My *Fantastic* Night

I had a great night last night! (Yes. I am using a sarcastic tone there.) Why, you ask? Some idiot broke into my car yesterday and stole my stereo out of my dashboard. I saw the glass on the ground and thought it kind of odd. Opened the door, put my purse on the passenger seat, and looked to my right to put my key in the car and saw that my car was ripped apart. I wasn't even all the way in the car. I still had my foot touching the ground. I turned around and sat there. One minutes later I called my dad. He didn't answer. I left a message. Four minutes later I called my mom. She was already on her way because she and Dad were going to a dinner downtown. I got out of the car and closed the door and leaned against the front light to wait for Mom. She called the police. An officer came twenty minutes or so later. (Traffic was at rush hour.) Meanwhile I looked, didn't touch, to see what other damage they did. They broke the little window on the driver's side to get in. Nothing else was stolen or broken. I took photos with my camera. When the officer came she took pictures, looked around, put gloves on and looked in the car. She had me open the trunk to see if anything was stolen from in there. I laughed. I don't keep anything in the trunk except of the ice scraper (during the summer). I opened so she could see. She smiled. Ice scraper still there. Carpet spotless from the other day when i vacuumed the car. "That's a really clean trunk," she said. She had to call her Sargent to come and bring the finger print kit. He took another twenty minutes. Finally, he got there and they lifted prints from the inside door handle. There is a little black box that fills the extra space where the stereo is and they got some good prints off that. But that could have been from the installers. The police took that for evidence. Oh, and the police also took the cigarette butt that the guy left in my cup holder. (It's not mine. I don't smoke.) Today I plan on calling Techna Glass to get an estimate on the window. And I woke up in a bad mood still so I'm wearing my red dress and heels. It makes me happy.

And here are some pictures ...

Book Quote

I was reading Emma this morning and I found a funny quote. Mr. Knightley was talking to Mrs. Weston about Emma's reading habits, or lack thereof. He stated:

"She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding."

(Page 32; line nine)

It's so true!! Reading does require work and patience. lol. And as for "a subjection of the fancy to the understanding" I find that rather easy. To let my mind wander in another time, another place, other people's lives. It's fantastic! Reading is so relaxing to me. Even while reading Jane Austen, whom I find somewhat difficult to read and actually grasp picture and interest until well into the story. Austen's books are very well written and they challenge my vocabulary and mind. I love it! I haven't been this stimulated from a book since I read Les Misérables last year. It's nice to be challenged and relaxed at the same time. lol.

Red High Heels

See my pretty red shoes! I bought them from Kohl's last night. I am wearing them right now and they make me smile. They are the first pair of colored shoes I own. They are apt. 9 Kendal Dress Heels in red, obviously. They also come in black. I love them!

Our American Flag

Flag Folding Procedures and Symbols

Although there are no Flag Code provisions requiring any particular method, the traditional method of folding the flag is outlined here.

Tradition also sets the meaning of the flag folds along with actual program for folding the flag.


Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.


Fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view. (A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time.)


A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge.


The outer point is then turned inward, parallel with the open edge, to form a second triangle.


The diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked (three corner) hat.

Meaning of Flag Folding Program

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

Symbols for the folds of the Flag

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance, of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

See original site.

Laptop Musings

So since I have been getting more into my photography I have wanted to buy a laptop to do editing on and to store them and such. I also wanted to be able to blog everyday. So therefore I would need an Internet connection, which isn't hard to get nowadays. lol. I have looked at NewEgg to just browse through their selection of computers and I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm not a computer geek and know exactly what size memory I should get and what the CPU should be. I may sound like I do but that's what you get for having nerdy friends and four brothers who love video games. I have no idea what I'm talking about. lol. Anyways, what I want in layman's terms ... a small laptop with a full keyboard (that includes the numbers keypad on the right; I use that a lot), light in weight, color: green or white or red (white being my first choice, green being my second choice), enough space for all of my photos in raw form and edited form, fast Internet capabilities, a webcam (not required but I think that would be fun), Windows Microsoft Office (I don't really want to use something other then Microsoft Office, as that is what I have always used), and I suppose I could tell you more if I was asked the right questions. Off the top of my head that's what I got. I don't really care about who makes the computer. I don't care if Hewlett Packard or ASUS makes the computer I just want one that will last me a few years with a company that I can trust.

Camera Lenses and NM

So I have been thinking about getting another lens for my camera. I can't really decide on which one. I really love macro photos and love attempting them with my current lens. I could do so much more with a macro lens. I was also thinking about a wide-angle lens. I've heard that they are really nice to shoot ... well, wide-angle photos. lol. I also was thinking about getting some sort of zoom lens. I was thinking that would be fun. You know what would be nice if there was some sort of zoom/macro lens. I would buy that. I think I am going to get a macro lens since I love close-up shots so much. I don't know if I'll be able to get one before I go to New Mexico but that would be really fun if I could. Canon lenses are really expensive but so worth it.

Irritation

I am just so tired today. I don't know why. I really didn't want to come to work today. It's not even noon and I really just want to be somewhere else right now. What I really want is to not be in Utah. I have half a mind to take a weekend road trip somewhere. Any one want to come? Maybe I'll go crash at Chad and Amber's place (with your permission, of course) for the weekend. Even though they just live in Provo I think it might do me good to be away from my parent's. And they can't tell me I can't take the car because it is now solely mine. As soon as I write them a check it will be mine , at least. Which I could do any time they want. I really want to go see Jon in Mew Mexico. That would take nearly 12 hours of driving. I really don't want to take that long of a road trip right now. I want to spend a few days down there not a few hours. So that trip will have to wait for a bit. (If I go at all it will be in June sometime.) This morning I wanted to be there soaking up the sun and relaxing. But this irritation I feel is just not helping my un-relaxed state of mind right now. I want sun, Doctor Who (David Tennant in any form would be nice), and a few days off so I can drive to New Mexico. lol. The more I think about going and seeing Jon, whom I actually haven't seen in ten years, nor spoken on the phone to, the more I think about that trip the more my resolve not to go breaks down. Yes, Jonathan, you read that right. I didn't know if I wanted to see a complete stranger. Hence the sleeping arrangements ... but I feel that I can trust you. Look at what my non-stop giggling is doing to me. I want to come and get to know you face-to-face. But I really think I should wait. But the weather is so nice down there. It was 86 degrees there yesterday, right. I bet lots of sun and great vistas. I miss New Mexico's great vistas and sunsets. And now that I'm older and know how to handle my camera I have wanted to go photograph some place cool. After seeing Becker's blog about Santa Fe I really wanted to go back and see New Mexico. But that doesn't change the present. Anyone have any ideas on how to get this stupor of thought and feeling to go away? I just want to cuddle up in some one's arms and cry. I really feel like I could cry right now. Life is bogging me down with nothing. I feel like this storm, or lack of storm, is keeping my life from going anywhere. I own a car. Whoopee. It's about the only thing I have going for me. I don't know whether or not I am moving out of my parent's house or not. I need money in order to do that. So from now on nearly all of my paychecks will be going into savings. Maybe by July I'll have found a decent place to move into. That would be nice. But I feel like I have been thinking to far beyond the now. I don't want to live in Utah for the rest of my life therefore I don't want to date anyone here. Besides all the Mormon boys here are way to preppy. I have never liked the culture here verses outside of Utah. If I had a choice I would have stayed in New Mexico or Colorado. I feel like I have been suffocating here. Especially living at my grandparent's house the first year or two. That was crazy. I had two sets of parents. I feel as if I have made little progress toward my own happiness in the three years since I have lived in Utah. I thought things would change but they aren't. I have tried to be happier and change the way I think about my situation but some days, like today, I just feel like crying. I just want to be happy and loved and cuddled. Nothing more then that.

If you read all of that I am sorry. But like I said I'm not having a very good morning.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Remember to love the planet you walk upon and trust in it's heart. Take care of our dear home. Enjoy the outdoors and life and love everyone the way you want to be loved.

Tulips

I love tulips! They are my favorite flower, next to cala lilies. They are elegant and gorgeous. I love black tulips. They are very hard to find because they are quite rare. Saturday morning I was watching a garden show in which the focal point of the garden was a old stone vase. The gardener had planted tulips around the base and they showed a shot in the springtime when all the flowers were in bloom. I wanted a bouquet of tulips from that point on. So I went to Walmart and looked and they didn't have a very large selection of tulips. I then went to Smith's but they didn't carry any tulips at all. Yesterday, I got to the point of driving down to Albertson's, which is far away from my house, and looked at their tulip selection. I love the selection there. They have a whole bunch of colors and the flowers look healthy. I bought three bouquets of five flowers each. They smell really good and make me smile every time I look at them.

Easter Fun

Brian didn't know what to put on his first eggs so he made a bird's nest. lol. It's pretty ingenious.

Brian and his alien egg. The alien's eyes are really thick glow-in-the-dark crayon. And it really does glow-in-the-dark!

Eric being a dork. lol.

Eric's eggs. Can you tell his an artist?

My batch of eggs. I like my Yoshi egg (the green one with white dots).

But I love my bright red egg. It took forever to make it that red. lol.



Chad can be so egotistical sometimes. lol. Just kidding, Chad. You know I love you.