It May Be Time...

Have You Ever...

Thought of starting your own side business, particularly one for profit down the road, mostly through a website?

Well I have!

I come up with ideas all the times of things I'd like to do/be good at, but I just need to decide whether or not I'm "All In" for it, or if I should wait a little bit longer.

I'd love to hear your ideas you have come up with on your own, ideas for me, or just some general advice.

Thanks!

Happy Birthday Mickey Daddy!

Today is my dad's birthday.

He would be 57.

We celebrated by going to dinner as a family at Macayo's where we celebrated with:

-tender moments of poking fun at each other

-taking the kids out by the lake

-saying Happy Birthday to DAD

-taking a few pictures

-handing out quarters for everyone to get a large gumball

-me & SmashMe {Ashley} putting gum in our mouth and being *disgusting* together as we call it (where you stick a large piece of gum in your mouth and talk with really gross voices)

-running around in the front yard of the restaurant

-me & Smash doing our rendition of "I Went To Chinese Restaurant"

-putting the kids in the car & slappin people on the booty

-singing 'How Firm a Foundation' when slapping Ashley's rear {seriously...buns o steel!}

-coming home and dancing more with the bro

-mom crashing on the living room chair

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

HOPE YOU'RE LAUGHING AT/WITH US FROM ABOVE

In the voice of Kip Dynamite: "Your Mom Gets On YouTube"

Last weekend I came home from my social events at 2 am and I saw a bright light orbing in my living room. {Okay it wasn't orbing} but it was my mom on the computer...I came over to see what she was doing, and she had been on youtube for hours! Searching and listening to all kinds of music, especially Adam Lambert.

HaHa She's So Funny.

Then yesterday afternoon {when I got back from Dick's} her youtube music was turned up really loud and she was jammin while folding laundry.

I Love My Mom.

This Is What Good Days Are Made Of

1. Waking up at 11:30 Saturday Morning
2. Eating slices of watermelon for breakfast
3. Thinking of cleaning your room
4. But instead you booty shake in your brother's room for an hour and he teaches you the dance to "UrAJerk"
5. Get bored so you call an old friend
6. Catch up on facebook emails
7. Show your mom your blog
8. Do more dancing and have your mom say "I hope you don't dance like that at parties, it's pretty suggestive"
9. Try to get her to pop her booty
10. Go to Dick's Sporting Goods & purchase LiveStrong bands for you and your mom
11. See cute boys at Dick's
12. Shower & get ready for the day {meaning night of partying}
13. Call another friend & laugh for a half hour while putting on finishing touches
14. TeXt text TEXT
15. Have Sara pick you up, grab energy drinks at the gas station {I know I should quit} and head to Tiffany's
16. Go to themed dance party & make the most of it
17. Try to get Sara to {pardon my French} grow some balls "Descend, Descend, Descend!" and go introduce herself to some hunnies
18. Meet 3 new guys yourself, one of which is completely intriguing...{long blonde crimpy wig, bandana, aviator sunglasses, cut off shirt, one fake sleeve tattoo, black and white TIGHT tights leaving nothing to the imagination but incredibly built...just had to meet him...He gave me an entire story of how his name is Sinbad Rocker and his band was back partying at the hotel where he invited me to-room 1302-and said I'd make a great groupie but I told him I wouldn't follow him around} At the end of the conversation you {me} make a clever {or so I thought} statement "Well the party's over, did you want to get my number?" hahaha Pretty Bold when I want to be...Turns out he did want to get it-told him he could have it if he used it...
19. Get dinner bought for you by Sara for talking to Sinbad Rocker {I was going to meet him regardless though}
20. Win back the Pocket Peter {Something between The Trinity-Sara, Tara, Tiffany...cannot disclose}
21. Come home and chat with mom, Austin & Jack til 3 am and have Jack say "you guys are all Ninjas, you never sleep!"
22. Laugh really hard, recap your night, and get some sleep.

That Was My Saturday.

Pretty Successful Evening If I Do Say So Myself...

And I Do.

Tonight after work I got ready to go play some sand volleyball. {Friends and I have been getting together for about the past month, a few times a week to play sand volleyball-before that we were playing indoor} and I'm actually pretty good sometimes, considering I've only played for Young Women's before. We were meeting up at Freestone so I decided I would hit the batting cages real quick before hand.

I purchased my four tokens, got a bat, and went down to where the slow pitch softball machines were. There was a group of about 12 guys or so, so I politely stood there waiting my turn. Two guys jumped in right away and said "you can use this one once he's done; we'll move over" {my, my, my...how nice of them}. I said 'okay thank you, that would be great' with an innocent little smile on my face {no hair twirling this time-they were younger guys}. The 'leader' of the group stepped up and asked where I played, and what was on my shirt {mammoth}. I told him I play on city coed leagues, and he told me they were a ward team. I forget the name of the ward {darn} but he said near where the new Temple will be built. Anyhow I got my ego stroked a bit because the young men were impressed with my hitting skills, saying that I was 'showing them up'.

I finished my 5 minutes of fame in the cage, and continued a bit of small talk. The YM Leader threw out 'Do you get set up a lot?' Why, no I don't {I'm totally down for it though}. He said to the boys 'who was that who spoke on Sunday? ...Yeah, he's a beast...' I guess that was a good thing-at least 6'4, basketball player? Then the leader said to one of the guys, which I thought was pretty funny, "She's a little out of your league, but put her number in your phone so we can give it to _______". HaHa So I thought that was pretty cool! That never happens to me. :) I guess we'll see if I get a call.

After that fun little interaction I walked a hundred yards and played some GREAT Volley for two hours... All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful night! Now I'm gonna hit the showers!

My Dad...The Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the oak tree's leaves away.

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,

"How can you still be standing, Oak?"

The oak tree said,

"I know that you can break each branch of mine in two,

Carry every leaf away, shake my limbs, and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,

Growing stronger since my birth.

You'll never touch them, for you see,

They are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure.

But now I've found, with thanks to you,

I'M STRONGER THAN I EVER KNEW."

We Love You Dad.

We Miss You Every Moment.

August 24, 1952 - July 29, 2009

Husband...

*Compliments of PaperTissue*

Find Reason To Laugh

My friend Amanda & I frequently exchange emails, usually HiLaRiOuS emails {at least to us} that help us get through our work day. A couple weeks ago she sent me some pictures that for some reason she has kept and decided to remind her good friend {me} not to take life, or myself too seriously...and I laughed.

She reminded me that I am a strong woman:


(World's Smallest Weight...Ya, I Get My WorkOut On)

And also how beautiful I truly am:


(Making Faces When I Broke My Ankle...She's So Thoughtful To Take & Keep My Most Beautiful Moments)

More Laughing Moments:

"It's always good to hear that people you like are happy."
- Will Shetterly, Never Never

* My friend/coworker Lisa told me last Friday morning the exciting news of her husband finding a great new job! {Hip Hip Hooray!} I am so excited for them! The funny part though is how excited Lisa gets about telling stories like this! We joked and laughed that now she's going to buy the expensive shampoo she's been holding off on for 6 months because now "We're Rich!" Oh, good times shared.

"The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused."
- Shirley Maclaine

* Last night I was laying in bed and heard a rustling in some papers by my bed. Freaked out of course, I turned on the light, sat on my bed with phone clenched in one hand {not sure who I'd call or why, but it made me feel better} and scrunched down on my knees in a position that I could LEAP off my bed if needed. I grabbed a hangar and kept hitting the area where I thought the noise was coming from. I thought a cockroach or something had somehow gotten in, or maybe my brother and his friend played a SICK joke on me...alas, a tiny moth flew out. I jumped. Got it off my bed (all by myself) and went to sleep. Time to clean my room!

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

Seven days without laughter makes one weak. ~Mort Walker

{L}aughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. ~Hugh Sidey

Entrepreneurialism Is Everywhere

Get Creative! These guys did...

I was driving home last night on the 202 from a fabulous birthday dinner for my friend Teena and found the 101 to be closed. I took the frontage road all the way up and instead of taking my normal turn off, I decided to stay on for one more mile. {Lucky Me} it was the busiest mile stretch. It was like rush hour traffic at 10:30 at night. About 3/4 of the way down almost to the exit I noticed three guys on the sidewalk. It turns out they were there to make money! No, not like that...they were holding up signs that said they had water and snacks for sale, and one guy had a message written on his chest that read "I Need Money!" I started to laugh and thought of how clever they were to do this! They knew the freeway was closed and picked the prime location of the busiest (slowest moving traffic) area on that stretch and set up shop. Yes, I saw a full cart with all sorts of snacks and water bottles. I did not have any cash on me otherwise I would have bought something from them. I hope they made some money last night because they definitely made me smile!

I really did think that they were extremely creative; they saw an opportunity to make money and took it!

Thank You, Tres Amigos of the 101.

FireCracker, FireCracker, BooM BooM BOOM!

I had a friend tell me after Sacrament Meeting today that I'm sassy, and guys are afraid of the sass. He said, "You're a FiReCrAcKeR...they don't want to burn their hands..." I just say there needs to be one who knows how to play with fire.

I Don't Want To Go Out With You

One of my earliest memories of being a {heartbreaker} okay not really, but one of my earliest memories of almost having a boyfriend was back in the 6th grade. I remember one day after school hanging out at Jonell’s house and this boy called me on her phone to ask me out. The following is how the conversation took place, no joke:

Boy: Tara, go out with me.
Tara: No.
Boy: Go out with me.
Tara: No.
Boy: Please go out with me?
Tara: No.
Boy: Go out with me!
Tara: No.
Boy: If you don’t go out with me, I’m going to ask Jonell out.
Tara: Ask her out.
Boy: I don’t wanna go out with her! I want to go out with you.
Tara: No.

HaHaHa it makes me laugh because it’s so silly. Well that was over the weekend. On that next Monday morning in class, this boy said he had a necklace for his girlfriend…(I thought maybe he was still thinking I was his girlfriend even after I turned him down repeatedly)…I was wrong. He gave this beautiful butterfly necklace to his girlfriend, who was not me. My loss.

Lessons Learned:
#1 Boys sure do move on quickly!
#2 Never turn someone down until after you get the prezzies.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Today my coworker/friend Lisa and I decided to eat lunch at Paradise Bakery which turned out to be such a fabulous time! We tried their new Summer Berry Salad with half a sandwich. It was delicious and we felt healthier after eating it compared to the normal greasy choices.

{Lisa is such an awesome person! I have enjoyed working with her for almost two years. She has such a cute personality, and I learn so much from her. She is a little older than me, and so wise. I enjoy hearing her speak of she and her husband’s relationship-they’ve been married 21 years I believe-and I tell her all the time how I admire them and their communication styles. I definitely have learned a lot from her about work, relationships, compromising, etc.}

About half way through our lunch I noticed this young, confident woman walk through the doors. I told Lisa “I think I know that girl, or know of her”. I recognized her from her Company Website I came across a few months back. I thought to myself “get up and introduce yourself” and then I didn’t think there would be a good time, or the whole ‘what would I say?’ feeling. We were about to leave and I got up and excused myself for interrupting (she and a gentleman were having a discussion, probably business/networking related) and introduced myself. It was her-Gelie Akhenblit of NetworkingPhoenix.com. Our introduction was brief, but overall I am glad that I introduced myself. After all, you never know where a connection might lead!

You can find Gelie on LinkedIn.com and on her Company’s Website, NetworkingPhoenix.com to name a couple. I encourage you to check out her site and start introducing yourself to others!

I Never Thought of Doing That...

I was driving to the last session of Summer Institute a couple months ago when I found myself stopped at a light off the freeway, wondering what the girl ahead of me could possibly be looking for in her car. There was a young man on the side of the road who appeared to be homeless. He was holding a cardboard sign for "help" of some sort. Naturally, I thought this girl was going to hand him a couple of dollars, or spare change since she seemed to be searching quite hard for something. I didn't have any money to give, or I didn't feel like giving that night-I don't remember, but my eyes were contently fixed on this girl in the car-her gift-and this young man. I watched as she handed him a copy of the Ensign for that month. What is he going to think of this 'handout', How is he going to react? I was seriously not expecting what I saw. First of all, I have never thought of handing out Ensigns or church material to others-slap on my hand, right?-and second, I thought for sure he would have some kind of disgusted look on his face, like "Why this? Why not money?" But instead, he graciously accepted it. He took a moment to look at the cover of the magazine, smiled ear to ear and said thank you to the girl (I'm guessing he said thank you-I was a few cars back and couldn't actually hear anything) and then he went to place the magazine with his pile of stuff that he carried with him.

Wow. I thought it was a really neat thing for this girl to do. She was going to the same institute building that I was. I did not see her there, nor do I know who she is. However, that moment left an impression with me; not only for her actions, but for the young man's reactions as well.

Do You Ever Feel Like This?

*PaperTissue Photo*


Well I do...and I'm getting worried that if I sit here any longer at my work desk my {booty} might seriously consider swallowing the chair. Siiiiick. Get me outta here.

Guess What!?

*Photo Compliments of PaperTissue*

Thank You, May I Have Another?

I have known Mahir since I was at least 17 years old. He was always willing to have a good time and joke around with me or anyone in the group. I went on this Spring Break trip back then to Mission Beach in San Diego with a large group of singles. I remember Mahir and Chris rising early in the morning to take a little jog down the beach in their speedos. Awe, the memories! HaHa Here is a picture of us from that trip:



Mahi Mahi and I were having a random little chat today. I told him that I have been thiking of a career change for some time now. He mentioned that he is in Finance and Energy Management and that it's basically dealing with money and maximizing oil, energy, and electricity. It's a good income for him, but it also leaves room for helping a lot of people where they don't have these things and he can help make them a reality. He's extremely smart and talkented! As far as suggestions for me, he said "Personally, I think your legs could stop war and famine. People would be too busy picking their chins up off the floor that they would forget that such things existed in the same world as such sexiness” haha Thanks Mahi Mahi I’m flattered, but I hope I can do more than just have sexy legs. HaHa “Honestly I can see you owning your own business, not too sure if you know it but for what I remembered and gathered is that you’re a strong person, confident, a risk taker, quite the sight (which in sales goes a very long way), and I have a feeling that if you want you could kick some {A-Double-Scribble}”, last word tweaked a bit for censorship. HA! So I guess I found my new career! JK

By Small And Simple Things

I have been needing to make some changes in my life lately, and this weekend really lent itself to be able to do that by evaluating certain people or situations in my life, and where I wanted to go from here.

One of those things, and a major change if you will, is that I need to be more spiritual. It is not only a want now, but I actually physically and mentally feel the need to be more spiritual. Part of this is by simply making small choices-be happy or be angry-give service or be selfish. Okay you're right-those aren't always simple or small choices, but they really can be.

Yesterday I woke up late and immediately made the choice to be grumpy...I actually grunted my way through helping my mom with something she needed done when I knew I would already be late to work. I seriously considered texting "I'm not coming in. I quit" to my boss-I was done with it all. (A bit dramatic this day perhaps? HaHa) So I got into work, still grumpy to be here, and decided to go onto YouTube and listen to music. I quickly shifted my thoughts to search for church hymns. I found a few-Because I Have Been Given Much, I Need Thee Every Hour, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, I Know That My Redeemer Lives...It is AmAzInG how quickly my heart was softened. I cannot tell a lie-I listened to this music ALL day long. I was transformed. I was humbled. I have found so much clarity in the past few days through the Spirit and conversations with different friends, I am truly grateful.

I felt prompted to let this sweet girl Josie know that I was thinking of her. Everytime I see her she is absolutely shining and I have a desire to learn more about her and what makes her so happy and friendly. The following two paragraphs are our notes to one another through the FACE. (I hope she doesn't mind me sharing)

“There needs to be more Josie Thompsons in the world!” Direct quote from me to you + the world. Josie, I don’t know you too well-sad for me-but you are just radiant! I remember when I met you-last year sometime, it was in a random backyard gathering, and you approached me and said hi and introduced yourself with your beaming smile that lit up my soul! I came across your blog as well-you can just sense the goodness that your whole being consists of. You have such a wonderful spirit about you and I only hope I can learn to be half as wonderful as you have portrayed yourself to be. Thank you, Josie, for being you!

Tara, HOLY COW!!! I do not know you super well other than you are a beautiful girl who is always smiling! In fact I just saw you recently and I was reluctant to go up to you because I wasn't sure if you would remember me (plus you are COOL and I am ...not haha), but I had the distinct thought "she is the cutest girl." Not to mention that you must be one super in-tune girl, because your sweet message couldn't have come at a better time. Though what you said wasn't one bit true, it still helped me to feel some worth :) I want you to know that just from the short time I have been around you I immediately sensed that I was in the presence of greatness. It's that feeling of peace and love that helps to build me up and feel welcome wherever it is that I am. You are one special girl and your countenance and the way you conduct yourself, conveys perfectly the means by which I too should be acting. You are absolutely amazing and I better be seeing more of you!! Love ya!! :)

I love the quote she has on her little bloggy: "Greet and Treat, Everyone You Meet, As If They Were Your Best Friend" and she does! Yeah, this girl is truly one amazing individual and I hope to learn more of her greatness!

The following quotes are from a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard titled Small and Simple Things...

The Lord has graciously provided the means for conversion even in the most simple and humble of circumstances. Unfortunately, some of us look beyond the mark and depend too much on buildings, budgets, programs, and activities for conversion rather than on the small and simple things that are central to the gospel. We need not look beyond our own hearts to experience the sweet spiritual feelings promised to those who obey God.

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” (D&C 64:33).

Is our journey sometimes impeded when we forget the importance of small things? Do we realize that small events and choices determine the direction of our lives just as small helms determine the direction of great ships?

We must never ignore or pass by the prompting of the Spirit to render service to one another.

What A Beautiful Voice

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will.

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high.

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit.

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns.

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about-

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow-

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are.

It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-

It's when things seem worst that you must not QUIT.

Why do we try to hide

the way we feel for members of the opposite sex?

I went to a pool party tonight (which of course means 40% actually swimming, 60% being fish out of water-I, being one of those fishies tonight) and I had a decent time. Scratch that...I actually had a really entertaining time! I enjoyed watching the crowd. Looking at each individual and knowing the few things that I know, it was funny to think things like "okay I see...You were hanging out with this girl last night, who just made out with that guy last week and she really likes him, but now she's hanging out with you for the attention since she's not getting it from Mr. Makeout, but you're actually into her friend..." yeah that's pretty accurate. Besides watching people from a short distance I got to talk to a few friends I hadn't seen in a while and also meet a few new {cute} faces!

(TN)2 tried to take advantage of two boys riding in our car with us to 4th Meal, so we asked them what their first impression of me was, and we told them to be completely honest...so they were. They said they were actually talking about it the other day-didn't know how my name came up-and said that I can come off as intimidating sometimes! One of them said that when they first met me they thought I had an attitude that "I was better than them; stuck up" but that I had extreme confidence. (I truthfully don't feel that way at all-towards anyone really), but I was glad that they were honest with me because frankly, it's nice to know how others perceive you! That word though...intimidating...depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action...intimidating...(read like in a Spelling Bee) is that a good or a bad thing? Doesn't sound too happy to me. Anyway, I learned something new about myself tonight that could help me be more aware of my actions and body language with newbies in the future if I choose to let it. To really 'choose' is a difficult process...but we'll save that for a later post.

So after my night consisting of flirting-as it so often does and should-, friends, and insight, I decided to pull out one of my Elementary School Year Books (not too sure where the inspiration came from). It happened to be one from my fourth grade. As I flipped through my class pictures I read the words "I don't like" written over a few boys' pictures that previously had a heart drawn on them, now scribbled out. Why did I do this? Perhaps it was because of vulnerability at such a young age, or maybe one of them said or did something that hurt my feelings (which I guess is a definition of vulnerability) and so I decided they all deserved an "I don't like"...

So why do we try to hide?

Not Feeling Utterly Satisfied After Lunch

But Why?

I met one of my bestest friends for lunch today; bestest = we've practically grown up together since we were tiny girls, knee high to a grasshopper (which is ironic b/c I don't especially care for grasshoppers and I wouldn't necessarily call being born 9 pounds 10 ounces tiny, sorry Mom!) but you get the point.

Anyway...we can always get together, do anything or do nothing and have a fabulous time with each other! The food was delicious as always, but lunch seemed to end kind of short, at least I had 15 minutes until I had to get back to the office (at which I naturally used soaking up some Arizona 115 degree rays in my car while wearing black and listening to some sweet tunes). I wasn't feeling quite as satisfied as our last lunch date together, but I couldn't quite pinpoint it...I was just going to brush it off b/c it's not a big deal, really...and then I got a text from my friend that just said "Did I talk the whole time?" ...THAT'S IT! That was my unsatisfactory yet still a good time, feeling I was having. I hadn't realized it but she had sort of talked the entire time. It wasn't a bad thing by any means; she had plenty more to say and share this lunch time then I did.

However, that brings me to the point that every relationship no matter what it is (friendship, professional, love...) needs to consist of both giving and taking in order to be happy and satisfied. I'm glad bestie was conscious of my feelings enough to bring it up.

Always a Good Time, Thanks Dizzle!

I.....Freaking.....Love.....You!!!

"You make me laugh so hard everyday of my life! Well, you know...when you're funny and I'm a witness to that humor. You're a PRIZE! You're not only a prize, you're a rare gem!!! Not even a diamond in the rough, something even better that hasn't been discovered yet!! Nothing currently existing can describe you! IT'S TRUE!!!"

Well there you have it...a direct quote from one of my funniest friends to me in one of our endless email blabberings.

Thanks AC!