Unlucky 13!

So last Thursday I shut the trunk door of my van on my face!

Now, one may ask how exactly does that happen! And I am not sure I quite have an answer for that! I was talking with the kids and pulling stuff out of the trunk and obviously not paying attention when I pulled down the pulley handle thing on the door and whack! I about knocked myself out it hurt so bad. I put my hands to my nose and then pulled them back and there was tons of blood dripping down my hands! So I walked into the house and looked in the mirror and had to close my eyes while I tried to balance myself. There was a huge gash right between my eyes and down the left side of my nose- like a backward 7. So I called Matt a couple of times with no answer. I wasn't sure what to do. I wasn't sure how bad it was... I know that probably sounds dumb, but I was so shakin up and embarrassed that I could somehow hit myself with the trunk door that I don't think I was thinking straight. So I called my mother and by this time I was balling my eyes out! It was so painful and I kept looking at myself in the mirror thinking I had really done it! Matt finally called and said I should definitely go to instacare. I called my friend/neighbor, Michelle, still crying and she came over sent my kids to her house and drove me first to the instacare and then on to the ER! I was soo glad she drove me cause it was good just to have ice put on it and close my eyes!

At the ER I felt a little more calm, although I did cry a few times when the ER dr. talked with me about what needed to be done. The Dr. didn't think I had broken my nose because while it was swollen, it seemed to be straight. I was going to need stitches though. Matt came to the ER right before I had to get the numbing shots! That was TERRIBLE!!!! I was so grateful he was there. I think I about broke his hand through all my squeezing! I ended up with 13! stitches! I had a bandaid put on it and was told I was not allowed to change the bandaid till Sat. afternoon.

Besides walking around with a big bandaid in the middle of my face, I also had TWO black eyes! I cannot tell you about the looks I received when I went out to the store. Carter's basketball game may have been the worst, because little kids don't hide their expressions like adults can and they gave me some awful looks! I know everyone was wondering what in the world my awful husband did to me! I know I always think that when I see a women with a black eye! It was awful! I didn't feel like staying indoors until my black eyes cleared up was really an option, so I walked around with a grimace on my face and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. People either gave me weird stares, or were really nice to me out of fear or pity, I am not sure which. After this experience I swear I will never give second thought to someone who looks a little different.

And at church I have never heard so many Matt hitting me jokes. While funny, laughing made my face hurt! I did feel bad for Matt though, cause everywhere we went together, I know he felt like people were wondering what kind of jerky man he was! The stake president's son played against Carter's basketball team. Matt was like, 'really? today of all days to play his team!'

So I was concerned about having the ER dr. sew me up as opposed to a plastic surgeon, but the ER dr. said this was within his scope, so I said ok. I hope I didn't make a mistake in that. They said it doesn't really matter so much how it is sewn up, but how it is cared for afterward! Having it not scab up is important! Unfortunately, it has scabbed up. So.... I don't know about the scarring now. I don't have a good history with scarring, so we will see how it goes. I am suppose to rub Vit E on it in a week or so, to help break up the scar tissue.

Anyways, I got the stitches out yesterday! Matt thinks it looks better not having that huge bandaid on my face. I don't know. It looks pretty gross still. I can wash it though, to which the rest of my face is grateful cause I couldn't get it wet with my stitches in. And it basically is impossible to not get the very middle of your face wet when washing it!

I still have my black eyes, although there is a marked improvement, to which I am very grateful! And my swelling has gone tons! My glasses could probably now fit on my nose, but I am not allowed to wear them for several weeks, soooo....

The next big thing to overcome is the fact that I am NOT allowed to have my scar be in the sun at all for the next 9 months! What are the chances of that happening! I need to do it though to make sure the scar doesn't darken and become more visible! It will be hard to be cause if anyone has every seen me after a day, or even an hour or two, in the sun my nose it always bright red! I am going to have to really, really make an effort. Sunscreen is sufficient though, so I will try!

I took pictures of my face with my phone so I could send them to my parents. They are not pictures I am proud of, nor do I think they are the greatest of quality. I am not thinking I am going to post them. Maybe though.... I will have to see.

Will keep posted about how my progress is coming along!

Jackie:Professional Baker? Step 2

So tomorrow I am going to go to the grill and bake something, not to sell, just to bake. I guess the they have two ovens- one that isn't the correct temperature and the other is a convection oven. So I need to make sure I know how to work them before I get over there on my first day of selling and burn everything! It is exciting that the next step is coming together! I will post how it goes!

My favorite thing to far about this new venture is that I am baking all the time! Trying new things is fun and super yummy! I, unfortunately, am eating all I am making though, so my clothes may not fit too long from now. My new favorite recipe is a rich chocolate toffee bar! SOOOO yummy!

Jackie:Professional Baker? Step 1

So today I have an appointment with the manager of golf course grill. I am nervous and excited. Sometimes I think I am absolutely insane for even trying to do this. I think that is why after trying to get a hold of the manager several times with no luck, I put it on the back burner.... the very back burner, as in I am not going to do this. But couple of people asked me how it was going and so I began to give it some thought again. And on kinda of a whim, I called her and even talked with her for a minute.... thus the appointment this afternoon. I am nervous, but also kinda feel like what do I have to lose?

So I am bringing in some samples to try. I am bringing my all time favorite dessert- raspberry chocolate struesell(sp) bars. My favorite pie in the whole world- Caramel apple tart. And then a chocolate decadent torte! All so yummy! I am very excited and hope I don't screw up any of the recipes. So far so good, although I have only made one!

Matt is coming home early today to watch the children, which I am happy about cause it is much easier than having the kids go to a neighbors and the chaos that can accompany that. Also by him doing this, I feel like he is supporting me, which I am thankful.

I am unsure what to wear! I have ZERO professional clothes that I have bought in the last 8 years! Think my old stuff will look too dated? I wonder if I could just show up in my pj's, which is what I would be baking in if I get this gig anyways.

so keep your fingers crossed for me.... I still think if this does actually happen, it will be insane. I am NOT a morning person to say the least and to think that I will be up at 4 in the morning 3+ days a week is crazy just that part by itself. Maybe it won't even be happening! Only time will tell. Will keep you posted!

More Florida Pictures!

We went on a Air Boat tour through some of the Everglades! It was a really cool experience! We saw several gators and some turtles and beautiful birds! At the end of the tour they got our a year and half old gator we could hold! Matt was brave enough to do it! Not me though! Nothing is on that gators mouth to keep it closed, by the way! I twas very proud of Matt!

One day while in Key West we went to the butterfly conservatory! It was incredible! This is a picture of Matt when we first walked in! He was terrified that the butterflies were going to fly into his face! He calmed down after a little bit but walked around trying to be as small as a 6'2 guy could be! Although I have no pics the actual butterflies were amazing! So many and so beautiful!
I am standing at the Bahia Honda State Park Beach, which is a fabulous beach! So quiet and so all to our selves! We walked along the beach and picked up some shells and saw some Portuguese Man-o-wars, which are blue jelly fish! It was a beautiful state park! You can't tell much by the picture, but the water in the Key's was the most amazing color that Matt and I oohed and aahhed over the whole time!

Our Last Second Trip to Florida!

Two Tuesday's ago Matt booked a trip for just the two of us to Ft. Lauderdale, so we could go to the Florida Keys! We left that next Friday and came back on Tues. night! It was the most fun trip, except for the food poisoning I got our first night in the Keys, but besides that it was amazing! It was so nice to be away and the weather was perfect, so warm, but not hot! We had a fabulous time and did everything we wanted to do! I hope we can go back some day! I don't know how to publish more than 5 pictures at a time and none of these are in any order, but here are some of our favorite things we did!

Matt and I went on a glass-bottom boat tour out to the coral reef about 6 miles south of the keys! We are at the very front of the boat! While on the boat at the reef we saw a shark, stingray and Matt saw a sea turtle, which I didn't see! =( We also were able to see the sunset, which is a HUGE thing in Key West!
This is me on Bahia Honda State Park's beach! It was beautiful and so peaceful! Matt and I couldn't get over the color of the water! It is that color because no where in the keys has water more than 17 feet deep!

My favorite thing we did was go sea Kayaking! It was just the 2 of us and Marcus, our tour guide! It was incredible! We didn't see too much fish and such, but we did see some crabs and a ton Queen counch, I think it was called. They are endangered, so we couldn't take any with us, but it was cool to see them! Marcus taught a lot about the Key's careful ecosystem and the importance of the coral, mangroves and sponges, etc and how they all play into each other to keep the islands healthy! The Key we kayaked to and around was No Name Key, which just had 50 homes on it and NO water, sewer or electricity, although it did have phone and cable/internet lines! The picture of just me is in a mangrove creek! Super cool!
None of these pictures are in order! But our first day in Key West we decided the best way to see the Key was to bike it! Biking is HUGE in Key West and everywhere in the Key's actually! Super affordable and very fun! So we rode our bikes around for about 4 hours that day... ALL around the Key! It was so fun! I loved biking right next to the ocean! This was Matt's favorite thing we did!

Jackie:Professional Baker?

So for Christmas I got Matt a golf pass thingy to the golf course we live on! When I was at the clubhouse buying it, I was talking to the manager about how the past year's busyness and such. I asked about the grill the clubhouse has and what was going on with that. He said that they did have a chef last year, but not much selection and that this year they were going to focus on getting it more up and running.

So... then my mind started churning.... What if I could make desserts for them? Just a few things, that tasted yummy, but weren't crazy difficult, but were made from scratch with local stuff when possible? (like fruit, etc) I liked the idea cause while I am no professional baker this could be my 'in' so to speak and be low key enough that I could maybe actually do it? I thought about this for a while and mostly discussed it my mother cause I couldn't talk about it with Matt cause he would have been like, what were you doing at the clubhouse? So after Christmas and him having his gift, I broached the subject with him. He was supportive, but then never mentioned it again. Unlike my mother, who mentioned it nearly every time I spoke with her.

After Christmas I just let it go, thinking that there was no way I could take something like that on. And wondering how women work, even if just from home, or for a few hours a week, and be a mom! honestly I thought I would just fail.... not cause all my stuff would burn up, but cause more than likely I would forget to do it one day, or over sleep(if I had to get up early to do it) or do any number of things I am capable of that I have seemed to have done before in regards to carpooling, volunteering at the school, or just being a decent parents/neighbor.

Anyways, I talked to my mother again yesterday and didn't have that great of conversation about a number of things, but mostly they were self-reflective. I didn't like how I felt about the things I had said about myself. I began to think about this baking idea I had had. Could I even do it? Should I try even if I do fail, or they don't want it cause they already have their desserts (which could be real possibility.) Well, I prayed about it last night, as I have done several times already, but as I prayed I thought of things to do and how I wanted to go about it. And then after my prayer I lay in bed thinking of all the things I could make. I think I am actually going to try and do it! I have my little plan laid out about how I want to present my idea. I have some ideas about what I could make. And how much I would charge. Who knows if I would actually make any money doing this, but I suppose we will see. I know how I would like the schedule to work. The biggest question, besides if they even want me and my baked goods, is where to make the baked goods. Utah is a stickler about kitchens and where sold food can be made. Heavens knows I don't have a kitchen that qualifies. Does the golf club? Or do they just have a grill, refrigerator, etc.. and no oven!!! I don't know. We will have to see! I suppose if nothing else, it can't hurt to try! It could be a grand adventure! I kinda thought if I blogged about it, then it could make me more accountable to the idea! I will keep posted how this all turns out, if it does!!!

One and a half years later....

Will skip all the stuff that I haven't written about in the last 1.5 years! Will never catch up otherwise. But what is funny about the pictures that are currently on my blog are that Lincoln in them is almost as old as Maggie is now!

I actually wasn't planning on picking up this nearly dead venture, but I received an email from Matt's cousin saying she finally updated hers after promising over and over again to herself that she would finally write in her journal! And since about my only resolution of the year is to write in my journal, I thought maybe a blog would be better? Can I do it? Don't like 80% of people break their New Year's resolutions? Well, the odds don't seem to be in my favor... we will see.

Last night after 6 agonizing nights, I finally finished Gone with the Wind, which I was reading for book club. So today I have wandered around the house wondering what to do with myself! Matt couldn't be happier cause I have been ignoring him for those last 6 nights! Since I have all this extra time, I thought I would write.. on here! Probably have a lot other more 'important' things to do, but ha who needs it?

So in the last 1.5 years the most important thing we have done as a family, or maybe I should say Matt and I did was add our beautiful Margaret(Maggie) Alice to the family! She is a darling little girl. So tiny and so wordless. The kids fawn over her and even Lincoln today told me, "Mom, I am a good big brother, huh?" She is so spoiled by them. She is so enjoyable and fairly easy going, which has been a nice change over the other 3! I took some pics of her today climbing into the drawer which we keep the kids plates and bowls. After trying it once, she went and retrieved her baby from the family room and carried her by her hair, which is how she carried her everywhere, and placed her in the drawer too, so she could join in the fun! If you look closely she has multiple Electrosal tablets in the drawer with her too. She loves those things and we are now finding them everywhere downstairs. She is such a funny little duck!