ELA Lighting

Yesterday I went to Justin's work and took a tour of the building and what he does. I needed to find out why he dragged me to California! Just kidding. Justin works for a lighting manufacturing company that designs and produces lights for Universal Studios, Disneyland, upscale hotels, neighborhoods, etc. Right now one of the things they are working on is a Harry Potter park at Universal Studios. They were sent a light that was used ON THE SET of one of the Harry Potter movies to duplicate. This is a big deal to me! I am a huge fan of Harry and the wizarding world! I had to get a picture taken with the fixture just to prove that not only did I see it, but touched it as well.

I took a picture of these too because I thought they were also very cool. They too are for Universal Studios and are huge Christmas lights.....they haven't had the bulbs screwed on to the top yet. This move to California has been difficult for me, but it is times like yesterday that I am so thankful for the new experiences and opportunities that I see here . Thanks for moving me to California Justin.....LOVE YA!!!

Will I ever miss you? NOPE!

Do you ever come across people in your life that you can't wait until they are out of it? I don't mean to sound way harsh, but there has been a few times during my 25 years of human existence when I know that my life would be a lot easier if a certain "someone" wasn't in it. I am thankful for the challenge and the patience that was strengthened through my encounter with them, but NEVER want to see them ever again even if they are one of God's children. We have had a tenant in one of our apartments that finally moved out this weekend due to an eviction and I have never been so excited! (We manage an apartment building just FYI.)

After a three month eviction process, constantly cleaning up filth around the building left by this apartment, lack of rent, and being yelled at with profane language ---I am pleased to announce that I feel FREE!!!! That was until I walked into my vacant apartment......

This is just a few of the pictures I took. Can you find the cat feces? There is a lot of cleaning up to do! This sign was hysterical to us----where in the HECK would someone here find a clean plate?!?!

Post Halloween

Ok, so I know that Halloween passed two weeks ago, but our computer has been acting up and didn't allow me to update this blog until now. I wanted to show our pumpkin we carved this year. It was a dual effort, but turned out pretty cool. We were a cowboy (Justin begged me to let him be this) and a doctor. I know, I know, I didn't use the costumes from the last post. It was easy and we just used what we had in the closet. Next year however I am determined to pull out all the stops!

This is the biggest, most disgusting wart that you will ever witness....hopefully. It was progressively getting bigger and I went to the podiatrist to have to removed. They shaved it down and then placed acid on it and WHALA! It was way painful for about two weeks and is now gone, hopefully for good!

Just When You Think You Can't Get Any Uglier.

This is what happens when you have been in a hospital for a week, one of your best friends comes to visit you, and you muster up enough energy to look for a Halloween costume at Goodwill.

Hello California!

A LOT has happened since my last post. All three of us did not run in Abe's Amble after all! :-( Justin and I ended up moving to California before the glorious occasion and Ashley ended up getting pregnant (instead of me) and was too sick to participate. However, Ashley and I were able to race at the Women's Distance Festival before we left. It was a two mile race. My goal was not in my speed, but to not stop.....and I did it! It was the best feeling in the world! There were hundreds of people around the finish line cheering everyone on. I realized that even though I have lame lungs, my mind and will power are stronger. I was trying hard not to cry when I crossed that finish line. Awesome day in my book!

Other things that have happened:

Justin's brother Corey got married. YAH to Corey and Emily!!!

We went to Colorado and stayed on a ranch for a week. I have never had some many bug bites on my body at one time....no joke! But we had a fabulously great time! My horse's name was Chaukta, we hated each other in the beginning, but by the end of the week were soul mates!

Justin, my mother, and I drove both our cars across the country to Monrovia, California. We have been here for a month now and like it a lot. It is hot and the people drive crazy, but there is no bugs and no humidity!

Justin started his new job here is CA and likes it a lot more! I am in the process of getting my CA Hygiene license and have to take the boards again. I take them October 25th which gives me less than two months to find someone that never brushes their teeth in a town I am not familiar with.

Two days ago we said goodbye to Justin's other brother Cody as he went off to army basic training in Georgia. We love him and are proud to be his kin!

I colored my hair myself. The box said medium brown.....it came out black. I think I have a very strong resemblance to Michael Jackson now, especially when I am wearing make up. I just need a skinner nose.

And last by not at all least, Justin and I have started the LONG adoption process through LDS Family Services. If you know a mother that is looking for other options please let us know. :-)

Justin and Cody the morning Cody left for Georgia.

Welcome to Abe's Army

Ashley, Justin, and I signed up to be a part of Abe's Army this summer. Abe's Army is a 12 week training program for the annual Abe's Amble 10k road race held here in Springfield, Illinois. Every week you meet with a group that is at your same running level, and each group has an experienced runner for their coach. Tonight we had orientation where we received our shirts, water bottles, etc. I thought we should take before and after pictures.....next time you see us we are going to be stronger, healthier, muscly, and probably exhausted! :-)

P.S. Ashley didn't get the memo that we were supposed to change poses!

The Biggest Mystery of All!

As long as I can remember I have LOVED murder mystery stories. I used to watch shows on TV at a young age that would make my mother nervous. I can remember her even banding me from watching some of them in fear that they were too "grown up." I would watch shows like Diagnosis Murder, Murder She Wrote, and this one that I can't remember the name of, but a nun and pastor were the mystery solvers (that is the one that I got banded from). I am a big reader as well and every time that I go to the library I find myself drawn to the Mary Higgins Clark section or other suspense book. Why is it that I am so enthralled with killing....I know not. I would like to think that it is not the murder part that interests me, but the mystery. I am constantly trying to think outside the box and think analytically to solve the case before it is solved for me. So.....here is my confession: The past few months I have been addicted to the show Matlock. On the days that I don't have to work it is the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning (it starts at 9am on channel 9). That is the pathetic part, but here is the retarded part! The show is an hour long and I ALWAYS fall asleep the last 20 mins of it and NEVER find out who killed who and why! That is the biggest mystery of all....why I am doing this and wasting my life away?! It is obviously not that great of a mystery if I can't stay awake for it. So, right here and now I am banding myself from watching Matlock indefinietly! I will no longer indulge myself in such trash! Here is to a new me!!

Matlock, disgusted with my behavior!