Recession Schmecession

There's a recession going on. Did ya know?

Seems that every time you turn on the television there are endless reports of economic doom and gloom. Frankly I think the media is doing more to harm the economy than anything economic. But I digress...

If you're one who has not felt the effects of the economic downturn then I implore you to be grateful. Get down on your knees and thank the good Lord. I for one have felt it. Intensely. I still have a job, yes. But my once booming employment is merely a shadow of what it was just a few years ago when we were turning away work we couldn't handle. Now we are chomping at the bit for any scrap of work that falls our way. For the past few months I've been billing about half of what I'm used to, becoming something of a part time employee with a lot of lovely (unpaid) days off simply for the lack of work. And while I immensely enjoy not working, I enjoy money (ie. the ability to pay my bills) even more. And for a gal with a mortgage, car payment, credit card bills, etc this economic downturn has daily forced me to my knees pleading for the Lord to work His mighty miracles in behalf of my coworkers and myself.

Confession. I love Joel Osteen. Love 'im. He spoke of God's power and I completely agree with him about what can happen when we put our faith in the Almighty.

God is ready to present you with new opportunities. He wants to open new doors before you. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world around you, in the economy, the housing industry, or with job reports; God’s Word still remains true. He rewards the people who seek after Him. He’s not the least bit concerned about how He’s going to supply your needs. There is no recession in heaven. He has His eye on you, and He still opens doors that no one can shut! In an instant, He can bring the right people into your life, the right opportunities, and the right resources to take you to a new level.
But in order to go to a higher level, you have to have a higher way of thinking. You can’t stay focused on what’s happening in the natural nor allow worry and fear to fill your thoughts. Remember, God’s ways are higher than our ways. He is working on our behalf behind the scenes in the supernatural realm. Choose to keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll move forward through the open doors of blessing God has prepared for you.

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving.

The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

I have so much I want to say on this subject right now but I think it's best left unsaid (by me at least). I so loved this thought from Kristin Armtrong's blog which reminded me that no matter my troubles I am well served by being grateful.

Let's let Thanksgiving serve as a reminder, not an exception. What if gratitude could become our default? There is nothing as potent as gratitude when it comes to quelling a longing, calming restlessness, quieting anxious thoughts, filling emptiness, overcoming doubt or celebrating abundance. It is a force we can tap into at will, one with the ability to change out perspectives and fuel our potential. When our starting point is gratitude we have already won before we begin.
-Kristin Armstrong 11/29/08

I kind of glazed past the month of November without really reflecting on all the things I'm thankful for. I feel it's better late than never for giving thanks. My current top 10 thankfultudes:

1. Jesus and the Book of Mormon.
2. The space heater in my office and any heater for that matter.
3. My Morty boys and their mom and M1's and my new blog.
4. Date Night Tuesdays and Singstar Saturdays (which occur anyday of the week, not just saturday).
5. Having any work to do at work and getting a paycheck no matter how small. A boss who doesn't care what time I come to work. Not having a Christmas Party this year because the company is too poor.
6. My new ward. How kind and welcoming everyone has been. Not feeling like a fish out of water as a single amongst the families.
7. Fiji water and cheap gas feuling my road trips to/from Utah.
8. Support and encouragement in going forth in a new career field even though I feel completely inadequate and scared (albeit excited).
9. The public library.
10. Music that expresses my emotions better than I ever could.

You can call me Shelby Rae

Did I tell you about the time when I went to NFR last week and when the Rodeo Queens rode out I clapped my hands like a little girl and squealed "Oh! They're so pretty!" outloud? It's the honest to goodness truth.

I love everything about rodeo. I love it so much that I want nothing more in life than to be a Rodeo Queen. I still have to work on my collection of sparkly shirts, beltbuckles & chaps and making my hair really big. Oh, and I need a horse. But, when those things come together I will be ready because ya see... any great rodeo queen needs a great cowgirl name and a cowboy husband and little cowbabies and a cowhorse... well, just a horse. And I got that all figured out.

So... when I become a rodeo queen my name will be Shelby Rae McCann. My cowboy husband will be named Brooks (oh, and he'll be a steer wrestler) and our little cowbabyboys will be named Colt and Beau*. And my horse will be named Oakley.

The scary part about this is... I'm actually serious.

Oh and at NFR we were really close to cutie little bullrider BJ Schumacher. See?

*In reality I really do want to name my future sons Colt and Beau. See how I have trouble distinguishing between reality and non-reality?

It's snowing.

Yes. It's snowing in Las Vegas.

Did you hear that?

Snow. In Vegas.

It would behoove us all to go home and repent because Hell just froze over.

Canyonlands Half Marathon 2009

Here I come! I'm coming to PR!

Anyone else running it?

Finally found what I'm looking for... in a relationship.

*more photos coming soon

As you noticed (or not) I’ve been away for a while. Much of this is due to the fact that I am now in a serious relationship … with these two:

The Black Widow & The Other One

OK, OK sorry. I always hate when people try and trick you into thinking they’re datable/marryable. Lest you worry, I’m still here. Your singleton friend, ever faithful, ever true. Ever undatable, ever unmarryable (apparently).

But, I am happy. I’m always happy (except when I’m not, but I digress). The point here is to tell you about my lovers, er… girlfriends, er… friends. Don’t get the wrong idea about me. I’m all about the men. (Hey Balls*, have I ever told you how much I LOVE MEN?) But a girl needs her girls and let me tell you… I got awesome girls!

Every Tuesday night has turned into DATE NIGHT with The Black Widow (the erstwhile Consumer) and The Other One. Our relationship started out strong- a weekend trip to UT which included egregious amounts of food (Hello JDawgs!), a dress-up/photo shoot and SingStar! (obviously…) Things went so well that we took family photos (I'll show you later). And, decided that we need to see each other on a weekly basis.

Tuesday 1 was food again… TC’s Rib Crib. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. If you ever come visit me in Vegas I’m pretty sure we should eat here.

Tuesday 2 was the drive in movie. How long has it been since you’ve been to the drive in? I highly suggest going again. Soon. Seriously. So. Fun. True to form we had food and lots of it. What food? KFC! We’ve been on a KFC bender ever since because damn, that was good. Oh, and we had candy. Lots of it. What can I say… We like food!

Tuesday 3 was a failure as I was out of the country (ie. I was in Utah) and had to miss out. It’s true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder.

Tonight is Tuesday 4 and thus marks our one month anniversary and subsequently my longest serious relationship to date (kidding… kind of). We’re going to go see it snow in Las Vegas. “But it doesn’t snow in Las Vegas!” I hear you thinking. I know. It doesn’t. But keep in mind that everything about Las Vegas is artificial (and yes, the breasts are very much included in that statement) so naturally we’d have artificial snow. You know what’s NOT artificial about Las Vegas? The cold and the wind. BRR!

Now would be the appropriate time to congratulate me on finally finding a fulfilling, serious relationship.

*This is not nearly as dirty as it sounds. Balls is a person.

JOKE

I had a Japanese intern once; I asked him to get some supplies and he never came back. In the end I went to look for him and he jumped out waving his arms and shouted "SUPPLIES!"

I'M BACK!

I'm alive and I'm back.

I had to take a little hiatus from blogging for personal reasons (ie- just didn't feel like blogging) but I missed you all so much and I'm sure you missed me too. But I'm back now and boy, do we have a lot to talk about.

Expect a big post this weekend full of funny, serious, interesting, dull, random, whatev.

Until then... here's a funny picture: