September

Oh September. That was awful fast of you. And yet, your days were the longest I may have ever lived. Tick. Tock. Today then tomorrow. I remember thinking, is it still only Wednesday today? It was. Everything in limbo. Not quite summer, not yet fall. But now that you're gone, in the blink of an eye, I wonder where you went. Will I remember every silent prayer? All month long we hoped, we wished, we dreamed, the Mr. and me together. I wonder. Did you even happen at all? You did. I know now. How much difference a year makes, a month, a day even. In September.

Life in iPhone pics

This has been stuck in my draft folder nearly all summer. Not sure what fancy-pants occasion I've been waiting for to post it, but since it is cold and rainy today I suppose it's acceptable to wrap up the last of our summer with some random phone pics.

6.30 Prototype: mini wedding cupcakes, 600!

7.12 Making stuff, neighborhood humanitarian day

7.22 Bonafied HOODLUMS, Deer Valley Outdoor Concert

7.23 Best $7.50 date night, State Street taco stand

7.28 Deedee the magical tennis ballerina

8.11 Richman Sisters and Aunt Polly

8.28 Tramp time at grandpa's

8.31 Loves it when I'm sick and cuddly

via Instagram

Happiness is

...seeing my family grow! {Congratulations to Haley & Korbin}

Some habits never die

Circa 2001? Note: Zigzag hair part, metallic "puffy" jean jacket, keyboard/monitor, baby face

This morning I answered my office phone and habitually announced "NetDocuments, this is Gina."
Then, I died.
Because I don't work at NetDocuments. In fact it's been over 7 years since I worked there. People, I do this ALL THE TIME. Even though I've worked other jobs in between, it's always "NetDocuments" that rolls off my tongue. Luckily this time me and the caller had a good hardy chuckle about my innocent slip before we moved on to other business. People are nice.
I'll never forget my first real job, working for my future father-in-law, studying for college (or, writing my missionary), switching shifts with Linds, watching "Elimidate" with my bff Ali during lunch hour, and generally just trying to keep my act together post high school, pre real world. That job taught me invaluable life lessons and skills that prepared me, in some way, for all the jobs I've had since. No wonder it's still ingrained. Sacred ground, that front desk.

Photo credit: courtesy of Alan Landes, current Director of QA for ND, who pulled this gem from the archives earlier this year.

'Round Here

...i've had a lot of down time, but you won't hear me complaining...

...bd loves to steal kisses in the elevator, sometimes we get caught...
...a hidden stash of cadbury mini eggs was found, it's been a good week...
...i've been listening to jack and white's gemini ep, i pretty much dig it...
...there is a fall crisp in the air, sleeping with windows open is a must...
...pumpkin cookies are a suitable vegetable side dish for any given meal...
...i'm trying to figure out the best/easiest way to cook a whole chicken...
...we're often amazed when things miraculously just come together...
...i'm preparing myself for the best-and the worst-but mostly the best...

Happiness is

when broiler s'mores just sort of happen on accident.