July is my favorite month

I know that technically there is one more day in June, but I have to say it: July is my favorite month of the whole year. In Utah, we get two holidays—July 4th and Pioneer Day! Oh yeah, bring on the fireworks, barbecues, parades, celebrations, hot nights, cool grass, star gazing, water fun, summer fun, blazing beautiful days, and all the other fun July activities. I love this month.

If I could, I would take off the entire month of July and just have fun. I would travel all over (this year would be inside the state). I would play with my friends, go on dates every night, and write, write, write. July is the perfect time to stargaze, camp, and go on adventures.

I am so excited for this month. Yeah, there's some stress at work and in my calling. And summer is coming to an end. But I have 31 days to make the best summer ever. And I think I will. Watch out, July. Here I come!

Herb Garden

So the other week or so, I went to an Enrichment activity about gardening. And it was totally cool. Being in an singles ward, I don't have much opportunity to do a lot of homemaking stuff, and although I've gardened in the past with my family, I haven't had a chance to garden for myself. So to start us off in the right direction, the teacher had us plant some herbs. From seeds.

I thought for sure they would never grow. Or die.

But to my surprise, not only have the herbs grown, they're thriving! And I'm going have to put them in something other than a little plastic cup. I have cilantro, basil, and red rubin, which I'm not sure what to put that in, but it does have a nice red color.

Maybe I have a green thumb after all. A first for me. But I do have to give credit to my mom who has been watering them from time to time, especially since I'm not home during the day. Thanks, Mom! You're the best!

If I can grow and take care of herbs, then there's hope for a future garden filled with vegetables.

Race for the cure

All I can say is "Amen"!

Yellowstone!

My friend Dave got a job at Yellowstone, driving tour buses around the park. So Ben and I decided to go with him to give him one final "hurrah!" Since Ben came to live in Utah 9 months ago, we've been pretty much the "Three Amigos," or says the people in our singles ward. I'm going to miss Dave. Good thing we can still keep in contact through phone and computer, but it's a whole lot easier to do that when he's in town...

Anyway, we had a great trip. I saw a lot of buffalo, but didn't get a single picture! Drat. I'll post some photos as soon as I can. But all I can say is amazing! I was in Yellostone for only one day, but I already want to go back and explore everything that I didn't get a chance to see.

Yellowstone. A park of nature. A nature of fun.

WiiHarmony

Monday was a day to go in history! Indeed, the creation of wiiHarmony.com is something that I shall remember for the rest of my life.

Okay, it might not be that momentous, but I did have fun. We filmed this in about an hour (on my hour lunch break), Ben edited it in just under two hours (in Ben's bedroom), and we watched it for our ward talent show. I think the best part was Ben and his outtakes. He had so many, but he did have the most speaking to do.

Someday, I may become a famous movie star. But for right now, I'll stick with my wiiHarmony.com gig.

Hope you enjoy it. :)

Graduation

Yesterday, I attended the convocation of my sister and brother-in-law. What a great experience! It was rather long, though. After the speakers, it took over an hour and half to announce all the names. It was just name after name after name. . .

When it finally got the neuroscience department, I was surprised to hear that Emily was first. And this is how she had her name announced, "Emily Janae Caldwell Jones." I love it!

Ah, graduation! Yesterday brought back a lot of memories from my graduation in 2006. Just as long, it felt like, but also very exciting. Congrats, Emily and Kyle!

Surprise Attack

So the surprise of the day is what I had in my inbox today. Apparently, one of my authors had a heart attack. And on the same day that I sent him a proof of his book. Granted, I sent it to him at the end of the work day, and he had the attack in the middle of the day. Still. It makes me wonder...

It was just coincidence, right? He didn't have the attack because he was waiting for the proof?

I just don't know, and I've been musing on it all day.

And just so you know, the author is fine. He had surgery, is back home, and proofing his manuscript to meet our deadline. What a trooper!