L is for List ...

... In an effort to get more done during this week, I'm making a To-Do List, and I'm making it public. Hopefully, I'll feel more accountable this way.

Apply for more jobs.
Sand and stain side table.
Spray paint frame and finish framing print.
Clean my bathrooms.
Vacuum.
Go to the Temple.
Study for the GRE daily.
Go running at least three times.
Do 30 Day Shred daily.
Work on wedding thank you cards.
Don't watch TV during the day.
Get materials to do DIY headboard.
Write for at least 30 minutes every day.
Bake a peach pie.

The last one is the one I'm most looking forward to.

Good luck with your To-Do Lists this week!

E is for Exercise...

... This morning, after Alma left for school, instead of going back to bed or watching TV, I decided to go running. Three miles later, I was feeling so good, I took a shot at this:

30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser. (After a few of my girlfriends suggested it on their blogs, I decided to give it a try.) It's only a 20 minute workout, but by the end, I was feeling the burn.

And guess what? I have so much more energy and motivation to go out and seize the day now. Isn't it amazing what a little shot of endorphins will do for you?

U is for Upset...

... Today's BYU football game against Florida State was very disappointing. I guess today's upset is what we all get for being completely swept up in the hype over BYU football.

Oh well. I didn't think BYU would go undefeated when the season started, and now I know they won't. Hopefully everyone can go back to having realistic expectations about the team and we can be proud of them for having a winning season overall.

And hey, there's always next year!

C is for Correspondence...

... Dear Salem,
I think that I could grow to like you. It seems like you have lots of hidden gems that a little exploring would reveal. I like the look of your "historic downtown." Alma's too busy with law school. But I think that maybe you and I could be friends. If only I had a girlfriend to explore you with.

... Dear Whitney,
I finally have time to play, and we're in different states! I wish you were here to explore Salem with me. I think we could have some fun around town together. Maybe you should start checking on flights to come see me?

... Dear Jeannie,
Watching So You Think You Can Dance just isn't the same without you and Jared making comments while we watch. I miss Wednesday TV nights together. But I miss you and Jace even more.

... Dear University Communications,
I miss working with you. I even miss staff meeting. That sentence only should tell you the depth of my feelings.

... Dear Business I interviewed with,
Though I'm not terribly excited about the position I interviewed for, I'd probably still accept if you offered it to me, simply out of sheer boredom. I'll be expecting your phone call on Monday.

... Dear Lazy,
Go away. You're not wanted here. It's too hard to get anything done with you hanging around.

... Dear Willamette Law,
I hope you're worth losing my husband for at least a year, if not three. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, but don't forget to hold up your side of the bargain.

And Finally...

... Dear Amy and Shawn,
Thanks for all the kindness and friendship you've sent our way. It's definitely received with gratitude, and has made the transition a lot easier. And you have adorable children. I just can't get enough of them.

U is for Update...

... Oh hello, there, little blog. I've missed you. Sorry to have neglected you for an entire month. It's just that there's been a lot going on lately.

After two weeks in Salem, I think I'm gonna be okay. The first week was full of tears and homesickness, and the second week I lacked energy to do anything, but today I am feeling motivated and optimistic. The apartment is finally unpacked and settled, and I've found a few friends and have some possible job options, so things are on the up and up.

And, Alma loves law school, so that makes everything worth it.

That's all for now, but I won't neglect you for another month before I post again. Promise.

S is for Salem...

... Alma and I are headed to Salem this weekend to check things out and to drop Alma off at law school. He'll be staying up there and starting orientation on the 19th, and I'll come back to Provo and finish things up at work.

We think we've found an apartment to rent. We even filled out an application. Which is a little scary considering the fact that we've never seen it in person. We're just taking a chance and hoping it will work out. It seems that this whole thing is one big gamble. I try not to think about the fact that in two weeks I'll be living in a city and a state I've never been to before. I'm sure it will be fine. I mean, it looks pretty enough, right?

So good luck to us. I guess that's all I'm trying to say.

F is for Family...

... We're headin' to Idaho this afternoon for a long weekend Don Tubbs family reunion.

Because of my multiple family situation, we attend a great many family reunions throughout the summer. But this one, with just my sisters, brothers, spouses, parents, and a whole lot of grandchildren running around like crazed hooligans is my favorite one of the year.

We're looking forward to a weekend of boating and wakeboarding, tie-dying, rodeo-ing, breaking pinatas, playing Wizard & family bingo, showing off at our talent show, and good food!

A big ol' thanks to Jeannie for all the effort she's put into planning it this year and to Mom for being willing to host everyone at the house.

And for good measure, some pics of just a part of the fam from last year's reunion:

E is for Enough..

... After being placed yet again on the BYU law school waiting list, Alma and I have decided enough is enough.

Enough waiting around on BYU. We're officially heading to Salem, Oregon, where Alma will be attending Willamette University's School of Law.

Alma's leaving the 16th of August, and I'll be around until the 28th.

Get your fill of the Jeans, folks, cause this show is hittin' the road.

M is for Moved...

... That's right. Moved. Past tense.

To where you ask? Into a storage unit. For the time being anyway.

A ginormous thank you to Jared and Jeannie for all their help. We literally could not have done it without you. Also, thanks for letting us shack up with you for a couple of weeks.

We'll be sleeping around for the next few weeks, so if anyone has an open bed their willing to share, send us a memo.

C is for Cleaning...

... Cleaning is rewarding at first. Watching something embarrassingly dirty transform to spotlessly clean all due to the work of your own hands has its mental and emotional rewards. It's especially fun when your husband (who rarely cleans the house) works with you side by side. And in this world of computers and offices and sitting down all day and getting paid for it, I sometimes forget the joy that comes from working with your own hands and the sweat of your brow.

But after too many hours of cleaning one tiny apartment, cleaning becomes a pain in the you-know-what.

Goodbye security deposit. I just realized you're not worth it anymore.