One Thing...

Just a little explanation. A couple of weeks I listened to a CD recording of Stephen Covey's 'First Things First'. It was a one disc abbreviated version (perfect for my easily distracted brain). I was surprised by how much I enjoyed his take on life and how to fit the most important things into it.

Something he suggested was to make a list of our various roles (mother, employee, daughter etc...) and list just ONE THING that we could do to significantly improve our performance in that role. Hmmm...where to begin. I will share with you just one (to explain my long blog absence). I decided that to become a better employee, the ONE THING I could do was to stop checking blogs at work. You must understand that I'm alone in this quiet (too quite=stressful) office and I find myself getting lonely and occasionally worried. Let's face it, sometimes it's much more fun to read about all the great things that other people are up to rather than filing chart notes and calling on EOBs. So my friends, my blog checking must be done at home and as a result may not happen on a very regular basis. But I'm pretty sure I can find some time once a week or so (even at 12:15am on Sunday morning while the rest of my family sleeps). But Stephen Covey and I are convinced it will help me become a much better employee!

Enough explaining...onto some past photos that have long ago been lost and forgotten in my camera.

Somehow in the 44 pictures I posted from our Cali trip I forgot this one. A horrible picture of the house that Dan and I are going to buy that's right on the beach in Carlsbad (a girl can dream). I took it out the window while we were driving but I'm pretty sure you get the idea. You'd come visit me more if I lived here wouldn't you? Tell the truth :)

I missed posting a very fun weekend when Amy and family came to visit us. You all know I'm not a huge fan of the Strip, but I am a fan of the Bellagio foyer. They change it with the seasons/holidays and it is truly amazing. It is very hard to grasp how cool it is in pictures. This was their Spring Garden Display.

My girls kept trying to catch the dancing water as it came by. I kept saying "don't touch the water...they don't want you splashing water everywhere." Then I looked back and saw Amy. I need to be more like her! Why was I reprimanding instead of helping?

They brought in pots and pots and pots of flowers...beautiful!

I'm pretty sure my parents need one of these in their backyard!

More catch-up...we traveled to Flagstaff for Easter/Conference Weekend. It was such a great trip and I can't even begin to describe how happy I am that Diane and family are just over 3 hours away from us. This picture is at Diane's friend Elizabeth's house. I'm mostly posting it because I'm in love with her homemade pillows. These homemade pillows were sitting on her homemade COUCH (we're talking hammer, wood, saws etc.)! That was sitting in front of her homemade DINING ROOM TABLE. That was down the hall from their bathroom complete with a made from scratch VANITY. The list could go on and on...yes I was a little jealous.

Easter morning dying eggs. Can't skip this of course.

I love this picture. Two heads together watching their eggs magically turn colors. Two is almost always better than one!

Diane is such a great hostess. She invited their neighbors over for the Easter feast as well. My girls thought they were so special because Diane let them help decorate the holiday table. If only I had gotten a picture of the food...it was even more beautiful than the table.

Do you think this will really help me be a better employee? Probably...but I don't have to like it.

Don Aslett Giveaway!

I'm posting a link to my great friend Amy's blog because she is having a 'Don Aslett Cleaning Supply Giveaway'. And anyone who knows my mother, knows that I grew up using Don Aslett supplies. And anyone who has seen my mother's house (which she cleans with Don Aslett supplies) will want to win some for yourself so your house can look like my mom's :)....I wish. Unfortunately, Don hasn't invented supplies that actually do the work for you, I do hope they're working on that though.

Anyway...check it out: yourlifeuncommon.blogspot.com

Kallie's Book Club

I know I'm a little bit lame with following through on things. It's sad but true. And Kallie's book club on her blog is no exception. Quite a few of you read and commented about her first book, "Ramona the Brave". Thank you! I was going to mail a prize to the winner (Amber) but because of the problem I have with follow through (as previously mentioned) that never happened and the book club never progressed. I'm feeling a little bit guilty and sad about that because it is such a fun idea. Well...here I am recommitting to Kallie's book club. I will mail Amber a prize and we will now move on to our next book of choice chosen by Spencer:


Fablehaven: Book 1

Same rules apply (see Kallie's blog HERE) if you've already read the book you must read it again. The first person to read the book will get a prize (for real) and everyone who reads it and leaves a comment is entered into a drawing for a prize. Now I'm not saying these prizes are going to be fabulous but it's always fun to get something in the mail.

Soooooo...go to Kallie's blog and join in the fun!!!