More Pictures...

We love being in our own home! It is so nice and quiet. While Jeff has been working his long, crazy hours I had a little more time to take some pictures. I love the backyard. In the back corner we are going to start a garden. There is also a shed (which you can kind of see). Jeff loves having a shed. There are plants all around the fenceline which cuts into the sod area. We like the plants, but they haven't really been weeded for awhile and they are really high maintence. We are thinking of taking them out and putting in sod so there is less work and more room for future little ones to run around (and no, this not an announcement...just thinking ahead!)

The kitchen is right off of the living

room I showed you last post. It is a decent size and like everything else, it is in really good condition. For the area, prices, and selection of homes we really feel like we got the best one available. The kitchen has all white walls and I am planning on painting it. Probably a taupe color. I will be painting in winter when yard work can't be done! For now, it is yard, yard, yard!

And now for the suspense....here is the downstairs off the kitchen leading to the basement. I don't know how well you can see the start of the lovely wallpaper, but it is only the beginning. My mom will be here Saturday and depending on what we get to, the plan is to have the wallpaper down. We love having a basement and feel so lucky that our house has a lot of useable space. Others that we looked at were just wacky. You know, like spas in basements...what the? I know it's nothing like a brand new home, or what we could have gotten in Utah for what we paid, but it is a great start for us and like I mentioned before, we love the peace and quiet! I can't get enough of the running trails and I love walking to the grocery store. There is an awesome rec center in walking distance that I will use in the winter. We even get a discount with Jeff's work and mine. It's just like a gym with classes, equipment and everything but will cost less than $20/month. I will probably only have the membership for the winter because right now, the outdoor recreation can't be beat! Megan, you will laugh. I think I might want a bike for my bday but just a "her" bike because we already have a "his". Jeff and I love exploring new places to see (when he's not working) and there is a lot of hiking and of course, Jeff cannot wait to check out the camping and four wheeling. Speaking of four wheeling, I saw someone on a four wheeler on the main road. Do you know what that means? It means, I just might be able to take Jeff's four wheeler to work--HA HA! Unless of course we get a horse....all kidding aside, we haven't even gone through a tank of gas since being here. How awesome is that?! We can walk pretty much everywhere and when we do drive, there is no traffic. Going 10 miles really does take less than 5 minutes. The traffic part of Utah I definitely do not miss.

The other thing I love so far is our ward. Everyone is so friendly and people come by to say hello and drop off treats. We feel so included. We have decided there are perks to living in a small town no one knows about.

Thank you for not forgetting me! Oh and by the by, those of you with little ones. If you ever want to come up, even for a day trip, you should. There are at least 6 different parks in this little town. One of them shoots up water for the kids to play in. They have a story telling thing at the library that they do at the park once a week and they fly people in from other places to do special little events for this library thing. This week it's someone from Seattle that does things with sound or something. I never heard of that before, but then again, I don't have kids so I don't really know if that's normal. I will probably post the rest of the house later this week.

Do you still remember me???

Okay, okay, I know. You probably thought I disappeared. It has been forever since I have even been able to get on the computer! We still do not have internet at our house and are trying to work everything out, but for now the public library will be my internet at least until I get my school one up and running. So I probably won't be able to post as much for awhile so if this post is excessively long, I hope you'll stick with me so I can share all of the things going on with the Hunzi's!

So first things first, school ended on May 30. Definitely bitter-sweet, leaning more towards bitter this year. So sad to leave Pony and my darling little class! I miss my team like crazy already! I loved working with all of them and it is very sad not to talk and laugh with them everyday. I'll give the "new" school update right now since I am talking about school. I went to my new school last week to drop off my boxes, or as Jeff says, "all your crap". One of the third grade teachers came and let me in since I didn't have a key and spent a long time helping me and answer all my millions of questions. She is so sweet and I am excited to work with her. It will be weird having only 4 of us. The classroom is weird and I mean weird, but I'm sure once I start moving in, it will be okay. I will take pictures when I can get back in. They haven't cleaned my room yet so all my "crap" is sitting in the hallway. I should be able to get back in probably mid-July. I am antsy to get over there.

Now for the part I know you have been dying to see. Our first home. I told you we really paid a fortune for not much and I am a bit embarrassed to share, but we love the area we are in and we are excited to fix up what we want and let me tell you, we have already been crazy busy! My least favorite part of the house is the outside of it, but I do love the yard. I forgot to take pictures of the back yard. The first thing we did was paint the outside. We weren't planning on it, but we started fixing up the flower bed. Well, there was this big plant thing they had growing up the side of the house. The branches were growing in the siding and we decided

it must go before future problems. When we took it down, we realized we would have to re-paint. So anyway, it is kind of a funny story and we felt silly standing out there painting in the same color, but it looks better now and we're glad we did. We also put up the shutters. We still have to fix that flower bed and I will be planting some tulips and daffodiles there in the fall. Next door to our house is a running trail that goes through town. I LOVE IT! I have been getting back into running and the weather is perfect in the mornings. Since I don't have any friends yet, this is my way of staying sane. I can't wait to start running more miles, but I am taking it slow so I don't injure myself again. There are so many millions of places to go and the weather here is fantastic!! It is nice and cool in the mornings with little or no breeze. It is so much better than running in 100% humidity in TX like I was last year. Usually about 1 pm the wind starts to blow. It doesn't blow as hard as I thought though (with the exception of the first week) and it tapers off in the evening. The wind is actually nice because it keeps it cooler here overall. As long as I have the mornings to run and get yard work done, I am great. That way in the afternoon when it is warmer, I go do housework. It's perfect.

Now for a sneak peek of the inside. I'm going to keep you tempted and show you maybe one room a week and explain what I will be doing because I have high hopes. The inside of the house I really like. There are little things to do, mostly paint, but it is in great shape and is very sound. You can't hear anything inside. It is so nice to have peace and quiet!

These are pictures of the front room when you walk in the front door. I spend a lot of time here while Jeff is at work playing the piano. We still have some pictures to hang, but I am taking my time deciding. I am going to leave the green walls for now until I really decide what I want. I do plan on putting up some crown molding in this room though. I still have window treatments to make, etc. but like I said, this is a sneak peek and I will keep you posted with before/after pictures as we go. Also, this room looks much better in person. Pictures really don't do the house justice. There are 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, and a big storage and laundry room in the basement.

Let's see...what else? Jeff's job is going great. He loves it with a capital L-O-V-E! I'm so happy for him. Right now he is doing shift work, which I hate. He has to do shiftwork the first 6 weeks so that he can get familiar with every area of the plant before he starts making engineering decisions. It makes sense, but it makes for lonely, long days for me! The only good thing is that he gets quite a few days off in a row after every 4 days worked so we can get a lot done when he's off (you know, for projects like painting the whole flipping house!!). He has a night shift coming up tomorrow, but my mom and sister are coming the 28th. I am so excited!! They are going to stay for about a week and help me take down the wallpaper in the basement. I can't wait. Company! Whoo hoo!

Anyway, I shouldn't make this any longer, but I miss all of you very, very much!! I miss checking blogs regularly and seeing most of you everyday. If you ever want to visit, we would love the company! It is only 2 1/2 hours from UT! We will be coming down for some shopping too, so hopefully we will see some of you in the near future!

Random Facts

I can't think of anything interesting to blog about, but I wanted to post. So, here are 25 random facts you may or may not know about me.

1. When I was in high school I lived in Malibu, California. I took a marine biology class my senior year and I got to go to the beach every week to collect data. In addition, I was able to go on several fieldtrips out on the ocean. So cool! During one of these trips, I was chased by a herd of angry sea lions. Good times.

2. I have always wanted to live back east or in the midwest.

3. Sometimes when I get bored I like to prank call Jeff.

4. I always like to have a little something sweet after I eat dinner.

5. I really like to learn about decorating techniques even though I don't think I am very good at decorating myself. I could sit in Barnes and Noble forever reading books on decorating and looking at pictures.

6. I am a list maker. I have lists for everything. Whenever Jeff and I have a lot to do, I always say, "I know! Let's make a list!" It drives Jeff crazy. It drives him more crazy when it's just things he needs to do and he wants to vent. Then I try to "fix" his stress with lists--yeah, he doesn't like that.

7. I would love to travel someday. I want to go to Ireland and Germany the most, but there are a lot of states in the US I still want to see.

8. I like to save money and I would do almost anything to make a little extra. If I ever get money for birthdays or gifts, it goes straight to savings. When I want to buy something I wait until I am really sure I want it. I prefer to wait for something I want until I can pay for the whole thing completely, but I don't like to just buy "cheap" things. I would rather save and buy something of high quality especially if it's something I need to last for a long time (car, furniture, etc). Not that I never buy anything on a whim, but it doesn't happen very often.

9. I don't like to be late. I leave on time and arrive on time. Jeff thinks I'm late, but he's just a 20 min. early kind of guy. If I say I'll be somewhere at a certain time, I'll be there 2-5 min. early. If Jeff says he'll be somewhere, he'll be there 15-20 min. early.

10. I consider myself to be frugal, but not "cheap". As I mentioned before, I like to buy quality and I also like to be generous with gifts and doing things for others. I love going all out for someone's birthday. But when it comes to conveniences for myself, I definitely try to conserve. For example, if I can walk somewhere, I'll walk even if it's less convenient or takes longer. Why waste the miles and gas? If I can handle my house being a little hotter or colder to save on utilities, I'll do it. Now if someone is coming over, the heat or air will go on so they aren't uncomfortable, but if it's just me, I can handle it being a little hot or cold. If I get a couple channels with the antenna, I'm not going to have cable. I don't buy lunch or go out to eat a lot even if it means eating leftovers I am sick of. Planning and budgeting can go a long way even if it's not always what I "want" in the moment.

11. I do better in small groups.

12. I don't really like ice cream unless I'm in Texas.

13. I don't like being around a lot of noise--lots of noise makes me antsy. I hate yelling. I don't yell and I am so glad Jeff doesn't yell at me. That might be a deal breaker.

14. I love weekends when I have absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to go.

15. I feel so lucky to live in the United States for so many millions of reasons.

16. I may never be able to have children of my own, but I really don't like to talk about my problems. Adoption is something Jeff and I often talk about.

17. I don't really like summer. It's more that I really don't like feeling hot and sweaty. I don't like being cold either, but I really hate being hot. My face turns red as a beet just walking outside.

18. The sun makes me sneeze.

19. I used to love rollerblading. My favorite thing to do in high school was rollerblade at the beach.

20. I would rather rent a movie than go see one. I get uncomfortable in the theater. Although, when I rent one, I usually watch it in pieces. I have a hard time sitting through the whole thing.

21. I like writing stories.

22. I have no sense of direction. I get lost really easily and I have to take a route a lot of times before a recognize where I am. I get really frustrated when I get lost.

23. I have a hard time trying new things. Change is hard for me--definitely a creature of habit.

24. I'm more productive when I have a lot to do.

25. I am very sensitive and my feelings get hurt really easily. If I think someone is mad at me I can't stop thinking and analyzing everything.

Wow, that was harder than I thought! I challenge everyone to try that...it's kind of fun!

I know, I know

I realize it is way too early to be changing my blog to this, but I started thinking how I won't have internet for awhile when we move and I love fourth of July! Plus this weekend is Memorial Day so it's okay right? Also, I will probably change it 2 more times before they take my computer away next Thursday. I thought I would just have fun until then! Ever since Jonna taught me how to change it all, it is very addicting!

One more thing....5 more days.

9 More Days

I have been a bit of slacker on posting or even checking blogs for that matter, because we spent the week at Jeff's parents house so he could come to school and help me pack my classroom. Packing my room made me realize just how grateful I am that we have movers for our apartment!
I realized today that there are only 9 more school days until school is out. I also started realizing that I have A LOT to do in those 9 days! I won't go through my long list of things to do, but I am definitely feeling the pressure!

On Friday we had our class spring/"testing is done" party. It was so much fun! I have great room moms and they had the cutest games for the kids to play. I love watching the kids play and have a good time. I have had the most darling little class this year and I will miss them so much! Packing my room made reality set in a little bit that I would no longer be teaching at the Pony. I will really miss the faculty, kids, and parents I have been lucky enough to work with these past 5 years. I have had the greatest experiences and I feel so blessed to have had the experience I had.


On Saturday we went up to Wyoming for our home inspection. I was excited to see our house again. The inspection went great and the only things to fix were really minor that only an inspector would care about (i.e. the step is 15 in. deep on the porch instead of 13 in.). We were really happy since the house was built in 1979. The people living there have taken such great care of it (they are the original owners) and I feel good about being there. Hopefully we can move into a nicer home later, but for now, it will be perfect.

The greatest thing happened while in Wyoming. The lady that lives in the house we just bought is retiring as a third grade teacher. Well, anyway, in case you didn't figure it out, it is actually her job I am taking. Weird huh?? Basically I am taking her life....anyway, what I am trying to spit out is that since I am taking her classroom, she took me over to the school and showed me my new room. I was so happy!!! I didn't think I would be able to see my room for awhile. It is definitely three steps down from the room I am used to, but now I know what I am up against and I can better plan for my class next year. So many blessings. Everyone in our new little town is so incredibly nice and have bent over backwards to help us. From everything I have heard, the school I am going to is a great little community and the teachers get together and have craft nights and scrapbooking. I am hopeful that I can make new friends quickly so I don't feel so alone in a new town. As long as I can find friends, the adjustment to a new place, new job, new life! won't be so hard!

Time Flies...

Honestly, I cannot even believe how quickly time flies. I was thinking today how fast this year has gone and then I started thinking about what I was doing one year ago. As we get ready to start over in Wyoming, I keep thinking about how only last year around this time Jeff was already in Texas and I was getting ready to go. Waiting to go see Jeff seemed like the longest month in my life. Now it's been a year! What happened?? Texas was an interesting experience and we have some good memories, although I have to say I am happy to not go visit my cockroach friends!
One year Ago.......
We were frantically packing and moving our stuff from West Jordan. We were putting some in piles for TX and most of it in storage at my in-laws house (thank you Peggy and Bruno!!!) I was feeling sad about my little nephews moving away to Tennessee. I was also shocked that gas prices were creeping to $2.70/gallon.

Today......
Although we have movers that will be packing and moving us (thank you FMC!!!) we still have swarming thoughts about the best way to organize our stuff and where to store the new stuff we have purchased for our new home. I am now shocked and scared that gas prices are creeping to $4/gallon.


One year ago.......
I was getting anxious and sad to leave my little class and frantically getting ready for a new year. I was stressing (of course) about not being around over the summer to get my classroom ready and feeling bad about not being able to teach summer stars. However, I was excited for a new adventure in a new place and of course, I was missing Jeff like crazy!!

Today.......
I am getting anxious and sad to leave my little class and frantically getting ready for a new year at a new school with a new grade! I am trying to figure out the best way to pack my classroom and dealing with so many mixed emotions of leaving the school, staff, students, and community I have loved working with for the past five years. I have a lot of crying episodes, but I am excited to start a new chapter in our lives.

One year ago.....
Well, a few weeks over a year ago, I was with J-diddy in TX. I was trying to adjust to life in a really hot, really humid climate where everything was bigger and that includes the bugs! I was missing the mountains and going stir crazy for a job. I was loving spending every weekend with Jeff going somewhere or trying something new. I was doing great running, even in the humidity and thunderstorms. I was running between 6-10 miles/day getting ready for the 1/2 marathon I never got to run.

Today......
I am loving having Jefferson home and completely done with school! I love coming home and having him home already. I am feeling happy that I have a job next year so I don't go stir crazy and happy that I will be so busy moving into our house and my new classroom that I won't go crazy this summer. I am wishing we could travel a little before Jeff starts and wishing we had a little extra $ to do so, but with gas prices and plane tickets, it doesn't look like it's in the cards for us. I am not doing well with running and am struggling to run 4 miles because I have let myself get so out of shape! Ugh. However, I am anticipating living literally right next to a running trail and hope it will give me the push I need to get back into it and shed the extra weight!


One year ago.....
I was in shock that Jeff and I would be celebrating our 3rd year anniversary. I felt like we just barely got married. I was feeling so lucky to be married to such a great husband! Even though we were in the land of no mountains, lots of gross bugs, and sticky humidity, I was happy because Jeff was making me laugh daily.

Today.....
I am in shock that in two months we will be celebrating our 4th year anniversary. It feels like we got married yesterday. I am still feeling so lucky to be married to such a terrific husband! Even though we are moving to a small town with very little shopping, and to a place where I know no one, I know I will be happy because Jeff will be there to keep me laughing and really, isn't that what life is all about?

Congratulations Jeff!

Congratulations to the hardest worker I know! After 4 long, hard, rigorous years of chemical engineering at the U, Jeff is done!!! I am so proud of him! He worked so hard and his new company is going to be so lucky to have him.



After the actual graduation, we went to the luncheon. I finally got to meet all of Jeff's friends and study pals. I'll just share a few of the comments made to me about my amazing hubby:

"Your husband is the reason I'm graduating..."
"Jeff is the nicest person I know, you probably already know that. He helped me pass my classes..."
"Jeff is the smartest guy I know. One day I'm going to see him on the cover of Forbes magazine..."
"Jeff is the man!"
"I don't know how I'm going to do my job without Jeff. What am I going to do when I have a problem or question?"

And it went on and on and on. I'm so glad Jeff was able to have such a great experience and make such great friends. I know the last four years haven't always been easy, but I am so proud of him for doing so extremely well and for working so hard for us. I really, really hope our kids inherit his smarty pants genes! Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself because it doesn't seem possible that I got such a great husband. I don't know how he is patient enough to put up with me everyday!

I love you Jeff!