Are we groomed to be leaders?

Check out these articles in popular journals that reveal why so many 'Mormons' become business and government leaders. It is pretty interesting. Thought it was written well and overall-great exposure for the church-since we are all about PR these days.

http://www.businessinsider.com/mormon-business-leaders-2011-7

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_25/b4233058977933.htm

I love you, Pa

I have been addicted to the tv show adaptation of Little House on the Prairie for probably a year now. My dear sister, Amy gave me a tremendous gift last year-the first 6 seasons of the show-and my life has not been the same since. I have loved watching the Ingalls family (and many other Walnut Grove regulars) grow and face both difficulties and blessings at every turn-and most of all, I have enjoyed watching Michael Landon's touching portrayal of the real life Charles Ingalls. (kind of looks like the uni-bomber, I know) Pa is hard-working, honest, true, good, tough, funny, sensitive, talented, faithful, courageous and handsome to boot!

Thank you Pa for teaching me so many useful things-namely: how to plow a field, how to catch a fish, to always pay 'cash on the barrel' for things, how to find many lost children in wilderness areas like forests and mines, dry someone out from both alcohol and meth and many more lessons. I also am lucky enough to have my own dear Pa, who is not one whit behind Charles Ingalls in every way. I love getting to work with Dad every day. I get to witness the personal and professional struggles and triumphs of owning your own business in a first hand way. He teaches me to be patient, faithful, kind, forgiving and meek. He has taught me so much about business, law, marketing and management. I am so lucky to have him for a super boss and an even better dad. I love you Pa's!

This is Dad at Dry Canyon explaining how the sawmill was set up

Just thought this was a handsome picture of both men. Stole it from Laura's blog!

Gag me with a pitchfork!

Have you ever seen Food, Inc.? I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago and was thoroughly horrified at the conditions of the animals that we rely on for food. This documentary is shocking and motivating to find out where our food comes from, how the animals are treated and to take an active part in voting with our dollars about what changes we want to occur in the food industry. You will feel both disgusted and smarter after you watch. And we'll have something more to talk about!

Click here to watch the film. Part 2 and subsequent parts should auto pop up after you finish the first segment.

"You can solve all the world's problems in a garden." Geoff Lawton

Do you remember my 'Obsessions-I Have Many' post from a while back? Well, I have a new obsession. As of the last six months or so, I am obsessed with learning about how to become more self reliant-It really started when I was little-maybe seven- and tried to grow my own garden in the 'river system' (for those not original members of the Michaelson clan-this was a dirt patch at the Reno house that got the name river system because we created little rivers and ponds using our hose and played with our GI Joes all the day long there). Anyway, I would regularly save up my quarters and dimes and trade them in for seeds at the store. I talked many times with my Uncle Jim who had a beautiful thriving vegetable garden in Alpine about how to grow things. I would plant the seeds in egg cartons and watch the little seedlings shoot up. Once they were big enough, I would transplant these seeds to the river system. I remember feeling such satisfaction at watching something grow from such a tiny seed. And although my garden never amounted to much, it taught me a few things:

1. Gardening gives me peace

2. It IS possible to grow vegetables in Vegas

3. Anything worth while takes time and needs to be nourished in order to grow-and many other things.

This remembrance and my new obsession with being self reliant has galvanized me into creating another garden here in dry, hot Las Vegas. Morgan found a little vacant patch of ground, about 450 square feet that he received permission from the owner to use for a garden. And so the process of staring seeds indoors in small containers has started all over again. I anticipate with my previous resume of gardening experience, his fourth generation farming genes and a little book learnin' that we've been doing, that we will be able to eat vegetables from our garden in the next three months. Stay tuned for updates on our gorilla gardening effort.

What new obsessions do you have?

Shameless Promotion For M&A

Hey all you blog readers! I've been on blog-sabbatical for the last year. But I think I am ready to join the blogging world again. (I'm sure you've missed my witty anecdotes) I have some great things that I have been doing and studying, and been inspired by that I want to share with anyone who cares to read my blog. So get ready for some cool posts.

First thing that I want to talk about is work. Did you know I was recently promoted? I am now Michaelson & Associates' Development Coordinator. This basically means that I am focusing less

on office management/administrative issues and more on development and marketing for our firm. One of the first things I have done as our DC is to

create a blog for our firm. The purpose of the blog is to promote M&A to prospective clients, active clients and referral sources by providing useful legal tid-bits, anno

uncements about workshops and services, spotlighting some of our best resources and whatever other fun and useful things I can throw on there! I hope you will stop by our blog frequently to see what we're up to at M&A and maybe consider being a "follower" as I understand that helps to establish your "presence on the web". The address for those of you who didn't click on the link above is legalcentsandsensibility.blogspot.com Thank you for allowing me some shameless promotion for M&A! Keep checking here-I'm going to blow your minds with cool stuff.

Reading is Fun

I would not typically classify myself as a great reader like many of my friends/family who commonly ready 3-4 books a month. I've always known that I like to read, but I'm not passionate about it. I'm passionate about Movies. Painting. Eating. Horseback riding. TV Shows. Hiking. I would start a movie club LONG before I would start a book club. Anyway, I'm starting a metamorphasis to becoming a great reader-or at least a reader. I have read, count them nearly 5 books in the last month! Well, I haven't finished five. I've finished three and am in the middle of two. But, wow, I think that's a record for me. Here are the books I have read/am reading and LOVING. I would love to discuss any of these at any time with you.

The Hunger Games Trilogy-FANTASTIC. Thrilling. Well written. Unique, thought provoking political/social themes that are applicable to world today. Romantic. I heart Peeta Mellark. I know, it's a horrible name.

Jane Eyre-SLOW MOVING. Although I think she is a brilliant writer, she is a bit like James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote Last of the Mohicans. It is VERY slow. Very detail oriented. So much so that it's often cumbersome to read. After 1.5 years of bathtime reading, I am finally getting to the part where she goes to work as a governess. I'm hoping it will speed up now.

Eragon-EXCITING. Author really knows how to transport you into another world. I love the connection between Eragon and Saphira his dragon. I love seeing the progression of Eragon from boy to warrior. You really want him to succeed and are all the way on his side. Can't wait to finish and keep reading the series.

Imagine Dragons

I am going to introduce you to a new band that I am in love with. It's been in my cd player non-stop for about three weeks. About a month and a half ago, my friend Dianna told me about a show at the Hard Rock Cafe. There were about four bands there and ID was not the headlining band. However, I thought they were the best performers and had amazing songs. They are catchy enough to be mainstream, but have lots of funky keyboards and synthesizers that make them unique. Their sound is the Killers meets Coldplay, meets...can't think of someone w/ keyboards like them. Help me out...Anyway, they are a local band and some of the members, including lead singer are in Dianna's ward. Love to see lds people succeed in our community.

http://www.myspace.com/imaginedragons

GO TO THEIR MYSPACE TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR SONGS

**I recommend watching the America music video. Thought it was really cool.

No Time

Sorry, haven't made time to do a proper post, but I wanted to put up some recent pics from my life and especially say thank you to the Dryden clan for making my stay utterly delightful! (remember these are very random, and in random order)

Twist, my horse, not a great pic of him, he is actually quite muscular and gorgeous

Lucky, their calf w/ a broken leg, so cute!

Ok, here are the pics from Phili-I LOVED all of the old doors there-yes I am wearing stretchy pants too. Laura told me it was ok to show off my assets, b/c "you're not in the land of skinny any more"

Valley Forge, This (and the Drydens) is what made me want to immediately pack my bags and move to Phili

So peaceful

Fashion Show, courtesy of the younger Drydens, check out the book title and lip ring :)

Thomas ?? (thought he looked like a Taliban hostage)

The girls recital

Just about the cutest thing I've ever seen

Accidentally took the bridge to Jersey-we came back w/ Jersey accents

Me and Faith in front of Christ's Church

Scarlett Alley-so fitting for our Ms. Scarlett

AND, Sassafrass Market, we had to stop for a photo opp

Got a cheesesteak from the cheesesteak Nazi-I hesitated when I had to pay and I swear he almost sent me to the back of the line

Thomas' baseball game

Buggy ride in Amish country

Beautiful Laura

Took a tour of a historic mansion and their English gardens

Ok, back to random-I helped Gracie get ready for her first formal dance-doesn't she look beautiful?!

Anyway, thanks for looking. I'll post somethin good soon!

Look What I Have

I finally got one! After months and months of plotting and planning and finally just deciding that didn't have the man power and couldn't afford the materials, my friends and I decided to use the extra pavers on my retaining wall to make one. And so a fire pit was built in about five minutes. I have had two successful bon-fires in it since then. Yay!

I'm Turning Into A Hippie (more music recommendations)

A long time ago, Heather and I were driving around in her car listening to someone I had never heard of-Simon & Garfunkel. They were everything I didn't like-they were too mellow, too 70's, too hippie for me. But, slowly, Heather's persistence paid off. She introduced me to such classics as, The Sounds of Silence, Kathy's Song and Mrs. Robinson. I started to realize that I like those songs-and not just like them. In fact, I LOVE them. Their soft clear voices, beautiful lyrics and general positivity really resonate with me. I have expanded my love of hippie music to John Denver, Elton John, CCR, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, The Carpenters & Peter, Paul and Mary. So, color me hippie, I guess. Enrich your life, bring back memories (for some of you who are mature enough to remember) and have a listen at these classics:

The Wedding Song, Peter Paul and Mary (I know, he kind of looks like a terrorist in this video, just go with it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKdUpgI-8Kk

Never Going Back Again, Fleetwood Mac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzqik8wUqbY

Kathy's Song, Simon & Garfunkel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q60YKfPKdjQ

Country Roads, John Denver (really pretty video too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k49paH8plfY

Songs Called Gravity

So, I have a couple song recommendations for anyone who cares to read this. They are both called Gravity. One by John Mayer (yes, I know he's turned out to be a creep in real life, but I can't help but love his music-it really speaks to my soul) and the other by Sara Bareilles. Two totally different topics, but are respectively A-MAZING. Have a listen:

Gravity, John Mayer

I can be having a horrible day- one of those days where you can literally feel your blood pressure rising, and all I gotta do is put this ditty on and I MELT. ps, I know this is a stupid video, but the only link I could find to the studio version of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VBex8zbDRs

Gravity, Sara Bareilles

I think the words to this are so beautiful and haunting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mULa8WxTa4&feature=fvst

Obsessions-I have many

Ok, do you ever see or hear about something, think it's cool or fascinating or even just hard to look away from, like a car wreck, and start obsessing over it? A little ashamedly, I admit that I do. Here are some of my latest obsessions:

1. Fire Pits:

The last few months, I have really been on a mission to clean up my yard and make some nice changes which will allow me to actually use that space instead of letting my dogs have the run of it. The major addition I would like to add is a Fire Pit. It sounds so nice to have a seating area surrounding a cozy fire pit where we can roast hot-dogs or marshmellows and talk and have fun. I have spent hours researching what kind of fire pit I would like, what shape, material, cost, location, time to build and the list goes on. I have watched DIY You Tube videos on how to build them myself, found out how to mix mortar, I have contacted stone salesman a-plenty here in vegas. And for all of my hours of research, guess what I still don't have in my backyard...

2. Heidi Montag:

Ok, I really am embarrassed about this one. But, it seriously is like a car wreck for me. In case you are out of the loop, Heidi Montag is only famous because she was (maybe still is??) on an MTV reality show called the Hills about a group of extremely superficial Cali girls starting their adult lives/careers. She was a very naturally thin, 23 yr old beautiful blonde originally from Colorado (don't ask me how I know that) who recently underwent 10, count them TEN plastic surgeries in one day. I've included before and after pictures for your reference. It's something I seriously have a hard time passing by if I see her in a magazine or a recent interview with her. I just don't know why she did that!

before

and after

3. Shipping Container Homes:

Have you ever heard of 'em? Well, a few years ago, I saw a blurb about them on some HGTV show about unusual homes. A few months ago, I saw an article on MSN about them and it reignited my interest in them. Here is a link to a video about them. They are easily assembled, cheap and sturdy. Just think they are plain cool. Would love to live in one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65C9OLvmjpI&feature=player_embedded

4. Birth Videos:

I know this is another weird one. I went through a phase the last few weeks where I seriously watched probably 20 birth videos. I think it all sprang from watching Jim and Pam's (from the Office, come on people, get with it) birth episode. I suddenly had the realization that I'm an adult woman and this is something that I really hope to go through some day and that I had never actually seen one...probably still weird. But, I have been throuroughly traumatized.

(I will spare sending you the links that I watched)

So, what are your quirky/embarrassing obsessions?

A Nod to Violent Passion

Ok, I watched two movies this weekend which contained "violent passion" between the lovers-Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Wuthering Heights. WOW. I was kind of taken off guard by how passionately these lovers worshipped their mates. (especially Wuthering Heights) I mean, they literally worshipped eachother. And although I was horrified when (**spoiler) Heathcliff dug Cathy's corpse up 20 years later to (presumably) hold her and look at her face, I was also touched by his loyalty and devotion to her. And when (**spoiler) Tess kills Alec to show Angel that she has only ever truly loved him and belonged to him. Here are some great quotes from the books:

"My life looks as if it had been wasted for want of chances! When I see what you know, what you have read, and seen, and thought, I feel what a nothing I am!" - Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urberville, Chapter 19

"I can't bear to let anybody have him but me! Yet it is wrong Tess him, and may kill him when he knows!" - Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urberville, Chapter 28

"O why have you treated me so monstrously, Angel ! I do not deserve it. I have thought it all over carefully, and I can never, never forgive you! You know that I did not intend to wrong you - why have you so wronged me? You are cruel, cruel indeed! I will try to forget you. It is all injustice I have received at your hands!" - Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urberville, Chapter 51

"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it."- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 9

"Kiss me again, but don't let me see your eyes! I forgive what you have done to me. I love my murderer--but yours! How can I?"- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 15

"'And I pray one prayer--I repeat it till my tongue stiffens--Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living; you said I killed you--haunt me, then! The murdered DO haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts HAVE wandered on earth. Be with me always--take any form--drive me mad! only DO not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I CANNOT live without my life! I CANNOT live without my soul!'"- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 16

So, I guess what I'm saying (and I guess I'm mostly talking about W.H. since Angel's love for Tess wasn't always "unwavering"), I like is their unwavering love for eachother. Their zeal for eachother. Their fire. Their loyalty. So, can I please find a little violent passion, minus the crazy obssessivness and actual physical violence??

Beachy Music

Ok, I have found a new love. No, it's not another man. In fact, it's a woman and her name is Colbie Caillat.

I know, I'm catching the Colbie wave a little late, but now that I'm on it, I am loving every minute of listening to her songs. I know this is going to sound corny, but I have seriously been moved by several of her songs to profound realizations about my life that have either caused me to take some action or to think differently about myself/my life. In addition to profoundly moving me, I love listening to her because her songs are really upbeat, positive and relaxing. She has a similar quality to her voice as Jack Johnson and in fact, he is one of her inspirations. So, here are the lyrics to some songs that I really enjoy of hers. ps, make sure to watch the second video-it's hilarious and you'll see just how cute she is.

It Stops Today

Listen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGI9lMfDi4c

No, no, I, I, I, I, I don't want to break when I speak
I don't want to shake while I'm standing
I don't want to crawl into another hole
I don't know what I'm hiding for
No, I, I, I, I, I don't want to fall when I stand
I don't want to have to hold your hand
I just want to be the girl I use to be when I was me and worry free
I know these burnings on my own

[Chorus:]
But I can't keep on running
No I just can't keep on running away from here
I know that the only way to be is to fight my every fear
I'm not going to make it 'til I turn around and face it alone, I know
I can't just keep running, no I just can't keep on running away
So it stop today

So here I am, I'm taking my first step
Thought I was losing balance but I caught myself
I kind of like the challenge, no I don't need help
I'm going to make it past the very start
It's always been my hardest part

But I, I, I, I, I'm going to stay in control
I must admit this crutch is getting old
I am going to throw it out of my hand
I'm finally here, I understand
I know I'll get there on my own

It Stops Today

[Chorus:]
So I can't keep on running
No I just can't keep on running away from here
I know that the only way to be is fighting my every fear
I'm not going to make it 'til I turn around and face it alone, I know
That I can't keep running, no I just can't keep on running away
So it stop today

[Bridge:]
You can hide from all the pain
But it will find you anyway
Yes, I know, now I know

[Chorus:]
That I can't keep on running
No I jus't can't keep on running away from here
I know that the only way to be is fighting my every fear
I'm not going to make it til I turn around and face it alone, I know
That I can't just keep running, no I just can't keep on running away
So it stop today

Fallin' For You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV698lujkic

I don't know but I think I maybeFallin' for you

Dropping so quickly

Maybe I should Keep this to myself

Waiting 'til I Know you better

I am trying Not to tell you

But I want to

I'm scared of what you'll say

So I'm hiding what I'm feeling

But I'm tired of Holding this inside my head

I've been spending all my time Just thinking about ya

I don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I've been waiting all my life

And now I found ya I don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I'm fallin' for you

As I'm standing here

And you hold my hand

Pull me towards you

And we start to dance

All around us I see nobody

Here in silence It's just you and me

I'm trying Not to tell you

But I want to

I'm scared of what you'll say

So I'm hiding what I'm feeling

But I'm tired of Holding this inside my head

I've been spending all my time

Just thinking about ya

I don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I've been waiting all my life And now I found ya

I don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I'm fallin' for you

Oh I just can't take it

My heart is racing

The emotions keep spinning out

I've been spending all my time

Just thinking about yaI don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I've been waiting all my life

And now I found ya

I don't know what to do

I think I'm fallin' for you

I'm fallin' for you

I can't stop thinking about it

I want you all around me

And now I just can't hide it

I think I'm fallin' for you [x2]

I'm fallin' for you

OoohhhOh no noOooooohhh

Oh I'm fallin' for you

Anyway, hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I do.

Run for your life

So, I have to brag a little here. (If you have already heard about this, please exercise patience-I know, I know, you've probably heard about it MORE than once too) Anyway, I have started jogging. Now, if you know me well at all, you will know that exercise has not been a part of my daily regimine for......well, ever-ok? there you made me say it. I have NEVER exercised regularly. But, about a month ago, I tried, just for the heck of it to jog around my block (which is just over .5 miles) Guess what, I could NOT jog the whole way around w/out stopping. And when I got back to the house, I nearly vommited. And really did vommit after a subsequent run. Well, this started me thinking about the health of my heart and lungs who would start to burn merely at the thought of running-I would wheez, caugh, sputter, gag, shake and feel light headed after .5 miles. So, I said to myself, "self, this is RIDICULOUS. You are a young, active, healthy 25 year old woman. You are at your prime-and THIS is all you can do? Man UP!" So, I am starting out small (1-1.5 miles/night). I know it's not much. My goal is to build up to where I can run at least 5 miles w/out stopping. But for now, I am pleased as punch with my steady progress in the ease of being able to run that one mile. I imagine the fat around my heart melting away as I jog. I have been very dilligent to run it EVERY night. And now, it's becoming a little ritual for me. An emotional release, where I can either talk to myself, sing, think or NOT think. I love it. I am feeling more balanced and confident in myself. I can do hard things. I just keep telling myself that. What do you guys do that you are proud of in your life that makes you feel like you can do hard things?