Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is coming up soon and I found a website that has the twelve zodiac signs and the personalities of the people that were born in that year. It's pretty fun. Does it fit your family as well as mine? http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/Rat.html

Mom-People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.

Doug-People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

Jason-1972-People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Sara-1976-People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters.

Brandon-1974-Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs

Gayla-1975-People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Seth-1981-People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationships with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people¡¦s emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

Martin-1982-People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

Me-1985-People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

Emilee

My best friend from high school Emilee had her birthday yesterday. I took her out to lunch on Saturday. It was so much fun catching up with her again. I haven't really talked to her since my birthday in September. I'm so proud of her. She just finished school to become a dental assistant and has a job with a dentist in Salt Lake. Anyway, I made her a 8x8 scrapbook with pictures of us when we were younger and I thought I'd share it. I think it turned out really cool and it makes me laugh.

About my Husband

I'm taking the tag from Emily. I hope that's ok. It seems really fun.

-What’s his name? Martin William Banner
-How long have you been together? umm.. 4 years plus six weeks
-How long did you date? six weeks when I had just turned 17 and then again for 1 year before we got married starting in February of '04
-How old is he? 25? It feels like we are the same age so I forget.
-Who eats more? Me... it's because he just gets so busy with work and things that he forgets to eat...and I love food...
-Who said I love you first? I can't remember. Probably me.

-Who is taller? Martin
-Who is smarter? (very diplomatic answer Emily) I don't know. He's more street and people smart than I am, I guess I'm more book smart if that makes sense.
-Who does laundry? I do it more of it because he doesn't fold laundry, but he does help out which is wonderful.

-Who does the dishes? He does it more often. Which is awesome because dishes are the worst. I'd rather clean anything else in the house then do dishes.
-Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Facing the bed, He does.

-Who pays the bills? He does
-Who mows the lawn? we don't have one, but I think we'll both do it.

-Who cooks dinner? We don't really cook. Just quick easy meals, like soup and things.

-Who drives when you are together? Usually Martin because we go in his car.

-Who is more stubborn? lol we are both REALLY stubborn.

-Who kissed who first? Aww he kissed me.
-Who asked out who first? umm the first time we dated we were set up so no one really asked. The second time we started dating I told him that he should come take me to my high school dance so I guess that means me.

-Who proposed? Martin did.
-Who has more siblings? I do. He has one brother. I have two brothers and one sister.

-Who wears the pants in the family? Him

I agree with Emily- "I’m tagging anybody who wants to brag about their husband/boyfriend. It’s a really fun tag!"

More pictures of the apartment

This is the view right when you walk in the door. Empty I know. We want to have a sitting area with a couch, chair and coffee table...eventually. We used to have the dining room table back in the corner where Abbi's kennel is, but I like it better where it is in the second picture.

My craft area!!!! The table is just borrowed for now until I can buy one, but I love it!!
Bad picture of the kitchen. Oh well.
My vanity. I really love how much space it has, and that I don't have to share with Martin.

Walk?

For Christmas my sister in law Sara got me some CRICUT vinyl, and I've been way afraid to use it because I couldn't decide on anything I really wanted. So, I thought I would start small.
I thought it turned out really cute! It doesn't stick very well to the wall because the wall is textured which makes me sad, but oh well.

For Gayla

My sister is the secretary for the Young Woman program at church and was in charge of making a bullitin board each month so she asked if I would help her cut out the letters to all the values.

I did the 'and' three different ways. The same size as the rest of the letters...

a little smaller...

and the & sign. This one is my favorite.

I really like how Good Works turned out. I hope it's not too big.

I also made this. I don't care if you use it, but I think it looks cool.

Our Apartment!!!

Here is a tour of our apartment.

The wreath was a wedding present from my sister and this is the first time I've used it. The wreath holder is new and I love it.

New festive welcome mat. I love it, Martin hates it. Too bad for him.

Next to the door on the inside. The dog hanger things are from IKEA. I've loved them for SO long. They are for Abbi's leashes.

Entry way.

Our Dining room/sitting area.
(Picture missing. Too messy still)

Door to the spare bedroom. Pictures to come when I get my craft table all set up.
TV room. Just about everything is new in there. Except for the pine colored shelves and the decorations. We went crazy at IKEA and Walmart. We've never really bought our own new furniture. We bought a bed and bedside tables too.

The Bathroom. I bought that shower curtain just after we got married and I'm still in love with it.
The hallway past the kitchen. Our bedroom door is closed, (no picture too messy) The bathroom is on the right and my vanity is on the left. I love my vanity and how much space it has for all my stuff.
My other favorite feature! It is so nice. We didn't have a washer and dryer at our old apartment. I would have to lug it all down to the laudromat that they had. Martin is helping now with laundry which is fantastic.
That concludes the partial tour of our apartment. I'll leave you with a picture of the cutest dog in the world in her new favorite spot (my lap.) She's had a hard time adjusting to being away from Puck in a strange place. The first two nights she was here with us I had to sleep in on the living room floor with her because she was whining so much.

Christmas Catch Up

12-16-2007

Little Star Party

As most of you know from reading about it last year, my family gets together every year for The Little Star Party. Here are a few crazy pictures of my huge family squished into my mom's house.12-24-2007
Christmas Eve
We started the night off up at my Dad's cemetery The weather was so crazy on Christmas Eve wasn't it? Within an hour it went from kind of snowy to having the roads covered with a few inches of snow.

Then went to Mom's for Christmas (eve) Dinner.

Pics of our Yummy food...
Funeral Potatoes.

Barbecue Turkey

Stuffing.

Homemade rolls....

and I was so impressed with Martin. He made traditional English 'stuffing' all by himself. He told my mom that he was going to bring it and on the inside I was like 'great another thing I have to remember about,' but he had it all made and ready to go when I got home from work.

Martin also bought English crackers for the kids. They loved them.

Then we opened presents. Mom got everyone pajama's this year. So cute and comfy!

12-25-2007

Christmas Morning

Martin's presents under my tree...
and my presents under Martin's tree.

Sweet Abbi. She wasn't quite as interested in opening her presents this year as last year.
Martin's presents. My presents.

...and a VERY happy new year!

Sorry I've been absent lately. I've still been super busy at work, and just exausted. I had yesterday today and tomorrow off of work and my main goal was to blog about The Little Star Party, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Kara and Mike coming over the other day, but you'll all just have to wait for that because GUESS WHAT?!?!?

We got an apartment today!!!! It's a little, well a lot, short notice, but we're very excited. We went in today to fill out the application and such thinking we'd have to wait for one to become available, but they had one ready and waiting so we took it. We did that at about 11:00 this morning, had our keys by 1:00, and are almost done moving in already. I packed everything while Martin and his two GREAT friends helped haul everything over. We are all so exausted!!! All we have left to move is the big stuff, and hopefully my family and their big vehicles can help us get the rest tomorrow. I don't know how long it will take to get the internet set up at our apartment so I don't know when I'll be able to play catch up. Hopefully pretty soon I have lots of fun pictures to share!