Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Blue Avocado
I get spoiled every Christmas... it's really quite awesome. This year, our big gift from my in-laws was snow shoes. We love them. And I can honestly say I am looking forward to snow (so I can use them again!!!). But there was another gift I got that was pretty awesome. My mother-in-law gave me a super cute reusable grocery bag. Not only is it cute, and sturdy and cute :) It has a reusable mesh bag for produce.
And it gets better - the company that makes them, uses 1% of it's sales to give loans to women entrepreneurs around the world (through kiva.org, if you've heard of it). I love when awesome ideas that are good for the world, pair up with awesome ideas that are good for people of the world.
Two thumbs up for Blue Avocado.
And it gets better - the company that makes them, uses 1% of it's sales to give loans to women entrepreneurs around the world (through kiva.org, if you've heard of it). I love when awesome ideas that are good for the world, pair up with awesome ideas that are good for people of the world.
Two thumbs up for Blue Avocado.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
twenty twelve
I love New Years. I am a goal fanatic. I love setting new goals and love the feeling you get when you complete one. I am usually very specific because I like the feeling of crossing things off my list, but not this year.
1. Be More Fit.
2. Make It Happen. Just Do It. Stop setting a billion goals and focus on getting them accomplished now (even the Big Ones).
3. Don't let things bother you. Brush it off.
4. Play Outside. Not just when its nice, not just when you have the day off. Play outside all the time.
5. Eat Healthy. Smaller portions. Less sweets. Less meat.
6. Travel more. My favorite goal!!! What's in store for this year? Mt Rushmore? Hawaii?
7. Sit back and enjoy it. Relax more. Read more.
8. Be the best wife I can be.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Power of Love
*I just read this story and it made my heart happy.*
By any standard of measure David was a powerful man.
Tall, handsome, and dignified, he cut an imposing figure, even in his declining years. He was widely known and greatly respected by his peers and others in the community. As the head of a large organization, he was surrounded by people who were prepared to respond to his every whim. Because of the prominence of his position and the value of his time, he didn't have to do anything that he didn't want to do or that wasn't a high priority for him.
Which is why it seemed a little unusual to those who worked in the small downtown market to see this great white-haired man, slowed and bent by the years, shuffling in to shop.
"Doesn't he have people to shop for him?" a clerk asked the store manager.
"Of course he does," the manager whispered. "He has people who have people who have people to do this sort of thing for him."
They watched as David moved slowly, deliberatley, toward the produce section.
"Then what's he doing here?" the clerk asked.
"I don't know," the manager said, a little nervously. "But whatever it is, it must be VERY important."
David paused at the produce section, looking at the expansive display of fresh fruits and vegetables. At last his eyes settled on a bin of large, shiny red apples. He picked up the apples one by one, examining each closely, twisting and turning it in the sunlight to expose any defect or flaw. Over the course of several minutes he must have inspected two dozen apples or so until at last he settle on one that looked absolutely perfect- perfectly sized, perfectly shaped, perfectly colored, perfectly ripe.
"Perfect!" he said to himself, smiling broadly.
He tucked the apple securely in his hand and made his way back up the aisle to the cash register, where the manager stepped in front of the clerk.
"There will be no charge for that, sir," the manager said when David presented the apple for purchase. "You may have it with our compliments."
David shook his head.
"Thank you, sir," he said kindley. "But I insist. Please allow me to pay for this beautiful apple."
Reluctantly, the manager rang up the charge for the apple and placed it carefully in a brown paper bag. He took David's money, and handed the bag to him.
"Thank you," David said, holding the bag as one might hold a package of diamonds. "Emma will love this!"
Emma?
Of course- Emma. The love of David's life. His sweetheart of more than fifty years. It was said that in all their time together they had never once had an argument. And now, a clerk and a manger at a small downtown market understood why. It was a matter of priority. It was a matter of sensitivity. It was a matter of purpose. And clearly, it was a matter of power.
The power of love.
By any standard of measure David was a powerful man.
Tall, handsome, and dignified, he cut an imposing figure, even in his declining years. He was widely known and greatly respected by his peers and others in the community. As the head of a large organization, he was surrounded by people who were prepared to respond to his every whim. Because of the prominence of his position and the value of his time, he didn't have to do anything that he didn't want to do or that wasn't a high priority for him.
Which is why it seemed a little unusual to those who worked in the small downtown market to see this great white-haired man, slowed and bent by the years, shuffling in to shop.
"Doesn't he have people to shop for him?" a clerk asked the store manager.
"Of course he does," the manager whispered. "He has people who have people who have people to do this sort of thing for him."
They watched as David moved slowly, deliberatley, toward the produce section.
"Then what's he doing here?" the clerk asked.
"I don't know," the manager said, a little nervously. "But whatever it is, it must be VERY important."
David paused at the produce section, looking at the expansive display of fresh fruits and vegetables. At last his eyes settled on a bin of large, shiny red apples. He picked up the apples one by one, examining each closely, twisting and turning it in the sunlight to expose any defect or flaw. Over the course of several minutes he must have inspected two dozen apples or so until at last he settle on one that looked absolutely perfect- perfectly sized, perfectly shaped, perfectly colored, perfectly ripe.
"Perfect!" he said to himself, smiling broadly.
He tucked the apple securely in his hand and made his way back up the aisle to the cash register, where the manager stepped in front of the clerk.
"There will be no charge for that, sir," the manager said when David presented the apple for purchase. "You may have it with our compliments."
David shook his head.
"Thank you, sir," he said kindley. "But I insist. Please allow me to pay for this beautiful apple."
Reluctantly, the manager rang up the charge for the apple and placed it carefully in a brown paper bag. He took David's money, and handed the bag to him.
"Thank you," David said, holding the bag as one might hold a package of diamonds. "Emma will love this!"
Emma?
Of course- Emma. The love of David's life. His sweetheart of more than fifty years. It was said that in all their time together they had never once had an argument. And now, a clerk and a manger at a small downtown market understood why. It was a matter of priority. It was a matter of sensitivity. It was a matter of purpose. And clearly, it was a matter of power.
The power of love.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Dang english
Just had to add these two laughable mistakes on the part of the Johnsons recently.
A few days ago JJ was texting his sister and spelled perfect, "purfect". It probably wasn't that funny, but I laughed right out loud. I am his spell check for everything (reminds me of my mom and dad). I don't know how many times a day he calls out "How do you spell...." and I call back from the other room with the spelling.
I may be the good speller, but I have issues pronouncing some words. For the longest time I pronounced vinyl with a soft i. To this day I still have to think it through and sometimes still get it wrong (now a bigger problem when I work at a craft store where we sell the stuff). JJ helps me out when I do though (usually with a good chuckle on his part). I also have the hardest time saying political. I put an emphasis on every vowel (pol-it-ical). But my most recent blunder was last night, on our way to JJ's work party I was talking about how I hoped the food was good (since we were having to drive two hours to the party!). I said hors'doerves (but my pronounciation was "hors (emphasis on the h) devors (emphasis on the e)" (yes I realize for some reason even phonetically I was incorrect as the v is after the r). It took him a minute to figure out what I was saying and then pronouncing it correctly I had a lightbulb go off. I have heard that word said before but never associated it with the word written down or the spelling of it.
We make a good team!
A few days ago JJ was texting his sister and spelled perfect, "purfect". It probably wasn't that funny, but I laughed right out loud. I am his spell check for everything (reminds me of my mom and dad). I don't know how many times a day he calls out "How do you spell...." and I call back from the other room with the spelling.
I may be the good speller, but I have issues pronouncing some words. For the longest time I pronounced vinyl with a soft i. To this day I still have to think it through and sometimes still get it wrong (now a bigger problem when I work at a craft store where we sell the stuff). JJ helps me out when I do though (usually with a good chuckle on his part). I also have the hardest time saying political. I put an emphasis on every vowel (pol-it-ical). But my most recent blunder was last night, on our way to JJ's work party I was talking about how I hoped the food was good (since we were having to drive two hours to the party!). I said hors'doerves (but my pronounciation was "hors (emphasis on the h) devors (emphasis on the e)" (yes I realize for some reason even phonetically I was incorrect as the v is after the r). It took him a minute to figure out what I was saying and then pronouncing it correctly I had a lightbulb go off. I have heard that word said before but never associated it with the word written down or the spelling of it.
We make a good team!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Holiday Party
We just got home from JJ's work party and I have to do a little boasting of my awesome husband. He was awarded for being Elite's #1 technician for the year. 705 installs in one year is pretty incredible and I am so proud of him!!! His work party was at the The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City and the hotel was gorgeous with all the Christmas lights and decorations.
But it's not all fun and games. He was given an IPAD for his achievement, but... he already has one. So now he has to figure out which one he wants to keep and what he is going to do with the other one. Poor guy - such a tough life!
And for those that wanted to see the before and after of my most recent hair cut...
Then, 13 inches shorter...
Pictures curteousy of my fabulous hairstylist, Kariana Garner; taken at her booth at K Salon in Logan, Utah!!!
But it's not all fun and games. He was given an IPAD for his achievement, but... he already has one. So now he has to figure out which one he wants to keep and what he is going to do with the other one. Poor guy - such a tough life!And for those that wanted to see the before and after of my most recent hair cut...
Then, 13 inches shorter... Pictures curteousy of my fabulous hairstylist, Kariana Garner; taken at her booth at K Salon in Logan, Utah!!!Saturday, November 19, 2011
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