A Few Days Overdue

My apologies. I haven't written anything for a while for a few reasons haha. I always intend to write in the mornings before work, but I never seem to be motivated to do so. I procrastinate and push it to Friday/Saturday, because I get off work about two in the afternoon. But honestly, all I want to do after work is take a nap and relax. My last option is Sundays, after church, which I had planned on doing!...But I never do. So here I am, well overdue on a post, attempting to get this all in before taking off to work. Likelihood of that happening? Close to none.

Anywho, a few have been curious as to how work is going for me, since it is obviously not the most desired job in the world. (; But nevertheless, it is going well! I haven't had a sale since, but at least I am still being paid haha. The funny thing is, we started out with four girls when I was hired; I am now the only girl left. One was given a different position, another quit, and the other was fired. (People are often fired in this job, we go through a lot of people). However, I am kicking butt, and my district manager plans on holding on to me for as long as they can. Girls tend to have an advantage over male canvassers, but only if they know how to use it to their advantage. Anywho, this is basically what we're all about: Solar!

Get home late from work? No problem for Brooklyn! She still wants to brush my hair and take pictures.

What happens when Brooklyn asks to use my iTouch? All sorts of random, interesting pictures! (;

More Lanny time with Brook! I think Brooklyn has noticed that Sam really enjoys falling asleep to Trista drawing on his back, so she asked if someone would draw on her. It started out with me drawing something on her leg, and then she would draw her interpretation of the same thing on her leg. First I drew a puppy, then she drew her puppies. Then I just did a random doodle, and then she did her own random doodle:

Then I wrote "Lanny (heart)'s Brooklyn" in cursive, and she insisted writing "Brooklyn" in her own style of cursive on MY leg haha.

I apologize for just the random pictures without really having a timeline, but I really don't know everything that has gone on in the last couple of weeks haha. I really just spend my weekdays at work and then my weekends at home. A couple weekends ago I went to dinner with my friend, Danny, whom I've mentioned before. We went and ate Italian downtown, and then I had my first try at lacrosse! Danny only had one stick, but another one and a ball "magically" showed up under a park table. Thank you, Ethan Pyle, another ward friend! Haha.

This last weekend was also a huge blast! The Oakland temple is closed until late July/early August, so we're unable to go. However, many of us liked the idea of taking as little trip and going to the Sacramento temple! So off we went! Danny, Kelsey Lomas, Ethan Pyle, Steven Perry, and I all went together; let me tell you, we are a fun group haha. Kelsey and I have decided we would make hilarious roommates. Ethan and Danny are pretty talented at beat-boxing, so they enjoyed making beats to Backstreet Boys haha. In our car, Kelsey was the designated dancer, Steven was our drums/snapping/etc, Ethan would beat-box, I would sing main vocals, and Danny would harmonize. We were pretty legit, and we made the Aladdin song, "A Whole New World" sound crazy! Haha. Anywho, we all enjoyed our time at the temple, as we met up with the other groups going. (:

The Sacramento temple!

Kelsey and I, the exercise phys majors.

Jessica Schuler and I. She is the most outgoing, sweet gal ever. Always having a good time and bringing her 2-year old sister to church. (;

Again, her and I.

An extremely blurry picture of our group after our session.

This gal is Elena Samuels. She is honestly like another sister to me. She's graduated from BYU and working, but she misses the whole school thing, so she's planning on going back for her masters. She doesn't seem much older than I am (possibly because she's about 5 foot haha), and we get along like no other. We are hoping to go river rafting and camping late August, right before heading back to school. She is absolutely incredible!

And then we all went out to a late-night diner and celebrated a birthday!

WHEW! The last couple of days have been good, and I'm looking forward to being paid this Friday! Whoots! Taking off for work now! Loves!

Nineteen Years in Waiting...

As most of you know, it is my big sista's birthday today! She is turning a whole whoppin' ...23! (; Baha. Alright, maybe not, but whatever. Aside from that matter, I feel the need to mention my wonderful sister before I begin anything about my typical week. (However, I'm sure you're all just DYING to know how work went...Uh-huh. Right.)

I'm not gonna lie, when I think of my childhood, gleeful moments of Trista and I are not the first ones to come to mind. The memories that come to mind are more like playing Barbies and dogs, hitting baseballs in the backyard, swimming in the canal, and climbing/swinging from the huge tree out back the old house. None of these necessarily have Trista, though, sadly. But then again, I doubt Trista really enjoyed watching her annoying baby sister haha. But who can blame us? She is the oldest; I am the youngest. We've been raised in the same house, but we've had different experiences growing up. We didn't necessarily grow up "together".

It has been 19 years. NINETEEN years it has taken me to finally build one of those sister relationships everyone else talks about. No, we don't hug and kiss one another on the cheek, and no, we don't sit around doing each others' nails. That's just not how we roll haha. However! We do have a ball painting our toes with Brooklyn and letting her do our nails on occasion. Anywho, I was never totally sure if I could even keep a casual conversation going with just Trista and I when I was younger, and before spending my summer here, I don't know if I could even before this! Haha. That is honestly the saddest part. I think it was simply because before I went to college or anything, we had never been exactly on the same "life level", whether that was maturity or experiences or whatever else. Not a whole lot in common due to our age differences. It took me a little while to realize that now, we could relate a bit better. I first realized this a day or so after I got home from school, preparing to take off with Trista a couple days later. I walked into the kitchen to find Trista doing dishes (this is of no surprise to me now, no worries, Mom and Dad, she does it anywhere haha). She was about to attempt putting some type of meat that was now purple, green, and mossy down the chewy. She began gagging horridly, and I certainly can't blame her. It was pretty awful haha. I swear if she smelled that stuff for two seconds longer, she would have puked. She, herself, was turning a little green, so I took a deep breath, recommended she take a breather out back, and finished putting the spoiled meat down the sink as she darted out the back door for some fresh air. We finished and both continued laughing about the awfulness of spoiled, purple meat. **Shudder**

We took off with the kids a day or two after, and I think the ride may have started out a little weird at first. But not for too long. We talked about family, how excited we were for West to be coming home this year, about the church a little and religion in general, her openness with me still being able to go to FHE and church activities (thanks, by the way, Trista! It really does mean the world to me.). I even received a fair warning that was TOTALLY okay that after a little while of being there, if I decided I couldn't handle it, I had every right to just up and fly out whenever I wanted. Also, same went for her haha. She has every right to fly me out whenever she wanted haha.

Needless to say, since it's been three months and I'm not gone yet, it has definitely gone better than I ever would have guessed. I've had experiences GALORE and memories I cherish. I've had the chance to make up time with Brook and Sam from when they were in North Carolina. I have had "Lanny Time" and had my hair brushed and done by Brooklyn, and I have had Sam and Wanny days of going to the park, playing trains, water fountain, and Dollar Store. I never really knew Russ when him and Trista were married, but I finally have had the chance to sit around with him and Trista and talk, laugh, have "deep conversations", and even roll around in mummy bags together! :D So yes, as I've said, it has been 19 years in waiting. It had taken me long enough, but I think I jumped on the opportune moment. Not only do I love California, but I have been so blessed while I've been here. With memories, pictures, knowledge, experiences, trips, challenges, laughs, and with family. I realize that most kids my age would consider their "best summer" as spending every day at the beach and partying it up with their friends...But I am perfectly content saying that my "best summer" has been spent with my sister, brother in-law, niece, and nephew. A huge thank you for all the smiles and memories. For letting me steal a bed. For allowing me to keep Brooklyn up a little later, so we could talk and take a couple pictures after I got home from work. For basically letting me in, free of rent/groceries/gas/etc. For the trips to the airport and back...For being my sister. I hope your birthday is the absolute best! I love you, Trista. (:

~~~~~

This last week has mostly consisted of a lot of work. Throw in a 4th of July here, a Sunday off there...Yup. That's how it went. But I did mention the Patriots and Pioneers celebration I was helping put together for the stake, right? If not, oh well. I'll mention it now. We had been meeting for the last couple of months, a group of about ten of us from the stake, to put on this huge event that was supposed to be a mixture of 4th of July and Pioneer day. Sort of to knock it all out in one go, instead of having two events. We estimated about 600 people to be coming to this deal. We were to have a flag raising, a 20-minute program, the HUGE breakfast of 80 lbs. of pancake mix, 1,400 eggs, and 20 gallons of milk. Luckily I was only in charge of the milk and OJ and a game. I wish I had taken a couple picture to show you how many people were actually there and how many helpers I needed to simply serve drinks, but that's alright. I got a couple of our two helpers running the 3-legged races! This is Danny, my friend who gave me the ride from Rexburg to Boise over Thanksgiving break, and the other gal is Riley! She is pretty much the sweetest gal ever.

After that insanely stressful but fun event, I came home annnd pretty much chilled and recuperated haha. Took a nap. And finally decided to go to a friend's BBQ about 6:30, which started at 6:00. Oh well. It was good, though! Played a little volleyball...

Up above is Chris, our Elder's Quorum President, and Tim.

Down below is Kelsey, my VT partner, and Ben, our ward mission leader.

And then we ate a bit as Ben grilled up some chicken and burgers.

Annnd Riley, another friend, and I went to go watch the fireworks in the back of the truck. No, we didn't have the greatest view haha.

Meanwhile, in Rexburg there was a pretty awesome view after the fireworks; my FHE brother, Jarrod, sent this to me:

WHEW! And that was all just on Wednesday. Thursday came around, and Trista, Russ, Corinne, Phil, and the kids went camping! I went to work haha. I really didn't do a whole lot while they were gone, though. Other than work, of course, I did make granola all on my own finally, ate sushi, cleaned, went and baby-sat Madeline and Claire...The works. Friday I went to go watch Madeline and Claire, and I really got a kick out of them haha. I mean honestly, how can you NOT love a face like that?!

And, for some reason, this is what Claire loves to do with her little chairs and play house. Reminds me of when Dene', West, and I would set up the dining room chairs and pretend we were on a bus haha.

Claire carries around her blanket everywhere, and when it's hot out, she'll drape it over her head, grab your hand, and expect you to lead her the way haha.

Annnd we love watching Curious George before bedtime.

Saturday, after I came home from work (and after getting my first sale!), I started cleaning. I was just in the mood and had been meaning to the last couple of days. Unfortunately, as I was dumping out the garbage, I forgot about the broken glass I had put in there a week before. I tipped the small can over into the garbage bin, and the glass came sliding out, clipping me on the way out.

It would NOT stop bleeding. I went through several band-aids that night, but I am constantly amazed at our functioning, self-healing bodies. My cut was short, but it was fairly deep. The next morning, after getting out of the shower, I look at my finger and find that within about 12-ish hours, my cut had already stopped oozing and bleeding and was already beginning to heal together. Before I went to bed that night, it was healed with a tiny little scab. Crazy and amazing.

Anywho, the last couple of days for work, Monday and Tuesday, we've been in a crazy rich area called Ripon. (Rippen, it sounds like) These houses were absolutely insane. I have two pictures. One of a house that looks like a modern take on a castle. It's slightly smaller than one, but it has the stone features, fountains, and more haha. I couldn't get the whole thing in a picture.

Same with this next one, I couldn't get the whole thing. This next place looked like either a hotel or a retirement home. Freaking ridiculous. I walked be, stopped, and astonishingly asked to Ross, "Who needs a house that big?!"

I got home kinda late, because Ripon is a little further than normal, so our whole crew didn't get in until about 9. I get home, and Brooklyn remembered that I'd promised her the night before that we'd to Lanny Time haha. So she brushed my hair, put in a ponytail, added a clip, wanted to take pictures, and we talked for a little while.

Anywho! I'm exhausted, and it's only 10:45 am. I'm gonna go take a shower and hopefully sneak a nap in before work haha. Not much else has unraveled this week other than playing volleyball last night at the church. Oh! But this will hopefully give ya a good idea of what always running through my head as I'm walking around and knocking on doors:

"Holy crap, it's hot. I'm gonna die."

Love you all! :D

Teeter Teachings

Although I didn't really have much of any work all last week, it was fairly...Insane. After a tedious afternoon of searching for jobs last Wednesday, I did finally get a couple calls! Definitely not what my first picks would've been, but I decided this is no time to be picky haha. SO...I figured out how to suck up my pride and agree to go in for a short interview Thursday afternoon for a solar energy company, Future Energy Savers. My job? Well the fancy word they use is: "Canvasser". Basically I knock on doors, give my pitch, and see if they'll set an appointment to get a free quote for solar energy. No, it's not commission only (thank heavens), and no, it's actually not a company wanting to rip homeowners off! After going through training and learning more about the company and such, I've found that it's a great investment. Lots to it, but just know that all's going well with the job haha. Anywho! After agreeing to meet the next day for a quick interview, I relaxed a bit.

Friday...All I really remember about Friday is going to my "interview", which was probably one of the--dare I say it?--funnest(?) interviews I've ever had haha. The guy was really outgoing and mostly just wanting to see if I could look him in the eye, is I was presentable, and if I was confident enough to take some rejection from homeowners. He was pretty hilarious and hired me right there. Told me to be at training at 10:30 the next morning and let me go after 15 minutes or so. I get home annnd Trista and I decided we wanted to go to the movies that night with everyone! :D So we went to see "Brave", and I loved it! Beforehand, however, Brooklyn was experimenting. She claimed that she was gonna make cookies. It soon changed to muffins...They actually ended up a bit like chocolate eggy things. Not bad, honestly haha. Very different, that's for sure haha. Brook then asked to take some to the movies with us. :P

Friday, I went to the 3-ish hours of training, learned a ton, and was paid to sit there and listen! Greatest thing ever about training; you are paid to learn. Awesome haha. I really don't remember the rest of what we did on Friday other than Trista and the kids went to the trampoline place again haha.

Saturday was...well, like the rest of the week: Insane. On Saturdays we work from 9 to 2, so I got my first taste of work as a door-knocker haha. Us newbies were put with a veteran and basically followed them around for the first hour or so. I was lucky and was paired with a funny black guy, named Chris; he definitely is an optimistic person and made walking around rather entertaining. Unfortunately for him, I must've been bad luck, because he didn't get any leads while I was with him for the first hour and a half. We finally separated, and I didn't do half bad! Minus the one guy who hit on me, I got about the same as everyone else, including the veterans. It was a pretty easy day, we went back to the office, and I was off to the beach with my visiting teaching partner, Kelsey, and a bunch of others from the ward!! Holy crap, I was so giddy when I finally saw the ocean haha. This is Kelsey (the back of her haha) and walking down to the beach. :D

Kelsey, another friend (Melissa), and I were the first people from the ward there for about an hour. I didn't pass up the chance to go wave jumping, though. It was incredible! I've decided I should've been born in California. (; Anywho! So yes, I went swimming and such for a while, went back to dry off before everyone else came, and found that more people had shown up! Actually it was just one person haha, but whatever. So I dried off and chilled and waited for others to come. Luckily, they had brought a beach volleyball net, a couple volleyballs, frisbees, football, etc. It was awesome! So a good-sized group of us started a game and had a blast. (: This is Andy, me, and Ben, getting ready for domination. (;

(It was pretty amusing, because when I gave my talk last week, the bishop usually gives a little bit of info about each of the speakers. Typically that includes callings or something. Well, for me, he mentioned being from Washington, and instead of mentioning my calling, he said, "Annnd she can usually be found tearing it up on the court or field or wherever after church activities, giving all the guys a run for their money, whether it's basketball, ultimate frisbee, or volleyball."...So yesterday when the bishop asked how the beach was, apparently he couldn't help but ask about how my team did in the volleyball games haha.)

Anywho! You can't go to the beach without having a bonfire and s'mores!

In the last blog post I had mentioned my other friend, Autum, whom I give rides to all over for church activities haha. It's nice, because she's such a sweetheart. Neither of us talk much while driving anywhere, but we don't mind. I enjoy just chilling with her and singing to whatever music is on. Anywho, this is her and I right after she evilly stole my marshmallow off my skewer haha.

And, of course, our big group of awesomeness!

Autum wanted to go walk along the beach, and that sounded like a fantastic idea to me, so I went along with!

I got home from the beach just before midnight, smelling like smoke and finding sand everywhere. Had a great day at church, finished (for the most part) getting things organized for the 4th of July activity, and came home to relax. Finished the night off by watching "A Walk to Remember" with Trista and catching a spider for Brook haha. Now I am awaiting the time to go to work (Mondays through Thursday we work from 12:30pm to 8-ish). The highlight of my morning, however, has been this:

No, that is not Sam under the blanket. Nor is it Brooklyn. That would Trista crawling on the floor, being a spy under her blanket. Let me remind you that she is over the age of 25 hahaha. Brook and Sam had just sneaked past my door as spies, and I was not expecting anyone else. Well I busted up laughing when I was Trista creeping past my door like this hahaha. Apparently I'm a monster in my cage, so Brooklyn and Sam have come to slaughter me for dinner haha.

Sam: "Arghhh!"

Haha I am sad that I'll be taking off for the next eight hours for work; I'm missing the best hours of the day! Oh well...

--TWO DAYS LATER--

So work went well the last couple of days, not much to say about it...Actually, maybe there is more to say, but I'm far too pooped. I just finished this Fourth of July stake activity I helped plan, but I'll save that for the next blog. Since this post is a little short, I figured now would be a good time to insert a list I've been making since I visited Rexburg and Washington. (: Drum rolllll, pleaseeeee...

~Teeter Teachings~

ONE: Have a good balance. Don't feel bad about wasting a whole day inside, watching Netflix; just make sure you spend the next day outside, exercising, etc.

TWO: Question everything and always wonder. The most common question Trista asks the kids: "Why do you think that happens?" You learn all sorts of incredible things! Komodo dragons, prices of bumper boats, polliwogs, insects, etc.

THREE: Rise early and retire early. Granted I've always been taught this through the church, I've never understood the impact until living with Trista & fam. I really understood the impact once I began to nanny. The significant amount of increased energy is almost like a natural high. A true blessing!

FOUR: Write in your journal. Again, another thing I've been taught all my life. I began to truly grasp this my second semester in college, but I have so much respect for Trista, because she seems to do it so often. She always mentions all the things she wants to write down, has written down, or is sad she leeps forgetting to write down. I need to be better at writing the little, daily experiences.

FIVE: Stop fearing bugs! I still am confused as to why people first began to fear bugs. Brooklyn and Sam pick up any kind of bug, never knowing if it's even dangerous haha. Sure, there's a breaking point of how many bugs I mind in the house lol, but I'm learning there's nothing bad about them. I even caught a spider the other night for Brooklyn; I think it's dead now. :/

SIX: Food, period. I've been spoiled by all the fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy tacos and pizza, whole grain/gluten-free homemade breads, and amazing granola. Quality and healthy food makes  a huge difference. Take for example, my first night on my trip to Rexburg. Costa Vida enchilada and cookies=awake until 5 am, puking and eating only saltines the next day.

SEVEN: "Nonviolent communication". For those of us who struggle explaining themselves or what they are feeling...This has been a blessing to use with the mother of the kids I was a nanny for, friends, family, etc.

EIGHT: Kids. Some say they are the best birth control; others say they are the biggest blessings of their lives. Take fair warning, because both are true.

NINE: Showering everyday is not a necessity; neither is putting on a pair of jeans haha. Shorts or sweats are just fine. (; Trista and I both know that if either of us puts on a pair of jeans, they are planning on going somewhere that day. However, I do still love my shower. :P

TEN: Farting fish apps+Sam/Brooklyn=Endless Giggles. (:

ELEVEN: Cleanliness can put you in the best mood. Going over to nanny, where it isn't as clean as I prefer, and then cleaning up a bit would put me and the kids in better moods. But then once I go home to Trista's? I feel so relaxed, because I know she is just as picky (if not more haha) about being clean and organized. It's a glorious feeling and makes me want to help clean, also.

TWELVE: Minimalism! I've found that clutter and junk really put me on edge. I am still looking through my closet at those shirt I haven't worn in a few months and am tempted to give them away. But the point is: having what you need and a few things of what you want is much simpler than having all those "Just-In-Case" things.

THIRTEEN: Patience is not JUST refraining from screaming when you're flaming mad; it is also sitting next to your 6-year old daughter and cringing as she insists trimming her own hair. Phew!

FOURTEEN: Books can be intimidating, but there are "worlds without end" within them. Read more often.

FIFTEEN: Sushi! Marie, AKA Frenchy, was the first to have me try it. I loved it, but I never thought to try it again. After a few years, Trista got some for us on the drive down to CA. Now? I'm always craving it haha.

SIXTEEN: I have an awful addiction to solitaire in my free time; it borders unhealthy haha.

SEVENTEEN: Don't try and fix your kids' "speech impediments" right away. Sometimes, at the end of a work day, the best thing to come home to is: "Wanny!!!" (:

The End

(For now)