Targeting the Problem

Lately, since I graduated, every time I go to Target to shop I get stopped by these Primerica insurance people who want me to quit my job and sell insurance to low income families...basically get involved in their pyramid scheme so they get more money. I know it is a pyramid scheme because so many people I know have tried to get involved in selling them...they've even tried to sell Trine & me insurance. 

The first time I was stopped I tried to be polite and say "I might be interested" but the guy didn't tell me who he worked for. But after the second, third, and twentieth time I am short with them and walk away as fast as I can...kinda like people did when I was a missionary in GA. Trine even witnessed it today.

These people always start off with the same questions, "Hi, cute baby I have one myself." "Are you going to work today?" "Where do you work?" "I think I know someone who works there (then they drop a common name like Matthew)." "Do you know Matthew?" "So, you have a counseling degree?" "That's cool." I get so tired of it. I am to the point where I don't want to shop at the Target anymore because I know I am going to run into some freak who wants to use me for their own gain. (Apologies if anyone reading this blog sells Primerica).

So the questions that I have are: What about my appearance screams "I am a sucker who will fall for a get rich fast scheme?" For real, why me? Do I quit shopping at my favorite store? Or do I tell the store managers that there are solicitors in their store that need to be kick out? What you you guys do?

A Good Read

I've been thinking a lot about trials and why life is never what we expect it to be. Basically, I've been having a pity party for Christmas. This morning I stumbled upon this post on a blog I frequent. What a helpful reminder that no matter how much our hearts hurt that we really aren't alone. There are always people who need to be loved and shown kindness. It's so easy for me to just shut down and want to hide when things become difficult. Aaron says I'm constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. How do you find ways to pick yourself up, move forward, and not dwell on things that are out of your control?

A Lifetime of Decembers

The month of December has always been an interesting month for me. The first thing that happened is obviously my birth which happens to be on Sunday. Because my birthday is so close to Christmas, I have always gotten the short end of the stick when it came to celebrating the moment I entered this blueberry of a planet...I didn't get parties growing up because everyone was with their families, and many years all I would receive was a jazz CD from the used rack at the local music store. Some years, I remember sneaking in to see the mother load of Christmas gifts that my parents hid poorly and ended up getting one of the presents on my b-day.

I was baptized in December when I was 8 yrs old. I don't really remember the day, I just remember wearing a baby blue pinstriped suit with a pink tie. I was even styling back then in 1990. If I remember right, the girl next door to me called a radio station and dedicated a Boys II Men song to me on my birthday one year. I never heard it, but she told me about it. Yeah, I was quite the ladies man.

I received my mission call to the Georgia Macon mission in December in 2001. I remember thinking that I was going to a hole in the earth that still used cans on a string as telephones. I even have a journal entry somewhere about my feelings. It turns out I wasn't that far off...more then half of the people we talked to did not own a phone.

I was accepted into BYU in December 2003 and was confused whether I needed to stay on my mission or come home early for school. After much prayer, talking with the mission president, and a companion telling me I was going to hell if I went home early several times a day (oh, and I was bringing damnation on myself and all those people I could have talked to during those last six weeks) I decided going home was the best decision. My plane touched down in SLC on 12/19/2003. So if I had a mission plaque it would seem like I only served a year (Feb 2002-Dec 2003) despite it being one transfer early.

In December 2005, Trine and I got married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. I was glad we actually made it to the day we had planned for despite almost eloping several times prior to the date because of the family stress. For those who might be thinking that December weddings are glorious, think again. Well, the actual day was good but the stress of the holiday is not. Anniversaries are hard to plan and actually follow through with in December...for us something always goes wrong on that day. This year we are just hitting up a dinner and a movie, something we haven't done in two years.

I graduated BYU on December 20, 2007 with a B.S. in Psychology. I was proud that I graduated a semester early (3.5 years) thinking I was going to change the world one soul at a time. It sucked being jobless during the following two months after graduation. I finally landed a job at Provo Canyon School and quickly realized that I probably wouldn't change any kid's life in the time that they are living there.

This year I will be the big 2-6 and is looking back at all the surprises that December has given in my life. Despite having some pretty crappy Decembers I have had in my life there were some pretty good December months. I think the best one happened in December 2005 when I married my best friend. Happy holidays everybody.

Joy to the World

December is seriously the busiest month of the year in the Nelson household. Not only do we have the usual holidays that keep everyone busy, but we also have several family birthdays and our anniversary. This year, much to Aaron's dismay, I didn't really want anything for Christmas. I eventually gave in and we decided to get a family gift we could enjoy together. We don't need more stuff. Does anyone else ever feel that way? I'd much rather give to a Sub-for-Santa or an Angel tree.

I'm not writing this to be a Grinch. I am very grateful for the blessings we have been given. The other night by 14 year-old brother asked what I would wish for if I had one wish. His was that he would own one of every instrument in the world and be able to play them professionally. Band geeks unite! My wish would have been for everyone I love to be able to be happy and kept from harm. Oh to be fourteen again. Back then I would have wished for world power or millions of dollars. Now I know that you can never really ask for more than to have the ones you love to be protected and happy.

The Greatest Christmas Movies

Aaron and I have now rearranged our netflix queue so that we will be able to watch all of our holiday movies in December. Most holiday movies that I love are ones from when I was a kid. So I thought I'd do a post dedicated to the movies I love.

Our first Christmas together we watched Babes in Toyland as we built a gingerbread house. I remember that we search all over town to find this show and finally found it at the library. I had called about 15 minutes before closing and then made Aaron speed over there so I could get my fix. I hope that this comes in the mail soon it's listed as a long wait.

The Muppet Christmas Carol has to be my absolute favorite. I love all the Muppet movies. The songs are so catchy. Aaron read A Christmas Carol last week and had a difficult time because he kept imagining the songs from the Muppet's. We have the original version of this show. The anniversary edition is missing a love song that always makes me laugh. Perhaps they took it out because instead of being a poignant moment it leave you with the giggles. Not because of the lyrics but because the woman singing has the best facial expressions. Seriously though, how poignant are the Muppet's supposed to be?

Finally, what movie post would be complete without a mention of Elf? According to Netflix, this is the most rented holiday movie. For me, this is the best Will Ferrel movie. The soundtrack is great and the humor isn't crass. This movie also reminds me of the trip I took to New York with Sandy four years ago for her birthday. (HAPPY 29 SAND!!) All the tourist attractions were decorated and it was just a really great time. We also saw Wicked, but that's another post.

What holiday movies do you love? I'm always looking for new things to put on the queue.