Launder Wander

Ever been without a functioning washer and dryer for a period of time? Adventurous. It's been about two months now for the Husband and Myself. In the beginning, our dryer would delightfully sound like a screeching cat whenever we attempted to use it. Sorry, neighbors. It was truly boisterous and I feared our windows might shatter if we left it running. Our landlord ordered a new one, which took longer than necessary to install and then ended up having a broken part anyway. Cool dude. We took a massive load of laundry home to South Jordan in our first act of desperation. And then, we got desperate again.

Luckily, we have amazing neighbors. Thanks Emily and Ty, for saving our smelly lives before the holidays began. While we were leaving their apartment Zach and Clarissa spotted us on the way back and asked us about the current sitch. This lovely couple also invited us to their apartment to do laundry anytime. Gracious neighbors! We sure do love our new ward and all the couples surrounding us. But here's where the story gets especially great...

Before leaving for work the next day, I asked Jonathan if he could retrieve our last batch of clothes from Em and Ty's place. He did so willingly, but was surprised to hear a knock at the door a few hours later. Zach and Clarissa are standing at the door with a bundle of socks in their hands and huge smiles on their faces.
"Hey...I think you might have forgot these. Are these yours? There was a trail leading from the Brown's to your house."
Jon: "Wow...thank you for picking those up! Yeah those are mine."

"Are those yours too?"

Jon's pants were hanging over the railing outside.

There it is. Like I mentioned before, never a dull moment.

How could he not feel the weight lessen after dropping so many items? I did remind him to take a basket, but I guess that's just not Jon's style.

He'd rather leave a trail along the sidewalk so our friends can easily find their way to our door.

Dear Marmie

Thank you for being not only a mother, but a close and kindred friend. Calling you every morning on my way to work provides an inner strength within me to tackle the challenges that await me for the day.

From the very beginning of my most cherished memories
hearing your whistle somewhere in the audience below
as I danced and performed with my dedicated heart,

You have always been there
  
       You have always answered

                      and

 You have always proven your unshaken confidence in me.

Consistent, loyal, and firm you are.

That courage, passion, and vigor of yours instills an awakening within me. In your eyes, I can accomplish anything. May I begin to see as you see.

I love you, Mom.

Sugar Mama

The unexpected turns of life are still playing with my path. Never in a million years would I have thought I could work where Jon worked the first year of our marriage, at SecurityMetrics. Three weeks into it now, I am a full-time working woman with a big kid job. Call me Jonathan's sugar mama.

I am still learning how to earn commission at this place, and in some ways this is one of the most difficult jobs I have ever had. Obviously I got the job because my genius husband left a legacy there, blowing his sales out of the water. He tries to train me at home but what a stretch for me and my non-sales-type-personality. Would I ever have even considered working at a place like this in my past? Never. But we can do hard things, right? Finding a full-time job is quite a task for me it seems. Employers could care less about a bachelor's degree in psychology. And we choose not to live off of school loans.

I am a creator of circumstances, not a creature of circumstances. I try to tell myself that everyday. At least Katie Shepherd Harmon is working there with me. Her light gets me through the difficult days. And sometimes she'll kidnap me from my little cubicle so we can go play Ping Pong in the basement.
And so we can breathe and remember our happier selves.

I have a plan to make more than five sales in one working day. Not quite sure how Hawaii would average 12 sales a day there. Except that he's brilliant with people and proving his case. Good thing he's in law school, right?

For all my Fellow Folkies

After many years of friendship and dating, my dear friend Sally married her best friend last Saturday in the Mesa, Arizona Temple.

Her mom made her dress (hello talent) and my favorite part is how the back poofs out like an old-fashioned ball gown.

 I couldn't help it, I teared up a little when they walked into the sealing room. Sally has been a close friend of mine for three and a half years (is that all?). While dancing with BYU, we toured Montana, Wyoming, and China together (one of those things is very unlike the other...). Then we were roommates the year that Jon came into my life, so in a sweet way he felt like an older brother to her. And this past year and a half of my marriage, Sally is still a close girlfriend I have in my life. It's so strange but those seem to disappear in rather odd ways once you get married. But I cherish Sal's friendship so much and the fact that we still get together just to talk. Sometimes for hours. The point is, I am so happy for the love between Greg and Sally and it was really special to be in Arizona for their ceremony.

Yep. This picture says BYU Folk Dance written all over it. These three boys are hilarious and requested a fake laughing picture. Try it some time. Obviously you'll just end up laughing your heart out.

Never a dull moment. Who wouldn't want to perform with these people? Oh the good old BYU dancing days. Is it pathetic I still have dreams that I go back to BYU just to perform with the company again? 

And now for the showcase - Greg put me in charge of decorating the tables. From the moment we got home from the temple to the time people started arriving for the reception, this was my project.

Guest table: They wanted some old fashioned post cards available for guests to write on and clip to the wall on the side. How cute is that idea?

Table 1 - Sally loves loves loves wildflowers. All kinds of natural beauty splashed throughout her wedding celebration. And they both wanted a "cluttered look" for the table center pieces. Also, Angie arranged all the flowers, including bouquets and boutonnieres! She worked for hours. We arrived to Mesa about 4:15 am, but Angie woke up three hours later to pick up all the goods. Other than a couple hours at the temple, she did flowers until the sun went down. It was fun to have her teach me a few things as well.

Love that picture. :-)

Table 2 - If you notice, each picture on all the following tables is a picture of them as BYU International dance partners throughout the years. The two shorties were always paired up ;-) and I love how each of these pictures add to the antique look of the tables. Here they are dressed in Southern costumes.

Table 3- the tea cups are holding tea candles for more light. I love that bold sunflower! And of course, they were partners in our pioneer dance.

 Table 4 - This is one my favorites, thanks to Greg. And they are clogging partners in that pic.

Table 5 - Polish dance partners. These two best friends really have journeyed through so much together.

Unfortunately those were the only tables I had time to snap a picture of. It was so much fun putting these together though. And even more fun when they loved how it all turned out!

Of course I had to get a picture of this hair. Gorgeous.

 I am so happy that the knot is officially tied! I know they will rock at their marriage because they already strive to continually serve one another. And because God is at the center of it. I am excited for their Utah reception tonight. It will be full of more BYU Folk Dance goodness.

Love you Sal.