Bed Bugs

So, yes, if you're from the East, you know that there really are things called BED BUGS. Yup. I lived with a few but never was infested with them all over myself, other sisters were less fortunate. But, here in the West, it's usually a fun phrase your older siblings used to tell you to freak you out or something. "Don't let those bed bugs bite!!" mwhahaha

As a child I used to make my dad check my sheets every night before he tucked me in. I mean, come on, I hate...abhor bugs. I've successfully avoided the huge bugs and any biting during my life so far. Until now. Yup. So, here's the wonderful story. I even thought of my blog and took a picture for your all's sake :) (the picture below isn't the pictures I'm talking about...you'll see eventually)

So, as mentioned previously - I had to take 2 days of PTO - Guess where I went?? Yeah, the picture gives it away...I decided to spend it in the nice warm weather with my family. Arizona baby!! Funny because sometimes it's so stressful, but I had everything planned pretty well and time to see everyone and do all I wanted. Maybe I can tell more about the trip later... But Saturday night I woke up at 3:50 am and a spot on my bicep was hurting. I wondered if I had slept on it wrong, or something, but since it was stinging more and more, I decided to sit up, turn the light on, and take a closer look. So I sat up, trying to wake myself up still and try to figure out what the crap...when then the same paining feeling occurred sharply on my left bottom cheek butt. (sorry, but had to get technical). So, I jumped out of the bed and thought for sure, something BIT me. YES! I was shaking my body in the bathroom and ripping off my clothes etc. I thought it must be in my underwear, but nothing. I stood around the bed trying to figure out what it was... but my "wounds" were really starting to hurt. Give up Andrea! So, I ran and grabbed my dad - after I startled him, he was on the chase with me. He grabbed a flashlight and we proceeded for the next 45 minutes searching my room.

I was VERY DRAMATIC, I have to say. Not funny at the time, but my arm was really killing me bad. From my fingers till my shoulder there were shooting pains, etc. Dad saw the welt mark on my arm, but after 10 minutes, it went away and there was nothing, except inside. I totally knew what it was though. Totally. Dad hadn't given up, but I never even really looked too much for the little bugger. I was just running back and forth telling dad various things:

"My arm hurts. So bad! It hurts! Really Dad, it's bad. My arm is going to fall off. I've been poisoned! Help! I just want to sleep!! But it hurts. And I'm not getting in that bed!" And on and on and on... Dad was patient and kept checking my arm (but not my bottom luckily...haha). That bite didn't hurt that bad. It was just numb. My arm was getting the tingling sensation and I started holding it outward and I would take my right hand and squeeze the top of my arm/shoulder so that the pain/poison couldn't get to the rest of my body. Yes, Dramatic, I know.

Then after almost giving up Dad moved a pillow that we had tossed to the ground and I see a little orange funkie thing. The carpet is multi-colored so we hadn't looked too well on it... But, there it was.... - - - - a scorpion!!! - - - Yes, and not that we know 100% it bit me since it was on the ground, but I'm pretty sure. Oh man. I freaked EVEN MORE. And let me tell you, YES, my lovely warm Arizona has plenty of scorpions. And then moving out to the boonies, Dad's house has had a few visitors (bugs). And as a child I've seen tons, but NEVER ever ever have any of us been BITTEN. Especially in the night, in a newly made and cleaned room. But it was the visitors room and no one is there usually. And I now I hear that scorpions like the cool sheets and a warm body. Heck, he was probably just trying to get his zzz's on. But, no, he totally BIT me. RUDE!!
Anyway, back to the story! Dad decided that since I was still hurting and it had been over an hour, and since we'd never experienced scorpion bites... we better head to urgent care. Yep. I mean, depending on the scorpion, some are fatal, usually the small ones, and this one was about 1-2 inches including tail. Dad killed it and put it in a bag. We drove to urgent care, but they weren't open. Gosh - that's another thing - why is it called Urgent Care if they're not open during the night?? Great. So, next up... the ER. Yup. That's right. Hadn't been there in years! And my arm was still really hurting. I didn't want anything touching it, I didn't move it, but just kept it braced out to the side of my body. It was getting stiff and asleep and tingly, but better than the pain that shoots up and down.

2 hours at the ER. And let me tell you - the ER isn't really quick! Gosh, here I was, just with my little wound, and they were attending to me ONLY. A few others came in, and they just told them to wait. One old lady in a wheelchair... I wonder, what if she was having a hard time breathing or something, would they continue to tell her to get in line?? The things I'm learning while I should be asleep! First, urgent care really isn't open when it's urgent... and then 2, the ER really is on slow motion and they just help whoever is in line. And it still took me 2 hours there!! I got admitted, had to put on the gown, and sit there. I just wanted to sleep. Yes...this is my vacation, gosh!! Stupid scorpion! :) Then... the doctor finally comes in, and rather than examining my arm or bum (thank you again!) he examines the scorpion. So, he gave us a 10 minute lesson on them... I tuned out... but the answer was that he's not a fatal scorpion biter "most likely". And with my symptoms as I described, it probably wasn't fatal. And the hospital doesn't really have medicine that can help me. Great! And then also, my wounds will probably hurt and be tingly for about 2 days. And maybe I'll be able to feel the soreness for 5-10 years if I'm not lucky. Great again. Oh man. So, we drove home after I paid the $100 co-pay - yay again right?? We tried to sleep for the hour that was left, but you can bet I didn't snooze too much till I took some Tylenol to basically knock me out. I kept checking for bugs. And the next night I did too.To top it all off, Dad had to give 2 lessons in church the next day, and I went with him. Yes, I'm hard core I guess. So, I was the "wounded one" at church and he told our story, so at least if I'm gonna pay $100, I might as well get a story for it and a bit of attention right? My thoughts exactly! By 6pm Sunday we all were dead and just got home and tried to keep our eyes open. Poor Diane had surgery last week and also was interrupted in her sleep and knowing how not well she sleeps, she also had only a few hours rest like dad and I. I'm glad for my Dad!! Thanks for staying up all night with me and enduring my Drama. hahah. I also saw mom on Sunday and she said I was acting totally "weird" - I wouldn't let her touch me, and was just sighing all the time, yeah, tuckered out I'm sure.

Other scary highlights of the visit - both ways, my plane ride was bad. Either 50 mph winds that almost sent us crashing into AZ, or delayed 2 hours getting back to UT. On my way back to Utah I told my flight row neighbors that they might not want to sit or fly with me because I haven't been very lucky lately. HHAHA, yeah, totally not lucky this vacation!!

But on a good note, I saw my family, had dinners, watched movies, made a movie with Eric, shopped, and did all I wanted...plus crammed in the other little bugger incident. And the other good note - my arm is fine!!! It didn't fall off, it doesn't hurt, and now I have a good story to tell. Hope you all enjoyed it! I told Dad & Diane that for next time they'll have to keep their pets in line a bit more and keep them outside, ok? Good night to all and really, watch out, don't let those bed bugs bite!

50/50 chance

So I filled out a bracket this morning - for March Madness!! I've never done one before, but have had several friends do this over the years. Well, today at work I was told I had 20 minutes and that I needed to sign up. So, I did. Do you think I picked the winners?? Heck YES!! Okay - wow, I'm being optimistic...because I have no idea what teams are good, who are likely to win, or even where some of these teams are and had now 15 minutes to do it all. But, I finished my picking in record time - like 5 minutes. I kinda felt like I was back in school..... there I was sitting in class and the teacher pulls out a pop quiz/test over the reading/lecture. And I grab the test and have NO IDEA what the answers are. I am overjoyed to see that at least 80% are multiple choice, so I have some percentage at getting it right. And then for the fill in the blanks - I would write some random finance/business term that maybe could fit? The class I'm imagining was one of my worst classes - Business Risk Management. We took these "quizzes" every lecture, and it was always on current events or lectures, etc. This was my least favorite class ever!! Oh gosh, I really don't know how I sat in it for 1.5 hours 2 times a week. Lectures were bad, and then the quizzes were worse. They were the ones that no matter if you read or not, I wouldn't get them right. So, I gave up studying ever and just hoped for the best. Sad!! I think I have a better chance at my bracket than with those tests. I have 50/50 right? At least for each game... but overall, a LOT less - too bad I don't feel like doing that math, or I'd tell you my chances :) Instead I'll be sitting at work, watching my brackets, and just so happy because I'm not in school anymore and I don't have that stupid class or stupid quizzes. Another little blessing of graduating!! Go March Madness!! (The blue font is for BYU!! Go BYU...although I didn't pick you to win it all... guess I'm not that loyal, but I did pick U of U to get further...haha...the things I do now that I'm in Murray...)

Crazy 8's

The 8 Things about me!

Thanks Delia for taggin me. Now the rest of you, are tagged, and should post with your answers on your blog and then tag new people and leave a comment on their blog that they are tagged.

8 Favorite TV Shows:

1. Lost

2. Ghost Whisperer

3. Castle (new...)

4. Dancing with the Stars - actually only watched like 3 times

5. MONK - I love OCDness

6. Numbers

7. What I like about you

8. Reba

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Worked - as usual. I volunteered on a "project" to do excel stuff - no one wanted it and I wanted it done right, so I am taking it on...

2. Made copies of my condo key - I had a friend spend the night last night in an emergency. And it was probably good to make a copy so that I don't lock myself out. Now I just need to give the key to a back up. Yay family!

3. The GYM baby - used the bike for the 2nd time ever - I sweat a ton. Sweet.

4. Played Human Foosball at FHE - I was planning on watching, but it was great after a bit of persuasion. Gotta live life now right? But I absolutely LOVE regular foosball.

5. Screamed a lot from being pulled seperate ways at FHE - Yeah, you know my screams...

6. Watched Castle and the recap of Dancing with the Stars - I think I'm going to like Castle, it's about a book writer who decides to job shadow a woman cop and he tries to help solve the cases...

7. Chatted on the phone with some family and friends :) I'm always multi tasking - calling while driving or headed to the gym or cleaning...

8. Played the piano until midnight - I started at like 11:20, but I just felt "in the mood" - plus this has been one of my new goals to work on... it was fun.

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Spring - the green, flowers, short sleeves and capris, and the sun!

2. Going to the lake with whoever will take me wakeboarding this summer

3. Getting better at the piano - like way good....what a dream

4. Going to Provo this weekend maybe

5. A friend teaching me to snowboard - before it gets warm as I want

6. Listening to music - I think it's just part of my life. I'm happy if there's music on.

7. Taking cool pictures and videos and editing them - or using old family/friend pics.

8. Going to AZ in a couple weeks

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Red Robin

2. Jimmy Johns - subs! Best place and close to my house, I should open a franchise

3. In & Out

4. Pete's Fish and Chips

5. Sushi - somewhere... haven't found the best place yet

6. Yoasis - frozen yogurt in Provo... I like the sour yougurt taste like in the East

7. Jamba Juice :) - Citrus Sqeeze (yeah, maybe these aren't resturants, but they won't kill my stomach like the other places probably do)

8. PF Changs - lettuce wraps are wonderous

8 Things on my Wish List:

1. Piano - electric or keyboard - more movable and able to hook to my computer

2. TIME - don't we always want more time?

3. Eternal life with family forever... :)

4. Marriage and babies - lots of cute babies

5. Be fluent in Espanol, can't that just happen overnight?

6. Take all the classes I want - Ice Skating, Piano, Dancing, Singing, Guitar, Photo's...

7. Be irraplacable at work

8. A big POT - to cook with...

8 People I tag:

(or a few since I don't have too many blogger friends...)

1. Katie

2. Brooke

3. Lindsey

4. Mom - you can comment yours since you don't have a blog...

5. Anyone else who reads/wants to!

Sticky Thoughts

You know how people say "Not a day goes by that I don't think of my mission"? Well sometimes I feel that there's not a day that goes by when I'm not thinking of a boy. HAHAH. Tis true. It could be that I'm excited to get a phone call from a certain someone to see if he wants to do a 2nd date... Or maybe I'm happily dating a boy and wanting to show how I care for him, etc. Or it could be that I dated this guy and it's over and he's stupid but I still can't get him out of my head. Or maybe it's a potential future boy that I don't know yet. Or someone who's a friend but could be more. Okay... these are all scenarios I could be having. And I guess I won't share what is stuck in my head NOW... sorry.

Am I crazy? Am I obsessing a bit too much? What if he just won't go away?? If it's about a boy that's good - it's not okay because then I usually get myself worked up or psyched out a bit too much or something. If it's about a stupid boy it's not good - because it ruins future decisions of actually liking boys. etc.

And you know how whatever you think about the most - you are? So does this mean I am a boy? Or I'm a person who's not satisfied? Or I'm bitter? Or I'm hopeful for the next call? Or - - - I just need a life?? Yeah. I know. I need a life. I'll try to work on that. Sounds like the best idea. Help me get rid of these thoughts!! Anyone - ideas?

"You Can't Hurry Love"

You Can't Hurry Love - NO! You just have to wait!

Yeah, we all know that song. Elder Dallin H. Oaks wife came and spoke to all the Stake RS Sisters last night and she said that she actually ROCKS OUT to this song all the time. So, actually I love this song too!! A bit of background... Sister Kristin Oaks got married after she was in her 50's and loves to speak to us single women. So, she did. And I feel very motivated and wanted to share a few of her insights. Mostly I'm paraphrasing, plus I had another friend who made some notes too, so I might remember a bit from what she wrote as well...

Sister Oaks is one of those older women that I just want to be like someday! She has a strong testimony of Christ and a bit of fun and quarkiness to her! Her topic was "You can't hurry love" and she focused on the 5 key elements to building a testimony to bettering our lives. These 5 are - Know God is our Heavenly Father and loves us, Know that Jesus Christ is His Son and our Savior, Know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God, Know that the B.O.M. is true and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His restored church, and Know that President Monson is the living Prophet today. Here are a few of the main points I gleaned:

• It's what you do while you wait that makes the difference

This makes so much sense - no matter what we're waiting for - grocery line, a house, children, a spouse, finding a job... It seems like as people we are always waiting for the next best thing. But we need to find "Joy in the Journey" (Pres. Monson) and make every second count. We can't go back and do things over. Everyday we have an opportunity for growth. Carpe Diem!

• Salvation is an individual experience

It is important to reach out and help each other out, but in the end - we can't change anyone but our self. This gospel is about us individually using the Atonement and drawing to our Savior. Being single or having a family, we all will be responsible for US only and have to hope our loved ones follow towards Christ as well.

• A lot of us would rather be #1 in hell then a lowly door keeper in the Kingdom of God

Women are so good at comparing and hoping to just be better than the Jones etc. I laughed at this comment, but it is so true really! How many of us rather than trying to just be the best we can be, we'd rather be the best of everyone, and in turn, we're headed down the wrong path.

• Emotional Pain is a gift from God and we should be thankful to have this experience

We will have hard experiences. This life is a blessing, even the trials. We might not feel that way during those times, but we should be on our knees thanking the Lord for letting us feel. Yes us women probably feel too much! Some of my trials have helped me know how to love like I've never loved. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Other people might know about pain or sickness, etc and in turn they can be so happy for health and miracles. I don't know if I'm getting this across as I'm hoping, but maybe you understand.

• The only protection we have is our personal worthiness

Don't think - "everything's going to turn out for the best" but instead, know that we have to be worthy and then we can receive the blessings.

• The Lord doesn't measure anything but your HEART

Do we smile enough at others? Do we attend the temple and read our scriptures? Do we deeply want to be better? It doesn't matter what we've done or how much we have...

• We have temptations that only people today face - don't let Satan waste your time here

Our temptations are endless - even Facebook, blogs, Internet, TV, they can be good - but they waste SO MUCH of our time!! I'm just thinking now, when I look back at my life - will I be happy for the many hours I spent watching TV, or on the Internet? I'm sure there are much better things I could be doing and be proud of doing instead! Stupid Satan.

• "My first goal wasn't marriage, but it was to be a disciple of Christ"

I love this quote. Goes right along with my earlier post "Priorities". I need to get this straight!

• Our capacity to love isn't decreased by our circumstances

We have so much love to give as women and we need to look for ways to serve and give our love so that it can grow even more. Even if I don't have a family or kids, I can still find people to care for just as much as a wife or mother would. Don't diminish your potential love.

• "Be Bold, it's God's word!!"

Amen sista! Missionary Work! Whoo whoo.

• Don't be bitter, have dreams and have a grateful heart


• "At this time and this place - if you are following the commandments - you are supposed to be single and you have a purpose and duty to fulfill. You might be get married in a month, or years, but right now you are where you are supposed to be."

I loved that last thing she said. She said I'm supposed to be here right now. And it kinda sunk in - man she's right! I mean, I haven't missed my turn to get a Mr. Right yet... I'm just not there yet! I can't hurry Love. I have other things to do right now. I'll find it someday. This was a great motivational lesson! But even after I was wishing for that man to come. Dang! I've got a lot to learn :) But, I've changed my BLOG title for now so that I can remember I need to really do everything NOW and stop waiting for that future moment in life. Hope you feel inspired as well - no matter the path you are on at the moment.

Go away

Snow Snow go away... come again another... YEAR!!

Okay so why has this wInTeR been sooooo soooo sooooooooo long?? I think it's because I just am soooooo done with it. And since I've been looking foward to the summer weather since basically November, I'm done being patient okay??

Although these "storms" are good to relate to life and lessons and learning. Well, yes about being patient, but also just dealing with the storms or trials in life. One quote that is like my all time favorite is:

"Some people wait for the storm to pass, while others dance in the rain." (Many similar versions)

And this led me to finding other storm quotes to help cheer myself up, and maybe you too!:

"After a storm comes a calm" - Mathew Henry (he's got some good ones)

"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm" - Frank Lane

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. - Vincent Van Gogh

There are tons of other quotes...but this will have to do for now. Yesterday I stayed inside all evening cuz of the snow...missed church activities, but watched Dancing with the Stars - it was great!! Today at least it's sunny, but the snow isn't melting just yet. But by Saturday it should warm up to the high 40's low 50's!! Shorts weather :) haha. Can't wait.

I'll be dancing the "Snow please leave" Dance... until then...

P T O

It's the end of the world as we know it. Okay, so not really. But to some of my employees - they think it is. Well, because of the "economy" the bosses decided that to cut back - employees need to take PTO time - MANDATORY PTO time. 2 days. In March. We did this in December as well. I guess it affects the "bottom line" because then the company wouldn't "owe" as much PTO time to employees later on.

So, I don't necessarily like this - because unlike some of these Engineering/Sales/Tech Support "geeks" - I DO go on vacations!! I use my PTO time. And I am trying to save up so that I can have a sweet awesome summer with lots of traveling, sun bathing, beaches... Hopefully that dream can still come true. Anyway - Mandatory PTO. Well, everyone should be happy that they are basically told to take some time off. So, I'm going to do something wicked awesome (don't I sound like a cool high school kid using those words?) for those two days . . . I'm just not 100% sure what yet.

But anyway - being in HR - and somehow getting the payroll "liaison" job I also get to be the PTO Nazi. Yay for me! I'm just glad that they told me like 5 hours before they sent out the Company wide e-mail, so that I could prepare for the - complaints, problems, issues, freak out moments, etc. So, 16 hours will automatically be deducted from their PTO balances. But it gets confusing because if they've already taken some PTO in March - then they don't have to take more - but the whole process of CALCULATING who has taken what, and what to subtract if they already had some subtracted gets a bit messy! So, I better be prepared to spend many many hours on this little project. And that's not including the many employees who come and complain or don't have PTO etc. I already feel bad for one guy who just used all his PTO on his recent honeymoon. Now he has to either go negative PTO and never accrue more vacation time - or take time without pay.

Well, tough times call for tough measures - according to the company e-mail. We all should just be happy we have a job, can take a few days off to spend with family, and aren't taking a pay cut...yet...or hopefully ever.

It's funny how I used to love the words "PAYDAY" or PTO time - but ask me today or this year and I will just sigh "ahhh" and shrink a bit from the weight of those words and the stresses they cause me. What a job huh? But, I love stresses :) and solving them, so life is good. Se la vi! (Look how happy I was in this picture - first official full-time paycheck headed to it's home at Wells Fargo...before I knew the nightmares it would bring...)

Schmoozing...

Every once in awhile I get a call - "Hi, this is Jenny from Office Team and we're calling about a few of our temps that are working for you and wanted to know how that's going and if we can help you with filling some other positions temporarily..." Well, recruiting is not my "Job" but I figure, no one really wants to deal with these sales calls. So, I proceed to be so nice and end up getting myself tied down to a "visit" from these random headhunters or whatever... And I just hate when they come because all they do is chat with me for a few minutes, realize I'm not going to help them really, and then give me a pamphlet a free coupon for something, and say they'll call me in a couple weeks. Really? How is this helping me? Or LANDesk? I hate these calls! And please don't call me again, really...

But then...today I get a call - "Gold's Gym Rep is here to deliver some bagels to you and your HR team!!" Well, my co-worker Shannon has told him SEVERAL times that we're not going to sign a company deal with him because we're already working with Lifetime and 24 HR. But, two weeks ago he brought some pamphlets, last week some morning sickness pills (Shannon is out this week because she has been pregnant but just had a miss-carriage...that answers your question Delia and Spring...and my boss is in Cali on vacation...there's only 3 of us...), and so today he shows up to chat - and he brings BAGELS!! Even today we told him we still aren't signing with him. But, heck, I love Einsteins :) And I just ate a really good cranberry bagel smothered with fluffy cream cheese. Maybe I even like Gold's Gym now. But, I don't really want us to sign with them. I have heard a few employees ask if we had Gold's discounts and I guess I could throw out my opinion that employees might like Gold's...but then really that just means more work for me - billing problems, deduction problems, $$ problems, etc. Really, it creates problems for me!! Sometimes it's like a puzzle and I can figure it out, but other times it's just a huge mess that I can't get rid of. No thank you!

What is with these schmoozers?? They think they can win me over with their little gifts and sweets? Well....maybe. I guess it depends on how they do it. If they just want to "chat" I am NOT okay with that, you're just wasting my time. But if you bring us stuff, that's at least positive. If I were in their shoes, I don't think I'd waste the time and money trying to schmooze people who don't want me. I guess they think we might just change our minds. (The wheels are turning, I think I can relate everything to dating, but I will save you the analogy this time, your welcome.) Gosh, I'm sure there are people out there who want temps or who want a Golds Gym Rep...but that's just not us. BUT, I sure do love the perks of their schmoozing... Today we enjoyed those great bagels and maybe tomorrow we'll get something even better - gift card, cash, taken out to lunch!! Maybe we should say...well, we'd think about Golds, but we just don't like bagels. But we sure do like donuts! I bet we'd get those tomorrow. Let's lead 'em on!! Let's see what we can get. That's what the legal department said as they were shoving the bagel and schmear in their faces! Good idea guys! Yeah, they're lawyers :)

All alone...

Today and all this week I am the ONLY HR rep here at work for these 250 + employees in the office. Can you say Yikes?? Nope, so far, there haven't been any blowups from employees, payroll problems, severance agreement problems...only a few benefit problems. But, by the end of this week, I'm sure something will come up. HR = problems. And always new ones. Ones I have no idea how to solve. But, last week I was told that I'm officially becoming "HR" - because I know how to give B.S.... bull... Yeah. Not sure if that's a good thing, but I do have to agree. When people come up and say - what is this weird list on my paystub?? I just say - hmm... It's a mistake - don't worry, you still have a check, it should be gone next week. Yeah, even though I have no idea what they're talking about nor do I know if it will go away. As long as I act like I know what I'm talking about, people feel secure and don't worry too much. So, giving bull might be the answer in HR?? At least this week it will be since I don't have a boss or anyone else to help me figure this stuff out. And another great idea - I just say - hmm... that's a good question, let me refer you to Mr. So n so or something. I'll get back to you about that. Just give it to someone else if you don't want to deal with it. Wow, the things I'm learning this week! Don't worry I'm sure I'll have lots of stressful stories later on. Actually I hope so, because if not, you will have nothing exciting to read on here, but I will probably write a lot because I'm b-o-r-e-d!

Maybe I should start a problem?? Naw... not today at least...