Showing posts with label DOMINATION. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DOMINATION. Show all posts

January 8, 2014

8 Virtues for a Dominant Life

Look at this article!!

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/01/the-best-time-to-plant-a-tree?cid=HPWE010114311&im=true&lang=eng

It's perfect for the New Year, for resolutions to be better and it's just an overall feel good message!  One of my favorite quotes is:
"Even though we might fall short of our finish line, 
just continuing the journey will make us greater than we were before."

Aahh so great :]

Normally I would set aside a list of goals that I'd like to accomplish this year, but when I reflected on my poor success rate in the past and the fact I was having a hard time coming up with goals (other than play bingo at a retirement home), I decided to take a different approach this year.  Going along with my theme for 2014, I have come up with 8 virtues that I want to live by this year.  I am copying Benjamin Franklin a bit, but instead of keeping them for life, I'm going to work on them for a year and then make adjustments. [If you're interested, this guy gives a good explanation of Benji's 13 virtues] 

Hailey's 8 Virtues for a Dominant Life: 

  1. Perspective - To avoid getting caught up in the irrational and unimportant by remembering to refocus on the bigger picture.
  2. Humor - Live, Laugh, Love. Find the good in the world. 
  3. Curiosity - Always progress, find new passions and continue learning. 
  4. Sincerity - 100% in everything I say and do.
  5. Honesty - To be realistic with myself and honest in my intentions. Separate between wants and needs.
  6. Confidence - Unwavering belief in myself, others and God
  7. Service - To focus on the needs of others and to ACT. 
  8. Tenacity - To be strong spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally
I'm really excited to give this a try. I have a feeling this year is going to bring a lot of changes and I want one of those to be that I have changed into an outstanding human being.  

"You don't need to wait for permission to become the person you were designed to be."
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

November 6, 2013

#lawyerjokes

I received this email from a client who thought I might enjoy it.  Aaaahhh she knows me far too well. [Heads up, it's a little long, but soooo worth it!]

Part of rebuilding New Orleans caused residents often to be challenged with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundredsof years. With a community rich with history stretching back over twocenturies, houses have been passed along through generations of family,sometimes making it quite difficult to establish ownership.Here's a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA on behalf of a client:
A New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply: 
(Actual reply from FHA): 
"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan application, we note the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the ablemanner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin."
 
Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows:
(Actual response):
"Your letter regarding title in Case No.189156 has been received. I note you wish to have title extended further than the 206 years covered by the present application. I was unaware any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know Louisiana was purchased by the United States from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France , which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. 
The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Queen Isabella. The good Queen Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus 's expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ,the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. 
Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume God also made the part of the world called Louisiana. God; therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it, and the FHA. I hope you find God's original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?"  The loan was immediately approved.
Boom. Roasted. Gotta love lawyer humor combined with stupid oversight.

October 18, 2013

Random Musings

I was going through my old draft blog posts and feeling grateful I didn't press publish on a lot of them.  Mostly they were heat of the moment posts which in these instances, were better left unsaid.  I had a rant on my pet peeve of mean and nasty comments on the Internet (still a pet peeve), a post titled "Look who's legit!" with nothing written..... and a list of things I would never buy at a yard sale (including but not limited to: a hot tub, used socks, deodorant and hats).  Like I said, good thing they were left as drafts. :]

Since I rarely post anymore, I wanted to do a weekly domination update, so here it goes!

  •  Karlie had her babies!!  Two adorable baby girls that have stolen my heart. I feel such an overwhelming love for them.  I feel like I'm their Auntie and I plan to brain wash them to believe that!  It is so strange but ultimately so awesome to watch the first one of the group have babies.  My little friend is all grown up!  I couldn't be more excited for their little family and I'm glad I can watch the twins grow up for a little while before Kar & Jake leave for med school. 
  • I have..... an online shopping addiction.  Most people have their little guilty pleasures or addictions (Diet Coke, Hershey Kisses, real-life kisses, crafting, thrifting, sleeping, Parks & Recreation, etc) and mine just happens to be online shopping. I'm so lucky to have found my addiction so early on in life! ;) I LOVE Jane.com right now, I get so many awesome things on there for such good prices! 
  • I got a record in bowling recently! A whopping 76.  You read that right, 76.  I know... believe me, I know what you're thinking.  I am ashamed.  To make myself feel better I played Wii bowling the next night and got a 171.
  • I went out on a limb and got new glasses.
  • We've been rock climbing like crazy which means I'm getting muscles in places I didn't expect and that I get to see this handsome man and his awesome parents every week! 
  • We went to the chalk festival which blew my mind!  These people are sooo talented!  I think it would be awesome to enter one year just to do it, I LOVE chalk. 


  • I have made it my mission to introduce everyone to Waffle Love.  Hands down the best waffles I've EVER eaten.  They hooked me in and now I'm a stalker of their traveling waffle truck. 
  • I started sewing my quilt and it is coming along sooooo great! It's been a lot of work, but I love doing it.  I think quilts might be my "thing" because they are usually just sewing straight lines, fairly easy and so stinkin' cute!  Pictures to come.... can't ruin the surprise! 
  • I found "my spot."  Okay there are actually two of them, but one is for sitting and taking in how beautiful this wonderful State is and the other is a tucked away trail I found close to my house. I've always wanted a "spot" and now I've found two!  The other one I didn't get pictures of, but I will eventually! 




















  • PK has his farewell on Sunday and then leaves for London a week and a half after that.  I don't want him to go...we just got Jordan back!  I'm really going to miss that guy, but I'm so excited for him because I know he's going to dominate. 
  • We had family pictures last weekend and they turned out soooo good! Man I love family. 
  • I ride the train to and from work as often as I can.  I LOVE it.  It is not financially feasible, nor does it take less time than driving (it's actually more of a pain to get places outside of the station), but I feel so relaxed and wonderful when I ride the train.  All these years driving quite a distance to work I've developed a small case of road rage and I end up at work feeling frazzled. When I ride the train I get to work refreshed, happy to be around people and ready to get the day started.  I HIGHLY recommend it. 
Well, that's all for now, see you in another 4 months when I blog again! ;) 
Life is good.

July 31, 2013

Upgrade

This week I went from sleeping on this....


tooooooo.......... this!

queen domination.
Shout out to #mattressfirm for letting me take a nap on each of your beds, giving me a great deal, delivering this massive thing and for leaving free thank you mints!


If you're looking for a mattress, go to the Mattress Firm! They were really helpful and they even donate to make a wish foundation!  They are a few hundred dollars off of sponsoring their own kid!

Next up I need to take pictures of the completed bed set up.  I've just gotta find one more pillow and I'm done!!  This whole decorating part is way more fun than the unpacking and moving part!

P.S. I can't even say that sleeping on that air mattress was terrible, because boy have air mattresses come a long way! This air mattress was 400 million times better than the actual bed I was sleeping in at my last apartment.  Plus it has a built in pump! Air Mattress Domination.

P.P.S.
Via

June 14, 2013

Bloody Jack


My dad has been trying to convince me to listen to the Bloody Jack audio book for years now and I finally caved.  I'm not entirely sure why I wasn't excited to read it from the start, but now that I've started it I am hooked!  Now that I'm hooked, I'd like to put the pressure on ANYONE who enjoys good things in life.... go read this book!   The Bloody Jack series just may have snuck its way into my #1 spot.   Oh yeah, it's that good. 

Bloody Jack is a pirate adventure series unlike anything I've ever read.  The back of the book reads:


This description doesn't do the story justice, but it is a start.  Jacky Faber is a ridiculous but extremely charming character.  She has a lot of spunk and is always getting herself in and out of trouble.  I also love that it is based in the 18th century because this time period has always fascinated me.  L.A. Meyer is a phenomenal writer and I can't wait to start the third book.  I'm trying to be really vague because nothing I say will prepare you for the greatness that envelops each page of this book.  I feel like I am gushing everywhere about this book but I can't help it.  When something is this good I have to share it!

Side note: Listening to it as an audio book makes 
it 400 million times better!  The lady who narrates 
this book is beyond fantastic and very entertaining.  
I couldn't wait to drive ANYWHERE just 
so I could listen to this book.

So, put this at the top of your summer reading list and be prepared to be sucked in.  Bloody Jack = Domination.  Happy reading!

May 31, 2013

Home Sweet Home

Wellllllllllll the secret is out.  I'm not very good at keeping exciting secrets anyways. Friends, you've been warned  I have a new nickname around my family, "Hailey Homeowner."  BOOYAH!!!!

Taken with my embarrassingly organized binder of documents for closing.
They hadn't seen something like this in over 30 years.
All thanks to my mom for giving me the obsessively organized gene :)
Once upon a new years resolution, I made a list of things I hoped to accomplish in the year 2013.  This month I put a big check mark next to #5: Buy my own place.   :]  That's right, I signed my life away for the next 30 years for the most adorable little condo and I could NOT be more happy about it.  I was worried about the forewarned "buyer's remorse" but so far I have had none of that.  I was able to walk away with a steal of a deal, thanks to Sean at Summit Realty and Maralee at 1st Home Mortgage.  These people were so great to me and so helpful!  This lovely pad o' mine has given me purpose, something to work on, take care of and progress with.

To celebrate this awesome milestone in my life I held a proper ribbon cutting ceremony with some of my besties for the first time I entered my Home Sweet Home as its owner. That's what normal people do right....?   It was pretty much the greatest welcome home I've ever received and I couldn't have done it without my friends! (Shoutout to you Kar, Jake, Kay and Joe - Anisa and Bronzson were there via video recording and were missed terribly)




First project: PAINTING.  My mom and I are taking on the massive job to paint the whole place and we just finished with the baseboards.  I'm excited about some killer before and after pictures but until then my evenings have been consumed by taping off baseboards, ceilings, doors, outlets, myself, carpet, people and anything else that needs a good covering.  I'm so lucky to have such a fantastic mom who is an expert in this area and willing to help me out.  We make a pretty good team, she and I.  (Is that grammatically correct?)


See, having a house is teaching me relationship lessons! Bonus! haha


I am HAPPY.  Life is GOOD.  I love EVERYONE I've been able to surround myself with lately.... and I love SUMMER.  Times like these make me look back and be grateful for all I've had to go through to get to this point.  So why not be happy for where I'm at now and what is ahead?!

P.S. Isn't it pretty awesome that this quote session began and ended with the Hinckleys?  They are so great!

February 28, 2013

Happy Bird-day

Oh hey what's up the 28th of February?!  Today is a special day to celebrate the birth of my lovely mom! She's been dominating this world for (censored) years and is still just as awesome as always!

I'm grateful for my mom.  I'm grateful for the time I spent at home so I could develop a sweet relationship with her and the rest of my family. She cares about people, she especially cares about family and has really got this whole life priorities thing figured out.  She's got spunk and can certainly hold her own.  She's got great style and knows how to find a quality bargain.  There are so many things I'm starting to see in myself that I've gotten from her which is definitely to my benefit.

I love you so much mom.  Thanks for everything, happy birthday and here's to many more birthdays!

January 31, 2013

What a week....


I'm taking a break from the massive tornado of a day to blog about the things I'm grateful for.  In my head I initially thought, with all this craziness WHAT IS there to be grateful for?! (I didn't know which word I was supposed to emphasize so I emphasized both...)   However I know, deep down, that there are more than enough things to be grateful for, even during a week like this one.
  • My job - especially during a time when some people around me surprisingly didn't have one anymore
  • My co-workers - I couldn't have created better people to work with
  • My realizations of my frustrations - It's one thing to be frustrated, but it's another to be able to realize you're frustrated and that you're being slightly ridiculous.  (whether or not that realization causes me to stop being ridiculous is my next step in my human development )
  • My voice - My ranting, raving, complaining, moaning, pouting would be a lot different if I were to be using sign language to express myself.  (No disrespect, I've observed some heated conversations between two people signing) 
  • Eye smiles - the smiles that you can see in someone's eyes.  I can always tell if someone is genuinely smiling if it reaches their eyes.  Those smiles, are good smiles. (Also I may have practiced in front of a mirror once to see if I could make eye smiles.  It was hard.)
  • Visits from friends that live abroad - Yes, Idaho definitely counts as abroad.  So glad I got to hang out with you guys at the Nickel Mania and happy to just chill with all my besties! 
  • Organization - that refreshing feeling when you've torn everything apart and now it's all put back nice and neat and pretty. :)
  • Being one of the two offers considered on a sweet pad! Fingers still crossed....
  • Finally bowling a decent game and having awesome friends to bowl with. 
  • Carpool lane on I-15
  • Quotes like this one:

January 22, 2013

Rounding up the gang once more

Guess what's going down tonight?!
Yup, that's right, we're braving another season of bowling league :)  Am I excited?  Acca-believe it! I've been practicing all weekend so I'm hoping I won't embarrass myself tonight. Plus, they now have CHAMPION t-shirts and what's cooler than a bowling league champion t-shirt.... alright probably a lot of things haha. It's been a few years since I've been in a bowling league so we'll have to see if I've still got what it takes to hold the name DOMINATION.

Let's hope yesterday's game wasn't just a fluke...
Blind date wanted to go bowling.....little did he know....

January 18, 2013

Woops

So today is Friday.... and yesterday was Thursday.... which means I missed my Weekly Domination post because I was too lazy to do anything.... fail. I'm already re-thinking my frail commitment of doing this post every week, but I'll give it another go for now.

So without further ado... Here's a list of a few awesome things that dominated my week!

  • Mom & Me time on Saturday
    • I love my mom. :)  Plus I bought myself my first infinity scarf!!
  • Holli and I researching my new singles ward.  
    • Conclusion: sexy men, they don't discriminate against us "old folk," really friendly and welcoming, great vibe and fantastic bishopric! Score!
  • Jazz v. Heat game with a super cool date! 
  • Finally met baby Jensen!
    • Katie and Dave sure do know how to make one cute kid
  • Bailed on my soccer game so that I could go out to eat with my parentals and PK.  
    • Worth it! 
  • Had a minor breakdown about my living situation/options. 
    • Thank heavens I have the smartest parents on the planet.  My dad listened to me and helped me think logically about the situation.  My mom pegged me real good.  She observed that I was stressing out just like I am now when I was trying to decide if I wanted to go back to school or not. I tend to get caught up in what the 'smart' or 'right' thing to do is, but those things are what everyone else thinks or says is the 'smart' or the 'right' thing to do.  I'm wired a little differently, and I know when I'm not ready for something.  Unfortunately I try to fight it and convince myself to follow what is 'smart' and 'right' and it ends up stressing me out of my mind.  Thankfully I have great friends and family to help me wallow in my indecisiveness.  I'm not ready yet, but one day I will be, and I'm finally content with that. :)
Looking forward to this weekend and next week, but also learning to be happy where I'm at (sitting in my office and happily working).  

P.S. I did research the saying "without further ado" just to make sure I was saying it right.  Look at this golden nugget I found: 

Now you know! 

January 10, 2013

What a week! Wasn't it a good one? And to have this awesome snow fall tonight.... love it. :)
A few things that Dominated this week which I'm grateful for are:
  • Wool socks
  • Modern Family
  • Terrible first dates
  • Finally being able to cut all ties
  • Random ward hopping with Holli
  • Starting up some soccer leagues
  • Signing up for Spanish class
  • New music for free!
  • At least one windshield wiper working
Any big weekend plans anyone? I'm going to get my face microdermabrasion-ed, go shopping with my mom and go support my friend tying the knot!

January 5, 2013

Oh hey there 2013!

I am loving all the New Years resolution blog posts.  Can I hop on the bandwagon??  I love that everyone is feeling motivated, reflective and excited about all the possibilities this year could have for each of us.  For me, this year is going to be the bomb.com.  I can just feel it.  Also maybe because I can't stop finding reasons to use 'the bomb.com' to describe things in my life.... can't be a bad sign. 

I too made some New Years resolutions that I'm particularly stoked about:

  1. Learn Spanish....again.
  2. Complete my Vans collection (only 3 more to go!)
  3. Read 12 books
  4. Go on a road trip
  5. Buy my own place
I have a few others, but those will be kept to my journal only. :)  For the past few years I've tried to have a theme for the year.  One year it was "Weightless."  Originally it stemmed from the All Time Low song entitled, Weightless, and it seemed so fitting. 

"Maybe it's not my weekend, but it's gonna be my year.  
I'm so sick of watching all the minutes pass as I go nowhere." 
I even typed out my resolutions along with what I felt my definition of Weightless meant to me. 
P.S. If you haven't heard of All Time Low.....
palm smacking forehead 
Try them out! They are one of the best live performers I've seen.
 Plus it's a great song to run too. 

This year I've been struggling with what my theme should be... Quotes, Songs, a single Word, anything can qualify. Maybe I'll just go back to my roots and have DOMINATION be my theme for this year.  (Not Dominatrix.... don't worry Mom)  Who knows, but I'll figure it out. I'll probably be blowing up Pinterest searching for some adorable and inspiring quotes.

Well, here's to a fantastic new year that I'm soo excited for! 

January 3, 2013


Where to start.... I can't believe it's already Thursday.  Partying on Monday and not working Tuesday has thrown the week off for me, but I'm certainly not complaining! :)

  • Just Dance 4 - so embarrassing but soo fun! 
  • Real Estate Agents with an adorable baby
  • Jean Friday
  • Family
  • Good health (knock on wood)
  • Homemade soup
  • Cute cousins 
  • Traditions
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Hanging out and Pitch Perfect with my besties
  • Grown up dreams and possibilities

I'm so excited for some big changes I'm working on right now!! Patience is definitely something I continually have to re-learn..... Hopefully I'll have something good to share soon! 

How was your New Years??  One day I want to go watch the ball drop in person, amongst all the crazy. One day.... Thank heavens for a bucket list right?!


December 27, 2012

Oh Thursdays....


Life's Lovelies just got a face lift.  Thursdays will still be filled with a weekly thankful post, but just under a different name!  Dominating life is no easy task, and it's good to remember all the things that keep this lucky life o' mine in tact. 
  • Lazy holidays with family
  • Scoring sweet gifts from Santa!
  • Being single so that I can still score sweet gifts from Santa
  • Visits from the Cali Conant Cousins
  • Endless Christmas movies
  • Snowmen
  • Snow to make snowmen
  • Snow to make it a White Christmas
  • Free nap ride to work
  • Timp Indoor CHAMPIONS t-shirt
  • 80's Hits Pandora Radio Station (after Christmas of course....)
  • Technology --> Skype --> Christmas mornin' chat with Jordan!!
Whew, what a good week. :)

December 16, 2012

The Winds of Change

Life has given me a huge change in direction recently.  A change that has taken me through many different emotions, ranging from overjoyed to dreading the next 'adventure' in my life.  A few weeks ago certain events transpired and information was discovered which resulted in my relationship status to be......single.  This was my decision, and one that I really felt was necessary - despite the year and a half investment we both had made.

For the first week or so, straight up anger got me through.  I didn't even allow myself to feel hurt or betrayed because I was so mad.  Honestly, anger makes it so much easier to move on but unfortunately it doesn't last.  Well I guess it could, but in order for me to still be me, I couldn't live with that anger inside of me.  Finally I would start to feel little glimpses of sadness or hurt with the big question of WHY?!  Even though I felt nothing towards him anymore, I still just could not wrap my mind around what happened.  These questions of "Why?!" were not feelings of sadness that he was no longer in my life, but more because I could not understand how it had gotten to that point.

Quickly however, it became very evident that this change was a huge blessing in disguise instead of a tragedy.  Was it really 'wasted time' to spend a year and a half getting to know someone and realizing that it wasn't right?  No way.  I learned a lot from our time together.  I gained new friends and experienced new things with him and his family.  His family taught me a lot by their instant acceptance and kindness towards me.  I learned a lot about my own family dynamic and once again was reminded of how awesome they are and how much I love them.  I figured more out about myself and what I want and need. 

Even if it was a hard way to end, haven't I been praying and fasting for answers on where to go with our relationship ("should I stay or should I go")?  Well I received my answer, and received it in a way that my Heavenly Father knew I would understand.  For that, I am extremely grateful.  More than grateful.

Things in life may not make sense now, or sometimes even ever.  I do know though, that I have been able to gain perspective, have peace of mind, and feel good about whatever trial or blessing that has come into my life when I am actively trying to strengthen my testimony.  When I read my scriptures or other church doctrine/literature, when I make it a conscious effort to pray throughout the day, when I look for ways to serve my family and those around me, when I go to church and engage my mind in what is being taught and when I just smile and be happy - I am able to handle whatever waves come my way. 

I've tried to do it the opposite way.  Where you deal with things that come, do what you can and trudge along.  I'm a reasonable person; grounded and usually can figure out a good way through life.  I tried it by myself, but couldn't do it alone.  Then I turned back and figured out that I can't do it alone, nor do I want to.  It seems like a lot of work to keep up on all the stuff I mentioned earlier, and if I think about all that I could or should be doing, it is more than overwhelming.  But for me it is worth every sleepy prayer, or the 5 minutes to read a conference talk, or to do what ever I can.  Sure I can make excuses that I don't have time to read my scriptures, but I know that's a lie.  I know I am capable of more than excuses.  So I'll do what I can, and try.  When I look at what I've gone through the past few months, I KNOW that I would have never survived the way I have without the help of my best friend, my Heavenly Father.  I have been blessed with certain people in my life who are also keeping in tune to what is important that have been answers to my small prayers and comforts in my life.   I hope to do what they have done for me, to others that may need a little something that only I could give them.  (Whoa how did I get on that tangent?)

ANYWAYS - I am strong and grateful for all that has happened to me in my life.  I look forward to what the future holds for me and it's refreshing to start over.  I'm looking into moving to a new place, I'm hitting up the singles ward like it's no ones bizness, and already have a date lined up for this weekend. (Thanks Kay!)

I decided to blog about this not because I wanted to bash on him (even though I'm sure that would make me feel better for a second), but to help me realize the major blessings that have already come from this, and the blessings that continue to come.  The blessings are there in everything that we are going through, we just have to pray to have the eye to find them.  I'm grateful for all the caring advice, comfort and support I have received from so many people.  Now, I'm off to go start a new chapter in my book.  :)

DOMINATION.

December 11, 2012

Oh hey Hayward!

This past weekend held my annual work Christmas party, and this year was quite and interesting one for many reasons!!  Everyone dresses up all fancy, we eat great food (the prime rib was to DIE for!), and it was spent among fantastic friends and family! Every year we do a raffle for different prizes to give away to employees, and it's always AWESOME stuff. This year guess who won an awesome prize?  This girl. double thumb point at my own chest

Here's how it all went down:

My name is called out of the blue and I jump up to claim my prize!!  There is something about winning by having your name called out...... so satisfying.   I bring it back to my table and everyone crowds around trying to see what it is.  It's a GoPro camera that connects to your helmet or to a head strap! Sa-weet!  As I looked more into it I realized...... I am never going to use this.   I started to feel guilty that I won something that would not be put to good use, that we'd probably strap to the dog instead of use it for awesome adventures like other people might.  Don't get me wrong, I was more than overjoyed to have won, and I would have never complained to anyone about it because I didn't want to be ungrateful.  The night went on and the way the raffle works is that your name can be called multiple times, you just get the opportunity to trade your previously won item or keep it.  Up comes a Gordon Hayward signed Jazz jersey..... I wanted it so bad, and secretly crossed my fingers that my name would be called.   Waiting and waiting for them to call out a name, everyone was wondering what was taking so long.  Vanna White and my dad (did I mention he's the designated MC for this?) were whispering to each other and kept picking out names and putting them back over and over again.  Finally my dad makes a side comment, "Sheesh Hailey's name keeps coming up."  I leaped up with my hands in the air and said, "I want it!! Can I have it?!" before I could control myself.... Everyone looks at me and as you could guess, my face went the color of a lobster.  No one really said anything for a second so I said, "Can I trade for the jersey......?"  I started to slowly walk my way up to the front, unsure what I was supposed to do now.  Once everyone realized I was serious they started exclaiming and yelling at me to keep the camera.  Everyone thought I was CRAZY for wanting to trade and it turned into this all out battle.  (Maybe that's a little dramatic)  After pacing back and forth while people tried to convince me one way or another I finally just said, "No, I don't care, I want the jersey!"  I grabbed it and hurried back to my seat. 

Well I caused quite the stir apparently because I had so many people come up to me afterwards who were just baffled by my decision.  I explained to them my feelings about not being able to really take advantage of how awesome that camera really is, and while I could find ways to use it, I felt that someone else would be much happier to have it.   Sure enough, the person who won the camera after I traded it back came up to me afterwards and said they were so excited to use the camera!  There was my validation, I knew that someone else could use it more than I could, and I'm so glad that we both were able to win :)  Plus, I'm in LOVE with this over sized jersey.  Who knows, this jersey could be an investment.  Hayward is single you know..... ;)

December 6, 2012

23 years under one name




I decided to stray from the alliterations and went with "Life's Lovelies" for my weekly Thursday post.  There are so many lovely things in the world, and I'd like to take more time to recognize the ones in my life.  So.... read it or don't, but this is a new personal goal for me that I am super excited about. 

So this week I've had lots of things to be grateful for, but I'm narrowing it down to 10 things:
  • Olive Garden's endless salad and bread sticks (with Alfredo dipping sauce of course)
  • Mini pizzas and quality time spent with friends
  • Groupon.... hello massage :)
  • Better than Sex cake
  • Trying something new at a restaurant and LOVING it
  • No-Rush, music blasting mornings
  • Social Media (finally jumped into Instagram!! @haystack04)
  • End of the year Settlements
  • Falling asleep on the couch where the fireplace be a-blazin'
  • The perfect excuse:  Her: "Game at 9:30 tonight!" Me: "Sorry, I can't come, it's my birthday today so I'm going to celebrate with lots of cake, and no exercising." BOOYAH!
Looking for the first post?  Well it's right HERE!

P.S. I've definitely adopted Kay's idea of birthday weeks and it's been fantastic. :)  Oh and I heard someone say that on his birthday he watches movies all day long, and that's all he wants for his birthday.  Going to the theater and staying there all day, or renting a bunch of movies and gluing your backside to the couch....either way it's a pretty cool tradition!  Anyone have any awesome birthday traditions I could adopt??

October 22, 2012

Oh What a Wonderful Weeekenddd!!



I'm still hurting from this weekend, but man it was a good one!  Friday night PK, J-bird, Jessica Rabbit (inside joke... sorry mom) and I went to dinner then hit the Quarry for some weekend climbing!  I was a little wary when Parker said he wanted to go rock climbing, because the only memories that have ever stuck with me about this activity is PAIN.  The next day I always have a hard time holding on to anything because my weak arm muscles have been destroyed.  However, Parker was dead set on the idea so we went!




Look kids! Spiderman!
Look who we bumped into! What's up Levi!

Almost over the ledge!


Domination.
 
 
Notice how the majority of the pictures are of Parker..... that should give you a good clue as to who had the most endurance.  Me... duh.  Belaying is hard work people! ;)  Well despite being extremely tired afterwards, I did have a lot of fun!  I might even do it again!  I think that this is something that if you did it often enough, you'd have a killer body in no time. 
 
Saturday morning my family and my cousins next door all helped my grandparents out by winterizing their front and back yards.  We filled two trailers full of weeds and dead things!  It was a lot of work, and it did quite a number on my already sore hands, arms and shoulders, but in the end it looked sooo good!  Grandpa was still out there helping where he could, but I'm glad we could do this for him. He's 91 for crying out loud, the guy deserves a break!
 
Sunday brought church with Holli (it only took us 3 tries and a lot of wandering to find a singles ward in Provo), lounging around to rest our poor muscles and a history making tournament of Yahtzee!  In 2 games, we totaled 10 Yahtzees between all of us!  What the?!  The first game no one got a Yahtzee, and by the end dad had 3 Yahtzees in one game! Wow, it was so crazy and so much fun.  Every single time someone would get a Yahtzee we would throw our hands up in the air screaming while the lucky man/woman would dance around the table.  And, would you guess that my Yahztee was with all 4's?  That's right, I'm kind of a big deal. :)
 
 

September 26, 2012

I'd Like to Retire Now, Thank You.

Yesterday we started the tournament for our coed softball team!  Our first game..... not so great.   Well the ending wasn't.  We played really well throughout the game, just couldn't pull it out in the end.  I happened to catch a pop fly in left center. NBD, just a nice little personal victory for me!  Okay, maybe it wasn't such a personal victory, I did do a little dance and threw my hands in the air in excitement.   Todd just shook his head and laughed.  :)

Second game the score went back and forth and everyone was hitting so well!   7th inning came around, the time was up and we were last at bat.  Score: 10-15 them.  We had a lot of ground to make up, and to be honest.... I was doubtful.  So we cheered everyone on and finally things started dropping for us!  By that, I mean that we couldn't get a strike pitched to save our lives.   Normally we all have a little too much pride to walk, but at a time like this all of us decided if we can walk everyone to get some runs, we'll have a fighting chance.   So it continued.  Jeff was walked (even though you could tell it pained him to do so) with a girl walking behind him, then Matt walked (barely, you could tell he wanted to hit it so badly), then another girl, then Kurt hit a few people in. Now I was up.  Two strikes on the board, so I knew I couldn't get out.  So, I walked up there - super cool strut, and got in my "I'll-pretend-I-know-what-I'm-doing-stance."  Well..... Strike.  Apparently I wasn't ready for that one.  Next pitch.... perfect.   It was one of my best hits, right between 2nd and short stop and just over their heads in the gap!  I hurried my legs to first base and was beaming just to know I didn't let my team down this time, I made it on base!  Little did I know, it was a bit more than just making it on base.  Everyone started walking back to the dug outs and my team was flooding the field.  I couldn't figure out what was going on, and I was quite confused.... Wait! ....but I made it on base! They didn't call me out!   Everyone was giving me high fives and I finally asked, "wait is it over?  Did we win?"  Everyone screamed, "Yeah!! We were tied at 15's and your hit sent Camie home to finish the game!!! You won the game for us!!!!"     Wow.

After the game all the little nieces and nephews were calling me to come out.   Once I did, they told me to lay on the grass.  They are too cute to resist, so I did, and they performed a proper victory doggy pile.   Corbin said, "Hailey! You won the game for us! Now we can come back and watch again, and play with our friends!  Thanks." haha best. fans. ever.  If I'm being honest with myself, it's probably a good thing I didn't read the score board, and didn't realize the pressure I had to get on base.  Thank you blonde hair.  I think I'll keep you. :)

Oh and you know I did a celebration dance all the way back to the dug out.  And maybe one in the parking lot.  Domination. 

August 22, 2012

#28 - Almost

So this morning I got really excited to blog about a bucket list item that I accomplished yesterday.  I sat down and tried to piece together how it happened, to make sure that it sounded just as awesome as I thought was and to make it comprehensive.  Then I realized I couldn't figure out how it happened.  Frustrated, I retraced my steps.  Okay yesterday I went to work, went to our softball game (don't worry, we DOMINATED), came home and we played Ticket to Ride with my family.  Hmm......   Then the realization hit.  It was in fact, just a dream.  (insert sad emoticon here)

This type of experience really makes me believe in the movie Inception that much more.  I swear to you I felt like my dream was really happening.  Now since the wind has sufficiently blown from my sails, and in order to bring you to understand how disappointed I am that this didn't actually happen, I'm going to tell about my dream.

Bucket list item #28: Run through a car wash

*Think Little Rascals when they run through the paint shop trying to catch Alfalfa and get painted blue, or in Cinderella Story when the evil twin step sisters go through the car wash.  *

Dream:  I pay my $5 and walk into this dark warehouse.  In front of me is the car wash, with all squirting machines in order. There is a line that has formed behind me.   I walk forward onto a black mat (one like hairstylists use to make sure their feet don't die from all that standing) and a loud beeping begins.  I look up and a big square brush is coming down, which then forces me to get on my stomach so it can scrub my back and head.  I move forward (now somehow standing), and a blast of streaming water hits me on all sides.  I open my arms (because it needs to be clean there too!) and then move forward.  Two spinning soapy foam/rag arms come at me and nearly knock me over with their vigorous scrubbing.  Again I walk forward and another blast of warm water hits me.  I am moved forward to a high speed drying fan that makes the skin on my face and arms get all stretched and blown around. (think automatic hand dryers that make the skin on your hands all funny looking from the blowing power)  Then I'm done and as happy as a lark.

Now I'm really starting to realize it's a dream because afterwards I remember that we all got in little shooter cars that used unwrapped starbursts for fuel and ammunition.  Nevertheless..... it was still the most awesome imaginary experience I've had in awhile.