So true

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I'm Tough

My friends Dave and Lori talked me into going to a Krav Maga class. I was supposed to attend last week but instead decided to sit on the 7th row at the Jazz game. I enlisted Meags to attend with me and in preparation for the class, I watched Krav Maga videos. I'm not sure that was a good idea. We arrived for the class and Dave and Lori were nowhere to be found. We waited and decided that if they didn't show up by 7:14p, we would head home. At 7:13, Dave and his son drove into the parking lot and my heart stopped beating.
The class started and we ran in one direction. Dropped to the floor. Ran in the other direction. Push-ups. Jumping Jacks. We found a partner and did knee kicks and punches for what seemed like hours. Ran more and people then went outside to puke. Not me. I'm tough.
The next part of the class involved learning how to protect loved ones. I learned to take a gun from someone and then the choke hold. I'm pretty sure I will recall these moves if ever attacked, but I would kindly ask the attacker to recreate the exact things I learned in class to make it easier. I came away with some killer moves and a bruised jaw, courtesy of a Krav Maga instructor.

Note to Guys

Just a thought: "Wow. You gals look like you've had the work out of your lives" is probably not the best thing to say when greeting friends at the gym.

Exhaustion

Dear Olympics,

I counted down the days until the start of the Olympics and I've faithfully watched events almost every night for the past two weeks. Ice skating is not my favorite event, but I lasted through the short and long(very, very long) program to see Evan win gold. In addition, I spent many afternoons watching hockey, cross country skiing, and curling while at the gym or working from home. I researched stories on the athletes and feel as though we are friends. One might say I'm obsessed with the Olympics and I will have to agree. BUT, I'm tired and need a break. I could turn the television off, but if I have learned anything from the Olympics, it is that I should never give up. So, I will continue watching as many events as possible and then will go into hiding for a week to catch up on sleep.

Go USA!

Sincerely,

Shelley

Update: Missing

Gabriel, Jessica, and Kalea Morris were found this morning in Virginia. I am glad that no one was harmed during the arrest and yet, I know that this is ordeal is not over as there are many unanswered questions.

Message

I awoke this morning to find I had 650 emails. At first, I thought I misread the number of messages and then noticed that the emails kept coming. I then wondered if maybe all 650 of my friends had sent me an email wishing me a happy birthday but that was not the case. I soon received an email from the state explaining that the server was set to run the email notification for missing information every 25 minutes before the new version was deployed and the setting was not changed after deployment. The funny thing is that much of the 'missing' information has already been completed.

Missing

A childhood friend of mine, her husband, and their 4 year-old daughter are missing. They recently moved from Blackfoot, ID to Banden, Oregon and were last seen in the Mesa, Arizona area. My friends husband, Gabriel Morris, faces aggravated murder charges in the deaths of his mother and her boyfriend. Jessica did not show up for work at the beginning of February and her co-workers called the Coos County Sheriff's Office who then went to the home and found a crime scene.
I find myself searching the internet for any updated information and at times it seems unreal. I see the faces of missing children on milk cartons. I read similar stories in the newspaper and watch newscasts on missing persons and yet, I still felt disconnected. Until now.

Oblivious

I went to a meeting with a client this afternoon, and at the end I asked if there was anything else the client would like to talk about. "Yes, Shelley, there is something I need to say. I don't want you to marry Ivan." I was shocked as everyone in the room stared at me so I started to explain the situation. On Friday, I saw this client with a staff member at the Special Olympics Volleyball tournament and we talked for a few minutes. It took me awhile to figure out that he was flirting with me and soon other staff members were encouraging the relationship. Obviously my client had no problem figuring out what was going on during the conversation. Ivan warned me to be careful with some guys because they are jerks and psychos. Thanks for the tip. I reassured my client that I would not be dating his staff and he said it's okay if I date Ivan and receive a ring from him, but I am not allowed to marry him.

Bad Hair

I was talking to Pip this morning and she proceeded to tell me a story about my niece Avry Shae. Avry was upset about something and said "I want Shelley." Ah, my heart began to melt. Pip continued with the story. "Avry, do you want the cat or Aunt Shelley(Shae)?" Uh, wait a minute. There is a cat named Shelley?! Apparently, my niece and nephew think so highly of me that they decided to name a cat after me. Bless them. "I want Shelley. The one with the tangled hair." Whoa! I think this girl is confused. My hair is curly, not tangled.

Scared of the Tax Man

I approach the road that leads me home when I see him. The tax service sign holder. You know, the guy who wears the statue of liberty outfit and has a large red foam hand he waves as I drive by. At first, I would smile and wave, but now I avoid. I think he's memorized my ritualistic comings and goings and just when I think I've made it home without a tax man sighting, 'Ta-Da,' he appears out of nowhere.

*Disclaimer: I understand the tax man gets paid to wave at me and really, I should think of him as my own person welcome home committee. On the flip side, maybe I like to keep a low profile and I think he may be logging my every move in some secret notebook he keeps on his person.

Purpose

"To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment, who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully." James Allen

A husband for Christmas

My 7 year-old nephew Syden asked to have a heart to heart talk. We sat down in the living room and he began to tell me his plan. "Shae, I saw a commercial for a website where you can enter your information and find a husband. I'm going to write all about you and then someone will marry you."

Merry Christmas to me!

Fire! Fire! Fire!

There are many times when I wonder if the fire alarm system at my place of residence actually works as the main system in the lobby often has a blinking error message. Today I learned that the alarm does work, even when there isn't a fire. I was getting ready to leave the condo when the alarm in our hallway started making a piercing sound that could wake even the heaviest of sleepers. I walked through the condo to make sure I wasn't a possible fire starter and then evacuated the building. Lights in the hallway were flashing and I'm pretty sure I sustained hearing loss from the blaring alarm while walking down the stairs. I stood outside with a couple of neighbors until the fire department gave us the okay to re-enter the building. I quickly gathered my bags and when I was safely in my car, I made an appointment with an audiologist to be fitted for hearing aids.

Perfect Lights

I love Christmas lights. Perfect Christmas lights. I like simple, classy lights. I may or may not scream when I see perfect lights on a house and may or may not have scared my friend in the process. Here are some lights I have seen in Utah and Idaho that do show perfect lights.

Creepy dolls enjoying the Christmas lights outside the window.

Christmas in Utah

You should see the front yard.

This house has a blow up carousel.

At a bookstore near you

* Two women in their 70s meet weekly to edit the book they are writing. Good news, Thelma has quit smoking.

* A man and a woman meet for the first time after chatting online. I'll keep my fingers crossed that Fred has once again found love.

* Cathy, the barista, greets customers by name. "Hi, Ryan." "Hello, Joan. How are your children?" This is the place where everyone knows your name. And your life story.

*Jim talks on the phone with his soon to be ex-wife(don't ask me how I know this. I just do) and argues about the children.

* I see a behaviorist whom I work with on a monthly basis. Good thing I have a monthly summary next to my laptop so it appears as though I am working.

Baby, it's cold outside

I was on I-15 South, heading to a party with a couple of friends when we saw a blue object jump out of the bed of the pick-up in the lane next to us and then heard a crash. We turned to look. I mean. The passengers turned to look while I stayed focused on the road. Yes, that's exactly what happened. The car behind the pick-up swerved to avoid the object and then placed a call on their cell phone. I imagine they were either calling the police or calling the number listed on the window of the pick-up in which the blue object once resided. My friends and I continued our journey to our destination when we saw a plastic swimming pool fly out of the same pick-up and shatter when it hit the pavement. The pick-up driver slowed down for a moment and the sped away. I'm sure they were upset about losing their swimming pool and having to explain to their children that swimming in 20 degree weather will have to wait. Or maybe they fill the pool with hot water and voila, the pool becomes a hot tub in only a matter of minutes.

Night to Remember

I was at the Energy Solutions Arena for a concert last night when I saw him. Matt Harpring. He is a Utah Jazz player who will not be playing this year because of injuries.

After meeting Matt, I was ready to call it a night and then remembered I was at the Arena for the Phil Vassar concert. I have seen Phil a few times and have met him and he is an amazing performer. Bombshell and Bucky Covington opened for him and they were entertaining but not as good as my Phil.

Black Friday

My sister Pip and her friend Cyndee convinced me to wake up at 2:30am to go shopping in Idaho Falls which is thirty minutes away. We arrived at Target and I learned that the store wasn't going to open until 5a and I was left alone in line while Cyndee and Pip went to a different store.

Standing in line

What a great way to transport a Christmas tree.

I was so tired that I decided to take a nap at a department store.

Objection

I testified in Federal Court in Idaho this morning. I'd like to think that I didn't say 'uh' a kazillion times and yet I know that I probably did. I drove home feeling relieved that the day I had prepared for had finally come and gone and that I survived facing my former employers in court.

Bright Light

I was walking from my car to the condo when suddenly there was a bright light and I turned around expecting to see a car with the headlights on bright. To my surprise, I saw a ball of fire sail across the sky and for a couple of seconds, the world was light enough to be noon instead of midnight.