FlashBack

10 months. For some things this is an eternity; for others it is a quick eye blink. My vote is the latter for my life - how has that much time elapsed since April 2011? It is February 2012 - I am still alive. Recently someone told me they hadn't seen me in so long they'd forgotten what I looked like? Really? Am I that much a stranger to people? Well... if this is you, here is a pretty recent photo, and while I am NOT that yellow-skinned, that's me! Yes - I realize I could smile more.

So what have I been up to? I'll go backwards - it's easier...

New Years Eve - spent it with Kim, her sister Lindsey, and a mutual friend Rebecca Oldroyd. We lived it up at Salt Lake's First Night, a repeat of several years ago...not much has changed - still a little (LOT) lame. But, it was something and I got to see Kimberlee.

December 2011- I was actually in town the entire month, attended several funerals, and worked a lot. Spent Christmas at my parent's and wished there was snow.

November 2011 - I spent the first week of the month in Orlando Florida at the National Association for the Education of Young Children's annual conference - nice way to get your work hours in. Lots of meetings, always lots of meetings.


October 2011 - Had a big transition at work with opening 4 new EHS classrooms, squeezed in a trip to Disney Land with Cyndee and my Earl nieces, then ended the month by flying to Denver for a quick fiscal meeting followed by an early flight to Orlando with a coworker/buddy. We PLAYED HARD at Universal Studios (LOVED the Harry Potter World exhibit), Disney World, Epcot Center, and Hollywood Studios. Good way to escape a stressful work transition.

Septmber 2011 - Stayed in town and worked a lot!

August 2011 - Flew to Chicago for a training/conference with 3 coworkers. Loved showing them around my favorite city! We spent one afternoon/evening at Six Flags riding all the rollercoasters we could, saw a Broadway production, played beach volleyball, ate awesome pizza, walked a ton, and took a boat tour. Why did I ever leave that city? I also spent a week at Sharee's - Alex and Peter were born and I got to spend their second week of life with them - doubly awesome month!

July 2011 - Celebrated Summer with my Earl and Lemon nieces at the 5th annual "packmycarasfullaspossiblewithniecesandfoodandstuffanddrivetothemakicabinandseeallwecaninaweek" adventure. Pretty fun - we went to Jackson Hole for a day and did other crazy things. I also spent a couple of days in Eden, Utah for a Director's meeting - very pretty, and a couple of days in Oakley, Utah at a cabin with all the KOTM Admin and Supervisors (annual planning).

June 2011 - Worked a ton, and traveled for my first time to a few places. Had a Professional Development conference in Rhode Island - very beautiful little spot in the world; preceeded that meeting with a trip to Salem, Massachusettes with Carolyn Taylor-Christensen and George Garff - awesome trip! Then proceeded from RI to Boston to visit my awesome friend Beth Palmer. Loved touring a bit through some historical sites and spending an evening at the Boston Pop's Concert. SUPER FUN TRIP!

May 2011 - I was in town all month and worked a ton - nothing too exciting.

Other happenings in 2011:
I was released from my 2-year calling of teaching Relief Society - loved it but needed to focus more on my other, still current calling of assisting my stake primary presidency with activity day leaders in all our wards.
Not so fun health issues: I have spent a year now with shoe inserts for my feet (poor and very high arches + bone spurs = lots of PAIN.) I am now working on scheduling surgery for this - not fun. I also survived a 6 month treatment of Acutane, and except for a minor sunburn issue in July this has been effective for my skin. While these weren't ideal for me, I am overall a pretty health person and very grateful for that.
Yes, I am a work-aholic. But I am working on this and getting better! (admitting that is a step in the right direction, I hope).
Pictures of the many things mentioned above will come soon.