The Tayviator is Thirty

This is my Tayviator. That's Taylor + Aviator, if you didn't already figure it out. He turned 30 today, and I want to tell you some of the reasons I love him.

He's a good big brother...he's the oldest of seven and he makes sure that all of his siblings feel important.

He's good with technology. He figures out the stuff for me that I'm too impatient to do myself.


He's a good protector of the family


He's Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent

He's worked hard to complete his education

He's willing to try new things, even when he looks like a fool

He stands up for what he believes in

He is an extremely loyal friend

He has a "Taylorsmile" and kind eyes

He has forever enriched the lives of Rosie and I

He came into my life exactly when I needed him

He let me put this picture in our wedding announcements, even though he thought the pose was cheesy and contrived

He tells me often that he loves me more than the day he married me

He looks so irresistible lying next to his laptop

He's survived some pretty hellish times, including a trip to Hell (Michigan)

He shares his Diet Coke when we go out to dinner

He puts the twinkle in my eye

He humors me with taking pictures for my blog that he thinks are really lame

He loves the beach as much as I do (especially Ventura County)

He introduced me to In-n-Out

He takes my breath away

He makes our house feel like a home

He understands my need for adventure and culture, and takes me out on the town

He treats me the way an adoring husband should treat his wife

He has secret magical powers (and is a blast to be with at Disneyland)

He's a devoted husband and father

He's fun to fly with

He has extremely kissable lips (and they're all mine)

He looks hot in his uniform

He's fun to be with, both day and night

He loves to travel, and has afforded me many opportunities to see many parts of the country

He "rocks" my world

I love you, Tay!

Nine Years of Adventure

Dear Rosie,

Excitement and boredom. Joy and sadness. Change and adaptation. Hugs and kisses. Creativity and silliness. Independence and bravery. Fun and Culture. Travel and Home. Love and empathy. Childlike, yet mature. Seven moves, four states, lots of great food and countless people who love you. I'm so blessed that you're mine. Please don't grow up too fast.
Happy 9th birthday!

Love,
Mom

Helmet Head

This weekend we bought Rosie a new helmet. Between bike riding and skateboarding, I've been pretty adamant about Rosie keeping her brain protected. She hasn't had a bike here very long, but I've been paranoid every time she went out riding without a helmet. In Michigan and Georgia, I always saw kids wearing helmets, and in California it was about half of the time. Since we've been back in Utah, I have not seen one kid in our neighborhood wearing a helmet!

I wanted to have Rosie be an example to her peers, showing it was cool to wear a helmet. I let her choose any helmet she wanted (and of course, she chose the $30 one) Today Rosie came into the house sobbing. Some of the neighbor kids were taunting and teasing her about wearing a helmet. It made me so sad.

I have read multiple operative reports of patients with brain injuries, often caused by bike crashes. So many traumatic brain injuries could have been avoided if these people had worn a helmet. I'm curious now...how many of you wear a helmet, or require your kids to wear a helmet when riding a bike?

Catching Up

Is it September already?!?

Thanks to all who wished me well in my recovery of pneumonia. I'm doing much better, and I'm almost back to normal. Just don't mind me when I break out into spontaneous coughing fits.

I took two trips to California in August. I attended my twin nieces' first birthday party, spent some time on the beach in Ventura County, reconnected with friends, relaxed, spent time with family, and ate some really great food. No trip to California is complete without visiting some of my favorites...El Torito, Jack in the Box, La Tolteca, BJ's Pizzeria, Legends Diner, and smoothies from Juice it Up.

Taylor is FINALLY done with school. He successfully completed the algebra course that's kept him from his diploma for much too long. He's sent for his transcripts and applied for graduation from Utah Valley University's Global Aviation program. He won't be able to walk for commencement until spring, but he's very relieved to say he's done with school before his 30th birthday (which is in 3 weeks). To celebrate, he was able to bust open his new XBOX 360. We purchased it months ago on a killer sale, and he faithfully kept the box sealed until he passed his final. Next week he's going on a hiking trip to Yosemite with his cousins, a desire he's had for many years. And did I mention that he turns 30 this month?

Rosie started 3rd grade two weeks ago. She likes her new school and rides her bike almost every day. She turns 9 next week and is obsessed with her birthday. I don't think we'll do much of a party for her this year, but that hasn't kept her from obsessing about it for the last 8 months.

Overall, I'm doing better than I have for the past few months. I've struggled through a "major depressive episode" that has been an experience unlike I've ever had. I'm working with a great counselor and getting regulated on some meds. I'm still living life day to day, but I'm feeling more hope. I'm back into the job search, but it's been frustrating to see the lack of opportunities and low pay scale(especially in Utah County) I'm pretty sure I want to stick with administrative positions in healthcare...but I wouldn't mind a change either. I miss the security of earning a regular paycheck and helping provide for the family.

As odd as this may sound...I've been missing Michigan. I was unhappy for much of the time we lived there, but recently I've been thinking about the friends I made there and how beautiful it was last fall. There's been rumors about displacements within Taylor's company which might move him back to Detroit, or possibly Memphis. It would be a good thing because he's flown so few hours on reserve this year in Atlanta. If he's ever going to upgrade to captain...he needs to be flying a more intense schedule. We're sad that we're living apart, but there's a sense of stability I'm feeling in Spanish Fork that makes me wonder if we're supposed to stick around here for a while. It breaks my heart that Rosie's already on her 4th school in 3rd grade. Unfortunately, that means that Taylor and I will have to live apart for an undetermined amount of time. It's not preferable, but we're making it work.

Recent guilty pleasures: chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, Dooce, Hulu, melon Hi-Chew, Diet Dr. Pepper, and Connie and Carla. Oh, and I made the BEST batch of my banana bread ever this week. I want more...mmmmm!!

Spray Paint and Pneumonia

I.
AM.
SICK...
MISERABLE.

I am splayed out in bed, feverish, coughing, and my lungs are on FIRE. I'm dosed up on antibiotics and steroids.

It turns out that I have a pneumonia, but I was a little surprised.

Rosie and her new (older) friends found some cans of spray paint in the basement, and went to town with a large canvas. I smelled something strong, and I thought it was finger nail polish. I asked Rosie, and she lied and said it was. I turned on some fans and attempted to air out the house, but the smell wouldn't go away. The next morning, I had a sore throat and cough. The scent lingered all day. I glanced through the bathroom and Rosie's room, as the fumes were as strong as an open bottle of nail polish. I checked out the basement, and nothing looked out of the ordinary. A few hours later, I was having slight shortness of breath. I grabbed my inhaler and felt marginal relief. I took a nap, and then checked every room in the house. I saw a wet spot on a piece of cardboard, and sniffed it. It was the smell! Then I turned around and saw a big 5'x5' work of spray paint art.

That evening, my friend Esther came over to spend the night. We went to Provo for a couple of hours, and when we returned the scent wasn't quite as strong. We joked that we were getting high off the fumes, but I really didn't feel great. By morning, the cough had worsened. I decided to take it easy for the day, and hopefully feel good enough for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication at 3 pm. I was able to supress my cough enough to be in public, so we went to the stake center. I started to feel better. When we got home, the smell was lighter...like Sharpies. I was fine for a few hours, but then the cough came back with a venegeance. I was freaking Rosie out with my monster cough, and she begged me to go to InstaCare.

I arrived around 7:30 pm, and had my vitals checked. I had a fever of 101.2, and my pulse ox was 95 (slightly decreased, but still normal). I explained my symptoms to the doctor, had blood drawn and two chest x-rays. I started getting the chills, and my temperature increased to 103.3. The x-ray showed evidence of the first stages of pneumonia. The spray paint fumes obviously irritated my lungs, but it actually helped catch the pneumonia before it got worse. He said there has been an increase of cases in pneumonia in Utah County this month, and with my history of asthma and ARDS, he didn't want to risk things getting worse. He sent me off with prescriptions for Z-Pack and prednisone and urged me to get them filled right away. But since it was after 9 pm on a Sunday night, no pharmacies were open in Spanish Fork or Springville. I had to drive up to Provo for the closest 24 hour pharmacy.

This morning I feel worse, but the smell in the house has improved. I've been coughing so hard that the muscles in my chest and back hurt. I've got a fever for sure, but can't find a thermometer. I'm going to take it easy today, especially because my husband flies in tomorrow. I'd hate for the little time I get to spend with him to be watching me hack up a lung and lie in a fetal position.

Camarillo the Cali Camry

I'm really attached to my car.

Last week, Camarillo the Cali Camry (Or Cami for short) hit 150,000 miles. I felt that it would be an opportune time to give an ode to my dear vehicle. We met in 2007 in Orange County. I'd been a Honda Girl who went to the lot originally scoping out Accords. After an unimpressive test drive, I decided against purchasing a particular Accord, and decided to browse the lot a bit more. Tried a Jetta with a shimmy. Quickly played with the idea of a small SUV....and then I saw a pristine looking Camry. I quickly knew it was for me, it drove well and was exactly in our price range. We signed on the dotted line and drove her home to La Verne. I was a little nervous buying her so quickly, as I hadn't sold my other car yet, but things quickly worked out with the sale of the Fittle.

Her name, Camarillo, comes from a town in Ventura County, near where Taylor and I went on our honeymoon. When he was in his flight training, we took a day trip and flew out to Camarillo for dinner. It was such a fun experience to fly over southern California and point out the freeways and landmarks, and have the sun set behind us over the ocean on our way back.

Cami and I have traveled much of the country together. In our two years, we've driven through California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. She's worn license plates for California, Michigan, and Georgia (and possibly Utah soon.) She's driven through temperatures from -15 degrees to +115 degrees, through wind, rain, sleet, snow, hail, blinding frozen fog and scorching heat. She's seen gas prices from $1.43 to $4.80 per gallon. She forgives me when I don't wash her often enough. She's taken me to stores, churches, concerts, schools, parks, restaurants, family and friends' houses... as well as many, many trips to airports. She's been filled to the gills as we moved from California to Michigan, then to Georgia, then to Utah. She kept me comfortable and safe on my commutes to Montclair, Ann Arbor, and Emory. Her speakers have blasted my favorite music through them. We've spend a LOT of time together. Over 40,000 miles in 26 months.

Of course, she isn't without her quirks. When I purchased the car, I was only given a valet key, which means I can't open the trunk without popping the latch. The brake light on the dash has been wonky since the day I started driving it to Detroit. The cigarette lighter adapter has been broken for months. It has a rusty scar by the rear driver side wheel from when it was wounded in a Good Samaritan attempt. And last week the moulding on the passenger side started coming off. But I love her still.

Here's to another 150,000 miles!

Yes We Can!

Quest for the Peach Milkshake

(peaches are one of my favorite fruits, by the way)

Before I left Atlanta, Chick-Fil-A started offering peach milkshakes. I got one and was in love. I've wanted one ever since.

When I got to Spanish Fork, the Arctic Circle by the freeway had big banners for peach shakes. Upon each driveby, I was tempted. When I decided to finally indulge, Arctic Circle was out of peaches for the day. The next time we went back, Rosie begged me for slushes at Sonic across the street instead. A few days later I was in Sandy and decided to go to the location there....but it's now a Walgreens. The day after that, I went to the one in Murray...but it's now a Beto's. Two days ago, I went back to the location in Spanish Fork...only to find out that they stopped serving peach two days prior.

This goes along with my other luck I've had in the dessert department in Utah.

I'd been following a bakery in Provo called the Sweet Tooth Fairy on Twitter, and have wanted to try their delicious looking cupcakes. When Taylor visited last week and we were in Provo, I talked him into getting a treat. We pulled up to their store, only to find they were closed on Mondays. Haven't had a chance to go back yet.

I went to McDonalds to get a caramel sundae, only to find out they no longer have caramel sundaes available.

I went to 7-Eleven on Free Slurpee day, only to find that they were out of 7.11 oz cups and we'd have to pay for our slurpee. At least they had my favorite flavor - pina colada.

But all is not lost...I DID find a bakery I adore called Flour Girls and Dough Boys in American Fork. My new friend Angie and I met with our kids for dessert last week. I am hooked on their orange cupcake with pomegranate filling and buttercream icing. And their coconut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Yum.

(I've seriously had food on the brain for the last month)

Summer Eats

This summer I have been totally hooked on popcicles! I eat 1-3 of them a day. I can't get enough. I am partial to the Dreyer's Creamy Coconut bar...but the Meadow Gold root beer float bar is a close second!

When neighbors say, "I've got zucchini coming out my ears," I'm happy to take it off their hands.

I also love to eat fruit during the summer, but I haven't been able to find any blueberries as good as the ones I had in Michigan last year. Hollie was kind enough to make a "I WANT FRUIT!" salad for me this week and sent me home with two containers of the leftovers. Yum!


I've only been twice this month, but the Cafe Rio pork barbacoa salad calls my name everytime I see a restaurant. My sister Mary is working for Cafe Rio and hooked me up with a coupon for a free Tres Leches cake. Bueno!


I LOVE Gary's Original Caramel Corn balls, but Taylor gets mad when I even talk about buying them. Something having to do with TWO teeth requiring crowns from popcorn balls in the past. I did sneak one in on my roadtrip between Denver and Salt Lake City last month....but I eye them longingly everytime I see them at convenience stores.

La Semaine Dernière

Celebrating Mary's 19th Birthday with Melina and Mary at Boondocks!

For the last 3+ years, I've lived outside of Utah. When I left, California immediately felt like my home...even though I spent 12 years in Utah and have regularly visited in that time. Michigan certainly didn't feel like home, and I felt like I was still getting used to Georgia when I left (But who knows, I may be back there sooner than I know it) I'm still in denial about my parents no longer living in Murray, although I love their new home in Lehi. I never thought I'd be living in Utah County (no offense!), but here I am blogging from my new abode in Spanish Fark.

This week has been unlike any in recent memory. I rested. A lot. And it was much needed. And in between I had quite a bit of fun. The last month has been a whirlwind of change, effort, emotion, frustration, and difficult choices. Life as I knew it was either packed into my Camry or a 10'x10' storage unit in Georgia. (My husband spent a grueling week finishing all the packing, cleaning, and moving of heavy furniture while I had a respite from my cares. Bless him.)

Some of this week's highlights:

-My sister Mary turned 19. To celebrate, my brother Shawn treated me, Rosie, Mary, and her friend Melina to lunch at Olive Garden and a day pass to Boondocks. We had a blast playing arcade games, the XD theater, flight simulator, mini-golf, bumper boats, and go karts. Then on Sunday was the traditional Watson family birthday dinner...complete with the "memory circle" game.

-Rosie got to have a sleepover in Sandy with Lola (practically a cousin) for two nights. The first day I spent catching up with Jacob and Andi...next thing I knew it...it was midnight and I slept over too!

-I finally met Jenn from Texas (an online buddy I was introduced to through my husband) We've been talking for five years, and we got to bond over Cafe Rio pork barbacoa salads. Yum!

-The 4th of July was great fun! I went to the SLC Farmers Market at Pioneer Park with Jacob and Andi, followed by the Murray Park carnival. Next, Rosie and I met up with Esther for lunch at Rumbi Grill (another Utah restaurant I've missed) Then, I spent the evening as an honorary Bytheway (my best friend Emily's last name)...a delicious dinner in Murray, followed by a big family gathering at Grandma By's across the street from Sugarhouse Park for fireworks. I didn't get back to Spanish Fork until after 1:00 am. Whew!

All in all, I drove over 400 miles between Spanish Fork, Lehi, SLC, Provo, American Fork, Draper, Murray, and all those other cities along I-15. That definitely won't be the norm while I live here.There are still so many people I want to see, but it's nice to not have to cram all my visiting on an extended weekend non-revving. This week I really need to get cracking on "responsible" things like actually UNPACKING all the bags that are sitting on the floor of the bedroom. And looking for jobs. And spending quality time with my dear Rosie.

Me, Rosie, and Esther on July 4th

Made It!

After four solid days of packing, and three solid days of driving, I've made it to the beautiful Wasatch Front. We traveled over 1900 miles through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Utah. I'm feeling a bit road weary, so I'm glad to be stretched out on my parents' couch. There's still much to be figured out, but it's great to know I've got a lot of friends and family close by.

That's my report.

Deja Vu

The majority of the last few days have spent packing like a maniac. Yes, you heard that right packing. I'm moving again. And I was just there six short months ago, preparing to move from Michigan to Georgia. It's like deja vu...the same stress, the same mad box collecting, the same sorting, the same stuff..but this time it's without all the same excitement. A variety of circumstances have occurred over the past few months - healthwise, employmentwise, moneywise, etc - necessitating a new living arrangement. All our stuff is going into storage here, and we head out on the road with a car full of things this week.

Rosie and I are moving out to Utah for an undetermined amount of time. We have offers for a free place to stay, and will be living in a home in Spanish Fork. We'll also be spending a lot of time at my parents' house in Lehi. I'll be using this time to get my health back in check, spending time with family and friends, and figuring out the next step. I'll then be looking for work, both in Utah and Georgia. Hopefully an Atlanta job will pan out, and our family can be back together soon. Taylor will be moving into a crashpad with some other pilots, and he'll fly out to Utah whenever he can. We're so sad that our family will have to live apart for a time, but we've got to do it.

Thank you for all of your kind comments over the past few weeks. Your concern and prayers mean so much to me. I've been feeling down for quite a while, and I tend to withdraw when I'm struggling. I hope that things will be looking up for our family soon. And in the meantime, I have all my favorite things about Utah to look forward to.

CRYptic

My family will be going through some difficult changes in the upcoming weeks. To say that I'm feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. Plans seem to change daily, and I pray that the decisions being made will work out for the best. I know there are no easy answers. I know it will probably get worse before it gets better. I am grateful for a loving and supportive husband, a sweet and empathetic daughter, and all my other friends and family that have helped me through the past few weeks. I know I can get through this.

One of my favorite songs is "Why Georgia" by John Mayer. The lyric that always gets me is "I wonder sometimes about the outcome of a still verdictless life...am I living it right?"

Am I living it right?

Peeking In

Just peeking in to share a little inspiration for the day.

Simplify

I've recently come to the conclusion that my online life was taking up way too much of my time. Instead of doing important things around the house, I was reading blogs or chatting on Facebook. My energy level has taken a dip, and I just can't keep up with everything anymore. I have a lot of online friends that I love, and will miss the level of involvement I've previously had...but for now I need some time on the sidelines. I need to spend more time on my health...exercising my body instead of just typing. Sitting and enjoying meals instead of snacking at my laptop. Going to bed at a decent hour instead of chatting so late I had to prop my eyelids open. In one phrase: it's time to simplify.

Fret not if a week or two goes by without a post. It means I'm spending time with my family, or exercising, or getting the rest I need. I'm sure I'll eventually be back to blogging on a consistent basis.

As Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band say:

Well I say what the hey
I got bills to pay
I work all day I got no time to play
And once more knockin' on my door is a tax collector
And I'm going see,
There's too many bills
Too many pills
To many features and too many frills
No money
Too many things to buy
Too many ways to split the pie,

I got to simplify

I got to smell the flowers
Enjoy the ride
I got open up my eyes
And see what's outside
All the things I miss each day
'Cause I'm drivin in the fast lane
And it's makin' me insane
And I don't wanna be that way
I wanna be free today
From the responsibilities it brings

Excess distress
I got to enjoy more
And stress less
Simplify

I got to simplify
I got to simplify
My life I say simplify
I got to simplify

Well that's great, I'm late
'Cause I'm always in a hurry for a meeting in the state of confusion
A delusion
An illusion
I'm takin' much too far
I'm always livin in the future or the past
Time flies to fast
I got to make it last
So enjoy it
Relax, chill out
Just give it a try

I say simplify
I got to simplify
My life I say simplify
I got to got to got to
Simplify

(PS I still plan to post about the ATL PWC meetup, I just haven't had a chance yet)