Walk About

I went on a walk about the other day to familiarize myself with the Avenues neighborhood. Can I help it if I am secretly loving where we live right now? I thought I would be miserable in Utah but SLC proper is actually pretty awesome. I guess I will survive the year we plan on being here.

This is probably one of the most cleverly named establishments in SLC. Kudos, Jack Mormon Coffee Company.

Here we have a beautiful protestant church...

Competing with the Catholic church right next door. See, Mormons aren't the only people in Utah. Maybe I should show my Mom these pictures. Then maybe she would visit me...

I love this one. This cathederal totally reminded me of the gothic cathederals we saw in Italy, France, Germany and Spain a few years ago. Looking forward to attending and Easter of Christmas Mass here.

Oh, and look. Straight shot to the LDS Temple. So many pretty religious structures, all in one city!

On my walk about I noticed many homes for sale. Here is a picture of one of said homes. Looks nice, don't you think. Would you believe the owner wants $675,000 for it!? Ummm, it's very nice, but come on. This is Utah and not California. I guess you pay premium to live in the Avenues?...and I guess the fact that it is across the street from a park that overlooks the capitol plays a factor, too. But still...

Chillin' at a little park that overlooks Canyon Road (where I go running) and the Capitol. One of my date ideas for the spring is to have a little picnic at this park with the Clarkman. Is that lame? I thought it was an excellent idea but Clark wasn't all that enthusiastic. Too bad, the picnic will prevail.

Can't wait to make more discoveries here in SLC. I hope next time Clark can come with me rather than sleep. Boy, work does put a damper on things sometimes.

She's back, but it wasn't a pleasant experience.

The other weekend we went down to Vegas to get Gretchen (and participate in the Mom Tobler catering event). The trip back was, I believe, an unpleasant and upsetting experience for Gretchen. She worked herself into a frenzy within the first 5 minutes and would not stop panting, leading us to believe she was dehydrated. She kept tearing at the nylon/mesh cage with her claws so I eventually took her out of the cage to hold her on my lap. She freaked out even more and tried to escape through the windshield. So we zipped her back up into her cage and draped a sheet over it and ignored her cries for help. Within 30 minutes she quieted down and remained in a hopeless state for the majority of the drive. Occasionally she'd work up enough strength to try to tear through the cage, all to no avail. She also managed to tip her kitty litter box upside down at one point. Poor thing, once we got her home we noticed that she had rubbed her nose raw against the nylon/mesh trying to escape.

Here she is in her cage...

A closer look reveals that she won't even acknowledge us...she is so hopeless and helpless.

Straight up terrified.

And still terrified.

Oh wait, what is this?? Gretchen LOVES her little kitty bed. Thanks Mom Tobler for donating the bed to us. She loves it! And she is getting way more comfortable with her new home.

Now she only gets skittish and scared when hearing wierd noises, like when the heater kicks on above our bed.

But usually she's happy as can be on her kitty bed.

Thank goodness she's getting comfortable here in SLC. We didn't want to have a cat that hid under the bed for weeks. Fortunately she only hid under the bed for one night. She even cuddled with me on the couch last night as I watched episode after episode of LA Ink on Netflix. We are glad to have Gretchen back. When she isn't scared of the world she is so fun to annoy and be around!

Cramped Space

Yep, this is where we let loose, git er done. Wish there was just a tad more leg room so we don't have to sit diagonally....

I miss this ball of fur...

I can't wait to nuzzle this kitty cat and lay on her stomach to hear her purr...

Freezing 24/7

I can never seem to get warm here. I know, I know, it's not that cold. But for someone who has lived in Arizona where its 100+ degrees 5 months of the year, 35 degree weather is miserably cold.



What show-offs. I'd like to see them withstand 113 degree weather. That's right. Sit in a lawn chair outside on the asphalt for 30 minutes around 3 pm in the middle of July. I dare you crazy canuks! HHHHmmmmmpppfff.

(I think I am just jealous they can tolerate the cold so well...)

Miracle Ring

"All I need is a miracle, all is need is you." I had this song by Mike and the Mechanics in my head ALL night after seeing these rings.

Unfortunately I zero quarters on my person and so I still don't have a miracle ring.

But I'll get one, oh yes, I will. Clark and I happen to love Catholic relics/memorabilia. You should see our bathroom. Maybe I will post a picture sometime...anywhoo, I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.

A sigh of relief...we finally have internet!

Hot damn, we're back!

Greetings from the land of Subaru Outbacks!!

Here are some of our New Year's Eve pics. Way too many pictures of Clarkage and myself. What can I say? I love us. And when the photographer (aka Tomas) never wants to be in the pictures it ends up being just me and my lover.

Our "awesome" New Year's Eve feast at Beto's, or what we know as Filberto's in AZ. I don't know that I felt 100% satisfied after my meal...

Off to Temple Square...few connections in Utah = little else to do on New Year's Eve. But it was beautiful nevertheless.

And cold.

Good thing I was prepared and purchased a warm coat before I left.

I'm reunited with my lover, ohhhh yeah.

Pretty pretty.

I don't think I would have gotten over this quickly had the circumstances led to a midnight bath.

I loved all the nativity scenes and the racially diverse Mary, Jesus, Joseph, shepherds, angels, etc..

Like this one. I really liked this one.

Even had to get a picture with it.

Yep, I liked this one, too.

Ahhhh, it was a fun even if it was less than eventful. I'm just happy to be back with my Clark. Well that's the conclusion of our New Year's Eve photos...so on to other news.

(No, we are not pregnant.)

Below is a picture of Clark's beloved towel, gifted to him by Diane Wamsley for his high school graduation. This towel has followed him everywhere. It followed him onto his mission where he used it daily (I hope?) for two years straight. It followed him back to Vegas. It followed him to Arizona, from Kevin's bachelor pad to my tiny apartment to the condo and to our house. And it has followed him to Utah.

After so many years of use (8 years, actually), this towel has a nasty, mildewy odor to it. When washed it smells fine. But immediately after being used it radiates a most aweful smell.

So the time has come to bid farewell to Clark's beloved towel. How it shall be retired I know not. Garbage? Cut up as rags? A bonfire tribute? I just hope Clark doesn't cry.

Farewell, good friend.

Last but not least, caramel corn on the cob, anyone? We found these at the store. I think people thought we were crazy laughing hysterically at these "ears" of corn. But they are scrumptious and made right here in Utah.


So... the transition has been pretty good. The job is going well even if Clark and I have opposite/conflicting schedules at the moment. This too shall pass. I love being able to walk to and from work. It's glorious. I haven't driven my car in 4 days. Probably not a good idea to let it sit in the cold but I love not having to drive. The grocery store is literally a minute walk from the house and I just got a library card and walked to a library branch that was three blocks away. Running trails are near by and we get to see Gretchen and Mom and Dad Tobler next weekend (PS, Mom and Dad Tobler, will you be in Vegas the 29-31st? Please say yes, because we are coming!)

Life is good and for once, I can't complain. Nothing beats being with your spouse, that's for sure!

No Internet

...really sucks. We have to wait until Tuesday to have it installed. Seriously? Yes, seriously. Things are done differently in Utah, I guess. And we actually ordered it on the 4th.

GUH.

I hate feeling disconnected from...the world.

Peace out. I'll be back on or around next Tuesday. I'm really excited to show off my awesome New Year's Eve photos. Because they are awesome to me :)

Take care all, drive safe, and have a good rest of the week!

Whew! Christmas and moving festivities galore!

I don't even know where to begin. My mind has been boggled for days. Moving can do that to a person.

Clark's parents came to AZ to celebrate the birth of our Savior with me (and to help us move--thank you again)! And we did it Catholic style. We attended a Christmas Eve Mass with my good friends/neighbors Loly and Missy (they fed us X Mas Eve dinner--the least I could do was take them to Mass). It was a first for everyone but me and I think everyone enjoyed the service. (Karl especially liked the music. Jan, the nativity and the homily.)

Christmas day we hiked Camelback Mountain with Loly and Missy and then went to the movies later in the evening--along with practically all of Gilbert. The theater was hopping! Invictus was such a feel good movie. I kind of hope to single-handedly change the world now.

The 26th Clark flew in from SLC and we had a post Christmas Christmas celebration with Clark that involved gift giving. Then it was on with the packing and loading up the truck! (This part sucked.)

We finally put a stop to the packing/loading madness around 8 pm and enjoyed our last dinner at Pita Jungle for a very long time. And we got to hold and cuddle a cute little baby, too!

The 27th we lost the cat. Literally. Gretchen is a skittish cat to begin with and when she saw an opportunity to escape the noises from packing/Karl playing guitar, she took it! I was pretty distraught for a while but Loly and Missy promised to keep an eye out for her. Sure enough, when we were an hour outside of Gilbert, Loly called me and told me they found the cat! Of course Gretchen decided to wait until we left to come out of her hiding spot. So instead of turning back, we are letting Loly and Missy keep her until the 9th when Jan and Karl will pick her up when they travel back to AZ for a wedding. It's probably for the better, though. If she ran off in the Avenues she would never be able to find her way back. At least she was familiar with our neighborhood in Gilbert. Uggghhhh, stupid cat that I love so much.

So now we are trying to get all situated in our new digs and man, I love it! Perfect location and pretty dang spacious! Aside from the apartment not having a washer/dryer/dishwasher and the bathroom being too cozy, Clark done good! Clark has refused to let me post pictures of the outside because he is scared of weirdos on the Internet. Fair enough. I'll later post pictures of the inside when it is in order.

Who wants to come visit!??

Also, anyone know of anyone who needs a house to rent in Gilbert? Ours is open and ready!


A picture is truly "candid" if you are pointing.

My lovely neighbors Loly and Missy.

Festive bush + Jan + Karl

I had to snag one picture with my friends.

And one picture with the parentals.

The loading truck

Practicing my motherly skills. Yes, I do have the skills to put babies to sleep. I learned from Kat. Thank you for the butt/back patting skills, Kat.

Clark practicing his fatherly skills.

Counterfeit family! Thanks, Kevin and Desirae for letting us borrow Natalie!

Just found out the news that Gretchen is alive and well and in good care.

So photos are allowed on the road.

The road to St. George.

Oh Utah and your snowy mountains. I have been running amid the snow and slush. I will persevere!

This is what happens when you push a Rubbermaid tub down the stairs. HA!

Our first "feast" amongst the boxes/madness.

That's all for now. I'll be posting again soon when we get internet. I am currently posting from the bachelor pad where Clark is jamming.

We didn't get our Christmas cards out in time this year, hence the blog post!

May your hearts be filled with joy and happiness this Christmas, and may we all remember the reason for the season! Hoping your New Year will be bright, sunny, and full of good cheer!

A brief recap of major happenins in the Clark Tobler family in 2009:

-We celebrated our one year anniversary March 8th and took a trip up to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
-Clark graduated from ASU with a bachelor degree in nursing. YESSSS! We celebrated by going to Six Flags.
-We took a relaxing and much needed (much needed for me, at least) break from life and went on a cruise to Grand Turk and the Bahamas.
-Clark got a jobby in Salt Lake City and started work on the orthopedic floor at LDS Hospital on September 1st.
-Rachel became a self-diagnosed depressed wife with her husband in another state. This led to frequent trips up to Salt Lake and frequent interviews for nursing jobs in the Salt Lake area. After several months of being apart, Rachel has acquired a job at LDS hospital, too! Now if we could just move all our belongings with the snap of a finger...

We are so grateful for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us this year. We are especially thankful for our wonderful families and friends. Love to you all, all the year long!

This is what I get when I'm a stressed out brat.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers from my husband! And he even remembered that lilies are my favorite. I love you, my loverbug.

Packing up the house has been more than stressful. The idea of moving and unpacking and starting a new job is so daunting I sometimes feel like I might be having an MI. It's probably just acid reflux from the Chinese take out I've been snacking on but it feels like a heart attack.

Yesterday I took a lot of my stress out on the Clarkman. I take a lot of things out on him when I shouldn't. (I apologize Clark, you know I still love you.) And then he goes and gets me flowers.

Sheesh. I don't deserve him.

And I had a good friend over helping me pack when the flowers arrived. She was quite impressed. Brownie points for Clark for shizzle.

Thank you, thank you, Clark! I love you and can't wait to see you on Saturday!