Daydreams and Reality...

The Clyde

2011-09-16T01:06:00.005-05:00

I have always wanted a new "old" house. I found this floor plan/blueprint from the Sears Catolog cira 1921-1926. The interior would have to be updated and the craftsman style is one of my favorites!

I love built-ins, the clean lines, the dark and light wood combination, and colors are fun.

I want a house to decorate and have fun with!

Phone and Father's Day

2011-06-20T16:04:00.003-05:00

My phone died last week! I was a tad bit annoyed at the time. My touch screen stopped working, I could recieve texts but I couldn't read or respond to them. I could compose a text but I couldn't choose a contact so it could be sent. When it came down to it I could answer an incoming call...that's it. Kinda lame, if I won't to just answer a phone I would have a landline!

My wonderful Mother came to my rescue and offered to let me have her old phone. Being unemployed I really could not refuse the offer. And why would I want to my Mom had a cooler phone than me! All it took was a quick trip to the AT&T store down the road and now I have a slightly used and much appreciated iPhone 3G. Dad says I'm an iPhone addict. I'm not really, I'm just trying to figure it out how to use the phone..... In all actuality he is the addict and is in denial! He takes his iPhone 4 EVERYWHERE. Love you, Dad! I have found some very useful Apps: LDS Tools, Gospel Library, MyFitnessPal, Flixter, Pandora to name a few. How did I live without this little peice of technology for so long! It is a necessity! Satuday I babysat for a family in the ward. I had never been to their home. I just went to LDS Tool found them in the ward directory, which provided me with their address and map! How easy! Then I used Gospel Library at church on Sunday. It was the first Sunday in a really long time that I had my manual for Relief Society(I ALWAYS forget it!)

FATHER'S DAY!!!

This was probably the 3rd time since 1994 that I was with my Dad for Father's Day. I had a lot of fun getting things ready to celebrate this year. I found some cute ideas for a banner, cupcakes, and glass soda bottles @ www.amandaparkerandfamily.blogspot.com This is how mine turned out:

The banner in the kitchen.

IBC Cream Soda.

These were for cupcakes but we had cheesecake!

Most days I feel like this.....

2011-06-13T23:26:00.003-05:00

but I usually refrain!

My 1 month anniversary! Of what you ask....

2011-06-06T16:20:00.010-05:00

Today is my ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY of being unemployed!

And can I just say it seems so much longer than 1 month or 4 weeks or even 31 days. Now don't get me wrong, there are some definite perks!

I don't mind sleeping in until 7:30 or 8 in the morning. (1)
Nikki takes me for a walk/jog every morning with moments of franticly hunting for birds, rabbits, and the odd snake. (2)
I love spending time with my parents; Bob-O and Jan are "Super Cool Cats." It's nice to be with family.
Saving money! I save a ton on car maintenance: gas, oil changes, tune-up, what have you.
I have time to read!!! I have missed this aspect of my life.
I'm pretty much caught up on my Hulu queue.
I can stalk... I mean "follow" my friends on facebook.
I can work on some unfinished projects.

But, isn't there always a but! I feel like I am on a forced vacation I wasn't ready to take. There only seems to be uncertainty. I'm waiting, hoping, praying to be called up from Juniors (3), but until then LIMBO!

Unemployment was not my first choice as to a reason to relocate. As many of my friends and family know, I wanted to be closer. West Texas is just to far from them. When I was offered the job in Texas, I told Heavenly Father I could do anything for 2-3 years. After working there for about 2 years I started looking for jobs closer to home. I began looking into Grad Schools. At the 3 year mark I thought, "Well, I guess it's going to take a little bit longer than 3 years and I continued to search. Then at 3 years 3 months I was laid off. It was almost like Heavenly Father said, "You said 2-3 years. You haven't been able to find something on your own. So, here's a little jumpstart!" I truly believe that it is a blessing. But, there's that but again, it isn't easy! I have internal conflict.

The fun, easygoing part of me says: "Live it up! Who knows when you will be in a situation like this again! You have NO RESPONSIBLITIES, have fun! Go to Utah, go to California! You don't have anything else going on. You can apply for jobs online from anywhere!"

The practical part says: " You have bills to pay and unemployment will only go so far. You need to stay focused and work harder at finding a job. What are you going to do about Grad School? You know you need to go. Make a decision! Get in gear! You can't go on a trip you don't have an income!"

I try to have a schedule. I try not to sleep in too late. I try to keep myself busy. The activities that I do throughout the week are: walk Nikki, job search, waste time on faceboo, research masters programs, crafting, read, cook dinner 3 nights a week (4), play Wii/Wii yoga, got to the temple 1 to 2 times, go to church, and hang out with my parents. I do watch a bit of TV and Hulu. For 2 1/2 years I didn't have TV, now I find myself doing mindless watching while job searching! I have to do something so I don't fall asleep while filling out job application or searching another website for job openings.

Things are getting a tad bit boring. I hope I find a job soon!

______________________________________________________________________

1-In Midland I had to be up at 5am Monday-Thursday.

2-A couple of days ago, Nikki pulled a snake out of a hole in the green space. I was pretty big!

3-Juniors is the minor league of hockey

4-I made Stuffed Peppers for dinner last night. They were delish!

Oh yeah, I have a Blog!

2011-03-17T20:32:00.008-05:00

Hello my few friends who may occasionally check my blog to see if I may have on the slim chance updated my blog. Guess what!?! Now don't have a heart attack, I'm BLOGGING! Shocker, I know.

As, some of you may know, recently upgraded and downsized my laptop to a netbook, the HP Mini. My previous laptop, a Dell Inspiron, was purchased with my tax refund in 2004! My Dell saw me through many a research paper, PowerPoint presentation, and Facebook time suckage. Over the past few years said Dell has had a few set backs. There was the virus-not sure if it was viral or bacterial, but Dell was never quite the same after that. I tried to help him out by upgrading his memory, but he still wasn't happy. Next I noticed that Dell was having a hard time getting up when it was time to get to work. I hope that by alleviating some of the burden on Dell's aging mother board I might get some more quality time out of him. So, I decided to remove as many unnecessary files and programs as I could. I stored all my school work, pictures, music, what have you on an external hard drive(a much needed backup) along with a more mobile option of 3, yes I said 3, flash drives. This is not to say that I have enough to fill up said flash drives but I have everything meticulously organized on them. One for pictures, one for undergraduate/misc school work, and the third for current work, church, and my random thoughts and ideas. Initially this idea was inspired! But in no time Dell was back to a FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MINUTE SNOOZE! I felt this was uncalled for! I don't even get such luxury.

With much reluctance I began to research my computer options. I really wanted a Macbook. But in this current economy I was not ready to go into so much debt for a new laptop. So, I look at other laptops. After 7 years of hauling Dell around on my back; through airport security, through the terminals, on airplanes, in cars, and all over the University of Utah, I decided I no longer wanted to carry around such weight and bulk! When what to my wondering eye should appear (oh yeah and the remembrance of a suggestion from the old man himself...no not Santa, my Dad) the Netbook! I didn't want to relive some of the mistakes I made with purchasing Dell. So I decided to custom build my netbook. And the HP Mini was the best option for the price. I upgraded to 2GB of memory with a faster processor, and the full Windows 7. And guess what, when I did my taxes this year I actually got some money back! Thanks to taking a class last year! And were did that money go toward you ask? My new HP Mini! I was able to cover about half of the cost.

I have had my Mini for about 2 weeks now and have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent together. It has been an adjustment to get use to a smaller screen and keyboard. The keyboard is only something like less than 5% smaller, but it still has taken some getting use to. I absolutely love how lightweight it is and the 10 HOUR battery! With this new technology I have reclaimed my desire for trying this blog thing again. I hope I can be more diligent about posting and maybe just maybe I will have a record of my goings on to share with the world! (or maybe just a few of you who I love and/or care about!)

My Mini

Oh, and check out my new background and fonts! I was playing around with blogspots new templates.

The reason why....

2010-04-12T22:05:00.000-05:00

This was my friend Crystal's first time to Utah. I was fun to see Temple Square through the eyes of someone else who hasn't driven past every day for years on the way to work or school! Plus my attemps to be artsy...my new camera has pretty good zoom and takes a good picture!

Sleep Emailing!

2010-04-12T21:36:00.000-05:00

Some of you know about my crazy trip this weekend. For those of you who don't, Some friends and I drove to Utah for the weekend....left Thursday night drove 16hrs and returned home Sunday, actually arriving in Midland @ 7:30am Monday! I know it was insane, and really never want to do that fast of a trip again but it was fun and for a good cause! I went to work today @ 8:30. It is a good thing we were busy or I might not have made it through the day. I had a message on my phone after work to send out an email to our Midsingles Group about the next couple of weeks of activities. So, I've heard of Drunk Dialing and texting....But have you heard of Sleep Emailing? Did you notice the length of the scroll down bar on the email? Can you tell that I typed exclamation marks? How exactly did I press shift 1 that long? And what was I excited about? I woke up singing Grease "Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee" (We listened to the soundtrack yesterday on the drive!)

The ULTIMATE cookies

2010-01-16T11:24:00.002-06:00

For Christmas Dad gave me the Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Cookie Magazine. It has some really fun and delicious cookies and bars in it. Before we left for Utah I made some bar named Chunky Path Brownies for our Family Home Evening. They were yummy brownies covered in gooey Marshmallow drizzled in chocolate syrup!

A couple of weeks ago I help host my book club and decided to break out the Cookie Magazine once again. Because we had read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austin I wanted to make a shortbread cookie and then a fun cookie. I decided on Coconut-Lime Shortbread(top left) and Marshmallow Snappers(bottom left). The glaze on the Coconut-Lime Shortbread turned out a little funny but they tasted just as shortbread should. The Marshmallow Snappers were divine! I brought the leftovers to church the next day for my Sunday school class and linger longer, they never made it to linger longer! Some of the young men in my class admitted that they were in love with the cookies.

So, I promised some of you the recipe, here you go:

Marshmallow Snappers

Prep: 1 hr Oven: 350 Bake: 10 mins Stand: 2 mins Yield: 48 cookies

1 12oz package semisweet or bittersweet chocolate pieces (I did 3/4 bittersweet and 1/4 semisweet)

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups pecan halves, toasted

24 large marshmallows, halved

Caramel ice cream topping (optional, but worth it!)

1.) In a medium saucepan combine the chocolate pieces and 2 tbs of the butter, Heat and stir over low heat until smooth. Let stand at room temp for 20 to 30 mins or until cooled. Preheat oven to 350F . Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

2.) In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating and scraping bowl after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate mixture and the vanilla. Add the flour mixture beating on low speed until mixture is combined.

3.) Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 mins. Remove from oven. Lightly press three or four pecan halves onto each cookie, spacing pecan evenly with ends pointing toward center of the cookie. Place a marshmallow half, cut slide down. in the center of each cookie over pecan ends.

4.) Return cookies to oven for 2 mins. Remove from oven. Lightly press a pecan half on top of each marshmallow. Let stand for 2 nins on cookie sheet. Transfer to wire rack and let cool. If desired, drizzle cookies with caramel ice cream topping just before serving.

Coconut-Lime Shortbread

Prep: 30 mins Oven: 325 Bake: 15 mins per batch Yield: 40 cookies

1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbs finely shredded lime peel

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cold butter, cut in to pieces

Lime glaze (optional)

Finely shredded lime peel (optional)

1.) Preheat oven to 325 F. In a food processor combine coconut, sugar and 2 tbs lime peel, and the vanilla. Cover and process until coconut is finely chopped. Add flour; cover and process with one on/off pulse just to combine. Add butter; cover and process until mixture starts to cling. Transfer to a very large bowl (dough will appear dry). Knead dough until smooth. Shape dough into a ball; divide in half.

2.) On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough portions to about 1/4 inch thickness. Using desired 1 1/2 to 2 inch cookie cutters, cut out, dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

3.) Bake for 15 to 17 mins or just until bottoms start to brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool, Repeat with the remaining dough portion. If desired, spread tops of cookies with Lime Glaze and sprinkle with additional lime peel.

Lime Glaze: In a small bowl stir together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp finely shredded lime peel, and 1 tbs lime juice. Stir in enough water (2 to 3 tbs) to make a glaze of spreading consistency.

ENJOY!!!

Tradition!

2010-01-01T23:52:00.000-06:00

I got a new camera!
It is a Canon PowerShot SX120IS
So in keeping with tradition here is a Classic Amanda picture.

LOOK!! It's Red and Blue living together in perfect harmony!

All the places I lived...@ Rick's College

2010-01-01T23:39:00.002-06:00

After the Fred E. Ottley Family Reunion in Island Park, Id, I took a walk down memory lane!!

Road trip to Timpson

2009-12-24T11:13:00.002-06:00

So, We will start with my first road trip to of the summer.

I went with my friend Adriane to her parents house in Timpson, TX. We were going there to pick up her sister, Amanda, stuff because she was moving to Midland. And to get a few things Adriane's parents were giving to her. Timpson is about an hour or so from the Louisiana boarder. In some ways I felt like I was back in Louisiana. It was extremely green with lots of trees. On the way our we stopped at CHIPOTLE in Dallas for dinner. I love and miss the Silver Bullet! YUM! Adriane curses the day I introduced her to Chipotle, we don't have one in Midland. We spent Friday to Sunday in Timpson. During this trip I truly realized how much I appreciate my family, who they are and what they do. I actually called Mom and Dad while they were ion there trip in Boston to let them know this.

On the way home we were about 45 minutes from Midland, just west of Big Spring when one of the van's tires blew out. We were very disappointed by this. We were so close and yet so far away from home. We were able to call my friend Ben who lives in Big Spring to come help us out. Ben and Bjorn came to our rescue! They along with the help of a friendly couple how stopped were able to help us get on our way. 2 hours later we made it home!

Such the blog slacker!

2009-12-24T10:51:00.002-06:00

I have tried to be better! I haven't posted any thing but I have thought about it. I have a few projects I have have even worked on for my blog. I am going to try to catch up on the last six months or so.

All Things Austen....Oh I am in HEAVEN!!

2009-08-06T09:08:00.009-05:00

"My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation." Jane Austen, 1775-1817

Many of you may know that I LOVE Jane Austen! But you may NOT know that I am addicted to all things Austen. I recently read "Austenland" by Shannon Hale. It is a good quick read and if you haven't read it check it out! As I read the book I started to see some things in myself that the main character, Jane, was dealt with. I love the leading men in all of Austen's novels, Fitzwilliam Darcy(who really is Collin Firth!), George Knightley, Frederick Wentworth, Edward Ferrars top my list. I watched a movie a couple of weeks ago called Lost in Austen. It has a similar feel to Austenland except that the main character, Amanda Price-a modern girl, switches places with Elizabeth Bennett. So this was an extremely long winded tangent to get me to THIS.... Well, today I decided to be ahead of the curve and come up with my ideas for Singing time for Primary on Sunday. I was checking out http://www.sugardoodle.net/ and found some ideas for handouts for Visiting Teaching this month. While looking at one of the website, http://emmasplacetobe.blogspot.com/2009/07/august-visiting-teaching-message.html, I was soooo easily distracted by Emma's sites I like when I saw Jane Austen Today, http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.com. If you are a Jane Austen fan this website is a must see! It has some really fun items on it.

And the rains came tumblin' down...and the floods came up!!

2009-06-20T12:25:00.004-05:00

West Texas was once part of the Permian Basin. The basins of the area, the largest being the Midland Basin and the smallest being the Marfa Basin have since dried up and the area has become a desert. The forecast for this region generally calls for clear skies, with little to no precipitation. I learned recently that it is not considered hot in West Texas until the thermometer hits 100 degrees! This year, however, we have seen some uncharacteristic weather for the area. We have endured many rain, thunder, and hail storms along. Don't get me wrong I love the rain but I could live without another hail storm. (see previous post) Because it usually doesn't rain the ground and the drainage systems are not prepared for such an on slot of liquid. It is in this weather that makes me glad that I have my KIA and not my previous vehicles, a Honda Civic or a Volkswagen Jetta! Here are a few pictures I took while I was out yesterday.

Disclaimer: All of the pictures where taken while stopped at a red light or when parked on the side of the road. No dangerous maneuvers were taken during taking of pictures.

What the HAIL!?!

2009-06-14T12:32:00.006-05:00

The Saturday before Easter I went to a friend’s house in Greenwood, which is like 30 minutes from my house for a barbeque. After having a wonderful time I need to get home. We were having a surprise birthday party for a friend that night. As I was driving home I could see on the horizon that a storm was coming in. By the time I heard the weather service warning on the radio about severe thunderstorm with golf ball size hail on the radio I was about 10 minutes from home. I thought if I can just make it home I will be able to put my car in the garage. About one minute later the hail started. I franticly looked for somewhere to park and protect my car. Everyone else had the same idea. I found a spot under the protégé at a hotel. The available spot left the driver’s side, some of the roof, and hood of my car exposed to the hail. I sat in my car for about 10 minutes trying to survive the storm. Can I just tell you that being inside a car during a hailstorm is awful? I was almost in tears saying over and over again, “Please Heavenly Father, make it stop! Please make it stop!” When the hail stopped I ventured out and drove home. At first I thought that I might have gotten out of the storm without any damage but then I thought I looked at the driver’s side passenger door! I just about died. There was this HUGE dent in the door. Upon further inspection I found more smaller dents on the driver’s side and hood of my car! I was devastated and kind of mad; my poor baby had been hurt! About 2 weeks later I had the estimate done to see how much it would cost to get my car fixed. I figured that my luck would be that it would cost like $531, my deductable is $500. You can imagine my surprise when the insurance adjuster showed me the estimate which showed $1350 worth of damage. I learn that the biggest dent would require that section of the car to be painted. I put off getting my car fixed right away. I figured that everyone would rush to get their cars fixed and it would be best to wait a bit to get my car in. I knew that I would have a rental for a couple of days. I decided to take my car to the Kia dealership to get fixed even though it is in Odessa. I figured they would do a good job on the painting and if anything was messed up they would fix it. So, last week I brought my car in to get fixed. My insurance doesn’t cover rentals. I used Dan Lowe’s employee discount, THANKS DAN!, to get a cheap rental. It was a Toyota Yaris. After having the car for about a day I decided that I really didn’t care for the car. It did get amazing gas mileage. But the thing looks like an EGG! After 5 days my car was ready. Luckily I was in Odessa to see the Asthma/Allergy specialist. I was extremely happy to have my car!!!

The EGG!

The some of the HAIL damage!!

This was the biggest one. The one that cost alot to fix.

This a picture of where that huge dent was on the car.

This is the size of most of the dents in the car....

The sad thing is that now every time there is a storm, I freek out about hail. I really don't want to go through that agaain!

Insight into the sleepless mind!

2009-05-25T22:36:00.008-05:00

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend. I decided to go camping with some friends to the Davis Mountains. In case you were wondering there are mountains in West Texas! They are about 2-2 1/2 hours away. The McDonald Observatory is there. We really wanted to go to one of their Star Parties. Of course this weekend was rainy and overcast but the temperature was nice and we still got to see Saturn and go on a virtual star tour. Well, for all of you who may not know this I have been enjoying the effects of an asthma attack for the last two weeks. (I am doing considerably well now and feel that getting out in to the clean air helped a lot!)

Situation: Camping, air mattress, coughing. Needless to say I excused myself to the car.

Situation: Restless and a tad bored. I found my camera. This is the result......

The trees outside of my car.

The edge of the parking spot for our campsite, which was #85.

If you look closely you can see my cute tent in the darkness!

My honey bear blanket that I have had since I was around 12 years old! I love that blanket!

The next few are some random shots of things inside my car.....

You might not be able to tell but I really like my car!

This is me trying to be artistic with some self portraits.

I kinda like the first and last ones of these!

This is what I looked like while trying to sleep in my car!

This is what I should have looked like while sleeping in my car!!
I was able to eventually fall asleep and sleep quite well after having may restless nights involving a cough. Maybe I should sleep in my car more often when I'm sick!

I am actually contemplating going out there right now if I am unable to fall asleep soon with this annoying cough.....

So soooorrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyy!!!

2009-05-07T22:15:00.001-05:00

I'm a slacker!! To get you off my back here is a post!!

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

2008-12-23T10:49:00.005-06:00

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!

2008-12-09T17:33:00.003-06:00

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!!

2008-12-08T13:07:00.008-06:00

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.

2008-12-04T16:39:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-12-04T11:05:00.004-06:00

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

2008-11-26T08:37:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-11-10T13:34:00.003-06:00

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?

2008-10-30T21:47:00.003-05:00

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!!

2008-09-30T17:34:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-09-15T12:48:00.002-05:00

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!!!

2008-09-14T21:16:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-09-13T22:11:00.002-05:00

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...

2008-08-26T16:12:00.006-05:00

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!

2008-08-26T09:07:00.009-05:00

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!

2008-08-19T15:52:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-08-18T09:35:00.014-05:00

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!!

2008-06-14T21:35:00.005-05:00

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!!

2008-06-04T20:35:00.005-05:00

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!!!

2008-05-12T20:51:00.000-05:00

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!