In Honor of David's Birthday...

Today is David's birthday. He turns 36. I'm not sure if he'd be happy that I'm telling the world his age, but rest assured, he certainly doesn't act like it.

So, in honor of this oh so special day, I present to you the ten best things about David! (in no particular order, it's too hard to be Letterman)

1. He puts up with me... which is not a task to be taken lightly.

2. His determination to do a good job, almost to a fault.

3. His patience, kind of relates to the first one, but he does have amazing patience with people in general.

4. He likes to play games.

5. He tries to talk in accents and he sometimes even does it right!

6. His warm feet! It's so nice on those cold nights.

7. His willingness to help out around the house, especially since we are both working.

8. His ability to talk to anyone. I have yet to meet someone he can't strike up a conversation with.

9. He gets along with my family. Perhaps he's pretending, but I don't think he could put a front up that long.

10. And last but not least, I just think he's a whole lot o fun!

That concludes this session. If you would like to check out the picture of the birthday cake that I made him, it's posted on his blog. It turned out so well in my head, I'm not quite sure what happened... oh yeah, I don't decorate cakes for a living... you get what you get.

Happy birthday dear!

Two Weekends Ago...

Once upon a time, David and I made an escape. Tired of the doldrums that Logan has provided us with for so long, we burst out of the work and school chains and drove like mad to the far away land of... Salt Lake City. (What can I say, gas prices dictate a lot sometimes)

Itching to try something new and amazing we decided to satisfy our long-standing curiosity and try The Training Table for dinner. You will be happy to know that our curiosity was satisfied... but our desire for a quality dining experience was not. Therefore that will be the last time we go to the training table unless a gun is held to our head. Yes, we do feel very strongly about it...

Fortunately, the whole weekend did not match the tone of the first night. As a whole we were rather pathetic that first night. We checked into a hotel and laid on the bed and watched TV. Part of me felt like we should possibly be ashamed of ourselves for doing something in Salt Lake that we could have easily done at home, but the other part of me enjoyed it thoroughly.

The next day we met up with Sophie and Andrew, Cecil, and David's parents. We went to Gardner's Village where David and I found the table of my dreams. (You have to understand that our current dining set consists of a hand-me-down table and 5 blue folding chairs. Therefore I drool over dining sets with real chairs that match!) If I had been thinking I would have taken a picture of it. As it is it will have to live on in my imagination until such time as we have enough money to buy said table and chairs. My favorite feature was the little drawers on two sides of the table for storing such things as napkins, silverware... or when we have children, broken crayons and other such treasures. Someday...

On Sunday we got church times crossed and ended up not attending... I know, we're rebels. However, we did take the opportunity to spend some time at Temple Square. We took a tour of the conference center, which was amazing, and then spent the rest of the time walking around Temple Square looking for photo opportunities. My favorite was the Reflection pool.

Afterwards, Sophie and Andrew were kind enough to put up with us for another day and we ate dinner with them and played Dominoes. All in all it was a good weekend and a much needed break.

Tagged

Approximately 500 years ago, Sophie tagged me and I never responded... Now is the time.

Marriage Tag

What is your husband's name? Michael David Sullivan

How long have you been together? Married for 3 years, 1 month.

How long did you date? 1 year, 2 months

Who said I love you first? Me, I couldn't quite help myself.

Who is taller? David by 2 inches or so

Who sings better? David would say I do, but I think it's a toss up

Who is smarter? Definitely me, except for math and other things that have to make sense in a logical and analytical fashion... I just B.S. better

Who does the laundry? Me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

Who pays the bills? Me

Who mows the lawn? Both, I actually quite enjoy it

Who does the dishes? Lately both, used to be David more though... something about bacteria taking over the world starting with our kitchen. That's what I get for marrying a biology major

Who drives when you are together? I drive to the grocery store or to go shopping, David usually drives on trips, dates, anywhere else.

Who is more stubborn? David thinks he can give me a run for my money on this one, but I beg to differ, I beat him in stubborness hands down.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? David is... what a guy huh.

Who kissed who first? David kissed me first.

Who proposed? David

Who is more sensitive? Me

Who has more friends? We have friends??

Who wears the pants in the family? We both do

I tag anyone who wants to be tagged!

Girl Party!

This last weekend was the second annual Hubbard Girl Party. Last year it was held at my house, this year it was at Samantha's in Rexburg, Idaho. This is the time we have all been looking forward to. Those with children pawn them off on their husbands or others (expect for those who rely on their mothers for sustenance of course) and we all get together and have fun.

It started on Friday and we had dinner, watched "Clue", gave each other pedicures, and talked till 3:00 in the morning. We then got up at the crack of 10 and ate breakfast and talked some more. We did do few little crafty projects and went shopping, but it was more the company that counted most. All in all, good times were had by all.

Samantha, Melissa, Abigail, and Velvet

This was known affectionately at 3rd Nephi cake, after the earthquakes. That's what happens when you want to do something special... It still tasted good though.

Abigail, Me, Mom and Samantha.

If any of you out there have a picture of Shani (who also attended) I didn't get one of her! Send it my way please.

Middle Ground

So, let's talk about life for a moment. You know, that thing you are supposed to be living right now? That series of events that help you progress and become the person that you really want to be. So, what is it that you really want to be?

I personally would like to be that person that never lets anything get under her skin. When "crisis" hits I would like to avoid the dirty-name-calling in my head and go right to the problem solver. (perhaps I should work on making those name-calling things stay in my head at least and not come out of my mouth... hmm.) It seems that I have become a very reactionary person as of late. You know, the kind that doesn't stop and think about what they are doing, they just react whether good or bad, appropriate or un. That's me. I didn't used to be that way. I have theories about this though.

First, when I started working USU Catering 2 1/2 years ago, I was a very nice person. In fact someone stated that I was probably the only one that worked there that liked everyone. They thought it was just me being an incredibly nice person. I informed them that I simply hadn't worked there long enough to hate someone yet. It got a big laugh at the time, but sadly I was right. Now, don't jump too quickly, I don't exactly "hate" anyone per se, but I do find some more obnoxious than others which leads me to my reactionary self. I find that since I have had to deal with people that I wouldn't consider a friend for far too long, I lose patience with them. The more I have to deal with the them quicker my patience leaves. Now it's got to the point that the very name shows on the caller ID and I'm already calling them names in my head and sometimes out loud. (I know, I'm such a good example for my staff... don't worry I can guilt myself enough over that one.) I'm just not sure how to come back from that.

On the other hand, at least I'm not bottling up my frustrations to be let out on some unsuspecting customer/friend/husband one day with guns blaring and tongue lashing... It's unhealthy to swallow everything right? Those are the people you read about, "She was always so nice and sweet, we just never saw the sawed-off shotgun coming!" So where's the middle ground?

I believe that will be my goal for the next little while. Perhaps I should implement the "count to ten" before saying anything. Who says all those fun things are reserved for children!

A shout out

Just wanted to take a moment and give a shout out this fine day to a good friend and co-worker, Stefanie. She's getting married in a December to a hottie rockstar! You should check our her blog and read all about it.

Anyway, Stef, this is for you... :) Thanks for reading!

Fall.

I love Fall. It is by far my favorite season. They all have something good in them, but nothing quite competes with Fall. I love the chill in the air and the crispness of the mornings. I love that I get to start wearing sweaters again. I love the vibrant colors of the leaves as they turn. I only wish it would last longer. Sigh...

Here are a few pictures of the virginia creeper that goes along my fence in the yard. David thinks that we should prune it down. For daring to suggest such I thing I threatened death in a slow and painful manner. Needless to say, it's staying.

No... really?!

K, so there are really two things that I have to share today just because. Let me assure you that they are of no real value and more of an indulgence than anything.

First. Once upon a time ago I was walking through the 3rd floor of Old Main just outside the History department. They were trying to earn money by selling donated books for a buck. Well, what bibliophile would pass by books for a buck without even looking. Not I. So, upon perusal, I chose 4 books, one of which was being hailed on the back cover of this 1965 masterpiece as "It may be the best spy story anyone has ever read." There were also such words as "dazzling and compelling" along with "penetrating novel of our time". How could I possibly resist! I purchased The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carre. I have since finished it, and it was indeed compelling and cold. I'd have to leave out the dazzling though.

The second bit of info that I have to share was actually inspired by the drive home. I was coming back from work and cruising through the radio stations (I hate commercials and therefore surf my way home) when this song came on. "Without You" by Motley Crue. Now the title of this blog makes perfect sense! This song is not the best or greatest or most profound in any sense of any word, but it did take me back... to high school. For better or for worse. I was immediately reminded of my sophomore year, most of which I spent grounded. "Why?" you ask. Simple. It was because of my first boyfriend. He lived in Soda Springs and his name was Ed. Again, the title fits perfectly. But wait, it gets better. Ed was on house arrest and I would go to Soda during the basketball games and spend it on his porch freezing my tush off because he didn't want to go into the house. I'm sorry, did I say house? I meant trailer, silly me. Since I was "in love" I would routinely stay on the porch longer than necessary, thus breaking curfew and get myself grounded. I tell ya! The things you do for love.

Yeah, when I put it this way it really does sound like a sad commentary on my high school years. You should almost feel sorry for me. Or perhaps it's an inspiring story... you really can change your stars. Let me emphasize that this was my sophomore year. I refer to it mainly as my dark year... I was enlightened later on in my high school career, broke up with Ed, and made it a fair amount of time without being grounded.

So, for your enjoyment (or pain) I give to you "Without You" by Motley Crue. I might also add that at one point in time I thought these guys were hot!! I am soooo glad that I snapped out of that. And for the record, Ed and I used to each have half of a pair of heart earrings that said "together forever". I forget which half I had the together or the forever. Again, the title. Can't help but wonder what happened to that guy.