Get Me The Hell Outta Here!

I'm sooooo done with this city....I just wanna move to the sticks. Doesn't that look nice?

It Doesn't Take A Russion To Figure This Out...Or Does It?

"It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people."

No, these are not the words of Rush Limbaugh or another conservative commentator. These thoughts are from a Russian newspaper article which mocks America's loss of her freedoms and democracy. Despite his mockery, his words have sound wisdom and fact...a clear picture of where America is headed. I mean, who better to recognize the signs of Marxism than a Russian whose lived under communist rule right?

But are we "sheeple"? Are you really following our government blindly as it leads us to communism disguised in the cloaks of "progressivism" and "socialism"?

He goes on: "First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blind the foolish. "

I have to admit that I am guilty of just that. I can rattle off song after song of the U2 album catalogue or quote word for word every Seinfeld episode but I cannot name off all of the 10 Bill of Rights. I can't tell you how many amendments are in the constitution. (I looked it up, its 27). I can't say that I even understand our legislative processes fully. I'm pathetic...but I can at least say that now I am trying.

He says, "The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe."

SCARY!!! Don't know what the Wiemar Republic is, google it.

What I have learned in reading our American History is that this hasn't come about with Obama alone. The unraveling of America started with Woodrow Wilson, continued on through FDR and even on with Bush policies though Obama has been a major contributor in his short six months. So really, this isn't about taking sides. America cannot afford for us to continue on divided along party lines when both parties are sinking our ship. Are we paying attention yet?

We've got to get it into our heads that:
- America is not invincible. Even the great Roman empire fell. Is history repeating itself?
- We control the government, it doesn't control us.
- We as individuals CAN make a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. started as just one voice.

So what can regular Americans do?

As a regular American (trying to practice what I preach) these are my suggestions:

- Identify your values and stick to them. Don't sell them out for ANYTHING!

- Do your homework. Read *real* American history. Don't lean on the indoctrinization of the progressive movment. Learn of the founding fathers and study the constitution. A few books that I'm reading and plan to read are "The 5000 Year Leap", "The Real George Washington", "The Forgotten Man", "American Progressivism", "Liberal Fascism" and "Common Sense". Surprisingly, what I've read has been very fascinating. Try them out.

- Share your values, books, thoughts and what you've learned with your family and friends.

- Get involved locally...in your neighborhood, your city, your county, your state. Support and urge people to run for office that have integrity that *know* the Constitution and *wants* to restore America as the Founding Fathers intended it to be.

- Vote to keep the power with the people. No more power to the government. (i.e.: I don't agree with smoking but I think that people should be able to smoke outside in public parks in they want to. Its just another right that has just *poof* disappeared.)

- Don't assume everything you hear is fact. Again, do your own homework & research.

- Go with your gut. Its generally right.

- Remember your not alone. The media will try to make you feel alone, but you are surrounded by like minded, regular Americans that are just like you.

- Don't give up. Be consistant with your efforts.

I am begging you ....please don't be a "sheeple". I never want to have the real life perspective of this Russian writer who has lived the nightmare of communist rule. Nor do I want my posterity or yours to either. "We The People" must stand and fight together... or else "pride blind the foolish".

Bragging Rights

I work for the BEST company!!!! No really, I do...

We learned that my company was named a 2009 winner of "Utah's Best Place To Work". I mean, I already knew this but this just makes it official. I AM SO FREAKIN' EXCITED! (See what free milk, crackers and Thursday "Treat Day" can buy ya.)

This is BIG news, particularly for my department. Its been a major goal of HR's to get us this title. We've worked very hard and it feels oh-so-good. Looks like "Mind that Bird" isn't the only one standing in the winner's circle this week.

Department of Workforce Service's award staff said: "This year the amount of nominations almost doubled from last year. Because of the large number of nominations and the high quality of the companies, the competition was especially fierce."

We've been trying to win for the last five years!!! Interestingly enough, this happens to be the one year that Michelle has been on our HR team. Coincidence? You be the judge.

I'm off to celebrate...again (company champagne toast was this morning for breakfast.)

My (new) Favorite Things

I am not Oprah and I know its not Christmas but I still got me some "favorite things".

There will always be my good ole favorite things such as U2, ice-cream, "24", shoes, MAC, Bruno, Yellowstone, anything peanut butter, etc. But as of late, I've discovered a few NEW things that make me happy to add to my list:

CASTLE: Its a new TV show on ABC that I just got into (before I gave up on TV but I will likely still sneak a peak online at this funny and unique show). Its about a hot babe female cop and a handsome crime novelist. He's writing a new book and wishes to base his latest crime fighting character on the hot babe cop...and she ABSOLUTELY HATES it but I LOVE it. Its great plus looking at hot Nathan Fillion is a lot of fun too.

PEPPERMINT: A few things peppermint, that is.

• Regular peppermint oil...I just add it to my daily lotions for a good tingling sensation.
• Victoria Secrets' has a "Beauty Rush" lip-gloss in peppermint that I just can't get enough of.
• Bath & Body Works CO. Bigalow "Mentha Vitamin " Lotion AND Body Wash (with peppermint oil). CAUTION: Careful with the body wash as if you get it in tender dark places, it will tingle a little too much (know what I mean) unless you're into that sort of thing.

BIG HUNKS (the candy bar): Seriously, these things are amazing! With only 230 calories, I love that I cannot gulp one down in just one bite. It takes me some good effort to gobble the big guy up, not to mention that its tasty.

WALKING: I'm doing a walking tour of the valley this spring. I pick a new neighborhood and walk about 3 miles of it a day (or I try). It offers variety, its scenic and basically I love to covet other people's giant houses and yards. Thats right, I live on the edge.

MAVERICK's FRO-YO: I think the props for this lovely treat introduction goes to Loooooori and Carrie. Its the best soft serve since a Carnival cruise ship.


MY FISH: I pulled a "Carrie" and got me a bubble eyed gold-fish and he's adorable! His name is George Michael, originally named after the teen character from the tv show "Arrested Development". However, he's so frilly and wiggles his hip-less body as if he was Shakira, that I think he takes after the artist named George Michael instead (if you know what I mean). If he had ears, I bet he'd get them pierced.
ZUPPAS: A (new to me) restaurant that serves the best paninis, salads and soups. Its so dang good that I even dare go in on a frightfully sizzling day in July and order up their "Lobster Bisque" without even a second thought. I also recommend their "Caribbean Coconut Pumpkin" soup. Mmmmmm. Carrie, my body thanks you for introducing me to this place.



DEPECHE MODE's "SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE": Its their latest album and 'F'amazing! Its so good...and so naughty at the same time. That DM just can't do a thing "Wrong". Can't wait to see their show this fall.

American Idle

Ever feel like God is trying to get a message to you? Not just once or twice but many times through many different means...BIG MEANS? Well, He's been trying to get to me...and I finally heard it loud and clear.


My name is Amy and I am an American Idle. Basically, I am lazy or rather I have become even more so as of late. I can't blame it on much. Winter blues use to be a good reason but not so much any more. Its just that I LOVE TV and watch too much. (sigh) I don't exercise enough and the guilt is getting to me. I eat out too much because cooking takes time and effort. I live by the motto..."Diet Starts Tomorrow" but tomorrow never seems to come. I haven't even worked on new hobbies or talents in a long time. I hope I can find them under that bushel where I left them. So basically...I'm dating my sofa (its a nice lay...LMAO, I crack myself up).

I didn't EVEN go into the things of a more spiritual nature but you get my drift...I have let myself go to (spiritual) pot too.

Lets face it...I am not happy. I am wasting my life away here! Hence the giant blimp from the Lord. "I hear you loud and clear now."

I wrote down a quote about a year ago...it haunts me today: "Don't let *someday* get away from you. In this aspect, time becomes your enemy." Tell me about it...its how I spent most of my 20's and the ememy won that battle...but not the war.

What a mess...where to start, where to start? I think the first baby step has to be a BIG step....I think the TV has to go. DID I JUST SERIOUSLY SAY THAT!?? (cold sweats). Honestly, if my leg is sceptic, it has to be cut off to save my life right? (Too much E.R. and Grey's Anatomy...case in point.) I think I'm to this point.

Hopefully I can talk my roommate into the elimination of our satellite dish STAT (while I'm still hearing God's message ringing in my ears and feeling brave). How bad can it be? Lowder and Michelle without. (Oh man, this is gonna hurt.)


Now...what to do with five extra hours a night? Oh boy...I've been working on a list for quite some time waiting for "tomorrow" to come. It would include the basics of exercise, cooking dinner, scripture study, etc. But some other things I'd like to try:

- reading more...(I pretty much suck at it but have longed to be an avid reader)
- golf and more golf
- take karate lessons...REALLY!
- attend a tea party (no, a real one)
- play the guitar more
- learn to sew (and sow)
- under water basket weaving
- plant a garden....or maybe just a herb or two
- I could really stand to do some service
- exercise some more
- actually socialize with people rather than objects that require a mouse or remote
- perfect my origami skills
- photography
- catch up on 3 years worth of music (talk radio is such a downer)
- paint (this one is for Carrie)

I am NOT judging anyone that watches T.V. I am just saying that you likely have much more self-control than me. 40 hours a week CANNOT be good for the soul (or sole).

"Slothfulnes (laziness/procrastination) casteth into a deep sleep; an idle soul shall suffer hunger." - Proverbs 19:15

...and its time I wake up because man, I am hungry.

Thank you Lord for loving me despite myself and keeping after me. I was "Lost" in my own
lazy hell "24" hours a day. Please help me with a "Prison Break" of my old self with an "Exteme Makeover" so I can go from living a life in "Scrubs" as "Ugly Betty" to the "Biggest Loser". No more living the life of an "American Idle".

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

THE GOOD: So, apparently everyone in my family is doing the horizontal mambo except for me...(thats not the good part) and they are doing it "unprotected". The latest to prove this statement true is my cute baby sister Sarah and her husband John. Last night at family dinner a cleverly illustrated cake (made by Sarah) joyfully announced they are going to have a baby. The cake said "We Reep what we sow" with a pregnant stick figure (their last name is Reep)!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! They have been married 1.5 years and this is their very first. I'm very excited for them and know that they will be amazing parents. I will, again, be an amazing aunt.

THE BAD: The bad news is that this poor baby will be born mid-December and share birthdays with its mother, it's uncle Jeff , auntie Amy, and Jesus too. Poor kid.

Just to recap, my family is growing faster than the national debt. In the last 1.5 years, our family has:

- had 2 marriages (so a new brother-in-law & sister-in-law for me)
- adoption of Anthony (my step-nephew) through one of these marriages
- given birth to 2 babies (Phoenix & Kylie Sue)
- AND now we have 4 brand new babies due this year!!!!! FOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INSANE but I do love being an aunt.

THE UGLY: Now people, this is where I make this all about me. I'm the oldest here. There are only 5 of us and with 4 of my siblings (again, younger than me) being pregnant, that leaves only me being the single one...and the non-pregnant one. The one with the dying eggs. I never imagined I'd be in this situation. I can't think of anyone right now who can relate to my placement here but again people, I'm making this about me.

In all seriousness, I am deeply troubled by what this all means, mainly where my cute little family is concerned ..... because I'm being left behind. They are all moving on and progressing with their marriages and now all their babies...growing their own families, while my own personal family is still dinner for one. To top it off, in the last year I took a big step closer towards a family of my own and then a GIANT and painful step backwards...for hell's sake. It isn't for lack of trying but nothing makes you feel like more of a failure, more lost, more lonely than this kind of data right here...and its called MY LIFE!

Now, please don't tell me its not a race...I know this. Please don't tell me I should be happy for them, because I truly am. And PLEASE don't tell me it'll be my turn soon...as I've been telling myself this for YEARS! Try walking in my shoes...and tell me that this doesn't hurt just a bit. I know that a man, a marriage and a family doesn't define me. I know that those things are not the only way a person can be happy in life BUT it is what I so desire and want more than anything. And I don't want every family dinner, holiday, reunion, party, trip, shower and BBQ to remind me that I've failed thus far and that I just don't plain fit in with my own family anymore. I've tried, and I do try and I really just want to have a little pity party for a while before I do the Amy thing and pick myself back up and go on being so damn optimistic.

The Morale of the Story is...

FACE YOUR FEARS...OVER COME YOUR WEAKNESSES!

I was in charge of coordinating our stake blood drive for my ward. This required me to spend a number of hours with the Red Cross workers during the drive.

Well, a few hours into the bank we heard a loud "bang". Someone had fainted but NOT JUST ANYONE...a phlebotomist!!! Turns out, the poor guy passes out at the "sight of blood". ITS HIS JOB! Its his job and not because anyone made him. I doubt its the only job he could ever have. Its his job because he chose it. He wanted to face his weakness...his fear, and make it his strength and according to his supervisor, he was doing really well.

What an example to me. I just might stop and think about that next time I fear something or question my ability to do something.