I'm gonna leave my heart in Boston

I'm leaving for Boston on Wednesday afternoon. I am SO excited for my Halloween weekend on the East coast. Not only will I get to see all the great fall-ness of that area of the country but I'll get to see David. David is a dear friend of mine from my ward back in NYC, (oh... I love NYC and miss it sooooo much). David lives in Boston now going to school and will be leaving in December to start a new job as a luthier in Maryland so I thought I ought to get out there and visit his face before he's outta there.

I'm about to burst at how excited I am to go. Maybe it's just to get away from work-ok it's definately that BUT there is also something that just draws me to the East, the cities, the energy, the culture, the architecture, the history. I have high hopes for a great weekend and I'm sure I won't be disappointed. We're going to Sleepy Hollow, NY for the big Halloween celebration they have there- you know, Ichabod Crain and the Headless Horseman? There are all sorts of fun things to do there. Maybe we'll dress up, maybe not. I'll be sure to plaster the pics all over when I get back.

Can I PUH-LEEES live here? The country. The leaves. The buildings- ALL of it sounds like a good idea.

I Got Gas

Driving to work today I saw gas at my local Chevron for $2.97/gal. I hadn't seen it below $3 yet and thought that I ought to stop and fill up before the day was over. Then I had to run an errand for work out to the mega west/industrial part of town. And ya know what I found? $2.95/gal. Hollaaaa! I feel like it's 2005 all over again.

ALSO!!! What is the deal with the crap that's on TV? I was watching House Tuesday night and it had all sorts of highly immoral content. I know most shows do these days but I didn't know that it was getting this bad- on network tv, I wasn't even watching cable. Did anyone see that episode? I haven't had TV for any extended period of time for a L O N G time. I'm talking years, like since my 2nd year of college back in 2002. Our world is amazing these days.

9-1-1 or Dave? 9-1-1 or Dave??

Ok. (this might get a little long....) I was on the phone with Jami discussing BMI and apple green walls when I started to smell something burning when the heater kicked on. I went downstairs to check out the furnace and see if there were flames billowing out of it. Nothing. No smell down there either. But I started to feel like someone was going to jump out and scare me at any second. I knew there was something in the house that shouldn't be there and I was as scared as if it were a burglar. I went back into my room, put my shoes on and grabbed my keys just in case we needed to go outside (I could start my car and put Billings in it to keep him warm. Billings is the 88 year old I live with- yes, I live with a man).

"9-1-1 or Dave, 9-1-1 or Dave?" was the thought in my mind. Dave-of course. (Dave is my dear friend and Billings' grandson). I called and he said "I'll call ya right back" and I said "ok, but it's important". I didn't know how big of a deal to make of the smell, it is an old, funny smelling grandpa house after all. By the time I came out of my room again there was smoke all over- not a lot, it looked kinda foggy down the hall. I woke Billings up. Dave called back. I said "there's smoke in the house but no flames. I don't know where it's coming from." He said "Where's Billings? Call Tom. Call Tom." (Tom is Billings' son who lives a mile or so away). I called Tom and he rushed right over. I was poised and ready to call 9-1-1 from that point on.

Billings and I spent the next 3 or 4 minutes trying to figure out where it was coming from. We checked all the outlets, the oven and stove, the light switches- everything. Now, you might be thinking "DAVE?! Why did you call Dave and not 9-1-1?" Well becasue the smoke wasn't getting any worse and I knew what we'd be ok to get out in 20 seconds if things turned for the worse-I did't let Billings go downstairs until Tom got there. I knew that Tom would be able to figure things out and I trust him- he's VERY smart.
So Tom got there in a flash and he and Billings poked around for a few minutes until they decided it was the fan motor in the furnace. All the wire insulation had burned off when the fan didn't kick on and the smoke from that is what made it's way up through the vents. I'm glad I was there last night (sometimes I don't come home) if the motor would have kept running all night it would have definitely caught the house on fire. So, Tom left with a piping hot furnace motor in his hands and I curled up with my down comforter for the long cold night without the comfort of a heater.

I've never been in a situation like that- one where you have several minutes to think about what you would try to take with you if there were any real danger. Sure, I've almost been in a couple of serious car wrecks but those situations don't leave any time for thinking only reacting. I was shaking like a leaf and as much as I would hope that I'd be able to do well under pressure I don't think my brain was functioning very clearly. I realized that there wasn't really anything that I would take other than getting Billings out. Such an unusual thing to go through. I thought about my renter's policy and decided that if anything I'd grab my compter. The only thing I have in that house that's not replaceable are the pictures on my laptop. Maybe I'd try and grab my journals and my scriptures but clothes and furniture are expendable. Anyway... things are fine and hopefully the furnace will be fixed before it gets too cold.

Mission Accomplished.

It was so great to have my Provo "family" come to the run. Everyone made it and we all had a blast. I love you guys.

Kiely, John, Tom, Claire, Alex, Sue, me and Jaycie at the starting line.

Johnny ready for the run.

I did it in 27 minutes... Next time I'll be faster. I hadn't run a 5K since I was in 4th grade.

Jaycie and I at the finish.

Sue crossing the finish line... as a robot. "Robo Boogie"... anyone?

I'm Off to the Races

Tomorrow morning is the 5K for NIE down in Provo. I'm leaving tonight (sorta late) if anyone wants a ride. I've not done any sort of competitive (not that this is competitive-competitive but someone will have a timer somewhere and that makes it competitive) running since my first year of college. And even then I only ran about 13' at a time before I hurled myself over the high jump bar. I've been plagued with a bum knee for years and have been spending the last several months really working on getting it better. What the heck is the IT band anyway and how does it get so inflamed for so long and cause excruciating pain after about 800m? As of last night at the gym the long runs on the treadmill were pain free so... I'm off to the races. Here's to NIE.

For the Love

I read something on a blog yesterday that made me think about the caliber of the things I post. She said "...but remember blogging really is about sharing insignificant bits that posterity will enjoy." Thanks C. Jane. I realized that I am very guarded about the things I write. I rarely allow too much personal-ness into my posting habits. While I admire and love reading about all the funny, uplifting, triumphant, eloquent, and inspiring things you and yours do day to day, I've not provided the same type of reading material. SO. I will do my best to share who I am and what makes me me from now on.

I'd like to start by telling you why I love you.

MOM: You still believe in me. You're always optimistic and think I can do anything. You have a beautiful home and yard that I love to see. You call me Shelbus
CHARLIE: For really loving mom. Always similing and a kind kind heart. You kiss me on the cheek when I hug you.
IVY: You finally don't mind giving me rides... :) You have a heart of gold and are loyal. You too call me Shelbus
CALVIN: You are a protector of all the women in your life... Mom, Ivy and I. You're doing great. You call me Shoby
DAD: You ALWAYS offer to help. You can fix anything and I can talk to you. You call me Boo Boo
LORI: You put up with dad. You love having all your kids together at once and are thoughtful.
JEFF & ANDREA: You let me hold your baby as much as I want and I feel welcomed when I come over. Jeff, you call me Shelby Boo.
JESSE: You're working hard to raise a family against the odds.
KRYSTAL: You let me give you a mohawk. You taught me how to play "Bodyguard" on the trampoline for hours and we can play a three day game of Monopoly.
GRANDMA C: You still ask me if I read my scriptures and tell me "remember who you are, we love ya". You let me give you a hard time.
SHANNON M: You work tirelessly and appreciate fine things.
JANA: You have an incredible talent of seeing the situation from different angles and bring up things I wouldn't have thought of. We talk a lot.
ASHLEY: You think I'm hilarious and we can still act like we're in 8th grade. You're like an iceberg, quite on top but there's so much more beneath the surface. You call me Poo.
SCUZ: Your creative talent boggles my mind. You're genuine. You laugh. You call me Shelbich... Shelbich & Scuz: Est. 2002
SHANNON: Your faith is dazzling. I think about what you would do when I'm faced with a decision.
HAILEY: You're so aware of everyone around you. You are a pleaser. You dance and we laugh.
KALI: You say what you want. You're real... and funny. You call me Sh-el-beeeeee
LISA: You're FULL of energy. You don't have TV.
ELLE: You're a fan of the Crutch Dance. You laugh at me and love all the way.
DAVE: You stir things up and I love watching their faces. You say "Ah, Shelb? She's great, you'll love her" to a perfect stranger. I love listening to you sing along in the car. You call me Shelb.
JUSTIN: You are always happy to see me. You give phenominal hugs. You call me Kid.
BUCK: You made me a close friend right away. We laugh and you give me your sloppy seconds. You always sing "Hey Shelby, Hey Shelby... Shelby...." when I call you.
DAVID: You call me for advice and tell me I was the best girlfriend. You're talent is jaw-dropping.
SOUTH: YOU ARE HILARIOUS!!!
MARLIETT: You always have kind words of love for everyone! You call me Betty.
ANDREW: You let me call your bluff and you call me out right back. We can walk for blocks and blocks playing Catch Phrase.
RICHIE: You greet everyone with a big smile. You love so easily.
BISHOP J: You give sound, real advice.
GLORIA: We're both middle children. You have a great laugh. You want to know. I feel like we're very similar.
JENNA: You're avidly interested in my love life and think none of the guys can hold a candle to me. You still talk about Bro. Jackson like you're full of butterflies
TRACY: You're a fabulous cook and are like "one of the girls"

I've been blessed to have some really incredible people in my life. I LOVE YOU ALL!!

HandbagPlanet.com

Hey all!! Need a new purse? Go to www.handbagplanet.com and enter to win a free- as in F-R-E-E handbag. No S & H, no credit card required- it's free in the sense that you don't have to give them anything for it. Good Luck!!

Adios Audi

I finally did it! I got rid of my CRAPPY Audi that costs MILLIONS of dollars to repair and am now the proud owner of this darling little Civic. I know I'll have years of worry free driving with my newest purchase and I am looking forward to NOT seeing the inside of a mechanics shop for at least 7 years or 100,000 miles. Go Honda! I love you.

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday was last month and I made her a welcom sign for her back yard. Take a look....

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I used a wood burning tool I borrowed from my friend Jacob. Turned out pretty great once it was hung.

A Tribute to Ashley

Ashley is one of my very best friends and has been since jr. high and will be 'till the end of time- I'm sure of it. The image below is a little tribute to her and our journey through adolescence into adulthood. Love Ya Poo!! (click on the pic so you can see it bigger)

At work today Anndee introduced me to Wordle. Ever heard of it? The image above was using Wordle. Go to http://www.wordle.net/ and enjoy. Careful though, you'll end up spending hours there before you know it. It's a site that an IBM software programmer guy created for our enjoyment. It makes "word clouds" base on the words you type. The more you type a single word the larger it will be. If you type a phrase like "I love you" all three words will appear separately so if you want them to stick together write them like this "Iloveyou". There are preset colors and a ton of fonts to chose from.