Misadventures of Mindy E.

One of my favorites............

2011-12-08T01:03:00.000-08:00

Did you know that one of my guilty pleasures is to read one of two blogs...............and this is one of them:

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/

I've often referenced my want to visit Utah, my friend who teaches and loves his kids the way I love mine...........the Internet is an amazing thing. I wouldn't know Jason or any of this without the Internet.

Go check it out when you have a chance.........you'll be happy you did!

~me

How I think.........

2011-11-14T01:19:00.000-08:00

I decided to change my profile picture on facebook tonight. Probably because I came across a picture of my ex husband and I randomly and thought WHO WAS THAT GIRL? It was like I was looking at someone else but it was me! I was there through all that.

So I go to my fb page and look through my profile pics..........and I realize again WHO WAS THAT GIRL?

That girl above.......that's me............in an Elias huddle. One of my favorite parts of the entire wedding day of the baby was this huddle on the dance floor. My sisters can marry and have kids (and me too someday I hope) but in the end it's us 6. That's who I am.
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This girl is so me..lol.........this was Thanksgiving and someone was irritating me because I wasn't "doing my part" My sisters are NOTORIOUS for handing out assignments that perhaps I didn't request and then scold me when I'm not doing it their way or fast enough. That face is how I feel ALOT............Yes, I know that girl!
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What happened to this girl? This trip was suppose to be sad, we were in town for a funeral. Yet Brittney and I had THE BEST roadtrip and this girl drank and laughed and was HUNG OVER and was bold and beautiful and just felt comfortable being me. Where did that girl go?
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I find it humorous that I remember this day so perfectly. I was 3 almost 4 and I wanted to be wonder woman. See my hands? I was getting ready to turn like Lynda Carter did every episode. That was my Sito's house and I used to watch WW with my Sito on her big bed, with her big pillows and her Almond Roca's and bendy straws. I have so many memories of my grandmother and when I look at this picture, I can feel her. My mom's cousin's husband called me wonder woman for years and years because I trick or treated around town in Nogales. My mom could make me anything----we would randomly request a crown and she'd pull out some foil and tada! there it was! I love the innocence of this girl.
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Oh THAT GIRL! She was a happy girl who believed in fairy tales and as happy as she looked here, all she could think about was that her boyfriend hadn't found her on the field. Turns out he left after his brother's name was called. She believed in love and fireworks and friendships that were going to last forever. I liked that girl...........she smiled a lot.
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This girl felt uncomfortable...........they were giving her an award for being her and she felt inadequate. She could talk about her programs. her kids. her whatever. But to talk about herself, she felt embarrassed and unworthy. But she did have a kick ass tan.

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These next two girls are going to contradict each other.................I look at this girl, this Mindy, and I think "how is it possible that I belong with to these beautiful amazing women?"
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I grew up watching Sesame Street. They would show four items like a cake, a cookie, a donut and a hammer and sing this song "Three of these things belong together. One of these things is kind of the same"........A LOT of the time, now that we are grown up, I feel this way. I feel like the one that is kinda the same but not quite. This picture reminds me of this...........it's like I ran up on the three Elias girls and said wait, I wanna be in this! I don't like this girl so much. Her insecurities gets the best of her many times.

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I'm a contradiction of sorts.....................a quandary perhaps. A Bermuda Triangle? I'm just kidding, that was random. I think I'm still on a journey of trying to figure out who I am. Does that search ever end? Do you ever figure it out and look at yourself in the mirror, or in a photo album, and think.............oh yes! I know that person! I've known her all her life............

What I want Lane to know.............

2011-11-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

You are so delightful..............at 3 months, you smile all the time, especially when your mama is talking to you. You're so alert. You talk back to people with sounds and noises and that's so adorable. You might have teethers coming in.

You are so loved.

What I want Lane to know.............

2011-10-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Lane~yesterday I saw you smile a big giant smile at me when we were laying on Sito & Papa's bed, after your bath.............I was talking to you telling you random things and you smiles like you understood. I heard that later you laughed out loud and Auntie Danielle says it was the best sound she's ever heard............right now you're 2 months and 2 weeks old. .....and you're having problems with keeping your formula down but not your mama's milk........

I can't wait to hear you giggle..........

I love you little peanut!

Climbing the Ladder.........

2011-10-12T01:21:00.000-07:00

The Kids did this super cool teambuilding activity where they had 8 strong wooden sticks and had to arrange for them to go over the bike and someone would climb the ladder to get them over. The kids were super worried about dropping someone but they didn't! It was great.......

Ashley & Luis-----they're awesome.........They both have managed to surprise me lately!

Club 2 College.......

2011-10-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

(The Wall in the Career Center at ASU Poly....I LOVE it!!!!! I want a wall like this in the Club)

I know I've said it before but I have THE BEST job in the world..........I am honored to spend my days with the future, with the kids that I serve daily......

Well this year, with the help of my great friend Mike Mader from ASU Polytechnic, we've designed a program called:
We (My amazing staff and I) selected 34 TEENS that are in 7th-10th grade. They meet weekly on Wednesday's with ASU Students, Faculty or Staff. Each week is a different theme and they are working on their portfolios for the end of the year.........this program ends in June 2012. It's a huge time commitment but it's an amazing program.

They meet with Clubs from ASU, Student Government on another Wednesday, Financial Aid on another week, ASU Athletics on a different week, it's very intense.

Last week I was fortunate to experience college life with these kids.......23 of the kids attended the day at ASU Polytechnic and it was AWESOME!(Teambuilding Exercise---smart thinking by my Kids!)

(Each of the groups came up with a problem and a solution----part of the http://www.10000solutions.org)

(Teambuilding Activity---I love seeing all the SUN DEVIL shirts and braclets that say I AM A SUN DEVIL)

(Awesome kids!)

(So serious! LOL)

(There are some happy kids!)

(Waiting for the Flight Simulator)

(Learning about Air Traffic Control at ASU Poly)

2011-10-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Day 13---Who do you consider to be in your small circle of Best Friends and why?Rebecca and I have been best friends for 11 years. She knows me better than anyone and still loves me for who I am. I know that working in the same organization has been so helpful to me as a professional. She looks out for my best interest and thinks of me when I don't always think of myself.

And thanks to her, I met Isabel............Isabel is the girl I talk to daily and if I don't, it feels weird. She's a great sounding board for me and I love making her blush when I tell her something random! Not to mention she's always up for a shopping trip :)

And I will always be grateful to her because she gave me Alexsia.

So I am very blessed to be surrounded by amazing people!

2011-10-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Day 12-----Put your Ipod on and list a few songs............

1. All I have by LL Cool J and Jennifer Lopez.

2. I love you like a love song by Selena Gomez.

3. Wait the Whisper Song by the Ying Yang Twins.

4. Where you at? by Jennifer Hudson

5. Give Into Me by Faith Hill

6. Dreaming with a Broken Heart----Jon Mayer

7. Candy Shop by 50 Cent.

2011-10-05T23:32:00.000-07:00

Day 11----Bullet Your Day, With Details.............

Woke up CRANKY!!!! I hate being up in the morning!
Drove around the campus looking for Club Buses. Found them.

We visited the Flight Simulator Building.
We visited the Air Traffic Controller room.
We visited the Career Center where my kids worked on problems and solutions as part of the 10,000 solutions project

Had lunch in the Student Union.
Went on a tour on campus----showed my teens what a dorm looks like (consensus was THE BEDS ARE TOO SMALL) so funny!

Watched the teens do some teambuilding exercises........awesome!

On the way off of campus, showed them my old Clubhouse, Williams. We talked about how they need to appreciate what they have in a Club.

Was super tired but didn't want to go home at 4pm so went to see LANE!

HUGGLED him for an hour and that was awesome amazing.

Went to the Club........did some Club work stuff. I have awesome teens!

Went to Red Lobster for Dinner w/Bec.

Went to Walmart for some bulletin board boarder.

Came home and blogged.

Goodnite everyone!

2011-10-04T23:56:00.000-07:00

Day 10----Discuss your first love and your first kiss..............

Hmmm....First REAL kiss? I was a freshman in high school (I know, I was old!) and I was in Spanish Class. Chris T. sat in front of me in class and I was SO nervous!

I went outside and met him and I experienced my first real kiss............and I looooved kissing ever since.

My first love.............Jeffrey E. Young. Spent Sophmore-Senior year with him as well as quite a bit of time in my 20's...on and off, on and off as he always had an eye for someone else. He was my best friend. He taught me how to drive stick shift and we could talk for hours about everything and we would go on long drives and picnics in the park and kite flying and we would watch movies and go on walks and the list could go on and on.

Until one day when he broke my heart and fell in love with a girl from Tucson and they had a little girl. And I was devastated.

And we talk now, ever so often.......we are still friends. And I will always love him and have such fond memories of our time together... But as much as I've tried....literally over the past 21 years, I still don't have trust that he won't break my heart.

2011-10-04T00:42:00.000-07:00

Day 9---A letter to my parents.............

Dear Mom & Dad~

How can I thank you for raising me to be who I am today.

A girl who wishes on stars and learned this from my mom who drove us to the end of the rainbow to look for the pots of gold.

I'm the woman who speaks up for others and for herself and isn't afraid to do so.

I was raised to be a productive member of society, of my community and of my country.

I was taught to love my sisters, protect them from bullies like the Freddie's of the world and to rally together because we are a force to be reckoned with!

I was surrounded by love~~~I have the fondest memories of playing in my playhouse in the backyard. Of hearing songs of Broadway on early Sunday mornings. Of Playing Miss America along with the pageant, in my mama's slips.

I always knew I was loved. Even when I wasn't speaking to one of you.........It was before Christmas and it was the year that you guys decided to buy the first artificial tree.

And I was devastated............I don't deal with change well.

And I came home from being out, and as I passed Brittney's room, I smelled it........

Fresh Christmas tree.

And in my room, on my tall dresser, my amazing parents had gone to the Christmas Tree Lot. And gathered branches that had fallen off of trees. Put them in a vase and decorated my little tree.

And I feel swelled with joy and love.

Because that was for me. My mom and dad did that for me.

So thank you for teaching me how to make memories. How to sing at the top of my lungs in the car. And dance in the grocery store aisles. And say bad words. And rub our feet together.

And Love.

Thank you most of all for that.

And for giving me three amazing women to call my sisters.

I love you,

~me

2011-10-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

Day 8----A moment you felt satisfied with your life..............

I can remember the day so clearly. It was 2 years ago, October 2009..........My new building wasn't opened yet but was going to open within the weeks.

I walked into the gym and looked around and remember just hearing myself breathe.....hearing my breathing echo in the big gym.

I was the only person in the building............and this was mine. This place, these dreams were going to be my legacy.

And I felt content.

And satisfied.

And hopeful.

And I actually cried............tears of joy. That I had done this.

It was like coming home.

2011-10-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

Day 7---Your Zodiac Sign and does it fit your personality????

Well my birthday is January 19th.

And that makes me born on the cusp. Technically I am a Capricorn however I seem SO much more like an Aquarius.

See for yourself:

Capricorns are: Serious. Hardworking. Unemotional. They put their families or work before their own needs. Because of their organizing ability they are able to work on several projects simultaneously. (((HAHAHAHAHA!!!)))
Practical and prudent
Ambitious and disciplined
Patient and careful
Humorous and reserved

Aquarius people are: LIKES
Fighting for Causes, Dreaming and Planning for the Future
Thinking of the Past, Good Companions, Having Fun
(Yeah totally all me up there!) Here comes some more....
Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual

So there you have it................come to your own conclusion. :)

2011-09-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Day 6----Write 30 facts about yourself.

 I only like Nestle Purlife Water.  I drink like a bazillion a day.

 I've only been in the hospital once---that was June 30, 2011 for my appendix removal.

 I HATE scary movies--never seen any of those friday the 13th or children of places or whatever.  

 I Looooove to sing in the car and I wish I could really sing, it would be amazing!

 Apparently I snore.  loudly.  :(

 My favorite food is Hamburgers!  OMG Homemade is the best........second is Mexican food.  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 One of my favorite gifts EVERY was from my mom---a cookbook that she made of her famous recipes.  

 I'm not a morning person.  I'm super grumpy and I don't want to talk.

Favorite shows are all random---Grey's Anatomy, The Good Wife, How I met Your Mother, Wizards of Waverly Place.  Yes, i know, i'm odd.

 I love pinterest.  I'ts my newest obsession.

 I'm almost always hot.  

 I love strawberries.  

 If there is something I like, I buy it in every color.  

 My favorite smells are my mom's house, Gold Canyon Candles Sugar Cookie, Lane's neck, Sephora's Body Butter in Chocolate Espresso.

 I'm all about traditions---

 I love my job and my kids.  They mean so much to me!

 HUGE fan of Jennifer Lopez---

 Love to look at things on Ebay........

 I stood on the observation deck of the Empire State building and wasn't impressed (and I ADORE NYC).  And I thought of King Kong.

 I have some big fears----mice, having breast cancer, loosing my parents before I'm a mother...Not becoming a mother.....that's about it.

 Chocolate is amazing.

 I love quotes!

 I saw a falling star tonight............and I wished on it!

 My mom taught me how to make a memory....stop what you are doing, close your eyes, take in the sounds, smells, feelings, etc.  And make a memory.  

 I don't drink coffee but looooove the smell of it.

 Fresh flowers on my desk, in my house make my heart happy.

 My old club had a disco ball.  One of the few things I regret is not taking that with me.

 My best friend is super sarcastic and that gets us BOTH in trouble sometimes.  However she says I get US in trouble!

 I am a messy person.........water bottles (remember number 1???), magazines, junk mail....i read it all LOL  and leave it until tomorrow to deal with.

 I can pretty much sing any song (or I know the title)......Name that tune is so my game.  

 When I order Iced tea at the restaurant, I ask for it like this....."Iced tea with a CRAZY amount of lemons".  If they bring me a lot (which I LOVE) they get a better tip.

 32 is one of my favorite numbers because this boy in high school that I totally had a crush on, his football number was 32.

 that's 32 things about me>....

I love this baby

2011-09-30T02:55:00.001-07:00

2011-09-30T00:50:00.000-07:00

The most depressing 30 day challenge ever..............
Day 5----Talk about a day you thought of ending your life.

I don't have such a story.

Never thought of it. Ever.

There is my post.

The end.

2011-09-28T23:40:00.000-07:00

Day 4----my thoughts on Religion.........

I really wish this challenge was more fun. Seems very dry. But I'm committed!!!

Well, I grew up in a very Catholic home........went to church every Sunday and loved it. Celebrated all of my sacraments (baptism, communion,reconciliation, marriage)

I taught CCD (sunday school) beginning at the age of 17.

I loved the church.

And then, I got divorced.

And that was it for me.........for me to be in good standing in the Catholic church, I have to have an annulment.

Well i'm not doing that. So I am not in "good standing"

My sister is a Religion expert...........has a masters degree in it........she's taught me so much about religions and it's very interesting. Just not for me.

2011-09-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Day 3...My views on Alcohol and Drugs...

Well this is a fun exciting topic.........Let's see..............I've never done any type of drugs ever. In my whole life. When I was growing up, I have an uncle who was an addict and I have very vivid memories of an uncle who was very wealthy and traveled and lived an amazing life and I saw how drugs took all of that away from him. At 10,11,12,13, I was very much aware of what was happening and I still feel some resentment towards him all these years later. He passed away and I felt sad for my mom who lost her little brother. And I felt sad for my sister who was always always nice to him, no matter what. And I felt sad for him. But that was all. I didn't feel sad for me.

Alcohol~HA! If you've read my blog before, you know that I have issues with drunk drivers.

And underage drinking makes me sick.

So because I don't like to not be in control (meaning I can't pick up my keys and drive, that's not in control).........I rarely drink. Like 5 margaritas a YEAR thing. Just not for me.

So there you have it! Hope tomorrow is more FUN and HAPPY than the above :)

~me

Day 2----Where would I like to be in 10 years......

2011-09-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

Day 2----Where would I like to be in 10 years......

Whoa.............10 years from now I'll be 47! EEEK!!! That sounds so much older.......

I better be a mother by then.

I will have traveled to NYC at least 2x.

OMG Lexi will be 18! Oh Lordy help me.............I will take her all over to show her colleges however she'll be a Sun Devil!

AND baby Lane will be 10! Oh and so spoiled by all his aunties :)

And I hope I will be married.

And I hope I am still loving my job, my kids and my Club.

And I will be closer to all my sisters.

And I will see my parents weekly.

Family will be my priority.

Whoa..........10 years goes by fast. WHOA

30 day challenge....

2011-09-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

Day 1----Your Current relationship status. If single, discuss how single life is.

Oh goodness!

Yes, my relationship status is currently single. I have not done a very good job taking care of ME over the past many years because I'm too busy taking care of other people therefore there's never time for anyone else.

So being single is not fun............you have to deal with LAME people who don't get what I do for a living ("What? You're working late again!?!?!) and that my family comes first ("What? You're talking to your sisters AGAIN!?!?")

So Single Sucks.

~me

Silly things I heard lately.........

2011-09-17T22:29:00.001-07:00

From Alexsia at Peter Piper Pizza today..................

*"Mindy, let's play Wheel of Fortune since this is what you play at the casino, maybe you'll win here too!"

HIMYM - Three Days Rule from Inga Vinje Engvik on Vimeo.

*Seriously. Jesus started the whole "wait three days" thing. He waited THREE days to come back to life. It was perfect! If he had only waited ONE day, a lot of people wouldn't have even heard that he died. They'd be all, "Hey Jesus, what up?" and Jesus would probably be like, "What up? I DIED yesterday!" and then they'd be all, "Uhh, you look pretty alive to me, dude..." and then Jesus would have to explain how he was resurrected, and how it was a miracle, and then the dude would be like "Uh okayy, whatever you say, bro..." And he's not gonna come back on a SATURDAY. Everybody's busy, doing chores, workin' the loom, trimmin' the beard, NO. He waited the exact right number of days, THREE. Plus it's SUNDAY, so everyone's in church already, they're all in there "Oh no, Jesus is DEAD", then BAM! He bursts through the back door, runs up the aisle, everyone's totally psyched, and FYI, that's when he invented the high five. Three days. We wait three days to call a woman, because that's how long Jesus wants us to wait.... True story.

I'm in love with
*Wrangler told my mom today that she looked 15.........omg so cute!

That's all for now....................more another time. Goodnite :)

Things I want Lane to Know.....

2011-09-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

I want you to know how much I love you.

And how we do silly things to you.

Like dress you up.

And squeeze your cheeks.

Tonight, Michelle brought you a present.......

and you made us so happy by wearing it.

And I swear it's like you were tipping your hat to us.

Oh I love you!

love, auntie mindy

that weight of sadness

2011-09-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

that sits upon your chest............that feeling of failure.

that's what i feel now.

when your head gets it and says come on mindy! There's nothing more you could do.

but your heart. your heart sees it differently.

makes me feel defeated. depressed. distant.

and all I can do is think.

about how things will be different.

how perhaps I didn't do enough.

how my heart and my head are never on the same page.

i need to learn to give myself permission to be sad.

and permission to help the ones that WANT to be helped.

you can't force someone to be helped.

i pray tomorrow is a good day.

Things I want Lane to know........

2011-09-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

You are so loved.

You're aunties adore you so much.

It could be a random Thursday afternoon at 4:33 pm and we are all there, passing you around. Loving you. Holding you. Feeding you. Admiring you.

You inspire me to be a better person because I want to be here to watch you grow up.

And if I love YOU this much, I can't imagine the love of a mother to her own child.

It's as if we've been waiting for you.....

Things I'm digging today..............

2011-09-08T23:54:00.000-07:00

So if you go to Ebay, they are auctioning off 150 pair per day for 10 days with money going to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research.

So what are shoes going for??? $3500-$5000.

After all, they do light up!

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Make clutter-busting a family game. Write tasks on Ping-Pong balls. Each person chooses a ball, completes the task, then chooses another one. After 30 minutes, whoever has the most balls gets a prize -- like a no-chores day or control of the TV remote.

I love this for my sisters family!!!! :)

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I want this for Lane----especially since I have a few pair of tiny Nike's for him already :)

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It's 2:36 am and I'm falling asleep!

Goodnite everyone!!!!

Things I liked today.....yeah, it was hard to do....

2011-09-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

Today was a WHOA day.

Like when you want to pull people's hair day.

So I needed something to take my mind off of today.....to put today behind me.

Some people drink.....I don't. I blog. And look at other blogs.

SO here's one I'm totally digging..........

Lance Gross is a philosophical man. I love a thinking man. Here are some thoughts I love that I sometimes need to remind myself of:

‘No’ is the most powerful word in the human language. When you can comfortably say, “No” to requests for your time, energy, ideas, and money, you gain the respect of others because you respect yourself and have good boundaries.

I don’t mind waiting for the right love because for love, it’s worth the wait. ~Chloe Mitchell

I am so so so proud of Mona Dixon
(Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year)
She was named in Essence Magazine as one of the 28 most influential Black Women. I can't wait to show my kids that someone, just like them can become whatever they dream to be.
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Things used to be. Now they're not.

Anything but us is who we are. Disguising ourselves as secret lovers, we've

become public enemies. We walk away like strangers in the street. Gone for

eternity, we erase one another. No phone calls. No sweet text messages.

We are mere specs of particles, floating, unknown to our partners' existence.

So far from where we came. With so much of everything, how do we leave

with nothing? Lack of visual empathy equates to the meaning of L.O.V.E.

Hatred and attitude tear us entirely. We meet at opposite poles and no

longer can we bond like love birds to a song or flowers to a Daisy. The air

smells of rotten love and burned hearts. We have trashed our over cooked

love that now accompanies the bin of deceit. Don't turn around. Continue

walking away. Disappear into that darkness that rests upon your gritty

shoulders. Let that dark cloud follow you wherever you go. So long ex-lover.

Farewell.~Chloe Mitchell

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This movie looks SO SO SO SO GOOD!!! Can't wait to see it!

Tomorrow better be BETTER than today!!!! LOL goodnite!

Flicks............

2011-09-07T01:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to show you some things that made my eyes and heart happy today.....
I am so in love with this baby. That's baby Lane.............he looks so so so big but he's only 5 weeks old and barely 8 lbs. He's got some cheeks on him!

One of the blogs I've followed for awhile is The Spohrs ............I love love love how Miss Annie (above) looks so much like her daddy! This family had been through so so so much! Check them out, truly an amazing story of LOVE!

Another Blog I LOVE LOVE LOVE is this one Teachinfourth makes me want to take pictures and go to Utah, in no particular order..............this is one of my recent favs!

I love his pictures! Check them out here to see some prints you can purchase. amazing.

Oh The Places I'll Go.............

2011-09-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

Or something like that.................I've been dreaming A LOT about traveling. And why shouldn't I travel? I'm single. I'm young. Nothing is holding me back............So here are some of the places I am dreaming of going.

Now I have to make those dreams come true.

10. Durango, Colorado~~~We used to vacation in Durango during the Summers when we were growing up. I have the fondest memories of walking around downtown, going to the movies and being in awe of the beauty of Colorado. When I think of being there, I feel at peace. I feel still. I want that.

9. Bisbee, Arizona---I've always been drawn to random places----one being Bisbee. The historical aspect is interesting to me.

8. Prescott, Arizona---Still a small town where you can stay in a Bed and Breakfast and you see Square Dancers in the Courtyard Square on a Saturday night. Awesome.

7. Bora Bora---Blame the Kardashians.....I'm not a beach person. I'm not an ocean person. But this place looks so so so so beautiful and I now want to go!

6. New York---I don't believe in past lives. I believe in heaven. But I can't explain the pull the City has on me. I can't wait to go back.

5. San Francisco---Reminds me a lot of NYC. Looove the shopping, so much to see.

4. New York----Did I mention I love walking the streets, reading in Central Park, seeing a Broadway show and of course, shopping.

3. Provo, Utah---I've been to Utah twice. Once for a training in Salt Lake City....by far the cleanest city I've ever seen and the most eclectic group of restaurants----literally food from every country you could imagine. But it was short......2nd time was with my family. I remember seeing lots of people in parks picnicking.
LOL Thanks to CJane , I FELL IN LOVE with Provo. I want to go and eat a cupcake at the Sweet Tooth Fairy and visit the Provo Farmers Market. There is so much I want to do..............

2. Wilmington, NC---Dawson's Creek was filmed there and I just always thought it would be a place I'd visit with Bethany.

1. New York City---Enough Said. :)

Sisters.............

2011-09-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

To be an Elias girl is a gift.............I am one of four and only when together are we whole. It's a rarity for a family to have four girls and no boys. The dynamics are unbelievable. I remember when Danielle was a little girl, she told her teacher that sometimes she had to raise her hand at the dinner table to talk.
We are all so alike and yet all so different. We have so many similarities and yet are such individuals. We are a force to be reckoned with, the Elias Girls. When we stand together, whoa baby, you better watch out! Years ago, I wrote a piece for a class I was taking, comparing my sisters to the March sisters AKA Little Women. There are so many similarities, its eerie at time.

Youngest to Oldest..............Bethany

Bethany is 24 years old and the smartest person I know. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Zack, and they just recently bought a house and have a puppy named Nash. Bethany has a bunch of degrees, most recently her Masters of Arts in Religious Studies from ASU. Now on to her Doctorate. She loves to read and organize, volunteer and plan events and of course, study! I think she's addicted to education.
Youngest of the March girls................Amy~She's the youngest of the family and she fits the stereotype of the spoiled youngest child. Amy's vanity begins with her appearance – she's a pretty child and turns into a beautiful, stately woman. She is "cool, reserved and worldly"

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Danielle is the third daughter.....She's 30 years old and a 7th grade Social Studies teacher. She's strikingly beautiful and she's super sarcastic. She loves her sleep, her students, to pamper herself and her mama. She was the girl that would go with my mom to the grocery store because she didn't want my mom going alone. So so so sweet and I love when she surprises us and is a little wacky. She's working hard to make the world a better place and I love her for that.

......Third March Daughter.....Beth~The third March sister, Beth is very shy and quiet. Like Meg, she always tries to please other people, and like Jo, she is concerned with keeping the family together. Beth struggles with minor faults, such as her resentment for the housework she must do. Alcott describes her as a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl, with a shy manner, timid voice, and a peace that was seldom disturbed.

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The Second daughter is Brittney............Her birthday is today and she is now 34! She's the mother of FOUR---Cidney 11, Kiley 10, Wrangler 6 and Lane 1 month and 2 days old! She's a labor and delivery nurse and married last year and became a full time mother all in the same week. Her strength is something I admire most. Her dealings with her patients and their situations, her step children and now, seeing her with her baby boy, I am humbled by her strength. She cracks me up with her sarcasm and is always on my side no matter what.

The Second March Daughter.............Jo...........Jo is an outspoken tomboy and the tallest of the girls. She loves activity and can't bear to be left on the sidelines. She's clumsy, blunt, opinionated, and jolly. Her behavior is often most unladylike – she swears (mildly), burns her dress while warming herself at the fire, spills things on her only gloves, and barely tolerates her cranky old Aunt March. She's the rebellious one.
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And then there's me.........the oldest daughter.......Mindy. I am 37 (good Lord!!!!) and I am the girl who still wishes on stars and believes what people say. I see the goodness in everyone, even when they are being horrible to me. I am the Branch Executive of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley Compadre Branch and I am living my dream (career wise)........and still single.....but looking with my giant eyes for a good man.

The Oldest March Daughter---Meg........Meg, short for Margaret, is the oldest and (until Amy grows up) the prettiest of the four March sisters. She's also the most typical of the sisters –(written as very pretty, plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, which she is rather vain)and she is well-mannered and rather bossy.

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I am truly blessed to be associated with these fine women. They have impeccable taste, hearts full of love and sarcasm dripping from most words. A lot of who I am is because of my sisters.

1 month birthday!

2011-09-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

Lane Elias Collyar is 4 weeks today. Technically, he should still be in his mama's pansa for another two whole weeks.

Instead he kicked his way out and he's here..............
Today, in honor of the first ASU Game of the season, Lane wore one of many ASU outfits!

I ordered these stickers from www.etsy.com and I loooove that site........each month, my sister will take a picture of him so we can document his first year of life! I spent some time with him today and I looooove the way my sister talks to him in this part baby voice/part Oklahoma accent LOL and he listens to her. He knows who his mama is.

And he knows who his Auntie Mindy is too!

changing lives.........

2011-09-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

This sweet sweet sweet girl, Jessica Solis, made this her status today on facebook.

And it reminds me how blessed I am.............again.

"Being at the Teen Center Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Compadre Chandler Branch gives me a chance to better myself and make a difference ♥Mindy Elias Thank you for all you have done, you really do change lives. (:" ...............

Things I want Lane to know........

2011-09-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm a new Auntie.............and I LOVE it! Lane Elias Collyar makes my heart happy....literally makes my heart full. So I'm going to randomly, when I think of them, make lists of things I want him to know someday. So here we go:

1. growing up, your mama and I knew summers were all about swimming and playing and 50/50 bars and fudgesicles. I want you to have summers of fun and sillyness with your brothers and sisters.

2. your sito and papa have been in san diego for almost a week and I miss them terribly. So does your mama and surprisingly, so do you! You're up all the time looking for your sito!

3. i hate the beach but love san diego.....it's a good vibe there.

4. I like that your sito and papa go on vacation together. I really like that they still like each other after being married 39 years. that's a scary long time, don't ya think?

5. You're one month old today (thursday) I can't believe how big you're getting! 7 1/2 lbs!!! 6. Your auntie danielle...........super sarcastic! She came into the Club today to bring one of her students some work to do and my teens are just in awe of her beauty. and then she ZiNGS them with her sarcasm and they dont' know what to do. LOL

That's all for now.............more next time! :) Here's what you look like these days!

I love you little peanut!

oh what a day...............

2011-08-31T00:51:00.000-07:00

""Adapt or die." As many times as we've heard it, the lesson doesn't get easier. Problem is, we're human. We want more than just to survive. We want love. We want success. So we fight like hell to get those things. Anything else feels like death."

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Sometimes I feel like I am too fiery. Too outspoken. Too firecrackery, but not in a good way.

Blame my parents.

They raised us to be outspoken. To be the girls that walk out of class or out of brownies because people are being crazy to us. My mom is THE BIGGEST outspoken, opinionated, fiery woman I know. And that's just one of that bazillion things I love about my mama.

So I don't want to apologize for who I am. I stand up for me, for my Club, my kids, my family and again, for my decisions and situations.

But I've also learned over the years there is a time and a place.

Today, I needed to vent. Who do I vent to? My Mama. Well that wasn't possible today since my mama and my dad are in San Diego on a romantic vacation for two. So imagine if I call to vent and then my mom tells my dad and then they argue. All Bad. I can already see it.

So I vented to my facebook friends. Well I thought they were my friends. Let me say that I have two facebook accounts----one that is personal---old high school friends, current friends, cousins, etc. It's private and is not a work thing. My second facebook is my club facebook---has past club kids (now grown ups), club staff that are friendly with me, etc.

So I "vented" a bit on my personal facebook. And later, received an email from my bosses' boss saying that what I said was unprofessional and that someone brought it to her attention and showed it to her.

Hmmmmm............do you remember me saying up above that the facebook was private? So that means one of my "friends" had to have shown it to her. Well that was pretty easy to narrow down who it could be. And I ended up deleting some facebook friends today.

Am I sorry for what I said? no. I am not one to sidestep an apology. I love to apologize. When i'm wrong.

So now I'm tired. Going to bed after I finish this post.

And then I'll wait for the aftermath of "my blog" being unprofessional LOL!
~me

Misadventures of Mindy E.

One of my favorites............

How I think.........

What I want Lane to know.............

What I want Lane to know.............

Climbing the Ladder.........

Club 2 College.......

Practical and prudent Ambitious and disciplined Patient and careful Humorous and reserved

I love this baby

Day 2----Where would I like to be in 10 years......

30 day challenge....

Silly things I heard lately.........

Things I want Lane to Know.....

that weight of sadness

Things I want Lane to know........

Things I'm digging today..............

Things I liked today.....yeah, it was hard to do....

‘No’ is the most powerful word in the human language. When you can comfortably say, “No” to requests for your time, energy, ideas, and money, you gain the respect of others because you respect yourself and have good boundaries.

Flicks............

Oh The Places I'll Go.............

Sisters.............

1 month birthday!

changing lives.........

"Being at the Teen Center Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Compadre Chandler Branch gives me a chance to better myself and make a difference ♥Mindy Elias Thank you for all you have done, you really do change lives. (:" ...............

Things I want Lane to know........

oh what a day...............

Practical and prudent
Ambitious and disciplined
Patient and careful
Humorous and reserved