Well, I'm moved in...just not unpacked!

Let me just tell you how much I hate packing and moving.... I HATE PACKING AND MOVING!!!! I hate when you get to the end of packing most of your stuff and you are stuck with all the small things that don't technically have a place! Then you have a box or two or three of things that are just thrown haphazardly into whatever box! I find that if I think something is important and I will need it soon, I put it in my "Bathroom" box. I promise you that is the first one I unpack!! But then I find that there is a ton of extra things in my "Bathroom" box and NO one should have that much stuff in their "Bathroom" box! Or at least that is what I have been told as of late...

I am extremely grateful to my friends, namely Adriane, and to the Elders Quorum and High Priest Group who came and helped me out! And of course the calls of motivation EVERY day from one Kate Liechty, since she wouldn't get on a plane to come down and help me out! (Just kidding Kate you know I love you anyway!) I could not have done it with out all of you! Literally I could NOT have done it by myself. I would still be trying to shove my mattress in to the back of the KIA. And I'm sorry but a queen size bed DOES NOT fit in the back of a KIA Sportage!! So, again, THANK YOU!!

So, you maybe looking at the title of this post and thinking to yourself "Amanda, why haven't you unpacked yet? You should have done it all at once, then it would be all done now!" Well, in response to you query......the room that I am most recently a resident of will be getting a new coat, well at least one, of paint while I am way for the holidays. I figured why unpack so that the Blake's have to move everything so that they can paint so that either I or they have to put everything back where it was! I figured this was the best excuse to get out of unpacking my stuff since I was utterly exhausted, and to be completely honest, I still am exhausted. The past two weeks have been jam packed with important things to do.

I SOOOOO need a vacation! I am sooooo glad that tomorrow I am going on vacation!!! It will be a World Wind Christmas Break! This is the first time since probably before my mission that I am taking off for more than 3ish days for Christmas. This year I am gone for 12 days! I will be in Denver from the 24-26th. Then on the 26th we are going to Utah from the 26-29th. On the 29th we are going to Island Park, Idaho to Aunt Maxine and Uncle Gail cabin to go SNOWMOBILING from the 29-Jan 1st. Then on the 1st we are heading back to Denver, where I remain from the 1-4th. And finally, on the 4th of Jan, I am heading back here to Midland.....to face the task of unpacking on my stuff!!! YAY, not! (that not only applies to the not part of that statement!)

So, in a nut shell, that is my experience this last weekend! And I am glad that the majority of the move is done. By the time I get back after the Holidays I will have the energy to attack the unpacking portion of these blessed affair!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We are having a winter day! It is 35 degrees with a wind chill of 23. It is cloudy and rainy! There have been reports of some snow fluries but I haven't seen them. Tonight it is suppose to get down to 26 with snow showers and wind. Some Christmas type weather. Everyone here is kind of freaking out about the cold. I'm loving the idea of sweatshirt weather!! My favorite time of the year!

Tomorrow's Forcast: 52 and sunny. Oh, well one day is better then none at this point!!

How SWEET it is...the Sugar Bowl!!

The BCS-Busting Utes did it for a second time! Some may say that we don't stand a chance, that we have already lost...BUT don't count out the Utah Utes quite yet. We have been known to have a surprise or two up our sleeve!!

Utah Invited to Play in the Allstate Sugar Bowl

Dec. 7, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah has accepted an invitation to play in the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2 in New Orleans. The No. 7 Utes (12-0) will play No. 4 Alabama (12-1) in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Kickoff is 7:17 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) in the 72,000-seat Louisiana Superdome. The game will be televised by Fox Sports.
Utah, which has won 20 of its last 21 games, owns the longest current win streak in the nation at 13 games. Utah and Alabama were tied for the longest win streak before the Tide's loss to Florida on Dec. 6.
With the Sugar Bowl bid, Utah becomes the first team from a non-automatic qualifying conference to play in two BCS bowl games. Utah was the original BCS Buster in 2004--beating Pittsburgh in the (2005) Fiesta Bowl to complete an undefeated season at 12-0. Utah's No. 6 BCS ranking equals that of the 2004 Utah team and is the highest a team from a non-automatic qualifying conference has ever attained.
Utah has more wins against BCS schools (15) since 2000 than any other non-automatic qualifying BCS school. The Utes are 15-10 against BCS teams in that time and 10-3 since 2004. Utah is 2-0 this year against teams from BCS conferences, with wins over Michigan and Oregon State. Utah has also beaten two ranked teams this year: No. 11 TCU and No. 14 Brigham Young.
Utah has the second-longest current bowl win streak in the nation at seven games--one behind Boston College. Utah wins during the streak came against Fresno State (1999), USC (2001), Southern Miss (2003), Pittsburgh (2005/2004 season), Georgia Tech (2005), Tulsa (2006) and Navy (2007). Utah is 10-3 all-time in bowl games. Alabama will play in its 56th bowl game--an NCAA record--and is 31-21-3 in the postseason.
The Utes are led by the 2008 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year, Kyle Whittingham. Whittingham, 36-14 in four years as Utah's head coach, is 3-0 in bowl games and 6-3 against BCS schools. He has been on Utah's staff since 1994 and was the defensive coordinator for the first four games in Utah's current bowl win streak.
While Utah is 0-6 all-time against the Southeastern Conference, the Utes have not played an SEC school since 1984 when they lost 27-21 to Tennessee in Knoxville.
The Utes will depart for New Orleans on Dec. 27.

It is true! What can I say! I have seen the movie TWICE! I am planning on going again soon as payment for babysitting a friends kids for a couple of hours. I think that it is a good trade!

Awhile back when I got Mom to start reading Twilight we had the following conversation!

I think that I tripped or something. I was being my normal clutzy self.
Mom ask, "Amanda, Are you in love with a Vampire?"
Normally I'm not the best with quick wit when put on the spot like that but this time I said "Yes, Mother, I am. And I'm just not willing to give you up yet!"

Other than the gaget that I found for this post, the reason I thought of this story is because well...I really am a clutz. At times in my life I think that I might be growing out of this faze that I have been going through for the past well lets see...33 1/2 years!! But unfortuately for me, my ankles, knees, hands, wrist, other body parts that might be affected and oh yeah MY CLOTHES! I haven't. So, Yesterday we had an inservice in Odessa, aka Odessolation. I had to put something in the state van. As I was walking back to the building the sidewalk was uneven, I stepped weird and guess what I fell! But I didn't just fall. I fell into a wooden fence!! I twisted my right ankle, hurt my left ankle, scraped both knees, and my left wrist! Even though this is something that I do at regular intervals and I am not going to see the doctor, I had to fill out an accident report! I am such a nerd! And yes, Dad, You should have called me Grace since I don't have any!
Don't worry, I'm fine! You can barely tell that I got hurt!

My New Digs!

On Dec 20, 2008 I will be moving!! I have almost everything arranged with the move and cleaning! Now is the time that I dread! I know that there is stuff that I haven't used since I moved here 11 months ago, so I am trying to go through that stuff. I'm sure half can go in the garbage. I'm not sure what I am going to do with my furniture. I'm not sure what I am going to keep and what I am going to get rid of. I have free storage but I just don't want to take up too much room since it is a friends shed, even though they said they aren't using it right now and don't really need it at the moment. We shall see what happens!
For those of you that are interested my new address will be as follows:
3604 WOODHAVEN CT
MIDLAND TX 79707

I do expect a plethora of mail for you! I will also be living with the Sister Missionaries. (They live in the basement! Yes there is a basement in Midland, TX!) I can't get less mail then them!!

Christmas Getting to Know You Questions

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bag!
2. Real tree or Artificial? I would love a real but I go home for Christmas. I think that it would be fun to go cut down a tree some Christmas.
3. When do you put up the tree? When ever I get around to it...but never until after Dec 1.
4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever I get around to it!
5. Do you like eggnog? BLAH! GROSS GROSS GROSS!!! I can drink just a litte maybe once a year but I really have a hard time getting past the whole raw egg thing!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Thats a hard one...General, even though I wanted a REAL dog, my 10-speed...and so may more...
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad
8. Easiest person to buy for? ME!!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? a very small one. But my favorite it the one Dad bought in Guatemala, along with the story of going through customs!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I actually try to do Easter cards...When you least expect it (or that's when I get them done and out!)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas and Holiday Inn
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I have to shop for Christmas!?! Nov
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? anything chocolate!
16. Lights on the tree? Only White!
17. Favorite Christmas song? What Child Is This? and Jingle Bell Rock (I use to sing it to some of the kids I babysat when I was younger!)
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? TRAVEL! Do I do anything else!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I actually don't have anything on the top of my tree. I have never found anything I like that is small enough!

Things might be looking up...at least for the moment!

So, I can't believe it, but I am coming up on a year of living in Midland! Well, It will be a year in January. But this is becoming a big deal because for some reason the lease on my appartment is only 11 months. So, I have been stressing a bit because I KNOW that my rent is going to go up! I am in a one bedroom that is nice, but I don't think is worth what I pay for it! I got the notice on Saturday that my rent would be increasing by about $70 a month. But on top of the rent I also pay water the complex. When all is said and done I will be paying almost $100 more a month. If it wasn't worth the rent I was paying before, it really isn't worth what they want me to pay know!
So being the finanically responcible person that I am, I hate to even think about living month to month, I started to freak out. Those of you who have followed my blog with know that I have been sick for going on...oh like the whole time I have lived here. On Friday, I went to the Doctor AGAIN! And surprise surprise I have bronchitis. It's like clock work! Those of you who know me know that I get every emotional, if it is possible to be more emotional than I am usually. I tend to cry when I am really sick. Needless to say I was a tad bit upset on Sunday when I got to church, plus I am losing my voice and I am the primary chorister(not that it really ended up mattering this week but that is another story we will have to get to later!)
I talked to the Bishop(oh, I kind of teared up when I talked to him), let him know what was up and he suggested speaking to the RS President. Then I spoke to Sis Leach(oh yeah, I cried then.) So, there was an announcement made in Relief Society. I found out that I must have made a good imprestion on people in the ward because so many people said that they would love to have me and that I could sleep on their couches(thank you for that! You know who you are!) Two different households have offered me a place in their homes. I really appreciate it. So, know I have to decide what to do. I am leaning toward one. Am praying about which would be best for me and the family involved.
The decision is soon to come.....You should be waiting on pins and needles!

What Twilight Character Am I?

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are intelligent, outgoing & stylish. A true girly girl, you love shopping & makeovers.
Although you are a generous friend, you can be coy, tricky & very persuasive in order to
get your way. You are known to zone out occasionally during conversations, but your
friends forgive you because you are understanding, supportive & know how to throw one
heck of a party!
So, other than the whole true girly girl thing...It's pretty spot on! I mean I am the life of the party!

The third time is the charm!!

So, I have moved offices at work again!! But finally I am in a good spot. I WILL NOT MOVE OFFICES AGAIN!! Plus the up side is that I now have a computer in my office. You may have thought that this is a common componet to offices these days. But alas it is not if you are a state employee. So, unless someone somewhere in 0ur agency decides to spill a drink or downloads a virus, I should have a computer for awhile!! But more importantly I like the location of my office in the building. I am not in the back any more. I am not a second class nutritionist! I am in "the" hallway! I am moving up in the world of WIC.

The Ox was in the Mire!

So, I broke down! Last night at 10:3o the ox was so stuck in the mire I couldn't take it anymore! I felt awful. I needed more medicine. I went to Wal-Mart. I called Mom to confess my sins! I bought what I needed and came home. The really nice thing was that Mom played the piano for me! I laid in bed and listened to the music. I helped me fall asleep. I slept really good last night. But when I woke up I still felt awful. I got dressed and realized that I wouldn't be about to go to work. So, I am at work feeling miserable! But I am going to the Dr today. The funny thing is that my new dr's name is Dr. Dolly Doctor! I hope that this will help me get better faster. I have been dealing with allergies and asthma for a couple of months, and now my ears are getting worse! So we shall see...

I Hate My Allergies!!!

So, today was going well. Primary went well today. I think the kids will eventually ready for the program...hopefully they will be ready for the program. After church, we had a linger longer. Which meant I didn't have make lunch for myself. When I got home I milled around for a bit and then took a nap. I was very rudely awoken from my nap by the inability to breathe. I have been having a full-fledged allergy attack. I have been dealing with them pretty much for the last couple of months. I am really hoping that I will be able to get in to see a doctor soon to get something done with this. BECAUSE I AM SO DONE WITH MY ALLERGIES!!! It probably doesn't help that I ran out of Excedrin, I have an extremely bad sinus headache, and it is Sunday!!!! I am so on the verge of breaking the sabbath (but that would require me leaving my house)!

My first week in Primary went...well, from my point of view!

So, Sunday I had my first music time in Primary. The first part of music time I introduced myself to the kids. I thought it would be a good idea since they don't really know who I am. So, I brought a bunch of things I thought represented me. First there was the picture from Christmas of my family, Kim holding Jeremy, Elliot, a picture I took of the Salt Lake Temple, Mom Dad Spencer and I in Guatemala, Rose, and the cutest picture of Cameron and Olivia holding hands walking down the street (it's one of those multi-picture frames). My Anne of Green Gables Doll, my Jim Shore Lighthouse, a picture of Alison and I in front of the Carston Alberta Temple, my Navuoo brick, and my diploma. I told the kids how I like to travel, my education, about my family and friends, about my mission, and how I love lighthouses. They really like the stuff I brought. They asked a few questions and made a few comments. I was a lot of fun! I asked the kids questions and the one who got it right got to choose a song to sing. I have been trying to figure out what songs the children know for the primary presentation. It would seem that we have a lot of work to do. And about a month and a half to work on them! I am excited to work with them and hopefully everything works out! Wish me luck!

My New Church Calling is...

Two weeks ago on Sunday between Sunday School and Relief Society I was cornered by my 1st and 2nd Counselors, Bro. Sharp and Bro. Lewis. 

Our conversation went something like this:

Bro. Sharp: "So are you musically talented?"

Amanda: "If you are asking if I play the piano, the answer is no."

Bro. Lewis: "No."

Amanda: "If you're asking if I can sing, the answer is yes, I'm already in the choir."

Bro. Sharp: "No, Can you lead the Music?"

I answered, "Yes..."

Bro. Lewis: "Have you ever been in Primary?"

Amanda: "The more appropriate question should be have I ever really been a ward that has primary. And that answer is no."

Bro. Sharp: "Well, someone in the primary noticed you."

Bro. Lewis: "Are you diabetic? Do you want some chocolate?"

Which makes me wonder. Was it the Primary President? I kicked her son out of my Sunday School class 4 weeks ago! I don't know who else it would be...

Fast forward to Saturday evening around 3-3:30. My phone rang. It was Bishop Bushman.

This conversation when something like this:

Bishop: "Hello Sis. Ottley. How are you?"

Amanda: "Good Bishop. How are you?"

Bishop: "Good. So are you available to come see me tonight?"

Amanda: "Well, Bishop, No I'm in San Antonio."

Bishop: "Will you be back tomorrow?"

Amanda "Not until the evening."

Bishop: "So, do you think that it is ok to extend a calling over the phone?"

Amanda: "Well, Bishop, that's for you to say not me."

Bishop: "Well, We would like to release you from your current calling, and call you to be the primary chorister. What do you think about that?"

Amanda: "Really, I had no idea. Sure, I guess that would be fine."

Bishop: "Well, do you mind if we release and call you tomorrow?"

Amanda: "Even if I won't be there? Everyone will think that the calling has made me inactive!"

Bishop: "No, I will let them know that you are in San Antonio at a Single Adult Activity."

Amanda: "Well, If my apartment gets broken into I will know it was because you announced that I wasn't home at church!"

So, I guess I have been called. I haven't heard anything from anyone to say differently. Guess it is time to get cracking on the Primary Presentation!  It sounds like they haven't done much, just my luck!

An Ode to My Cars: Safe Journeys with many more to come!

So, As some of you know I sold my '98 VW Jetta to Spencer in June of  '08 when I moved to Colorado. From June until January '08 I had the pleasure of driving my MOM'S '04 Jeep Wrangler. My Dad loves the Jeep and love to go "Mudding", "Off-Roading", "4-wheeling" (whatever you like to call it).  And my Mom loves my Dad and has allowed him to trick out her Jeep! The Jeep is maroon with a black hard top for the winter and a bikini fly for the summers. My Dad had given the Jeep a 4 inch lift and of course has added the equally large tires. It is a nice ride! The only problem... with the lift the bottom of the jeep came up to my hip!! So, I had to jump in and out each time I went anywhere. I got a ton of looks from those around me when they saw a short woman getting into this lifted Jeep! The only draw back, getting in and out in a DRESS!! Especially if I was wearing any kind of heel. But I LOVED driving the Jeep. It was tons of fun to drive around with the wind blowing through my hair. It is a really good thing that I have short hair!

In January, when I was getting ready to move to Texas, I had to buy my own car. When I was in Midland for my job interview, I looked around to see what cars people had and the dealerships that where around. I was trying to make an educated decision on what kind of car I should buy. As some of you know, I have dreamed of driving a Subaru Outback Wagon since 2001 when I had one as a rental car in Seattle for Alison and Dan's wedding.  But there are not Subaru's here. But there where a lot of Honda's, Chevy's, Ford's, Kia's, etc. My Mom really thought that I should have a small SUV so that I would sit up higher. 

So, At the beginning of January my Dad and I started looking. The first weekend we decided to go to Peak Kia and look at the Sportage. I really liked the idea of the 100,000 mile/10 year warranty. When we got there the Go Nissan was next door and we decided to stop there first. We looked around and I test drove a 2005 Nissan Xterra. It was nice but I wasn't ready to make a decision after only test driving one car. 

We went next door to Peak Kia. There were some nice new and used cars there. We started looking at the cars and I thought the Sportage was really cute! (Which is the MOST important thing when buying a car!) So, I test drove a couple of Sportages and really like them. They were nice and comfortable. Because they were having the end of year clearance they had a really good deal on the '07's. I wanted the '07 Sportage V6 with the larger engine. They didn't have one at Peak, but there was one at Phil Long in Colorado Springs. It was a deal I couldn't pass up. So, on the very first day I looked at cars I actually purchased a brand new vehicle! I had to wait until Monday to pick up my new car, but it was worth the wait! 

I really love my car! It is so cute and I am loving having it. It does awesome on road trips. We have been on a few together: there was the drive to Tx, Dallas in April, Amarillo in May, the Grand Canyon and San Antonio in July, and to Lubbock a couple of times to go to the temple. With all the traveling that I have done in "The Kia", yesterday I hit 9000 miles! 

So, Happy 9000 miles to me and "The Kia"! Here's to the years to come and many more miles and trips together!

Check out my ride!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING EVER...My new bed!

So for those of you how didn't know this already. I have been sleeping on an air mattress for the last 6 MONTHS!! (See exhibit A)

Now I am in heaven having bought a big girl bed about a month ago! (See exhibit B)

EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT B

Two posts in one day... Is it the end of the world!?!?!

No, it is just that I have my own internet now also!!

Home Sweet Home-Minus my bedroom!

Welcome to my housewarming party!!! 

I am going to take you on a quick tour of my apartment. I hope that you enjoy what you see.

After the tour refreshments will be served on the back patio! Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home



The front door from the inside!

Just inside the front door, the breakfast nook!

My Living Room(nice fireplace!!)

My Kitchen small but does the job!

 

My back patio, which really helps keep the living room cool during hot days!

 

Some call this the dining room I call this my Library! I now have an arm chair where my bike was. I've always wanted a library in my home!

My bathroom! The vanity is outside of the actual bathroom which is really nice!

The view from my front door

My Feet are in Heaven!!

So, My feet have been killing me as of late.  Wearing sandals and flip flops have not been kind to me. When I went home for Memorial Day my Mom told me about her new CROCS flip flops. She said that they were the most comfortable flip flops she had put on. So last week I thought I would try them out. Ok so they are the most expensive flip flops I have every bought, but OH MY GOODNESS!!!! My feet are in HEAVEN! I am loving my new Crocs. So if you have some extra dough, try them out... it will be worth it!

Rocky Mountain High in Colorado!!

Well, I spent Memorial Day in Colorado with Mom and Dad and the Coltharps. I decided that it was cheaper and more time effective for me to fly out of Amarillo, Tx (which is 31/2 to 4 hours from Midland! I was able to save about half the money I would have to spend to fly out of Midland (this includes gas, parking and hotel). Plus I was about to spend two extra day with the family. Which was good for me...HOPEFULLY it was good for them too!

Friday was a sleepy day. I got in to Denver at 8am, which means that I had drive to Amarillo the night before. I left after work and didn't get to the hotel until 1am then had to be at the Airport at 6 so I was running on about 4 hours of sleep.

Saturday was really fun; I wanted to go up in to the mountains, so we decided to go up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Can I just say that I love that place. The first thing that we did in Estes Park was go to the Stanley Hotel! And we actually went inside!! It was so cool! I would love to stay the night there!!

Sunday was church and family time. We had our Memorial Day BBQ. We ate outside. Oh, I forgot to tell you how beautiful the weather was. I left the oppressive 100 degree weather to the cool clean 60 and 70 degree weather of Colorado! It was a wonderful thing.

Monday we went to this really cool street fair. It was so fun to walk around and see all the crafts and cool things there. I haven't really found anything like that here in West Texas, are you surprised? Then we got lost in Stapleton, well kind of. We were looking the shops at Northfield. But we didn't know the name of the them or that they were at Northfield, so we drove around for a bit. Then we got done with everything that we wanted to do really early. So since we were right by the airport, I got there about 3 hours early.

I got back to Amarillo at about 8:30 and had to drive back to Midland. I arrived at my apartment at 1am! But by the time I got to bed it was 1:30-1:45. I was exhausted. But it was all worth it! I love Colorado! I love and miss the weather and mountains.

Did I ever tell you that I when I was young that my dream was to live in Colorado!?! Maybe someday it will happen again!

The Top 10(plus a few extra) ways you know you are living in West Texas!!!

14. You can find Mint Aero, HP sause and Bird's Custard at H-E-B(pronounce as individual letters not as a word which I found out the hard way!)
13. Low ride dooly trucks!
12. Almost everyone shops at Wal-Mart! and they go every day!
11. Big hair!
10. The wind blows so hard everyday that it can knock out the power and tries to turn cars over.
9. The tumblin' tumbleweeds are mistake for moving trees.
8. Their idea of ethnic food...burritos and mexican food.
7. The accent! (Oh, PLEASE don't let me pick that up!)
6. Texas Pride: Is everything really bigger in Texas?
5. Friday Nights in the fall the whole town closes down for High School Football!
4. I have been wearing short and flip flops since the BEGINNING of MARCH!
3. Nobody knows how to park in a parking lot.
2. Big gas guzzling trucks.
1. It's an oil boom with oil jacks everywhere and I am still paying $3.60 a gallon for gas!

Well, I am going to try this blog thing out. I hope that you might enjoy my rantings and ravings about my life wheither they be daydreams or reality!