Tuesday, October 17, 2006

I'm a Fisher(wo)man

This last Friday my team at work had a team building outing. SNORE, I know. Actually, it was a lot of fun. My boss got a new boat and decided to take us up to Jordanelle to go fishing for the morning.
It was so cold! At first anyway. I started out with snow pants, my pink puffy coat, gloves, scarf, earmuffs. The only thing that was cold were my noes and my toes! I also, was the only person who wasn't cold. Could have also been the giant thermos of hot chocolate I kept nursing. Once the sun came out it was a beautiful fall day. We had divided ourselves into two teams of three, each team to a boat. My boss's neighbor, Jerry, provided the second boat. Jerry also happens to be somewhat of a pro fisherman.
Jerry caught the most fish of the day, but second to him was Heather and me! We creamed the other team, it was so much fun. Everyone did catch something so even though the other team got creamed by a couple of girls, we all still enjoyed the day. Some of us just more than others.
Here are some pictures of the trip for your viewing pleasure.

That's Heather on the left, no doubt reeling in another "big one". Jerry is on the right overseeing his little apprentices. Oh, and what's that? Taunya, holding two lovely small mouth bass. I'm bragging to the opposing team on the other boat.

This is Lane, our other teammate with one of his healthier catches of the day.
Ha ha! Here is me again. By this time I was such a pro I was reeling in fish left and right. This little guy got a kiss, a photo op, and I sent him on his way.

I didn't really kiss him.

Here's all our fish which Bob later helped me gut. If I can get those pictures onto my computer I'll blog that experience at a later date.

And here is the whole group. Steve (the boss), Me, Heather, Lane (seated), Rob, Rondo (on dock). As you can see by the smiles we all had a lot of fun.
Then we went to lunch at the Red Rock in Park City. Dang tastiest veggie pizza I've had, maybe even better than Geppettos? I'll have to have an official taste competition to see.

Monday, October 16, 2006

I'm Starting a Boycott

I love Halloween. I love to get dressed up- this year I'm a mad scientist! I love seeing other people get dressed up. I like the spooky decorations and the fall leaves and trick-or-treaters and anything else you can think of. Oh! Pumpkin carving, I love carving pumpkins (hint, hint honey) So what could I possibly be boycotting about this time of year. Some of you know. For those that don't please read on.

Trunk-or-treat! What a load of hooey. There are so many things wrong with this.

#1- You can't change a decades old tradition, that's very party-pooper of you.

#2- I have a house of my own for the first time ever, and I want trick-or-treaters. I love seeing the cute little kids in all their costumes. If I had kids of my own I'd want to parade them around and show off how cute they are. And I'd like them to experience one of my favorite childhood holiday traditions.

#3- This is from Bob, and I wholeheartedly agree. You are just making your kids fatter. Yes, the take is usually bigger for trunk-or-treats which kids love. But they are going to eat all that candy and they aren't walking/running around the neighborhood to collect it. As far as I'm concerned trunk-or-treat is the leading cause of childhood obesity in America (at least for the month of October)

#4- It seems that trunk-or-treats occur more frequently in lower income neighborhoods. Perhaps these people think its unsafe to send their kids out. Go with them! You have to be with them at trunk-or-treat anyway, or is it just that you don't want to walk/run around with your kids. So maybe trunk-or-treat is the leading cause of all obesity in America regardless of age.

Please, please, please send your kids out for Halloween. They will have fun, you will have fun. And I will be a happier person.

That is all I have to say. Keep an eye out for my official boycott petition in the mail.

Let me know what you think. Trunk-or-treat, or Trick-or-treat?

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

No Motivation

What is it about the first frosty mornings of fall that just kicks your butt?

Well, they kick mine. And Bob's too. Most that know us would probably agree that we are hard working, industrious people. We don't like to waste time or be lazy. But too frequently in the last couple of weeks we have found ourselves sleeping in (gasp!), and missing workouts (double gasp!)- if you are a cyclist you know the gravity of these consequences for Bob. Seems like there was something else, but I can't think of it right now. Oh yes, huge loss of motivation for work.

So here is my answer (excuses*) as to why the first frosty mornings of fall just kicks my butt:

- Its cold outside. Who wouldn't rather be snuggled 12 inches deep in blankets? And I know once I get out and that cold hits me its going to wake me right up, and who wants to do that? No, I can't just turn the heat up, that's expensive.

- Its dark outside. Running in the dark is scary. And sometimes you trip.

- I've now realized that summer flew by and I didn't get to play enough thus making me sour at work.

- A new house. Lots of work to get the house ready for winter and the yard prepared for spring. Makes me too tired for exercise and I don't want to be at work when there is more important stuff at home. Granted, Bob has been doing all the work at home. What have I been doing? Not much.

- I have an innate need to hibernate for winter. This also includes binging in preparation for the long nap. This creates disastrous results when combined with the lag in exercise.

I do love the fall though, especially the smell of the fallen leaves in the late afternoon. So if I could just start my day around sunrise (that's about 8:00am nowadays isn't it?) and call it a day around 6pm- just before those chilly breezes come in- that would be great.

*Bob says "Excuses are like bum-holes. Some just stink more than others."


P.S. This is very important. Part of the delightful binging, adds guilt to the lack of exercise, but gets me through the days of work, is argueably the best part of fall. Cold Stone Creamery Fall Flavors! Here are some of my recommended combinations, I also recommend trying something new every time:

1/2 Pumpkin Ice Cream
1/2 Cheesecake Ice Cream
Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crust

7/8 Pumpkin Ice Cream
1/8 Coffee Ice Cream (adjust for your love of coffee)
Reeses Pieces
Brownie
Coconut
White Chocolate Chips

Cinnamon Ice Cream (comes closer to Thanksgiving)
Apple filling
Pie Crust
Waffle Pieces
Reeses Pieces (these go good in just about everything)

You can thank me later.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Happy Anniversary!

Today is a special day. Three years ago today Bob and I were married. It has gone by fast, and it has been great. Let's recap.

2003:
Bob and I get married!
Bob starts training while going to school and working a full and part time job. Impressive. Not to mention he showers his new wife with love, attention, and "I love you's". What a man!

2004:
Taunya loses one job and gets another
Bob continues school, work, and cycling.
Gets upgraded from a Cat 5 to Cat 2. Yup, that' s my man!
Swallow pride and move in with my mom so that Bob can just do cycling and school, no work.
Find out Bob can't not work. Oh well, we tried. No one ever complained of being married to someone who has a job.
Celebrate one year of wedded bliss by traveling to Bob's mission in Brazil. Very cool.
One of the things I appreciate most is how often Bob tells me I'm beautiful. Sometimes I think he's crazy, but most of the time I think he's dead sexy!

2005:
Work
School
Cycling
Lots of fun, make new friends and see lots of places while attending bike races together. I love going to the races with Bob, cheering him on and helping him out. I'm really proud of how hard he works at it, and the integrity he has while racing.
Move to Arizona. But first, celebrate two years of successful "I do's" in Las Vegas. Its not what you think, we were there for a bike show and spent the day in the convention center.
We get Zeke and Blanche.
Bob isn't the easiest guy to figure out, even after a couple years of marraige. I love learning new things about him. He encourages me to be better without pointing out any faults. He is supportive in all the right ways.

2006:
We get to work together every day, and we make a pretty good team.
Bob goes to Belgium. Being apart really sucks. I know I can do it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it...and I don't. But seeing him at the train station in Tielt after 2 months was awesome!
We move back to SLC and crash at our coach's house until we can find our own place.
We find our own place. It is so cute. Bob has proven to be quite the handyman. Fixing, building, painting, cleaning, cooking. You name it, he can do it.
Bob gets his coaches license, only misses 3-4 questions. Well done.
Bob gets his EMT license. Very well done.
Celebrate three years of holy matrimony in Moab. Actually, I kidnapped Bob and took him down there. He had no idea, it was great.
Bob starts off year number four by getting back to training. The goal is a Cat 1 upgrade for spring of '07.
We make efforts every day to love and serve each other. Bob puts up with all my moods and quirks, and believe me, there are a lot. How one person can be so patient I don't know, but I'm extremely grateful.

So there, you have it. Three years of being with my best friend (saving you all the mushy details) No one out there could make me happier or keep me sane better than Bob, and I am without a doubt the luckiest girl in the world to have a husband who loves me so much. I don't think I appreciate him enough, but I'll keep trying.

Taunya + Bob = LOVE!