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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Emergency plans and April birthdays

Some of you know that I have been taking an HR class every Tuesday night for the past few months. Two weeks ago we discussed safety. It made me realize that my company, along with many other companies, did not have an emergency action plan when it came to earthquakes, employee abduction, fire, etc. The facilities manager and I undertook the daunting task. I have been writing emergency action plans for all of the above mentioned catastrophes as well as some others. While businesses that manufacture things or deal with heavy equipment have many OSHA guidelines, there aren't many guidelines for white-collar working environments. I searched the Internet and books for references and suggestions, and eventually came up with first drafts of several emergency plans. Because of this project, along with several others, I worked 54 hours last week.
By the weekend I was really tired but I was energized by the idea that I would be able to see my family on Sunday. My parents, Grandma Johnsen, and all my siblings and their families gathered together to celebrate the birthdays of Brooke, Alison, and Wyatt. It was a lot of fun. As usual, the food was amazing. It was so funny to see all the kids together. Tanner is so close to taking his first unaided step. Lauren is starting to really assert herself; especially in regards to the wooden duck and sharing. Isaac is making an excellent older brother to Aaron (who had a cold.) Wyatt is starting to talk in phrases, which will soon become full-blown sentences. Sidney rules supreme when it comes to herding the little ones about and being helpful in many situations. All in all, it was a wonderful time (despite some grumpy moments by a niece and nephew who shall remain nameless.) I stayed a little later than I should.
I was driving home after 10:30pm and was anxious to get home when I was pulled over by Highway Patrol Officer Taylor as I was passing the city of American Fork. I was going over 75 in a 65 zone. I received a speeding ticket (my first) and have to wait more than 5 but no more than 14 days to visit the courthouse in Provo. I am planning on attending traffic school so that it won't damage the insurance rate (especially after the concussion in the car fiasco.) All in all, it was an eventful week. This week so far has been a busy one but I am going to try to best to work under 48 hours.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Utah in April

One of the things I like about Utah is that we have four seasons. Unfortunately, this can lead to some pretty weird weather. Take today: it rained, then snowed, then the snow melted, and then it came again in a hard sideways fashion. By 7:30 pm, the sun had come out and it was above 40 degrees. Here is a picture of my nice spring grass with its new covering.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

I still read...really.

Even though I haven't written a book review since December, I still make time to read. Over the past couple of months, I have read the following books:
  1. Paperquake by Reiss
  2. A gracious plenty by Reynolds
  3. Fairest of them all by Medeiros (I don't recommend it)
  4. Lithium: what you should know by Eshom (informative yet slightly boring)
  5. It happened in Utah by Wharton
  6. Summers at Castle Auburn by Shinn (I like this fantasy author)
  7. The Innocent's story by Singer
  8. Austenland by Hale (Not as cute as I would have liked but, as a huge fan of Jane Austen, I still liked it)
  9. Dream Chaser by Kenyon (interesting premise but had some smut-don't bother unless you can read sex scenes and not be bothered. I didn't make it all the way through.)
  10. The night dance by Wayn
  11. Fire study by Snyder (the third in a pretty good fantasy series)
  12. A field guide to high school by Walsh (part of it is written in a diary format)
  13. Over the moon at the Big Lizard Diner by Wingate (a cute, clean romance)
  14. I'd tell you I love you, but then I'd have to kill you by Carter (fun teen spy novel)
  15. Deep and dark and dangerous by Hahn (ok but no Wait Til Helen Comes)
  16. Beauty by Wilson (I likes this story of a painter and a recluse disfigured by disease)
  17. Feathers by Woodson
  18. General Winston's daughter by Shinn
  19. The Titan's Curse by Riordan (An interesting series that involves Greek Gods and heroes)
  20. When Cricket's Cry by Martin (I would recommend it to almost any adult)
  21. The Fire Rose by Lackey
  22. The Quantum Rose by Asaro (would have been better without the romance)
  23. Cross my heart and hope to spy by Carter (second in a series)
  24. The Uses of Adversity by Broderick (very good spiritual book for any adult)
  25. The arrival by Tan (excellent graphic novel with few words)
  26. The Thirteenth tale by Setterfield (I would like to thank my sister Jen for recommending it.)

Since the list is fairly long, I will not give my usual 2-5 sentence review. If there is something particular that I wanted any reader of my blog to know, I have included it. I hope you all are still reading and can make time to escape into a good book.

Aaron's blessing

Aaron Wyler was officially blessed and named on the church records on March 30, 2008. I skipped out of my own church to drive up to Weber County to watch my younger brother bless his third son. It was a beautiful blessing with family and friends in attendance. I am very proud of my brother. After the blessing, we traveled to Mom and Dad's house for food and good conversation. It was great to see everyone and Jen managed to get a cute picture of Aaron and I. Enjoy the pictures: