Em's Spot

At Last

2010-02-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

At last! After four long months of hours spent online, filling out applications, interviews, substitute teaching, afternoon naps, and lots of prayers, I am finally punching the clock again! For those of you who never lost faith in me- thanks for the encouragement. For those who didn’t know about my bout with unemployment, let me tell you about my new, wicked-awesome job.

But first, some background.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to stamp. Before I was even in the double digits, my sister and I would invite our cousins over for “card-making slumber parties”. These nights consisted of an explosion of paper, ink, crayons and Lisa Frank stamps. At thirteen, I got introduced to a company called Stampin’ Up!. I attended a stamping workshop with my mom, and learned about the magic and possibilities of stamping. And that is where my obsession began. I started saving up the money from my paper route to purchase stamps. I would pour over the catalogs in bed before I fell asleep. I attended more and more workshops, sometimes being the only one under the age of 30. I took a calligraphy class, learned new techniques, and delivered my hand-made creations to everyone who would take them. As years went by, the supplies began build up. If I ever spent more than two weeks away from home, I would insist that my paper and stamps came with me. I struggled in college to find the time to express my creativity- I still managed to get a project in here and there, but the inevitable dust slowly began to collect on my beloved art supplies. Weeks turned into months and months to years, until I got home from my mission and realized that unemployed people have A LOT of free time. I began cleaning and organizing and remembering what I used to do when I had time to do it. The day I found my stamps was like a sweet reunion with an old friend.

I wouldn’t say that I was picky, I would say that the economy was bad and I was holding out for the perfect job. I’ll be honest and say that I began to love the routine- wake up when I want, eat when I want, read when I want, sleep when I want… I apologize now to those of you who helped me through those hard months and listened to me complain.

And then it happened. Two months after I had wishfully applied for a job at Stampin’ Up! the phone rang- they wanted me to come in. Over the next few weeks I was filled with all kinds of thoughts and emotions.

“No way am I ever going to get this job.”

Phone call #2.

Could this actually be a possibility?

Phone call #3.

Is this still happening?

Phone call #4. I tried to act cool as they offered me the job by responding with “I’ll have to think about it.” Yeah right! I was already sold. After three trips to my own personal Mecca*, I was actually going to get to work there!?

It’s now week two, and I worked with people who are 100% more obsessed than I am- loving every second of it.

*I say Mecca because it really is quite a journey- one hour commute both ways. BUT when you get to play with colors like creamy caramel, crushed curry, and pumpkin pie all day it's totally worth it.

Countdown to Vancouver

2010-01-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an Olympic nut. I love the anticipation, the athletes, the thrill, the inspiration, the competition, the human spirit... the list goes on and on. Just hearing the Olympic theme song makes me tear up. (Did you see the 2002 Chevy commercial- honking the Olympic theme? Tear). So to say the least, I have been GLUED to Universal Sports for the past 2 months.

AND- Anyone who knows me (or read my last blog) knows that my lil bestie just left for two years.

Sigh.

I thought that would mean a lot of lonlieness and lack of excitment.

HOWEVER- Last week, to my surprise, I discovered my newly arrived nephew has a little obsession of his own.

Looks like it's going to be a great Olympic Season after all.
I hope his mom doesn't kill me.
Countdown to Vancouver: 28 days

Called to Serve

2009-12-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

He was ready. The poor kid had been waiting for nearly 6 months. He had never even missed over a year's worth of mission preps. He listened to Dutch in his car. But even as I watched him leave, tears in his eyes, big smile on his face and luggage in hand, it didn't change the fact that my best little buddy is gone for 2 years!

I was lucky. For three months we played. I decorated his birthday cake just in the way he wanted. He come to my room every morning to wake me up so we could study the Book of Mormon together. We played frisbee golf. I gave him advice. He introduced me to music again after 18 silent months and we'd cruise around and listen in his honda.

We are blessed. Blessed to have a missionary and the blessings that will come into our home because of his service. The people in Belgium will be blessed to have the knowledge of the Great Plan of Happiness. He will be blessed to work hard and grow closer to the Lord. I am blessed for our time together, and to know that families are forever!

I will miss you, but right now that doesn't matter- GO FEED HIS SHEEP!

Ode to Fall

2009-12-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

When the weather outside is frightful, I remember the not-too-far-past Fall and the fun we had. It all went by too quickly- but isn't that how it always goes? We take for granted the beauty as we anticipate the next- whatever. So, although I am still dreaming of a White Christmas- I'll honor you, Fall.

The Colors.
The Tastes.
The Smells.
The Magic.

Thanks again Fall. I'll dream of you the whole year long.

Just about a thousand spoon-fulls of sugar...

2009-12-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

There's no telling what's about to happen when the Muellers get together for the annual Gingerbread House Competition. Each year we get bigger and more outrageous. Hot glue was out-lawed by Mom this year, but somehow Mike still got his hands on it. Another new addition- we made it a team competition! By the end of the night we had eaten our share of colorful goodies and powdered sugar "glue". We just managed to overcome the sugar buzz to get the construction zone cleaned up. I would say another successful year! Here's just a TASTE of the events...

The Teams and results:

Dan and I went for the European look: A Swiss Chalet and Ski Resort.

Carrie and Pete's three little houses were almost demolished by some huffing and puffing of frosting from Brooke's end of the table...

Brooke and Emma went whimsical with a house for Fairies.

Mom's partner was MIA, but she still managed to pull of the cute & classical.

And Mike & Kaysi out did themselves and made an adorable replica of our house- complete with a picnic table and candy-cane forest!

You can bet that the ideas are already brewing for next year!

A smile

2009-11-23T16:28:00.001-08:00

Ein Lächeln kostet nichts und bringt doch so viel.
Es bereichert den Empfänger und den Geber.
Es ist vielleicht nur kurz, doch die Erinnerung daran oft unvergänglich.
Keiner ist so reich, um darauf verzichten zu können.
Und keiner ist zu arm, daß er es sich nicht leisten könnte.
Es bringt Glück und ist ein Zeichen von Freu...ndschaft.
Es bekommt erst dann seinen Wert, wenn es verschenkt wird.
Sollte der andere einmal kein Lächeln mehr zur Verfügung haben,überlasse ich Ihm eins von meinen,denn niemand braucht so sehr ein Lächeln, wie der, der keins mehr übrig hat.

aus China

Neues Leben

2009-11-06T09:41:00.001-08:00

So I have been back from my mission for 6 weeks today-

and I think I am ready to try blogging again.

The transition has been surprisingly smooth, I was... surprised. The hardest realization is still the fact that I am currently unemployed and living at my parents' house- with a bachelor's degree. Sometimes I wallow in that, but today after a chat with my bestie, she helped me to realize that my life is actually pretty fun. I bake, I puzzle, I enjoy play dates, I job-search, I ride my mountain bike, I read, hang out with my lil bro, play frisbee golf and jump on my mom's mini trampoline while I watch the Today Show. I am not ashamed.

The mission was awesome. I can't even describe how grateful I am for that opportunity. It was no cake-walk, but it was one of the best things I have ever done. It was like a huge present that I didn't deserve from a loving Heavenly Father. He knows what He is doing. For those of you who missed it (or if anyone even still reads my blog), here's a little taste!

I love you Germany, thanks for an awesome year and a half.

If you find yourself with nothing to do, just come over for a play date.

I'll even cook you lunch.

2 hours and twenty-seven minutes

2008-01-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

This morning I found out that I semi-urgently needed to find out my blood type. For a person who holds an irrational fear of needles, this presented a huge problem. My mind drifted back to a time when I threatened my mother that I would run away if she made me get stiches, or the time I screamed at the three male nurses pinning me to a gurney that I would rather die of lockjaw than get the tetanus shot. I was seventeen, both times. So I took the advice of Dr. Jack Shepherd and let the fear set in for 10 seconds, and I decided to get over it and do what had to be done. I called three different heathcare facilities and my insurance, I got off work, drove myself to the hospital, forced out the nausea, and went into the lab. Two hours and twenty-seven minutes after the semi-urgent phone call, I walked out of the hospital a new woman, and a universal donor. I'm even thinking of giving blood sometime. I think all of my Lost watching is really paying off.

Puzzling

2008-01-07T21:22:00.001-08:00

I have never considered myself an expert puzzler. In public puzzling situations, I tend to shy away from opportunities to puzzle in front of others. I confess that I leave the pieces stuck together if I find them that way in the box. In fact, if I feel a puzzle exceeds my puzzling threshold, I won’t even attempt pry off the lid.
Recently, I have found myself around a lot of puzzlers. On New Year’s Eve, I was even a part of a puzzling competition, go figure. It was then and there I had to decide that I was going to puzzle, and I was going to be dang good at it. My team lost.
Yesterday I walked into my apartment and found myself face to face with scattered pieces of a puzzle. It intimidated me, and I walked away. A few hours later, I ran into it again. I stared, and it remained motionless on the floor. I sat down, and picked up a piece. Two hours later it was nearly complete and I had crossed a puzzling threshold. I discovered that you must dedicate yourself to the puzzle. Puzzling takes patience, strategy, and cooperation. The key is in the sorting, you must sort the edges from the insides, and then the insides into different categories. Communicate fellow puzzlers, and get to know the puzzle and study each part. Each piece successfully placed is a personal victory.
Ok- Maybe I am crazy, but I just finished a puzzle that I never thought I could. And that my friend, is what they call closure.

Frumpville

2008-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have never been a fan of sleepovers. When I was little, I would beg my parents to say no when my friends asked me to grab a pillow and come over. The smell of someone elses house, the loud ticking of the grandfather clock, and the foreign bathroom just never appealed to me.
Growing up, I took my beauty sleep seriously. No matter the occasion, when the clock struck nine I was in the bathroom entertaining my nightly ritual. I am not joking when I say that I spent the next forty-five minutes prepping for bed. I washed my face, hands, and feet; brushed and flossed, and applied several different flavors of creams and moisturizers. I can't explain it, but after five years in the college life, I miss my nighttime therapy.
With that preface, I want to declare that I am a homebody. I like being by myself. Despite my abilities as an extrovert, my flare for adventure, and love of the outdoors, I love to be at home in my bed. I think it is actually a way to compensate for the extrovertness. I don't like to get all dressed up and go mingle with strangers in search of their major. This is my sanctuary. Maybe I am trying to justify the fact that it is Friday, and I am currently in my bed typing this blog, or that I am graduated, living in a college town. I just love being home, doin my thang. I also attribute this wacky fetish for the loss of several boyfriends. When the time card has been punched, I don the sweats and continue my reign as queen of frumpville. Now that is attractive. No one can invade, I can lose myself in my thoughts, a good book, or online shopping, and I am 100% content.

Haircut

2007-12-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

I cut and colored my hair almost three weeks ago. Today was the day that everyone decided to notice. I am not sure it was a good thing though- the two most memorable comments were "missionary" and "soccer mom". You decide.

Everything is better when...

2007-11-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

I have recently discovered that my position of choice is lying down. I would dare say that everything is better when am at least 70% reclined. I don't think I am lazy, I just really like lying down. I do run into a few minor problems, such as crumbs in the bed and occasionally falling asleep during a movie, but nothing major. I would even go so far as to say lying down is on it's way to being the new sitting. Can't you just imagine your weekly business meetings lying down? As Creed would say, "If that's a crime, lock me up."

National Weirdo Coming-Out Day

2007-10-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

I hate Halloween. Love dressing up for various occasions, dances, or costume parties- just hate Halloween and I don't really have one all-encompassing reason.

For starters: WHY do people think it is cool do decorate their yards with icky fake spider webs, waxy figurines of Frankenstein or the Grim Reaper, coffins, body parts, headstones and strobe lights? Not to mention the horrible blow ups of spiders, black cats, witches, pumpkins, and ghosts drifting out of cauldrons. Sure there may be one or two tastefully decorated yards with cornstalks and pumpkins, but I would classify those with a harvest theme; harvest.

Second, I have never really been a fan of the blood, guts, and gore. Why are people fascinated with the sick, twisted things that one can do with the human body? Two words: Gross and Gross.

Third, is the world really so scary that parents must succumb to the annual trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot? Little wonder why our kids are so overweight, at least I had to run from door to door to get my candy (I think one year I actually "bladed" from door to door). And if a bully took your pillowcase-full, that was your own fault for being dumb enough to let him. And let's face it, only about 25% of your spoils were edible anyway. What I want to know is who eats those life-size gummy eyeballs? I guess more important, who buys them?

Fourth, Halloween is just one big excuse for all of the little weirdoes inside people to manifest themselves. The official title of October 31st should be changed to "National Weirdo Coming-Out Day." Sure, I chuckled at a few of the costumes I saw today such as the cowardly lion, a pizza delivery girl, and a smarty pants (literally smarties all over her pants). But these were full-grown adults that needed a little something to spice up the nine to five. Other absurd costumes I witnessed actually roaming the sidewalks of campus. I'm sorry, but I am just creeped out by the full-blown Frankenstein waiting at the bus stop. Another girl, dressed as a bum was standing under a tree with a sign that read, "Will date for food". Funny or pathetic? I'll let you decide. For some, it is a chance to indulge deep desires that may never come true, or at least avoid using any creativity. I can't put it better than a friend who said, "Halloween is a time for boys to dress like girls, and girls to dress like slutty girls."

In summary, Halloween is one day a year that everyone uses as an excuse to be weird. Maybe it is the only day that they feel like they can get away with it. Maybe it is their only escape from the harsh reality of day-to-day life, or a desperate cry for attention. Or maybe they just wish they attended Hogwarts instead of Utah State. Whatever the reason, like most holidays, Halloween has been twisted, poked, stuffed, and commercialized until it is almost no fun anymore. But tomorrow, it will be over, and I can almost smell the turkey. Thanksgiving. Now that is a holiday worth talking about.

Today

2007-10-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best thing I can do is to think of all the things I am grateful for.
So here is what I am thankful for today. Just today.
Hot showers.
A funny text from my little brother.
Bright yellow trees with dark-chocolatey bark that line the old streets in Logan.
The crunch my feet make when I step on the leaves that cover the sidewalk, and the way they blow and swirl on the streets when I drive my car.
Driving with my windows down.
I love the smell in the morning when you go outside and the air is crisp.
A good episode of Friends.
A long talk with a good friend.
A treat break.
Bananas.
While I’m thinking about food- Arby’s curly fries.
My beat-up-but paid-off Camry.
An overly-concerned Dad.
Good roommates.
A healthy body, so I can walk to work.
A cheesy forwarded-chain email from my ten-year-old niece.
Music, this sweet thing I’ve just been introduced to called Internet radio.
My comfy bed.
My crazy boss.
A plane ticket to LA.
Getting off work early.
Utah State.
Sweats.
My cute little mac.
Beautiful mountains covered in the fall colors.
Bed time.

All that- just today.

Puppy Talk

2007-08-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

Few things in this world that can make two complete strangers instantly speak to one another. Under the perfect circumstances, the barriers of regular social norms can be broken, and connect people in surprising ways. I have found from personal experience, that one of these things is a brand new puppy. My boss just bought a seven-week-old fur ball, and ever since, I have been dubbed the official caretaker. This means that every three hours I take it out to the grass and I let it sleep on my lap while I type and answer phones. Since the arrival of the new pup, I have noticed phenomenal things. While walking through campus, I have witnessed strangers stop their daily jog to squat down and speak to the dog in whiney baby voices. I wind up spending 45 minutes on a routine potty break because I have to appease three middle-aged women who must tell me about their own dogs when they were puppies. Then they move on to their children, and husbands, their book club and various brands of dog food. I catch men trying to surpress smiles as they catch sight of the little fluff poking out between my fingers. One woman never actually spoke to me, she directed all of her questions to the dog in a high-pitched voice. I’d never found myself in this situation before, I panicked and decided to take on my own dog-persona, quickly answering all of her questions in my own baby voice, as if I was the dog. This went on for at least five minutes. At least I tried to answer the questions honestly. I don’t know what came over me, and I regret it. But what would you have done?

Blind

2007-07-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today I saw a blind girl counting change.

She had lined all of the coins up neatly on the table, and picked them up one by one, turning them over carefully in her hand. I stood there for a few moments and silently observed. She sat alone, but she seemed content- slowly, blindly, counting change. It is moments like these when I realize that I take life for granted. I walked away humbled and grateful for her, and the perspective she gave me. I realized that I was the blind one.

Moldy Cheese

2007-07-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Since I have been in college, I have noticed a drastic change in my eating habits. Suddenly, my rules about fresh vs. expired, and moldy vs. edible have changed.
It is mid-July, last week I left a turkey and cheese sandwich in a black bag in my car by accident. I am making an educated guess by saying that the temperature in my Toyota reached over 110 degrees that day. On my way home I discovered the sandwich. As I juggled it in my hands like a hot potato, I noticed the cheese had melted and oozed through the bread. “What a waste,” I thought as I looked sadly at the sandwich and salad my Mom had prepared me that morning. Upon my arrival at my apartment, my stomach growled and I thought longingly of the sandwich. I pulled it out again, ready to toss it in the trash, when I stopped. “Maybe I could still salvage this, I am pretty hungry.” I thought about the appropriate hot and cold temperatures for food, I rationalized that surely my sandwich had been kept above the appropriate hot temperature all day. I peeled back the flimsy plastic baggie, squeezed my eyes shut, and took a small, quick and precise bite. I carefully chewed, realizing that it wasn’t half bad. I turned on the toaster oven, threw in the previously chewed sandwich and waited two minutes. Shortly after I enjoyed a delicious toasted melt. The rest of the evening I waited to be sick, but the urge never came. Positive reinforcement. Occasionally I drop food on the floor, stringent rules would say “Throw that away!” Me? Eat it! The only exception in carpet, I’ve had bad experiences with lint and hair, no-go on carpet. Moldy cheese? Cheese is mold! Expired milk is a little tricky, but I am stubborn enough that I won’t see a whole bowl of cereal go to waste even if it is chunky. I think I save more money by eating bad food than fresh food. You never know until you try, but I attribute my incredible health to my bad eating habits.