I Hate Wendy's

Okay, I love Wendy's but this is mega funny. My favorite part is Day 2, so if you're short on time, fast forward.

Maybe It's Because It's New Years

I'm getting in one of those "I need to accomplish something" moods. Although you wouldn't be able to tell because I still haven't unpacked and I've been on the computer all day. When we got back our patio was covered in dead leaved and pigeon poop, so I swept all that up (it's still in a pile on the cement, oops. I'll have to take care of that tomorrow) and pulled most of the weeds in my flowerbeds. I say most because I'm not sure if some are weeds I not. I know I didn't plant them, but last years I ended up with tiny white chrysanthemums growing randomly. I can see I have some of those coming up again and some other leaved that look too delicate to be weeds, so we'll see what happened. Blythe is full of surprises.

Speaking of Blythe, today when we were driving down Highway 95, I actually felt like I was coming home. I think that's the first time since we moved here. I mean, I've looked forward to getting into my house after a day out of town, but driving into the valley today, I was struck by the beauty of the desert. I found myself happy to be back in the area. It's a nice feeling. I guess the southwest has grown on me.

Lastly, when I was home of the holidays, my dad was playing with his new camera. Of course I don't want one as fancy (read pricey) as his, but I decided I want to be a better photographer with what I do have. So I've joined Kamie and have started another blog. Everyday we post a new picture featuring something new, whether it's a technique, subject or whatever. The site is www.petersonpictureblog.blogspot.com so be sure to add it to your list of places to visit daily and feel free to join us!

Christmas Memories

Where to begin, where to begin. Actually, I don't really have that much exciting stuff to say except that as I was getting ready to post I was very upset because I couldn't find the cable that runs from my camera to the computer. I took it with me to Richy but never got it out, but after emptying our suitcase I hadn't found it. Very upsetting because I was considering participating in a photo blog with Kamie, but if I had now cable, I couldn't very well participate. But have no fear, it turned up in a random pocket of our overnight bag. I still have no idea where my cell phone charger is, but Troy said he grabbed it as he was packing, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Christmas break was rather uneventful. We just hung out with the fam. Along with nine people in the house, we had four dogs in the backyard, sister Rachel's and Lance's three. That was madness. This is Jason attempting to play with the dogs. I have no idea where the fourth one is. Probably getting ready to attack.

Being with my brother was the best because I rarely get to see him and he's very funny. We had to go to our not-so-fun-now-that-we're-older family Christmas party (which is held after Christmas) were all we do now is just hang out with our own family. Someone decided we needed to have a family sing along and Jason, who seems to have very little shame, joined in with gusto. This is my first attempt at video and it did come from my cell phone, but you get the idea.

And there you have it. Christmas vacation in a nut shell.

Blogs Back Soon

You may be wondering why our blog is crappy lately. Well, it's because during our vacation we don't have perma-access to the internet and what little we do have is SUPER slow, so browsing and posting isn't really worth it. We'll be back Thursday, so look for us then and I'll tell you every can't-miss-detail of our time away from work.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday Carrie. We love you. I remember thinking months and months ago how strange today would be without you here, and here it is. Time is going too fast and yet not fast enough.

1st Birthday

Finally 5

Sweet 16

Happy 18th!

Here's a Good Rant for You

Oh my goodness, where to begin. Good things first. Troy's team won yesterday. They're now 3-5, but I believe that's the best record in the boy's basketball program right now, so we're happy.

Now on to the real reason I'm posting. I'll begin by saying I'm not in a good mood. Between stupid kids asking me stupid questions, students and teachers expecting and demanding the world and the internet deciding to take it slow just as I'm trying to notify parents their little dears have books to return, I've had a long day. Add to that this little adventure,

and I'm more than a little frustrated. That's right, that is the carpet and pad in my living room pulled up because it is soaked. When I push my finger into the pad water squirts out. The neighbors (with whom we share a wall) are remodeling and apparently have a leaking something in the bathroom. So what do I get as a thank you for letting them know they have a problem? Yes, you are correct, all their water. Okay, I only knew they had a problem after I discovered my carpet was wet, but who cares about a timeline?

Anyway, I wasn't too upset about it last night because, after all, these things do happen and I'm not the one paying for repairs (the joy of renting), but after listening to fans night and day, rearranging the filthy pad and carpet backing to get optimal air flow and enduring the smell that has taken over our house, I am quickly losing my patience. In one way I'm counting the seconds until I get to leave this mess behind but in another I realize this needs to get taken care of in less than 48 hours because if it's not, nothing will happen for two weeks--other than, of course, a dirty, musty stink penetrating every single thing I own.

One final little rant: who pays for the electricity to run those stupid fans 24/7 as we try to salvage worn, stinky carpet? Oh yeah, that would be me. Have a nice day!

A Quick Update

Yes, it's been a while since I posted. You'd think I've been busy, but no, I haven't really. Summing the last few days up, over the weekend my mom passed out right after she pulled the car off the highway (long story, but I'm very happy everyone's okay) and Jason and Lindsay got engaged on Saturday (hooray!). I'm getting more and more excited to go to Utah for Christmas. I miss my fam very much and get more and more homesick every day. I hope the weather cooperates and we can get out of Blythe early so we can get there quickly. Wish us luck!