Long Time Coming...

Well... I have been working at Girl Scouts since my last post and as you can tell... It has been busy!  I won't really say much tonight, but I will give a recap...

I have been working for Girl Scouts of Utah for the last 6+ months.  It has been a really enjoyable time... busy and crazy and confusing at times, but it has been really great.  I love the girls and their parents who get involved and it is great to see leadership growth on both parts.  You think this organization is for the girls, but I can't tell you how many times I have had a timid mom walk into my office being on the fence about being a troop leader.  She decides to take the plunge and then when she comes back for a visit later, she is a more confident woman in what she is doing and who she is becoming through her service to the girls.  AWESOME! 

Matt has been working around Utah, Arizona, Texas, Washington, New Mexico, and the latest... Georgia.  We just moved him across the country last weekend and he will be working his little booty off down there over the next 5-6 months being the lead tech for a security office.  So... here I am all by my lonesome and hope that it won't be too bad this summer and that the time will go quickly.

So here are my goals/to do's for this summer...

• SEE MY HUSBAND AS MUCH AS THE AIRLINES WILL LET ME! (outrageous airfares!) :(
• Lose Weight!
• Work in the Temple
• Read the Book of Mormon
• Take up a new hobby... (I think it might be quilting and family history-- ok so two hobbies)
• Hike more (what happened to me and the great outdoors- I love it!)
• Help plan my sister's wedding
• Pick Peaches and Apricots and can them
• Take Macey on walks every day
• Grow a garden on the side of the house (this could be a challenge with my BLACK thumb.)
• Take more time to relax and enjoy the backyard at least twice a week... It really is peaceful and beautiful out there!
• Serve someone at least once a week
• Any other suggestions... let me know... TBD!!

So I am trying to keep busy and to make myself a more healthy, beautiful, knowledgable person this summer... might as well not sulk about while my husband is gone-- but go about living and loving and serving.  I find when I am in the service of those around me-- everything in my life is put in perspective!  I do appreciate that I have family and friends around to help and support me.  I really love Lindon and our little area-- I love the new friends I have made and how wonderful they are.  Just this past Sunday, I was invited to dinner --- two invitations.  I was too tired to go anywhere after working Saturday morning.  Just wanted to relax and regroup for the week.  I look forward to spending time with people this summer and really enjoying the great friendships.

To end with some great thoughts on friendship by our Founding Fathers...

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. ~ George Washington

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.  ~Thomas Jefferson

Thank you to all of my family and friends and for being so wonderful.  You know who you are... you do and give to me so freely without thought and I love you for it.  You will never know how much I appreciate words of encouragement and simple thoughts and invitations when others around would question, worry, or judge our current situation (working cross-country).  It is hard to be apart and no, it is not ideal, but I just want to say thank you for not questioning me about the difficult situation but just being understanding, loving, and supporting me while my husband is away.

Well off to bed I go-- I should have been sleeping a while ago.  Goodnight.

Up-to-date Info on the Picards

So I know I said I would be really good with this blog thing, but in my own defense, it did get quite busy after that last posting.  So here is an in a nutshell recap so you at least know what state we're in now.  :)

We found out the security office would be moving to Farmington NM- (shortly changed to Durango CO) and decided we better get a housing situation figured out soon.  We took time the first weekend of August to scope it out in Utah.  Scored a sweet little house in Lindon... Pictures to follow in the next posting...

We went back to Colorado Springs and by the next weekend, we were moving, so back to Utah we went on the 14th of August... Found out that Macey (our puppy) wouldn't be able to live where they were moving us so Macey and I stayed back in Utah while Matt went very begrudgingly back to work in Colorado.

We had our first anniversary on the 26th of August -- I rented a car and had to go track Matt down where he was working... In Monticello UT... Go figure!  Spent the weekend there (Monticello and Durango) and on Tuesday morning I headed back to Lindon.

Job searching like crazy and working on-call at Sister Missionary Mall... I scored an interview with the Girl Scouts of Utah.  I rocked that interview.  Matt surprised me the night of September 8th and came home a little earlier than planned.  Best surprise ever... he wanted to be in his house with his family... couldn't wait any longer.

Heard just last week on the 13th that I got the job with the Girl Scouts of Utah and now I am the Membership Recruitment Coordinator for Utah County... So an FYI-- Let me know if you want to volunteer to help with Girl Scouts or have a girl you would like to get signed up!  I'm your girl! :)

I'm actually really tired--- LONG DAY!-- and I haven't been feeling tip-top today... so off to bed I head... Keep your eyes open for new posts and more details about our ever-changing lives! :)

To Be or Not To Be.... Question Answered.

So this is the much needed update that I have been meaning to post that I am just getting to now.  Since I last posted, many things have happened.

We are still currently in Colorado for those who might wonder if we have up and left again.... but that will be short-lived as we are relocating in a few weeks.

So let's start first with what happened with the job and all of the prayers I requested...

I did indeed get an interview- it was supposed to be a Skype interview- but at the last minute due to technical difficulties became a phone interview.  The interview went well from what I could tell.  It was right after my phone interview that I was looking at flights if there was a possibility that I might need to go for an in-person interview.  Great flight deals were going on from Denver to Atlanta- so I just decided that I could go visit Grandma and Grandpa and hope for the possibility of scoring an in-person interview while there.  Off I went to Georgia for two weeks until the 4th of July.  I had a wonderful time visiting while there and got to have a bunch of fun visiting with friends and family... though I missed Matt and Macey quite a bit!  I did end up having a grueling 2-hour interview with 4 different employees at Georgia College.  I wasn't too nervous about the interview portion with the employees that I knew already- but in my opinion-- that was really the most grueling part!! I guess it was good to know they wanted to know me for my accomplishments and would make a hiring decision based on my qualifications and abilities rather than our friendship.

To give you the conclusion to the Job...Fast-forward to the 26th of July-- almost a month later from the time of my interview, I finally hear back after I called to check in.  I received a response indicating that an offer is out to the other candidate and that she had 10 years of experience on me.  But... a little piece of encouragement that he wanted to keep in touch because when turnover occurs or new positions are created, he thinks I am impressive and wants me to be a part of the team.   So a bit of a let-down, but what are you going to do when you're a new grad and don't have 10 years of experience to compete?  So to be or not to be.... for now the question has been answered... and the answer is NO.  :(

So...Back to Colorado I went on the 4th of July.  I couldn't wait to see Matt and was so disappointed to know that he wasn't picking me up from the airport.  He told me that Kate was coming to get me and he was on his way to a job.  I was skeptical and I started texting Kate and when she didn't answer, I kept bothering Matt.  I finally was just mad that he didn't crack and say he was coming and had partially given into the fact that he might not be coming for me ---  so I walked back into the waiting area and plopped down. I called Grandma and Grandpa to let them know that I got back to Colorado in one piece and was waiting for my ride.... when up pulled the Subaru and my sneaky husband.  I have to say- my favorite part of being away and traveling is the feeling that I get when I see Matt for the first time... I know this is sappy... but.... It's like falling in love all over again.  Just the love that I feel for him and knowing that I'm back where I belong.  Since we have been moving around and traveling so much, my new favorite phrase is... "Home is where your Honey is..."  That has become more and more true for the two of us.

I feel like such a geek doing this but... some news on Macey... Since people ask and she is afterall the closest we have to a child currently....

Macey is 6 months now... which in dog years she is about 3.5 years old... and I tell you- she is acting like a 3-4 year old for sure.  Macey loves to do laps around the house like a crazy puppy, play fetch with her tennis ball, play tug-o-war with her rope, and cuddling with her monkey (the only toy she hasn't pulled the stuffing out of).  She knows how to sit, lay down, crawl (on a good day), and shake.  She is in the process of also learning how to stand on her hind legs to get treats and we are working on "stay".  The most recent fun health escapade we have had is an ear infection and she thinks the ear cleaning bottle is her biggest enemy... she is going to be fat from all the treats that we are having to use to bribe her.  We sure do hate when she doesn't listen and is crazy, but we love the fun and sweet cuddling she does with us.

Well it is getting late and I should get to bed.  Hopefully I will be posting and updating the blog much sooner than this last time!!  Thanks for reading about all of our adventures! :)

Prayers Please!

I had a commitment to keep this thing up-to-date and current for everyone with an interest to be able to stay in the loop.  The past little bit has been really filled with working to - in my true perfectionist fashion- submit the best application that I could for this job opening that I have been hoping for.  

The Georgia College position was posted-- it'll be two weeks tomorrow-- and since then, I have been refreshing my resume and putting together what I hope to them  is an impressive business writing sample.  Matt always has his inspiration come when he has time to think- usually the shower is his thinking spot- and yesterday morning, he came out of the bathroom with an inspired piece for me.  He told me even though I was planning to call later this week- that I needed to call and follow-up regarding my application I submitted last Friday.  Also I was bold and used a tip from my business writing course where I said that I would call and request an interview.  I have never been that bold, but with this application- I felt it was important to be proactive.  

Before he left to work for the day, he made me promise I would call that same day.  I spent some time thinking about how I wanted to approach my call.  I can honestly say this was very different for me as I've always had people call me for an interview almost the moment I submitted my application.  I am so very excited about the prospects of this job and what talents and abilities I can bring to the table.  It was lovely and very easy to talk with Bill (the AVP who is doing the hiring).  I always hate when you have that awkward person that is just hard to talk with on the phone.  I am so grateful that was not the issue with this call at all.  Seems like a really great and nice guy.  

It came down to do-or-die time with requesting the interview- in the lull of the conversation, I mentioned my cover letter and asked when we could schedule an interview.  He said that yes we could and we scheduled a Skype interview for tomorrow, Friday. Prayers... all greatly appreciated.  Matt and I would be excited and welcome a move to Georgia to get back to some southern roots.  Well... I think Matt will miss the skiing greatly, but there will be so many opportunities for us there.  

On another note... Macey had her Spay surgery a week ago.  She's not a child, but I can't tell you how sad I was leaving her there and knowing I was causing her pain that she did not choose, but I know it's for her best.  I can't imagine what it will be to see my own children in pain.  It was difficult enough when Matt was in pain and sick-- I felt terrible and it brought me to tears feeling so helpless that I couldn't make him better or take it from him.  That sympathy factor that is a part of me is a gift, but can be a curse.  

She has recovered really well and I tell you- though I shouldn't have laughed, I had quite a few rolling on the floor incidents when Macey would knock into walls with her cone on and would feel cornered and not know what to do.  She would stand just paralyzed staring at the wall.  But don't worry- I think she got us back for all of the laughing.  She now uses her cone as a weapon.  The back of my legs and ankles will be very happy when she is cleared to not have to wear it anymore and her stitches are completely healed.  

I will have another post about what happens with the interview.  Prayers please and lets see how things go!!  

Hallelujah... Again and again!

The cookies are gone!  The three monstrous batches of cookies have been distributed, consumed, distributed again, and we are sufficiently filled and tired of cookies for quite some time I do believe.

By way of the "Housewifely conquests", Kate and I made Strawberry freezer jam this week with Sister Howe... Queen of all things domestic.  It was a great success.  I do believe that it will become a regular thing that I will make... as it is SO easy and ridiculously yummy!

It has been fun here in Colorado Springs and really bizarre weather.  The other morning I was awoken by thunder and the tapping on the window of pea sized hail.  The hail came down quite a bit until it was beginning to look quite a bit like winter again.  Thankfully it stopped soon after, but I tell you, this weather here has been CRAZY!

Fairly boring entry... but... Something I suppose! :)

Thoughts on Jobs.

So I have been graduated since December and have not aggressively pursued any jobs.  It is a very interesting place to be as a new graduate.  You have this idea of the things you would like to do, but it always seems everyone wants you to have more experience and the entry-level jobs just seem nothing like what you want to be doing.  Plus, there is that element where you wonder what jobs you can apply for as your skill-set seems like it may be a little less than what they are looking for.  But if you constantly seek out the jobs that are right where your skills are or are below your level, how can you push yourself and excel and grow?  

It's been hard as I have constantly and consistently had GCSU on my mind for employment.  I loved, absolutely loved my internship there last summer and would have loved to have stayed and worked with University Advancement.  However, all things must come to an end and afterall it was only a 6-week internship.  I learned so much from my mentor and feel like she would be an excellent person to work with and for.  So here is where my dilemma comes in.  I have not been holding out for a job from there thusfar, but at this point, when I am looking for a job for the Summer/Fall, I feel that I am.  Nothing interests me.  I just keep praying that something will come open for me I think mainly because when I have somewhere that just will not leave my thoughts, that is where I am supposed to be.  That happened with GCSU, my mission, BYU and now... I feel like it is happening with GCSU again with looking for a job.

If anyone has any insight or leads about jobs in the HR/ Nonprofit areas, please let me know.  At this point, I am open to receiving advice.  Can you believe it?  I am looking for some solicited advice! :)  Well better get looking around the job websites. Thanks for reading along with my random thoughts!

Off to a Rocky Start.

Well hello everyone!  Now that I think I can post, lets give this a try.  I have had every good intention to set up a blog for our family, friends, and groupies to be able to stay in the loop with our ever-changing lives, but just have not had the chance to do so.  I finally get some time and decide to get down to business and make it happen.  It never fails with my luck... Blogger has probably the biggest shutdown issues in the history of Blogger.  But... I press onward and hope that this rocky start isn't an indication of the rest of my time with this blog.

No pun intended, but this is a "Rocky" start to our blog.  It begins with us living in Colorado and enjoying the beautiful Rocky Mountains for sure!  We are here for the summer at least with one of Matt's annual summer sales jobs.  However, let it be known, he has switched from the dark side of sales to installs.  He really is enjoying it, and his customers seem to love his personality and I often will get calls from him during the day talking about how he feels like he's a great people person and has a funny story to go along with it.

I am playing the stay-at-home housewife and mother to our puppy.  It has been fun doing the cooking, cleaning, laundry, couponing, baking, bathing the dog and numerous other things that I have not done singularly in a while.  During my time in the MPA program and working, Matt would do the laundry, cook, clean (sometimes) :) and would do a lot of the household things while I studied and worked away.  Now it's time for us to trade roles.  I tell you what- I have extreme respect for women who are full-time homemakers and are good at it.  I am still doing my best to become the best and as always try to excel with what I do.

I will say I have had my victories and my epic failures.  Victory... being called a "coupon mom" when ravenously attacking the most amazing pasta sale of the year!  I am certain by the end of the summer when we're enjoying yummy pasta for really cheap, Matt will appreciate it more then.

Epic fail.... well ... I am really quite good with baking.  I pride myself in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.  I haven't ever made cookies for Matt, but he really likes how I make the Tollhouse pre-packaged cookies, so I decided it's time to show him what I'm made of.  I put everything together perfectly as I normally do and right as I finish stirring in the chocolate chips I see a little note at the bottom... (5200 feet altitude).  Sigh... Well here where we are- we are at approximately 6,035 feet.  I haven't ever had to take altitude into account, so I didn't think anything of it.  All I could think in the back of my head was about the recent advice from the Relief Society president here about baking at higher altitude... increase flour and decrease sugar.
WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT BEFORE!!!
The brilliant idea of doubling and then subtracting the surplus of sugar from the first batch was that of my Mother's.  Me and my terrible math skills, I called Kate (My fellow housewife for the summer) and figured out that I would need just 1/3 and 1/4 more and I would be set to go.  Kate was bringing me a bowl that would accommodate the larger amount of dough... so she soon got here to oversee the baking efforts.  Once again got to the end was ready to add the new batch of dough to the bigger bowl and I looked at the dough- not looking quite right.  It was then that it dawned on me.... I had added not just the 1/3 and 1/4 but had added another entire batch's worth of sugar.  I wanted to shoot myself.  THREE batches of cookies... batches that were supposed to make 5 dozen cookies... lets do the math... that's 180 cookies!!!  Assuming that I make them twice as big as they should be, that's still 90 cookies.  Kate was rolling on the floor at this point saying that I was "special" and texting my husband complimenting my baking skills.

So I again put together the leftover ingredients sans the sugar.... believe me - there was plenty in there.  I had to substitute some canola oil for butter since I was fresh out with making my last two batches.  About two hours later and with a TON of mixing (all by hand I might add) by Kate and I... the cookies were ready for baking.  All in all, they turned out decently, minus some little pasty flour chips from adding water to the flour for the altitude.  Matt ate them and enjoyed them and even requested some for lunch this morning when I was putting together his cooler.  Once we eat our way through this massive amount of dough, I'll be sure to report on my next baking adventure hopefully making only one batch of cookies for us to enjoy.

Well I figure I'll try and post a recap of the adventures from our last almost 9 months of being married in the near future, but for now... I will sign off and get going on baking some more of those blasted cookies.  :)