Liz's Stories

1st Digital Photo Project - Superstition Chapel

2009-03-03T19:39:00.008-07:00

My first digital photography project.
Learning to See: Documenting A Place

Take Photos at least 3 different times of the day.
A variety of lighting conditions
Variety of focal lengths
include detail shots
wide shots that reveal some of the surroundings
a variety of points of view
should express your personal vision of the place you chose

During the 2nd round / time of day shots Eric came with me and posed for me a little. It has to be his idea to take pictures for him to cooperate :).

Here is my handsome prince....
Of course me too...

Here is where the fun begins... (These are in reverse order from when I took them.)

Notice the different color casts that are created by the sun in different locations in the sky.

Sunset (Sun almost - below horizon)

Sunset (Sun still above horizon) 6:10pm

Late afternoon 5:20pm

Midday 11:30am

Here is my typed description of my photographic process. I haven't written a paper for school in many many years so format was not observed.

Location: Superstition Mountain Museum – The White Chapel

What I now know is called the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel sits along Hwy 88 or Apache Trail on the way to my favorite Superstition Mnt hike and Canyon Lake. I would pass by this chapel many times admiring it before and after my many adventures in the Mountains. Knowing a little about the background of the area's Lost Dutchman history made the little white chapel much more appealing. I have longed for the opportunity to photograph it. My boyfriend wouldn't have the patience for me to photograph the Chapel in such detail and various lighting had it not been for this assignment.

I had previously only seen the Chapel driving by, slowing down to get a better glance. I have to admit I did not want to know the story behind the Chapel before I photographed it and I am glad I did not know. Knowing the real story and name would have altered the way I looked at and possibly photographed it.

I did discover that in front of the Church, guarding it from the road was a forest of Cholla or jumping cactus. It was visable from the road the whole time but I never paid attention to it until it at first seemed in my way of the perfect photos. Instead I used it to show how it was a wall protecting the White Chapel from harm.

The photos that were the most successful were those with the Superstitions behind the steeple. The White Chapel appears majestic against the red rock back drop and deep blue sky. The PM shots had the richest and most vibrant lighting. My favorite lighting was the later Sunset as the sun was almost all the way down. The Chapel and surroundings look quiet and peaceful as the cooler colors seep into the picture.

If I were to reshoot the assignment I would try some early morning shots with the sun coming up from behind the mountain. I would love to see what lighting that would create on the mountains. The church could almost be a silhouette in the sunrise.

There were 4 external challenges I faced during this photo shoot. The distance was the biggest obstacle. It is a good 30-40 minute drive from my house. During the day people at the museum wondering into my picture were quite a challenge. As night approached so did the bugs. They were swarming everywhere from the warm air and new plant blooms. They followed me around buzzing in my ear and eyes. The wind was probably the biggest challenge in the first visit around 11am. It was so windy that I could not keep the camera steady. Higher shutter speeds for certain shots against the wind were necessary. I had a few blurred and out of focus images as a result of the wind pushing me.

Stimulate the Economy not Government

2009-02-07T15:09:00.003-07:00

$800,000,000,000 is what our elected officials want to use to "Stimulate our Economy"
Here is a list of how they want to spend the money. Most of the items below are great things to be addressed at a later date. REMEMBER though this is an ECONOMIC STIMULUS bill.

If the goal is to stimulate the economy then do it. If the goal is to push your political agenda or grow government then just say it and call it that. Don't lie to us and disguise a bill for increase your political power from the Pork!

Some of these items may help the economy but they won't even take effect for many months if not years waiting for government grants to be approved and all the red tape.
Another point to make is Government does not produce, it consumes. So creating more government jobs will give people work but it won't help the economy. Government jobs don't put money into the economy like a private business or corporation would. Helping to create jobs in the private sector is what we need, not more government jobs. Most of these items below will also take time for plans to be developed and executed. It is not a quick fix like the economy needs.

This is my favorite:
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

Hybrid cars are more expensive than a comparable non-hybrid vehicle. Obama says why wouldn't we spend the money now to burn cleaner fuel and use less gas which would save the people money. The savings in gas over the life of the vehicle would never come close to adding up to the expense of buying an expensive brand new hybrid. Hybrids don't save enough gas to monetarily make them a worthy purchase because of the upfront expense.

A stimulus bill is supposed to help the economy TODAY!

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.

Here is a plan I heard from Dave Ramsey that would Stimulate the economy NOW!
I have 1 addition at position #1

1. My Addition is make the Bush tax cuts permament. At least rewrite the tax cuts, keep the same and call it the Obama tax cuts. He can take credit as long as I don't have to pay more.
2. Obama wants 3,000,000 people to have jobs.
Give a tax credit of $20,000 to any employer who hires and keeps on payroll in 2009, for 12 months in surplus to the current employers. Meaning they cannot layoff employees to hire new ones.
3. Give a $20,000 tax credit to anyone who buys a home in 2009 regardless if 1st time buyer or not.
This would give more than 3,000,000 people jobs because the housing industry would be jumpstarted again.
The cost of this only $120,000,000,000!!! This is 87% savings and the government would see more money coming in for taxes to help supplement this cost. It will partially pay for itself.
This would never happen though because there is no way to pass a bill like this without our elected officials throwing in some pork for their state or for their political interests. They need to have the pork to turn to us and say.... "Look what I did for you guys. I helped you by buying furniture for Homeland Security Headquarters and gave money to Hollywood Producers! Now relect me so I can waste more of your hard earned money."
This is bogus guys!!! Why did we vote these fools in office!! (I can proudly say I did not)

FIRE THEM!!!!

We need to elect

2009 the Best YEAR!! Cards to Super Bowl & Elder Bednar!

2009-01-18T21:59:00.003-07:00

The real thrill of the weekend was seeing Elder Bednar Saturday night at a YSA fireside. He had a question and answer session with people roaming around with microphones so anyone could ask questions. It was amazing and the spirit was very strong.

At the end he taught us that we don't need an apostle in our city to answer our questions. That we can find the answers ourselves.

To top it off he gave us an apostolic blessing by way of hymn. The closing song was How Firm a Foundation. He told us to pay specail attention to the words as we sing. The 7th verse usually isn't sung but he wanted us to sing it twice!

I walked out there wanting to be a better person and wanting to be so good.

I am going to study the words to this song and engrain them in my heart...

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,

Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,

In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Hikes, Dogs and the moistest Turkey ever!

2009-01-04T18:49:00.009-07:00

HIKE

New Year's Day I really wanted to go fishing but I didn't get paid til the next day so I couldn't buy a license. We settled for hiking my typical place to hike. The 1st - 2nd Water Trail in the Superstitions. It was an absolutely perfect and beautiful day.

We stopped by the Goldfield Ghost Town for some Mango Habenero Salsa.

Come to find out that company went out of business that made it. We were stuck with straight Habenero Salsa which I am not that fond of. It drowns out the flavor of the other good stuff in it.

http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/

http://www.gidyup.com/

On the way back from the hike Eric found this Man cactus. Had to get a pict of it. I didn't bring my good camera cuz I just wanted to enjoy the time with Eric which I did!! But I still missed some good shots.

I love the Superstition Mountains!!!

On the way back home we passed by this house! It was grotesquely covered with mostly stuffed animals! The guy that owned it came outside as turned around to take a pict. It looks like a roadside shop but it isn't. They are there just for decoration!! OMGosh!!!

DOGS

On the way to church these 3 dogs by Eric's house were just chillin on this lawn at the edge. I thought it was odd that they were just sitting there at the edge. By the way it was raining and sprinkling off and on too.

Ok. On the way back to Eric's from church the dogs were still there so I snapped some pictures. It was like they were guarding the house. I really don't think they live there. They just pulled up a piece of grass to rest on.
I made dinner and afterward we went for a walk and the dogs were still there!!!
We were wearing hoodies cuz of the sprinkles and as we got close they all got up and took off.
We kept our route around the mile block but as we got to the cross-section road we ventured to the middle where the dogs went down out of curiosity. There they were down our same street about to turn the corner. They basically were going in a circle and now headed back toward the house we first saw them at. We didn't follow them though.

When we got back to Eric's my curiousity was exploding and I got in my car and drove to see what they were doing. The little dog separated from the big dogs seeming a little confused and possibly looking for them. The big dogs I found on the corner heading back around in the same circle they went before! Perhaps now they were looking for the little guy.

I thought this was the one of the funniest and most curious things I have seen. 3 completely different dogs traveling in a pack. I have no idea where they live but they seem like they belong in the area although very lost.

MOIST TURKEY

I ventured out to cook a moister turkey then previously done. Most turkeys come out dry and hard. I knew there must be another way. I found this website which I decided to give a shot.

http://www.howtocookathanksgivingturkey.com/

I am sooo glad I did. The turkey was so moist, the meat fell right off the bones and it tasted wonderful. I put the turkey in a reynolds bag though which I usually do.

I have tons of leftovers for Turkey Enchiladas, Turkey Casserole with mushroom soup and rice! Turkey sandwiches!! It is well worth the trouble. YUM!

2008 Christmas in Utah

2008-12-30T21:38:00.007-07:00

Mine and Erics Tree we got together!

On the way home from Utah. Just past the Grand Canyon North turn off.

In Flagstaff

He forgot his shoes!

Pretty good for out the car window!

Snow + Red Mountains = pretty

Serendipity!!

Nuzzle! Eskimo Kisses

Sunrise when leaving to pick up Eric for home.

Matt, Kirstyn and Karynne

Dad

First time I got to hold Karynne and see her in person!

Snow monster in Flagstaff on way to Utah!!

All Dressed Up and Somewhere to Go!

2008-12-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Group Date - Saguaro Lake - Butcher Jones Beach

Star Gazing with the telescope, hot cocoa, bonfire and chillin

I hooked up 2 couples on a blind date. Its been a while since I have played matchmaker so it was fun to do it again!

Time Elapsed pict - shutter open for 10-15 minutes. You can see the star movement in the sky!

300 zoom gets a pretty decent shot. Next zoom, I need an attachment for our telescope to get picts of the craters! Or Nebulas.

Halloween Party

54th Ward Christmas Party

(I wish I brought my tripod for some self portraits!)

The Future!

2008-11-04T22:29:00.017-07:00

I have many things on my mind tonight after a harsh kick in the heart of ALMOST everything I have learned to hold dear. I believe in our Country and the principles is was founded on. I will share my thoughts on why I did not vote for Obama... but more importantly, how we will survive and we will be okay, and our Nation will still be great. Please read til the end. That is the most important. I have to vent a little to get it out before I can begin the healing and next phase my journey.

Our Next President...
Senator Barack Obama...

His fierce contender... Senator John McCain

I have so many thoughts on this race. First I want everyone to know exactly why I did not vote for Barack Obama!

He may lower taxes for now but they will mean nothing when he allows the Bush tax cuts to expire in 2010. He has avoided that controversary by saying he will give the "middle class" a tax cut now. By the way, who are the middle class in New York and California? If you are making under $250,000 you probably shouldn't be living in either place! It is rather surprising Obama won those states.
I would love to make as much money as possible and I do not want to be punished for it. I am a very charitable person and do not want the government to decide what to do with my hard earned money and waste it instead of allowing me to donate it where it can actually help. Its my money, it should be my choice.
Obama wants to give a tax cut to those who make less than $250,000. But those that make more will pay more and then where does that money go? Some people have been led to believe they need government handouts to survive. If I were to make $300,000 a year with 3 kids, I would be taxed at 28% which means $3000 more a year would be taken out of my hard earned money. That means I don't invest enough for retirement, cut out soccer and gymnastics for my kids, don't get my debts paid off faster, have to recalculate sending my children to college. $3000 is a lot of money to everyone and it means it will hurt a lot of families and the economy. This is before the Bush tax cuts expire. After that I loose my home or I eat rice and beans unless I find a job that makes up that difference. No thank you. I would rather pay the $12 extra a paycheck now = $500 tax rebate Obama will give than to suffer paying $3000 + later!!!
His first introduction to politics was his Grandfather's close friend in Hawaii Frank Marshall Davis I believe his name is. He was a self proclaimed Communist and Marxist. Obama states in his own book that he was his mentor and got his first glimpse of politics through Frank.
Obama will NOT denounce his radical associations but merely brush them off and the media lets them go away. He has never explained his associations but only made excuses for them. I do NOT trust this behavior and lackadaisical attitude toward something so serious as who helped shape your attitude, beliefs, morals and political views. I don't understand why the left ignores these scary associations!!
He is ok with the thought of a baby being born from a botched abortion and not giving it medical care. His excuse is there were already laws on the books which weren't being upheld, it was a step toward overturning roe vs wade so he couldn't support it, and it would strain the mother and doctors. What about the life of a child who deserves a chance in life. The child chose to come here and chose to breath a breathe all on its own! It deserves some love and attention even from a different Mother. How is this different than a 14 year old throwing a baby away in a dumpster? There is no difference and it is teaching our children it is ok to careless because a child's life doesn't matter if you don't want it to. At what point does a breathing, living, viable person matter? How far will it go. If a child at 2 weeks old is diagnosed with cerebal palsy or downs syndrome is it ok to leave the baby to die at that point? Where is the sanctity of human life?
Obama thinks that a child is a punishment that he doesn't want his little girls to deal with.
He lied so many times it consistenly reassured my negative impression of him. The biggest lie was about Public Financing. He explained why he supported it in the primaries and stated anyone who didn't support it was bound for corruption and that wasnt' the campaign he wanted to run. He backed away from this stating the exact opposite that Public Financing needed to be reformed. But the truth is he realized he could get all of the celebrities contributions if he backed out of it allowing him to run the most expensive campaign in the countries history. Could he have won without that money? Without the celebrity endorsements? What a ridiculous waste of money and a complete disgrace. If he spent the same money as John McCain bound to his public financing and still won, that would make him a better man.
The terrorists and socialist dictators endorsed Obama. He disgraced our precious troops and dishonored their very lives and families who so selflessly protect our lives, freedoms and way of life. Without the troops we would not be here today.
He has absolutely no experience. In the Illinois state senate he voted present and did not help pass any major legislation. I have found nowhere any accomplishments or specifics that he did as a community organizer. That title means crap without specifics which have not been shared. In the US Senate he was in for hardly 2 years before he started campaigning to be President. Which means he was not completely present. He did not attempt to pass 1 single legislation of his own while in the US Senate.

Nevertheless, Obama is young, inexperienced and it is possible that with the help of his adorable little girls, they can help point him in the right direction. President Bush did not hurt our economy. He cannot help it. Obama cannot help our economy. The media almost single-handed destroyed our economy for us. They instituted fear into the minds of everyone who in return acted out in fear. We are in control of our own personal economy and how we lead our finances should have little to do with what the world or Nation's economic status is.

I try to have faith in my leaders but more than this faith in myself, faith in my country and faith in my God. I will try to give President-Elect Obama a window of a chance to see if he is as good as he proclaims.

The truth is Obama, McCain or any senator or house rep cannot make my life better. Only I can make my life better. Only I can decide to wake up in the morning and be happy. Only I can decide to work my butt off and get a second job to make ends meet and pay the bills and make it through school. If someone handed this to me would I cherish it the rest of my life? It wouldn't be a great accomplishment anymore to build my character if someone handed me my education, my monthly car payment or child care. I am responsible for me and there is nothing any government can do to change that!

With this in mind, In the next 4 years, I am going to be a better person. I am going to be a happier person. I am going to make a difference in people's lives. I am going to be successful financially, emotionally, spiritually, and especially have a successful family. There is no part of me that NEEDs my goverment to help me accomplish these things. I am alive, I am breathing, I am human so therefore whether my skin is white, black, pink or green and whether I am female or male makes no difference. I have the ability to be who I want to be and I can do it with only the faith in my God, love and support of my family and friends. That is all I need.

This I say to the world... everyone is just like me. They are white, black, pink or green, female or male. You are human and breathing. You are responsible for you. You can make your life better IF you choose to. If you can sacrifice and put forth the effort, you can be successful no matter where you live in this world. No matter your background or circumstance.

Yes, there is one who does not want us to succeed but we have power over him in ALL the ways of righteousness. He does not want us to become our true potential. The way is not perfect and the fallen one WILL put obstacles in our way to try to push us off our path. He will bring us pain, hurt, sorrow, trials and difficulties. Our God will allow this because he loves us. Because he knows that without sorrow we cannot know joy. Without difficulties we cannot know when it is easy. There is opposition in all things so we can know good from bad, happy from sad. We would never know happy if we never felt sad. Don't allow fear or sorrow to stop you. Fear is a pure product of satan to stop you from progressing toward who you want to be.

Become who you want to be and who you really are despite your obstacles and you will have achieve one of the greatest accomplishments in life (aside from being the best Mother or Father possible) No success can compensate for failure in the home. Family ALWAYS comes first no matter what. But with that vision, your family will help propell you to new heights and triumphs.

I believe in the human race and I do believe in this Great country the United States of America. All is not lost because we still have our hearts.

Besides.... In 4 years... ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT!!! Now that is something to look forward to. A true President in waiting with the experience and demeanor necessary.

"Gird up your loins" everyone and God Speed!

Mike's Mission Departure - Utah Trip

2008-10-31T00:13:00.011-07:00

The MTC - Missionary Training Center

The Depressed Dog!

The Best Friend - Ryan

Luke and Tiancum Buehner - 2nd Cousins

Susan Buehner - Oldest cousin and 2 of her children

Aunt Ann - Dad's Sister

Cousin - Spencer Hastings

Mike's Friends

Chynna Buehner - finally let me take a pict of her

Baby Bib gift for new parents Matt and Kirstyn.

Hilary and Ryan admiring Becca and Matt

Eric my sweetie/photographer

2 out of 4 sisters

Sophie and Chynna Buehner and Heather

The newlyest Weds

I have some handsome brothers!

4-wheeling at Buehner's in Kamas

This is the post that had to be replaced when I flew over the hill with my bro in law Matt on the back of a quad and narrowly missed being clothes lined by barbed wire. Hit the metal post instead!!! Buehner's tell the story still today.

Kittens at Buehner's

Deer in parents backyard

TUCKER = fat cat

How may books can you read?

2008-10-19T22:02:00.003-07:00

Since I am sick and stuck to my computer or tv I will blog again.

I wish I could read but my throat hurts so bad it is completely distracting.

Instead, I will tell you about what Eric is reading. I guess I will show you instead...

He has read an innumerable amount of books since he has moved back here to Arizona for the book he is writing. He gets interlibrary loans from the libraries and they are able to bring him books and articles from all over the country!

He has found some amazing stuff that you will all have to read about very very soon!! What did happen to Christ's church after his Apostles all left the earth, after and during the great apostacy and Nicene Counsel? Eric will tell you! It is facinating.

If I had to estimate, I would guess he has read way over 200 books in the past 9 months!!!

It is wrapping up. His problem is now he has so much great information that he wants to use all of it.

Eric has a few interruptions Monday and Tuesday though. Instead of institute early in the morning, he is observing a seminary class Monday morning and teaching on Tuesday. He is taking the classes needed to become a seminary/institute teacher. It is a great path for him that he will thoroughly enjoy and excel at.

I'm proud of you Eric! I can't wait to read your mind finally and to see your success!

SICK and Sicker

2008-10-18T18:43:00.008-07:00

Yesterday at work my throat really started hurting!! WHY? I hATE, HatE, being SiCk!
I like to answer the phones cuz it gives me a little break from monotony but I was grateful when my wonderful co-workers beat me to it most of the day.

not mine but pretty much how it looks. Mine is probably a little more red and closed in the center.

As the day went on I started aching starting with my legs. I could not get my legs in a comfortable position and slowly I started feeling more and more weak.

I wanted to go home so bad but the previous week my car was in the shop and my ride at the last minute had to leave early so I had 30 min to make up. Then I miscalculated my time one day this week so I was trying to get at least my full 80 hrs in. I am pretty sure it didn't happen. It would have except the lunch I had was stiff as a rock on the outside so I had to venture to Quiznos to get more food. I got in line behind a minor league baseball team!! BAD timing!

By 4pm the office was almost empty and by 4:30 only myself and the night crew were left. Phones shut off at 5 so I had to stay. Oh the misery as the pain kept getting worse. My throat, the aching all over my body by now. The side of my throat had a big sore lump.
I can count on 1 hand the amount of sore throats I've had.

At five I had to leave and headed straight to Erics and collapsed on his bed where he rubbed my legs and held me while I rested.

Eric takes very good care of me. He rode his bike to get me a red box to watch. Witless Protection. It was real funny although you couldn't tell by watching my expressionless face. There was a cute romance in it that made Eric hold me a little tighter.

Eric let me sleep on his twin bed for the night since my feeble body was too weak to walk to my car or even drive home. I am so grateful for his sensitivity when I need it most. He rubbed my back and held me almost until I fell asleep. He whispered to me "I love you, I don't know what I would do without you." His tender words always make me feel so wonderful and blessed. Then he offered a beautiful short prayer thanking the Lord for many things, and for me and asking that I will heal and that my body will be restored to full health soon.

I woke up with my fever around 95 and my aches were gone. I still felt weak and throat sore. The lump had even retreated. I decided I was going to feel better long enough to hit up the door buster at JcPenney to get a 55% off suit for Eric. (He observing then teaching a seminary class subsequently on Monday and Tuesday at Mnt View in Mesa!) Kudos to Tylenol Cold and Sinus. It knocked my fever way down, which caused the aches and made my throat pain subside.

I have never seen Eric in a suit before and WOW! He looks amazing. We (he made this an us decision it seems) decided on a J. Ferrar, black, three button suit coat. He looks so HOT in it! His family will be blown away when they see him in a suit! The suit and pants were only $125.00 regularly $250.00.

The left (or top) is THE suit, solid, but I like the pict on the right (or bottom) with it closed.

When I got back to my computer I was able to work on the Engagement picts I took of my friend Ryan and Kellie his fiancee. 2nd shot. The first I botched with my new flash I presume, and Ryan's unglassed eyes were closed in most of the pictures. This time lighting was better and Ryan's eyes were open with his glasses on. But I was supposed to get the disc to them this morning! Figures.

Unfortunately the Tylenol seems to have been just a mask. It lasted most of the day until about 5pm, about 7 hours. Slowly I started to feel my throat hurting again. Feeling dry and sore. My aches coming back.

Now I am starving and dear Eric is picking us up some dinner. The crappy thing I am most dreading is my "girl time" is supposed to arrive any moment which is going to absolutely miserable!! Maybe the illness will ward it off for the month?? That usually means the next month will be worse though.!

Next up vitamin A, zinc, lots of cuddling and if not feeling better soon, a blessing and the good ole doctor!

Tagged, I'm it

2008-10-13T18:51:00.003-07:00

I was tagged by my dear Sister Becca!. . .

8 TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH
1. Law and Order
2. What Not To Wear
3. CSI
4. Designed to Sell
5. House
6. Hannity and Colmes
7. The Cleaner
8. I don't really watch TV much!

8 PLACES I LOVE TO EAT
1. Round Table Pizza (CA)
2. Rigatony's Italian (Chandler and Mesa)
3. Moki's
4. Any Chinese
5. Arby's with coupons
6. Carabba's
7. Any Steakhouse
8. Nicks at the Beach - on Mission Beach in San Diego YUM!!!

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY (Saturday)
1. Shopping at Target
2. Worked on templates for sample invitations
3. enjoyed walking to and from my car in the GORGEOUS weather!
4. Eric did my laundry for me cuz I was so busy!
5. Engagement photos of Ryan and Kellie
6. Dropped Eric off at ASU library
7. Pei Wei take out for dinner
8. Checked out suits at Kohls, Red Box and chilled to a movie following a trip to Grocery store!

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO
1. Getting off work
2. Getting more money - finding a 2nd job
3. Seeing my family in a few weeks
4. Getting a big hug when I get to Eric's after work
5. Watching Eric smile as he thoroughly enjoys the food I cook him.
6. Antime outside
7. Being a Mommy someday in my lifetime
8. pending...

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL
1. Beautiful Arizona weather!
2. Running right after work outside - forget the treadmill
3. I would LOVE the color and leaves if there were any down here
4. Family time
5 . Lower electric bill and open doors
6. I'm
7. Not
8. Sure

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
1. 18-55 or 105 lens for my camera
2. Total Money Makeover the Book updated (I have the audio)
3. 48 Days to the work you love
4. Breakthrough - Susanne Sommers
5. A better paying job/2nd job
6. a place where I can have an animal
7. A Wedding
8. My own family

8 PEOPLE I'M TAGGING
1. Jolyn C.
2. Jacqueline B.
3. Lucy B.
4. Who else
5. reads my
6. blog that
7. has a
8. blog???

Free Museum Day

2008-10-12T23:31:00.010-07:00

On my long drive to Julia's baby shower I realized... Free Museum Day. It was nice seeing her and finally meeting her son. But I stayed too long!

Eric and I decided to rush to the Phoenix Zoo, then go to the Desert Botanical Gardens next door.

We got to the zoo at 3:55, closing in 5 minutes. It was free. The lady rolled her eyes at us as she gave us the tickets. We stayed about an hour. It is hard to see much in an hour though.

It was soooo.... stinkin really really hot that day. We were both dying by the time we left. There was even a lot of shade there at the zoo. I drove around Phx for a while before we went to the Gardens to find something cold to drink and hopefully some icecream.

We FINALLY found some stores and a McDonalds.

We cooled down for a long time while eating a sandwich and an icecream sundae and lots of water! Whew. Eric took a short nap. (He gets exhausted when we go out because his mind is racing all day on his book. plus the heat was exhausting)

Off to the Botanical Gardens...

This bird was sitting on the cactus and seemed hurt maybe. But no, it had a nest in the cactus. Crazy little bird!!

We had such a wonderful time!!

A storm blew in which cooled things down dramatically. We stood and watched the lightning in a restricted area. No people so it was very peaceful, only the wind and desert noises.

McCain Must Defend Himself

2008-10-12T22:43:00.006-07:00

The last debate really frustrated me because McCain had his own agenda, didn't answer the questions exactly and didn't defend himself when Obama talked about things he didn't have a clue about. Basically because of his socialist views.

These are the 4 things McCain MUST address in the next debate

Sarbane Oxley Act and the Mark to Market regulation (Here is a link to a great explanation http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/askdave/index.cfm?event=dspAskDave&intContentItemId=10971) which caused WaMu (my bank) to fail. It was regulation not deregulation that caused the failure and is still causing more problems. It is not the only problem but a major one right now.
Defend his health plan. People are voting for Obama because he is saying McCain's will cost employers more. The truth is I would LOVE a system where I can keep my health coverage no matter where I live or where I work if I like it. If I moved out of state or changed jobs I would have to change my provider. I would have coverage and assistance paying for health care under McCain's plan no matter what happened in my life.
Explain why he wants to privatize social security and how the government has destroyed our system, waisting all of our hard earned money. Privatizing it would allow it to grow faster from interest and the best thing is our money would be ours and not the governments to borrow from.
He needs to leave the attacks on the war alone and talk domestic issues! That is what everyone needs to hear. He must give his plan and defend Obama's ignorant jabs.

Obama is moving further and further to the center the closer he gets to the election which is creating a sense to the conservatives that they might as well vote for Obama because he is young, handsome, an eloquent amazing speaker and - A Celebrity or A Savior?? Does a uh, great uh uh uh speaker (or speech reader) make him uh uh great uh uhhh President.

Obama moving to center on... (or flip flopping to win) x 20

He wants to cut the military but he also wants to put more troops in Afghanistan??
In December (12/30/07) there was no way he was for Nuclear Energy and in his last debate he is for it.
He says he supports the troops even though he recklessly said they were air-raiding villages and killing innocent civilians.
He said he would never not fund the troops but he voted against funding them because there was no timetable for withdrawal (McCain on the opposite voted against a funding bill for the troops that did not pass because there was a timetable for withdrawal)
In September 2007 Obama said he was for Public financing and that was the only way to keep candidates honest. Just a few months later he declined Public financing stating the opposite.
Perhaps the biggest flip flop... for the past few years up until his visit to Iraq in July 2008, without listening to the Generals in Iraq, he constantly said we need to pull out of Iraq immediately. After actually going to Iraq and talking to the Generals he now says he would "Refine" his policy after listening to the commanders on the ground.
He has always said he will get rid of the Bush tax cuts and put in his own tax plan. Now he says he will keep the Bush tax cuts but revise them to tax those that make $250,000 or more. I guess I better not make more than $249,000 a year or I will be SCREWED!! So much for the American Dream. Actually now he says he will not roll the Bush tax cuts back on just the rich for right now because he admitted would HURT the economy.
11/20/07 and 2/12/08 Obama said in an interview he supported the DC handgun ban. 6/26/08 When the law was overturned, he then switched positions saying the law was unconstitutional!!
He criticized the Bush Administration's Energy policy even after voting for The 2005 Bush-Cheney Energy Bill.
Obama Adviser Said Obama Was Not Opposed To An Individual Health Care Mandate Despite His Opposition During The Primary.
During The Primaries, Barack Obama Pledged To Filibuster Any Bill Which Contained Immunity For Telecommunications Companies Involved In Electronic Surveillance, But Now Backs A Compromise Bill
Barack Obama Has Backtracked From His Earlier Commitment To Meet With The Leaders Of State Sponsors Of Terror "Without Precondition"
After Saying Jerusalem Should Be "Undivided," Barack Obama Has Since Backtracked
As A Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama Has Backed Away From His Earlier Support For Normalized Relations With Cuba And Ending The Embargo
Barack Obama Is Against The California Ballot Measure Banning Gay Marriage Despite His Assertion That Marriage Is Between A Man And A Woman
Barack Obama decides to tap the strategic oil reserve.
Obama now says he's "open" to oil drilling. Obama said this "wasn't really a new position."
Obama jabs McCain for his choice of VP's lack of experience when she actually has experience running a government. Truth is she has been Governor the same time Obama has been in the Senate only Obama has been campaigning for President more than 1/2 his time in the Senate. He has never run a government, business, had to balance a budget, make payroll. The other difference is Palin isn't running for President, Obama is!
He said he could no further denounce Reverend Wright than he could the black community. Then weeks later he denounced him and announced he was changing churches. He'll be back in the pews after the election at some point!

I am holding my nose as I vote this year but fortunately most of the congressmen will be fired so bye bye Pelosi !!! And good riddance. She hasn't done a darn thing she promised since her welcome speech.

I rest my case ... for now!

(Next up Obama's communist and socialist views and ties)

Utah Trip

2008-09-25T23:19:00.007-07:00

I was able to go to Utah this past weekend so I could go to the Temple with my little Brother Mike when he went through for the first time.

He decided to go to the Salt Lake Temple. It was amazing going to such a historical yet spiritual place.

I am so proud of him and how he has lived his life in order to be able to serve our Heavenly Father! He will be a great missionary!

He chose an 8am session though which meant getting up at 5:30!! That was painful after getting to bed late and it being 4:30 AZ time! Wow!

Heather did baptisms for the first time as she was waiting, accompanied by Mike's friend Ryan.

Right after the temple, Ryan, Mike, Heather and I traveled down to Wendover, NV to an airshow. We drove by the Salt Flats that were crazy white with Salt for miles and miles!

The hose to wash your feet wasn't even close to here. Silly but cool pict.

Ryan got a pict of Heather licking the salt

Mike to a pict of all of us taking a picture of the salt. Funny. I don't recall him stealing my camera to take this.

We barely missed the final air event of an F-16 and some other plane. SUCKS!

We stuck around for a while to make our time worth while. I didn't realize this until Dan at work pointed it out but this is a KC-135 air refueler for jets. I wish I knew!

This was a A-10 Warthog. Heather climbed up and talked to the pilot and held a huge bullet.

This is my F-16. You can see the KC-135 in the background. The refueler line is hanging out behind the tail.

This is a black widow down in the window well I climbed down to see Karynne! Matt killed it with Windex when he cleaned the window for me.

Beautiful steps at the castle by Provo hospital.

The Castle itself

An Apache helicopter.

I was able to see Karynne for the first time. I had to see her through a window which is better than not at all. Of course I took some picts and this is the best I could get but I think its the best I've received.

She weighs just over 6lbs. Grandma (Mom) was very happy today because she was able to hold Karynne for the first time!

Matt and Kirstyn (the proud new, young, parents) have allotted 6 people who are allowed to see her and hold her. There are 2 people that are allowed to see her once a month. All this until March or April? Around Easter I guess. She is going to be so big by then.

I guess it is RSV season and her immune system is so low. She has to get an expensive shot once a month.

I had a really great time with my family. We didn't go on any big hikes like usual but it was even better chilling at the house, talking and playing a few games.

It felt good to have Eric miss me for a while, but it was really nice to be back home to see him again!

I'm a lucky woman! I have a wonderful family and an amazing boyfriend who loves me very much.

The Freedomist: US Kills Afganinstan Al Qaeda Top Leader, But CNN Dwells On Troop Suicide Non-Story Instead.

2008-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

The Freedomist: US Kills Afganinstan Al Qaeda Top Leader, But CNN Dwells On Troop Suicide Non-Story Instead.

Labor Day in Sedona

2008-09-07T00:22:00.005-07:00

We were deciding between a beautiful Clover Springs hike down a small winding creek with the woods all to ourselves or the beautiful packed red rocks of Sedona and ribs at Page Springs Restaurant and Montezuma Castle.

I have always wanted to take Eric to Sedona but I was longing for some time with just him. Through his excitement and research into all the adventures in the red rocks he convinced me after a small tantrum that Sedona was it.

And he was gorgeous, I mean it. The Red Rocks.

Why can't I be so photogenic!

First stop... Slide Rock!

The water was cold at first but felt refreshing.

It was fun but I wasn't so sure what to do with my legs!
Woohooo!!!

Eric is so daring. Stomach first seemed painful. The rocks were really smooth though!

The Page Springs Fish hatchery was already closed. At 3pm!! Dang. It's been a long time. We drove past Page Springs Restaurant and found out it was closed and hopefully reopening in October. Aunt Lois said the owner went bankrupt and sold it. We got a snack at McDs and off to Montezuma's Castle

We stopped at a place at KC Corner on the way to Cottonwood from Camp Verde. It was on the corner of Cornville Rd and Page Springs Rd. We wanted our Ribs and Aunt Lois said this is the place to go. We were totally hooked up. Eric and I ordered a full slab to share. The waitress reported there was only a 1/2 slab ready and we would have to wait an extra 1/2 hr for the other slab. We said go for it! So she hooked us up with a free appetizer and Dr Pepper both!!

By the time we got our meal we were kinda already full. We had a few ribs and packed em up to go! 2nds are heavenly!!! We gave a REALLY good tip!

We went by Aunt Lois' for a bit. She is so generous and always gives when I go there. I wish I visited more often and had something to give.

Here is Casey one of Baby's baby. Baby is my parents oldest cat. Lois also has Skitsy who is named for that reason. She never comes out when we are there.

I forgot his name. He is real sweet though. This is Eric's art work by the way. Sometimes enjoys taking picts.

This is a crazy tomato Lois found at the store! It was a siamese tomato.

It had a rough start cuz I was extremely jealous of Eric's book. But it was great to get out together.

As Eric always says... "It's Better Together"

GO ASU 2-0!

Arizona Monsoons and lightning storm YIKES

2008-08-28T23:25:00.008-07:00

This was a crazy night!

The first picts were taken a week ago during a cool storm. It has been raining the past few days every evening! Global Warming?? or is it the ice age?

Actually, it is just a typical monsoon season but a little more rain than normal and literally 500% more rain than last years 1 day of rain!

Beautiful clouds

These were taken from my window inside the house. It was too scary to go outside. As you will see in the video below it was continually lightning and thundering nonstop.

I took literally 400 pictures just to get these few good ones. Thank goodness for digital, my remote, tripod and my awesome SLR!

You have to turn up your volume and listen to the thunder continually rumbling! It was like this for an entire scary hour of craziness.

Tagged ?

2008-08-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

TAG YOU'RE IT!
Tagged

4 places I visit often:
1. California
2. The Post Office
3. My sister's through their blogs
4. California

4 People Who call or e-mail me often:
1. JoJo
2. Lisa (no one else in the family calls me anymore!)
3. Spam
4. Eric

4 Places I'd rather be:
1. San Diego
2. With all my nieces and nephews
3. Shopping for fun stuff (not food)
4. I dunno, I am pretty content for the time being!

4 movies I'd watch over and over again!
1. 10 Things I hate about you
2. The Prince and Me
3. The Other Side of Heaven
4. Tommy Boy

4 Favorite Foods:
1. Brownies/chocolate chip cookies
2. anything chinese/oriental
3. Round Table Pizza
4. BBQ Ribs

4 Favorite Hobbies
1. Photography
2. Photoshoping
3. cuddling with Eric and chatting about life =0)
4. Camping/hiking

4 People I'm tagging:
1. JoJo
2. Megan H.
3. Heather-sis
4. Mom

Fossil Springs

2008-07-26T22:56:00.016-07:00

I am already way behind ... 7/26 we went to Fossil Springs. James was such a sport to come along with just Eric and I.

We started on the road at 6:30am. We got to Payson and Eric realized he put out lunch (sandwiches) in his freezer to get really chilled and left them there!! We had just bought a small cloth insulated cooler to fit our lunch into his backpack.

We stopped at WalMart, bought a new one and a new sandwich. We ended up getting a REALLY late start as a result.

Here is some of the beautiful waterfalls at the watering hole...

The hike is 4.5 miles down and 4.5 miles hard hike uphill back.

On the way down I saw this little creature!! It is so rare to see horny toads but they are so adorable.

Here is James

We stopped for a bite to eat in a shaded spot. Eric and I found that Pomegranite lemonade is spectacular tasting!! He kept it by his side the rest of the trip until it was gone.

This BEAUTIFUL golden retriever was so sweet and adorable.

This is a kayaker who rode a waterfall down!!

Eric is quite the daredevil this day!

Talk about dare devil!! This cliff (dam) is several stories high! There were people jumping off it. All of a sudden I saw Eric up there and I knew he was going for it!

This is a good pict to show the true height.

Getting Ready.... Set ...

JUMP!!!

Falling...

Falling...

Splish...

SPLASH!

And the thumbs up!

Wow!

Here I am releasing from the rope swing! I was scared out of my mind.

Here is Eric doing a flip off the rope swing!

James was a good photographer.

Fossil Springs starts right here! ALL that water comes from underground. It is so clean and fresh that you don't really need to sanitize it. If you get your bottle right where it comes up! It's amazing.

We were extremely lucky on the way back we had clouds the entire way instead of intense mid day heat!

I was a beautiful hike back. Cloud cover makes some amazing lighting for pictures.

My Hero carried his backpack AND my backpack all the way up hill on the way back. He wouldn't let me carry it. He finally let me carry it at the very end as it flattened out. He has such a resiliant and amazing body and strength that I wish I had. I think I used to when I was younger.

This was a fun trip. We were sore for days and didn't work out much that next week. It has been hard to kick ourselves back into gear.

I am proud of Eric for loosing 15 pounds in 3-4 weeks. He worked his butt off at the gym mostly walking but for 2-2.5 hours a day. I got so bored and then exhausted I couldn't do more than 1.5 hrs max. I now give up between 30 min - 1 hr.

Now that I have Hannity on my podcast I may last longer!

Ice Skating

2008-07-18T22:44:00.003-07:00

Every now and then Eric comes up with an elaborate date that he plans for hours. His latest was ice skating. He usually asks me that night... "I know what you want to do tonight" or "Guess what we're doing tonight!!" He decides right then and there what we are doing. It's funny cuz he knows I hate going to the movies but he usually tells me we are going to the movies to be funny, and to get a reaction.

Eric's humor is all about the reaction he gets from it. He LOVES seeing people's reactions.

Anyways, it doesn't matter what we really do we have a great time. I guess it keeps me at bay cuz I love to plan and put a lot of thought and effort into dates. I also love to be creative. We have our share of ideas though.

Last weekend we went to Walgreen's so I could find a frisbee or something. I found a $2 hard fabric bat and ball. We went to Pioneer Park and played baseball on the grass and used uneven length dirt holes as bases. It is weird but amazingly fun with 2 people.

My next idea ... a big group date with our plethora of couple friends.

2008 so far...It's a LONG one

2008-07-16T22:04:00.033-07:00

I am going to go backwards and show off my year in pictures so far because it has been a crazy one so far. It is worth sharing.

Thursday, July 17th 11:16pm
Karynne Taylor Hastings
3lbs 5oz 16" long
She was born 10 weeks early when Mom Kirstyn's water broke from an infection.

There is a long road ahead the next few months until she is released from the hospital. She started hemmoraging in her brain a few days ago and it seems to not be a problem now though. 2 days later they took her off the ventilator and took the thing out a day later that held open her lungs. As of today she is breathing on her own and is awake and alert.

The new Daddy and Mommy are now able to hold her 1/2 an hour a day but only 1 of them a day.

She has had several priesthood blessings which is definately the cause of her great progress!

Karynne and her very young parents still need our prayers for the next couple months.

www.DigMyPics.com
As most know my work burned down May 5th around 3am.

We have spent the past 2.5 months cleaning and recovering customers lifetime collections of slides, prints, negatives, movie film and vhs. It has been hard work.

We thought the firefighters recovered everything they could but the owners couldn't access the building for several weeks following the fire.

Two months later to our awe and relief, copper theives have taken apart the very large a/c units and moved things around so much in the piles that they uncovered treasures of film!!! Here are some pictures from our recent finds. It was miracolous but SOOOO... hot and filthy. We could only work in the ashes and insulation til around 9am because it became so miserable when the sun rose higher.

Here is most of the recovery team.

Here is a before and after shot of our bins. See the slides trapped in the melted plastic. We could hammer apart bins and find more treasures somewhat preserved inside the melted mess.

These are post production computers with hard drives in tact and sticky notes from shipping.

This is my own personal bin I had at work with all my Dad's misc and mission slides, prints, and negatives inside. The bin was underneath one of my desk tables where my video computer monitor sat with 2 video computers on each side. The wires are for the mouse and keyboard. The picture on the right shows the bin from the top. Everything was in a cardboard box.

Miraculously this day we also found one whole slide storage box in great shape with many of my Dad's slide inside. I haven't told him yet. I have only found maybe 400 out of almost 800 slides though but I found many prints and negatives. The negatives are priceless pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Hastings, Picts from Aunt Ann's wedding and a few others.

This is me posing after a hard day of dirty, yucky playing in the ashes.

This was our breakroom. See the dishes in the dishwasher. This was part of my station!

Here is a movie reel still in tact and a bundle of slides.

Saturday, June 28 2008

Wakeboarding at Bartlett Lake. I have always told Eric how much I loved wakeboarding. He finally understood after he kicked butt over the wakes that day. I got up the first time as usual and I was able to jump the wakes also.

July 4th 2008 - My Santa Barbara Trip

July 2, 2008
Here is my little sweet nephew Hayden! He almost drowned in the public pool. Lisa was there with a play group and had her eyes peeled on her kids especailly Hayden. She turned her head for a moment and looked back and he was gone. In that instant he climbed over to a deeper end and couldn't touch the bottom. He paddled till he couldn't anymore. One of the Mom's rescued him right after he stopped paddling and laid face down in the water. This was fortunately only for a minute but long enough to cause a scare. He was taken to the local hospital then Columbia Hospital for overnight stay. He recovered quickly and is well and a strong active little boy again!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

As a result of my car accident earlier in the year which you will read about later ... I was able to buy my new baby!! My Nikon D80!!! It is an amazing DSLR and I am loving it. After church this Sunday I took it to the Mesa Arts Center and used Eric as a model. Then he played around taking some pictures of me. I am not a very good model. I don't "pose" very well. Eric seems to be very comfortable however.

He is so handsome!! =0) I am a very lucky girl!

May 25-26th 2008

Camping at Potato Lake

We went camping Memorial day weekend. It was the first Saturday we had off at work since the fire. We were expected to work 4hrs a day but 7 days a week at first.

It was beautiful but a little chilly. I had just snowed the day before on the rim. We had a week long nice rain down in the valley. We had a few patches of snow on the ground. In MAY!! That's what I call Global cooling!

It's really hard to get good pictures sometimes because we would much rather have pictures of us together than separate. We will often pose ourselves in a way and set up the picture so if I ever have time I can superimpose each other into one picture. You will see some pictures below I did just that.

Potato Lake is on FR300 about 15min past Strawberry.

Eric spelled out my name in branches to mark our spot so I spelled out his name as well. This is up and then back down the hill on the other side of the lake. I believe this is the road we camped on. Next time we go back we will see if it is still there. Then we can take a short cut over the steep hill to get to the lake!!

Since it was Memorial Day weekend, I stopped at the cemetary in Payson to visit my Grandma and Grandpa D'Andrea's grave. I tend to visit it once every year or 2. I picked some flowers on the side of the road to leave. I know they are anxiously awaiting in Heaven to become an eternal family.

Liz Williams (Cameron)

she was my best friend when I lived in Garland, Texas in 7th and 8th grade. She was in my church ward (congregation) which made it really easy to become friends.

A few months ago I couldn't decide whether to go to the usual Chick fil a for a fast but good lunch or go to somewhere new. I was tired of Chick but it was convienient and super fast. I had just gotten my food when this girl walks up to me and asks if I knew an Elizabeth Hastings. I said thats me. I looked at her and said... Liz.... Cameron!!! I didn't recognize her immediately since it had been 13 years since I have seen her.

We have gotten to know each other better since and I love knowing she is closer.

Her 2 girls are Karlee and Gracie.

Dad Hastings

My Dad in addition to my older sister found out he is diabetic in May. I hope it will help him feel better by knowing how to take care of himself properly. He was already doing a good job at trying to figure out how to eat well to make him feel well. He had lost a lot of weight doing this. It should be a natural transition for him I hope. I love him and want him to be healthy to live forever! He's a great, strong, wise, motivated, kind, spiritual, and steadfast Dad!

May 16-20, 2008

Our ENTIRE family got together at The Secor's (my oldest sister Becca's)

We had an amazing time together. I was grateful that Eric joined us. It was so nice to have him there too. I love my whole family and am very grateful to know that we will all be together forever!

A SHOCKER!!

Wednesday, May 7th 2008

A sudden addition to our family. My baby brother Matt married Kirstyn Ely. I found out that Sunday before!! Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.

I welcome her to the family and hope she will allow us to be close to her.

This was a really pretty picture of her the wedding day.

April 25, 2008

Our last venture to Disneyland with our season passes! It was well worth the discounted money I paid for mine!!

Tom Sawyer's island goofing off!

We rushed home to go to our Stake Fiesta dinner dance. We made it in time for a quick dinner and pictures and a little dancing. We had a good time.

Saturday, March 29th 2008

Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

We had a great time. The wildflowers were beautiful. There was a lot to see and it was a nice stroll through the very large park.

We have seen 3 Gila Monsters this year so far. 2 at the arboretum and 1 after we were camping by Peralta Trail.

Talmage
I went to Dave and Norma's to hear Uncle Talmage tell stories of Grandma Hastings growing up. Uncle Dave recorded and filmed the stories. It was a nice treat and I was very grateful to be there.

NOT SO SUPER TUESDAY

February 7, 2008

Eric and I started campaigning actively for Mitt Romney late January. I wish I did more sooner but not sure if it would have helped. He did not have a paid for campaign in AZ since he figured McCain would win his home state anyways.

The bogus thing is that AZ is a winner take all state which makes my vote not really count!!

This was at campaign headquarters in a nice, ritzy home in Paradise Valley. It was a sad disappointing night but fun to be involved.

Eric serenaded me with his trumpet one night while packing to move. He is very talented and such a sweetie!

Valentines February 2008

For Valentine's Day, Eric brought to my work a bag full of goodies, a card, and a balloon. Then that night he prepared our lobster and steak from a lobster gram he got from calling into

Sean Hannity. Sean told him he had to use it to propose (though he didn't)

We went to the ASU institute building as a backup option because of rain. He had intended on going to the lake. Turns out Sheri Dew was there talking but I would have rather heard Eric talk that night.

That weekend we went to Disneyland. We thought it would be a perfect time to go. NO. I didn't realize it was President's Day weekend and everyone had Monday off school. It was very busy!

New Years Eve 2007 and January 2nd 2008

My New Year began with a great new start to mine and Eric's relationship as he decided to give us a real chance.

We spent 2 days at Disneyland. It was supposed to only be one but....

My New Year also started out with a real BANG!!

On our way to church in California that Sunday before New Year I was hit. I was in the left turn lane slowing for the red arrow. A car coming across all the lanes of traffic was inching through cars to get into the left turn lane. She inched right into me. I heard a loud crash and crunch and felt a small jolt but I was looking straight ahead. I didn't know what happened at first.

We made it to the last part of the last class-Sunday School. The car was driveable but it didn't feel stable and didn't look great either. Eric had to climb in through the drivers door. The car shook when it hit 50mph so we knew we couldn't drive it home. The next day was New Year's Eve and Penske was closed. Eric was moving to AZ with a Penske truck and couldn't use a UHaul tow dolly. We had to wait an extra day.

First Post and Independence Day

2008-07-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog ever and I am a little scared. Between Facebook, My Space, working full time, starting my business, writing a book, and playing with my boyfriend, I don't need any other distractions.

I love being able to read about my sisters and their children because I really wish I could be more of a part of their lives. It makes me feel in little ways like I am.

First off... here is baby cousin Sterling who just returned from his mission in West Virginia! He is a mix between Spencer and Shawn in looks. But mostly Spencer. It was nice to see him and here his strong testimony at is homecoming sacrament meeting.

My latest adventure was Independence Day! July 4th weekend Eric and I ventured to Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful small town. State street is lined with cute shops and eateries. The end of State is closed off for pedestrians to meander down toward the pier and harbor for the evening festivities.

Eric and I enjoyed a nice milkshake from a small icecream shop when we first arrived. Then we wandered back to my car for a tasty homemade roast beef sandwich.

As we were eating ash began to fall on us. I looked up and saw the sky was turning an amber color. It was only around 3pm.

As we wondered toward the pier my black backpack was covered in ash and falling like snow. It was quite a site.

Here are some of our sights along the way. I would usually color correct these but this is what everything really looked like because of the smoke clouds masking the sun!

1. Eric is chatting with a Greek Orthodox dude

2. Then we invaded The Reagan Ranch Center

3. There was a beautiful staircase that was so hard to capture the full beauty!

4. On the pier is this dolphin fountain. Eric looks so modelish here. He got same strange looks

when he climbed on it!

I think pictures will tell more than words on these next ones...

This next one, after the fireworks the State St. tunnel underneath the 101 freeway was jam packed with people. People were hollering and screaming in the tunnel as they walked through it trying to have fun. The animals and little children were more frightened than the fireworks!

The next day Eric and I went to Hollywood. We walked to the new mall by the Chinese Mann Theater and then found a hot dog shop with awesome Lemonade. Wow was I thirsty!

This is a picture at the mall on a special walkway purposely made to view the Hollywood sign!

We finally ended the trip at Manhattan Beach. It was really crowded and we jumped right in the water (even though it was 4pm ish) The water was great but it the waves were huge and powerful. Eric loved wave dodging out in the deep!

I was nice hearing patriotic music at church the Sunday before and after. That Sunday in my singles ward we sang the Star Spangled Banner. As is tradition I bore my testimony and this time after meeting our Gringo friend as he called himself on the pier, I testified that man is not in control of this world but God is. God controls when this world will end and when our lives will end. It is our job to take care of what is lent us and also prepare ourselves too see God again. I am grateful to know that no lawyer, doctor or power hungry politician can effect the world and how it turns. They cannot have that power!

Utah Visit October - Mike's Open House

2007-12-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Its my Tucker!

Matt, Mike and Heather at the MTC

The Proud Missionary

In front of the MTC

At my cousin's Don and Susan in Kamas, UT

Don and Susan let us ride the Quads. Eric's first time! He was a pro and of course loved it!

The story told to all new comers! This is the only wood post because several years ago with my Bro-in-law Matt on the back of a quad, I gunned it up a small hill and flew over it and fortunately hit the post saving us from death by barbed wire!!

Cousin Don and Heather

My bro Matt and his awesome smile! (laugh)

Its my Bro's!!!

Matt-18, Dan-26, Mike-19

Don and Susan's Kids

Chynna, Tiancum, Luke

My Dads Sister, Aunt Ann

Matt and Wifey Kirstyn

Newlyweds and Newly Parents! =0)

Newly cutest couple!

Eric caught me primping!

Mike's friends

Gifts for baby Karynne

Buddy the Dog. He was so depressed realizing Mike was leaving!

Adorable brothers!

Mike and Cousin Spencer (getting married in a few days to a wonderful girl!)

Cousin Susan, 2 of her children and Mike

Mike's Gang

The Deer stalk the house at night searching for food. This is in my parents backyard out the backdoor. Pretty cool!