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

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

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!!!

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!!!

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.

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!!!

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.