Getting In Touch With My Inner Monkey

After not climbing at all last year (I think), I finally started early this year. Mark got sick of hearing me complain about spending all that money on climbing gear and not using it. When he finally asked me to go climbing a few weeks ago, I gave him even more crap by saying that I had no idea where my climbing gear was because I hadn't used it in SO LONG! I told him I would have to dig to the bottom of my closet to find my climbing gear. Poor kid, he can never win with me! Oh well, who can?!

The first time Mark and I went climbing was to the local climbing gym. I wasn't a fan of climbing on a fake wall because I totally sucked on the fake walls on the cruise ships. To my surprise, I did very well. I climbed about four different courses and then my arms were all tuckered out. It felt so good to get back on the wall and climb. After Mark ties me up with the rope (his favorite part), I always look up to the top of the wall and say, "I have to go all the way up there? How is that ever going to happen?" Then I blink (or so it seems) and I'm at the top. Here's an action picture from the climbing gym. Luckily Mark's hands were busy belaying me so he couldn't take any butt climbing pictures of me.

The second climbing adventure actually happened last weekend during a freak warm day here in Salt Lake City. (That day is all but forgotten under a few feet of snow that has fallen since then.) We climbed on a short wall in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was actually the same place where Mark first took me to climb. Piece of cake! Mark's friend and her son joined us for the climb. Again no pictures of me, too bad!

We ended the outdoor climbing night by (illegally) having a fish fry. We were caught by the ranger, pleaded ignorance, and got off with a warning. Who knew that when the sign said, "Closed for the Winter," they mean you can't start a fire?? We do now!

Sweet Tomatoes

So Mark and I have made quite a career of going to Sweet Tomatoes. We like to shut the place down. A few weeks ago we were at Sweet Tomatoes for about four and a half hours. It didn't seem like we were there that long. The good thing about Sweet Tomatoes is that it is a buffet. That meant after a few hours after our food had digested, we just got up and got some more food. We could have stayed there all night but the employees wanted to go home. Dang it! We really got our money's worth! Sweet Tomatoes doesn't like us but you can't win them all. So what do you do for 4 1/2 hours at Sweet Tomatoes? Naturally, you take pictures. Granted they're not very pretty but I thought you might enjoy.

Show Me the Money!

In case you are keeping up with my resume (that's a full-time job in and of itself), I was hired as a part-time assistant at the Jordan School District working in the Curriculum Department. I have the overwhelming responsibility of tracking a multi-million dollar grant given to them by the State of Utah. The job is only 17 hours per week so I still have plenty of time to do my own thing. It is only temporary until the end of the school year. I am hoping it leads into something full-time as I enjoy having health insurance. If it doesn't, at least I can say it was a good learning experience. (I hope!)

As most of you know, I worked at the Jordan School District a few years ago in the Printing Department. That was one of the funnest jobs I had. Considering that the Curriculum Department and the Printing Department are very close to each other in the District Office, I seem to find myself drifting between the departments frequently. I'm sure it annoys everyone involved, and that's probably why I do it.

Introducing Baby Bella

After seven laborious months, she finally arrived! Baby Bella joined my family on February 25, 2009. She is a joy! The more I learn about her, the more I love her! She is another reason why 2009 is a great year so far! Bella is a navy blue Nissan Sentra with tan interior. Here are some pictures of Bella.

She really is fun to drive! I really don't like driving overall, but she makes driving a little less horrible. I already had to take her to the shop to have her tire stems replaced. Apparently they weren't sealed correctly at the factory. Anyway, it was under warranty so all was well. Although, I had to have this done Friday after work. Why do they always get sick after hours?? Luckily Nissan was open until 8 PM and I was able to shut them down Friday night. They asked me to turn out the lights when I left! Ha Ha!