New Kids on the Block

Perks of the New Apartment

1.  Natural Light –  above ground windows rock my world.

2.  Carpet – We can now lay down on the floor without breaking our backs on tile.

3.  Room to Decorate – When I get stressed … I like to create … thank goodness for this outlet.

4.  350 additional sq ft – need I say more?

5.  Man Cave –  just like Bruce Wayne needs a Bat Cave … Mitchell needs a Man Cave (aka our 2nd bedroom)… so he can do manly things … in … the Man Cave.

6.  Washer & Dryer – Laundromat is a swear word. 

Welcome to our humble home. 

I think my favorite thrift find so far is our  $4 lego lamp.  It was originally brown … a little red spray paint and … viola’.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire.

For the past 3 months my pants have been on fire.  I extinguished my pants yesterday and they are no longer smoldering or smoking. 

I quit my job. 

I had a lovely (and when I say a lovely I really mean ugly) 40 minute phone conversation with my boss over my lunch break.  I told her I didn’t agree with what was going on in the clinic and I felt very dishonest.  I was lying to people by not telling them the entire truth.  I didn’t want to be associated with the company any longer.  Excuses and reasons were given as to why things are the way they are. I told her that my morals and standards were and are not going to change.

  This whole experience has really opened my eyes.  The owners of the company are LDS and yet we disagree on what is honest and ethical.   Mitchell made a very excellent point the other day.   Everyone has a different definition for what ethical and honesty really mean.  He said that if anyone else thinks you are dishonest then you probably are playing too close to the line.  I couldn’t agree more.

Was I nervous making the phone call?  Absolutely.  Was I nervous to tell someone that I thought they were dishonest? You betcha’.  I was in a cold sweat the entire day just knowing that I had to have that conversation.

But next to marrying Mitchell and going on a mission … this was the best decision of my life. 

 I am very happy to have my nose back to its original size.

Pillows and Monsters and Interviews. Oh My.

I have discovered a slight fetish … a pillow fetish. 

As you can tell … I don’t like matchy matchy when it comes to decorating.   And yes … that is a rabbit/wild fox/bigfoot hair pillow. And yes … I am wearing jean cut off shorts … go ahead … judge me.

Mitchell and I wandered over to the park today on a mission.  A branch finding mission.  Mission complete.  I have a little decorating project up my sleeve.  I have all these ideas in my head … and I never just know how they will turn out. Pictures will follow in the following weeks … IF all goes well

Lil’ Champ sprouted a massive mast and Mitchell sailed us home.

I created a fur child a couple weeks back … and I love her. Mitchell and I went to the SLC arts festival and some girl was selling some adorable plush monsters … for $75. I made a $6 version. And her name is Harriet.

 

As you can tell by looking at the calendar … job interviews are taking place … I am on the job hunt … again.  You might be thinking … “Wait! Didn’t you just get a job a few months ago?”  And the correct answer is .. “Yes. Yes I did.”    To make a long story short:  I don’t go home at the end of each night feeling right… morally. I hate being associated with the business and the things that go on there. Shady. The end.

 

On a side note … I cut my hair.  Like a little boy. And I love it. My name is now Aaron.

happy bert day.

August 4th marked my dear mother’s bertday.  We thought we would honor her by bringing a bertday cake … ancient greek mosaic style.  Mitchell tried this new recipe which produced a very lovely and moist cake … more moist than a towelette.

The party didn’t officially begin until she put on her party pants.  Party pants on?  Check.  The real fun can now begin.   Every family should have a designated pair of party pants.

Unibrows?  Check.   

Mom has matured and at the ripe young age of 57 has blossomed into a beautiful bearded woman.

we love you mom.  happy bertday.

"No disassemble Number Five! "

To all who read this post about Short Circuit and wished there was an easy and free way to enjoy the many thrills of 1980's cinema... I have good news! Its now available streaming from hulu WATCH NOW!

The fact its on hulu is proof that it isn't that bad.... Also they are planning to remake the movie.... Whose down for joining me on opening night?

Just Mostly Dead.

We’re not dead.  Just mostly dead.  There’s a big difference between the two.  Here is a slight recap of our lives.

* Lil’ Champ, the prodigal car, returned home to us tonight after a months absence.  Turns out all he needed was a new starter. We knew Lil’ Champ would be back for more.  He is  a cat … 9 lives … I think this last little issue was life number 7.

* My new job … the job that we had been waiting and praying for … the job that required us to move to SLC …. is not what I thought it was going to be.  Slightly disheartening.   Love being able to walk to work.  Like my co-workers.  Not loving my boss.  We do not get along.  I have never had this happen …to this level or degree … ever.  Not loving the fact that my blood pressure, cortisol levels, mood, and digestive system have all taken a toll thanks to stress.

* Our new apartment. Love the space.  Love being able to decorate.  Love that Mitchell now has his very own man cave.  Love the washer and dryer that was included.  Not in love with the neighbors.  They stink … literally.  One of our neighbors started this rumor that I had burnt my face badly while lighting the pilot light in our apartment … as a result I was suing the landlord … and as a result of that, the landlord was evicting us.  For real?  That’s the best rumor you could come up with? Seriously.  On a more positive note … we live mere minutes from my favorite Indian restaurant. 

* Mitchell had a serious relationship going on with KSL classifieds a little while back.  He found: a free tv, a free printer, a free sewing table and PFAFF sewing machine, an office desk for his man cave and an entertainment center.

Here are some pictures from our latest adventures 

a little sidewalk chalk and a lot of talent …

Mitchell could be mistaken for a platypus and I am eyeless.

face off. mitchell won.

mitchell had a birthday shout hooray.

monster cupcakes were necessary.

we explored some of Salt Lake’s parks

we made friends with the sweetest little owl.  

thought I had a slug between my toes … looked down … ended up being something much less sanitary.  That dog must have done its dirty deed, merely minutes before I took this fatal step.

old mission president got home …. missionary reunion happened.

saltair – sooo stinky … and sooo salty.  mitchell and I walked away from this adventure high in sodium.

no a/c does wonders for my hair

pioneer day.   pure sparkler love.  the purest kind of love you can have.      

bippity – boppity – boo.

Lil’ Orphan Annie

 

Oh where to begin.  Seriously.

This past weekend was spent frolicking with the fabulously fantastic Fillmore’s at the Fillmore Family Reunion (blog post to follow in the near future).  Try saying that 3 times fast.   I had to work today (Monday) and so a very beautiful, gracious and anonymous donor offered to help pay for a plane ticket so I could be back before I turned into a pumpkin.   I was super grateful that I was able to spend the time that I did have with Mitchell’s side of the family.  So it was slightly sad when everyone was enjoying themselves Sunday evening and I had to be a party pooper and leave.  (I was already feeling pretty stressed about going to work the next day.   I have a lot of responsibility at this new job and Monday meant the first day that I would be flying solo …. no trainer … no nothin’… on my own.)  

Mitchell dropped me off at the airport … I boarded the plane and before we knew it … the sky had become filled with swirling dark grey cotton candy.  So we sat in the plane forEVER.   Finally we took off.   This is where the fun begins …….

1.  A very friendly crazy lady sat down next to me.  She had been stuck in airports all day with her 6 month old.  By the time she got to our flight she had pretty much forgotten how to even hold her baby.  The poor thing was seriously just dangling, pinned between her knees and the seats in front of us.  I didn’t want the poor thing to die, so I offered to hold the cute little bugger.  Well, the mom ended up falling asleep and I was left to entertain a 6 month old.  Much harder than it looks.  Props to all you mothers who dare fly with babies.  Soooooo that meant no nap for me. 

2.  Earlier at the airport gate, I caught a guy staring at me.  Thought nothing of it.  As I took my seat on the plane … I noticed that he was sitting diagonal to me.  I was still okay with that.  But then the staring continued.  And intensified.  I would catch him staring at me and then he would give me this “come hither” look.  I don’t know where that guy learned how to talk with his eyes that way … but it freaked me out. Seriously.  Barf.  At some point I caught him trying to mouth a couple words to me … I am horrible at lip reading…. thankfully.  At one point the nice crazy lady woke up and went to the bathroom … she was the only barrier between me and him.  As soon as she left he made his move.  He leaned across the aisle trying to get my attention.  I flashed my wedding ring casually while scratching my face and totally snubbed him big time.   Most uncomfortable flight on the planet.

3.  I get off the plane.  Take a shuttle to the Park N’ Jet.  Drive home.  Drag my stuff up the stairs to our door.   Shove my key in the door and turn …. nothing.  After trying about 50 bajillion different deadbolt/door lock twist combinations and calling Mitchell, I ended up going over to the neighbors house (by this time it was midnight).  They tried with no such luck.  Said sorry and then shut their door. The straw that broke the camel’s back for sure. Exhausted. Cranky. Bed-less. Stressed … and an orphan.

this is what an exhausted, bed-less, cranky and stressed orphan looks like.  boy am I glad I carry my camera everywhere so I can document joyous occasions such as this.

I thought up the possible game plans …

A) sleep in the ole’ minivan and go to work the next morning stinky while adorned in dirty clothes. 

B) try and find a super cheap motel room that doesn’t smell like a thrift store. 

C) homeless shelter or build my own shelter

D) drive the hour and wake up the entire Hicken household and sleep in my old room. 

I chose D.  Finally got to bed around 1.  Had to get up early.  Woke up.  Felt like I had been trampled by a herd of wild buffalo.  Put on some of my mom’s clean clothes.  Got a blessing from my dad.  Drove to work.  Had a fabulous day. Didn’t yawn once.  Moral of this bedtime story … priesthood blessings are real and amazing.  Thanks dad.