Simple Pleasures

I wish I were more like my dogs.  Forget toys (although they like those also), just give them a cardboard box.  We finished 2 Costco sized granola bar boxes and had them ready to be recycled.  The dogs decided they were going to play with them.  They were digging at them, chewing on them, and then playing tug of war with the pieces.  I don't mean this all happened and then they were done with it.  They played with them and then I went to the store and came home and they decided that the pieces all over the floor (that I hadn't cleaned up yet) still had some life in them!  They were playing with them like they do all of their other toys, then bringing them over to me to throw like I do their balls.  Silly puppies!

Makes you think

A few weeks ago I received a phone call.  It was totally out of the blue and something that I never in a million years would have expected.  It was from an old best friend of mine, now when I say best friend, I mean spending any minute that we could together kind of best friend.  We knew everything about each other.  Obviously as we got older we grew apart.  We didn't always make good choices together and we didn't always make good choices apart, but we were good people none the less.  We both had the same spiritual foundation, she might have even had an advantage.  Family wise I definitely had the advantage (how couldn't I with my family, right??).  So as we grew up, we made our decisions, together or apart whether they were good or bad, but we were still friends.  We weren't best friends anymore but we were in touch every now and then.  As time passed a little more, we were in very different places, but no matter what I had a soft spot for this person.  They could call me after not having talked to them for months and nothing would be different, our relationship would go back to being as it was before (we were just older and {wiser??}).  I would drop anything to be at the aid of this person.  Well, this last conversation was different, it wasn't there.  The friendship that we had built and would always come right back was gone.  Talking was awkward, silences with nothing to say even though we haven't talked in many years.  This time I wasn't so quick to jump to this person's rescue, even though I offered whatever "help" I could, I was more cautious.  The trust wasn't there.  Had I been burned so many times before that I had learned my lesson??  We floundered back and forth for a bit and then I said I had to go.  Never before would I have ended the conversation in case something needed to be said for me to help with.  That was it, we have nothing in common anymore.  We are so different and took such different paths that there is no basis for a friendship.  This friend that I have doesn't know who she is or what she needs.  I just feel so sad for her because she isn't happy.  It is such a testimony to me to see how the gospel can influence a person's life.  We were at the same place 10 years ago.  Now we couldn't be farther from it.  I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of the gospel.   If I didn't have this knowledge maybe I would be in the same place.  I am thankful to know who I am and what I am worth.  I'm extremely thankful for my family who loves me and would do anything for me, and my husband who is a righteous priesthood holder and example to everyone around him, younger and older.  I am thankful for the choices that I have made to put me where I am today in my life.  I am most grateful for the opportunity that I have each week to work in the Temple.  It is such a blessing to my little family and more selfishly to me.  I have learned to much and there's much more to be learned.  I know that Heavenly Father knows what we need and if we just listen, we'll know also.

CROCS!!

I have loved Crocs since the first time I saw them, which was on our honeymoon.  We were at Universal Studios Hollywood and a woman (our age) wasn't getting on a ride because she was 9 weeks pregnant so she was going to get to another part of the park to hold a spot for the rest of her family.  We were walking and talking with her and the rest of the family met up, they were all wearing matching crocs.  Anyway, I loved them even then!  I have no idea why, many people hate them, many people love them, many people think they are hideous.  I love them for some reason.  I can't vouch for their comfort because I have never had a pair or worn a pair for that matter.  When Dustin was working at Agway (a local garden store in Plattsburgh) they sold them there and I really wanted to buy a pair since Dustin was able to get everything for store cost.  Then the Border Patrol thing happened and he left that job quickly, so I didn't get them.  They are pretty expensive little buggers and I kind of forgot about them.  Since I have been working at the temple on Thursday nights, I have been noticing people's shoes.  I was told that I should buy something comfortable since I would be standing for considerable amounts of time.  I bought these expensive shoes from the temple store and they have been killing my feet every Thursday since.  I thought maybe I can get a pair of white crocs, those would probably be really comfy, but I would of course need to buy a regular pair first to see if they are comfortable.  I was looking on the crocs website and contemplating buying a pair, they were just so darn expensive.  Well tonight I went to Costco and saw out of the corner of my little eye, some shoes that resembled crocs (don't ask why but for some reason I am particular about having Crocs, not alligators or any other knock offs, but I'll buy and wear a shirt from Walmart, I know, I'm weird!).  I decided that on the way back around I would go check them out and see if they were really crocs.  So I totally forgot about it and then remembered as I neared the aisle.  I meandered down and looked for the crocs.  There wasn't a display of them or anything.  So I took the one pair (of real, not knock off) crocs, that just happened to be my size and tried it on.  It was like Cinderella trying on the glass slipper!  Love at first fitting!  So I looked around and there were no other crocs.  Not knowing the price I put them in the cart and brought them with me to the register.  I asked the kid the price and when he said $12, I just about kissed him!!  $12 for something I would have spent at least $40 on to have them shipped and delivered to me!  Hallelujah!  I was so happy, and now I have my own pair of crocs!!  These are my try them out pair, if I like them, I will spend the money to get the white ones for the temple!  I'll let you know how our courtship advances!  ;o)

$7

Ok, so a few weeks ago, I bought a shirt at Walmart for $7.  It was cute and I am definitely not to good to buy clothes at Walmart.  I woke up the next morning excited to show Dustin my rare gem that I had found.  I felt like running in and waking him up just so I could show him, but I controlled myself.  I finally showed him and he gave me a face and said "Jessica, you don't need to buy clothes at Walmart!". I responded with "Dustin, I'm trying to save us money, it's cute and cheap.  What, do you think you are too good to buy clothes from Walmart??  At least I am trying to buy new clothes unlike you who is still wearing the same clothes you've had since you were 12!" (not kidding on this one.  He recently went to take a shirt off and it ripped and we had to throw it away.).  Neither of us are that into fashion!  Obviously, I buy my clothes at Walmart and my husband wears his until the literally rip into shreds!  A few days later I wore the shirt and Dustin actually liked it.  I thought it looked cute.  What do you think? Be honest!

Playing at the beach, Sailing and Fondue...OH MY!

What a day Dustin and I had on Wednesday! We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary! We decided that we would do something bigger than normal and something we hadn't done before.

We both took the day off (which was a treat in itself since we don't normally have days off together) and made plans to go with the dogs to the beach, go sailing and then go out to a nice dinner. First thing in the morning we got up (by 8:30, we know we're old because that's sleeping in for us) and I made eggs and toast for breakfast. Then we got ready and brought the

dogs to the beach. They had a fun time and we enjoyed ourselves also. It was cute because there was a little old lady and her grandson (who was probably our age) sitting near where we were playing with the dogs and as the woman was leaving she stopped us and said "I really enjoyed watching your dogs play, they are so cute and they cooperate so well!". It was cute. After we played with the dogs for a while we came home and gave them a bath, then got ready to go sailing! This was quite an experience! Let me start by reminding everyone that I am a Nervous Nelly and get easily frightened! Another thing everyone should know is that I didn't know that when you are on a sailboat the boat tips and it looks like you're going to do a face plant into the ocean! Ok, here goes! Dustin and I were waiting for our captain to come and get us so that we could get on the boat. Our captain, Joe, came and got us and we walked down to the boat. We got on and I was all excited. We pulled out of the dock and off we were. After about 3 minutes of sailing Joe asked Dustin to take the wheel! So Dustin took the wheel and was a pro. He steered the boat while Joe raised the sails. A few minutes later Dustin asked me if I wanted to take the wheel. At this point, everything was going so smoothly it looked like a piece of cake! I said, "alright". So there I was standing there at the stern of the boat, feeling like I was hot stuff. Then all of a sudden some gusts of wind come up, rendering the need for a correction in steering to stay on course. I started steering the wrong way. Joe tried to correct me with what I should do, but I just wasn't understanding. Our boat was a rockin' and NOBODY had been knockin'. I was scared! As you can see in the picture! Needless to say that the boats around were probably wondering what we

were doing since it looked like we were doing ballet (spinning circles) in the middle of the harbor. Unfortunately, our captain wasn't too amused and after he fixed my impending disaster he kindly asked Dustin to take over. While I was at the wheel and I saw my life flash before my eyes, is when it first happened, the tipping of the

boat. The rim of the boat was just about equal

with the water. THAT WAS SCARY!! The whole

rest of the time we were sailing I was trying to figure out why that was scary because I know how to swim, it wasn't antarctic waters, and we were in the harbor and ocean that was frequently traveled. So I decided that it wouldn't be the end of the world if we fell into the ocean. We'd be wet and probably wouldn't be able to go to dinner, but we'd survive. Joe finally took the wheel and Dustin and I hung out together. We went to the bow of the boat and laid down. It was a really relaxing experience when we weren't face to face with the water. When we were we had to hold on (or at least I did) so we didn't end up IN the water. We were able to see some nice views of downtown, Naval Air Station North Island, Point Loma, lots of helicopters flying over, a great time. After we were back in the harbor Joe asked if I wanted to give it another try, I quickly replied with "No Thanks, maybe next time!". I felt that it would be safer for everyone on board that way! We had a little bit of

time before we had to be at our dinner reservations so we headed up that way and stopped by the temple! Dustin needed to go to the store there and we decided since we got married in a temple 5 years ago, it would be a good way to spend our extra time! While we were there one of the grounds workers helped us out and took a picture of us. After this unexpected stop, we went on to our final destination, a fondue place called The Melting Pot. We tried the different courses and enjoyed our meal, but decided that it wasn't really for us. We were glad we spent the time there and tried something new and different, but decided we probably wouldn't go back! I'm thankful that

Dustin and I were married in the temple, because I know that it has made our marriage stronger, and who knows if we would have made it this far. I'm so thankful for all of the things that he does for our family and the patience and understanding that he has with me. I am very proud of him for the job that he does (even though it's a bit scary for me) and the reasons that he does his job. The real reason is to keep the bad guys and terrorists out! I'm thankful for the support that he gives me and the confidence he has in me in various areas of our relationship. I love him and can't wait to celebrate many more years together! I love you, Dustin!!