All I wanted was some enchiladas...

You know that feeling where you just think, "Man, I really have my life together.  I am strong and confident.   My life is truly charmed."


Me neither.


Take Wednesday's lunch, for example.

I really really wanted enchiladas. I was feeling it.  My gut was feeling it.  My brain was feeling it when I remembered the Wednesday lunch special at Mama Chus is enchiladas.  Boom.  Decision made.

When I got there to pick up my phoned-in order, I heard the waitresses talking to each other.  When I asked if my meal came with a drink and if I could get a Diet Coke, one of them in the back said to another, "Chico grande."  I thought they were talking about me.  I was sorely offended.  This is my favorite restaurant.  Do I have to stop coming now?  They are quite large, themselves.  The one helping me is "grander" than I am, so my thoughts immediately went to this movie quote (who can name it???) - "You're fatter than I am, why don't you go to camp!!?"

Once I got to my car, I remembered that chico meant boy... right?  Plus, it was mid-conversation - so maybe they were talking about something completely unrelated.  Maybe.

Still, I was in a sour mood.  I was not happy with that experience.

I put my Diet Coke in my cup holder, and drove off.  As I turned left onto 800 North, my drink fell right out of that holder and onto the passenger side floor.  It landed on the straw, upside-down, shoving the straw through the bottom of the cup, and dislocating the lid.  There is no shoulder on that strip of 800 North.  I just had to listen to the Diet Coke fizzle into the carpet while screaming.

"Right Lane Closed Ahead" sign once I hit University Avenue.

I pulled onto a dirt road and drove up to a business building lot.  The coke was completely gone, soaking into my car interior.  I was pretty upset.  Then - a stroke of brilliance!  I remembered that I recently started collecting napkins in my glove compartment!  I had several and used them all to clean up the mess.  I couldn't clean it all, obviously, but I felt better.  I ran up to the building and threw the napkins in the trash.

When I got back to my car, I picked up the enchilada box and as the lid pushed down on it, red enchilada sauce squirted everywhere.  All up my arm.  The back of my seat.  The arm rest.

Good thing I used all those napkins on the harmless Diet Coke.

Stroke of brilliance number two!  I recently purchased a pocket pack of tissues and had them in my purse, along with an old pack I forgot was in there!  I was able to use the two packs and clean up (most of) the saucy splatter.  Whew.  I went back to the building and threw away the soiled tissues.

When I got back to my car the second time, I got in with a huff.  Amazingly, my elbow went right onto the enchilada box, opening it, and letting it soar over my passenger seat.

OIJWOEIJFOIAJFAOEIJFAOIWERJO#I$J%O#I$JTOEIJFOIFJ

I picked up the spilled enchiladas with my bare hands and shoved them back in the box, then set the box on the ground outside my car door while simultaneously laughing out loud, screaming, and holding back imminent tears.

I now had no napkins.  No tissues.  Check the napkin they gave me with the meal!  Soiled in red sauce.

Rice in my seatbelt button.

Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken all over my purse.
Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken IN and covering my wallet.
Red, slimy, cheesy, greasy rice/beans/chicken all over the seat.
Red... you get the picture.

I picked up my wallet with my filthy hands and tried to take out the temple family names before they got messed.  They flew out of my hand and onto the ground outside.  I finally got them and threw them in the back seat.  I grabbed my wallet and keys and marched right into that building's bathroom.

After cleaning my wallet, I grabbed about 40 dozen paper towels, some wet, some dry, and headed back out to the car.  There was my meal on the gravel.  There was my car that people undoubtedly would have thought I just barfed all over in if they looked inside.  There was rice and beans on the ground by my door.

It was quite the sight.  I spent the balance of my lunch hour cleaning up my car.  Once I finally had to give up and get back to work, I was sweating to death and swore in vengeance that I would eat those heaven-forsaken enchiladas if it was the last thing I ever did.  And I did.  And I was exceedingly careful.

My life is a charmed one.

Mommy and Me: A Vacation in Two Parts

My mom and I got to take a trip together to visit her old stomping grounds, friends, and family!

Part One: Wisconsin!

We flew into Milwaukee, picked up my first rental car (woot), and drove up to Brit's house in West Bend.  My iPhone decided it would be fun to take me to the "sponsored" link in Grafton instead of the address I typed in.  That was exciting.  "Hey Brit, be there in 1/2 hour!"  "Hey just kidding.  1/2 hour later, and now add another 45 minutes!"  It was a beautiful drive.  I fell in love with Wisconsin.  IN LOVE!

I haven't seen Brit in a few years (and haven't seen Taytay in even more years).  Plus, I had not seen her newest child, Sophie!  We played with the kids and had a delicious meal (one of many this trip).  

Friday morning, we had quite an amazing experience.  Part of the reason for the trip was to figure out how to sell the cemetery plots we have for Oma and Opa (since they switched to SLC).  We knew they were in the Wisconsin Memorial Park, one of FIFTY cemeteries in Milwaukee.  My mom also wanted to see the grave of her bff growing up, Michelle Kindt.  Michelle died in a car accident when they were 15.  My mom was in the car and was one of two survivors.  Three people died, including her best friend.  My mom didn't really wake up until after the funeral had already passed for her best friend days later.  When I was born, she wanted to name me Michelle, but realized that might be a little too tough, and named me Lindsey Michelle instead.  I have always felt a connection to my namesake for that reason.

We had no idea where Michelle was buried.  My mom had never been to the site.  Since we were staying with Brit, and her Stake President is Chris Kindt (Michelle's cousin), we were able to get his number and do some detective work.  We ended up calling Michelle's two brothers, but they could not remember where she was buried.  They were very young when she died.  One said that he remembers it was on the way to Uncle Walter's, and that it may have been off Capitol.  Mom mentioned that the cemetery we were already going to was off Capitol, but they agreed it was too far west.  I did a little googling, and found this:

The same cemetery, out of 50!

We left for Milwaukee and went to the cemetery first.  It is almost a square mile big.  We talked with a creepy gentleman for a while, who clearly works with dead people all day, and found that the plots we were looking for were in adjacent blocks, about 100 yards apart.  He also showed us all the artwork in the main building, which we honestly didn't care about, but it was pretty.  "I can show you a 400-year-old reverse lampshade.  Yeah.  Come with me."  Umm... what?  "Remember the Chief of Police?  That's his crypt.  That's his window.  Isn't that amazing?"  Umm... yep.  He finally left us alone once we reached Michelle's grave.  It was rainy.  We were under an umbrella, emotional, and just stood there in silence for a few minutes.  We bought some flowers and my mom went over some fond memories.  It was really sad and sweet.  I was so glad I was able to be there with her for it.

After being told we needed to just sell Oma and Opa's plots on Craigslist and got the necessary paperwork for when that does happen, we left to see more of my mom's home town!

The last Milwaukee home the Strangfeld family lived in, and the only one in a neighborhood we could enter now:

 Lake Michigan, where my mom and her friend, Abby, would go to the beach and hang out on Lake Drive:

 The awesome homes of her friends growing up, on Lake Drive:

 The church my mom found her testimony in, had a reception in, and went to church in all growing up:

We drove back up to West Bend for the evening and played with Brit and the kids.

Saturday, we went to breakfast in Port Washington, a charming port town that made me really want to live there!  Apparently, this guy also lives there.  Yeah.  This is his house:

He is sure a long way from Screech Powers these days....

After touring and breakfast, we drove up to Plymouth for their Oktoberfest.  We were so excited to have that authentic German/Wisconsin bratwurst and party!  When we finally did find it, it was in a tent enclosure the size of a Sizzler, and there was a Polka band playing.  We left.  

We got back to West Bend, packed up, and headed off to part two!

Part Two: Illinois!

Mom and I drove down to St. Charles, to Kiera's house.  We were staying there for the rest of the trip and surprising Aunt Uschi for her birthday!  Side note - Brit's mom was friends with Uschi (coincidentally) when they were kids, and uploaded an actual video recording of Uschi as a Primary kid in the 1950s to show at the bday party!!

We got to Kiera and Josh's phenomenally gorgeous home and got ready for the surprise party.  Ushci thought she was coming over to babysit Benson and Cason while Kiera and Josh went to a work party.  Josh's boss is in their ward and lives down the street.  It was a perfect cover for the cars!  There were about 70 people there.  Tori and Jared flew up for the occasion from Utah as well.  Katie and Luke and fam drove from Ohio.  Uschi's friends and neighbors were all there.  The Blonquists did an awesome job of keeping it secret from Uschi for months!  Noel drove her over, we hid behind the walls, and shouted, "Surprise!" when she walked in.  She was in total shock and was mad that she was in regular clothes with no makeup.  Haha!!  She was greeted by her daughters at the door and screamed.  My mom and I waited in a corner so she could catch her breath and see all her friends before our surprise.  She finally came around to our area, and my mom walked right up to her.  Uschi stared at her for a second or two, not processing it... (looking in a mirror, maybe?), then screamed again.  They hugged for a good minute while we cried and adored.  It was so precious.  

 Here I am with Katie's son Spencer - who feels a closeness to his namesake, too!  He points out Spence in pics!

The party was 1950's themed.  I cannot rave enough about Noel/Katie/Kiera/Tori throwing this party.  Luke  and Jared were perfect soda jerks.  There was Elvis music playing.  People dressed up in '50s costumes.  It was so fun!  We danced and partied the night away!  

Poor Tori and Jared both got super sick that night and were out of commission the rest of their trip.  It was so sad!

Sunday, we went to church and then toured the renovations on Noel and Uschi's house in Batavia.  We had dinner there, and as proof that no good deed goes unpunished, I tried to help with the dishes afterward.  As I pushed a glass onto a shelf, it pushed another off.  That glass shattered on the counter and I screamed in horror.  Uschi's kitchen is sacred ground, and I offended.  It wasn't until she pointed out that the glass had crushed her favorite hand-carried-from-Mexico-glass-pitcher-that-she-bargained-for-and-loves, however, that I started bawling.  Josh seized the moment to get me back for years of torturous mocking for doing the SAME thing to my mom's favorite hand-carried-from-Austria-crystal-goblet-that-we-searched-for-again-and-love.  He had every right to do so, but I still yelled at him with great fervor, "JOSH!  I CANNOT HANDLE YOU RIGHT NOW.  GET OUT."  I was a mess.  It was so awful.  I still feel awful.  Anyone planning a trip to Mexico soon????

We said our goodbyes and left Monday morning.  I absolutely loved the trip and wish we could have stayed longer.  I don't get to see Kiera nearly enough, and I miss her so much.  I hadn't seen Brit in years - Katie and fam, Uschi, Noel, all of them!  I got to spend time with my mama.  I loved it!  

The big 2-3!

I turned 23 this week.








Hahaha.





Okay, I'm a little older than that.  In my mind, I'm still 23.  At Ward Prayer, they asked us what we would wish for if we were granted one wish.  I said "Turn back the clock."  I've reached that level of feeling elderly and wanting to go back.  I think my Singles Ward friends are surprised I don't live in a nursing home yet.

I had a thought the other day while stuck in traffic and having intense anger toward every other driver on the road... that maybe I could just ram my car into them and that will teach them a lesson.  Plus, it could be fun, like Bumper Cars.  Then I thought, "and then maybe I'd be in a coma in the hospital and lose weight easily."  Then... "and then what if I don't wake up for two years and two days, and when I do, I'm 30!!!!!!!!??!?!?"  That was the scariest thought of all.

So, having enlightened you on my thoughts of my advancing years, I shall now move on to the positives.  My birthday was AWESOME!

Thursday, 9/6 - Pedicures and Cold Stone with Tori.  You rock, girl.  My toes rock.  Thank you!!

Friday, 9/7 - We carried on last year's traditions with Tori bringing me McDonalds breakfast and then a trip to SLC for dinner at the Blue Iguana and walking around!  We were so tired and hungry and I was on a royal crankfest from the aforementioned traffic predicament.  This mini-trip cleared that all up and we were SO happy to eat that glorious food and be serenaded by our favorite missionary couple!

I slipped them a little tip and said, "Come sing to us again!"  They said they would, but didn't.  I guess the two dollars I had in my wallet wasn't enough for an encore.

We then walked around City Creek for a bit and drove home.  On the drive, I got a call from Spencer asking where I was at.  Heather deduced that he was in Orem!  "Wait, are you at my house?!?"  "I'm at MY house.... my parents' house."  Spence and Caitlyn came up for a surprise visit!  We got to talk with them for a bit and I was just so excited and happy!

Saturday, 9/8 - Had a party at Nickel City.  I didn't want to clean my house for hours and spend money on food for everyone, so I decided to take the party elsewhere this year.  We had fun and I got dead last on my team in Laser Tag, per usual.  I think I beat a 6-yr-old on the other team.  I think.

Sunday, 9/9 - I will spare you the details of the crazy morning, but Head and Tori made me pumpkin gingerbread chocolate chip waffles with homemade buttermilk syrup and real whipped cream.  I die.  We die.  It was bomb.  THANK YOU, LADIES, FOR AN AWESOME WEEK!!!  Spence then made coconut and chicken Paella at the Wilson's and we didn't have to prepare or clean up dinner!  It was SO GOOD.  We all loved it.  I couldn't stop quoting Estelle Costanza, though: "What am I going to do with all this Paella?!"  Creme Brulee custard for dessert... good night, nurse.  You can probably guess the next quote we all had a problem suppressing:

Spence and Caitlyn left, and we had cake and ice cream at the house with Oma and Tom.  Always a good time.  I recently watched Fiddler on the Roof and love the Sabbath Prayer scene with the candles.  I was trying to reenact that with my number-close-to-30 candles.

I then saw this pic on my phone and about died.  What the possessed?!??  HAHA

Andrea came by with Sof and Dia and gave me my annual salsa gift and some CUTE blocks that spell out "LAUGH" - so dang adorable!  Unfortunately, the salsa leaked and exploded yesterday, so there is no liquid left, just veggies I had to smash down during the commotion.  I was really looking forward to it.  I might still eat it.  Botulism can't grow that quickly, right???  RIGHT??

What a GREAT week it has been.  THANK YOU EVERYONE who participated in any way and made me feel special!  Thank you for all the Facebook posts and all the love.

You guys keep me young.






P.S. I just want to take a moment to express my love and sympathy to all those who lost loved ones on this day 11 years ago.  I was driving to school with Andrea when her car radio announced the first plane had hit the tower.  We watched the news in our classes that day and called loved ones.  I weep when I think of it.  In my last class of the day, Mrs. Crampton told us we would not watch the news, because Americans are about rising from adversity, and we would continue on learning.  If we stopped working, that was a win for the terrorists.  Though I can see her point, I was devastated that she wouldn't let us watch.  To those firemen, policemen, service workers, any others who helped remove people from the disaster, I offer my heartfelt thanks.  Lives were brutally taken that day for no good reason, as we all know, and I just wanted to say I will never forget.

Sigh. It is done.

to NURSING, nursing

TJ - It looks like I, unfortunately, will not be able to attend anymore at this time.  It may be an option down the road, but right now I cannot commit to this program.  Please accept my apology and give my spot to someone who can do it.  I greatly appreciate the acceptance.  I will hopefully get everything figured out in the coming years.

Thank you,

Lindsey Andersen

Oh, just a few little things...

Spencer is MARRIED!!!!!!  I am SO excited for him!  Caitlyn is perfect.  We love them!  I am so happy that all my neighbors and relatives have NOT said "You're next!  We need to get you married!" because it wouldn't be like I haven't been trying for about a decade, or anything.  Psych.  They have. Hahaa.... but that's fine.  I agree with them.

 They look so beautiful!

We got to see a ton of family for the event.  Ryan and his family came to town for three weeks!  Evan and his family came for 10 days.  We loved, loved, loved it.  Plus, I ALWAYS love it when my parents visit!  I didn't do the dishes once!

Okay, I did help here and there, but I sure loved having mom here.  Not going to lie.

The fabulous Tiffany did my hair and we wore champagne-colored formal dresses for the reception.  Cute nieces as flower girls!!

A few of the enormously fun things we got to do this month with the family:

1. See the hot air balloons take off by Provo High School
2. See fireworks for the 4th of July and 24th of July in random Salt Lake City suburbs we had never gone to.  We are a little weird in that we are really good friends with Ryan's and Evan's in-laws.  We hope the Wilsons follow suit!  We happened to grow up with the Youngs and Seegmillers.  Because Sasha (Young) Willardson's husband does kettle corn at events, we sometimes tag along - hence the different cities than we're used to!  It was so great.
3. Get to know the Wilsons.  They hosted a BBQ at their house and we all decided we will have no problems getting along.  They had me at "Our mom is just like Lucille from Arrested Development."
4. Go to Seven Peaks for the first time in over a decade.  I am pretty sexy in a bathing suit, so I don't know why I'm not there every day.  I sucked it up (literally) and went!  It was a blast!  Jordan has been on every ride there.  I am 20 years older and live here.  And I have not.  And I will not go down those free-fall ones as long as I live.
5. Go jet skiing for the first time in over a decade.  I got to drive my own and it was SO GREAT!  I absolutely love jet skiing.  
6. Lose my iPhone in Utah Lake
7. Lose my license in Utah Lake
8. Get a new pic for my license (hated the other one anyway)
9. Get a new upgraded iPhone (Hello, Siri) with my insurance (maybe when the next one comes out, I'll "drop" this one in a lake too...)
10. Yeah, ok, I know I was stupid to take them on the water with me.  I thought (yes, actually) I was being smart.  If I ran out of gas or died and needed to be identified, I was prepared.  What if I'm trying to get to a bathroom, I can't find it, and ... my bladder explodes?  (Name it). They were in double ziploc bags in my deep board short pockets.... but I guess I like speed and wave jumping.  So sue me.  Actually, don't.  This month was expensive.  
11. Mani/Pedis with mom, Heather, and Jenn
12. Go to a wedding.  Duh.  See above.  The luncheon was at La Jolla Groves (drool) and the reception was at Sleepy Ridge.  I loved seeing extended family!
13. Go to Tabitha and Scott's baby Vera's blessing.  It was so beautiful.  Uncle Tom got to bless her, and it was the sweetest experience for all of us.   Stevie, you look so pretty in the background.
14. Raft down the Provo River.  I have lived here since 1988 or so, and have never floated the Provo River.  It was so beautiful and fun!  No trauma this time, though I did remind Jenn of my favorite rafting moment ever.  She was there.  She remembers too.  It was in Flaming Gorge.  That's all I will say.
15. Celebrate Ben's 5th Birthday!  We got to go to Nickel City and have pizza and ice cream cake at the Seegmillers'.  He's such a handsome little guy!
16. Run a 5K!  I know earlier this year I posted about my family planning on running in San Francisco this month.  The following people dropped out: Spencer (wedding/honeymoon/studying too much to train), Ryan (injured hip), Heather (injured hip), Dad (working too much to train), which left me.  Mom didn't even try because of her injured hip.  My genetically-programed hip didn't hurt at all during training!  Until this month.  We decided nobody could make it to San Fran, but Evan/Jenn/Sam were still running a 5K here.  Since it was my goal all along, and I really wanted to meet it, I ran with them!  We just did a Provo 5K for Pioneer Day.  My hip hasn't stopped hurting since.  Yay!  Think I'm done with running.  Evan was the biggest sweetheart ever and stayed by my side the whole time.  I am NOT a runner.  I was TERRIBLE at it, but I finished.  I walked twice for a little bit, but ran most of the way.  52 minutes.  I know that's laughable.  I know.  I worked really hard for that, and I'm so glad I got to do it.  I lost zero pounds from running these past six months.  That's also laughable.  Still so glad I did it.  My overall health greatly improved!
17. Decide against nursing school.  Turns out the debt will be greater than anticipated because I won't be able to have even a part-time job, and I will still need to take care of the house and live... plus all the back and forth on wanting to go was pretty much my answer that I shouldn't.  I do feel like I failed, like I'm a quitter, like I'm a loser going back to my desk job every day.  Thankfully, those feelings are fleeting and don't last very long.  My job is pretty great, and I have the means to travel, and no homework or wiping fecal matter from patients.  When I saw ONE of my textbooks for the LPN program, I almost hyperventilated.  It wasn't for me.  Not right now.  I really wasn't sure about it in the first place, and the one thing I am sure about (marriage/family) is something I don't want to bring a ton of debt into.
18. Visit Aleta in the hospital (enough hospital visits for a lifetime in that family this year) after she had her beautiful baby Dallin!!
19. Sink my teeth into lobster at Lobsterfest with the Youngs
20. See cousins, aunts, uncles, old friends and neighbors, etc

All in all, it was the busiest July of my life.  It was the BEST July of my life!

Tight Security

When you visit Primary Children's Medical Center, they scan your driver's license and print you a name tag with your pic on it.  Subsequent visits can be made with them just looking up your scanned card and matching your name and picture.  I went to visit Holland (see below for details) on Saturday and again last night, when they already had my ID scanned from Saturday.

The conversation went like this:

Receptionist: Have you visited before? 

Me: Yes, a few days ago.

Receptionist: Last name?

Me: Andersen.  E-N.

Receptionist: What???  E-N-D-E..... what?

Me:  Andersen, with E-N at the end.  A-N-D-E-R-S-E-N.

Receptionist, sorely confused: Your first name is Ian?

Me: No, it's Lindsey...

Receptionist: And you're visiting an Andersen?

Me: No, that's my last name.  I am visiting the Youngs.

Receptionist: Oh... 

Me: I was saying E-N as the spelling of my last name, not Ian.

Receptionist: Yes, okay, I found you.  Here you go.

It wasn't until I was leaving when Aleta pointed to my shirt and said, "Um... that isn't you."

I hope she handles all the important medical records too.

**Aleta and Bryan's 3-yr-old daughter, Holland, has been in the hospital recovering from brain tumor surgery.  You can read more about it here.  The tumor biopsy showed it is benign, and they still have not been able to remove it all.  They will try again in three months, since Holland has stopped breathing multiple times under sedation and has gone under the knife twice in the past week for major brain surgery.  Good news, they got most of it out, it isn't cancerous, it shouldn't grow back, it shouldn't affect her functioning at all!  Bad news, she'll have to continue the MRIs and surgery later.  Prayers are appreciated!  

When I visited Holland last night, she had just received Valium and was laughing and smiling.  It was so good to see her like that again!  I brought her pizza and she was mad that I ate some too.  That's my Holland! 

 Poor Aleta's belly can be seen here as well - 34 weeks prego and living in a hospital.  She is such a trooper!

ACCEPTED.

May 30, 2012

Dear Lindsey,

Congratulations!  You have been accepted into the Fall 2012
Mountainland Applied Technology College Practical Nursing Program.
Final acceptance is dependent upon the following:  (1) satisfactory
results of a background check and (2) satisfactory results of a drug
screen (3) current copy of CNA certification or re-certification letter
(4) attendance of the mandatory orientation meeting. Please respond by
e-mail and include in the subject “LPN Program Acceptance” or “LPN
Program Denial” to nursing@mlatc.edu by June 4th by 2 PM.

If accepting, please complete the background check and drug screen, CNA
certification/re-certification letter, copy of immunizations, TB, CNA,
and CPR (Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer), MUST NOT EXPIRE
during the program; (August 21, 2012- May 17, 2013.), an official
transcript of prerequisite course completion. All documents must be
received by the assigned due date or an alternate candidate will be
selected.

●       Official Transcripts of prerequisite                    June
15th, 2012
●       Background Check & Drug Screen                  June 15th, 2012
●       Immunizations & CPR                             June 15th, 2012
●       TB                                              June 15th, 2012
●       CNA certification or re-certification letter            August
7th, 2012

Fall semester practical nursing courses at MATC begin on Tuesday,
August 21, 2012.  There will be a mandatory orientation meeting for new
practical nursing students on Monday, August 20, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. at our Thanksgiving Point Campus on 2301 West Ashton Boulevard
in Lehi.  The nursing department is located on the second floor, room
227.

When clinical sessions begin in September you may have obligations on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Times may vary depending upon clinical
sites.  If you confirm your acceptance into the practical nursing
program, you will be expected to attend ALL classes, labs, and
clinicals. You must make a full-time commitment to this program! There
will be a fall break on October 11-12, 2012. The MATC practical nursing
program consists of two semesters, August through May.  You will receive
a separate mailing regarding registration and tuition.  I look forward
to working with you!

Sincerely,

TJ Carter, MSN, RN
801-753-4159
nursing@mlatc.edu