STRESSED OUT.

I don't know if it's just today, but I am ridiculously stressed out!!! I've been trying out new and improved ways of coping with stress, but so far nothing has really worked. The stress of these new coping methods not working is adding to my stress level, and I feel like I'm just going to EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here's why I'm stressed.

Since I started working for DCFS, my life has changed drastically. I used to spend all day at home, being able to keep the house clean and organized, cook dinner, have the laundry all done, etc etc etc. Then I would go to work a couple nights a week at the sleep lab. I got to see Scottie a lot, since he worked at nights also, and we'd have all day to be together. I also had no homework, no stress of school, and although our financial worries were still present, they weren't overbearing.

But NOW - I work four 10 hour days - from 8 am to 6 pm Mon - Thurs. I get home Monday nights at 7, just in time to scrounge something for dinner and try to tidy up what I can before going to bed at 10. Tuesdays I get off work at 5:30 and go straight to U of P where I'm in class till 10:00 at night. Wednesdays I get off work and go spend time with my Grandmother till 8 or 9 at night (which is usually the highlight of my week because my Grandmother is an amazing person) and then Thursdays I usually end up staying late at work to prepare for things on Monday. Fridays are my one day to get things done. Laundry, cleaning, shopping, and the random things that ALWAYS seem to come up. Not to mention homework.

Scottie goes to school Mon, Wed and Fri from 9 am to 3 pm and then goes straight to work till 11. I'm usually in bed when he gets home. He works Tue and Thur from 7 am - 3 pm and then goes to school till 6 pm. I feel like I never get to see him. We do get Thursday nights together for a couple hours, and then Sat and Sun, but we're always going somewhere doing something every weekend. The house seems to always be a mess. There's always dishes or laundry to do. And for some reason, now that I'm making more money, things seem to be more expensive. There's always a random new bill that just shows up. Or there's an ER visit when someone sprains their ankle playing Rockband on the Wii (I wonder who did THAT?!?!!) *cough* SCOTT *cough*

On top of that, my job is incredibly stressful. Not only am I stressed about the things going on in my own personal life, but I have 16 kids to worry about - 16 kids whose parents just don't seem to be gettin it. 16 kids that depend on me to keep them safe and help them with everything they need. 16 kids that only want to be loved. And I don't get why their parents can't do it!!!! Granted, they provide me with job security, so that's the silver lining in the world of DCFS, as sad as that is.

Whew. Okay. Venting session now over.

Now that you probably think I'm absolutely crazy, I was hoping for some stress relief advice. I know I'm not the only one that feels this way - all of you have lives that are just as busy, and more - because most of you have kids!! I can't imagine how you do it - the thought of being a mom right now is ridiculously overwhelming, and I admire each one of you superwomen moms!!!

So what do you do to relax? What gets your mind off the stresses of everyday life? I would love to know your secrets! So do tell!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Soundtrack of My Life!

I've done these before, when I've seen bulletins on myspace or whatnot, and I came across another one, but it got the best/funniest results yet! This one is definitely being made into a CD!!

So here's what you do. Open your iTunes, or whatever media player you have, set it to shuffle, and as the songs play, you create the soundtrack of your life! NO SKIPPING!!! You have to take what plays! That's what makes it so fun! So have at it!

Here's mine:

Opening credits.................BEVERLY HILLS - WEEZER
Waking up.........................WHY DON'T YOU GET A JOB - THE OFFSPRING
Average day.......................I HAVE A DREAM - ABBA (MAMMA MIA! SOUNDTRACK)
First date...........................YOUNG BLOOD - BRUCE WILLIS
First kiss............................THE ADVENTURE FINAL - ANGELS AND AIRWAVES
Falling in love....................GOODBYE EARL - DIXIE CHICKS
Love scene..........................WALK ON WATER - AEROSMITH
Fight scene.........................MY HERO - PARAMOUR (FOO FIGHTERS REMAKE)
Breaking up........................MAYBE MISERY - QUIET DRIVE
Getting back together........THE QUIET THINGS THAT NO ONE EVER KNOWS - BRAND NEW
Life's okay..........................THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD - THE BEATLES
Mental breakdown............SHORT SKIRT LONG JACKET - CAKE
Driving...............................WHEN I GET OLD - DESCENDENTS
Learning a lesson..............USED TO - DAUGHTRY
Deep thought.....................7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN - FALLOUT BOY
Flashback..........................GET OVER IT - OK GO
Partying.............................LIVIN ON A PRAYER - BON JOVI
Regret................................THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE - PET SHOP BOYS
Long night alone...............LEAVING ON A JET PLANE - BLINK 182 (JOHN DENVER REMAKE)
Death scene.......................LONGER - DAVID ARCHULETA
Closing credits..................SEE THE WORLD - GOMEZ

High School Memories....

I read this on Heather's blog, and I thought it would be fun to think back to high school. It was a pretty interesting experience for me, and it's kind of fun (sometimes) to think back...even though my memory is horrible. But I'll give these questions my best shot!


My Junior Year Picture

1. Did you date someone from your High School?
Well, yeah my first boyfriend was Ryan, when I was 16. We were set up on a blind date on my 16th birthday and we dated for about 3 months. After that I didn't really have a steady boyfriend. I dated a little bit but mostly just hung out with groups of friends. Seemed easier that way!

Ryan and I at a school dance

2. What kind of car did you drive?
On occasion I would drive my mom's Pathfinder or my dad's Grand Prix when I had to work or something. I didn't have a car of my own until my second year of college, when I got Steve, the Pontiac Sunfire. I miss him sometimes.

Steve in his prime!

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of High School for you?
Oh gosh. I don't even know. I did a lot of stupid things but I didn't really get that embarassed. Although, there was one time that Heather and I were riding around town and I was driving my mom's Pathfinder. We were singing to the new Britney Spears cd at the top of our lungs, and as we got close to my house, I noticed a set of flashing red and blue lights. Then another. Then another. I pulled over thinking they needed to pass. Nope. They were there for me. Apparently, they had been following us for the past 2 or so miles, and we hadn't even noticed. The officer let me off with a warning...and it makes for a good story now! Not really embarassing, but no doubt the officer figured he was dealing with another underage blonde.

4. Were you a party animal?
Animal...not so much. But I did like to go to parties on occasion. I loved hanging out with friends and rarely did a weekend pass by where I wasn't out somewhere, much to my parents' dismay!

A group of Friends at a stomp

5. Were you considered a flirt?
You could say that. I didn't realize it at the time, but I did get called a flirt quite a bit. I just thought I was being friendly! haha *shrugs*

6. Were you in Band, Orchestra, or Choir?
I was in Advanced Ladies choir my sophomore year, and then Show Choir (or Madrigals, whatever it was called) my Junior and most of my Senior year. Singing was a big part of my life then, and it still kind of is, but not nearly as much. Now it mostly consists of me singing at the top of my lungs in the car or the shower!

My friends Angie and Sarah and some random guy during a choir competition

7. Were you a nerd?
You know, it's funny. Those that know me best wouldn't consider me a nerd. But one time I went to a blood drive to make up some unexcused absences, and some of the "rebel guys" were there. When they asked why I was there, they were all shocked, and said, "But you're like a nerd - why would you have unexcused absences?" It makes you wonder how people really perceive you!

8. Were you on any Varsity teams?
Varsity...no. But I was on the track team my freshman year. And I was the Varsity girls basketball camera man, which was kinda cool.

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled?
No. But I did spend quite a few days after school making up the days I decided I had better things to do with my friends then go to class (like road trips to Cedar City....) ha ha

10. Can you still sing the fight song?
Let's see....Team fight for dear old Wasatch, our dear high school...fight for our honor always is the rule...da da da da...ummmm ok I guess the answer would be no. ha

11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Would it be sad if I didn't have any??? If I had to choose, I would probably say Mrs Turnblom (I think that's how it's spelled) because she was a total spaz. Oh yeah and Ms Kutsulis was a total spazzy Spanish teacher and it made it kinda fun. But there really isn't one teacher that stands out. The one that does is actually an 8th grade Science teacher I had...Mrs Conlin. She was amazing.

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
Depends on who I had lunch with. Most of the time we went out - sometimes we ate in the Senior hall, sometimes in the commons area, I don't really know. Just wherever.


At a Halloween Dance - four of us were the Pink Ladies. This is really a horrible picture! ha

13. What was your school's full name?
Wasatch High School

14. School mascot?
Wasp. Blah. Lame.


15. Did you go to Homecoming?
Homecoming...no. But I did go to a few other dances, like Prom, Senior Ball and Preference.

Prefence Senior Year - with Robby


Prefence Junior Year - with Brent

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Absolutely not.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
It was super hot in the gym. Totally packed, and I was annoyed by the girl that spoke. And I remember I kind of wanted to cry when we sang with the Show Choir but then I remembered that I couldn't wait to get out of high school and move on!

Heather and I after finally escaping the sauna that was graduation.

18. Where did you go Senior Skip Day?
Lagoon! With Heather and Valerie and Emmy. I got sunburned that day. It was so much fun!

19. Were you in any clubs?
Yes - Spirit club, FBLA - I LOVED going to the competitions. I won first place in public speaking and word processing a few times each! It was a lot of fun! And my Senior year I was in Journalism, which was fun too. Let's see...I know I was in a couple more but I really don't remember! I was involved in the drama stuff I guess, because I was in a couple of plays - Lil Abner and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Lil Abner

How To Succeed

20. Have you gained some weight since then?
Definitely. Quite a bit actually. Ugh. But I'm working on losing it!!


In Hawaii with my parents and grandparents.

21. Who was your Prom Date?
One year it was Ryan, and the other year...well, I don't remember his name. How terrible is THAT? I think it was like Devon or something. He was really tall, as you can see.


22. 10 year Reunion? Are you planning on going?
Definitely not.

23. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?
Save all your money, work harder at getting better grades for scholarships, get in better study habits, and develop a love for exercising!


Okay - if you just read this, now it's your turn to blog it!! Yay! I'll be checking.....so DO IT!