I'mmmm Baaackkk!

I have seriously been slacking on the blogging thing. So here is my promise- I am going to write in a few posts about 39 things that have happened in the past few months. (39) because then I will have at least one more post than last year.

So:

29. Saw the movie The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock. Loved, loved, LOVED it. See it! Which brings me to a confession... one of my HUGE beefs is with people that are at the theater to watch a movie, but instead have their cell phones on/out, texting and sometimes even TALKING on them. If that is your priority, step out of the theater and allow others around you to watch the movie sans your brightly shining screen and clicky clicking texting. Hence the situation today. As we are about 2/3 of the way through this amazing story, the guy in front of and one seat to the left of me, pulls out his cell phone (with a screen nearly as large as a small portable DVD player) and clicks to read a text. Fine. Read the silly text, I'll give it 30 seconds...especially as my eyes are trying to focus in a dark theater on your bright cell screen. This is when he goes on to lean over to his friend, discuss whatever important discussion needs to happen, and THEN, proceed to begin texting BACK. Really? Which is when I kicked the guy's chair. Kinda on purpose. I expected him to look back. Nope. But that text message? Was quickly completed and cell phone/portable DVD player was put away. Cautionary Tale. Definitely. You go to the movies, text, call, conduct an interview before, after, or outside of the theater. Don't ruin the experience for those around you.

30. I became an Aunt earlier this year. Teagan was born February 9th at 9:14 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 8 ozs and 21 and 3/4 inches long and has been a great source of entertainment these past few months. He is just so sweet he makes my heart melt. What a hoot it has been to watch him achieve each new milestone. At the Puyallup Fair this past September, we were soaking in the Fair experience when we realized that Teagan was making "Sound Effects" to keep his stroller strolling...

There was SPIT involved in this adventure

31. Finished my second successful year in Santaquin Elementary's fourth grade department. My goodness there was more expected as a "veteran" teacher on staff. I was put into the Team Leader position, we had 2 interns in the grade level, was in charge of the Faculty Staff Christmas Party, was the school's Science Fair Coordinator*, and had a wonderful and positive experience with a student teacher in my classroom. Want to know how to get over a fear of "performing for coworkers"? Have someone there all day, everyday, critiquing your skills... You will have to become confident in what you do...and why you do it that way

32. *Became an official Science Fair Coordinator guru by completing the requirements. There is a surprising amount of them! Besides attending coordinating meetings-

I had to order enough participation ribbons -

ever spend more than $100 dollars on ribbon?

I have

but I also edited informational packets that students needed to fill out and complete in order to compete in the science fair, coordinated community judges, ordered tables to display projects, and awarded prizes. What was so awesome about the whole experience was that we had a couple of students go on to compete in District Science Fair up at BYU.

33. Completed my official "Move Across the Country" by moving up from Provo, Utah back to Bothell, Washington. It is an interesting challenge to move from whole apartment into a single Bat Cave, but it has been very nice to be back with family and old friends once again. Plus...I do not have to worry and get angry about the ever increasing costs of traveling with Ronald- because I am already home for the holidays. As for moving across state lines? No plans to do this again in the near future.

34. European Soap Seller Extraordinaire. Yanaj hooked me up with a spring and fall sample soap sale. I now know more about soaps, body butters, lotions, body balms, bath confetti, soy candles, and working some swinging deals for a warehouse sale that I enjoyed working more than you might have guessed. Other friends ~ also proud owners of lifetime supplies of soaps and lotions.

35. My dad turns 50 this year. 5-0! So a few of us are counting down the days until we leave on a 7 day cruise to Honduras and Mexico. We have reading homework about the Mayan ruins we are going to explore on a tour at the Cozumel port, pictures and everything. We will be leaving from Galveston, Texas, and I will be flying in a few days earlier in order to catch up with some "old" friends. Double Excitement!!

36. So with an international trip on the near horizon, I applied for and received my very first passport. How exciting. I now have the proof that yes I am Miss HPLuvr...all they needed here was my birth certificate, social security card, driver's license, blood type, dental records, shoe size...and some other forms of identification all to pay them $75 dollars and wait 4-6 weeks for my very own passport booklet! Seriously!! Although- I did save some money by taking my own photos instead of paying (Kinko's $13 or the Police Department $16) wahoo for me.

37. Had my identity stolen. I was notified the first week of September, by mail, that my driver's license was going to be suspended for failure to respond to an infraction on July 6th. Hmmm, interesting, considering that I have never been issued a ticket in the state of Washington...EVER! Also, the driver's license was neither the current Utah license I was using OR my old Washington license back from high school. How was I suppose to respond to a ticket if I did not know I had been issued. My problem, as I was repeatedly informed by the employees at District Court, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, 2 different lawyers, Utah Driver's License Bureau, and the Washington State Special Investigations Unit. There is not much out there to help people who have their name drug through the legal mud hole. I do not think that I have cried so much or so hard as each time I had to think about and try to wade myself forward in clearing my name. For anyone that has had this happen to them or is in the middle of it my heart goes out to you, here are some of the things that I did that helped me (and should you need additional help please let me know!!):

• Found that Wilma from the Identity Theft Resource Center at 1-888-400-5530 was hard core in her advice and help. As she gave me the advice to call the courthouse and request a hearing (something I had tried to do 3 times already) she told me to take a deep breath and to focus...and proceeded to tell me a list of things that I needed to do in order to clear my name.


• Great advice from my friend Krissy- keep a journal of everyone you speak to, including the content of the conversation, date and time.


• You can request an identity hearing to get onto the court docket. All I needed was an opportunity to be in front of the judge to tell him "It was not me".

38. Joined Canyon Park Fitness gym. My Dad, Mom, and I decided that we needed to be ready for Mayan ruins and keeping up with Teagan :) Once a week, my Mom and I meet with Sanny - our trainer - and try to keep up with each other. And so far moan about muscle groups hurting that we did not know existed. It is worth the pain, I am already noticing a difference in the amount of work I can do in the gym, and the amount of energy that I have outside of it.

39. On the other hand, Ronald has a few pesky holiday ounces creeping up on him. He has always been on the skinny side of things, so it has been with great surprise that after 3 years he is finally looking as though he might one day match his paws.