My Mug Shot

Oh yes, I am famous. My brother texted me this morning and said he liked my article on ksl.com and then my friend, Amberlee, also texted and said she liked my photo. I had to check it out for myself and this is what I found.  http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=18256157&title=record-low-number-of-americans-changing-residences

Yikes!!! Just over a week ago I had a phone interview and the following day they sent a photographer from Deseret News to take photos. Conor was totally jilted in the deal since he was working in North Dakota. I'm sure he's sad about it. Honestly, I figured it would be in section J, tucked away in the middle of the paper. Or, I wondered if the article would even be published and the editor would toss it out. It happens. My mom called a little later in the morning and said people in her neighborhood had called. By now it was on Facebook and posted to my wall. I get another text from my brother--with my mug on the front page of the newspaper!!! LOL--yikes. My mug plastered all over the front page. On people's doorsteps, newsstands, kitchen tables. Scary thought. It makes me laugh. Maybe I'll have to mod podge the article on some wood and hang up in our house. I guess in a way I was famous for a day and that makes me feel special. My mom always said I was special . . .

New Orleans!!!

Conor had a last minute trip to New Orleans for work the end of February. He was able to book a flight, but there were NO rental cars in sight. He decided to cancel the flight and drive, and invited me along for the ride. (One of the sweet perks of self-employment and having a flexible schedule that I love.) I packed along receipts and papers to work on my business taxes and updated spreadsheets at the hotel. I managed to fit in some time at the pool and lay out (yes, I actually got sun--too much sun) and catch up on my photo magazines. It was close to Mardi Gras so we hit up a couple parades, caught some beads, wandered the French Quarter and all its glory, and ate at some of our favorite spots. Plus we spent time with friends that live there. In between it all, Conor managed to do the work he was sent to do.

This one's for my Dad--Semper Fi!!!

Conor at the parade

Dayna and MONKEY beads!!!

Cadillac Transformer--can you believe there's a guy under there?!

Well, I thought it was cool & gave him money & took a pic!

Infamous Saint Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter

Dayna & Natalia--we look great for after midnight! : )

Isabelle & Dayna

Conor & girlfriend Issy

Conor, Dave, Isabelle

We stood at edge of window and could look down on the street--we thought it was cool!
Below you can see all the people starting to line up for parade in the street.

I couldn't resist. Proof that a picture is worth a thousand words!

Dayna's Half Birthday

Why celebrate once a year when you can do it twice?! Duh! The Carroll's love to celebrate their "birth month" and also highlight their half birthday as well. Normally this is not something I would ask or demand. It was more a fact that Conor owed me. Yes, he owed me--BIG time!!! Lets just say someone, no naming names, forgot my birthday last year. That someone did feel bad and decided to make it up on February 11th--my official half birthday. I had found an old antique mirror and a local shop and fell in love with it. I was surprised with a sweet note and the receipt. After work, we went and picked it up then went out for dinner. Doesn't my face say it all?!

Secretly, I was hoping my birthday would be forgotten again this year!!! It was a costly mistake, so I wasn't so lucky. . . . maybe next year. ; )

Ultimate Green Recycling

Being the kinda of person I am:

1) I don't blog very often

2) I like to go back and blog what's happened to catch up before writing about the present

3) I will finally, officially announce our major life updates since my May post: we are expecting a baby girl in 2 weeks; Conor switched jobs and is now working for Sinclair Oil in SLC, UT; and obviously we relocated and now live in North Salt Lake, UT!!! More to come on section 3 later--hopefully soon! ; )

Back to the heart of my ever-exciting blog post. Conor and I love the convenience of ordering online and items showing up on our doorstop. In Houston we didn't order the recycling bins, nor have room to store them, so we chose to recycle cardboard only. Generally we would compile so much, we would put down the seat in the car and fill the entire space. This time, it was a nice, mild January day and we decided to ride our bikes to the recycling center a few miles away. I was doubtful it would all fit on Conor's bike--but look at his talent--and amazing use of bungee cords! We were laughing the entire way there--and got some of the strangest looks. We did impress the guy at the recycle center--he told us, "Now, that's what I call green recycling!" Maybe you won't be as impressed as he was, but perhaps it will give you a few good laughs. : )