Owl Obsession

Just for the record, I liked owls before it was cool to like owls.  That said, the recent popularity of owls has made it much easier to increase my little collection.  I found this wallet last week at Target and I adore it so much that I decided it was blog worthy.  Also, I haven't had time to blog much lately so I thought this would be a good, quick post so that all three of my loyal readers will remember that I have a blog and they should keep checking it.  And just so you know, I have plans to blog some recent dating experiences next and I promise you won't want to miss it!

Post-Princessing Hair

This is my post-princessing hair.

In order to fit all that thick hair of mine under a wig and have something to secure the wig to, I have to pin curl all my hair.  It takes FOREVER!  When I finish hosting a princess party the first thing I do is rip all those bobby-pins out.  This result is the above.

My hair is out of control post-princessing and kind of reminds me of my brother Austin's hair.  I now understand why he went for the dreadlocks.  I would too if I had to try and manage hair like this everyday!

The Bucket List

Did you know that chicken wire is also known as poultry netting?  I don't why, but when I went to buy some at the Home Depot and saw the name on the packaging it made me laugh out loud.  Maybe it was because it seemed like such a sophisticated name for something that isn't so sophisticated at all.  Well, why was I at Home Depot purchasing chicken wire, you ask?  Because Kayla, Heidi and I came across the cutest idea on Pinterest for a Bucket List Wall Hanging!!!

It is quite well known that I LOVE lists.  I write them up for just about everything; To-Do Lists, Grocery Lists, List of Goals, Books to Read, List of Passwords, List of Important Phone#s... to name a few.  The past couple of years I've written up a Summer Bucket List.  I've enlisted many of my friends, including Kayla and Heidi, to help me go out and accomplish the different activities.

I have now progressed to a yearly Bucket List because I just HAD to make this Wall Hanging. You write each thing you want to do on a little piece of paper and once you do it, you drop the paper into the little bucket. Here is the finished product!

If you'd like to make one of your own, all you need is:

• An old wooden frame (my came from the DI)
• Chicken... I mean, Poultry Netting
• A small bucket
• Ribbon
• Clothes pins
• Paper
• and Staples (to attach the netting to the frame)

Don't worry if your are unable to read the little papers... each bucket list item will be featured on this blog once it has been accomplished.  I really tried to pick things that were actually achievable due to my budget and location.  So no trips to India, visiting the moon, or anything like that this on list.  Still, it is going to be a great year!

With our DI finds.

Doesn't it look nice hanging above my desk?!

Salt Lake Donated Dental Services

New Year = New Job!  The beginning of January I started a new job at the Salt Lake Donated Dental Services.  I completed my externship hours for my dental assisting certification at SLDDS back in June.  After  completing my course, I started working for Monarch Dental but I would occasionally cover shifts at SLDDS on my day off.  Well, Monarch wasn't the best fit for me so when SLDDS had an opening for a dental assistant, they thought of me for the position and I was more than happy to accept!  I already knew the staff, was familiar with the facility, and the hours would better accommodate all the other things that I'm trying to do with my life (theatre, yoga, church, etc).

These first couple of weeks as an official staff member at SLDDS have been quite challenging.  I assist all the dentists that come and volunteer at the clinic.  Because they all work quite differently, prefer certain materials and instruments, and seem to except me to know exactly how they like things done despite the fact that I just met them, each day feels like the first day on the job!  Although I am a bit discouraged right now, I know with time it will get better and I really believe I will love working at SLDDS.

On Saturday, a fancy dinner was held at Cucina Toscana in Sugarhouse to celebrate the 21 years that the Salt Lake Donated Services have been in operation.  The founder gave a speech before the four-course meal (!) was served.  It was such a great reminder of what a needed program SLDDS is.  In the past 21 years, over 50,000 patients have been seen and over 15 million dollars of dental services have been donated.  Pretty incredible, huh?  I feel grateful to be a part of it all!

Here`s a picture of some of the SLDDS dental assistants and administrative staff at Saturday's dinner.

This Weekend's Highlights

I started a new job at the Salt Lake Donated Dental Services two weeks ago.  It has been quite challenging so far and lets just say, I was very eager for the weekend to get here!  I was also excited for the weekend because I had lots of great things planned.  Here are the highlights...

1. Once a month I teach a KIDS' YOGA CLASS.  The kids who attend are exceptional and so fun to teach.  Typically, there are 8-10 students between the ages of  7 and 11.  I will take some pictures next class because the kids are working hard and becoming quite accomplished little yogis!

2. I have never been a treadmill type of girl, so I am so happy I discovered ZUMBA. It makes getting in some cardio so much fun.  Saturdays my favorite teacher instructs a class and I look forward to it so much that I don't even mind getting up early on the weekend to go.

3. Dad and I went on a date to see "THE GAME'S AFOOT" at the Hale Centre Theatre.  It wasn't our most favorite production we've seen there, but the company was wonderful. :)

4. My old Singles Ward was extremely close.  It was hard for us to say goodbye to our Bishopric when the YSA wards were reorganized.  Saturday evening we had a BIG POTLUCK to catch up with everyone.  The Bishopric thought maybe 10 or so people might come, so imagine how excited they were when over 50 of the old wardies showed up!

Now, for my favorite highlight of the weekend...

5. Sunday evening the family got together for dinner and games and JAY & AUBREY ANNOUNCED THE GENDER OF THEIR BABY.. Everyone except Austin guessed that Baby Jensen would be a boy.  Who was right?

                                                                       ...................

So happy to meet their baby boy this spring! xoxo

My First Post...

Well, here it is... my first post ever!
I've been wanting to start a blog for quite awhile now and the New Year seemed the perfect time to finally make it happen. So, here it goes!

I just read the January 2012 First Presidency, "Living the Abundant Life," by President Monson.  He offers ABC's needed to live a life of success, goodness, and blessings. I loved this article so much and I am excited to start off a new year with his ABC's in mind; A for attitude, B for Believe, and C for Courage.  My roommate Adrianne has started calling 2012 "The Year of Mandi."  It makes me laugh everytime, but I hope she's right... there are a lot of things I am hoping to improve on and accomplish this year!

2011 ended very nicely.  So, before I get to too caught up in the New Year, here's a photo recap of my holidays.

Heidi, Kayla, and I threw our 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party!  Food! Games! Gift exchange! Ugliest Sweater Contest! It was a fantastic time and we are already scheming for next year's party!

There's nothing that says "Best Friends" like matching pajamas!

My family changed things up a bit this year and held most of our festivities on Christmas Eve.  I sure like these people!

The day after Christmas I drove up to Idaho Falls to attend my mission companion's wedding shower and reception.  Michelle looked stunning and it was a great reception with great food and a live big band!

If you haven't been to the Zoolights at the Hogel Zoo before I highly recommend it!  This is my Little Mermaid tribute.

My friend Paige hosted a New Year's party and these are the little cream cheese and olive penguins I made.  They turned out so cute and everyone loved them.

Thank you for reading my first blog post.  Much more to come, I promise! xoxo