"We live in an amazing, amazing world, and it's wasted on the crappiest generation of spoiled idiots."

Comedian Louis CK was a guest on Conan O'Brien. In his word, he says "Everything is amazing right now and nobody is happy." We should remember how blessed we are.

Free Photo Shoot!

My friend posted about this free photo shoot contest. It's mega easy to enter--just tell them which of the 25 pictures they have on that post is your favorite.

My favorite? #12. That little girl looks like she needs a good tickle torture. Oh my gosh. She's so dang cute!

I would love to win!

So I was a poor sport yesterday

Yesterday I played another church ball basketball game. It was not one of my better performances.

It started out fun, because I put on my mullet wig with a red bandanna and I wore protective racquetball glasses (to protective my newly fixed eyes). I only wore the wig for the first five minutes.

We played the Jordan Meadows Ward team #1. Players from team #2 of the same ward were the referees for the game. With their bias, they called the game rather unfairly. It was REALLY BAD. I complained a lot and pissed off several of their players. I was just having a little fun and never really got angry. But, I should have behaved better, especially, in Andrea's (the most beautiful and smartest women in the world) opinion, because I am in the Bishopric.

That is probably the case, because, at the end of the game (50 seconds left), with us losing by 20 points, I got shoved in the back by one of the guys I pissed off (#21... the big thug) that I "messed around with" during the game. I complained to the ref, who blamed me for over acting. Me!!! Over acting!!!! The ref staring grabbing me and we starting arguing more and more. Because of this, the game was called. (A member of the opposing team is in charge for the stake).

So, I guess, I need to repent and behave myself.

Update on my eyes

So, yesterday I went back to the Moran Eye Institute for a post-operation check up and to remove the contacts. That morning was by far the best vision I have had. With the contact in, I saw between 20/20 and 20/15. I asked the doctor what my vision was before, and he said that it was "fingers," which he said was an equivalent to 20/800. (Man, I didn't think I was that blind). The doctors were thrilled with the results.

They removed the contacts and my eyes were scratchy and the vision got a little worse, but both improved within a few minutes.

It is amazing to see without corrective lenses. I see better now then I did with my contacts or glasses. Things are brighter, clearer, and sharper.

Of course my vision still fluctuates slightly throughout the day, but all is well and I am happy with the results.

Nine Months

Just for your information, Mark and I have been married for 3/4 of a year today. That's right: today is our NINE month anniversary.

Yes, yes...many of you have been married for YEARS. But, we're working on it.

Happy Nine Month Anniversary Mark!

Mark's Eye Surgery

Mark had eye surgery yesterday. It was pretty cool, I got to be with him the whole time and even watch it (on tv in the next room) as it happened. Sorry I didn't take my camera with me when I went, I just had my cell phone camera and it takes pretty lousy pictures. Below is a kind of long description of the surgery and the day yesterday. Hooray for no more glasses or contacts!!!!

What kind of eye surgery?

Well, it might be called "Lasik," but that's not actually the right name. Lasik is a different procedure. Mark had "PRK," which stands for photorefractive keratectomy. It is the forerunner to Lasik. And, it has some benefits that seem to outweigh Lasik, especially in the case of Mark's eyes. The doctor checked Mark's eyes twice before yesterday and then again before doing the surgery.

Mark's doctor told us that he prefers PRK to Lasik, and that in fact, he had had PRK done on his eyes instead of Lasik.

PRK takes longer to recover from, as it is more invasive. The doctor actually scrapes away part of the eye before the laser is used. That was actually the only gross part for me--knowing that I was watching Mark's eye be scraped off. They compare it to getting a really bad rug burn on your skin. They said that it'll itch and that it'll take a while to heal, but it isn't all that bad.

Mark had his surgery at the University of Utah's Moran Eye Center, even though Mark despises the U. Why the U? Because I'm kind of an employee there, so we get a discount. And, they are very reliable, so that's good too. His doctor is Mark Mifflin.

Mark hasn't really had much pain yet. That's good. I stayed home with him all day yesterday in case he did need me for something. I helped him do his eye drops (he had to do three medications and then some tear substitutes) throughout the day. He also got to wear these groovy hard clear patches (so I wouldn't poke his eyes out). He's at home today too, still hiding out in the dark of our home. The funny thing about the eye patches is that he's supposed to wear them when he sleeps so he won't lay on his eyes, so he won't rub his eyes, and so I won't accidentally do something to his eyes. But, Mark poked my eye on accident last night in bed!

He's been a really good sport (especially with me since I took pictures of him with goop on his eyes and such). I'm really excited for him to have his eyes heal and for the vision to come completely back. He already can see fine, but it's not perfect. And, his vision actually might go fuzzy again, as the skin comes back over the retina. I'm excited because he's wanted his eyes "fixed" for a long time and he finally had the chance.

I took him in to see Dr. Mifflin this morning for a post-op check-up. Dr. Mifflin said Mark is already healing and that it all looks good. He said Mark's eyes are about 25% healed, which is about right.

The doctor told us they record all their surgeries, for quality assurance, for records, and for equipment satisfaction. Probably other reasons too. He said they used to give their patients a copy of their eye surgery video, but they don't any more. There are YouTube videos of PRK. Below is a copy of an actual PRK surgery.

A Gift for You

I picked this up from my friend, Jen. It sounds like fun :)

This game involves a few of my favorite things: handmade goods, creativity, and gift-giving.

Here are the tagging instructions: The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (It might be a little while.)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Feel free to tell me some of the things in life that inspire you and make you happy in your post :)

Good luck!

The Love Swap

So, I'm not very trendy. And sometimes I don't do things that I could to help other people. But, I keep reading about this Love Swap thing and finally felt that I should tell you about it.

Here, read this: http://serveutah.blogspot.com/.

This chica spent a majority of her teenage years in Ferron, where I'm from...Facebook connections...yada...yada.... I've been reading her blog. And she's way excited about this thing. It's actually pretty cool, and she's got a lot of support.

Knowing how classy she dresses and seeing pictures of her classy friends, I'm sure the clothes that will be donated will be smashing. So, I'm telling you about it. And, if you can support her, you should.

They're looking for women's clothing, children's clothing, and toys. All donated items should be something still fashionable.

Thanks!

My Plan to Stimulate the Economy

As I was brushing my teeth this morning, I came up with an idea to "stimulate" the economy. I had just watched the Today show on NBC discussing the urgency of this bill and Obama's passionate pleas to get this legislation passed. However, my idea is much better than spending $800 billion on a dog park, as currently being debated in DC.

My plan.. a National Lottery for $1 Billion... tax free.

Not only can you buy a ticket (lets say for $25), but you can receive tickets from business for various purchases. So, you buy a new TV.. you get tickets, you buy groceries... you get tickets.. you purchases stocks.. you get tickets.

Obviously the ticket would have like a lot of numbers (20-30), each ranging from 0-99. In addition, you have to be a US citizen to claim the prize.

I think this will stimulate the economy much better and faster than the current proposals.

What do you think?

Join my facebook group!

25 Random Things about Me, Andrea

1. I watched the Samoan temple burn down. It made my heart sick.

2. I ride a motorcycle. I also persuaded my husband to learn to ride.

3. I’m obsessed with making documents look good. I tend to critique other people’s documents, even though I have managed to not say my “suggestions” out loud.

4. I used to get mail for another Andrea M. Worthen when I was in college. Then it stopped happening for a long time. But, last fall, she contacted me on Facebook and said that the county had sent her a tax statement for me. Grrrrr…….

5. One time my cousins and I put makeup on Grandpa and made his hair pretty. When he woke up, he got really mad.

6. It was said that when I was little, I could either be found out swinging or down at Grandma’s hanging out with her.

7. I have never been to Canada. I only first went to Mexico last May. But, I have been to Samoa, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand (the airport), and Switzerland (the airport). I have also been to American Samoa (a US territory).

8. I am afraid of spiders and snakes. But, mostly I’m afraid of them surprising me. I’m okay if I know they’re there. The scariest spider I’ve ever seen was in my house in Samoa. It was at least four inches across.

9. I love getting real snail mail. I also love sending it. It makes me happy. I’d be glad to send you a note.

10. My husband thinks I’m weird. He told me he wouldn’t have married me if I wasn’t as goofy as I am.

11. I love American Idol. I’m not obsessed, but I do get a great deal of pleasure from it.

12. I actually showed up for class one day (as an undergrad) and was horrified when I realized the paper the professor was handing out was a test. I had skipped that class so often, I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I got 17%.

13. My favorite shoes when I was in third grade were some red leather high tops. They rocked! I wore them with everything.

14. I have never been pulled over. But, I often wish I could give tickets to the crazy drivers I see every day.

15. I played in band until my second year at BYU. My clarinets got progressively bigger.

16. I hiked Mt. Timpanogos once (last summer). I will never do it again. My knees still hurt.

17. I used to be a regular at the Senate and House of Representatives buildings. I worked in DC.

18. In junior high, I helped our eighth grade win Battle of the Classes. I entered a contest where I had to look like a guy. It was easy for me: I had short hair. I can’t remember who helped me, but they used permanent marker to draw facial hair on me.

19. I have the most wonderful parents. They’re seriously the best. I tell people all the time.

20. I was with my mom when she found out my little sister was a girl. I was also in the delivery room when my little sister was born: I got to touch her before my dad did.

21. I threw up in Gart Bros. in Price when I was in 11th grade. I was very sick. My parents took me straight to the hospital.

22. My dad always told me, “Marry the first time for money, the second time for love.” Well, I guess I’m skipping the “first time” bit. We’re not rich, but we are in love.

23. I wish I was a stellar athlete of some sort or another. I was always asked at college if I played sports. Sure, I play – but I never competed in anything except church ball and intramurals. I was too chicken to try out for anything in junior high and high school.

24. I beat all my brothers and most of my cousins at a shooting contest one family reunion. Only one cousin, Troy, beat me. That was one of my proudest moments…. *sniff*

25. I want lots of dogs—big ones, small ones, medium ones. I don’t want them all necessarily at the same time. But, I want them. Except I hate poodles. Sorry, but I do. I would LOVE a Great Dane right now. My honey says no. So does the HOA. Dang.

I Broke the Glass

I broke the glass. It was me. Sorry if I scared you.

Monday I had a late lunch at work. I was heating up my green beans in the microwave. I had them in there long enough they boiled over. A lot.

So, I took out the glass plate to clean it off. You know, it was my mess, my responsibility.

As I was putting it back in, I somehow managed to bobble it and I dropped it. It hit the edge of the counter just right. CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I probably scared everyone on the whole floor.

One of the administrative assistants was in the kitchen having her lunch break when I did it. She said, "We'll just go get Scott." She got up and headed out the door to go call our physical facilities guy. She wasn't even gone 10 seconds when she came back with him. I wasn't kidding - I think everyone heard it on the floor.

I did manage to get a teeny cut right by my wedding ring. Other than that cut and the loss of the microwave plate, there were no casualties.

[How embarrassing!]

Too Many Meetings

Do you have the type of job where you just get exhausted because you're sitting in meetings all day? Well, that's been my week so far. Just tiring meetings.

Today I had two meetings and was on call for a third. The meeting this morning was an hour and a half. The meeting this afternoon was two hours.

It's just been a busy week here at work. Tomorrow I don't have meetings lined up, but I have plenty of projects to work on.

However, I AM glad that I HAVE A JOB. And, I'm glad I have an education to get me a decent-paying job.