8 inches later...

Well I have been at a loss about what to blog about lately so yes, i am stretching it here. (no pun intended)

My hair has been long for, well, a long long time- pretty much for the past 4 years i have kept it long. I guess I am just a long hair gal! When i chopped it off to my chin in 2004 that was THE LAST TIME. Ok, ok, i won't keep you in suspense, I just cut about 8 inches off my hair and went real DARK! TRUE, I just did that. My hair was long for my wedding in June and i hadn't touched it since so it was (if you were measuring) past my chest area- wink - and just too long. I needed a change so I had my girl friend and favorite cosmetologist Katee do the deed. I had cutters remorse for a few days, but am feeling good about it now

Here it is. I know, i know so EXCITING!


Before:

After:

The good 'ole days of the Provinces Dental Care

Lately I have had a lot on my mind, particularly about my job I had for 3+ years at the Provinces Dental Care. This place holds great meaning to me. I grew so much over the years I worked there. I shared some of my roughest times and best times with the people I met there. My Aunt Paula got me on and taught me all I know about assisting. It didn't take long before Ann this firecracker spunky energetic full time hygienist and I became "like sisters" and she is the older sister I never had. There is Karen beautiful blond who is always kind and good for a word of encouragement, then Monica and her big brown eyes and latino attitude form L.A. always keeps me laughing with her stories and wit. Wendy was like a ray of sunshine every Wednesday she would work. Yvonne my personal physical therapist and front desk pal helped me get back on my feet when I shattered my ankle. Tiff-a-rooni my Chinese (wink wink she's mexican) pal, always with a new pair of shoes and cutest hair. I met lifetime friends that I love dearly. Dr. Jenkins, Dr. Poelman were the greatest bosses who always treated us the BEST! We were like family.. I was inspired to go to Dental Hygiene school because of my job as an assistant but it wasn't an easy choice to make because I was 100% happy and content. It was hard to let go of my place at the Provinces. A LOT changed when I was in school for two year. And NOW It feels like that refuge I used to cling to is crumbling away. New ownership came and with that lots of new "ideas" were introduced. Well, recently Ann the greatest hygienist I know, got "let go" after she dedicated 5+ years to the Provinces. She did anything for them, upped her hours, came in on weekends and at last min notice. She had no warning or notices. She is a single mother of 2 girls with a mortgage and bills. They gave her no reason other than "we are moving in a different direction." I was shocked, disgusted, disappointed, at such a tasteless decision on the part of people I used to look up to. I can't imagine how hard it has been on Ann these past couple days. It breaks my heart. I feel betrayed.

Anyway... Here is a reflection of my happy memories at the Provinces:



Ann (Matilda) and Me (Gretchen) Nerd Day

US PUNK ROCKERS scared Dr. Poelman
Halloween Work Party: Wendy the pirate and me the dark angel
Halloween Day AT the provinces, yes, I wore that all day!! Rocket girl's come back!! Yvonne and Tiffanie
Team building day at Laser Tag!!
Pageant Day: Ann, Karen, Moni, Aunt Paula
We LOVED beading!! Here we are beading at Ann's house
Ann's 30th Birthday!! wink wink
My Summer Squash Moni and I
Karen, Ann Me
Me assisting Dr. Poelman
Cowgirl day with Dr. Jenkins
Howdy there partner!
Christmas Party!!
Ann and I baked up some "Provinces Pie". GOOD TIMES!!

3rd time's a... CHARM

color try #2 BEFORE
BEFORE- Original

So this post is for those far away that haven't had a chance to come see our house yet. There has been major changes to this house. I found hidden potential in this beyond bachelor pad!! It is becoming our HOME SWEET HOME! It started with nasty 7 boy roommate white carpet, plain tan walls, an old table old couches... you get the idea
Carpet (take note of the HOLE in the wall!!) boy roommates are so rough!!
Color try #1. I liked the green but it was just way to dark for the space it was in.

AFTER!!!!!___________________________________________________________________________________________
.NOW We (I) love it. Yellow is such a happy color!! The walls are bright and cheery!! It just took a lot of work (this is my 3rd time painting because I'm a little indecisive). We still have tile to lay in the kitchen and bathrooms. Also where the fan is in the picture is going to be a chandelier and the fan is moving across the way to the living room.

I'm still deciding on what do do for window treatments If you have ideas (colors, style ect.)SHOOT...



We love our vintage table!! It just has so much character. I was online for months looking at tables and all the new stuff just started to look the same to me. I just kept coming back to this old white treasure and just decided I had to have it. I like how it stands out against our wood floors.

It's alright, cuz i'm SAVED BY THE BELL

When I wake up in the morn'n and the sum'um sum'em roar'n and I don't think i'm gonna make it on time. by the time I grab my books and I give my self a look, i'm at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by, but its alright, yeah, its alright cuz i'm saved by the bell!!


yup, still know it. and that was right off the tip top of my head!
AHHHH the good old days so Saved By the Bell! I was a faithful watcher. True. Zack Morris is so dreamy. He and Kelly were the best couple. When they would tv break up it would break my heart right along with it!! haa haa!!-- Like when that chick above came around! SHOUT OUT TO ALL S.B.T.B FANS!! HOOOT HOOOT

Sure grateful for sisters

I love my beautiful sisters. I truly look up to them both. It's kina funny, I have always said that I really should be the younger sister rather than the oldest "big sister". My little sisters are amazing. They have always been leaders, good in school, kind, loving and level headed. What I admire the most, though is that they have a love for their Savior that shows through their actions. I love being with my sisters. We always have good heart to hearts and also some of the silliest times ever.

Tam Tam Tam-eroo!! Tami is just a good 'ole gal. I'd say she has and 'old' spirit. She has always been mature and handles life in stride. She is a dandy. She always has the best attitude and is so easy to be around. She is what I call involved- always doing in charge or planning something. I love how helpful she always seems to be. I have loved the trips we got to take to Mexico and the memories we made there even tough neither of us married Jake. wink. Tami and I love to eat ice cream in the garage at thanksgiving while the rest of our family plays scrabble. We have more fun. I love you sis. I'm so glad to have you close by now.

Kari is so creative. She is good at all things crafty. I have always wished I could do the things that she does. She has an infectious smile and wonderful laugh. Her knowledge for the gospel astounds me. Kari is righteous and always has been. When Kari is determined to do something she does it. When I think of my sister Kari I think of FAITH. She has been the greatest example of faith to me. She taught me Doubt Not , Fear Not . DNFN. Kari is so much FUN! Believe it or not Kari has a fiesty side to her that gives her a lot of passion for life. Kar-bear, thanks for always letting me talk you ear off with my silly problems. I sure love you.

A breath of fresh air

It was sure nice to get out of the heat and enjoy the cool of the mountains.

Mark and Holly had a week to spend on vacation and we loved hanging out with them and their kiddos!! This is one of the last times we will get to see them before they move to Florida. We loved having them stay at our house too.

Over the weekend in Eagar we, of course, ate a lot of Moms good cooking, played sequence and 5 crowns where we let Dad and Barry win, played with Kaemon, Milea, Zallen, Kingston and London: collected eggs, picked green beans, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers from Dads awesome garden, held the baby chicks (dad hatched), saw the goat and moo cow, built marble tracks, ran around on the big lawn, ate popcorn, race cars, and watched movies. Chad, once again, is the best baby sitter!! hoot hoot!!


On Saturday Barry, I, Bret and Becki went on a great four wheeling ride! It drizzled on us a bit and was muddy, but the mountain air in my lungs was oh so very refreshing!! We had a lot of fun!

Here we are all loaded up on ready to roll- Barry in his awesome poncho!


THE MOUNTAINS



Later that evening we watched THE BYU game!! Yes, they WON!! 14, 13!! It was so fun to watch. Dad was so excited/nervous he was pacing behind the couches! Let the speculations begin...

two words: endless shrimp

Oh how we loved the endless shrimp at Red Lobster. Last night was one TAAAASSTYYY evening as we consumed hundreds (no really 100's) of little baked, boiled, breaded, fried, and glazed sea creatures!! We ate so much shrimp. We were the people that Red Lobster fear when doing a deal like ENDLESS SHRIMP!! Barry and I soon became comatose similar to after thanksgiving dinner. Do shrimp have the same chemicals as turkey? They must. Holly, I must say kept up with Mark and Barry. I was the first to tap out. I didn't want to though. Thanks so much Mark and Holly! We'll meet you same time and place next endless shrimp!! Here's to SHRIMP!