Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Printed Picture

Despite all the hassle I had with David's Bridal trying to get my wedding dress altered, they have given me some decent perks. Such as this FREE album from Shutterfly.





I put it together last week and it arrived in the mail today. I hadn't told Dave and then, as if on cue, at dinner we started talking about our wedding. My sentimental husband pulled out our wedding video and when that finished I reached over and handed him the box from Shutterfly. He was incredibly surprised and very excited to finally see some printed pictures of our wedding day.

By the way, this is a great product from , excellent quality and so easy and fun to use. Check them out!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Starting to Feel Like Home

Our house is really starting to come together and feel like a home!

I finished putting together the computer room this past weekend. Dave loves having the internet and a computer to work on.






There are now end tables in the living room. I searched many a store for these -- they had to be simple and functional, inexpensive and match the couches. I think I did well. Just don't look too closely and please don't sit on them -- remember, they are kind of cheap (and from Walmart).


Notice the phone there? We now have a landline. Please, feel free to call us!

Now, I only need to figure out what to do with this disaster.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Crazy Weekend

Want to know what I did from Friday at 3:00 p.m. until Sunday at 10:00 p.m.? Too bad, you're getting the list anyway.

* Met the Qwest man who fixed the Internet
* Shopped at Albertsons
* Dinner at MacCool's at the District
* Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House
* Wrote 3 blog posts (2 here, 1 here)
* Slept
* Vacuumed the study
* Pulled weeds
* Marinated steaks for dinner
* Shopped at Macys
* Shopped at JCPenney
* Shopped at Bath and Body Works
* Returned an item to Fashion Bug
* Shopped at Payless Shoes
* Shopped at Walmart
* Shopped at Deseret Industries
* Shopped at Dick's Ace Hardware
* Shopped at Michaels
* Visited with my family
* Put together 2 end tables and 1 tool rack
* Thumbed through Saturday's newspaper
* Swept and vacuumed all rooms on the main floor
* Made dinner for the Huffakers
* Did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen
* Finished reading River Secrets by Shannon Hale
* Slept
* Put a roast in the crock pot
* Gave myself a manicure
* Worked at Music and the Spoken Word
* Thumbed through Sunday's newspaper
* Went to Church
* Taught Gospel Principles
* Wrapped Fathers Day gifts
* Made dinner for the Hinckleys
* Did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen
* Swept the sidewalk
* Moved a bookshelf and contents from one room to another
* Had a long conversation with Dave
* Read a chapter in another book
* Slept

It's all about making a plan and sticking to it -- the day stretches on and you accomplish more than you can imagine!

P.S. Yes, I did a lot of shopping. But, I only shopped the sales and I used lots of coupons and wedding present gift cards at every location, so in the end I spent very little money and I had a lot of fun!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Trip to Rico CO

I'm a few days late getting these up. (Please refer to previous post for my excuses.)

There she is, the old Rico house.


The nearby river, whose name I should know but don't.


Even this small town of 200 has pride, as noted in this beautiful sign along the highway.


Proof that we made our obligatory trip to Telluride as we rode the gondola between there and Mountain Village.


Dave and I have decided to get a dog instead. (click here for more great pictures)


Coleman and I here on a rock represent the weekend spent strengthening family ties and appreciating nature (and my nice, clean, comfortable house in Utah).

Wish you had been there too!

It's About Time (which is what it will cost to read this post)

Dave and I finally broke down and installed the internet in our home. I know, it's about time -- but we really have got along pretty well with the iPhone and Blackberry for the last several months.

Let me just tell you, though, that setting up the internet here has been the number one, absolutely most frustrating thing I have ever done in my life.

On Tuesday I opened up my brand new modem, carefully installed every phone filter throughout the house and every cable to the modem and computer, and it didn't work. I called Qwest and spoke with Ryan (whose real name was probably something more like Huang). He had me change the modem to every other phone jack in the house and it still never worked. After 90 minutes on the phone with him, he told me that it was possible they were still getting my account setup and to check it in the morning.

Wednesday morning it still wasn't connected so when I had a chance that night I called Qwest again. This time I spoke with Mike (who should be a Hsing). He couldn't do any better but promised to have a technician come look at it the next day.

Thursday I arrived home from work to find the internet finally connected. I was installing the software when Darren, the technician man came calling. He double checked everything and concurred that it all looked good. A couple of hours later, it died. I once again called Qwest and spoke with Matt (or Chung). By now, my calm demeanor was quickly turning sour. Forty-five minutes into our phone conversation, he told me that the company was pulling fiber optic cables in my area but would be done in an hour or so and all would be right by morning--likely story.

Friday morning dawned, still without the internet. From my desk at work I called Qwest, trying very hard, though unsuccessfully, not to disturb my coworkers. After being passed from Lau-Chu to Shingze, I finally told them I wanted to talk to someone in Utah who spoke American English. They sent my call to Moe (who, incidentally, was not a good-old Utahan but some other unknown nationality altogether). After relating my saga for the seventh time, Moe said she would send a technician out tomorrow. I told her that was absolutely unacceptable and that this problem would be fixed today. She then amended her statement and dispatched a technician out this afternoon.

Of course, when Trent, the technician, came calling, the internet was fully functioning. But, he was kind enough to change out the modem, just in case that was the culprit -- which, by the way, was the first plausible excuse I had heard all week long. Gratefully, hours later now, the internet is still connected and I am able to tell you this long painful story.

Thank you for listening/reading. I feel better all ready. Just one last word of advice: If you need to call Qwest Customer Service, be sure you ask Jill to help you translate.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Cow Crossing

We were on our way to church in Cortez, Colorado on Sunday when the car in front of us suddenly stopped. Here's why.




That's Dave's arm as we waved to the Cowboy herding the pack!

Oh, the things you see in the sparsely populated mountains of Colorado.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

We're Going to Rico

What? You've never heard of Rico? Don't feel bad. Very few know about our secret getaway deep in the mountains of Colorado.


To tell you the truth, I'm not all that excited to go. We'll stay at our family home that's been closed up all winter long (winter = August to June). We're the first ones out there in months so we get to open it up, clean all the dust and critter droppings, ensure the water heater works and the pipes haven't broken and that no dangerous sparks fly from the electrical outlets. Fun.

But Dave is very excited to get there and I'm desparately trying to muster up the enthusiasm, for his sake. This website helped. I'm glad to see there are now two restaurants in the city. The hiking around town will be fun as will be the obligatory visit to Telluride.

It all depends on my attitude, right? Well then, it will be GREAT! We'll send you a postcard and you'll wish you were here too.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rain, Rain

It has rained pretty much every day for a week here in the Salt Lake City and suburbs area. We're talking heavy, dark clounds; thunder and lightening; pouring rain and hail; reckless wind; amazing summer storms!

People are starting to complain that it feels like we're living in Seattle.
I am loving it!

Monday, June 8, 2009

I {heart} IKEA

It took me just over an hour to put together -- all by myself. (Okay, Dave was there too and helped to hold up the hutch, but I inserted every screw and wooden dowel.)


I love pulling out my pink set of tools and building Ikea furniture. It makes me feel cool, like those female carpenters on Extreme Home Makeover.

Here are some other projects I've accomplished.


3 Barstools


2 Nightstands

Monday, June 1, 2009

Lessons in BBQ

My husband Dave is very excited about the grill out on the back porch. However, he has never learned how to BBQ--not a big Huffaker thing. So, I have been trying to teach him, one piece of meat at a time.

Last night I pulled some chicken out of the freezer, slathered on another great spice rub, gave Dave some brief instructions, and sent him outside to do his work. Once again, we came up with an amazing meal and we want to share it with you!


Spice Rub:
* Rosemary
* Ground Ginger
* Salt
* Black Pepper
* Olive Oil (to make a paste)

(I know it doesn't sound like these spices should go together but believe me, it was an amazing combination -- a virtual party in your mouth!)

I rubbed it all over the chicken and let it sit for about 10 minutes then Dave plopped it on the grill. He cooked it on low heat for 10 minutes on each side and then another 5 minutes per side. It was just about the tenderest, juiciest piece of chicken I've ever had.

Try it! You'll love it!

photo credits

BBQ Rules


We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - soda in hand.
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three meter exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman.

Here comes the important part:
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine...
(6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another soda while he flips the meat.

Important again:
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine...
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

And most important of all:
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.

Photo Credits. Text from a recent email.