All in a Day's Work

I am about to unearth probably one of the biggest secrets this country has come to know of. I know where Santa lives!!! Today, I was driving along minding my own business when I passed over a canal bridge in Rupert and there it was. Santa's House! It was in a big empty parking lot and I got a lot more excited than I probably should have upon seeing it. I mean, its not every day that you learn where Santa lives in the summer. I use the term 'summer' loosely here. It has indeed not been acting like summer.

Ok. Today marks the 18th day that I have worked at my job. That means that they were ready to give me more responsibility. My work friend and I got to empty the back of the trailer of grass!! That may not sound too exciting to just anybody, but to us grass mowers, thats something else.

look at that beautiful grass collection. the cows we feed it to love us 

and here I am post work. It is hard work looking that good for work everyday. I will attest to that. 

And lastly. If anyone is looking for something to buy me, here it is. 

who wouldn't love to snuggle up to that guy every night? Cutest pillow pet ever.

The Olden Days

My younger sister came limping and screaming into my aunt's house where my aunt and mom and myself were watching a documentary. She was carrying on like somebody had chopped her very leg off. After probably 5 minutes of inconsolable crying and screaming she got out a few sentences. She said that my other younger cousin said they were playing "The Olden Days" and in order to play you had to wear a skirt. My brothers were playing on a sort of a teeter totter wood pipe metal thing (thats the description we were given) and she lost her balance and fell off, trapping herself upside down hanging from her foot. It was a very dramatic experience. The thing that gets me is that they were playing 'The Olden Days'. Whatever happened to house or just playing in a tree?

Real Love

This little lovely note was slipped through the crack at the bottom of my door. The bottom says "Decode 10 1 18 5 4" which ironically spells out Jared in the alphabet. What a monster.

It's all in how you look at it.

Fuego!!

Today was quite the day. I was on my assigned lawn mower, Old Rickety. Well, as his loving name suggests, he is an old mower and I can be trusted with him because apparently I break things, and breaking him wouldn't be the end of the world. Anyway, so the battery on Ol' Rick wasn't holding a charge so I had to jump start it every single time we got to a new place. I had never jump started a mower before so this was a new thing for me. I got the jumper cables and I put them on what I thought was the right places. It started just great and I went to take the cables off the little screw things that it hooks on and no one told me that you weren't allowed to let the ends of those cables touch anything else and it touched a little screw on the battery and wouldn't you know... that thing started on fire. So I stood there panicking because I wasn't wearing gloves or anything to put that out, and you know, the lawn mower was on fire! Luckily, my boss was standing like 2 feet away and he just started laughing at me and grabbed the fire with his fingers and put it out. I was terrified, but luck would have it, no harm was done. Close call.

Breaking The Mold

This one's gonna be short because as sad as it is to admit, it's almost 10 and I have to get to bed. I will tell you what, I do not enjoy getting up so dang early for work! 6 am is not my idea of a fun time to wake up let alone go outside in the freezing cold world that is called Burley Idaho and work for 10+ hours. Today (thankfully) we got a little help from some sprayers. They couldn't spray today because it was too windy so we got 2 guys off their crew to come work with us for the day. Me and my friend of course went together and we took on the job of training the new guy in what to do. We goofed off all day and just had a great time. We tried to convert him to the mowing crew but he wouldn't be swayed. Oh well, at least we tried. Mowers and Sprayers can be friends. 

An Apple A Day

 Is it just me or are the dentist offices getting more creative in the post card reminders they send out? We got this little guy in the mail yesterday and I just thought that was too clever.

I saw this graphic tshirt in WalMart. Notice that a lot is spelled as alot. I don't know if that's a special Marilyn Monroe thing, but I was most definitely taught that it was - a space lot. Maybe I should go back to school.

Shawty Fire Burnin' on the Dance Floor

Today's set of adventures included a flat tire and a wandering sales man. A tire on one of the mowers was flat so me and my friend were instructed to take it to Maverik and blow it up. We drive over there and park the trailer in the back and half walk half ride the flat mower over to the air pump. A black man was sitting behind the store watching us and as we approached, he jumped up to help. Both me and my friend had our hoods on because it was windy and cold. When we finally reached the pump we thanked the man and started to pump some air in the tire. Our hoods came down as we prepared the tire. He looks at us and then takes a double take as he exclaims "OH! You two are just shawty's! You are just girls!" Yeah, we got called a "Shawty". He then asked us where our boss was and all these questions. He was appalled our boss (who is a guy) let us go off on our own. He kept emphasizing that us (being girls) shouldn't be working like this. I mean, I was driving the big truck pulling the 4 lawn mowers and other equipment, but I think there's no need for him to think we are incapable or anything! We tried to explain he was off doing other properties and we were doing other things and he wasn't making us work against our will or anything. We answered his next 20 questions quickly trying to get away and back to work. The following conversation occured:

Him- Are you wives? Where are your husbands?
Us- We're not married, we are just working a summer job.
Him- You own a house? You rent? You homeowners?
Us- No. We don't own a house.
Him- Where you live?
Us- With our parents.
Him- Hey, why don't you come on over back there. I got somethin to show ya.
Us- .... Hold on, we gotta put our lawn mower away.

We put the lawn mower in the back of the trailer, snapped the chains on and were out of there before he could see that we definitely were not going "over there" to see what he had to show us. Moral of that story... Don't hang out in the back alley of Maverik's and look out for those travelling salesmen. We think he was selling something door to door but we sure didn't hang around to find out.

New Things

The most exciting thing for me is getting new things. Today we got this baby

Technically it's not mine, and I'm not even allowed to use it. The oldest guy on our crew is in charge of navigating this little guy. Also, today I broke a lawn mower accidentally so I'm not exactly allowed to ride that one either. I blame the cemetery. No good happens there and this is the third time I've had a problem there. I vote we don't mow there but I don't actually get a say in it.

On a happier note, today my mom bought me this...

This was the most delectable cake I have ever eaten probably ever. The top had a creamy thick layer of frosting like stuff and then the cake was spongy and just so good. I definitely regretted eating it so fast because that was not my best idea today. 

Last story. Today I was listening to my ipod and since we spend a considerable amount of time sitting on a lawn mower, I listen to quite a few tunes. Don't Stop Believing by Journey came on and I jammed out to that for awhile. Then next song that came on was Don't Stop Believing by Glee. It made me smile to think that my ipod had those 2 songs competing against each other. It felt like they were trying to make me pick the better version or something... Ok I guess inanimate objects don't actually feel anything, but thats what it made me think of. Thats all. 

A Reunion. With Cookies

Today my very best friends came to my house. My favorite one is Cassie. Even though I am super rude to her. I don't know why I do that. It's rather dumb of me. I shall change that. Immediately. Also we made cookies this day. Delicious. Also graham crackers with frosting and sprinkles. Yum! Thanks momma! Also we learned about polar bears and CeeLo. Weirdos. Taylor misses her friend Bret also. Sad day. Cher got offended that she wasn't invited to the cookie making. I am such a rude child for not inviting her. Also I have been whining about my headache for a long time. Why don't I just get some drugs? I don't know. I don't think sometimes. P.S. I wish all of you could have seen my hair today!!! I mean talk about CUHRAZY!!!!! Haha, no but seriously it was out of control, and I wasn't up for the task of taking control back. Also, I have a golf glove on my floor. I don't golf, but it's still there...maybe I should start golfing now. No, probably not, I hear it's totes hard!!! Right now Cassie and Taylor are complaining about their roommates from college. It sounds like they totes magotes had a hard time with their roomies!!!! Maybe they should just be my roommate, I feel like that would be MUCH better for EVERYONE!!! As long as Cassie assumes the responsibility as the "mom" of the apartment, cuz she's like the mom of our friends anyway. She tries to deny it, but we all know it's true. But the most exciting thing that has happened to  me probably all year is that my best Taylor is here visiting me from Boise. She's my real favorite, not Cas. I totes have missed her since she left me for college. But I am going to come see her and live with her sometime this summer in her new apartment so she doesn't get all lonely and sad and stuff while she is there all by herself. But anyway, I love her a lot and she's my best friend ever. She makes my life worth living. Oh and Rihanna has a California King Bed. Alright, now that we have all of that out of the way, this is really me this time. Hope you enjoyed us.

Noah's Ark

I saw more animals today while I was mowing then I ever have in my life. Ok, slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. These animals were not alive. It started out mowing a church and I saw a bird right in the way of my perfectly straight mowed line, so I had to go pick it up...ew right? I get my gloves on and pick up the headless bird to move it out of my path. As soon as I did this, millions of worms dropped out of the head hole and in a frenzy started shaking and wiggling and squirming all over the bird parts left on the ground. I almost died I was so grossed out. That was the most disgusting thing I have seen in awhile. Then, I cross to the other side of the church and there were baby bird eggs smashed on the sidewalk with what used to be the baby bird hanging out on the sidewalk. Again, instant repulsion. THEN, as we were driving out of that place, I almost hit a dog. I was in the big rig (picture those big trucker dudes out on the highway that are always in the way...thats me) and I couldn't break very fast because we weigh like a lot... so he gets out of the way and we went on our way. Close call. Last church- mowing along and I look down and there is a stink bug the size of a baseball practically and its just hanging out in my way. So, naturally I run it over and hope I don't have to deal with that when I empty the grass out of the back. Gross gross gross.

Me and my friend that I work with were trusted with the truck to go off on our own and get properties done while my boss and the other worker do their own thing... We navigated American Falls like it was our job. We have learned quite a bit about this... 1st- people respect you when you are in a vehicle that big. We get the cowboys and the farmers that pass us and we get the "nod". The nod of approval. What a great feeling. 2nd- sending 2 sleep deprived 19 year olds out for a 3 hour drive is going to produce some crazy sing alongs... 3rd- Cones don't stand a chance against me...and I may have unintentionally hit some on the construction filled street. Whoops.

White Trash

We were making 2 different kinds of cookies and some cupcakes and the bowl for the mixer was dirty, so this was the alternative. Washing the bowl would just be too easy. :)

Rainy Days

We had a rain day at work so I didn't have to go in. It was the most exciting part of my day, therefore I am blogging about it. After spending the day in Twin Falls with my bests and my mom, the rest of the day has been pretty relaxed. I'm hurrying through this so I can go to bed soon! Yeah, it's 7:30... I decided becoming a working woman has actually turned me into a 60 year old grandmother.

It's been raining for the majority of the day, so naturally dirt turns into mud. I was trying to come down my aunt's steep mud driveway and somehow managed to slip off the driveway and half into the ditch/field. The van was tilted at such an angle I was afraid if I tried to move the car would flip. In a panic I called my aunt and my uncle came to the rescue and towed me. Yeah, story boring I know...welcome to my life.

Only Babies Belong at the Hospital

It would appear that I have enough stories from work to write a book. Today, I had an accident with a trash bag and a beer bottle. We finished mowing and were going around the church picking up trash when I encountered a broken beer bottle. I picked up all the pieces and put them in my trash bag and went on my way. As I was walking back to my lawn mower to drive back to the truck, I swung the trash bag, which then hit me in the back of my leg. I felt like something had hit me in the leg and when I looked, my jeans looked fine. I took a step and knew I was, in fact, not fine. I lifted up my pant leg and the blood started flowing. The broken bottle had cut my leg deep enough to need stitches but small enough that I could ride back to the truck to tell my boss. He said I could either go get stitches or try to put a bandaid on it. My mom came and super glued it together and butterfly bandaided it so I wouldn't bleed to death. She said if I was going to be on a work crew I had to be tough. Only babies go to the hospital.

Accidents

Today, we had a lot of work to do because it might rain this week and that would set us back a few days (we can't work when it rains). So, we were going all over town working as fast as we could. We get to the cemetery and spent a significant amount of time there. I was mowing pretty fast and not really paying as much attention as I should have. I accidentally bumped a tombstone and it toppled over (not very far to the ground, it was fine). I tried to pick it up only to find it weighed about 250 pounds! I quickly called over my friend who was working with me to see if she could help me lift it up before our boss saw me and yelled at me. We pushed and pulled and lifted with all our might and after about the 3rd try we got it back on the stand. Moral of the story... tombstones weigh a LOT. Watch out for them.

Perspective

A couple of years ago, I taught myself to eat both left and right handed just in case something happened to my right hand. It comes in handy quite often. I found myself eating some ice cream in my room and I needed my right hand to operate my computer, so the left hand just came in handy. This has completely no relevance to anything important, I just wanted to share.

Left at the Cow

Today I gave someone instructions that went something like this:

"Go about 5 miles, turn right, and when you see the cows its on your right."

Only in Burley can you use cows as a landmark....well Burley, Texas and Wyoming and you know, cow places.

Living on the Sun

I don't think enough people feel bad about the fact that I wake up at 6 every morning and don't get done with work till 6 or 7 at night. That is called a 12 hour day ladies and gentlemen. The first day, I was a little eager to get that suntan on, and I completely fried my whole entire body. I'm not talking about a little pool side burn, I'm talking full out sizzle. My neck and arms received the brunt of the scorching rays, so I have been a little on the cautious side these days. Today I mowed with a sweatshirt on and didn't take that baby off till the sun went down. My friend tells me I have become a proficient sleeper on our long trips. I was out before we hit the highway and woke up an hour and a half out of town. That is how I like to travel. Ok, so I realize this is kind of like a play by play of what I did today, but I really don't have any other earth shattering news to share with the world, so this is what you get. Enjoy.

Body Parts

Tonight, my brother and I were going over what our body parts were named. We got elbow, knee, shoulder, etc. I asked him what his lower leg was. He didn't know so I told him calf. I then asked what his upper leg was called. He looked at me, thought about it, and said "my horse?" hahahaha oh Eli. You kill me.

Back to School

Today I went to Jr. High Orientation. Let me tell you, that was the highlight of my day. A couple of the teachers remembered me (from 6 years ago) and all the little kids thought I was the coolest. It was a great feeling knowing that I am done with that checkpoint in my life.

Also, now that I am back at home, my life is so much more boring than my college life. I literally had to sit here for a minute to think if anything noteworthy happened to me today...this next month full of blog posts could be interesting. Stay tuned.

Moving Day

As the title suggests, today I am leaving. I have been counting down since day 78 and it felt like it was NEVER going to get here. My room is in a state of disaster. I have everything everywhere. So instead of making sure I'm ready, I sit here blogging and Facebooking of course. I am nothing if not a proficient procrastinator. As a last goodbye to this little town, my friends and I have been running around town completing fun things until we all say goodbye for who knows how long. This was last nights adventure.

She was blowing bubbles all over the place as I was trying to pack up. Helpful kid. 

This delicious little guy reminded me of why I don't go to Maggie Moo's very often...too tempting to eat everything there. 

super yum.

Well Cedar City, it's been fun. Thanks for a year of smiles, tears, and adventures.

Mr. Golden Sun

Today I fell asleep in the sun. When I woke up, I was super disoriented, really really hot, and unsure for a second where I was. Also, it looked like someone punched me in the face because I fell asleep on my hand. That was a fun thing to explain. But on the plus side, I finished a final and only have one more tomorrow!!

Since I only have exactly 24 more hours in this place, I have been doing a little packing here and there. Firstly, how the heck did I accumulate this much stuff??? Second, where am I going to put it when I get home? My parents tell me that currently I don't even have a room to move into. Cool. As excited as I am to go home, I feel like someone should come pack for me. I do everything else by myself, so I think its someone else's turn for once.

The Things I Learned

As I am preparing to leave Cedar City in 2 days, I am reminiscing about the good days. I learned a thing or two while I was here.

    WalMart-bless its soul- is my now least favorite grocery store. I can't wait to go home to other options.


    Despite having 2 classes on Friday, with a whole weekend to study, just about anybody can and will wait to start homework at 8 pm Sunday night.


     Moving into college automatically reverts you to age 4...Seriously. Since I've been here, my diet has consisted of cereal and yogurt, I regularly color, I've played on a children's playground more than once, I take naps just about every day, and skipping is a perfectly acceptable way to walk. 


   The deliciousness of easymac is directly proportional with the hour of night. The later it gets, the better it tastes. (3am- oh man, this is the best thing I've EVER tasted!! 3pm- ugh, why am I eating this cardboard and cheese flavored glue in a packet??)


    No matter how delicious the dining hall looks (ice cream, hamburgers, endless pasta) after 10 weeks, you WILL get sick of it. 


    If you see something weird here (kids dressed in weird animal costumes, unicycles, sword fights, random professions of love, etc) just keep walking. Its SUU. Weird is normal here. 


   11pm on the weekends is considered "early". At home I'm usually up till 1 or 2, but around here as soon as its 11, I'm in my PJ's ready for bed.  


    Appreciate good food when you can get it. There is an endless amount of love I feel for my relatives or friends' parents who make me home cooked meals. 


    The 5 second rule automatically becomes the 5 minute rule. This negatively effects the cleanliness of any floor. 


   Being poor is cool. Everyone is doing it.