Shelly Says...

2010-04-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Am I Still Here??

I've realized that maybe having a blog wasn't such a great idea. For one, besides family activities I don't think I do a lot of interesting things. Secondly, even though I do a lot of sutff I never take the time afterwards to write about them. Then time goes by and it's not as easy to write about them. So, now that the excuses (or as I like to call them, explanations) are out of the way what more is there to update you about.
I was finally released from all of my major church callings in both the stake and the ward after almost 3 long years of at least one meeting every Sunday, and some on other nights. Now the only calling I have is Institute Coordinator for the ward and that is just fine with me. I was in the Relief Society Presidency through three presidents, two of which were released when they got married. I'm not in charge of any activities any more, which makes me enjoy them a little more without the added stress of being in charge.
Workwise everything is starting to slow down, either that or we seem to have a better handle on things. The middle of last year we were told that we would be receiving a whole new computer system someime in November; however, it didn't end up happening until January. We were also told that we would be complying with the Federal Real ID act. This means that every person in the whole state will have to bring in all of their identifying documents to have them scanned into our computer database when they come to renew. This will be taking place over the next five years. Needless to say the combination of these two changes has created a complete overhaul of our work system and flow. We were finally doing okay, which means that we are almost back to regular wait times, in our office at least. Plus, customers were starting to bring in their documents the first time they come to the office, leading to less people yelling at us. But everything changed this past week, which is to be expected when all three school disctricts in this valley are on Spring Break. It made the entire 4 days crazy; the teenagers were lined up halfway across the parking lot before we opened the doors, and they didn't stop coming until we closed the doors at night. So let's just say that we are so glad that this week is over and we can go back to the semi-normal days we are used to.
So that is basically the updates that I have for now. There was a lot more that happened over the last year and I promise to try to share it all at some other time, but that's all for now.

P.S. Don't worry, I won't be upset if nobody reads this. I don't know if I'd still keep reading if someone hadn't updated in almost a year.

Long Overdue

2009-05-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is did any of us (myself included) actually believe that I would be able to stick to my resolution to blog at least once a month. The thought was nice, and I did have good intentions when I wrote my last blog, but life seems to have more control over me then I have of it. So as you can see it's the beginning of May and I have not blogged since the end of January, and unfortunately I have no excuses other then to say that I have been so busy with family and work and Church callings that I feel like I never even have time to breathe, let alone sit down and write a "cute" and interesting blog. I do want you all to know that I have thoroughly disciplined myself by not having allowing myself to have any chocolate for the last two day and I do promise to TRY to be better at blogging. I will write again soon about all the "exciting" (and I use that term lightly) things that I have done in the last few months. But please be patient with me and understand that my life is not that interesting so why would you really want to read about me more then once every couple months because that's how long it takes me to do anything interesting. So in the end all I can say is that I apologize and will try to be a better, more interesting blogger in the future, but please note the use of the key word "TRY".

P.S. Happy Cinco De Mayo Everyone. And for those of you who love obscure and undercelebrated holidays as much as I do, Happy Star Wars Day!!! I have to say that I am personally glad that George Lucas was born because without him there would be no Luke Skywalker, who was my first crush.

A New Year & All Its Changes

2009-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

I know I said that I was planning to update my blog at least once a month so here's that much anticipated update. CHRISTMAS came and went. I got to stay up and "wait for Santa" with Dad. "Santa" actually got me some presents that I didn't know I was getting and that's always appreciated since I'm usually Santa's number one elf.

After Christmas came New Year's which Dad, Marie & I spent with Aunt Dawn's family at a Family party just like we do every year. But we drove all the way to Ogden for the party and back that same night so I felt like I spent more time in the car then I did actually partying.

Now it's January which means a new year with new resolutions to not keep up on. I resolved to post more on this blog and to get some pics to add to it. I was so excited because Stacy gave me her old digital camera when she got a new one so I could start adding pictures. But unfortunately the one thing that the camera doesn't have is a cord to connect it to the computer so that I can upload the photos and share them with everyone. So now I have to be the stupid "technology-challenged" girl that I am and go to electronic stores and see if anyone has a cord that I can buy to connect my camera with the computer. Wish me luck on finding a cord so I can post more interesting blogs hopefully in the near future.

I made another resolution that I am trying to keep up on. Some of you may know, but for those of you who don't, we had a flood in our basement a little over a year ago. So now that the remodeling, painting, recarpeting and moving back into rooms is complete I have to rearrange my room to my satisfaction. The problem is that I am a huge bookworm meaning that I have more books then I can fit onto one 5-shelf bookcase. I've already gotten rid of a bunch of books; ones I've never read as well as any that I'll never read again. But I still have a ton of books from Baby-Sitter Club, to Nancy Drew, some classics, mysteries like Mary Higgins Clark, to romances, and any and all books that I can find from my two favorite authors, Julie Garwood & Diana Gabaldon. Besides the books I have a ton of CDs and a bunch of movies, both VHS and DVD, to find places for. All of these things are in addition to the normal things that people keep in their bedrooms. Let me just say in my defense that it is extremely hard to fit 4+yrs of an apartment and everything else into one very small room.

So beyond the holidays being over and trying to keep my two biggest resolutions for this year I did see a couple of movies, one only ok and the other excellent. I saw Yes Man with Jim Carrey and Bride Wars with Ann Hathaway and Kate Hudson. I thought Yes Man was funny but it had some parts that I thought were completely unnecessary. But I absolutely loved Bride Wars for a couple of different reasons. First, I love Ann Hathaway in any role that she's in. She is definitely one of my favorite actresses and I love pretty much everything that I've seen her in. Second, I thought the movie was hilarious and the chemistry between Ann and Kate was amazing. I could really see them as best friends that would be obsessed with creating the "perfect wedding" that it would almost cost them their friendship. I hate to give movie critiques because I like to judge a movie for myself but I'll just say this; My friend Amy and I took her daughters to see it and even thought it was a romantic-comedy, not a kiddie movie, they still enjoyed it.

I hope you enjoyed the Blog Update. I know you're all excited for next month's blog so stay tuned...

It Can Be Done!!!

2008-12-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

I just want to write quick note to all my friends that don't want to read a novel every time that they read my blog. I know that I tend to write more then most when i actually do post a blog, but the problem is that I tend to overdo it when I'm writing. My friends in college used to love to have me edit their papers so I could help them lengthen them. So I'm sorry if my blogs are always extra long but that's just the way I am. I will try to make some of them shorter but I hope you'll forgive me if my "once a month" blogs are a little long. If I can ever get around to writing more then once in a blue moon then I promise I'll make them shorter. Thanks for being so understanding about my "Blog Length."

P.S. Aren't you impressed that it's less then a whole page long?

Don't Let Life Pass You By!!!

2008-12-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

SO...I know that I have been horrible on not blogging for the past couple of months. I have been so busy with everything that sometimes I feel like I don't even have time to breathe. I have some activity or calling that I need to work on every night when I get off work. I'm the Relief Society secretary in my ward and I am always going on visits or making fliers or writing reports. I'm also the Co-Chairperson (and I use that term loosely since I don't have another co-chairperson to help me) for the stake Young Single Adult Committee. So I have to plan Stake and ward activities, and plan 7-stake activities once every 7 months. Then I have a bunch of friends that are always needing rides or help moving or help with some other project.
Plus, I never know what to blog about. I feel like my life isn't that interesting and why would people want to read about what I have to say. Then I don't write anything and all the interesting things pass by without me updating everyone on them. Unfortunately this isn't one of the posts where I am going to update you on all the things you guys have missed over the last year. But I promise to try and post one of those before the end of the year. And let it be known right here and now that I am making an early New Year's resolution that no matter how busy or boring I may find my life I will at least write a post at least once a month. Even if it's just to say that I didn't do anything except go to work all month. I know I might not find myself all that exciting but I have come to realize that blogging is the easiest and fastest way to let everyone that I care about know what's been going on in the "World of Shelly". I need to take advantage of this great gift and not let life pass me by without letting people know that I'm still alive. So if you don't read a new post from me at least once a month in the new year then you can pester me until I write one, as Amy has so kindly done. Thanks for the endless encouragement, by the way. This one's for you Amy. I'm not saying it's cool but at least it's finally here. Now I better go because I'm writing this while I'm supposed to be working.

2008-09-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER

I just wanted to take a few minutes to post a few pics to help us remember what happened 7 years ago today.

I love this pic of the Twin Towers and this is how I always want to remember them.

Although I don't like thinking of what happened that day I know that we should never forget what happened because we must always remember those who died that day.

We also need to honor those brave men & women who gave their lives to try and save others. I am so grateful that we have such courageouse people defending our country.

I hope we can all take a few minutes out of our day to say a little prayer for everyone who lost a loved one in this senseless tragedy. And everytime you see a flag today remember what it means to live in America and all the freedoms we enjoy.

MAY WE NEVER FORGET!!!

2008-08-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Countdown has Begun!!!

For those of you who haven't been reading my sister Stacy's blog let me tell you that our family has a very important event taking place this Friday, August 29th. Stacy is getting married to her wonderful fiance, Dustin, in the Manti Temple and we couldn't be happier for them. But with the good times of a wedding also come all the stress of a wedding, hence the reason for this blog. Dustin proposed on the 4th of July, which was Dad's birthday, and our lives have been in "wedding-prep mode" ever since that moment. Seriously, showers were being planned before he had even given her the ring. Since we don't really have a mom around to help us with the big moments in our lives we have to help each other out. Naturally since I have a degree in hospitality and event planning, not to mention I've been a bridesmaid for more then my share of weddings, she asked me to help her and be her designated "wedding planner". I love my sister and so of course I said yes, but I forgot how much work it is to plan a wedding. We have done so many hours of Planning, Dress shopping and fittings (for both bride and bridesmaids), Food shopping and prep, Shower planning and hosting, Picture-taking, Invitation making and addressing and sending, Cooridinating, Flower picking, Picture editing, Decoration choosing, Centerpiece making and other things that I think we'll all need a vacation when this week is over. Unfortunately for all of us, only Dustin and Stacy get to go on a Honeymoon, and the rest of just have to go back to work. And just when I start to think that we have a handle on everything and we getting things finished Stacy tells me that she wants to add something else or change a color of ribbon, or someone tells us that Chocolate fountains are a pain to do. So i have finally come to the conclusion that we (as an entire family) will try our best to make Stacy & Dustin's wedding perfect; and if we get to the day and something has been forgotten, or overlooked, or the groomsmen's ties don't match the color of ribbon on the bridesmaid dresses that everything will be ok. The world will not stop spinning if someone isn't sitting at the book the entire time; the only thing that truly matters is that Stacy & Dustin love each other and that have chosen to spend eternity with each other and we are excited to welcome Dustin into our Crazy, Fun and Loving Peterson Family. So, Congratulations to Stacy & Dustin and we can't wait for Friday.

Wonderful World of Dad

2008-06-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me you know that I still live at home with my dad. Well, in reality I did move out to go to college in Colorado and I wasn't planning to return home after college. I wanted to go work for Disney with my best friend Shannon, but then things changed. Between my junior and senior year of college my parent's divorce was finalized and my dad got sole custody of my four little sisters. This meant that he had to be both parents to them on a full-time basis while he tried to work to support them. So, I changed my plans and moved home to help out. But that story isn't the focus of today's blog. This post centers around a very important event that is taking place tomorrow. The wonderful holiday of FATHER'S DAY is on Sunday June 15,2008 and i want to devote the rest of this blog to telling my dad how Amazing he is. I know that we don't always get along, but i know that he loves me no matter what happens. As long as i can remember i have always felt so loved when i think about my dad. I remember going on business trips with him when we lived in Texas. I remember when i would get hurt i would cry for my Daddy. He has always been my hero, even though he doesn't fly or wear a cape. He always try to be fair when it comes to letting us girls do the same things as the boys do. I love to help him work on fixing things like cars or construction projects around the house, even if all i do is hold a hammer or flashlight. One of my favorite things to do with him is to talk to him about how cars run, or even better to ask him to tell me stories about his childhood. I really wish that i could have met his parents (who both passed away before i was born) so that i could thank them for helping him become the best dad in the world. I know that no one is perfect, which means he must not be either, but i think he's probably as close as they come to it. Now that we work together i feel like i'm so blessed to get to spend all day with him. He knows so much about everything we deal with and know he can answer any question i have. I even enjoy it when we get to work and Roger, that we work with, calls us the Peterson twins. I know that my life could have been different if i had moved to Florida with Shannon to work for the Wonderful World of Disney. But then i wouldn't get to experience the Wonderful World of Dad every day, so i have absolutely no regrets about my decision. Stanley Terry Peterson is the best dad in the whole world and has sacrificed so much for our family and he deserves to be honored every day of the year, not just on one.

I LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!!

P.S. My suggestion to everyone is that you take the time to tell your dad that you love him tomorrow and make him feel like the most important person in your life, even if it's just for one day.

Boring Ol' Me

2008-05-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know; you're all pretty shocked to be seeing a new post on here from me. I'm sorry that i haven't written anything for a while guys, but my life isn't really all that interesting so i don't think i have that much to write about. I am definitely going to try to redeem myself and start writing more often. I can't promise that I'll be able to do a post every week. But i figure if i start out slow, like once a month, then i can work up to twice a month; then hopefully i can make it all the way up to once a week. Another reason that I haven't posted anything is because i don't have any cool pics or graphics to add to the posts to make them more interesting. But if you can stand just reading about boring ol' me then i'll keep writing. I think that one of the biggest reasons that I haven't written much is because i'm always so busy. In this month alone i've made a wedding cake, helped cater a banquet, organized a family picnic and pictures (which is like a year-long event in itself), baby-sat countless nieces and nephews, organized two young-single adult activities and am still planning a couple more, tried to attend all of my ward activities, made numerous treats to take to work or ward functions, held down a full-time job, got sick, and shattered my phone with no time to buy a new one. Now can you see why i haven't had time to write many posts for this blog. I know i'm mostly pretty boring without cute pics or stories about my family, adorable children or home stories to tell, but i should probably share the stories of the success of my first wedding cake and the shattering of my phone and why i haven't yet bought a new one. So although i'm signing off now you can look forward to those two stories coming soon to a post near you!! TTFN (As Tigger would say Ta Ta For Now)

ABC TAG

2008-05-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

A- Attached or Single? Single, and we won't discuss it please
B- Best Friend? Shannon Sweeney, Sheena Bennett and Mandi Bristow
C- Cake or pie? Triple Chocolate cake or cream pies
D- Day of choice? Any day that I can sleep in and don't have to work
E- Essential Item? Whatever book I'm reading at the moment
F- Favorite Color? blue and green
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? I usually like worms better because they're longer so they last longer
H- Home town? Born in Texas but i was raised in Kearns and Orem, UT. Then I went to college in Denver, CO
I- Favorite Indulgence? Anything chocolate
J- January or July? Totally has to be July, I'm not a big cold weather fan
K- Kids? Hopefully
L- Life isn't complete without? Books to take to another world for a while and music
M- Marriage date? I wish someone would tell me when it is so I could have something to look forward to.
N- Number of brothers and sisters? 4 bro 4 sis
O- Oranges or Apples? Granny Smith Apples because they're so tart, and Orange Juice
P- Phobia and fears? Heights; but especially other people's pain, i just can't handle when i see someone else suffering
Q- Quote? I know this one is pretty common but it has special meaning to me. "LIVE as though Heaven is on Earth. SING as though no one can hear. DANCE as though no one is watching. LOVE as though you've never been hurt. DREAM as though all Wishes come True!!!"
R- Reason to smile? Family and Friends; and pretty much anything can make me laugh because i'm so giggly.
S- Season of choice? Last part of summer when it's cooling down and turning into fall, or right now when winter is turning into spring. I don't enjoy losing an hour of sleep at daylight savings time but i do like having it be lighter in the evenings.
T- Tag? Stacy, Jackie, Amber, Kayla...because they're the only people i know who blog
U- Unknown fact about me? I guess something that not many people know about me is that if I hadn't gone to school for culinary arts I would probably be a high school history teacher because I love history.
V- Vegetable? Corn, or asparagus with hollandaise sauce
W- Worst habit? My dad would say it's that I belch and I'm not very ladylike, but I think it's biting my nails
X-Ray or Ultrasound? Well i've only had x-rays since I've never had an ultrasound.
Y- Your favorite food? I like ice cream or milk shakes which have some form of chocolate or oreo in them.
Z- Zodiac sign? Virgo

First Things First

2008-05-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

First off, I need to thank my little sister Stacy for getting my blog started with me. I've been meaning to do this for a long time but I've never found the time to sit here and actually write down the things I have on my mind. I have a myspace page and a facebook account but I've found that they don't allow me to say the things that I really want to say. I think this page will allow me to do just that. The second reason that I'm starting this page is because i haven't heard anything bad about blogging yet. Let me explain; my friend Michelle says that only 13 yr olds and child molesters have myspace pages and since I don't want to be either one of those I decided that I needed a better way to keep all my friends and family (be they near or far) updated on my life. I can't promise that this blog will be interesting or even something worth reading that often. But I am going to try to keep it light and funny and applicable to my life. So for anyone interested in the random, absurd, and usually funny thoughts that go through my head throughout the day welcome to "Shelly Says" and enjoy!!!