Indexing

Speaking of indexing...

I was going along on my jolly way as I indexed Birth Records today and what do you know... I got to index records from Wilmington, Sabina, and Clarksville Ohio!

While small and seemingly insignificant towns... they happen to be my last area on my mission!

Thats all.

Goal #12

Goal #12: Do My Genealogy

I love family history. There is something truly satisfying to know where you come from... who you are. Every once in awhile I get this genealogy itch knowing I need to do more.

However, I have found a similar activity that is almost as fulfilling.

I LOVE Indexing.

I started years ago and try to do some as often as I can.

I think this is an outlet for my inner-history-nerd. I am fascinated with names and dates and stories. I love indexing census' and wondering what each family was like and what their experiences were. Birth, Marriage, Death certificates. They all have stories. Most have been forgotten.

Speaking of forgotten stories...I just learned my Great Great Grandfather was a drunk and sold off all of his children. Yeah... not sure how I feel about that one yet. 

So... while I'm not completely fulfilling my goal yet... 

I am enjoying imagining other forgotten stories of the past. 

Goal #19

Goal #19: Learn to Sew

Ok.

I'm going to do it. 

I have my sewing machine out.

My mother stocked me up on thread and fabric.

Grandma treated me to a beginner quilting book.

I'm in desperate need of a hobby.

I'm going to do it.

I'm committing.

That's all.

I love...

...Saturdays with this guy.

Mesa Falls 2012

Goal #55

 Goal #55: Learn to fix my car and be "car literate"

I guess now would be a good time to start. ha ha.

Thank goodness my husband is more "car literate" than me!

Bring on a new starter. 

Goal #69: Redemption

In case you forgot... 

Goal #69: Learn to cook

SUCCESS!

Wife tested... Husband Approved.

PS...The sole purpose of this post is to redeem myself.

PPS... Best {and easiest} Recipe EVER

Light Chicken Parmesan

4 chicken breasts, thawed and pounded

Mix: 

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup Sour Cream

1 tsp Basil

1 tsp Sun-dried tomatoes (my addition)

Broil Chicken 5-7 minutes on each side. When completely broiled add parmesan-sour cream mixutre on top. Broil for another 1-2 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

Goal #69: Bad Start

Goal #69: Learn to cook

I really didn't think I was this bad.

Sunday Dinner #1: FAIL

Photo Class with Brittany

This week I taught Brittany the 6 Rules of Composition for Photography. She did pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Brittany's:

 Simplicity

 Lines

Rule of Thirds

Color
*How fabulous would it be to have a bright blue water meter.

Texture

 Framing

We aren't sure what this is... 

but we liked it.

Carlee's:

Simplicity

Color

Lines 

 Texture

Rule of Thirds

Framing

Let's see. I think this qualifies as...
 Goal #73: Do Something Special with my Siblings
and
67. Help children develop their talents
and
Goal #81: Create a Photography Portfolio
and
Just plain fun.

Study: To Live

Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.         [Steve Jobs]

This thought hits a chord in my heart. Here is my problem...

I have fear. A lot of it.

I'm afraid of everything. What people think. What if the house burns down. What am I going to do with my life (now... "our" life). I can't go snorkeling... I'll get eaten by a shark. I can't go float down the river... I'll drown. (this tends to happens with water)

Did you know that fear is a learned behavior. It's true. (Here comes my psychology self...) We are conditioned to fear things. Little Albert anyone? 

But I've been asking myself lately...

Is fear worth it?

I decided its not.

It's not productive. It isn't efficient. It doesn't accomplish anything but ulcers. It wastes time, energy, and emotional construct.

Life IS for living. 

Life IS NOT for worrying about everything.

I've discovered an even greater appreciation for optimism. Sometimes it can be difficult to muster, but it conquers fear in a split second. I am in love with the observation made in "We Bought a Zoo"...

The word "COURAGE" is my life mantra. It has been for years. And honestly, I love it. I love being reminded that we have one life to live. Sometimes I need the reminder to do those crazy, out of the ordinary, spontaneous, memory-making experiences. Our every-day lives need those.

So here is my little blog post to myself as a reminder. I can do hard things. I can have courage. I will cultivate optimism... and I will enjoy what life has to offer. 

Goal #1: Complete

I told him that I would engrave...

"Now you are stuck forever" 

...on his ring. 

He just laughed.

I am a lucky girl.

My insides...

are turning inside out with excitement!

3 DAYS!

Goal #17

Goal #17: Learn to Arrange Flowers

Love this one! That could easily be because I LOVE flowers.

My dear friend, Shalyn, asked Natalie and I to work with Tessa on her wedding flowers. Neither of us knew anything about flower arranging but Tessa was a great teacher. Shalyn's flowers were simple but BEAUTIFUL! And I learned how to make a bomb boutonniere!

Me, Natalie, and Tessa

Don't mind the disaster of a photo of me. It had been a long day. But the flowers were beautiful!

Love is in the air...

I was looking through my goals today and realized Nathanael has been helping along with some of them...and I didn't even realize it. ha ha.

Goal #94: Try fish/seafood

Although I totally don't appreciate his help in this department. ugh. He did make me try a bite of his salmon at Sundance. It was disgusting. But at least I tried... again. Now I'm good for another 5 years or so. Regardless, Nathanael always offers a bite when he orders it.

Goal #95: Find a way to support the troops

I might as well start with one...

I'm trying to do that by not complaining when he does his job.... particularly when it means leaving the week before we get married. On the up side... I've always found a guy in uniform attractive. lucky me. :)

Goal #96: Get kissed in the rain. 

Enough said. :)

I love this man. 16 days left!

Goal #49

Goal #49: Stay in touch with lifetime friends

I think this has been one of the most important goals of my life. At least one that has brought so much joy and satisfaction.

I'm begining to realize that a person's influence is not determined by how long or short he/she has been in my life. I have so many dear friends that I did not get to be around for long but that have influenced my life in powerful ways. And I love every opportunity to talk to or see them again!

Like these wonderful girls!

Rachel, Steph, Kyndra, Natalie and Me

 I know that the Lord provides opportunities for us to learn from some of his greatest children along the way. I have been so blessed to be in the association of these girls. And although we might not get to see each other often or regularly, they will always be considered some of my lifetime friends.

A bubble duel

This post may sound serious... but we never are. :)

Goal #1

Goal #1: Get married in the temple...

                                                          .... that is the plan!

Who?

My best friend

What?

Marriage!

When?

Where?

Timpanogos Temple 

Why?

How do you say no to this? :D