Sushi Anniversary

On our 6 month anniversary I was still canker-sick and at the doctors.  And our 6 month also meant 1 year from when I first introduced David to sushi!!  So, we had to go back.  We plan to get sushi every so often since it's one of our favorites.  Well, since I was sick, we went after I recovered and could actually taste the sushi.  We got the private room thing again and had lots of FUN and lots of good FOOD.  Here's us at our Sushi spot.  Awe...  Happy 6 months to us!!

Strep or Stress??

This is a GREAT story.  At least I think so.... but how to tell it?.


We moved 8/7/2010.  I noticed there was a HUGE canker on my inside lip.  So Sunday I swished with all the different medicines and tricks.  Sunday the 8th, my throat was hurting and seemed red.  After church we looked and saw a few white spots. !!!  What?  So, I just tried to ignore the throat thing, and Monday went to work.  By Tuesday morning my throat was really hurting with like 3-4 white spots on my uvula (hangy ball thing in the back) as well as a few surrounding it.  I happened to talk to a few family members on the way to work and they said - Andrea, that totally could be Strep and you are infecting everyone!!!  So, I got to work, looked at strep pictures on-line (totally gross) and decided to call my Uncle Dr. Dave.  I got his machine so then I called my doctor's office, described my throat and they suggested an urgent care and to get out of work where there are others I could infect.  So, I drove to the urgent care but Dr. Dave called as I was walking in, and decided to prescribe me some Penicillin and a canker pill for the canker that was still on my lip even!  Well, I went home, slept, etc.  My head hurt, body ached, and I needed sleep.  I watched movies and did work from home both Tuesday and Wednesday.  David and I still had active evenings - we went to the canyon and got eaten alive by bugs, and then also visited his family who was in town (penicillin had been in my system for awhile right?)...  Well Thursday came, I talked to Dr. Dave who was so sweet and concerned to check up on me.  I told him that the spots were still there, that I barely could eat and that there were more spots appearing all through my back throat!!!  Well, he said I should have someone look at it.  And honestly let me tell you it sure hurt to eat, to swallow, drink!  I tried orange juice and V8 fusion to give me some vitamin C and that stung so bad.  Even water hurt.  So food was most hard and I just tried to get it down.  I was starving but it wasn't worth it.  So, David came with me to the Urgent care that night.  They advised that since I had taken penicillin, that the strep wouldn't show up on a strep test.  I didn't care, I just needed someone to look at it - I was in pain!!!  Our Dr. came in, had me open up my mouth, and took his light shining it all around my mouth.  His only words were "Oh my gosh!!".  He proceeded after he was done to tell me that I didn't have strep... I had CANKERS!!  Like 20+ all over my throat, uvula, and moving up the roof of my mouth.  What???  Yeah I see those white spots but didn't know it was cankers.... He said he had NEVER seen that many at one time and in one location.  Yeah, that was comforting huh?  So, there's not a cure for cankers, you just have to wait them out.  But let me tell you I was done.  And my nice doctor whipped up a concoction to help - he left and brought back this pink stuff to swish around for 2 min.  David timed me and about 1 minute into it my whole mouth started getting numb.  Luckily the fluid didn't come out and I didn't swallow it - it was close - I wasn't prepared for the numbness.  Well, it worked!  I couldn't talk properly - it felt like I was just at the dentist's office - but I also couldn't feel the pain!!!  Sweet.  So he gave us a prescription that Target whipped up for us and we went and bought.  It's like a 16oz bottle and I was worried that my little tablespoons would run out since I just kept drinking it.  But I still have more than 3/4 and I don't have cankers now.  David has tried it and given it to visitors too, he just thinks the effect of numb mouth is funny, as it kind of is.  There's some chemicals that they use for numbing, can't think of them - but definitely stuff that you don't want to drink or they'll hurt your heart.  But it helped and by that weekend I was pretty much cured!! 


So really, we asked what could cause those cankers and the doctor said that besides a huge reaction to something (he doubted) - the cause was STRESS.  Yep.  Who knew?  Okay, so maybe I did know but didn't really know.  David said he knew I was stressed.  It all made sense now though my body was tired and trying to tell me to stop worrying and all that other stuff.  It was work related, moving related, and a whole lot more...  Work probably was the main cause though.
I know just a week or two ago I said work was GREAT with the stress - I finally hit my breaking point of being "Overwhelmed". I have SO many projects that I can't do my regular work. And now we're setting new goals and projects for the 2nd half of 2010. I just shut-down and couldn't contribute anymore. I came home and made a list of all that I've been doing. The trainings take about 20 hours a week, the fair we're planning takes about 10, the benefits issues take 10, new hires take about 10, database about 8, ....up to more than 60 hours per week!! No wonder I'm behind!!! I've also learned something about myself - I won't work at home! Nope, that's not for me. I'll give my 40 hours, but I just can't do more than staying late a few times. Which makes me more behind. I had a one-on-one with my boss and she said she had no idea that I was overwhelmed and that I didn't show it at all. Yeah, so we took at least one project off and now that the trainings are almost over with - I think I'm going to be a lot better. Just these last couple days I've gotten caught up a lot. Just glad that even though I felt like quitting one day - I figured out how to handle it and am doing a lot better :)

So, if you have a busy work and home life and start seeing spots in your mouth, remember that there are other options besides strep!!  Wish I had a picture of it, we tried but getting a camera to focus in a huge dark mouth hole is a bit difficult, just use your imagination I guess....

Moving Part 1

So, we moved a couple weeks ago.  Hopefully that explains the "no blogging".  I'm going to write a few more posts in August though since a lot still happened that month.  You'll just have to read past entries that aren't there yet :)

We moved from Murray UT 84121 to Midvale UT 84047 - not a far move, but still, a move.  When we got married we planned to move sometime.  I mean, I love that it's the place we started dating, he left notes on the door for me, we planned our wedding there, it was our first married house, and all that stuff.  But leaking windows, loud neighbors and cranky neighbors, not enough room, longer commute and rent increase really did us in.  We gave our 30 days notice to Rivendelle Condos once we knew we were headed to Midvale.  We are lucky to be able to live in a Clark-Tapp family owned house until David gets done with his undergrad stuff.  David's grandpa lives behind the house, and his newly married sister lives below us.  We have our own entrance and basically our own house for the next couple years!!  3 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen, etc....  We share a driveway with 6 cars, that's the tough part :).  We planned to move August 15th, but told everyone mid-July so that we could get people out and stuff out and fixed in time.  We cleaned, re-painted, and Grandpa Tapp re-carpeted, which was an awesome blessing so that the house really is ours.  There are still some 70's lights hanging but we've fixed it up to the best we can with the little 2 weeks break we had.  Below are the painting pictures!  I hadn't ever painted in my life.  Not sure why, but I guess it was about time.  It sure did wear me out though since we tried to do the whole house!  Luckily David's dad came a few times to help and replaced me which I appreciated a bunch.

We moved in on August 6th, Saturday evening.  David and I packed all day.  I had been packing all week during his summer finals.  Then he helped that whole weekend.  And the next 2 weeks during his break.  Really!?!?!?  That guy is just so amazing.  He needs a break now, but he won't get one for awhile.  We had his family happen to be there while we moved in so they helped bring some stuff in, as well as a few of David's friends.  I helped and showed where stuff goes, etc.  Thanks everyone for helping!!

Now we're just trying to get everything all organized and stuff.  Most pictures are hung and furniture set up, I just have some boxes to go through.  And guess what?  Within the first day, the closets are totally full!  Yes, one is totally mine, David has a little tiny portion.  Then there's the dress/suit one in bedroom 2 which also includes sheets and stuff like that.  And then room #3 houses my wedding dress, camping stuff, keepsakes in big tubs, etc.  We're going to get some more shelving since we have lots to put somewhere....

House pictures will go up soon enough...hopefully right?

More Summer Dates

So, we've had LOTS of fun this summer.  It's been busy with all the summer school and moving but we still have managed plenty of date nights.  I blogged about some of them and finally I have the pictures below and some other adventures too.

Ryan Shupe Concert - I think I mentioned this already, but in June I took David to see one of my favorite local Blue Grass Bands.  He enjoyed it and we only got rained on for a few minutes... We sat on the grass in the back but still got up and danced to a few songs.  I was sharing one of my traditions with him since I've been going to their concerts for years with friends and roommates.

Strawberry Days Rodeo - So this was another one of my Utah Summer traditions... Rodeo time!!  But not just any rodeo - the STRAWBERRY one :)  This means strawberries and cream while watching the bulls, horses, and all the crazy rodeo stuff.  And even though David isn't a cream fan, he actually liked it, which made it even better for me.  They didn't have the BMX bikes sadly, but instead they had a lady who was rounding up buffalo on to a huge truck thing - that was pretty amazing too!  Fun day... David drove us home in a 2 hour traffic jam, I totally slept the whole way, glad he's such the best husband ever.

Manti Pageant - Just after our rodeo experience we planned to go to the Manti Pageant.  We drove a different way around the west of the Utah Lake.  It was a fun drive together, we can do road trips pretty well checking out all the fun stuff and watching the weirdo drivers etc.  We got there just in time to relax and have nice seats and only wait a bit for it to get dark.  The other time I went last year I got there late and didn't catch most of what was going on so I was determined to do better this time since this is a tradition for David.  I have to say that I did fall asleep a few times while watching.... oh well.  I got it though.  And then we ran (David ran) to the car and we tried to beat the traffic and did so successfully!  It was a nice time together under the stars in a blanket etc...

Gateway Walk - A fun place and cheap too is downtown at the outdoor Gateway Mall.  We've been up there a few times to just walk around or sometimes there have been events like a sidewalk chalk display, etc.  It's always fun to just even be on a walk and talking with the love of my life.  We actually visited this place on our second week of semi-dating and talking about our families and what we wanted in a spouse etc.  I remember I told him I wanted someone who was "crazy about me" and he agreed he felt the same way.  And now he tells me it all the time :)

Memory Grove - We also visited our favorite park this summer and took a long walk like we did on August 1, 2009, our first date!  This year it fell on a Sunday so I bought Jamba's the night before, we froze them, and then walked around with our un-freezing Jambas.  It was great fun reminiscing and just having fun as always.  I sure love you David!  Thanks for such a wonderful year together!!!

Birthday Freebees

Did you know that there are SO MANY restaurants that give out FREE birthday meals, desserts, etc if you are on their birthday group?  Well, one of my friends did this on her blog and I felt inspired to follow her example and take advantage of all the free food.  Most FREE meals were good for about 2 weeks or until the end of the month.  I didn't get to all of them since we were in the middle of finals and moving, but I've got a good list going for next year, or David's birthday :) :). 

Savings we took advantage of:  (prices are estimate)

Cold Stone Creamery - 1 free like it ice cream cup - Regularly $3.75, FREE

Noodles & Co. - 1 free full meal - Regularly $8.50, FREE

Rubios - 1 free meal - Regularly $6.50, FREE

Benihanas - 1 free dinner meal - Regularly $45.00, FREE

I printed a whole bunch of other coupons to: Baskin Robins, Red Robins, Sonic, Wendy's, Mimi's, Fazoli's, Chili's, ... if you want free food - check their websites and usually they will send you an e-mail you can print.

Total cost would have been $63.75
Savings = $63.75!!!  I got it all FREE
(remember I took David with me so he still did cost but he would get the cheapest meal and we'd share my big one, especially at Benihana's)

Here's us at Benihana's.  We went there when we were first engaged with David's family, so that place is already special to me.  And now a birthday tradition too probably!  They give a full free meal that could cost up to $50!!  I picked the steak and shrip full dinner meal and David got a small lunch meal for about $10.50.  The lady there didn't like us because we told her upfront of our coupon and I think she didn't like that I had this huge meal and David had the small meal.  It probably would look better if the girl had the small lunch :)  Oh well.... David would sneak my food as we would watch and make sure she wasn't around.  Then later on we found out that the group by us all had their birthday too and didn't tell her till afterwards so she was nice to them but then they wanted their whole meal free - but I guess the rule is only one per time...  It was just a funny experience and some great food and good memory with just us on a date.

Summer Family Events

So we've been to a few Clark events, well a lot... there is 9 kids total :)  Here are some pictures.... mostly we are at birthday parties or holiday parties and I'm not very good with the pictures.  So these are what we've taken so far this year :

Josh graduated in May!!  David had class that evening, so I went and supported with the others.  Graduation ceremonies are long, we all had forgotten that part - but it was great to see Josh so happy!

These are David's younger sisters still at home.  They love their ballet dance classes and over the summer they had a performance.  They each did a few different dances in all sorts of fun costumes.  So cute!  It was fun watching them - they have more make-up on than I ever wear and they aren't even teenagers yet!!

Fireworks Fiasco

Starting July 24th 2009 and foward, David & I ran into each other a few times before we dated.  Last year you can see what I did on the 24th of July on an earlier post here: 7/24 Fireworks. But just to say, I happened to meet up with David last year during the fireworks at Liberty Park. Katie and I were supposed to meet up with the ward, and we called David to get directions and hook up. Well, little did I know - once he found out we were coming, he never found the ward group and just met up with us, so it was us 3. Fun night!

So, one year later we HAD to do it again now as married folks :). We parked around the same area and then also walked and stood right by the baseball field where the fireworks get let off. Last year my request was to be close to feel the vibrations - and it was the best. This year - we did the same thing!! About 10 minutes into the show one of the fireworks blew out. From that same pod of fireworks, it started a fire on those and sent the other fireworks INTO the crowds right around us!! At first the crowd was excited, but as soon as the fireworks started shooting into the crowds, the excitement turned into crazy "end-of-the-world" panic!! I quickly moved out from in front of David to his side, but we watched them shoot on both sides of us through the crowd and into the tree next to us, but nothing straight for us luckily! Only a few shot into the crowds before they got that pod of fireworks shut off. Sirens started and it took a few minutes to get the paramedics to the scene. The fireworks ended earlier and I was definitely scared that it may happen again. It took us awhile to get through the crowds and back to the car - and we wanted to see if anyone was hurt. I was still pretty shook up. We saw on the news later that 10 people were burned or bruised from the impact and that apparently this has happened 3 times in Utah this year and possibly the fireworks need more rules on keeping them held up.

We hadn't seen that before - still a fun tradition, just a bit more freakish!!  Here are our pictures before the craziness...  It took me like 12 pictures for my eyes to open.  It was so dark and then the flash was so bright that I just kept tearing up...hahah.  But we did get one finally :)