Stubbornly Running in Circles

I’m trying to be good about limiting spending, but I really needed a new office chair. I found one at a consignment store this weekend for $24! It seemed fine except for the broken bulbous part of the chair elevating mechanism. The mechanism works just fine - the bulb on the end is just gone. 

I bought it.

Jon took one look at it and said he didn’t think it was any better than my other chair – except that it has arms. Of course that made me stand my guns and defend my thrifted chair. Dang stubborn self.

Here’s the thing – it pings (like a spring threatening to really spring) whenever I move. The left arm won’t raise as high as the right (by about half an inch – I just measured), and the back tips to the right. The seat is much more comfortable than the old chair, and the back is very much more supportive when I tip it back to the upright position (which it stays in until I get out of the chair).

So – here I sit in my forlorn chair in a conundrum. I called the store and they don’t do returns, but I'm welcome to bring it back and sell it on consignment… Hmm.

No really - Biblical significance

I've been struggling with motivation lately, and it's been catching up with me. I know I need to do better, but I just haven't made myself do it.

Today I had one of those a-ha moments during church. Someone said

When much is given much is expected

My world stopped for a moment.

I'm sure you've all heard it as many times as I have. You can find the passage both in Luke 12:48 and D&C 82:3:

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.

I have an incredible employer. My work place has its own set of office politics, and I don't necessarily "fit in" with most of the people in my work group, but the company itself really is a great one.

My 10th anniversary with CH2M HILL was in September. When I started there in September 2000, I had been working for another environmental consultant and I was able to reduce my work week to 3 days, increase my pay rate by 26% AND work 20 hours per week and while still receiving insurance benefits (it does cost more than if you work full time, but it's still a great thing!)

My workload has varied over these past 10 years, and I'm currently doing things that I absolutely love doing. I'm working from home most of the time, and I've met and worked with people from all over the country. I get to be at home when my boys walk out the door for school in the morning. Most days I'm here when they return. I get to volunteer at school, attend school events, pick my boys up when they need me, and most of all I really get to be HERE where I want to be.

I didn't get to this point all on my own. Sitting there today in church I got it. I've been given much, and I need to act accordingly.





 
 

Now Haunting Etsy

I finally did it! I've opened an Etsy shop. You can visit me here.

Drop Kicked to the Wolves

Last night I got a phone call from the Utah Democratic party regarding the environmental practices of the Republican party in the state. The caller read from a script about missile testing in the west desert and power plant development in pristine wilderness. I don't know how long he pontificated (probably less than one minute), but that was enough.

I stopped him and informed him that I'm an environmental engineer who works on permitting projects in every arena that he had just discussed. I went on to say that for the good of my own personal financial livelihood, I was inclined to side with the Republicans on environmental practices within the state of Utah.

I'm fairly certain that my response was not on his list of "here's what to say when the public says this..." I was granted moments of silence. In fact if it hadn't been for the murmurings of other callers in the background I'm fairly certain I would have heard those darn crickets. He eventually thanked me for my time and ended the call.

I hung up the phone and tried to decide if I had ever or would ever have a strong enough political conviction that I would interrupt the public's evening with such a phone call. I still don't know what the real purpose for the call was (although I suspect it was a fundraising effort), but decided that I regularly back away from confrontation and would not be able to do it.

Then I thought about a lunch conversation this week with a coworker and a client. We were discussing the merits (or lack thereof) of wolf hunting. Again, I did not dive in and express a firm opinion. What if I had to back it up? What if I had to explain? Do I really have a preference on this topic? I definitely do - it's just that I prefer to keep that opinion to myself. I'm pretty friendly with this coworker and client, and I still was not comfortable confidently discussing the topic.

So - I'm sitting here on a lovely Saturday morning thinking about my lack of backbone. Is the issue that I don't have an opinion, that I'm afraid of conflict, or that I'm uninformed? I do a lot of reading, but do I need to read more about such topics and solidify my point of view?

I think I just like living in my little bubble where everyone inside this solitary shelter holds my same beliefs. I don't have to disagree or be uncomfortable if no one gets to share opinions other than my own. But then I just put this on a public blog, and I'm sure there are people out there who would slaughter what I've written.

I did it to myself - I broke my bubble for a moment, and I'm curious if anything's going to happen...

Depredation

So - depredation. Know what it is? For a long time I thought it was a word made up by my brother. Guess what. I was wrong. Gack - I know! Right? According to Merriam-Webster, the word means

to lay waste: plunder, ravage OR to engage in plunder

Huh.

My brother runs a depredation services company. [He guides coyote hunts] Anyway. If you will pull out your Dec 09 - Jan 10 Field & Stream, Cory is featured on pg. 50.

Just thought I'd share the love.

Way to go brother of mine!

Nuckles Milano

Our good friend, Nuckles Milano (you know who you are), deploys tomorrow. Just wanted to take a minute to thank him for doing this. We are humbled by the sacrifice you offer so that we can continue to enjoy our way of life. We are already looking forward to your safe return.

We'll help keep things under control here at home.

Really Dave, we love you!

This is the project that kept me so busy over the past year. I wasn't at yesterday's ceremony so I don't know how the information was presented. Some of the project details are reported a little differently than my understanding.

Here's a link to the Standard Examiner story.

According to the Hill AFB Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) office, it's the largest EUL project within the Dept of Defense and the largest public/private venture in the history of the State of Utah.

Must Be Crazy

Yesterday afternoon we decided to get out of the house and go sledding. We have a couple of parks with smaller hills, but Jon and the boys discovered what we call "The Gully" a week or so ago. It encompasses quite a few great sledding runs on the west end of the golf course. You'll notice in these pictures that we are the only people out there. Well, it was a whopping 19 degrees, and the wind was blowing. I don't know what the wind chill factor was. I do know it was C-O-L-D.
Moments where Carson and Evan are not taking swings at each other are relatively rare these days. I was happy to catch this one.

Makes me happy to see my Jonny happy, and there's not much that makes him happier than a day outside with his guys.

I took another photo of Carson properly attired, but I wanted to catch his wild hair - he's washed it, but it hasn't had a comb in it since Christmas Day.

We really weren't torturing Griff on purpose. He wanted to get up the hill "all by myself!" (said in his typical 3-yr-old stubborn fashion). So, this is what he came up with. He never made it to the top - just ended up sliding down sans sled.

Can't tell in this photo, but Evan is missing 4 of his front teeth (two top centers, one just to the left of center, and the 4th is right of center on the bottom.) He's really got a jack-o-lantern smile going for him right now.


These are the western and eastern views from the top of the hill. I love that we live where we do.

To the west you can see the Kennecott Copper Mine in the distance at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains (which you can't see because of the cloud cover).

To the east you see the golf course and in the distance, the Wasatch Mountains.

Here are the photos I took of the boys on our visit to Sundance on Labor Day.

Evan doesn't know how to just be normal in a photo.

This is on the ride down the mountain. Carson and Griff were riding with me. Jeesh they look like brothers...

Evan was riding with Grandpa & Grandma Norris. He was nervous on the way up (Ev's like Jon - they don't do well on rides), but the way down was worse... Maybe I just see it because I'm his mom, but his body language sure looks tense!

Labor Day Weekend

Jon left us for greener pastures and ventured to Texas for the weekend. Our friends, the Tanners, are moving back to the DFW area, and Jared is already working down there. Jon flew out for a weekend of dove hunting. The boys missed him, but I think I missed him more.

I stayed home and tried to do some fun things with the boys. We ate at the Mayan and spent time with cousins Kim & Josh on Saturday evening. Sunday we spent the night at Grandpa & Grandma Norris' house. Monday we rode the skilift at Sundance, hiked, had a picnic up Provo Canyon, and swam in the hot tub. It was busy enough that all 3 boys fell asleep on the way home.

School Started...

School started today (FINALLY). Carson's in 5th grade, and he wanted nothing to do with me once he got out of the car. Evan (2nd grade) wouldn't let my hand go while we were in the parking lot, but once we got to the playground he wouldn't touch me. He winked at me when it was time for him to go inside the building (they all line up outside until the bell rings), but he wouldn't let me kiss him goodbye.

I can tell we've been doing the school thing for quite a while. I didn't even take a picture of the boys on their first day. How sad is that?

These are the first day photos from 2 and 5 years ago (Evan and Carson's first day of kindergarten, respectively). Weren't they adorable?

Had a great day yesterday with Staci's family. We BBQ'd at Grandma & Grandpa's house and then watched fireworks at BYU stadium from the church parking lot near the house.

We got to see Grandpa & Grandma Norris; The Lundbergs (Cory, Shannon, Emery, Ryan & Tyson); Graham, Kristie & Catherine; Sarah and Steph!

Carson, Evan and Griff loved seeing their cousins.

Moon Lake - June 2007

This year's group was very good sized. We sure missed Grandpa & Grandma Hill! All 5 of the SLC siblings and their families made it (except for Aunt Merrilee who was having some pregnancy problems). Uncle John, Aunt Karen, Aunt Gay & dog Kayla came up for a day.


Griff has 5 boy cousins who were all born within 9 months after him. Five of them were on this trip, and they had a great time! Jon was a great dad while he & the boys soaked up their time. I, Staci, was really busy with work and couldn't leave it at the office or at my desk at home. I spent the majority of one day sitting at a picnic table, hand writing an EA that I couldn't get out of my head. Not my favorite way to spend a camping trip.

We Went to Disneyland!!!

The boys were off track in February. We decided to make a trip to Disneyland - haven't been there since September 10, 2001. Apologies to Aunt Willie and Uncle Jim for not stopping by for a visit. The drive took longer than we'd planned. Thanks to Grandpa & Grandma Norris for the hotel room!

The boys had seen a booth like this one in the photos that Grandma Hill sent from England, so they had to jump in. Funny thing was, no grandma came out, and there weren't any Superman costumes in there...






Carson and I LOVED California Screamin. We rode it 8 times!






Evan was selected for Jedi training. He was so excited to take on Darth Maul that he was shaking. Of course, he'd never let his aponent know that. He was all sorts of calm.







This is how Griff survived Pirates. Jon wanted the boys to remember this ride, so we went on it at least 3 times per day. This was the last time we got G on it... We made the mistake of taking him on the Tower of Terror at California Adventure, and it scared the puddin out of him! I suppose we should have listened when the girl in front of us said ToT made her cry her first time riding it. Oh well. One more adventure to add to G's list...







Recognize this guy? Jon said he's the only character who gets to act like "an arse" and not get in trouble for it. He wasn't very friendly...








What's up with Jonny and that stance anyway?