A Tale of Two Childs

This post is more of a Journal entry than anything, but enjoy!
So since I gave Mr. Dickinson his "High 5" he has been trying to get me to stop. I had been in a hurry, and frankly felt awkward stopping- what if I was wrong and he was just waving- I would feel silly (welcome to my world) so today he held up his stop sign for me- so I stopped and turned around, and he gave me a box of Candy Nips. He thanked me for my nomination an told me he could not believe how many people saw the news. He is so cute! He told me he would be off in a few weeks (school is out) and he would see me in the fall. I need to write him a note or something. I am grateful for a new friend, and my box of Nips (:

Fast forward to this evening and I go to the wedding of a darling couple from our old ward and Caleb and I are sitting with friends, and up comes the man who owned the company I used to work for. He knew the people I was sitting next to then he asked if he had ever met me before, I told him I used to work for his company, so we had met a couple of times. He looked crushed that he did not remember me (I was not, it was what I expected), he is a very well known person in the community and knows a LOT of people. Me, not being able to keep my mouth shut, told him I only worked there for about a year, and that after I laid off nearly 500 (yes, five hundred...) people, my heart could not take it, so I had to leave. Now I work for a company that distributes for Hershey's- and candy makes me happy. He told me that was the reason why he could never run for governor. I told him I would vote for him... Needless to say, I got in my groove and carried on like this with the man, then he sat at my table...that did not make it any better. Luckily his wife saved him from my barrage of banter... Really I don't know at what point my brain stops working while my mouth keeps moving, but I reached that point too early tonight... perhaps I was in a sugar induced coma from the Cold Stone they served at the reception... I did get a good laugh, and I am still smiling, and I thank him for his kindness toward the loud blonde who probably made his evening a little more interesting- but who knows if that is a good thing!

P.S. The owner of my former company's wife throws Fairy Godmother Birthday Parties for little girls, she has a dress and wand and grants wishes and EVERYTHING- how stinkin cute! They are seriously such a cute couple, they know Caleb's Grandma and Aunt... it was a fun night!

P.P.S. Also at the wedding reception they had a photo boothe for ALL The guests, so Caleb and I got pictures, but struggled figuring out the timing so they all look AWFUL and they put them in an album for the happy couple... HILARIOUS- now we will be immortalized with our struggles, the camera was much too short for the top of Caleb's head... so there was much fidgeting and awkward photos... What a night!

So a local Television Channel honors people in the community with a "High 5." They look for people who make small differences every day.

Every school day there is an Elementary School crossing guard who waves at EVERY car. This is not your typical half smile and a wave that could be mistaken for another strange sort of arm movement... This is a grin the size of Texas, and a wave that makes you feel like you found a long-lost friend after 20 years. I happened upon him one day while avoiding traffic, and I drive that way to work every day now. His huge smile and hearty wave seem to lift my spirits every morning, and bring a smile to my face.

I sent in a nomination to the local television station on Monday of last week- Tuesday I received a phone call from the station, they said they were touched by my nomination because I did not know the man. They asked me to meet them Wednesday to give my nominee a high 5. It aired on Friday the 22nd. Below is the article from the website. I am grateful that I could thank the person that lifts my spirits each day.

April 22nd, 2011 @ 7:43am

By Brooke Walker

ROY -- A crossing guard in Roy is making a big difference in people's lives by simply sharing a wave and a smile.

Dick Dickinson is a familiar face on the corner of 2000 West and 6000 South. His arm gets a workout from waving at people driving by. Dick has smiled and waved at his post every morning for the past five years.

Dick Dickinson waves to cars passing by the corner of 2000 West and 6000 South in Roy.

Rain, shine, or snow, his infectious grin is always there. Rachel Child nominated him for a KSL High 5.

"Some people kind of give you a half smile and a half wave. But his, it's like he hasn't seen me in years and he's so excited to see me, like I just made his day," she said.

Rachel didn't always pass Dick on her way to work. Traffic one day forced her to take a detour.

"So I came up this road. He waved at me and he lifted my spirits. So now I drive past him every day, and I'm so sad when the kids aren't in school because he's not here," she explained.

Dick said, "When you can get somebody to come by and smile at you it just changes your whole attitude."

Dick smiles and waves at every car, even when his greeting is not returned. He says he's happy to help the kids and make everyone happy.

"He's always here on time and has a fun time with all the people," said his supervisor, Ed Greiner. "That's what we like, crossing guards that have fun."

Dick received a gift basket of goodies from our High 5 sponsors, Les Schwab.

I have 2 weeks left of my fitness challenge. I admit that I am pretty excited to see the results, but I hit a little bit of road construction along my way this past week, and strangely enough I have been really close to just throwing in the towel. To put it in perspective- that would be like a marathon runner failing to complete the race with only 4.5 miles left to complete.

I have actually hit the weight that I thought I wanted to hit- a couple of weeks ago. That was an exciting milestone, but I REALLY wanted to win both the "Biggest Loser" competition at work, and my division of the challenge at my local gym. I found out this week that I did not win the competition at work by .71% NOT even a whole percent! I was stressing and obsessing about this madness and was chastised by a friend that I need to realize how far I have come, and that the changes that I have made have been great for my life and my health, in addition to helping my appearance a bit.

I was also hung up on what I should/could/would have done, and another friend brought me to my senses and let me know that I need to just LET IT GO! Though I have not been absolutely perfect, my progress has been remarkable. In addition, though I may feel fine about how I look- it is no longer about that, it is about doing my best through the finish line. Not just quitting this marathon after 21.5 miles.

So here I am! 2 weeks left- looking to a new road sign to complete this journey! By the way, I have lost about 25 lbs and 8 inches between my waist, thigh and hips. I am grateful that the finish line is on the horizon!

So Valentines day is a day that brings varied emotions to many. I kind of enjoy it. Caleb does something for me each year. Guys are kind of expected to, I usually try to do a little something to express to him what he means to me... I think it is only fair since he is socially (and lets admit it... Spousally) pressured to do so. This year I made him a candy gram.


We both had to work, and he had school that night, so we did not get to spend time together til after 7, when he got out of class. I grilled some steaks and made baked potatoes- so dinner was ready for him when he got home. Then he went to do some homework, and I had to wait for what he got me! I am not patient.

He came upstairs at about 9pm and gave me an envelope from his pocket... he wrote me a letter and in it he explained he was asking me on a date to go see the Utah Symphony's presentation of "Wicked Diva's" which was the symphony and 2 singers presenting a collection of Broadway songs, including 3 from the musical Wicked. The letter was short and sweet and in Caleb fashion. Few words, packed with meaning. The note would have been enough, the date was just icing on the cake.

We went on the date on Thursday Night. The singers had both played Elphaba on broadway, and were both phenomenal performers, yet so different with their strengths. I loved it! The picture is of us at the theater, taken from my phone from a person who looked like they had never functioned a camera phone... this is the best one we got! I am so grateful to Caleb for taking me. Good night, good date. Great Man.

I have had a LOT of firsts the past few weeks. First time on the radio, first time in a recording studio, first time on the news and first time on a promotional video... and it has been a blast!

The picture of me and a microphone me in the studio for the Radio interview. I am representing my company on the Winterfest Committee for Ogden City and they asked me to come and do a Community Calendar segment for FM 100 and 103.5 and talk about my companies involvement. We sponsored the Home Depot kids corner where they made little tool kits and the Polar Bear Swim. I was nervous but so excited. I think my favorite advice was to "act like it is a normal conversation"... I think I may have known that. Thanks to Amy- the PR person, and Kevin the organizer for asking me to come!

Then we were asked to record one of our songs from the Halloween show I was in for a promotional video. We recorded in a studio at the Salt Lake Art Institute. They cut out the last half of our song, cause turns out, my high notes were flat... a little ouch to the ego, but I never claimed to be a soprano, and an exciting opportunity. Though they ran extremely late! I got home at 12a that morning.

THEN, we got called to provide some costumes for Friday Morning shots with 2 News and Casey in the morning (the same Casey that Chunga and Mister blew up all those years ago on 107.5 the end... glad his career has gone well for him), I had a cheesy grin the entire time. (that is the picture of me at the top- the first one is Kevin with Me, Casey, Kevin with Ogden City and Pete, then Me, Amy the PR rep and Emily from ABC 4, and then just me and Emily in the Kiss Costume) Following that, I was on ABC 4 with Emily. I was a Jolly Rancher, and a guy I work with, Pete, was a Hershey Kiss, they made him ski behind a horse, I just had to talk and grin cheesily, two things I do BEST, so I got off easy!! It was a blast!





Today, we finished filming for the song we sang on Monday in the studio, and it was a wrap. Everything ran smoothly- we got there and were interviewed, then we filmed the opening part of our first song from the show (the cauldron song) and they sent us home.

This was a week of many Media firsts for me, and I loved every minute of it.

In addition, we ran the second annual polar bear swim on Saturday, we had 92 participants, (92 crazy people willing to jump into 38 degree water) and I need an adapter to play music on our PA system, but I just put the microphone to my phone and it worked! Each participant got a free souvenir, then people had the chance to dive for prizes, we gave out hot chocolate and mugs and candy.

It has been a hugely CHAOTIC week, especially while trying to maintain my health challenge, but I had a great time. It is now Saturday night, time to relax and enjoy time with Handsome Caleb.

On Wednesday I weighed in for the Gold's Gym 2011 Fitness Challenge. I would have posted pictures to accompany the event and make this more interesting, however, since the pictures they take are in your skibbies, I did not want to make the blog post horrifying.

It started on Monday the 19th, and ends April the 11th. 82 Days. I have decided to exercise to burn 700 calories, 6 days a week, and decrease my caloric intake to 1600 calories. I have also eliminated sweets from my diet for those 82 days. Phew, 5 days down. It has been a challenge.. Saturday morning after 4 straight days of my 700 calories burned workouts, My body had about had it with me, but I am pleased to say that my Sabbath "day of rest" has suited me lovely, and I am excited to return early Monday morning.

Once the competition is over, I will begin easily back to sugars, but I will introduce a new concept "moderation" which I have had issues with since I started working at the Hershey Distribution center!

If you win the competition you get a free gym membership for a year, that in itself would be worth it. Wish my luck as I set off to make a HUGE change!

So we were asked if we had kids this week, Caleb mentioned that our cat is our child right now, I know it is silly, but Hammy is our little buddy.

So we had a bag of catnip that Hammy tore up, so I placed it in a zip lock bag and into a drawer, so Hammy would not get into it and make a mess. Caleb was looking for something in that drawer, and placed the catnip bag on the kitchen counter. We came downstairs this morning, and it was all over the kitchen, he tore up the whole bag, rolled in it, played in it for who knows how long. He was happy as a little clam with his catnip. I have attached a photo, it does not give him justice, you can see the specs of it all over his body, and the small spots on my floor, every inch of the kitchen had been catnipped. I suppose you can learn a couple of lessons, 1: Where there is a will, there is a way, and most often a mess, and 2: That is what we get for sleeping in on a Saturday morning and locking him out of my room! Cute Hammy.