"hallow's eve" eve

Last night, I relived a piece of my childhood.

Who doesn't love a reminder of the 90s?

The commentary supplied by good friends was the best part!

(Sorry if you missed it...)

Confession: When I was 8, I thought Casper was so dreamy.....

Now he makes me giggle inside.

imperfections

The Hortin family recently returned home from a trip around southern Utah- stories and pictures to come.

Before you are delighted by our adventures, I thought you might enjoy a small teaser....

I have been trying to get back into exercising every day. It continues to be slow. Being stubborn, I decided that I was going to run on the treadmill in the fitness room of our hotel yesterday morning. No suprise that with my luck, the fitness room wasn't open until 8 am and this was 6:45 am. Maggie suggested we go running down Main Street instead.

Confession: I have never run outside as a source of exercise. I may run if I'm late for something. Heaven only knows the number of times I have run to catch a Trax train, but the distance is significantly small. I run on a treadmill. As such, I run alone with the option of slowing down and doing my own thing for however long I want.

I had high hopes for something like this: wind in my hair, music beating in my ears, being amazed at what my body can do....

Saturday wasn't like that. Maggie likes to run. Turns out, I don't. The combination of the two of us didn't help my mood that morning.
We headed out and started to run but were up before the sun and running in the cold. I forgot my good sneakers so I was running in my Old Navy blue shoes that have as much support as running barefoot.  I started out really excited and truly enjoying myself. Sadly, that only lasted for a few blocks. I made it back with a headache, pain in my right ear (what?), sore feet, sore muscles, and a defeated attitude. This is a better depiction of my experience that morning:

The best parts:

1) I was running alone to catch up to Maggie and passed a few people on the street. The man closest to me smiled as I passed and said, "Slow down. Nobody's chasing you!" Thanks to Mr. Stranger that made me smile through the pain!

2) The sun came up while we were running. Watching the colors change on the beautiful red bluffs of Kanab was breathtaking. Too bad I needed all the air I could get.... ;)

sing it

Last night, I was able to go to my little sisters' choir concert. It was the first concert of the year so it was the first time I saw little Carrie up on stage, singing her little heart out.

Don't they look so grown up?

I was at presidency meeting and had to run across the street. I was a bit behind and ended up running like lunatic through the Alta parking lot. I got some strange looks from my "awkward purse and binder run" but I just kept going. Out of breath, I walked into the school, got my ticket, sat with the parentals, and heard Carrie's choir sing. She is a member of Women's Chorus. We didn't know if Carrie was going to really enjoy singing. She has never really been as gung-ho about it as the rest of us girls. Watching her sing up on stage made me cry. Course, I've been a little bit of an emotional wreck the past few weeks, but thinking about where Carrie was just over a year ago and then to watch her stand up on stage for 10+ minutes with no support, side step and get her groove on, put me me over the moon! I witnessed a miracle last night!

The choirs were very good. I am biased towards Women's Chorus and A' Cappella, but it was a great concert. Watching Melanie sing was so fun. She looked completely comfortable on stage and in her ability to sing. I have to keep remembering that Melanie is a senior in highschool. When I just see them at home, it is easy to think that my sisters are still my little, little sisters. They are so grown up and doing so much! Oh, I love them!

Oh man, oh man. I'm a proud sister!

surprise day!

There is an on-going joke at the Hortin house that buying "treats" makes any day a "SURPRISE DAY!!!"

[Monday was a mess. I was scheduled for work at 6 am, therefore I was awake at 4:50 that morning so that I could get ready and ride like the wind with my dad to catch the train. Then, work was a disaster. Not my event, but the situations surrounding it. You don't need to know all the gorey details, just the fact that if you saw a freak on the train riding home at 4 pm that was crying the entire way- it was me.]

Back story only to demonstrate the need for a surprise day....

Melanie picked me up from the train and needed to head to Claire's for clip-on backs for her new choir jewelry. There I was in my "ninja suit" in a room full of fancy and fashionable do-dads. I found a pair of really pretty earrings:

and some crackle nailpolish. Dang, this stuff is weird but super cool! Nothing like a tiny dose of retail therapy to chase the blues away.

in a nutshell

This week has been much better than the last two. What a relief! Still, I haven't gotten to the weekend yet, and those tend to be the hardest. Ironic, isn't it?

Sunday: I finally taught my temple lesson in Relief Society. I haven't taught for years and I had never taught in Relief Society before. Still, I think it went pretty well. I love the feeling when you know you are teaching by the Spirit. I love bearing testimony, even if it isn't as eloquent in execution as it is in my head. The funny part is that I get to teach Fast Sunday next month too. After the block was over, some of the sisters in my ward came up and complimented me on my lesson. It is never the purpose of teaching to be praised, I know. The Spirit did all the heavy lifting. My new friend, Michelle, came up and said that I was "tender-hearted" and my fellow sisters in the presidency said they would rather I teach every Fast Sunday. Well, shucks.....

The biggest thing I took away from that lesson was the feeling of teaching with the Spirit and the reminder that I have learned much from my father and our family conversations over the dinner table about teaching.

Monday: I was lazy for the first part of the day because Monday is currently my only day off. Sheesh, there are a lot of things going on downtown at the Joe. The day ended with a disappointing trip to Kmart. Disappointing because we couldn't find what we were looking for. Never because of the company of my mother and younger sisters.

Then, I went with my ward to the Crazy Cornmaze out in West Jordan for FHE with my ward. I don't go to FHE very often, or never actually, but it just worked out that I tagged along with Whitney. It was a blast! I was afraid that it was going to be haunted. I hate being scared. Absolutely hate it! Well, I made the mistake of mentioning that when some of the guys were near. They took it upon themselves, since the cornmaze isn't haunted on Mondays, to be my personal poltergeists. Still, we had a great time!

This cutout was at the exit. Shaye and I couldn't pass up this awesome kodak moment.

 L to R: Shaye, Whitney, Miranda, Marissa and Jennifer is hidden in the back

Tuesday: I worked a VERY VIP function! Holy Smokes! Enjoy as I name drop: Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Rasband, Elder Clayton, Elder Whitney, Bishop Burton, and Governor Mike Leavitt. They were there as a round table discussion. I only get bits and pieces of the conversations but they said something about George Washington and making a larger community committee combining the Catholic and LDS Church organizations. More than that, I have no idea what they were doing. I was just trying not to spill.

(It only took 8 months, but I am finally official! Doesn't that tag look swell?)

Later that night was Presidency meeting and Miranda thought it would be a good idea to go out and visit at least one sister every week. This week we headed out to see a girl named Alisha. She hasn't come more than once or twice because she works on Sundays, but she really is darling. She invited us in, warning us that she has pets so if we are allergic, it might be better to stand outside. Of course we all walked in and proceeded to pet one of her cats and her two dogs. It was great fun to talk to her, but as soon as we were back in the car, my allergy to cat hair came back. I don't go places with cats for so long and then I forget that I have a problem until I become a snot-producing machine. I sneezed and sniffed all the way back to the church. Guess what?! I'm allergic to cats.

The night ended with frozen yogurt with my long-time friend, Missy, because she is going to Boston tomorrow to live for a year! She is so brave! I don't know if I could do that but I am super excited for her! I can't wait to hear all her stories. We went out to the place in the gravel pit, Planet....something. I can never remember what it is called. They had gingerbread yogurt for the season! Oh. My. Holy. Fudge. You need to try this stuff. I was worried that it would be too strong but it was perfect. I had a bowl of gingerbread and pumpkin with a little cake batter or something white, loaded with fruit, cashews, and graham cracker crust. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Go. You'll love it!

Wednesday: Today was another crazy day at work. I served Elder Richard G. Scott! He was so excited when I handed him his ice cream :) Thinking about his reaction still makes me smile. And I was able to work with Elaina, Bryan, Sophie, and Michelle. They are the reason I haven't marched into Laurel's office and quit on the spot. (multiple times)

Tonight was dinner from Wendy's with the rest of the girls at home and then Institute! Brother Anderson talked about finances, which is definitely something I need to work on. He made me rethink my payments for student loans and working out payment for a car. Maybe I need to look into some options.

I heart Forum! The speaker could be mediocre and I would still love it because of "the Sandy Crew." Those are wonderful people and I am so happy that they consider me a friend.

All in all, this week so far has been much better than last. It is as different as night and day. I hope it continues that way as we go into the weekend........................... (fingers crossed)

what the...?

52 weddings at the Salt Lake Temple today.

Seriously?

Seriously.

Congratulations to Chris Blackham as he and his wife were one of the 52.

(P.S. Isn't that a great picture from my phone? This was the view as I headed towards the trax stop and home.)

margaritas

Yesterday was Thursday and should have supplied a "things i love thursday" post, but let me be honest: yesterday pretty much stunk. Hardcore style. Today hasn't had much to lift the spirits either. So, in lieu of my usual post I wanted to thank friends for thinking of going out for margaritas.

I would try and explain but I hate being overly dramatic. Truly, I hate drama of any kind. All you need to know is that once again, I feel like I got the short end of the stick. I didn't know that sticks could have so many short ends, but thus, tis true. The best part of all of it is that you can drown away your sorrows in a delicious strawberry margarita. (Virgin, just in case you were concerned and thinking, "Jenny, margaritas contain alcohol.")

self-explanatory

(Just in case you need a little explanation: This is Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. The guys at work have been telling me about it for months. I found it by chance at Barnes and Noble and OMG, I get it. This is just a part of the wonderfulness that is a new favorite of mine. The music is great. The dialogue is hilarious. Neil Patrick Harris is the perfect love sick nerd. I didn't know  that Nathan Fillion could sing. He does have a crude line or two, but the similarities of Captain Hammer and Castle make me laugh. The thing I don't like about it is the ending... but, I guess it works. Maybe I'll be Penny for Halloween. Then again, maybe not.)

whopper ice cream

I didn't know it existed either. And let me tell you, I think it tastes better than actual whoppers.

Story: I was feeling homesick for my good friend, Pixel. It worked out last week that our schedules could mesh for a night in with yummy dinner and a movie. Doug didn't have to work so it was a great night of me hanging out at their place. You would think I would feel like the third wheel in this situation, but I don't. That factt makes me like Doug even that much more. I'm so grateful for their friendship!

The night was super chill. Pixel and I caught up about life.... And by that I mean that I talked while she cooked and Doug chimed in every now and again from the living room. I may be turning again to Mr. and Mrs. Hendriksen for dating advice. We ate dinner and headed into the family room to use their new projector for a movie when Pixel said that she felt in the mood for ice cream. Not even a block away, they have a small convenience store. At the moment, I can't remember what it is called.... The three of us walked over and got some delicious Whopper Ice Cream! You need to try this stuff. I'm serious!

When deciding what movie to watch, we found Some Like It Hot on Netflix. Pixel hadn't seen it yet so we preceded to laugh and giggle at Jack Lemmon as he and Tony Curtis play girls.

The night was simply delightful. It is unanimous that we will have to repeat it again in the near future!

back tracking

So much going on in the life of Jenny Hortin! I have missed my little blog here. Ergo: here's a little of the goings on.

As a Presidency, we decided that we would plan a little retreat for the sisters in our ward. The idea came from a stake get-together where we were talking to other Relief Societies about success stories. We headed up to Midway to the Davis cabin. It turned into another activity where I plan for a large number and we barely break 15. BUT, I still had a blast!

Our retreat was the 16th and the 17th. How perfect that the Holy War transferred over to the retreat since it was the night before the game. Watch out ladies....we know how this ends.

The weather was crazy the night that we drove up. Whitney and I had a moment or two were we stared, open-mouthed, at all the water on the road. Obviously we got there and back safely. Still, it rained all night long. We planned to have a fire with smores outside at the fire pit. Lucky for us, the cabin had a fireplace. Thanks to our resourcefulness, we still made it work.

Miranda and me...

Now that's what I call a s'more! "First you take the mallow..."

Kara and Rachel

Nicole, Kiera and Sister Wells

We had an awesome time singing and playing with the player piano in the front room. It is a little more tiring than I thought it would be. But still great fun! 

Sister Davis knew so many old time musicals and old songs. She is so sweet! I'm so glad that we get to work together!

 My great friend, Whitney, is an awesome photographer! Look how cool that is-

(No mocking of my pajamas....or my socks. You're all just jealous.)

 Oh, hello Whitney. That is priceless!

We had so much fun playing games and watching How to Train Your Dragon late at night. The next morning, just sitting around the table, I learned more than ever about the wonderful sisters in my ward. My favorite: Whitney asked everyone the weirdest thing they ever ran over while driving.... And what have you run over Miss Whitney?

On the way out of the cabin, I had too much fun taking pictures. I love the fall and the bright colors! Especially the fire orange leaves.

Before we headed out of Heber Valley, Whitney and I made a trip into Heber for lunch at Dairy Keen and shortbread cookies from Days Market. If you haven't eaten at the Dairy Keen, you need to! It is in the middle of Main Street. You can't miss it. And you shouldn't!

It had been awhile since I had been to eat there. When we walked in, they had these drink dispensers that are computerized. I didn't know that there were so many options for Diet Coke or Lemonade. I had way too much fun with mixed drinks.

Thank you, Brother and Sister Davis for letting us use your cabin. Thanks especially, sisters, for an awesome night!

a story or two

I have been thinking about this moment a lot in the past few days, but never more than yesterday during General Conference with so many references to The Book of Mormon. I love Conference!

Story: Last week, I was scheduled to work on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Laurel told me I wasn't, twenty seconds later, she said that I was and someone else wasn't. By the end of the day, I was thoroughly confused. Am I working? Am I not? When am I supposed to come in? Before I left, it was decided that I would come into work at 11. That was more than fine with me since that meant I could go to the temple with time enough for baptisms before. Hooray!

I woke up, had breakfast, threw on a skirt, and jumped in the car to be dropped off at the train before Dad headed to work. A few stops in, my phone buzzes with a new voicemail. (side note: I hate when someone calls me and my phone doesn't register the fact until I have a phone message. It is so irritating. I am not attempting to screen phonecalls, I promise. Oh, except for that one guy.) The message was from Laurel, saying that I no longer needed to come in at 11 but could I please come in at 3? This is one of the many things I hate about my job. It is like they think I don't have a life outside of work and because of that, I really can't have a life. When I think of all the friends with whom I have had to cancel plans, or all the things I would love to do but can't, I would be completely content to quit right away.

So there I sit, trying to get a hold of Laurel because I cannot work. There are many things that I have to cancel, but I will not bail on Institute unless I am sick and cannot move. Missing Institute throws my entire week into a downward spiral. There went my temple plans because if she called back while I was in the temple, I won't get it and that would cause a whole number of problems. I decided that I would walk the few blocks to the Gateway and wander, just in case my phone rang. I needed a pair of brown heels, anyway.

To say I was irritated would be an understatement. I walked with my head down, mumbling internally about my situation. Suddenly, I heard a foreign voice calling to me through my disgruntled haze. I looked up and saw a young Asian couple walking towards me. She wanted to know where they could find a place to shop. Funny, I thought, since they were walking away from The Gateway. I pointed them in the right direction and tried to describe how to get there but different cultures were an obvious hindrance. Since I was heading that way too, I mentioned that I could walk with them to make sure that we all ended up at the right place.

Off we went while she translated our conversation to her boyfriend. After she finished, I tried to start friendly conversation to make walking a few blocks a little less awkward. I asked if they were from the area or if they were here on vacation. She told me that they had a long layover. She mentioned that they had seen the temple. I asked if they had been around Temple Square and she said that they had been to the house on the corner. It made me smile that she didn't know the name of it. I asked if they got a lemon drop at the end of the tour. I love those lemon drops but I had forgotten that they might have stopped doing that. Shame.... Still, she looked at me with a puzzled expression and then said that the ladies at the end of the tour had given them something. She looked to her boyfriend and asked, "A Bible?"

I was so excited inside. To clarify, I asked, "They gave you a Bible?" She answered with enough clues that I knew she meant The Book of Mormon. Then, in the next 30 seconds, I bore my testimony and told her that reading it had changed my life. I further encouraged her to read it, but she just smiled and nodded, in a way that I figure she was blowing me off. Maybe not. Maybe she read it when they were back on the plane. Maybe she will decide to change her life. Just maybe.

My mess of a day was completely turned around in those 30 seconds. If Heavenly Father's purpose was to place me walking towards The Gateway at that very moment to meet those very people, I'm okay with that. Thinking about that experience, all I remember is the joy I felt in sharing the Gospel with strangers.