Probably the Only Thing I'll Get For Valentine's...

My favorite 5 year old, Bennett, gave it to me. It's been polishing in his rock polisher since Christmas. It's fancy and striped. And I love it!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Why My Life is Super Awesome

1. I really do love my "job". I love teaching choir and general music. I would probably still love it if I taught a full day rather than only 4 periods. 
2. I even love those stupid 8th grade boys. They drive me crazy, but they make me smile. Today they told me I look lonely and then proceeded to ask for my number so they could text me. Obviously that wasn't happening. So they said they'd friend me on Facebook. They like to take care of me.
3. I love my "job". I love playing the piano! I love going to the U and having the kids in the class I played for last semester tell me that they miss me. I took my subbing job before I knew the U wanted me back. It gives me warm fuzzies that they like me more than the accompanist filling in! And I love playing for voice lessons! I love seeing them improve! Also, all the piano playing really helps my skills improve. I don't really stretch my abilities playing at church.
4. My apartment is great! And so are my roommates! I got home last night from running solo and ensemble at the jr high, and they had cheesecake brownies ready for me. Had me some brownies and then went and did some yoga in my room. 
5. I love being busy. Ok, I've been extra crazy busy this week and would really prefer a little less hustle and bustle, but as long as it's only once in a while, it's not too bad. I do like being in high demand. 
6. I love all the singing I've been doing recently! My voice didn't do so well under stress. But since mid October, it's started sounding much better and in the last few weeks, I've had a ton of break throughs. It's been amazing to be able to sing what I want and get my voice to do exactly what I want!
7. I have so many amazing people to take care of me! I have people to whine to(what?! I don't whine...all the time). I have people to make me laugh. I have people that can empathize. I have people to insist I go get frozen yogurt with them. I have people that make sure I eat. I have people to sing with. I have people to tell me I'm awesome.
8. I still have 4 ski passes. That's awesome on it's own. Who wants to be my ski buddy? Just realize I'm not that great and I'm not very daring.
9. I'm settling into a decent exercise routine. This week was an exception. I only got in 1 day of exercising. But I really love feeling healthy. And exercising helps me release tension.
10. I'm happy. Things are good. I'm happy. Not 100% of the time, but I'm working on it. And a lot of the time I'm happy IN SPITE of things.  Would I change a few things? Maybe. Although, I've learned that often I make things worse. All-in-all, though, things aren't too shabby.

My Favorite Things

I like doing a "Favorite Things" post every once in a while(at least I did on the "other" blog I did).  I have some new favorite things I want to share...

1.  Gummy Vitamins

Thank you to Costco for selling them and having them on coupon this time.  And thanks to my mom for buying them for me!  I've taken them every single day since.  I was really quite terrible at taking my daily vitamins before(I know shame on me).  But now it's like waking up and rewarding yourself with a gummy bear just because you got out of bed!

2. HeyTell

This is a new App that I was introduced to a few weeks ago.  It's voice messaging.  Not Voice Mail.  Not Texting.  It's kind of like a walkie-talkie.  Sort of.  You record and send your voice message and the other person can pick it up and respond at their leisure.  You can also use it to send the sound of your off-kilter washing machine to a concerned(and entertained) party.  It's really pretty cool and much safer when you're in the car.

3.  Stila Palette

I got this eye shadow and blush palette for Christmas from my mom.  It's pretty much my favorite make up ever(at least right now)!  It has AWESOME colors.  Some palettes have a few that are good but there's always some you NEVER use.  Not this one.  I use them all!  Not all at once, if that makes anyone feel better. It's also nice and flat and fits in my purse so if I need to take it somewhere to use, I can do so easily!  Love it!

4.  White Collar

I know I've had this on my list before, but it's just one of my very favorite things!  And now that Netflix has made episodes available for streaming, I'm a happy girl!  Neal Caffrey any time, day or night.  I really need some Season 3 though.  I'm seriously so far behind!  Don't tell me what's been happening!  But it's okay.  I don't mind watching Neal Caffrey over and over and over and over and over and over and ... No I watch the show for it's innovative plots and... Fine.  Whatever.  Neal's hot.

5.  Snickerdoodles

I've always really liked Snickerdoodles...but making cookies can be such a hassle.  But...Thanks to Krusteaz Cookie Mixes, life just got easier AND tastier!  I made some Friday night and took the 2 dozen(minus the 1 that broke and I HAD to eat) skiing.  Dan and I might have eaten all but 4(which I took care of Sunday after church).  Yeah.  They're super tasty!  I have a few more boxes because they've been on sale at Smiths.  And I have to exert a lot of self control to not whip up a box.

6.  Dove Promises

I'm typically not a solid chocolate person. I usually prefer a little(or a lot) of caramel with my chocolate(and in life in general).  But there's something about Dove Promises that I really like.  But only at Valentines.  I know.  They make them year round and for all the holidays.  But I only like them at Valentines.  I don't know why.  That's just the way it is.  I also like that on the inside of the wrappers, there are little messages printed.  Some of them are suggestions.  Some of them are more akin to fortune cookies.  Some of them make me smile.  Some of them make me giggle a little bit.  And I feel compelled to do the things printed on these wrappers.  It's kind of entertaining.  Seriously, you can't imagine some of the things I've done because of a Dove Promise.

I have a lot of things I'm loving right now.  These are just a handful.  Some of them will stick around, others will dwindle and disappear; pushed away by something bigger and better.  Most of you don't really care.  I imagine some of you might be taking a collection to buy me a hobby or something.  I know, it's been a lot of blogging recently.  Oh well.  It really should entertain you(at least 80% of the time it's should entertain you).

Adventures of the Single Life: Social Security Administration

I'm sitting at the Social Security Administration. I just need to change my name back to Rushforth and get a new card so I can go get a new license. I think I'll be spending the rest of my day here. There are far too many people. I know most of them are here for a very different reason than I am. I think there should be a separate waiting process. I know, I know. I'm being really judgmental right now. I'm not a very good person sometimes.

I hope I have everything I need to get this switched. If I have to come back another day, I'm going to be most displeased!

I think I might get whopping cough...or the plague. (I'm such a bad person)

Things I learned/discovered while waiting:
-People must still use Beepers because my new wallet's insert has a place for a Beeper #.
-If you are divorced, the divorced lady next to you thinks you are a kindred spirit.
-If you think there's no diversity in Utah, hang out at the Social Security Administration building.
-I've never loved my iPhone so much! I could read Facebook and Blog-stalk and do research.
-I should have taken Spanish in college instead of French.
-The "new" office(as in different than when I changed names 8.5 years ago) doesn't smell like Urine...but it did smell like BO and smoke.
-I should never have taken my book out of my bag.
-I'm so smart to have had lunch before.  The Paradise Bakery Cookie made the trip downtown worthwhile...well and Dan entertained me during lunch. 
-Stranger Danger is taught in schools for just such a situation. 
-I need to not wear my "If you're a creeper or a psycho, I'm your new best friend" shirt to places like this.
-Something is wrong with my Blog App and so I can't post this from my iPhone.

I just learned so much today.

Because My Brain Just Works This Way

I have far too many things going through my head right now. If I don't get some of them out, my head might explode...and not in the fun way(yes...there is a fun way your head can explode...trust me). Terrifying as it may be, you now get a peak inside of the operations of Wendi's Brain. Prepare yourself for a little stream of consciousness typing(for those who don't know what Stream of Consciousness is...shame on you for not paying better attention in your English classes)...

Ugh I have Solo/Ensemble this week and I'm not even a little bit prepared...I need to print out the forms for the adjudicator...I'm so glad Mr. Smith is coming to do this and that his bell practice got cancelled so I don't have to worry about going over and making him late...His wife really seemed to like my song last night at the recital and told me it was one of her favorites...I really hope she casts me in Little Women...What should I sing for that audition...It's not until June so it doesn't really matter right now but I want to nail it...It sure would be nice to get a part where I get to sing or speak or be on stage for more than 3 minutes...I really wish my self image in this area weren't so connected to what other people think of me...and it doesn't even help to hear people say that I sound good or that I did a nice job because I'm so critical of myself I think they're lying or just being polite...Actually I need approval from others far more than I should...No it's not approval that I need it's reassurance...yes there's a difference or at least there is in my head...I need to look up what I need to take to the Social Security Administration tomorrow to get my name changed...that place smelled really funny last time...like urine if I recall correctly...BAH and I also need to go to the DMV...when am I going to have time to do laundry and clean my room and prep for classes and for Solo/Ensemble...Last week was a nightmare because of the recital and all the practicing and driving to Spanish Fork...Why does Cecily live so far away I really need her to be closer...of course she's married and has a baby so it's not like we would play too much...I need more single friends...Holy Heck my Singles Ward is a Bountiful High Reject pile...seriously it's not okay...I really like my apartment and my roommates but why did it have to be in Davis County where I know everyone...the really awkward thing is that I have actually subbed some of the kids in the ward...that's right kids I taught in High School are graduating and going to singles wards and moving ahead of me on the track of life...trying not to think about how I'm old...I shouldn't have eaten those 4 cookies and half a pint of ice cream today...I need to do sit ups and push ups...I'm so glad I'm not very sore from skiing yesterday...Oh skiing was so fun...yesterday was a GOOD DAY...I feel like today is a let down...isn't that how it always goes...I guess it's just the crash after the good day High...wish I didn't have to crash...I need a hug...but not from the Hug Whore...she wasn't at church today...I bet those boys were sad she was missing in action...heeheehee "Action" heeheehee...Those snickerdoodles were really good I'm glad I have a few more boxes...I get really bored on Sundays thus the baking and the eating of treats and the rambling on the blog...

I really hope you didn't just read all of that because it was mostly just to get it out of my brain. I should have just waited for a roommate to come home so I could ramble to her. Then only one person would have to suffer through it.

One Pretty Awesome Saturday

I have my share of bad days.  And most days are fine.  But every once in a while, you get a particularly awesome day.  Yesterday was one of those days for me.  Want to hear about it?  Too bad.  You're going to anyway. 

With the weather being less than wintery this season, and my schedule being less than accomodating, I hadn't been skiing yet.  I finally resolved that I would go this last Saturday, whether conditions were ideal or not(not exactly ideal because I did have a recital at 7:30 that night and I probably should have stayed home and practiced...oh well).  I even managed to find someone to come with me.  I imagine skiing by yourself is not much fun.  While it's not the most social activity, it's still more fun to have people with you.  So my friend, Dan, was nice enough to come and watch me struggle through my 2nd year(and only 7th time ever) of skiing.  He snowboarded, but was a really good sport and stayed nearby and even told me I was doing pretty well.  Actually, I did do MUCH better than I thought I would.  I remember falling down A LOT last year.  I only fell 4 times this trip and 2 of those were on the last run of the day.  And I tried embracing my inner speed demon(which is difficult for me because falling when I'm going that fast doesn't sound like fun...also, speed makes me feel out of control, and we all know about me control issues), and did pretty well. 

All-in-all, it was a really nice day of skiing.  The weather cooperated.  The company was great!  And I didn't make too much of a fool out of myself(try not to make too many embarrassing comments because Dan does read my blog...thanks guys).

After rushing home and going through a whirlwind routine of getting cleaned up and dressed up, I was off to the recital.  I had to play for about 10 students and then I was singing a song as well.  I really should have practiced my piano a little bit more.  But I'm glad I went skiing.

The recital was fantastic!  I sang "Someone Else's Story" from Chess.  And I was AWESOME!  My mom cried, my grandma cried, Cecily cried.  I didn't.  Which is probably good because I was singing.  But the reason they all cried was...well, look up the lyrics to the song.  You'll understand.  And know that I didn't choose the song.  Lee, Cecily's fill in for the last few weeks, picked it and he didn't know a whole lot about me.

Definitely a great day!  I'm excited for many more like it!

FINALIZED!!!

I was going to be patient and follow what the nice clerk told me at the court on Monday and wait until next Wednesday to call the court to see if the divorce is signed and finalized.  But last night, a thought occurred to me.  "I should call the court tomorrow.  You know, just in case."

Guess who drove to Farmington and picked up official copies of her SIGNED and CERTIFIED divorce decree?  Um...ME! 

That's right!  It's now official!  I'm single and back on the market!  I'm so excited to move on to the next phase of life.