered mountains that lift from the sea into the sky.

Once we hit Santa Rosa, the road became cluttered with cars. City, all the way down the coast until we headed out of Oakland. San Francisco is a little island with buildings stacked on top of each other. The streets are narrow, and thousands of people walk instead of drive. A wise choice, if you ask me, because the roads are confusing, and we almost got in a wreck the 10 minutes we were there. San Francisco to Oakland is pure city, with nothing but rooftops, homes, and buildings for as far as the eye can see. Ocean meets up with city on all sides. Then, more farmland and semi-trucks east of the city. But, this time, the trucks carried all sorts of fruits instead of trees like we saw in Washington and Oregon. We saw lots of onion trucks too. California is one of the highest agricultural producing states in the whole United States, and you would never know it unless you drove it. Then, we hit LA. Wow! What a city. Instead of continuing south to San Diego, we headed back east to Arizona.

The change from Oregon to Arizona is astounding. Where Oregon has trees, Arizona has cacti, and jagged rocks. It is worse than Stephanie Meyer's "The Host" book. You cannot take a step without encountering some type of plant that pierces the skin. And, if the plants aren't enough, the rocks are. Enormous formations and sharp peaked mountains rise out of the desert sand. The whole land looks dead, except where water is accessible, then cotton farms and all other sorts of crops pop out of the desert scape. It is quite the contrast, in temperature as well. A jacket is always needed up north, but down south, nothing but a t-shirt suffice, if that, during the summer months.

Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the United States. You would never know it by driving into it, but if you fly over it, the flat valley is eroded by homes and buildings. A bustling, happy city greets you as you leave the desert rock behind. And, all cultures await to be discovered. People from around the globe find this desert land a home. With it comes much learning and growth.

Heading north, mountains ensue, and snow begins to top the mountains. Sharp rock and more trees overtake the desert terrain. The earth softens, and becomes plentiful again. Homes spring up in little towns, finding a way of life that is unique to all. Then, the Rockies billow forth from the ground. Two plates of the earth collide to create a beautiful sight to behold. The wonders of southern Utah proceed the mountains, bringing red rock formations, and orange spirals to a whole new level. There is nothing like it in the world. Truly a world wonder.

Salt Lake City, the city that nestles into the Rockies on the West. And on up to Idaho again. There is much farmland covered in snow, but in the spring, it will bring forth food to feed the people in the big cities, such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and San Diego. The wonders we found from this trip vary, and there are many more to be found in the world, but it astounds, none the less. Now, living in the rough desert sand, trying to cohabitate with scorpions and rattle snakes, brings a whole new appreciation for soft things, such as moss on trees, and carpet. Enjoy the tiny bit of world you live in, because there is nothing else like it. And, share it with someone you love. This world is a present, one to be cherished and loved.

Agency

I love the reality of agency! It is so awesome how we can decide to be anything we want to be in life. All we have to do is make a choice and then stick to it. It seems like so many of us go through life allowing the winds of change and whims of men distract and toss us among the waves of uncertainty. But, if we make a decision, plan it out, and invest our time and efforts 110%, we will be successful at it. I believe that no matter what a person decides to do in life, they can succeed. We can literally move mountains if we put our minds to it. Take technology for example. Who would've known 20 years ago that cell phones would be mini computers with more memory than an actual computer? Simply incredible! Let us move more than mountains! Good luck on your life endeavour!

Read it, Live it, Love it!

This book has saved my life, and probably career! It is one of the easiest and best reads I have ever picked up. If you are in any kind of management, you need to read this! It can save a company!

Famous Sugar Cookies

With Christmas comes cookies for Santa! If you do not already have a tasty treat to share, here is one that is delicious and easy!

Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Mix well shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Blend flour, baking powder and salt. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 6-8 minutes. Let cool before frosting.


Butter Icing:

Ingredients:
1/3 cup softened butter
3 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar
about 3 tablespoons heavy cream (I do a lot more, enough to make it smooth for easy application on cookies)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Food coloring to desirable color

Directions:
Blend butter and sugar together. Stir in vanilla and cream until smooth. (I usually whip all in all ingredients with an electric beater).

Thankful for Friends and Family

With Christmas Music filling the air, memories of childhood seem to crop up from the back of my mind, warming my heart. While I was at work yesterday, a familiar Christmas song came on the radio that not very many people know. It starts slow, then builds into a beautiful medley. In my home, the Carpenters sang it, but on the work radio, it was sang by a man with a deep baritone voice. It goes:
"Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside, painted candy canes, on the tree. Merry Christmas, may your new year dreams come true. And, this song of mine, in three quarters time, wishes you and yours, the same thing too. It's that time of year when the world falls in love, every song you hear, seems to say, Merry Christmas, may your new year dreams come true, and this song of mine, in three quarters time, wishes you and yours, the same thing too."
I actually sang this song with a couple other students when I was in 5th grade for a choir concert. It was considered one of the harder songs, so I felt extremely special to sing it. Singing...another one of those things I have let slide over the years. Maybe I should start singing again.
But, anyway, as we were at work, one of my employees shared a memory as another song came on, and since the three of us working at the time, are all away from family, and newly married, it became a little emotional. This made me appreciate good friends and family. I have been extremely blessed to have people around me that are kind and caring.
There is a saying,
"Some people come into our lives,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never the same."
I feel this way about so many of my friends. Even though some of them may have only been in my life for a short time, each has made an impact. During this holiday season, may we all be thankful for our dear friends and family. They are all we got.

Journey of Freedom

I have decided that if we do not use and appreciate our talents and gifts, they will diminish, and eventually be taken away. Since I don't want either of those things to happen, I am going to start using this little resource as an outlet for my thoughts and use the talent of writing I have been given.
Once upon a time, about a year ago, I was a stay-at-home wife who had everything I could ask for. A loving husband, a good business that brought in a good income, a nice home, a loving family that lived close, and all the things a person could ever ask for. Then, one day, after a Christmas Concert that awoke my soul, I decided to shake things up a bit. And when I say a bit, I usually mean, a lot. Changes in my life are not subtle, they are usually like big earthquakes that throw me out into the cold and barren wilderness of the unknown. Well, like history, my life repeated itself, and I am now finding myself in the not-so-cold, but desert state of Arizona. Now, nothing against Arizona, but my life has been tipped upside down. Don't worry, nothing too bad, but that is all perspective of the onlooker.
To name a few things that have changed...in Idaho, we lived out in the middle of nowhere. Our closest neighbor was about a half mile or more away, and we were surrounded by beautiful, rolling fields full of potatoes, grain, sugar beets, and hay. Our house was settled on top of one of the highest hills, and it overlooked the beautiful terrain God had created for us to be happy. It was a quiet place, only a tractor or pickup driving by every couple of hours (on a good day). And, the beauty of the earth was more abundant than any other place I have seen. The fields would be tilled in the spring, the dirt turned over to get the moisture to the top for planting seeds. Then, a couple weeks later, little green blades of plants would appear. Sometimes rain or hail would wipe out the plants, and the farmers would have to start over, but the plants grew again. A month would pass, and the tiny green plants would grow and take shape into leaves, stalks, and tubes under the ground. As August rolled around, the grain would yellow or redden, creating a patchwork quilt illusion from the sky. Circles where pivots watered the crops, and squares where pipe or wheel lines were used. Even some triangles in the corners where the pivots could not reach. Then, the potatoes would bloom, and white flowers on top of the plants would fill the air with a sweet aroma. Grain harvest would begin, and massive pieces of metal called combines, grain carts, tractors, and ten-wheelers would fill the fields and busy the roads. Next came potato harvest, with harvesters, trucks, and more tractors. Sugar beets followed potatoes, and the cycle continued with corn. Once the harvest ended, the fields would return to the familiar shade of brown by huge plows, discs, and roller harrows that tilled and smoothed the land, readying it for next year's planting season. If lucky, some farmers would plant winter wheat, and a few flicks of green would spring from the earth before it became blanketed with tiny white snowflakes. Winter time was a time of recuperation. Farmers would work in their shops, repairing equipment, building new equipment to help better their seasons, and if the harvest was fruitful, maybe a vacation or two was ensued, usually to somewhere tropical to escape the freezing cold. It was a simple life, but a hard one at that. It came with comforts, and also hardships. After all, farming is one of the most dangerous occupations. But, it was a peaceful place, a place of familiarity and refuge.
Well, needless to say, I had a bright idea of shaking things up on the night of December 1st, 2009. And, my loving husband, the adventure seeker he is, quickly agreed to my wild idea of moving out of state. We had been tossing around the idea for a couple months, feeling a change in the winds, but once the snow fell, we decided to head south, and Arizona was our destination. We had already sold the business, and had a large chunk of change burning a hole in our pockets, so we were confident we could make it wherever we went. Now, we didn't just up and leave, we made a few phone calls, got my husband a job the next day (literally December 2nd and flew out December 3rd for Phoenix, leaving me to tell my mom and family that we were leaving...not the easiest thing I've done in my life). Two weeks later, we had ourselves a new home, a pair of new jobs, and all our worldly possessions packed into the biggest U-haul you can rent.
The trek south was fairly uneventful, except for Las Vegas, and yep, you guessed it, good old Provo, Utah. Those crazy Utah drivers almost got us killed, and themselves. As we were heading south on I-15, we had to move over, because the lane was ending. Well, after about 5 miles with our blinkers on, and nobody letting us in, (people would actually speed up and scrunch together their cars tighter just so we wouldn't get in front of them, heaven forbid! There are still 3 other lanes to pass, so just move over)...our friends who were driving our two cars (my husband was driving the U-haul with trailer, and I was driving the pickup with camp trailer), had to actually pull into the other lanes, and slow traffic down just so we could get in. Well, as I was moving in behind my husband in the huge U-haul I couldn't see around, traffic had backed up from the off-ramp, to a complete stop on the freeway in the lane we had just been in. I missed the last car by inches, thanks to our dear friends who saved a lot of lives that day.
Anyway, other than that little blip, our moving trip was perfect. We got all our stuff moved in within a couple of hours (thanks to our Elder's Quorum), and I got us all unpacked in a week. Our house was, and still is, just as beautiful as it looked in the pictures (yes, my husband was the only one to see it before we moved here. Talk about trust, huh?). And, we have been overly blessed with our jobs, and friends down here. Very thankful for that.
But, after living in paradise, our world has changed when it comes to the outside world. We now live in a desert, full of wild dogs, pigs, and snakes, not to mention the scorpions...those can never be tamed. And, the scenery never changes. There are huge cacti that reach over 30 feet tall and have been living for hundreds of years, and desert bushes, trees, and plants that are either always dead looking (branches), or always green...but mostly branches. And, there is dirt, lots of it. I used to love when it rained. The smell of rain was a scent to behold, but in Arizona, it smells like a wet dog mixed with caked dirt...not my favorite smell, and it humidifies the dry desert air, which feels strange.
Now, to mention the city, awww, yes, the city lights illuminate the night sky, and it is true that a city as big as Phoenix never sleeps. There are times when I love the city, and times when I hate it. I hate it because I can't see out over it...if you have never been to Phoenix before, it is in a valley, which is very flat. So, even though the city is the fifth largest in the nation, you would never be able to tell, because you can't actually see it, unless you fly over it, or drive through it. And, it is sprawled across the huge valley, from east to west, and the west side is still growing.
I hate it when I want to have some peace and quite. Since there are so many people, well, people mean cars, and cars mean noise, and noise means energy, which means, no peace. And, there are so many people! It is crazy! You hardly ever see someone you know...I think I have seen someone I know twice since I have moved here, and I am out every day.
The people can be very strange. You see all types, to say the least. Phoenix is a huge mishmash of people from all across the world, which is both a blessing and curse. A blessing because you learn about the cultures, and a curse because sometimes people can be just straight out crazy. And, at other times, I love all these reasons.
Now, I know I am rambling, and I really need to wrap it up, but as you can see, my world has changed quite a bit. I am now a working woman, who manages 10 employees, and I drive about 45 minutes every day to work, in traffic. I no longer get to stay home and enjoy the pretty scenery, because there is nothing to be seen, except our neighbor's messy yards and roof tops. And, there is no peace...if it is not cars, it is dogs, or jets, or the trains that pass by throughout the day and night. All I can say is, I made a decision to change my life, to do something different than what was known, or comfortable. Like I say, at times I love it for the freedom and independence it brings, and other times I hate it and want to run back to the safety of home and family. But, my independence is winning, and with that independence, I must confess, has brought me much happiness.
I have found that I can do so much more than I ever imagined. I can have confidence in my decisions, make my own decisions, and live my life the way I want to live it, and not be considered strange because it is different than those around me. I can do anything, and be successful at it if I invest myself 110%. I can be whoever I want to be, and I can be the change I want to see in others. I can touch people's lives from all areas and corners of the earth. And, I can make a difference. Why hide under a rock? Is it because it is comfortable, or is it because we have never learned what it feels like to fly?
I heard a story once that was about eagles. See, animals and humans are a lot alike, but sometimes even animals can outdo us.
There was this eagle, and she had two eggs. One day, the eggs hatched, and two tiny eaglets were revealed to the world. The nest the mother eagle had built for her young was warm, soft, and comfortable. She took care of them, bringing them food. They began to grow, and as they grew, the mother began to remove the soft items from the nest until there were only sticks. The eaglets were starting to get uncomfortable, but they stayed within the nest, because it was all they knew. So, one day, the mother eagle took her two chicks and had them get on her back. She flew really high in the sky, and the eaglets were loving the scenery. Then, a strange thing happened, the mother eagle shook off the eaglets and let them fall. As they were falling, they were very frightened, and were wondering why their mother had done that to them. Then, just as they were about to hit the ground, their mother snatched them back up on her back. She flew up into the sky again, and they eaglets were a little nervous this time around, because they remembered what happened last time. As they reached the desired height, the mother did the same thing, and shook the eaglets off her back. They lost altitude quickly, and both were frightened, and just before they hit the ground, mother snatched them up again. By this time, they were both confused and didn't know if they trusted their mother anymore, but on the flight back up to the sky, they both decided they needed to try and use their wings this time. So, mother tossed them off her back, and both eagles opened their wings and flew. And, with this new discovery, they gained freedom.
See, we are just like those chicks. We can try to cling onto our comfort zone (our nest), or even fall to our death by doing nothing (not using our talents). Or, we can open our wings and fly, even if we are afraid. It is the challenges, fears, and insecurities we have inside that hold us back. We are our own worst enemy. So, why not "shake things up a little", and try something new. Who knows, you may just find freedom and love it. As one wise person once said..."Come what may and love it!"
P.S. When you try something new with someone you love, it will also bring you closer, because you only have each other to rely on.

Time Marches On

Well, now since we have moved to Arizona, and settled for about 6 months, it feels like home. Yea! As for writing, wow! I have been slacking, but that is because I needed to go back to work, and work does take priority of time. Thank heavens, I have found some time to write, and I am working on a book about a Bed and Breakfast in Surprise, AZ. It is going to be great! Since I have more time to think about the story, and less time to write, I really ponder my writing, and once I get to write, it comes out much better. You wouldn't be able to tell by my writing at this moment, but the book is coming along well. It is fast-paced, and catches you from the beginning. So far, my crit group likes it too! That means the world to me. If it weren't for their help, I don't know where I would be.
I have also found a couple new authors that I admire. Suzanne Collins and Denise Hunter have climbed up my list to the top. I love their books, and they bring a lot of inspiration to me. So, writing life is good. I am very excited for the fall...and hoping I can make it to the ACFW Conference. I learn so much there. Guess we will see if time and job permits. Keeping my fingers crossed for now.