Your chance to convince us: Should we stay or should we go?

Maria and I have been in a bit of a house hunt this last week. The ideas was spurred by a friend of ours who mentioned at church Sunday that we should buy her neighbors house. Unfortunately with owning the condo and not being able to sell it for what we owe on it we can not afford her neighbors house. We have since looked at several homes and have not found exactly what we want, where we want it, and for what we want to pay. Yesterday I went with our realtor, Shannon (who we love and adore and will refer to anyone!) and registered at some new build sales offices in Queen Creek...

I loved some of the homes and think Maria will too which scares me just a bit. I don't want to live in QC and dread the thought of commuting. Our gas expense will double or triple and our time on the road will be horrible. But... I can get a 2,400 square foot home for less than $175,000!!! (with $10,000 - $12,000 in incentives)

Some of the pros and cons that I see are:

Pros:
- Big home for little money
- Closer to John & Kelly, Lara and Todd, Jennifer, Mike & Sarah, my parents new home, and others

Cons:
- Queen Creek
- The long drive
- Close to the above mentioned people (distance is good sometimes)
- Gas prices
- Requires more time away from Davis (40hrs a week at work and 10 hours a week going and coming from work)
- Far from friends here in town (Katy & Lyle, Carrie & Tim, our wonderful ward, and of course Rod, Rob and Robert AKA Bobby, Buddy & Doc)

We have some ideas how we can take and turn some of the cons into pros (i.e. leave a vehicle parked at condos and carpool in and out to QC) but need some more ideas, convincing thoughts(to stay in town or go to QC), and want to hear from you on the situation.

What do you think we should do and why?

Kickin It With Baby Davis

Today we had our second ultra sound. Davis wasn't very cooperative in that he was face down so we couldn't see his many of his features. However, they were able to get some great pictures of his heart and spleen and stuff. It was amazing to see him moving his little arms and legs around. Tuesday we had an appointment with the Dr. Mcneal and when she tried to listen to his heart with the heart monitor he kept doing round house kicks that would block the sound of his heart.

Davis has been so active lately and is swimming around like a little fish. Jake was actually able to feel him kick for the first time on Monday. That isn't an actual picture of Davis, but it kind of freaks me out at what could come.

Jake has been so amazing. I came home yesterday and the whole house was clean and sparkling. I just spoke to him on the phone a few minutes ago and he was at Kirsten's house cleaning their kitchen so he and Kirsten could go and look at houses. I must be the luckiest woman alive to have such a great husband.

Looking for Renters

Maria and I are considering buying a house. We have looked at several and are amazed at how much house you can get for your money these days. In order to purchase a home we need to rent our condo!!

This poster is looking for single women to rent the rooms separately but we are also willing and able to rent the condo to couples or small families. If you know of anyone looking to rent let us know.

If you can't think of someone you could still assist us by doing one (or more) of the following: (Chris you started all this we expect a lot from you :) )

• - Cut, Copy and Post this poster on your blog asking your friends the same as above.
• - Mention it in a post and create a link to our blog or poster
• - Print a copy of the poster and hang it up at a Institute Building, College or University, singles ward bulletin board or any where else someone interested might see it.
• - Ask friends and family if they are looking for a place or know of someone looking for a place to live.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Life Skills: Leaving Your Husband

When I got to the office today and opened my internet browser to MSN I found this disturbing article headline. I can't say that it shocked me though seeing first hand the world we live in. It is a sad realization that divorce is so common and so easy, a neighbor said yesterday that years of marriage can be terminated usually in 30-60 business days depending on the court house. It's a sad sign of the times...

The Kirsty Special @ Arizona Hair Co

Would it be worth it?

As you all know I currently work for Gledix Technologies. One of several of my responsibilities is managing our web-site projects. The actual construction of the site is done out of the office by a third party who we have subcontracted to do that and I am the intermediary between client and customer.

My boss, as an effort to keep me motivated, has offered to pay a commission on top of my regular hourly rate on every site I sell (it is not a percentage based commission as to not tempt me to increase our customer's cost).

I have toyed around with the idea of advertising our Premium Web Design services on the back window of my car with the hopes to find more customers. Maria was sceptical to the idea (as expected) but I have nearly convinced her to go for it.

What do you think? Should I place an ad similar to either of the ones shown on the back window of my car? Do you think it would be an effective way of advertising these services? Any other suggestions?

PS It will be made out of vinyl and wont damage the car and can be removed if/when necessary, and the black area will be the tinted window itself.

Stay tuned...

I forgot to mention in either of my posts yesterday that Maria and I made it home safely from our cruise (I am sure that was assumed) and that we had a great time. Rodney and I took several pictures on the ship that I will have to post once I get them from him and a few in Ensenada when the four of us met up. Maria and Jen did not get any on the ship but that was in part due to me not getting Maria's birthday present due to some coupon and gift card issues at Best Buy (man I hate that store!). We'll give more info and post some pics soon.

Random note of appreciation.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me with my parents. I was nineteen and only days away from leaving on my mission. The context and the moment in time really represents to me who my parents are and what they have and continue to do for me. They have been so supportive as I have gone to school, on a mission and continue to support me as I work to begin my own family. I don't tell them often enough how much they mean to me and how appreciative I am for them.
My dad is so friendly, level headed, and easy going that it is hard for me at times to believe that he is a part of this often times drama filled family. I rarely talk to him and the conversations we do have are generally short and to the point but I know that he loves me and I love him too. He has and continues to work hard to support his family and is a all around good man.


My mom is well... my mom, and everyone who knows her knows that she would be willing to give all she has to help others. We have been known to butt heads on nearly a daily basis. I am grateful that even if we differ in opinion and argue a lot that it always starts fresh the following day and that no grudges or hard feelings are held for long periods of time. Its a unique relationship and although it has probably caused a great deal of stress on both parts I can hardly imagine it any differently. Even though I almost always disagree with her (sometimes only because I have a long history of doing so), I always ask and listen to her opinion on most important decisions.


Thanks to both of you for all that you do.

Ostracized for my Absentmindedness.

Yesterday at work I was talking on the phone with Maria when I was ambushed by the sudden urge to blow up the porcelain pony. Without getting off the phone I positioned myself and released. The resulting birth of absolute horror and stench filled the small office bathroom and I washed my hands and grabbed my keys, set the alarm and headed home. (Did you notice the missing element in that process?)

This morning I when I came into the office I was met at the door with a slap to the face of odor. I turned off the alarm and began to investigate first looking over at the trash can. Looking over my shoulder at the trash can as I walked towards the bathroom I realized that I had a much larger issue on my hands than spoiled trash.

I entered the bathroom and learned what I had forgot to do the night before . . . Flush!! I quickly flushed, three times, and ran through the office with air freshener to mask the odor. I scrubbed the toilet and left the Clorox cleaner in the bowl to bleach it white again. I ran a second time through the office with the aerosol can of summer flowers and hoped that would suffice.

Moments later as I sat at my desk, Mike, the first of my co-workers to arrive, entered the office and exclaimed "man you got to do that at home!!" Thoroughly embarrassed and laughing I told him what had happened and he said "I'm outta here." and left.

So here I sit, alone.

Why I wouldn't start my own business

One of my self appointed responsibilities at my job is to produce marketing materials. I was not hired to do this and shortly after being hired I elected to do it. I started by updating some forms and then moved my way into brochures, postcards, and business cards. When my boss decided to begin a newsletter he asked me to put it together and mail it out. Recently one of our customers had asked my boss who he has do the the newsletter and my boss explained that it is done in-house. That customer called me today and asked if I would be willing to do his newsletter on the side. I was so excited until the over-the-phone interview started. He asked if I had a degree in graphic design... no, he then asked if I have any formal education in graphic design...no, he then said that he is looking for someone with a bit more education!!!

Why is education, rather than finished product used as a measure of ones abilities? He liked my work but because I don't have a piece of paper that says I had been educated in creating that piece of work he wont contract me? I can create a piece of paper that says I was educated enough to make his newsletter.

Anyway, the conversation led me to think of a comment from my co-worker. He has a friend, who I know well, who is looking into possibly beginning a web design company and suggested that I work for him. I started thinking of what I would call the business if I had the opportunity to do so. I really like the name of the company I work for now because it includes a part of the owner's family name but is not egotistical enough to only name it after his family name (Gledix Technologies vs. Gledhill Technologies). I then thought about doing the same with my last name which made me laugh because I could picture the possible lawsuit that would follow should I start a website or web design business called www. boydix .com or www. boylix .com!!! (spaces were added to avoid creating an actual link that just may lead to such a site) I was driving at the time and must have looked like an idiot as I laughed out loud by myself. When I got back to the office I told my boss about my company name woes and he had a good laugh too.

Difficulties at the pump!

Everyone is aware of and discussing the fact that gas prices have risen by alarming rates and don't appear to be slowing any time soon. I have heard that gas could be upwards of $8 per gallon come the new year. This dramatic increase is effecting everyone in various ways. From the cost of food to employment. One effect that is being overlooked, not getting media coverage and causing a great deal of stress for me personally... getting the pump to stop on an even number.

I enjoy getting the dial to stop on $35.00 even or any other even amount. Not too long ago you could pull the pump trigger several times and only increase a cent or two and now I can barely tap it and I am spitting a dime's worth of gas into the tank.

The price of gas is killing me!

A stresslessful weekend

Last week was pretty rough on Maria. She says that work, school, and life has become much like the movie Groundhogs Day. Thursday night after work we went to dinner with Josh and Kirsten and then were deciding if we wanted to go to a movie or take a dip in the pool. Maria was not too excited about either and just went home and read. Knowing that she was stressed, depressed, and all other forms of __ressed I decided to try and give her a bit of an escape.

I called my mom and asked if she could get us good rates on a resort using her time-share-what-not and she did. We got a two room, two bath, 1,100 square foot vacation home in Scottsdale for a screamin' good deal. To sweeten the deal we sublet the second room to friends one night and family the second and were able to give them a really good deal while lessening our out of pocket expense a bit.

Although I did not entirely meet my goal of providing a stress free weekend for Maria (me and stress have a hard time avoiding each other) we did have a great time and I think Maria enjoyed it.

Maybe I, or some of you, can convince her to blog and share her point of view.

Finally finished...

Last night and this morning before work I was able to finish Jen's bag. In high school I had no desire and no "customers" wanting or asking for female accessories (cluthces, purses, aprons, etc). They have posed new challenges and have been fun to do. Jen said she wanted the same dark brown that Kirsten's apron was made out of. After going to Wal-Mart I brought home several new colors including this fleshy tan color. Maria thought Jen would like the lighter brown more so as a compromise I did a two tone bag. The bag is lighter and the fold over flap is dark. (I can do it all dark or light if you don't like it Jen)
The inside and the under side of the strap has a pink, textured fabric. It is actually some sheets or curtains that Josh and Kirsten found on clearance somewhere and is the same fabric used to upholster our dining room chairs (don't worry no one has ever sat on your bag).
The shape of the bag was a fun challenge too. Manipulating the tape to create a smooth circle shape at the bottom that squares off at the top and leads into the strap was a lot of fun.

I don't know if this is truly a talent or a waste of time but I am enjoying it (for now). I only worry that Maria is going to feel like a duct tape widow.

Never a dull moment with Rod Dawg!

I am not a big fan of the shout outs on blogs, but I am feeling the need to this time. Today is Rodney's 25th Birthday. Rodney and I have been friends for a number of years and it is all the result of a Big Hunk candy bar. Rodney was new to our school freshman year and never said a word. One day I had went to the snack bar and bought a Big Hunk bar and as I walked back to the table where my friends were sitting I saw Rod by himself eating his lunch and reading a book. I sat down at his table and asked if he would like to sit with us, he turned me down but did ask what I was eating. After finding out that he had never had the bar of nougaty and nutty heaven on earth I went and bought him one and the rest is history.

Me, Rodney, and Rob posing before a school dance (yes those are white suspenders and yes I am embarrassed)

Rod the Almighty


Couldn't hardly wait to try out their new Christmas gift.

Known to have a deep thought or two.

Best man and friend.

Happy Birthday Rod!

Summer Cruisin'

Last November Maria and I went on a cruise to Ensenada Mexico. We enjoyed the trip and the experience so much that we are doing it again... just a bit unconventional.

Maria's cousin Jen was interested in going on a cruise and it is cheaper to do it by couples (spit the cost of the state room). I suggested that Maria go with her cousin and that opened the door for me to ask to go to Seattle with my friends in August.

As their cruise got closer and they began to get documents in the mail I began to get a bit jealous. Maria suggested that I find a friend to come with us and the four of us would go. Luckily I had just the friend in mind.

Rodney is always up for an adventure and this seemed to be right up his alley. I talked him into changing his requested vacation time and with his manager's approval I began to look for tickets.

Friday night I found some tickets but they were a bit more than what I had told Rod they would be. Sunday I ran the cost by him and he said that wouldn't be a problem. I got back on the computer and found that they were sold out!! I called and they told me that they were in fact completely sold out.

Disappointed I told Rod and that put an end to our trip...

If that were the case I would not be blogging about it.

Maria called me at work days later and had found a possible solution. She told me it was a bit far-fetched but that it might work. Another cruise line has a ship setting sail the same day from the same LA port at the same time headed for the same destination.

I told Rodney and he said he was game, so we are all four sailing to Ensenada, on two different ships, next weekend.

Works in Progress

Kirsten models her apron of duct tape. It is not quite finished just yet, I need to add a pocket in the front and the tie straps to the side. Kirsten chose the brown duct tape and had Josh cut out a little birdy for the front. I am also working on finishing Jennifer's purse. I have not seen her from the Sunday night when all this madness began and so I was not able to ask what she wanted exactly and am hoping she likes what I've made. Right now it is all gray but I will soon cover it in a colored duct tape of Jennifer's choice. It too has a metal snap on the flap to hold it shut like Maria's clutch.
I am trying my best to finish what I have started before continuing on with other projects. I know Aunt Ogie has asked for a wallet or purse and so has Megan and hopefully I can get those ones out some time in the near future. Should I decide to start selling these I expect all of you who got freebies to be salesmen for me!

Oh and I almost forgot the hairline for Ian, that might be a bit tuff though-- not much to work with. I'll see what I can do.

Making up our minds.

I have been ready and waiting to find out the sex of the baby to begin work on painting the room, buying bedding and furniture, etc. After finding out that we were going to have a boy we began to look around and talk about different ideas but were unable to materialize any of them because everything is so expensive and we are saving money for vacations this summer. This weekend that all changed though due to a very generous gift from an anonymous donor (thanks mom).

You would think that it would be smooth sailing now that we know the sex and have a little money but it's not so. Maria and I for the life of us cannot agree on anything! When we couldn't buy anything we were both very agreeable but know neither of us want to compromise and pull the trigger on any decision. Yesterday we looked at possibly hundreds of crib beds set at Target, Baby Depot, Babies-R-Us, and several sites online can't decide.

Maria willingly admits that she has a hard time seeing the whole picture upfront. Almost always she gives me crap about different ideas but comes around in the end. I can usually see the whole picture but have difficulty explaining it to her in the beginning. We both essentially want the same colors (red, blue, tan, orange, green) but can't settle on a print.

Here are some of the ones we like, what do you think?