Lizaology

I saw this on someone's blog & thought it was kinda fun! Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name
followed by "ology"

FOOD-OLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Kraft Tuscan Italian or blue cheese

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
So many to choose from! I love Olive Garden though!

What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?
ice cream--does that count as a food?

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
pepperoni or Canadian Bacon and pineapple

What do you put on your toast?
Butter or home made jam

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house?
4--family room, my office & two of the bed rooms

What color cell phone do you have?
It's got change-able face plates, so the color can change, but I usually have either the red or the aqua--they're the prettiest.

What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it?
I know this is going to sound crazy, but I actually don't text!

Who was the last person to call you?
Cindy

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Left

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Nope

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
The turkey that we cooked today for the farewell party we had at our house--nope, no new missionaries here--a neighbor's daughter is leaving.

BULLCRAPOLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
I don't think so. While it would be nice to be able to make sure that everything in my life is right before I go, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be doing that anyway, and I wouldn't want to have that hanging over my head all the time.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Oh man, if anyone had asked me that when I was 8, I could have come up with 100 answers, but now I like my name.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
I think I'd say I would, but I don't think I'd be able to actually follow through.

DUMBOLOGY

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
One

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
That would be when I was pulled over around Christmas time in 2007. I couldn't possibly have been going as fast as they said I was!

Last person you talked to in person:
Kathy

Favorite Month?
December

CURRENTOLOGY

Missing someone?
Not really, but there are people from Melaleuca that I miss seeing every day!

Mood?
Exhausted

What are you listening to?
My I-tunes

Watching?
Fox News is on in the background, but I'm not paying much attention

Worrying about?
Oh, there are always a million things I worry about.

RANDOMOLOGY

Whats the last movie you watched?
FireProof

Do you smile often?
Every day--Josh cracks me up regularly!

Do you always answer your phone?
No way! I hate the phone.

Its four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
See above....I don't really do text messaging

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Just make them more bluer...

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Cherry

Do you own a digital camera?
yes

Have you ever had a pet fish?
no--I have a hard time considering a fish to be a pet. But Josh had one until he killed it.

Favorite Christmas song?
I have a few songs but mostly Breathe of Heaven by Amy Grant

Whats on your wish list for your birthday?
Ok, this is weird. I really want a new cookie scooper to use when making cookies. Mine broke & I haven't yet found one I like!

Can you do push ups?
how many?

Can you do a chin up?
Definately not.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
In this economy, NERVOUS!

Do you have any saved texts?
Nope

Ever been in a car wreck?
Unfortunately, I have been in several

Do you have an accent?
I don't think so.

What is the last song to make you cry?
Christmas Shoes. That song kills me every time.

Plans tonight?
I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed early tonight!
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
All the time

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
chicken food, paint, and a paint brush

Have you ever been given a rose?
yes

Current worry?
Money

Current hate right now?
Money

What song represents you?
Dream Big by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Crap! Do I really have to get up?

8 things

8 things....

I saw this on Jen's blog and thought I would join in on the fun! Hope you do too!!!

8 Favorite TV shows
1-Army Wives
2-Wheel of Fortune
3-How I Met Your Mother
4-Amazing Race
5-Law & Order
6-Without a Trace
7-?
8-?

8 Things I did yesterday
1-Work
2-Laundry
3-went grocery shopping
4-fixed dinner
5-did a bit of work from home
6-watched a bit of TV
7-FHE with my family
8-slept!!

8 THings I look forward to
1-Thanksgiving & some time off work!!!!
2-my weekly emails from James
3-Christmas shopping
4-getting my inspections job off the ground
5-regularly getting eggs from the chickens
6-finally finishing my kitchen by getting the tile countertops in
7-Josh's first season playing HS basketball(he made the team today!)
8-The Holidays

8 Favorite Restaurants
1-Olive Garden
2-Old Spaghetti Factory
3-The Melting Pot
4-Babe's Bakery
5-El Mirador
6-can't remember the name of it, but there is this TO DIE FOR seafood place in Hailey, ID that I love to go to whenever I'm there!
7-
8-

8 Things on my wishlist
1-A new car
2-A new digital camera--one that's more up to date & better suited for my insurance inspection job
3-A really terrific photo editing program
4-finally choosing a color to repaint my bedroom
5-more peace of mind
6-a week without Josh arguing
7-more time
8-enough money that I don't have to stress out every month

Is it June or January??????

I spent the day today in Blackfoot & at one point this morning, I very seriously considered turning myself into Blackfoot South, because I decided I had to be nuts! This is the weekend of the annual Blackfoot dog shows. For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE dog shows!! I love it more when I'm showing my own dogs, but that was not to be this year. We simply didn't have anyone ready & the costs were a bit prohibitive at this point. So we figured that the next best thing would be to go & work at the dog shows! We still get to go every day. We still get to see all of our friends & the beautiful dogs. And the best part is...we get paid to do it! So, we all volunteered to work in the rings all four days.

And then we woke up this morning. Now, you have to understand that Idaho has apparently decided not to have summer this year. The weather thus far this week has been much more appropriate for January than June. It has been cold. It has been rainy. It has even snowed. This morning was no exception. It was about 38 degrees when I got out of bed this morning. But, freezing or no, we had promised to go work. By the way, did I mention that the Blackfoot shows are outside? You know, because it's June, and in Idaho, June is very warm! So, I bundled up in my warmest pants, a sweater, a sweatshirt, thick socks, warm sneakers, and with a blanket in tow.

Let me tell you...I was completely and totally unprepared for just how cold it was!!! The way the ring was set up, I was facing the 30 mile an hour wind all morning. It was miserably cold & I forgot my gloves at home. Within an hour, I could no longer feel my face. My fingers were not moveable & I was pretty sure that if I tried to move my toes in my shoes, they would fall right off! We saw some rain, we saw a little bit of snow, and then miraculously, after lunch, we saw the sun! The wind died down, the air warmed up, and the sun came out! By the time we were almost finished & Groups started, it was actually pretty decent outside. It was probably in the high 50's, low 60's, and I even got brave enough to take off my sweatshirt. I was still glad that I had a sweater on underneath though.

However, crazy girl that I am, I am already looking forward to going back tomorrow! The weatherman is promising it will be better weather tomorrow, so let's hope he's right!

Please note the people in their winter coats in this photo! How crazy is it that just about everyone I saw was in their winter coats in June! And that poor lady that was wearing her blanket around her like a skirt! It was insane.

Josh gave me this line about how he didn't need a blanket because he was a man & mean didn't get cold. I did, however, notice that he was awfully quick to steal my blanket when I wasn't using it. Believe me, I gave him a hard time about being seen in public wrapped up in a pink blanket.

Dog show people totally pamper their dogs! These are a few of my friends, Larry, Beep & Lorie, with the star of the show...the dog, of course.

This is more like a dog show on a June afternoon should look like. The sun is out, people are sitting with friends, enjoying watching the dogs. This was taken this afternoon, after it warmed up.

One of the things that I love the most about the dog shows are the terrific friends I have in that world. For the most part, these are people I have known half my life. Unless, of course, we get into the collie people that have known me since I was about 6! But I love going to shows, because I know I'm going to see great friends that I only get to see at dog shows! In alot of cases, these people are more like extended family & the dog shows are like our family reunions. Above is a wonderful family friend, Andy with his Doberman Pincher. In addition to being one of the top handlers in the country, And is about one of the best people I have ever been privileged to know. He is always willing to help someone when they are in need & both he & his wife are just terrific people. Below is another good family friend, Beep, with his gorgeous Akita.

How Fun!

I saw this on someone else's blog & thought it looked fun!

54 Blessings ~ Week 6

Ok, so I'm a day late again! I've already mentioned that I am a dog person. This week, I am thankful for the critters in my life. Our dogs are a big part of our life & a part of our family. I am thankful for the unconditional love they give. No matter what happened in my day, no matter if it was a good day or a bad day, no matter if I have people mad at me at work or at home, I can always count on a joyful welcome when I get home from the dogs. They're never mad at me, they're never rude to me, and they're hardly every inconsiderate of me--only when there's food involved for them! Beyond that, having the dogs helped so much when James & Josh came to live with us! The dogs gave them someone who cared about them. Both of them got their own dog, which gave them someone to take care of & gave each of them instant best friends. On the way to the MTC with James, we asked him if there was anything he didn't have with him. He said yeah, the only thing I'm missing is my dog....I wish Gibson could come with me. I love that James has this best buddy that he's had for 6 years & that he missed Gibs being able to go with him. In the picture above, you see me hiding behind my book & under one of my mom's gorgeous quilts, with Hannah stretched out on my legs. I couldn't get the red eye out, for some reason.

The hard part of having dogs is that they don't get to stay with us long enough & it always breaks my heart when one of our dogs dies. But I don't think I'd ever be able to to live without the sweet soul & spirit of a dog.

A ME quiz

I think Jenni tagging me means that I'm supposed to do this next, so here goes...

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? I woke up about 5:45, but then realized that Josh didn't have school and the roads were closed, keeping me from going to work, so I went back to sleep until 7:00
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? I don't even know. I don't go out to movies very often--they're way expensive, so we usually just to pay-per-view on Dish.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Without A Trace, Cold Case, How I Met Your Mother
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? I don't really do breakfast except on weekends
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? I don't have one--really, really long standing family tradition
7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? I can't stand onions
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? I got a Keith Urban CD for Christmas that is quickly becoming a favorite.
9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Dodge Grand Caravan...I'm hoping to be able to replace my car that some idiot kid totaled sometime this year.
10. WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE SANDWICH? grilled cheese or tuna fish, depending on my mood
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Lack of ethics
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? I have these two pairs of pajama pants that are extremely comfortable--I wear them as often as possible at home!
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Ireland, definately.
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? In the process of re-painting--going to do stripes in two shades of green--very pretty.
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? I don't really have a favorite brand.
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? I'd like to move back to New England
17.WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? My birthdays have been pretty low key for the last few years. I'm the one in the family who really "does up" people's birthdays, but I don't do that for my own, so it's very laid back.
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Boston Red Sox baseball games
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Umm, not that many people read my blog, so probably not very far at all.
20. PERSON WHO WILL NOT SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? um, blogging
21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? again, blogging
22. FAVORITE QUOTE? I'm actually not much of a quote person
23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? January 13th
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? I used to be a night person, but I think I'm getting old. Now I have to go to bed much earlier. I am probably at my best in the last morning/early afternoon.
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE: 8
26. PETS? You asked for it. Dogs: Corrie, Hannah, Maddie, Brooke, Jessie(James'), Hope, Miranda, Riley, Gibson(really James'), Derek(Josh's), Patterson(Josh's), Garth. Cats: Meow-Meow, Fluffer, Uncle, Nephew, Buffy, Baby
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WANT TO SHARE? Nope
28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? a veterinarian
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Today's actually been a pretty good day. I'm feeling OK
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? dark Snickers bars
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? carnations or lillies
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? none really
34. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Dinner was this really yummy pork think I made with mushrooms in a cream sauce served on rice with a salad
35. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? I do, but it's never really worked for me...maybe I'm doing it wrong
36.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON COLOR WHAT WOULD COLOR WOULD YOU BE? blue?
37. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Dr. Pepper
38. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Babe's
39. SIBLINGS? 4 brothers
40. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas. It's a perfect day for me. I get to be with my family & there is no stress!
41. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? my Pound PUppy
42. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall
43. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
44. COFFEE OR TEA? Neither
45. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate
47. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? no, just blog it!
48. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Tuesday--I had a really rough day on Tuesday
49. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Other than some dust on the carpet, nothing
50. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Megan--I think we were 4 when we met
51. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? worked until I about fell asleep at the keyboard
52. FAVORITE SMELL? fruity smells...mango, coconut, berries, etc.
53. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Not being good enough, or not being able to take care of everything that is my responsibility
54. SALTY OR SWEET? depends on my mood--usually sweet though
55. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? probably 8--but other than my car & house key, they're all for work--how sad is that?
56. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? I've been with my company for 5 1/2 years--at my current position for 1.5 years.
57. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Sundays
58. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? Ledyard, CT, Vaigaihan, Germany, Gulestein, Germany, Gales Ferry, CT, back to Ledyard, CT, Pingree, ID, Moscow, ID, and then back to Pingree.
59. WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? good 'ole Pingree

Reliving the past...

So I saw this on Jenni's blog & wanted to give it a try! It was a long time ago, but I just loved high school & had a great Senior year!


Fill this out about your years in high school! The longer ago it was,the more fun the answers will be!!
1. Who were your best friends?
Jenni, Amy, Becky, & Nick

2. What sports did you play?
dance team & I managed the track team

3. What kind of car did you drive?
I think by the time my Senior year rolled around, I was driving my grandpa's old car--a 1992 Mercury Sable that I just loved!

4. On a Friday nights what were you doing?
Whatever my friends & I had planned...usually hanging out at someone's house.

5. Were you a party animal?
We liked to have fun, but I don't think any of us were considered party animals!

6. Were you considered a flirt?
pretty sure I wasn't

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
I did it all--band, choir, and participated in musicals.

8. Were you a nerd?
I never thought I was! I sure hope no one else did either!

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
nope

10. Can you still sing the fight song?
Nope--but I can probably still play it on my flute!

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Wilson--Senior English, Speech & Drama

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
In the seminary building

13. Name the school full name?
Aberdeen High School

14. School mascot?
The Mighty Tigers

15. School Colors?
Orange and Black

16. Rival high school?
American Falls High School

17. Did you go to Prom?
Yep.

18. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Probably. Like I said, I enjoyed high school & especially enjoyed my Senior year. I am not sure I would change anything though.

19. What do you remember most about graduation?
I was so excited! It meant I was done with high school. Then about half way through, it hit me that it really meant that my whole world was changing & I would be leaving all of my friends for college. Then I just didn't want to start crying!!

20. Where did you go senior skip day?
We went to Salt Lake City overnight & then went to Lagoon for the day.

21. Favorite memory?
Spending time with my friends, but I also remember the week of Homecoming as a pretty special one for me as well.

22. Were you in any clubs?
FHA, FFA BPA, Student government

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Ahh--we had a closed campus, so the Seminary Building was our hangout for lunch. If you wanted to go somewhere in town though, it was the Tiger Hut or nothing!

24. Have you gained some weight since then?
Unfortunately

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
Logan

26. Are you planning on going to your 10-year reunion?
I was planning on it, but soccer got in the way!

27. Who was your home room teacher?
We didn't have home room.

28. Who will re-post this after you?
Blogging buddies

29. Who was your high school sweetheart?
Hmm, probably Nick

30. Do you still talk to people from high school?
Yes

31.Did you win prom queen or king?
Nope

32. Where did you work in high school?
Blackfoot Animal Clinic

33. what were your grades?
A's & B's

34. What was your dress style?
I don't know--I guess normal.

35. What year did you graduate?
1997

More of my Fabulous Nieces & Nephews!

So, I've been waiting to put up pictures of my other brother's family, because my SILsaid that she was going to send me new pictures, including photos of her & Andy. I'm still waiting....c'mon Cheri! So, I'm going to go ahead with the photos I have, even though they're old & hope I get the new pics from Cheri soon!
So, this is my SIL Cheri. I can't find the photo of her & Andy together, so we're going to go with the pretty half of the couple! In case it's not obvious from the photo, this is on their wedding day in 1998. Cheri was the most beautiful bride! Andy & Cheri have three gorgeous kids...Brittney, Billy & Tyler.

Brittney is a sophomore. She was on the track team this year & did a terrific job. She's going to be driving soon, which I think scares her parents a little bit. I can't believe all my nieces are getting this old! Britt is a beautiful girl & is so sweet & loving!

Billy is the same age as Josh, and is going into 8th grade this year. Bill's into baseball & has played on a little league team for years. I'm not biased, but he's pretty dang good! Billy's a happy, fun loving kid. He's a prankster & loves to have fun. Plus, he earns mucho extra points with Aunt Liza because he's the only Sox fan of the three kids!

Tyler is the youngest in the family. He's also going into 8th grade this year. As you can see from his shirt, Ty's a Yankees fan. I don't know where Andy & Cheri went wrong with him, but it is fun to mess with him on the phone! Ty's also into baseball & plays on the Little League team with Billy. Tyler's a sweet kid.

I don't get to see this branch of the family as often as I want, because they live farther away, but I sure love them!

One of My Loves...

I am a huge dog lover. My family has had collies for as long as I can remember. I can't imagine not having a dog in my house. I love all dogs, but my heart belongs to collies. All collies, but mine in particular. Have you ever had a dog that was just kind of your "heart" dog? You know what I mean--the dog who sometimes, you would just rather be with than most people you know? I've been fortunate enough to have a few dogs like that in my life. Two of them have now left me, at the age of 12 and 13, and the third I am still lucky enough to have in my life, my home, and most often, lounging on my bed!

So, not only do I love & adore my dogs, but I also participate in shows with them. I've been lucky enough to have some dogs with very good success in the show ring. I love participating in that world with them, but if I was never able to go to another dog show, I would still love to have my dogs. Here are a couple of my "heart" dogs...This gorgeous dog was Ch. Elsinore's Hot Pants, CGC. We called him Pants. Pants came into my life when I was 16 years old. I saw a photo of him when he was 12 weeks old & fell head over heels in love. I knew I HAD to have this puppy!!!! He became mine a couple of months later. This dog took me on the ride of my life. He did fantastically in the show ring, exceeding any dreams I had for him. He achieved almost every honor that he could in the show ring & gave me beautiful babies! More than that though, he was a friend. He was my protector & often my confidante when I was in high school. I loved this dog. Unfortunately, I lost him last fall at the age of 12. I cherish his kids & grandkids who live with me still & the memories they give me of Pants.




This beautiful lady was Ch. Pembroke Faux Pas. We called her Pas. Pas was born in my bathroom. She was my dog from the day she was born. As you can see from her official name, Pas also finished her championship, and did a fantastic job in the show ring. More than anything else, though, Pas was my buddy. I must have been about 15 when she was born. Pas never had any doubt about her place in life & in our home. She was fully sure that she was the center of the family & the center of our hearts. She wasn't too far off! As she got older, she got more charming, but hers was an obstinate, stubborn charm! Every member of our family loved her, as well as just about everyone who ever met her...she had a way of wiggling her way into hearts. This has been a tough year--we lost Pas a couple of months ago at the age of 13. Like Pants, her memory lives on here through her kids & grandkids.

I mean, how can you not love this face? As a Pants daughter & a Pas granddaughter, Brooke ensures that the legacy lives on & continues at my house....

Not too shabby...

...so, in addition to getting to go to the Teton Valley this week, I also went to one of my favorite places! I went on a business trip to Boise & the surrounding area. I got to do some travelling on the western part of the state & remembered how much I love it!

Western Idaho gets hotter than it does over on my side of the state & they've been even drier than we are, so there's some brown, rather than the green of the Teton Valley, but it does have it's own beauty!

God's Country

So earlier this week I had the chance to go to Jackson Hole through the Teton Valley, which is truly God's Country! I am originally from New England, and there are lots of times that I miss it there greatly. But when I get the chance to do things like go to the Teton Valley or Jackson Hole, I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have to live in this gorgeous part of the country!