Happy Birthday to ME! And my Mom.

Today is my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! And its my Mom's. Happy Birthday Mom! I was such a wonderful birthday gift to her.

Last week I bought myself a couple of presents and today I'm going to use some coupons and buy more. I love presents.

Don't worry, I'll make Melissa take pictures of me opening them. She's gonna make me dinner and Key Lime pie so as a reward she gets to watch me open presents I wrapped myself. I'm nice like that.

Last year around this time I was planning a family reunion. Ah.. such stress but now I look back and only remember how awesome it was. How awesome I was.
Last year on this day I was in a cast dreading surgery next week... and apparently texting and driving. (Emily took this the day I went back to work and she went back to Utah.. this was to help Mom feel better about her leaving me alone) (ignore the expression.. its hard work to text)
That Sunday Mitchell Bunn was blessed and I accidentally knocked him on his head with my cast while he was in his mother's arms. Then my Mother came, I had surgery (which I might or might not still have nightmares about) and now I'm basically all better.

I can't believe its been a whole year. One of the worst experiences of my life (I just might be unreasonable afraid of anything doctor related) and now its fading into the past like everything else. I just hope I can remember the love and care that was shown me by my family and friends (thank you!) while the other stuff fades... although it seems to want to be the other way around.

While up in Utah someone asked me how old I was and I said 36. Amy (SIL), who is just a few months older than me, looked at me very strangely. "Wait... aren't we 35?"

Apparently I've been thinking so much about being 35 that this year I decided to skip right over it. I had planned on reaching many of my life goals by this year. But alas, I have no cute black girl dressed in a yellow sun dress and instead of a gardening Emily as a housemate, I have the heat of Vegas.

Mm.. as Dave Ramsey says, the difference between a goal and a wish is a plan. Oh, I'm making plans... I'm always making plans. Planning is easy. Its the follow through that's hard.

All in all though, I'm going to have a wonderful Birthday day/week/month with my friends, family, and crocheting.

I didn't crash when I went biking last week (the day before my accident anniversary) so I've already made progress.

Happy birthday to Mom and ME!

PS. I know most of u who read this aren't in Vegas, but Melissa is putting on a run to help raise money for her sister and for the cancer institute. Its all there on the flyer. I'm such a wuss about circulating it at work that I thought I'd better at least put it on my blog

The Clark County Fair 2011

I know this was more than 3 weeks ago, but I still wanted to share. At least I need to post the cute pictures I took of my VT's daughter.

I was SO happy to be able to go! I didn't think I would be able to because I'd be in Seattle but things worked out just wonderfully.

First the preparation. This year I really wanted to win Best in Class but with only 2 weeks of preparation, the possibility was denied me (kinda forgot about how soon the fair is in the spring). Of course, after seeing what actually won I don't know that I would have been able to pull it off but we won't dwell on that.

I decided to finish a conference afghan (those afghans only attempted under the spiritual influence of conference and never picked up again) after I found 2 feet of it in my closet. Unfortunately the yarn had turned darker over the years, which I didn't discover until I went to buy more. I hoped against hope that there was enough in an ugly, short afghan I had made in New Mexico. (The new afghan in on the left)

I hoped in vain. The edging and top few rows are distinctly lighter where I used newer yarn. I tried washing/spraying/ironing ie everything I could think of but old yarn is old yarn.

So I finished my other objects and thought I would be happy with just a few blue ribbons.

Here is the results - While at the fair I never saw my booties so I didn't knowI had once again got 3rd best in class. Melissa had to tell me when she graciously picked up my fair stuff for me.

I actually thought the fair would be tired of booties by now. I would be, if I was a judge. I only turned them in because I had already finished them.

Pat's daughter (whom I convinced to enter something in the fair so that I would have someone to turn in my stuff while I was in Seattle) got third best in class in sewing as well as the Judges choice for Junior entries. I was somewhat ashamed of my very tiny jealously of a 10 year old before I learned I had also gotten a big ribbon. Phew. I can now share in her joy. Its all about the big ribbons in my book.

But what I really enjoyed was that my VT allowed two of her daughters to join me, Pat, and Pat's daughter for a Saturday afternoon at the fair. I hadn't been to the fair with kids before. They were so excited to see all the animals and eat the delicious food. (Its amazing how much one little six year old can tuck away)And this is the only picture I took of all that (I asked Emily if she wanted me to get her these goats). Me and my poor bloggings skills.

But then when the big girls wanted to ride the big girl rides, I got to take the little six year old to the rides she was interested in. She was determined to get ALL the rides she could out of 3 tickets.

First, the merry go round (posing). I just couldn't time the picture right.

Finally I just took a video (she's on an inside pony with a boy in black beside her).

(the 30 seconds was in reference to how long a video I can take on my cell phone)

She was then interested in a Bee ride but decided against it when it was TWO tickets.

"How many do I have left?"

"Two."

A motorcycle ride.

"How many tickets do I have left?"

"One."

A fish ride to finish it off.
The big girls had stood in line for a 3 ticket ride the whole time she was riding these rides (lets just say the lines weren't exactly long for a fish ride). But boy was she proud of telling those big girls that she had been on FOUR rides while they had been on only TWO.

I'm planning on taking kids with me every year. If urs are available, let me know.

And next year, I really am going to win that blue ribbon. I have so many plans. I'll probably start on them tomorrow.

Weekend in Provo

Last weekend I was able to go up to Provo to visit Emily. I wanted to go as soon as possible cuz with me teaching in RS and then off to California and her headed up to Hawaii for another vacation (I would be jealous except she deserves it and I don't) I needed to get it in. So this was rather sudden like. Actually, my VT texted me on Sunday wondering where I was. It made me feel good to be missed :-)

Anyway, I spent two glorious days working with Emily in her garden. Its made me rather discontent with Vegas. Very discontent. I'm talking more and more of maybe doing something about perhaps starting to look into the possibility of sometime moving out of this town.

Probably tomorrow. I'll be sure to let you know.

Anyway, Angela and Mom were nice enough to stay Friday night on their way to Rexburg for another semester for Angela. Of course Alec, his "friend that's a girl", and Cora had to come say hi as well. Cora is a granddaughter of the Packs in NM and is friends with Angela.

Emily tried to take a picture with my cell phone (we are at Farrs getting ice cream). I decided to take over.

Here is Alec's "friend that's a girl" and Mom discussing nursing. Apparently she's studying to be a nurse so Mom gave her some pointers, i.e. how to be a troublemaker and play practical jokes on your fellow nurses and instructors.
No, I don't remember Alec's "friend that's a girl"'s name, why do you ask?

Emily's roommates came too.
And those are all the pictures I took of that.

Have you ever been in a group of people that no one thing/person draws them all together? It makes for some interesting dynamics. Not awkward, just interesting.

After Mom and Angela left Saturday morning, Amy and Gage came on Saturday night to make use of the Emily Hotel. Amy wanted to try something new and exciting for dinner (she was on vacation after all) so we went to the Chinese Hot Pot place. Of course, the decision wasn't made as easily as I make it sound. Amy finally told Emily to give her 3 suggestions and she would pick one of them. She's learned how to make things happen in a Helm world :-)

Her and Alec were a little nervous at first and unsure as to the protocol but I think it grew on them. Look at all those empty plates and bowls. Gage got to drink soda after finishing his mushrooms. That's why he's so happy.

And that's all the pictures I took. For a blogger I'm pretty lame.

Just take my word, rather than my pictures, that I loved getting out of Vegas and playing/working with family.

PS. As a side note, I taught RS today for the first time. Sigh. Any suggestions on how I can be less spastic? One lady told me "Well, at least it wasn't boring!". I've already decided not to have Easter candy and wheat thins for dinner the night before. I'm thinking that might help.
(I gave myself an Easter basket. Those Wheat thin Stix are NASTY. I can tell you the Easter bunny will never give those again... never ever.)

Photo Shoot

Didn't know engineers have photo shoots, didja?

Well.. I didn't know either. The week before I went back to Seattle I thought we were going out to see the bridges to take some pictures for the proposal, not to take pictures of us. It was kinda both.

Don't worry, I won't let it go to my head since I was really just the token female engineer, although Chuck said it was cuz we were shooting at one of the bridges I designed.

Its true I am pretty awesome... except when I totally mess up my first steel bridge and am currently changing all the bracing... um, never mind.

Here we are, discussing the bridge. OK not really. Here, I'll provide the real dialog.

Arvid: "These aren't even Jacobs plans, let alone the plans of this bridge."

Melanie: "I feel very silly standing around while Arvid points at these drainage sheets."
Chuck: "Just look like your discussing stuff"

Melanie: "I really should have worn a different outfit."
Chuck: "No, look at the sheets on the barrier by you."

Melanie: "Does this vest make me look fat?"Chuck: "Here, I'll show you. Just point and smile" Melanie: "Oo Oo, I want to point too!"

Arvid: "No"

Melanie: :-( Melanie: "The column is so big! And the dropped cap looks like its coming out of nowhere and has no purpose"

Arvid: "Yes, you designed it. The dropped cap has a very important purpose."

Melanie: "I know it does! I'm just saying... and the bridge looks fatter on one side than the other"

Arvid: "Are those even engineering words?"

Chuck: "Come on you guys, look at the plans!"
Rob (bridge inspector/photographer extraordinaire): "The light just isn't right because of the shadows on the bridge. I've taken a ton of pictures and just look at these ugly black lines. How about we go look at the Blue Diamond flyover while we wait for the light to change?"

Melanie: "Please? Can we go?! Pretty Please?"

Chuck: "I have to go pick up a dining room table for my wife so lets make it quick."

Arvid: "Humph. I'm an even tempored Norweigen so I don't care" Melanie: "Where are the piers under the deck? I can't find them!"

Arvid (from ahead): "They're right in front of you."

Chuck: "Lets hurry"

Rob (too some construction guys): "#$%^"

Melanie: "Construction Dudes have foul mouths. You sound like Angus"

Rob: "What?"

Melanie: "Nothing!"

Whoa.. hello Arvid.


Arvid: "Engineers don't smile unless they are making fun of Melanie"

Chuck: "Take one of me too!"
Melanie: "Rob, how about you just skip me.... oh, I'll get out of your way."
Melanie: "It looks like an erector set!"

Chuck: "Just one more picture of this framing and then we'll go."
Melanie: "Oo Oo, I want to see the girders that ended up too short because of construction. Where are they?"
Arvid: "Your LOOKING at them."

Chuck: "Look at the time! We've got to go back! My wife will kill me if I don't get that dining room table"
Melanie: "I doubt he can see us from up there so I'm gonna make faces at him"

Arvid and Chuck: "Sigh"

Rob: "Now that is perfect lighting! Now the bridge looks beautiful. Apparently all we really needed was a couple of people dressed up like engineers."
Chuck: "We're done. Lets go... Quickly"

Melanie: "Now can I point? GQ baby!"

And that my friend, is an engineering photo shoot. (I wrote this late last night but forgot to post... hence the many inside jokes that only the engineers at work will get if they read this which I hope they never do)

Seattle Discoveries 2

I think I've started a new tradition. Its a good one. I also thought I'd also share 10 more Seattle discoveries. There's not quite as many this time since I wasn't there as long. You know me, always willing to look on the bright side of thing and learn from my experiences.

Its my blog, I can say what I want.

I took more pictures as I was leaving. This time I was on the other side of the plane so I got a good view of the city ie Bellevue. Can you see where I stayed? Right above all those tall buildings? No? Well, I can.

Here goes.

1. Jimmy Johns in the business park is not open on Saturday. Sad days.

2. It takes alot longer to go shopping if you are walking. ALOT longer. And even if you borrow a work car that first day cuz you know you won't be able to carry it all, having to go back and get the bag of groceries you left in the shopping cart just might add some time to the total experience as well.

(floating bridge, not the one they are replacing)3. There's a reason people in small apartments eat out. Cooking stinks up the whole place... and all ur clothes. Ick.

4. Did you know a podcast is just like having ur own mp3 files of whatever it is ur listening to? OK, so I might just be a little slow on the whole online ipod stuff. But I'm so excited that I got free podcasts of some of LM Montgomery's books! Haven't listened to them yet so I'm not sure about the quality but its still very exciting. Now I won't have to save the books to listen to while I exercise.

(the plane started to turn before I could get a picture of the next floating bridge... the one they are replacing. You can barely see it there in the back) 5. I really REALLY like cold water straight out of the tap.

6. Look in ALL the pockets in your backpack before deciding you've forgotten your computer jack. You just might end up with 2, the one you bought and the one you found in your backpack as you are packing up to go. 7. California is too big a state to mention as a possible destination. You must specify a city. (Irvine or Oakland... depending on which job they need my help on)

8. All the food you eat before going home will reverse any progress you made toward weight loss before leaving.

And the final two. Those of you who are squeamish you might want to skip the next few pictures.

9. Do not trip while running to try 2 catch the light on ur way to work. You will rip your pants and badly scrap your knee (pictures taken in the restroom at work) And the screws will try and come out of your elbow (remember the trying to get out of the pool fiasco?) and you will get blood all over your coat.(A fall like that shore effects your body differently at 35 than at 9 or 10. Especially when you have to sit for 2.5hrs on the plane that afternoon)

Here is what it looks like today (cell phone picture doesn't show how red and groudy it is... for which all of you are probably very thankful).10. If you biff it hard on a sidewalk in Bellevue, nobody will say a thing... even though there is a cab with it's engine running right next to you and a couple of people out smoking. They just watch you roll around for a bit and say to themselves "Woah, that lady totally biffed it hard. She probably hasn't done that since she was 9. Shore glad it wasn't me. Remind me never to run for the light".

I'm so glad to be back in Vegas.

PS. No Mother, I was NOT texting and walking. I was RUNNING!

Good News, Bad News and Conference

I love conference. I know I've mentioned this before, but it reminds me of why people like to pay preachers to preach to them. It's so nice to sit and just listen with no effort on your part.

Anyway, after all the sessions on Sunday... when I was depressed cuz it was over... I went on a walk and took some pictures of Bellevue. I decided not to rent a car this time to save some money.

Its kinda cool to live and work downtown and have beautiful suburbia right next door. So I'll show some pictures while I share the good and bad news. It seemed to work in the last post... kept you occupied while I ranted.

I did take a picture of my favorite house but of course I accidentally deleted that one off my phone. That's what I get for watching TV while trying to blog. Cable is evil.

Bad News: I forgot my jack so I could plug into the Internet to watch conference. In my defense, I never thought I'd taken it out of my backpack.

Good News: while at the mall Friday night (10 minute walk from work and where I am staying) to pick up a new one at the very busy apple store, I saw a lady with a dog in a stroller purchasing clothing in JC Pennys.

This picture was taken on the sly so its not very good. I later saw her sharing some ice cream with her little dog but couldn't figure out how to take another picture without her noticing.

Bad News: I was fired from my church job. I am no longer in the YW organization, which I have been in for the last 4 yrs... the whole time I've been in the Rainbow Ward.

Good News: One of the girls sitting behind me said "What?!?" when they announced my release. Of course "with every firing there is a rehire", which is what the bishopric member said when I answered "to be fired" to his "do you know why your here?" question. Do you want to guess or should I tell you? My sisters like to guess. Yes, its in the the RS organization. Not compassionate service... Why is that the first thing everyone thinks?

I'm gonna be the 4th Sunday teacher in RS. The YW probably heard I might be going to California for 6 months and thought I might shirk my duties even worse than while I was in Seattle... which leads me to my next news. Bad News: I was asked if I would be willing to go to California for 6 months to work on 2 design build proposals, one of which is a cable stay bridge. May-November. I replied to Chuck's repeated queries (I was in Seattle by then) with "I suppose you can put me on the list".

Good News: Today I found out I get to go home Friday! Apparently Seattle's needs had changed even before I arrived. I was very frustrated when I arrived because they appeared to not really need me. Now I know why. They are out of money and its back to Vegas 4 me! I didn't miss a single choir practice and now I have a chance to go to the fair.. and sleep in my bed, and read all my books, and look at all my stuff. Praises be.

(There were a lot of big new houses behind little old houses. This was a weird modern thing behind a cute little cottage. ) Good News: I got a bunch of crocheting done during Conference. Two blankets almost finished and a couple set of booties.

Bad News: I was trying to use up some very strong pink thread from a previous blanket. I had accidentally bought the ugly stuff and so edged a white blanket with it a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately I ran out before I finished and had to buy another roll. So guess what? It happened again. I only need a few feet of thread but will have to buy a whole roll. Its a vicious cycle.

This is Gandi in front of the Bellevue library. Apparently people light candles to him. Who knew?

Anyway, I gotta get to bed. I'm thinking the RS might be rethinking their decision to take me on after that last Sunday. I wasn't doing so well with news I had received and all the changes going on (hello, have you met me? Ye ol' traditionalist)... let along anxiety about unqualifiedness. But I'm excited to be back in RS and hope I can live up to the challenge. I've always had a pretty large opinion of myself so I'm sure this too will pass.

PS. What am I going 2 do with a fridge full of food?!?!