I am engaged!

Holy crap no really I'm engaged and I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around it! I've been single for so long, wanting to get married, and the fact that I am actually going to do it now, instead of just wishing for it, but trying not to want it too much for fear of serious depression, is kind of mind boggling.

But I think that many of you out there will be confused so here is the full story.

Yes, Ryan and I broke up in June. This was mainly because despite 2 years of dating, a serious commitment didn't seem to be on the horizon. There was lots of debate and prayer but that's really what it boils down to. So I was single. Again.

But I was pretty happy, as you might be able to tell from the last blog. I have a fantastic job, great friends, school is so much fun, and in general life was pretty rosy, if I ignored the ever-present something important is missing feeling. Things went on like that for about 3 months or so.

And so I'm strolling through life and one day Ryan wants to talk. We go on a walk and he tells me he's been thinking and he wants to date me again, he wants to get married now. He's been stupid and he's grown a lot, etc. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think. Lots of times guys only want something once they can't have it, right? So I told him I would pray about it. If the Lord tells me I can be happy with you, then I'll believe Him and we can get together again. But I wasn't going to make a decision until I could go to the temple and the temple was closed for another 3 weeks.

So the poor guy was just waiting for me to make a decision for weeks. I feel bad about this, but he used the time wisely. :-) We went on nice dates and spent time together and talked about what could happen in the future. I think maybe I needed that time to start convincing me that things really might be different this time.

And then last Wednesday, I went to the temple and prayed a lot and finally decided that this was a good thing. I told him that and things kinda snowballed from there. Wednesday we changed our facebook status to dating, Thursday he bought the ring, and Friday was the proposal!

Ryan made reservations at the Capital Grille. We had the best steak ever and took a tour of the kitchens and got the hugest piece of chocolate hazelnut cake I've ever had. It was by far the nicest dining experience I've ever had. Then we rushed off to the Hyatt in Scottsdale to take a gondola ride. We got there right as they were closing but they took us out anyways. And there by the lake right before we got on the boat, Ryan got down on one knee and said, "Crissy, I know I've made you wait a long time, but will you marry me?" And of course I said yes! Here's a couple pics of the ring.

So we got in the gondola and snuggled under a blanket and looked at the lights in the garden and the stars while a gondolier named Marcus poled us around and sang us some beautiful Italian songs. Actually Marcus was the gondolier that took us on our first gondola ride, over two years ago! We were there for our 5 month anniversary and when he found out how long Ryan had been home from the mission and how long we'd been dating, he straight up asked, why aren't you engaged yet? Haha! And there we were getting engaged right in front of him 2 years later. Funny world.

So the date is set for January 2nd, the week after Christmas! It's 10 weeks from yesterday. It's maybe a little less time than I'd like to plan everything but it's when I'm off work and we're both out of school and it seems like it should be the easiest for all our family to be there. Besides, what better way to start the year off right?

We do have so much to do and possibly the most daunting task is gathering addresses for invitations. In hopes of making this a little easier, I've made a form for getting everyone's information. If you'd like an invitation, or even just an email announcement, click here

http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?key=tKPHUo6VI3kA4yLFnuhDiQg

and fill out your name etc. It puts the information right into a spreadsheet that I can work with! I can't wait to see you all at our wedding!

Update on Life

Holy smokes how time does fly. I am a bad blogger, obviously, since it's been more than 5 months since the last post. But enough about me, let's talk about me. :-)

When last we saw our heroine, Crissy was working at a day spa in Scottsdale, living with her parents. And that's about it.

Oh so much has happened, where do I begin?

First, I lost my job. It is a long tale and I will not bore you with it. Suffice to say I was not too upset about it, and that is definitely an understatement. My mother, on the other hand, was more than a little worried about it, which is also an understatement.

I worked for a little bit (like a month) as an independent contractor for a nail salon in Chandler. Then I found out my boss was a control freak (no really, she had rules about which shelf the cds had to be on) and when they decided to change the schedule so that we had to work 10 hour days, I decided that was enough of that. My mother stepped up the worrying process.

She did, however, enjoy the benefits of having me unemployed and living in her house, which were mainly my scads of free time combined with my intense dislike of things being messy, dirty, or disorganized. Also my ability to drive any younger sibling anywhere at any time. She mentioned how much she enjoyed it to a coworker, and that coworker correctly deduced that I probably did not have a job. So when she got completely overwhelmed from temporarily taking on someone else's job as well as her own and needed someone to help her do some organizing, she thought of me.

I started working with her to make some sense out of the mess my predecessor had left behind and quickly realized that I was pretty good at it. Once I had done everything she needed, she started loaning me out to other people in the office and I got kind of a reputation for being able to do whatever job you showed me how to do, and usually quickly. So nice to be appreciated. :-)

Then my mother, who was still a little worried about this job I was pretty good at not being a permanent position, heard from yet another coworker that she was looking for an admin assistant. I interviewed and got the job. So far, I love it. One of the best parts is telling people I'm an Administrative Assistant for the After School Learning Program at Sequoia Charter School. They just stare at me blankly while they process for 3 to 5 seconds.

Somewhere in the middle of this process, around June I think,
Mom said, "Why don't you go back to school?"
I said, "There's no way I could afford it."
She said, "Have you filled out the FAFSA, looked at tuition costs?"
"Um, no."
"Well why don't you try that?"
"Yeah, ok."

So I started looking at MCC, what degrees they offer, seeing if there's anything I'd want to study, etc. I fill out the FAFSA and lo and behold, I was awarded free money! More than enough to cover tuition and almost enough to cover my books. And before I have time to worry about how to pay for outrageously expensive textbooks, I find out that they gave me a student loan without me even having to ask for it! So. I am going to school. I'm going to get an Associate's in Computer Information Systems. I am very excited. So ready to learn something new and not related to massage in any way.

Ah, that was what you were wondering about, huh? You were thinking, Crissy, haven't you been a massage therapist forever? Yes I have! That is the problem! Did you know that the average career of a massage therapist is 3 to 5 years? And here I've been plugging away for close to 9. I am sick and tired of it. Not only is it a very physically demanding profession, it is very emotionally stressful. It was impossible for me to fulfill everyone's expectations. Some people wanted me to get rid of their back pain or headaches, and if I couldn't, they got upset. Some people, on the other hand, absolutely loved my massage and suddenly I was indispensable to their happiness and well being. Again, way too much pressure. And I went into facials, thinking it would be different but oh no! When a woman comes in and pays for a facial, you better make her look at least 10 years younger and know exactly what she needs to put on her face to become gorgeous. Women put so much value on their appearance. Not that I don't myself. It's just I don't want to be responsible for such a huge chunk of your self esteem.

And it might have been different if I had been making the kind of money you expect a massage therapist and aesthetician to make. It wasn't hard to get jobs, with my qualifications and experience. And there were definitely perks. It's truly great when everyone is happy to see you, and even happier when they leave. But when I look back at myself making the decision to go to massage school, I thought, this will be great, I can help people and make enough money to support myself and get out of debt. And that never ever happened. I don't know if I'm just an exceptionally bad business person or money manager or what, but I rarely made enough money to get even a little ahead. And if I did, it was because I was working so much that I didn't have any time to spend with family or friends. And to me, family and friends are way more important than any job.

So I had been doing the same thing for almost a decade, and still wasn't even close to reaching my goals. Sounds like time for a reevaluation. And now that I am going in a completely different direction, it looks like the end is in sight. No joke.

And that is the major part of what has been my life for the past 5 months. I'm working in an office, I'm starting college in 9 days, and I am happier than I've been in a long time. At last, I feel like I'm actually going somewhere! A step forward! Hooray!

Lots of other things have happened. Ryan and I broke up. Jessica got married. I turned 28 (blech). I could go into the psychologically devastating effects of becoming a 28 year old single LDS woman with 2 younger siblings already married, but I won't. At least not now. Maybe later. :-)

I could make promises about trying to blog more regularly, but I'm pretty sure I'm about to become busier than I've been in a very long time, so you'll just have to take them as they come. Or call me. Actually, just text. Texting is much easier. I always respond. Eventually. :-)

Gratitude

Tonight, I am feeling a little numb, a little apathetic, a little haywire. It's probably just the wrong time of the month but I do know that the best cure for it is gratitude. Well, that or a good workout. :-) And since it's currently midnight (just a little late for working out), I'm going to go with the gratitude route. Here are a few things I am grateful for.

1. My family



This is all of them. Well except those two on the ends. Ryan's not officially part of the family and Jadey is Jessica's fiancee's sister. But we love them too!

2. The Gospel

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is now, always has been, and always will be a huge part of my life. I am so grateful to have a personal relationship with my Savior. I know He loves me and He wants me to be happy and that gives me strength to endure whatever may come.

3. Ryan



Yeah I know our relationship is confusing and frustrating and not even really a relationship anymore, but in spite of everything, I know he loves me and I love him and no matter what direction our lives take, we are better people because of it.

4. Money



I don't have much, certainly not as much as I need, but what I do have, I am grateful for. It shows the Lord's mercy in blessing me with enough to take care of what I have to.

5. Pillows



Seriously, would sleeping be near as wonderful without them? I think not.

6. Books



No matter how bad life gets, I can always pick up a book and enjoy myself for a little while. Yeah, sometimes it sucks to put it down and get back to reality, but I wouldn't give them up for the world.

7. The World Wide Web

How else would I share my innermost thoughts with all of you wonderful people? Pay my bills?
Keep in contact with my globe trotting friends? Find a recipe for baba ganoush?

8. And Last but NEVER Least



A great pair of shoes.

There are many many more things I am grateful for, but I will have to mention them in later lists, as it's getting very late. Good night all!

Not Resolutions, Goals

Have I mentioned how awesome my bishop is? He is wonderful. Bishop Rod Castillo is seriously great. He keeps up with us on facebook, lets us make appointments by text, and one of my favorite things is his 5th Sunday instruction. Every 5th Sunday he teaches a combined Sunday School and talks to us about whatever it is he feels the need to. Usually it ends up taking a couple hours, but it's so entertaining that nobody minds!

Well this year he wanted to talk to us about goals, but we don't have a 5th Sunday until March! That was just too far away so last week he pretended it was 5th Sunday and talked to us about goals he wants our ward to work on for 2009. He decided the theme was Come To Zion. He challenged us to work on 1200 goals, as a ward. Why 1200 goals, you ask? Well, as you may or may not know, it's 1200 miles to Independence, Missouri, which is where the Lord has designated Zion will be. Or is. Or was. Whatever. :-)

He passed out a list of goals, separated into categories, that we can use as a starting point. We can pick from the list, or make up our own, but if all of us work on 8 goals each, we will get 1200. I think the actual math was 7.5 goals each, but that would require too much thinking. How would you accomplish half a goal? Make a goal for what you actually want, then divide the number in half? Only work on it half the year? One day on, one day off? Yeah, you get my point. :-) So, 8 goals each, and here is the list. Bear with me, it is a little long.

Spiritual category

• Attend the temple at least monthly
• Study scriptures for a month, a week, and a day
• Footnote your patriarchal blessing as if it were a chapter of scripture
• Share your testimony
• Choose a chapter of scripture and study it in depth, (all the footnotes)
• Read the Book of Mormon
• Keep current in Gospel Doctrine and RS/EQ lessons
• Write a college like term paper on a Gospel topic
• Pay tithing and offerings
• Fast with a specific purpose
• Attend and participate in all meetings
• Kneel for meaningful moring and evening prayers

Missionary Category

• Share a Book of Mormon
• Invite someone to an activity or meeting
• Contribute to the missionary fund
• Share a Church magazine
• Distribute pass along cards
• Pray for missionary experience and report back
• Obtain and study Preach My Gospel
• Attend missionary firesides
• Invite someone to Easter pageant or Christmas lights
• Attend the visitors center
• Research comparative religions

Preparedness & Provident Living

• Have a 72 hour kit, water, and $10 in coins in your car
• Have a month supply of food
• Have a month supply of basic commodities
• Develop an emergency plan for communicating with family/ward
• Learn first aid/CPR
• Develop a realistic budget
• Maintain a months income in savings
• Research IRAs, brokerage accounts, etc
• Get out of debt

Family History

• Keep a journal for a month, a week, and a day (I love ldsjournal.com)
  
• Install PAF on your computer
• Have four generations entered in PAF
• Register with new.familysearch.org
• Visit the Family History Center
• Submit names for temple ordinances
• Share family history data with other family members
• Record personal history (also possible at ldsjournal.com)
• Participate in indexing
• Take Family History Class to learn the above

Physical

• Get high on a mountain top (hike four peaks in the state)
• Lose a dress/pants size
• Run a 5K or marathon
• Participate in a mini Ironman
• Learn or practice a new sport
• Participate in an organized ward or city sports event
• Participate in an individual activity (hiking, backpacking, cycling, canoeing)
• Hike the Grand Canyon/Havasupai

Character

• Make promises and commitments carefully - count it as your sacred word and act accordingly
• Go the second mile for a month, a week, and a day
• Read Proverbs 16:18-22 and avoid doing or saying anything indicating pride
• Seek to be truthful in all you say, avoid gossip and think of the effect of your words no matter how small
• Make and keep a resoltuion to not cheat in any way
• Cultivate friends and associates who earnestly strive to keep high ideals
• Cultivate patience, tolerance and love for family members, roommates and other associates
• Keep sacred any confidences entrusted to you
• Be courageous enough to acknowledge mistakes and apologize
• Give up a bad habit
• Eliminate negative self perception
• Read a self help book

Intellectual

• Develop a new talent
• Expand your cultural appreciationstudying and attending a new art form (dance, opera, ballet, theater etc)
• Read 10 Newberry winners
• Read a literary classic
• Study another country or culture
• Develop fundamental speaking and writing skills in another language
• Improve your knowledge in an academic field
• Earn/re-earn a Merit Badge/YW Value project

Service

• Design and carry out a service project
• Teach an art or skill to someone who can't afford to pay
• Assist the elderly or a single parent family with household chores, lawn maintenance
• Fellowship new members of the ward
• Write uplifting and encouraging letters to the missionaries
• Read/sing/listen to people in hospitals or nursing homes
• Become a tutor or mentor

Employment/Education

• Take a career interest inventory
• Take a career aptitude test
• Update your resume
• Attend a career fair
• Explore a different career, research job requirements
• Research requirements for starting college
• Meet with a counselor for planning
• Take a class

Social

• Attend one additional YSA activity
• Expand your dating experience
• Plan a small game night or dinner at your home
• Update your facebook account

That's the list we get to choose 8 goals from. I love that last one, I got that one down! :-) Or I can make up my own. So here's my list.

1. Attend the temple at least monthly
2. Take at least 5 family names with me
   
3. Get out of debt (or at least closer)
   
4. Include Preach my Gospel in my daily scripture study
   
5. Be physically capable of participating in a sprint triathlon (thats .5 mile swim, 13 mile bike, and 3.2 mile run)
6. Read The Secret and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
   
7. Go to an opera, ballet, musical play or art gallery
8. Write uplifting and encouraging letters to my missionary friends

So I'm blogging about this and telling all of you my goals for the year for three reasons. One, everyone says you have to write these things down or it's much harder to accomplish them. Two, I want to write where I am and be able to come back at the end of the year and see some progress. And three, I want you guys to call me out on it if I don't accomplish anything!

So, here's my current state of being.

1. I haven't even been to the temple yet this year. So not doing so well in that respect. On the other hand, it's only been a month, so things may not be as dire as they appear.
2. Last year I was able to take 2 family names that my grandpa gave me. This year I want to find them.
3. I'll have to get back to you with specific numbers, but I would like to pay off at least one credit card. Whoa, dream big!
   
4. I think I need to make time for scripture study in the morning before I go to work because right now I do it before bed and I'm way too eager to put it down and go to sleep. Much less effective. I also think Preach My Gospel is packed away in the garage (oops).
5. I can currently run (well, jog) a quarter mile without having to stop and walk. This is a huge improvement over last year, so I am very hopeful that I can accomplish this goal.
6. I've read The Secret but it bears repeating, and my parents own 7 Habits. I will yoink it.
7. I'm going to check out the Mesa Arts Center and see what performances they have scheduled, and the Phoenix Opera. Also ASU has stuff like that at Gammage, right?
8. I have a few friends that knew me when they were on their missions that can attest how horrible I am at writing. So pretty much any activity in this area is improvement. :-)

And that's all for tonight folks. Stay tuned for progress reports.

Options please!

OK, I'm getting a little desperate. I do not have enough money to even keep up with my regular bills. I LOVE my job, but with this economy, I just don't have as many clients as I need. When I think about how much I could have been making last year at this job, it makes me want to cry. I'm totally grateful to have a job, because it's barely keeping me afloat and I know lots of people don't even have jobs at all right now. But there has to be some way to make a little bit more.

I just spent a few hours online reading reviews for work at home companies and I honestly can't seem to find one that everyone agrees is a good opportunity, even if I could afford the "membership fees". I checked out the risks of donating your eggs and that's not gonna happen. I found a plasma donation center I'm seriously considering going to, even though that was a disaster last time. At this point the only thing I can think of is picking up cheap stuff at garage sales and reselling it on eBay or Craigslist. It sounds very time consuming. Fun though. :-)

So, what I'm asking for are some options. Does anyone know of a good solid way to make some extra money? I need some hope here!

Clothes Exchange Party

I've been thinking about how I haven't had the money to buy hardly any new clothes in the recent past, and about how all my girlfriends are complaining of the same problem. Nobody has extra cash right now! So I thought it would be fun to get a bunch of us together and exchange some stuff. We all have clothes in the back of our closet we don't wear anymore right? Clothes that fit 10 pounds ago? Clothes that were a great deal but just didn't look the same when you brought them home? Well, let's get together and divvy up! And I'm not just talking about clothes here either, you can bring anything! Shoes, bags, jewelry. You know the right accessories can totally change an outfit. :-)

So, I'm thinking it'll be at my house, next Tuesday Dec 16th. Let's go for 7 pm til 10pm. Show up anytime, but first come first serve. Invite your friends, especially if you like their style! Call me or comment if you need directions or any other information, and let me know if you're coming!

Christmas List

I started this list because my family wanted a specific list of things I would like. So we all wrote them out and this is mine. I figured this would be a good way for anyone to get at it from anywhere, so here it is. This is not me asking all you guys to get me gifts! :-) I just want you to have a Happy Christmas!

Crissy's Christmas List

• Compact, portable, picture capable printer
• Wall-mounted jewelry cabinet
  
• I saw one at WalMart with picture frames on the front for 25 dollars
  
• Cute laptop bag
• New tires, windshield, hubcaps
• Hubcaps
• HubcapNation.com
  
• Hot Stone Set
• just stone set
• stone heater
  
• Gift Certificates
• Delia's
• Charlotte Russe
• Forever 21
• American Eagle
• Urban Outfitters
• Buckle
• things of that nature :-)
  
• Stop! In the Name of Pants by Louise Rennison
• at Amazon.com
  
• Quao (card game)
• Quao
• I saw it first in the game store at Scottsdale Fashion Square mall
  
• Serenity
• at amazon.com
  
• scrapbooking supplies
• S Factor hair products
• DSLite
• at amazon.com
  
• any good books or movies
• fun jewelry
• Watch
• Complete tool set
• Silver Spoon Cookbook
• at Amazon.com
  
• An Incomplete Education
• at amazon.com
  
• card reader
• secret puzzle box (I like the pirate chest one)
• iPod second skin
• AmazonKindle
• So cool! too bad it's so expensive :-(
• Headphones that live in a case so they don't get tangled up with all the stuff in my purse
• Camelpack