Living Your Dreams

From time to time Mr. B and I will pull out the box of conversation questions he gave me while we were dating. This time he wanted to play with a twist. In the past we'd always sat in bed and asked each other the questions back and forth late into the evening, but this time we were to ask the question, wait for the other person to think of their answer, and then guess what the other's answer would be. It was very insightful to say the least. :) I learned a lot about how Mr. B saw me, but I also learned a lot about myself that evening.

Several of the questions focused on my goals for the future--a subject I have little clarity on at the moment. Mr. B nailed one of the answers I thought he'd never get. He knew at heart I want to be a photographer. And after years of looking up photography classes, and even registering and canceling multiple times, he simply said, "do it." The next day I signed up for a class. IT. WAS. AWESOME.

See the close background?

Now see how the background is far away? 

Yeah, I did that.

I'm still not sure I have all the answers for my future and career yet, but photography is definitely an option. Thanks for the support Mr. B.

Celebrating "Labor" on Labor Day Weekend?

It's a good thing I haven't kept a very good blog over the past year, cause I'm sure more than half of the venting posts would have been directed straight toward my job, or more specifically my boss.

And no body wants to hear that. (**If you thought "Nope, sure don't," stop reading now. :)

But last night, after a nice Labor Day weekend, I cried myself to sleep because I knew I'd have to go back to work the next day. (Pathetic, I know.) And those tears only led to bad dreams about work all night.

Because I work for the LDS church and have a pretty cool job (by some people's standards), whenever anyone asks how I like what I do I always put on a face and "love it."

NOT TRUE.

There you have it. I've turned this post into a confession post.

On paper my job is great. Working with my used-to-be-boss-but-is-now-my-"team lead"-whatever-that-means?!-she-totally-thinks-she-controls-me... not as great as it looks on paper.

Ok. I guess it's not the job, just the boss. I like what I do, just not who I do it with.

I talk about quitting all the time, but I won't cause I'm addicted to my paycheck.

UGH. (the very non-silent kind.)

In addition to threats about quitting (mostly to myself and sometimes to my husband), I also laugh at the power I have to set a very firm 9-month quitting deadline...

Yeah, no. Not right now. But I SO could.


Pregnancy = escape from one job + oh yeah, new job as Mom.

...Yeah, no. Not right now.

Someone please rescue me with a million dollars so I can have my freedom back!! Think of it as paying my ransom and saving a life. PuLEEEEEz!

No? Guess I'll have to work tomorrow. At least Thursday is payday.

My Favorite Time of the Year

I LOVE autumn!!

After record heat this summer, September 1st is finally here! And it feels amazing outside.

I couldn't help myself but take a morning bike ride around the neighborhoods. Mr. B settled in on the couch to watch Game Day, and the crisp, fresh air beckoned me outside.

It was almost cold enough for a jacket, but I loved the chilled feeling of the rushing wind on my face.

I hope this beautiful weather hangs around for awhile.

#Iwantmyhusbandback

I hate Twitter.

I hate how my husband is obsessed with his phone because of it.

I hate how his obsession has increased now that it's football season.


My siblings at my wedding
(a bit staged for the camera :)

Dinner with Mr. B

Mr. B made these DELICIOUS Caesar Wraps for dinner

while I put together these smoothies of strawberries, bananas, white peaches, and mango.

Dinner at the Bulloughs.

Bon appetit!

SURPRISE! ...We're Going to NY!

 We arrived at the airport at 10:30pm, ready for our redeye flight to Indianapolis, Indiana. (Unbeknownst to me, there is no redeye flight to Indianapolis!) 

Then Mr. B handed me this binder. It's an itinerary for my birthday. 

We're going to New York City, baby!
Don't judge this pic too harshly. It was SUPER late, and I was SUPER tired. 
But no rest for me! Flight through the night, play the next day!!!!

We stayed in a hotel just off the Brooklyn Bridge. Love.

Just after spending a leisurely morning walking the bridge, we planned to wander Chinatown and Little Italy. The weather had a different plan. At first we thought the drizzle was nice, but then the skies opened up and poured BUCKETS of water on us. 

We managed to hide out in this awesome pizza place under the bridge. 

Grimaldi's Pizzeria!

I'd wanted to get pizza there back when I lived in NY, but ran out of time before moving. 

I crave this pizza all the time! SOOOOOO yummy.

Of course, Times Square.

And WICKED!!!!!!!!!!

My dad was in upstate NY doing research for his job. That lovely rainstorm that sent us to Grimaldi's kept his plane grounded, so he got to spend a night on the town with us!

This is one of my favorite parts of the city. Shake Shack. 

SOOOO GOOOOD!

 Sharing some tunes on the subway.

Sadly, our NY trip was far too short. But I'm sure we'll go back again and again throughout the years.

And the reason we went to New York... Sister Bullough!

Trying to find someone in the JFK airport who doesn't know you are coming and doesn't have a cellphone is SO hard. 

Mr. B and I ran back and forth from one end of the airport to the other for two hours. We were so blessed to find her! 

It was so fun to hear about her mission, and see the cool pieces of Russia she brought back with her. 

Back in Indiana we spent time with Sister Caroline, and her family detoxed Russia from her with a strong dose of the Indiana State Farm.

When Mr. B and I got home, for the first time I was able to tell him that I missed his family. It's taken some time for me to get to know them and for them to get to know me. For the first time I truly felt loved for my differences. I'm sure our relationships will only grow stronger over the years.

 I'm already ready for another adventure!

I Guess You Can Read About My Life

Truth be told, no one reads this blog. I've intentionally kept it private and ultimately abandoned my old blog-of-many-years just so I could have an outlet to say whatever I want without offending anyone.

I don't want to be forced to filter for your sake. Sorry, but I did begin this with "truth be told." And if we are talking truth here, the truth is that I don't want to be forced to write like 99% of the blogosphere where all posts are carefully drafted to increase popularity. I write for me, not you.

Lately I've been considering a change--not to start filtering and stop potentially offending, but to start opening the blog and continue potentially offending.

So, hello big wide world!

Welcome to my mundane life.

Here's the update for those who already know me (and know that I don't post on Facebook or Twitter) and here's the intro for those who don't.

I'm still working as the American Sign Language supervisor at LDS Church HQ. It's been a rough 18 months working for a corporate/religious setting. And more specifically, it's been a roller coaster in Hell working for my boss. But I've also learned a lot about ASL, managing, myself, and a myriad of other things. Plus it pays well, and we all know that's more important than personal happiness. NOT! One day I'll quit. Just not today. I really believe I was meant to work in my position. Actually, I firmly believe that. And until those feelings change, I will continue to push through the sticky mess that is red tape and continue taking sufficient ibuprofin to keep me from killing someone.

Mr. B is still working as a sports broadcaster for BYUtv. He love his job, but it doesn't quit pay the bills (another reason I don't walk out on my job).

In more recent news, my husband surprised me with a trip to NYC for my birthday! And my sister-in-law came home from her mission. More on that in a few days.

Welcome to my secret, potentially offensive blog. Come again... if you feel like it.


Written for Meagen since she keeps asking me for a blog update. :)