Goodbye and Good Riddance!

March has been a trying month for us.  Usually we enjoy the spring time and the sense of rejuvenation... HOWEVER we were not ready for this month.  The horrid experience started around March 13th.  Chris had traveled by car to Logan, St. George, and then California to visit family.  On the second day in California the car broke down.  The mechanic that we found said that it was the timing belt which then created a whole mess of problems.  We spent $2,400 to get it fixed and to get Chris home.  He dropped off his dear friend, Alex, in Logan and got back to Blanding safely.  The next morning we got in the car to go to work and it wouldn't start.  (Now the fun really begins.)  We took it to one mechanic who admitted that they didn't have the equipment to figure out what is wrong with it.  Another mechanic in Monticello said that he had the equipment and he picked up the car.  After two days of basically babysitting our car, the same mechanic informed us that he actually didn't have the equipment and had no clue what was wrong with our car.  To get our car moved to a second mechanic in Monticello, we had to pay a steep $350 bill!  Now the car is with the second mechanic and he is working to get the original, California mechanic to pay for the repairs.  

While that crap was going on, I visited the doctor to see why I wasn't getting pregnant.  He told me that it sounded like I have PCOS.  To be diagnosed with this syndrome I would need to get an ultrasound.  I went up to Monticello and was hoping to find out from the radiologist if I had cysts on/in my ovaries or not.  The lady was really nice, but wouldn't say a thing!  She even asked me twice if I was FOR SURE not in any pain.... I didn't quite know what to say the second time.  In the end she said she saw cysts, so I left that day thinking I had PCOS.  I continued reading information and grappling with the enormous amount of information and emotions surrounding this diagnosis.  I was hoping that I would hear from my doctor in a few days.  I waited and waited with no word from my doctor's office.  Finally I called twice and left messages days apart without hearing a thing.  On the third try I got a hold of the receptionist.  She informed me that I have a 5.8 cm cyst on one ovary.  I still have no clue what that means.  Do I have PCOS?  Do I need to do something about the cyst?  

Still without a car, Chris and I borrowed a truck from one of Chris's coworkers.  We had no problems with the dogs and the truck until today... Indie decided to jump from the truck bed while we were driving slowly through the neighborhood on the way home.  We knew immediately that something was wrong because she wouldn't put any weight on her right, back leg.  There were a few droplets of blood, and she was shaking severely.  Recently the local vet passed away unexpectedly so we started the drive up to Moab.  When we arrived, the vet's receptionist said that the problem could be anything from a dislocated hip to a broken leg.  After an hour of waiting we found out that Indie had broken her femur bone completely.  The only way this type of break would heal would be to pin and wire the bone back together.  We love our Indie girl and couldn't imagine life without her so we did not hesitate.  She is still up in Moab with the vet.  It was so hard to see her in pain!

After this last straw that literally broke our emotional backs, we decided that we need to say goodbye and good riddance to the month of March this year.  Our amazing, wonderful, god-sent neighbors invited us to a cookout on their new deck.  In honor of their kindness (they lent us a car for weeks), I baked a cake that included several colors.  On top I added a personal message.  I really wanted to say "f*ck you, March!"  However, I knew that my adorable neighbor kids, who are a little impressionable, would not benefit from that.  

We barely had our last send-off for March by burning our calender page of March 2012.  Even though it sounds a little cheesy, it was an amazing feeling to think that now we can only embrace positive things that are sure to come.  No more crap for the Merkets!  And yes, I am flipping off the calendar page!

We will hopefully be able to pick up our precious Indie on Monday.  I don't know exactly what is to come, but we are excited to get our little girl back.  City will hopefully stop being so depressed as well :(

Birthday and Valentines Day

Well... I am one year older!  I have survived 25 years on this earth.  This year I was busy with a bridal shower before my birthday so I spent it relaxing at home with Chrissy.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered!  I enjoyed doing nothing (not even watching the Superbowl) on my birthday including not changing out of my pj's all day long.  

One present that Chris got for me was the 1910 expansion pack for the game Ticket to Ride.  It includes a lot of extra tickets and new ways to play.  It turned out to be a lot of fun!

 Another great present my awesome hubby bought was the expansion Alvin and Dexter for the same game Ticket to Ride.  This expansion is a little different from the style of the Ticket to Ride game, but it proved to be a great addition.  You'll have to come by to try it out with us at our next game night.

 The third present that I got this year was a trip to Home Depot.  No, I did not get a new kitchen or a new washer and dryer... I got something better!  Magnetic and chalkboard paint!  How awesome is that?  I was really excited to pick it up because I have been thinking about it for a long time.  We have a high partial wall in our kitchen that is basically wasted wall space.  If we hang a picture on it, we would knock into it while passing into our kitchen.  So I decided it would be great to use that space to create a fun wall to decorate and hang stuff on.  We were a little disappointed with the magnetic paint.  You are required to put on at least 3 coats but the darn stuff isn't too strong.  As long as we have strong, strong magnets, we can hang stuff on the wall.  I think it turned out pretty cute considering!

Malia's Bridal Shower

This last Saturday I had the pleasure of co-hosting a bridal shower for my dear friend Malia.  We sent out about 50 invitations total, but sadly only 20 or so guests were able to come.  Pat Pace and I were able to decorate the local Relief Society room to house that guest list... now we realize that we didn't really need the space :)

To feed the guests I decided to make "gourmet" cupcakes.  I tried first to make cupcakes for Tina Croft's baby shower and work, and sadly, they did not live up to my expectations!  So I researched a little online and found some great youtube videos that explained everything!  I invested in a Wilton decorating kit that came with the perfect frosting tip.  The Wilton 1M tip is great with cupcakes.  I tried a few styles out and decided on the top rosette style.  

 This is a shot of the food table with my beautiful cupcakes and delicious cucumber sandwiches and 7-layer salad made by Pat.  

 Here is a close up of my gourmet cupcakes.  They turned out so beautifully!  I was really proud of myself and my cupcakes.  I made and frosted 72 of these bad boys!

 Pat invested in some table decorations that turned out great.

 This is the first table our guests saw when they walked in.  We had a guest book for our giant guest list  and we asked our guests to sign and record the gift they gave Malia... I also made a giant cupcake cake to give away as a prize for our bridal trivia game.  

 Here is a close-up of the giant cupcake cake.  It was a lot of fun to frost this one as well.  If you can't tell, Malia's wedding colors are purple and teal.  I know the cake looks like a Jazz cake but it was supposed to look like Malia and Goose's wedding colors :)

I am glad I could have done this with Pat for such a great friend!  I know our decorations are a little reception-like, but it turned out great in the end. Here is to Malia and Goose!

Bluff Balloon Festival

Every year Bluff has a balloon festival in January.  Last year we had attempted to go, but when we got down there we couldn't find it.  Sounds a little silly but they only fly the balloons in the early morning and Bluff isn't as big as it sounds.  When you immediately can't find a large group of people that are supposed to be gathered, you begin to feel discouraged.  This year we did find the festival at the perfect time.  The "balloon glow" is an event that happens at night and allows the land bound festival-goers a chance to enjoy the balloons up close and personal.  We were even able to be the "crew" for one balloon.  Chris manned the large fan that initially filled the balloon with air.  I held the balloon up to get the air directed in the right path.  At one point I honestly thought that the balloon would lift me off the ground.  It was quite the experience.  One that I will hold on to for the rest of my life! 

 We were also able to watch the filled balloon leave the ground and rise into the air.  The flame seem uncontrollable, and I freaked out for a few moments, but we were with experts!  The balloon left the ground safely, and the heat was delicious on our skin.

 These are a few shots of all of the balloons for the glowing.  There were so many beautiful balloons to enjoy. 

 This was my favorite balloon.  It was beautiful!

 The balloon in the center is the one that we were the "crew" for.  It was a giant from below!

Christmas Hats

We bought these great hats for the dogs at Alco.  Once when Indie was walking away from City, City bit her hat and held on to it.  The problem was she was still walking.  She choked for about 10 seconds until the strap finally broke. 

 The two stylish puppies assisted by Chris.  Hopefully we'll have little ones to dress up for holidays in the future.  I don't think City and Indie will stand for much more torture. 

Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway

For New Year's Chris, my mother, and I were able to drive through Valley of the Gods.  This park is across the desert from Monument Valley on the Arizona border.  Monument Valley is part of the Navajo reservation and it costs a pretty penny to go through.  Valley of the Gods is a national park and doesn't cost a thing to drive through.  The monuments weren't as famous, but they were just as beautiful. 

 Our favorite monument was the Woman in Bath monument.  If you can make it out, you will see a woman relaxing in a red rock bathtub on the left of this picture. 

 We also stumbled upon Moki Dugway while visiting Valley of the Gods.  I have wanted to find this drive for awhile, but never figured out where exactly it was.  This road is a dirt and gravel roadway dug right out of the mountainside.  It has as many switchbacks as possible.  The top of the dugway was extremely high above the desert floor.  You could see the Abajo Mountains by Monticello and the Sleeping Ute Mountains in Colorado as well as the monuments on the Arizona border.  It was a little too foggy to see Shiprock in New Mexico.  Living in the four corners area does have some benefits... the views.

In the center of the picture above is a building.  This is the Valley of the Gods Bed and Breakfast.  This home is literally in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it but open space.  I think life in Blanding is hard because there aren't a lot of shopping opportunities.  These poor souls have it worse than we do.  I don't know how they do it!

I haven't blogged in such a long time.  I figured I would get back on the wagon with a blog overload.  Here are a few pictures of our beautiful puppies!  We love them both so much. 

Indie and City cuddling on the floor.  City is really patient with her even though she bites his cheeks and feet.  Sometimes I am afraid she will break the skin. 

 They love to sleep on the sofa together.

 I got this cutie while waiting in the car with the puppies.  City is such a photogenic dog.  It surprises me that he will let me take pictures of him.  Indie on the other hand does not let me take pictures!

 Indie likes to sleep spread eagle for some odd reason.  You would think that she would have some modesty... 

 We figure Indie is about 3 1/2 months old right now.  We got City when he was a lot older than Indie is.  It is very apparent when we try to train her and in her interactions with us.  She has picked up sit, down, potty, and shake already, but sometimes she thinks she can boss us around.  We hope to keep training her for awhile to come.