Today I...

Planted my last flower...

Pulled my last weed...

Deadheaded my last Marigold (which I am no longer a fan of...), Petunia, Cosmo, Geranium, and the list of flowers could go on and on...

Bent over one last time showing my back end to whom ever was passing on a busy street - thank heavens for my overalls!

Shoveled my last pile of dirt - by the way, I now hate the sound of a shovel scraping over cement!

Picked up my last bit of garbage...

Dumped my last pile of garbage...

Pruned my last bush...

Screamed one last time at a slimy worm poking their head up at me...

Watered my last flower bed...

Wore my overalls one last time...they are going into hibernation until next May when I start working on the flower crew again!

Soaked the sun up for one last farmers tan...

Woke up at 5:30am for the last time...(although, I hope to keep up the early morning routine so I can study my scriptures in the dawns early light, rather than just before sleepy time!)

Shoved dirt under my fingernails and toenails one last time...My poor feet look horrible, a much needed pedicure will take care of that tomorrow!

Finished several books (including Harry Potter 3 & 4) on tapes...

Got off work one last time smelling dirty, and looking sweaty...

AND...

Tried not to cry as I said "Goodbye," or "See you all next May" to my fun summer job working on the Flower Crew at SUU.

This is Ross, my Boss! Him and I would wear our overalls everyday...he's the one who inspired me to buy a pair. Ross the Boss also taught me a lot about planting, gardening, and flowers galore! He was a great Boss, that Ross!

Oh Crystal, my coworker who taught me a lot of patience!!! However, even though I couldn't stand her most of the time, not to say I'm not a pain in the butt, I told her today if she is working on the Flower Crew next summer I would be happy to be her "companion" as she called us, next summer. (Note about flower bed: this flower bed is in front of the President of SUU's home - Crystal and I would take care of it, and boy did it take a lot of work to make it look this good! If anything the people that drove down this street got to enjoy this beautiful flower bed. Also, it's a lot bigger than what is shown in the picture.)

Natalie and Holly - they worked on the lawn crew, but the three of us became fast friends! In fact, Natalie (the one in the red shirt) happens to be in the same situation I am in...Oh how the Lord works in mysterious ways...We are both 29, return missionaries, and trying to figure out our lives, and get through school. (By the way this picture was taken at SIX in the MORNING, so as to why I'm not as chipper looking...)

Flat Tire and the Law of Tithing

Aren't Monday's just wonderful? Well for me, my Monday was less than fun. It all started out at 5:30am as I head off to work. I got to work and realized I didn't have my lunch. Packed it the night before, but forgot to get it out of the fridge on my way out the door. Top it off I didn't get a weekend either; it was my turn to work Saturday and Sunday watering all the flowers at the Shakespearean Courtyard.

As lunchtime came around I decided since I'm the poorest I have been in my 29 years I would go to Wendy's and get my $1.29 (paid with change...) chili, which is pretty tasty, and very filling. As I was leaving the drive thru and was on my way back to the Grounds Dept. I started to hear this thumping noise from the back of my car. I kept driving because I was only a few blocks away when I realized my back tire was flat. Not a good thing to be driving on it, but I was so close to work I had to keep going. I made it to work, and walked into the break room to try to enjoy my lunch. One of my coworkers was in there and asked me how my day was going. At this point I slammed down in my chair to eat and said, "Horrible, it's definitely a Monday." He said, "That good?" I then continued to tell him my tire is flat, and I don't really have the money to be buying a new tire. He was kind enough to take a look at my tire, he found that I had ran over a nail. He filled my tire up and told me to take it in to Rolling Rubber, and they can patch it up.

After work I immediately drove over to Rolling Rubber to get my tire patched up. I was expecting to pay around $30.00 to get it fixed. After waiting about 15 minutes my tire was patched up, and good as new. I went to pay for the patch/labor and they said not to worry about it. I tried to fight them and pay for it but they said it wasn't a big deal.

As I left Rolling Rubber I said a quick prayer of gratitude. I know that the Lord helped me out on that fix for sure! By obeying the law of tithing the Lord has blessed me in so many different ways. Once again my testimony of tithing is being strengthened. Many times in my life I have probably spent money on things that I shouldn't (recent trip), but am trying to live the gospel and make sure that I always pay my tithing FIRST! Whenever I receive money, be it work paycheck, gifts, etc. I write out my check to the Lord first, and then take care of the rest of my worldly things second. I am SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL for wonderful parents who taught me at a very young age the law of tithing and the importance of paying my tithing, and the blessings that come from paying my tithing. My parents have never had much, but we always had the funds to survive and live comfortably. I am impressed by a brother who may not be the most active in church but has a strong testimony of tithing and has bore that testimony to me and others. With much faith he pays his tithing faithfully. I'm also grateful for a dear friend who has recently bore a strong testimony to me of paying fast offerings and how I have tried to pay my fast offerings faithfully the last couple of months.

It is amazing how the Lord takes care of me when I pay Him first. I am once again blown away by the Lords help that He provides for me on a daily basis. My testimony of tithing and fast offering has been strengthened once again.

Why Is It I LOVE to Road Trip???

Yet again I set out on the dusty road for a road trip to Boulder, Utah, Durango, Colorado, and Monument Valley, Arizona. I have to admit this was my first time to Colorado - minus the airport, but I am in love with what I saw in the state, and will definitely be going back...possibly to MOVE, but then you know how I am - always wanting to be somewhere besides Utah...

The trip started out Friday morning July 31, 2009 and my family and I headed up to Boulder Mountain to stay with our friends the Griffin's, in their cabin. The cabin was so nice, and the stay was wonderful! We had great friends to be surrounded by, wonderful food, and awesome weather! On Sunday we all drove down the Burr Trail. We did a little hike, and on the hike found some geocaching. We took the leigh and left a dollar and bracelet. Next year when we go back we'll check it out and see what's new. After our hike Jessie and I took the Burr Trail to Bullfrog to catch the ferry. Little did we know they take cash only, so we went with our original plan. I was so bummed, but I guess that's what happens when you don't stick to plan. That's a long story, and this story is already going to be long, so that is all you get about that detour.That evening we headed up through Monticello, and on to Durango. I didn't get any pictures of the cute little city Durango, but I fell in love with the town. They have a tourist train...Oh you know I'm going to look into that! We stayed the night and then were off to Mesa Verde. We spent all of Monday in the park exploring and going on the tours. It was a little frightening at times climbing up the ladders, and crawling through small tunnels. I was so pleased with Jessie - since she has a fear of heights.

After a day in the park we were off to the Four Corners - where the four states meet. New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Can I just say we paid six dollars for five minutes of picture taking. Lame, but kind of cool?!?!?

That night we made it to Gouldings, in Monument Valley, and set up camp. We ate dinner and watched a movie then sweated in the heat all night long as we tried to sleep. If I go back again and end up camping I'll pick a cooler time of year. We spent that morning seeing the sights there, and of course getting our "Forrest Gump" picture, then headed on up to Page. We got to Page and stopped at the Glen Dam to eat some lunch and then drove home.

The best part of the trip was my new GPS Tracker that my friend Audra gave me for my birthday. It was such a help, I don't know how we ever did it with paper maps. KIDDING - I made to Alaska just fine with a good old fashion map. But, I love my new GPS.

We got home on Tuesday, and I realized that I am good for a long time before I take another trip. Trips are great, but so draining. It's time for a break in the traveling department, and my baby (car) needs to take a break too, especially if I'm going to run her to the ground. (I told my mom I was done traveling and she said, "Right! I'll believe it when I see it.") At least for a few months I'm good to just stay close to home.