The Real "Meet the Mormons" of Utah

There has been a lot of buzz about this newly released move Meet The Mormons around town by all my Mormon friends of course. One friend told me yesterday that "YOU MUST TAKE YOUR FAMILY TO SEE THIS!" she exclaimed. WOW! What for? I have already read the reviews in all the local and national papers.

I live in Utah, and quite frankly Mormons don't impress me, and I'll tell you why.  I live near 2 churches, and every Sunday when I'm out walking, or in my car I must pass by their church to get out of my neighborhood. If it happens to be at the time church is getting started, you're taking your life in your hands! I've been cut off by large SUV's racing across the street in their Sunday best late for church no doubt. One time I was walking, and was nearly taken out by a white shirted, tied, and dark suited male in a Toyota who damn near killed me when he tried to beat me into the parking lot, I was walking on the sidewalk in front of the parking lot entrance. Good thing I have fast reflexes, and jumped back! He didn't even see me! If this happened once or twice it wouldn't be a big deal. I've lived here nine years, and this has happened each and every time I leave my neighborhood during church beginning time, and ending time. They're rude drivers, and hyper focused on making it to church on time, to hell with the rest of the neighborhood!

The company I work for was founded my a Mormon, BYU graduate, and the CEO is also Mormon as well. Yes they are very nice but don't practice what they preach, because we work every Sunday, and there are no exceptions. Mormon or not if business needs dictate a Sunday schedule, too bad, you work it!

One of my siblings is also a very good card carrying Mormon, and his wife is so darn rude to me it's not funny. She is snarky, ignores me, treats me like I'm invisible because I don't go to church. Yet expects me to attend all her kids baptisms, and blessings, and other events, which I graciously do despite the fact she never acknowledges my existence. I walk into her home (invited mind you) and she never says a word to me! Not a "hello, how are you?"...  nothing! It's kind of a game to me at this point, let's play the: Let's see how rude Julie treats me game! It's just expected and I get a chuckle out of it after all these years.  She never replies to any of my family emails yet everyone else does. I was recently invited to her daughter's baptism and was saddened that I couldn't attend due to my work schedule, so I replied via email telling her so, and nothing back! I sent a card, and a small piece of jewelry I purchased at a local Mormon store to commemorate the happy occasion. She must have received it, yet, no thank-you email, or call to let me know it arrived, no acknowledgment what-so-ever. I've never seen anything like it!!  Treating a FAMILY MEMBER no doubt, who has been nothing but kind and polite to her like a piece of crap!  Really?? When I complain to my Mother who is also staunch Mormon, she brushes it off by saying "oh if you knew her father you'd understand"... um... okay!

It's people like these every day Utahans who go about their lives only caring about themselves, and getting into heaven, for time and all eternity (sounds tedious to me) living with family member's who ignore you for time & all eternity! I'd rather be partying with my cool friends than with some stick-up-her-ass Molly Mo as we call them here!

These are just a few examples of why the "Meet the Mormon's" is a necessary PR campaign for the LDS church. Maybe they can go after the low hanging fruit, and leave us people who know better alone!

I have nothing against this religion, just the dip shit people who act as if they're better than everyone else that's who I have an issue with! No, I won't be paying $9.00 for a movie ticket to see this movie anytime soon, I'd watch it if it were free, but that's it.

My impression of Mormons would be something like this: " Hide the truth! "... "gloss over everything" ... "If we ignore it... it doesn't exist... and for Hell Sakes... don't let all the ward members find out!"

Recycle, Re-purpose, Re-use

Here are two exquisite 
pieces I found, fixed, and hung on the wall.
The print in the picture was a thrift store find I ended up with. The frame was ugly, so I tried painting it, and when I put it all back together, the glass broke! So the new frame is a heavier one I scored at a tag sale for just $5. It is wood, and didn't have a print inside, just matting and an ugly stain color that matches nothing in my house!   With a little Annie Sloan chalk paint and sand paper, I painted, distressed, and sealed it with a wax sealer.  I just love how it turned out!   The roman numeral clock was a bargain find at ROSS.   Only $1.99 on clearance! What a deal! Both look great on my wall above the TV table.

I'm all for re-purposing discarded stuff whether it be on clearance, or at a tag sale, or in the garbage can! So when guests comment on my decor, there is a story to tell....."Oh this is what I found at a tag sale"..... or "I found this chair on the side of the road.. now look at it!" Yup, I love it. Anyone can purchase furniture and home decor and pay the 300% store mark up for it, and watch their money disappear before their eyes, for me I like the thrill of the hunt, the creative process, seeing how I can transform something into a one-of-a-kind piece! 

Pinterest is a huge part of this, it's opened up many creative ideas inside my  head, and is a fabulous source of inspiration. I just love the way my home is turning out, and it's beauty on a budget! 

Highs & Lows

Life is just a long roller coaster ride!  Omg highs and lows.  One minute you're sitting on the couch depressed because it's a weekend and you have no plans, dates, or anything fun going on, just work, laundry, and a long list of to-do's! Then the next weekend you're so busy you're head is spinning!

One second you're arguing with your grown kids, then a few minutes later you're hiking to a wonderful waterfall and have forgotten what the fighting was all about.

Last weekend was just boring, tv watching, cleaning, and Fashion Police Friday, whoop whoop!  This weekend Joan Rivers passed away, no more Fashion Police (my favorite show) but I went hiking, then to a work BBQ/dunk tank at the park event, then to a local pub with some gal friends, everything was just dandy until I went to the parking lot to start my car, and it won't turn over!  We tried jump starting it, not a battery issue, it's new, and reliable and first time I've ever had a problem with it, just out of the clear blue!  I had to leave it in a parking lot out on the west side, far from home!

Highs and lows!   One second you're laughing with your work buddy, the next, worried about the car repair bill, and how the hell you'll get around town!

When I got home, I'm watching the late show and all the living room lights suddenly flick of!  WTF!  I'm down stairs fiddling with the breaker box, and no go..... after 3 tries it works, but the entire time I'm thinking what's next!  If one more thing breaks I'll go BONKERS! 

One second, I'm all excited about this new "fiber" mascara I got in the mail today, it's supposed to increase the length of one's lashes by 300% and only $36.00 with shipping!  (WHAT THE HELL)  It's soooo unlike me to spend $36 dollars on anything especially makeup since I get most of mine free or under a dollar!   Okay....so it's worth it for long lashes right?  Not to mention peer pressure, with these new Facebook "parties" people are doing now-a-days!    I'm high, and happy because my new mascara came in the mail box today, and I'm thrilled with my expensive new purchase, until I apply the stuff and realize I can get the same results from L'Oreal... their tube mascara does the same thing for only $8.00 less with a coupon!   Buyers remorse!  YES!

My son's all high driving his pre-owned Kia around town he purchased all on his own, till 3 days later when it has a mysterious leak coming from the radiator!  As we speak he's running around in and out of the house trying to see what the deal is with a car he's only been driving for a week!   Highs and Lows!   Yup, life's full of disappointments, surprises, and dilemmas!   One second you're on top of the world, the next you're broke and no car!

 My advise is

KEEP CALM, AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Living in my little single bubble I forget how it is to be married (duh).  Until something happens and jolts me back to some women's reality.

Recently a few of us gals (I'm being vague to protect this gal's identity) wanted to go in on a gift for someone, an expensive gift and the amount was over $100 each split 5 ways.   As usual I sent out emails to all the gals ( our preferred method of communicating) for them not for me, but I sent out an email letting everyone know that so-and-so, has been there through life events, bearing gifts and support, and now it's his turn.  He recently purchased a home, and was in need of some kitchen appliances.  I thought it would be cool to go in on a new refrigerator as a housewarming gift.  If we chipped in $100 per person we could buy him one.

So married gal had to get "permission" from hubby, not only that, she basically diverted me to said hubby in order to ask him directly, as in her words  " everything that has to do with hubby's family, must be filtered through the hubby"  as in her words " he doesn't like my family, so I make him deal with his"  apparently a bit of a "tit for tat" going on here.

When I was married to a control freak, he hated my family as well as his, so rather than me being a "tit for tat" gal, I just did all of it. I was the go to person on both sides of the family, and I didn't mind.  I was mature enough to recognize that I was the woman, and women general conduct the social business in most families so therefore took up my societal role.  I don't understand some people's logic, or communication styles, but I do know when I'm being ignored and through my endless persistence well, we got her to contribute!

People keep forgetting I'm a professional sales person, and I don't give up easily, if you don't want to contribute just say " no " and I'll write you off as a cheap ass hole!  But, never ignore a sales person, you won't get any rest until you come up with an answer!  ha-ha!

(on a side note, they make plenty of money, so it's not a financial issue, but an I'm a stingy cheap ass religious person issue) 

These petty issues, make me grateful for the way I was raised, to share, and help out my fellow man.... I'd rather donate to a worthy cause, then give 10% of all my earnings to a religious organization so they can build overpriced Temples, and fancy pants shopping malls, and buy more businesses!  

Sigh

My nonsensical employer has me scratching my head yet again!

You see I applied for a position last fall, a recruiting coordinator, I had some of the qualifications on the list and needed 1-3 years of actual recruiting experience. I applied anyway and got declined instantly, no interview, no call, just a pre-determined "form email" of sorts, saying thanks, but no thanks!

 So fast forward to today, I've since enrolled in some college courses, brushed up on my Excel spread sheet stuff, read informative books on career, and the work place, namely how to get ahead at work.

  Then the other day I see the same job posted yet again on the jobs board.  So I inquire about it with my manager, about getting Excel installed on my laptop so I can brush up on it. I get the old "oh... go speak with IT".... they said  "I don't know....go see someone in HR"  so me running from person to person cause they're all passing the buck in my opinion, I go int the HR office. Here is how the conversation goes:

 me:  " Hi Grant you have a second?"
Grant: " Yes come in"
me: so that recruiter position is open again, and I've been taking classes, and have most all of the qualifications for that position, I'd even be willing to take more classes if I can get to my goal of being a recruiter, but it's difficult because the job I do now, in no way prepares me for this next step."
Grant:  "Well to be honest the classes don't really matter, I know Russ (hiring guy) and he's pretty straight forward, with no prior experience he'll just tell you no, you don't qualify."
me:  "So let me see if I understand this.... the only way to get that position, is if I quit working here... and get hired on by a company I've never worked for, as a recruiter, work there for 1-3 years, then apply back here at this company right?"
Grant: "Yep, that's pretty much what you'd have to do."

My thoughts I keep to myself:   Ummmm...... makes perfect sense to me, hire someone from outside the company, with no proven track record, no tenure, no clue how they'll work out, and allow them to make hiring decisions without knowing diddly squat about the storage industry.....just as long as they've been a recruiter for 1-3 years it's all good.... vs, promoting me, with 6 years of dependable, adaptable, teachable proven track record, knows damn near everything about the storage industry and the koo koo bird culture and protocol here......oh and ranked #2  out of 70 sales agents for the 2nd consecutive month in a row..AND won an award for working so freaking hard......but .......OKAY!
 It says a lot as to why our churn rate is way above the target goal of 30%!

Hiking The Rocky Mountain Range

The oldest and I love to hike.  Each summer we plan out day hikes we can take to get in touch with nature and also get to know each other better as well.  This year is no different.  We began our hiking routine again last weekend when we decided to hike up Mill - D trail up to Dog lake.

It was a beautiful hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon just above our home.   It was so green and lush, and the smell of the pine tree forest was just so refreshingly pleasant.  We hiked up a stead incline for 2.5 miles the last stretch was the worst of it 20 minutes of full on up hill hiking.   I really had to push myself to make it up the steep incline, and my legs were burning!  It was worth it though, because the lake was clear and so pretty, and an adolescent moose came down from the trees to drink from the lake right next to us.  It was such a pretty day, after we got down the mountain, we decided to go to Sapa for Sushi it was sooo yum, yum, yummy, we filled up on delicious sushi rolls and then rolled on home.

What a great day, here are some pic's of the hiking trail. 

Texting

Texting can be a double edged sword, and a complete annoyance to me.  It's great for quick info from family, and friends....but put a classified ad out into cyber space with a cell number and all the Koo Koo Birds come out to play!


Maybe I'm just getting old, but sometimes I find texting a royal pain in the ass.  Take last night, I have a car for sale and put an ad on a classified website page.  Some ding-a-ling calls the land line, I run upstairs to answer the ringing phone it's a message it said:  "Please hold for a text to land line voice message"   I hang up and hear my cell alert go off, text message.  The guy and I are texting back and forth, he's asking all sorts of questions about the car, and I'm typing on a teeny tiny keypad ( felt like a novel)    I though to myself :  Is texting just a Chicken Shit way to avoid speaking to someone?   Why are people so leery about calling and talking to an actual person?  The texting back and forth took 20 minutes, when in fact if the guy had the balls to just call his questions could have been answered in 2 minutes.

I view people who text instead of calling as  cowards!  Too chicken to call and talk to someone, maybe they have social anxiety or something I don't know really know but it's a head scratch-er

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