Take your wife to work day

Yesterday was an interesting day for me. I didn't have to work and I have been a little restless lately so I decided to go to work with James. I've been meaning to volunteer for awhile but didn't have the time in the past. Now that I have A LOT of free time I decided I had no excuse. A group from BYU volunteers on Saturday mornings so I thought I could just blend in with them. We went to help a group of families who's houses are almost done so I basically picked up trash and swept up dust in the basements and garages. I inhaled a lot of dust so hopefully I don't get the black lung but I actually had a pretty good time. It was fun riding around with James in his work truck and seeing what he does everyday. Because James is a supervisor he isn't supposed to do the work, the families building the houses and volunteers are. It was pretty funny to have him come by and watch me do the work. Usually its the opposite...I stand around while he does the manual labor.

As a side note...James' work is starting a new group of houses and I told him we should build one. As part of the program each family has to work 35 hours per week on the houses. Here's basically how our conversation about the idea went:
J: I don't have 35 hours a week to work on a house.
M: But I do!
J: Ha Ha. That would be good. I can't wait to explain to people that your building us a house while I finish my construction management degree.
M: But then I could learn to do all the stuff you like to do.
J: Yeah and it would be like when I teach you how to play a game...you'll get better at it then me.
M: No I won't. I don't even know how to measure.
J: True. You'd tell them you need some wood cut at 2 lines past 10 inches.
M: Let's do it.
J: I do like adventures.

We were laughing pretty hard at the end and if you know how unhandy I am and how handy James is the idea of me building a house for us is pretty ridiculous. James told one of his coworkers my idea and his reply was "If she did it I'd never have to hear another joke again."

TRADITION tradition

Read the title like you would sing the fiddler on the roof song. This weekend was a weekend of traditions. My former roomie Kate came to town. We had a good time at our annual ice skating adventure and saw a lot of friends we hadn't seen in awhile. We also went to a couple of movies at the Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Film Festival is always kind of sentimental for me because it was the first date James and I went on (he asked me out and I told him I already had plans but he was welcome to come along...I learned my lesson because I've been planning our dates ever since). Also I have been to at least one movie at the festival every year I've lived in Utah so I can't break my record. There's been some really good movies and some really bad movies but somehow I find myself in Park City in the wait list line every year - just can't get past tradition. I'm really sad I didn't take more pictures to document the fun but here are the few I have:


It was really cold and the cold makes us grumpy. Once we got skating we warmed up and had a good time.


Kate + the 309 boys


Mere + James


Olivia + Ben


Freezing Kate. We got in line for a movie on Saturday at 7AM and they made us wait outside for an hour.

work, school, projects, and texas friends

Last week was actually really busy for me which was surprising because I was worried I would have nothing to do. I had my first letterpress job for someone I didn't know. She wanted it done in a week so I kept busy doing that and working at the GAP. Also I had to take my show down. It was kind of therapeutic for James and I to rip all that vinyl off the walls. I can't say I'll be doing any projects with vinyl in the near future. My friend Mark Weinberg (http://mlwphotos.blogspot.com/) took some photographs of my show before I pulled it all down so I will post those when I get them.

Also last weekend we got to go to my friend Corey's wedding reception. There were so many old Texas friends there and it was wonderful to see them all. Living in Texas my family was far away from all of our extended family and our friends there became family. I had forgotten how much fun we all had together and it was so nice to reminisce about Texas food and ward parties (pretty sure James was bored out of his mind).

This week I have had a little more free time so instead of looking for a job I decided to do some things I've been wanting to do for awhile:
1. Make sock monkeys (James' Great Grandmother made one for all her grandkids and they are the cutest so I decided I would learn how so all the new babies in his family could have a monkey)
2. Crochet (I am practicing every night after work - so far I am terrible but hopefully my fingers will get the hang of it)
3. Read a book (I've probably only read about ten non school books since coming to college).

James is already swamped with school work and work. He is also meeting with his CM team preparing for a competition in February. I hardly ever see him! He has been itching to do some projects too so hopefully we can find the time to work on some stuff together.

Here are some pictures I took of my show (you can see why I also asked a professional to take some), my letterpress project, and Texas friends

what to do, what to do?

Today I had to go up to campus to take care of a few things and I got pretty sad that I don't go to school there anymore. There are definitely a few things that I won't miss but BYU has been good to me and I will definitely miss it. Mostly I'm sad to leave the social aspect of it all- running into old friends, making new friends in classes, and having teachers/peers help me learn to be better. I have always liked school and I love learning new things(not that I will ever stop learning but school does make it pretty convenient). Plus I have been in school for almost as long as I can remember so this is a pretty weird transition for me. I think the main problem is that I am really bad with change. I have no idea what to do with myself and I change my mind every five minutes. On Sunday I decided that I was not going to look for a full-time job and just start making stuff to sell on Etsty, etc. On Monday I started a letterpress project and decided freelance work is a big pain. Today I have been home all day working on projects and decided once again that a full time job at a place where there are other PEOPLE would be great. We'll see what I think tomorrow. I am open to suggestions.

HOOKEM'

It doesn't get better than that. WOOHOO!

Christmas Break Festivities

James and I have both had a busy but good Christmas break! We decided to stay in Utah for Christmas this year so we could get on the same Christmas schedule as the rest of James' family. I was relieved not to have to drive to Washington in the snow but I think it might have been more relaxing to go! We have spent most of the break working and driving to Midway when we were not working to hang out with my family. All of James' co-workers left town for the holidays so he has been really busy overseeing their projects and I continually wonder why I decided working retail during the holidays is a good idea. Oh well, we are both grateful that we have jobs!

Don't worry we've been busy having fun too. We got to see my entire family, go sledding, play games, play wii, eat a lot of Nancy's food, and watch quite a few movies. Here are some pictures from all the festivities:

CHRISTMAS DAY

We spent Christmas morning at my parents' house with the Austins. Later we braved the snow and headed down to Provo to meet the rest of my family. I am really sad I didn't get a picture of all the snow. It was ridiculous. I don't think I have every seen that much in such a short period of time.


Knights Spencer and Andrew opened some knight shields. They didn't even need swords they just started attacking each other with the the shields.


James and I sporting our Christmas presents. Don't we look lovely in the morning? We like to call this year the Christmas of Knives. We asked for kitchen knives and we just kept on opening REALLY nice knives! Plus I got James a pocket knife. If you need anything chopped, sliced, or diced you know who to call. Hopefully I keep all my fingers.


Opening presents at Matt's house




My nephews and brother-in-law in their matching Holiday sweaters


Classic Jerry photo. Eyes closed. Mouth open.


Cute little Anna, We haven't seen her for a few months and it is crazy how much she has changed!




SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Every year my Mom's side of the family has a party. Apparently this year there was a talent portion but the Joneses missed the boat. We tried some impromptu singing from the grandkids but it didn't go over too well. The highlight of the party was probably when my Aunt Susie came out dressed in my Grandma Winnie's old fur and hat and danced to "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer".


The Jones Family "Jingle Bells" performance. As you can see from the thumbs down in the photo we were not the most popular act. At least they're all so good lookin'.


Aunt Susie in her Grandma Winnie outfit. My mom makes that same face when she dances.


MIDWAY ICE SKATING


Sarah, Andrew, and I decided to take a trip to the Midway ice rink. We had a good time playing tag.


Slowly we are getting back into a normal routine. I think it will be really weird for me not to go back to school on Monday when James goes. Today is the first day I have felt a little bored so I started the job hunt. Hopefully I can find something good...the problem is I have no idea where to look. I found a few okay possibilities today so I guess I better get my act together and send out some resumes.

We hope everyone had happy holidays!