Going for a Ride

We busted out Otis' winter coat the other day- the weather finally turned cold enough to warrant it. I'm not one to put clothes on my pets, but Italian Greyhounds have only 1% body fat, so living in the Utah winter climate kind of demands it. I laugh every time I put it on- he looks so stinking hilarious all bundled up! We call it his Back to the Future moon coat- now if only we had some puffy moon boots to match...

This is what we go through every time we head out the door, except 9.999 times out of 10 I don't have the video camera on. I'm serious- the dogs get this wild if we even put our shoes on without having to say anything to them. Try getting his coat on when he's like this... I'm so prepped for wiggly, little kids!

Halloween Shenanigans

I love being marriaged and having other marriaged friends who still know how to have a good time!

We have a message for you...

Even Halloween provides and opportunity to share the Gospel!

Some delicious Halloween treats

Spooky punch

A friendly doughnut eating contest

I rocked it and almost won... until my last bite fell into the dog's dish :(

The Beaner Comes Home

Tanner's younger brother Ian came home last week from his mission in the Czech Republic. I was a little nervous, seeing as how I'd only met him twice in my life. It was kind of odd, having been in the Guzy family for almost 2 years now, and to have never met a brother-in-law. I was worried about upsetting the family dynamic- why change a good thing? As it turns out, Ian's a lot of fun. He laughs all the time and at almost everything; he really seems to love life, even when it kind of sucks. It's Tanner on steroids. So now the Guzy family is complete again, for at least 1 more year, until Cache heads out on his mission. Can you say 'family vacation?' !!!

Dad, Tanner, Me, Trent, Eliza, Ryley, Cache, Ian, Mom

My New Project

What better way to enjoy one of the last beautiful weekends of Fall, before the snows of Winter hit, then to spend the day outside on a renovation project? Most recently, I've been working on a new dresser for our bedroom. I'm so tired of our overflowing baskets of clothes and shelves of crumpled sweaters- I can't wait to have a dresser to put things in! Tanner and I found one for sale on the KSL classifieds website and talked the lady down to $50. It's from the 1950's, so it needed a good paint job, but a little sanding and a lot of time fixed that. The thing that took the most work was getting the detailing painted straight. It's a good thing design school taught me how to keep a steady hand and invest a lot of patience into making things look right! Now I just need to find some classy crystal drawer pulls (those babies are expensive!), along with some indiscriminate shelf paper, and this puppy will be in business! Below are the photos of our fun, new dresser.



This is the finished product- the original black pulls with have to stay for now, until I can afford some cool crystal ones. So I guess for the time being, the dresser will have to look a little more retro fun than vintage chic; I'm okay with that. (PS: those are drop cloths in the background, not clothes, because yes- we are once again repainting our bedroom...)

I've Discovered A Secret

Liquid dishwasher detergent...


...is amazing!!! I love opening my dishwasher and seeing all of my dishes so sparkly and clean. And it's the same price as the powder crap. Trust me, you don't even need to waste your time, this stuff is liquid gold.

Now THAT Sounds Like a Blog Post to Me!!

Last weekend, Tanner and I were hit by a giant, hot-air balloon. Here's the proof:


Now here's the story:
Tanner has been offered a position doing traffic updates for KSL on BYU game days. His first day was this last Saturday, so I went with him to help him pass the 2 hours of time. We were stationed at a park just off of University Parkway and Tanner was charged with calling in every 10 minutes to update the station director on the flow of traffic to the stadium. Just across the parking lot from us was a family, blowing up a GINORMOUS hot air balloon- they wanted to announce their business of offering rides and assumed this little park would be a great place to do it, as a large amount of people would see it while they were stuck in the stop-and-go fray. Unfortunately for them, a very dark cloud blew over just about the same time they finished inflating the balloon. Tanner and I sat in the car, watching this balloon listing in the breeze. As the winds picked up, so did its movement. We were laughing with excitement, watching this balloon blow all over the place, speculating on whether or not it was going to stay afloat. Well, it didn't. The next thing we knew, the balloon was headed straight for us. Neither of us were anxious to jump out and help throw the balloon's canvas in the air as I was holding the panicking O-dster and Tanner was busy phoning in reports, but when it caught on the chain link fence next to us, we couldn't stand by anymore. Tanner lept to the rescue, helping to untangle the fabric and trying to hold it steady as the family rushed to deflate it. I was worried we'd all have gas poisoning as our entire vehicle was engulfed in the balloon and Tanner was quickly lost inside all of the fabric immediately after stepping out of the car. Luckily, we came out okay. It didn't take long for the balloon to actually deflate as half of it was left on the fence next to us. I felt terrible watching this poor family's business go up in smoke, but couldn't help but laugh at the hilarity of the situation. Now that's a crazy story...

FWD: lol

I got an email in my inbox which directed me to forward it onto my friends/family and have them respond by answering this question:

Question:
“If you saw ME in a police car what would you think I got arrested for?"

These were some of the answers I received:

-Indecent exposure...aka streaking
-I would say.... forging checks.
-STREAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
-Getting thrown out of some business you had a grievance with because you wouldn't back down
-Getting in a fight because someone did something to your dog.
-Streetwalking (haha- what???!)
And then the next email: OOOPS, I meant Jaywalking! :-)
-I would think you just got a ride home from some place you were stranded. No arrest. If you insist on an arrest, it would be for arguing with a police officer

Hahahaha- this was a very fun email to send/receive!!

13.1 / 2:29.30

I just ran my first half marathon this morning and boy, was it killer! If you haven't already guessed, that's the title to this blog- the distance I ran and my time. I was surprised that I popped out of bed at 4:15 this morning and didn't feel tired at all. We met the rest of our crew up at the finish line to catch a shuttle up to the race. I didn't expect to see how small the race was- probably only a few hundred people; nothing like the few thousand I had anticipated. The first 4.5 miles were switchbacks up the mountain, it was difficult, but I think I was more excited to summit to get to the port-a-potty more than to be finished with the hill climb! I felt pretty good through miles 5-8 and found myself thinking I was actually enjoying the run. Then came mile 9- my deathtrap. It went to Hell in a handbasket after that. It was all I could do to just keep moving. I swear they tainted the water at the station with lead b/c my legs filled up pretty quickly shortly thereafter and I found it hard to even move them. At mile 10.5 a sweet lady passed by and asked if I wanted to keep pace with her- I think she could tell I was dying and needed a little motivation. She kept time while we ran 120 seconds, then walked 30 for the next mile and a half. That really helped me to retain my focus and make it into the final stretch. Boy was I happy to see that finish line and Tanner waiting there with the camera. He took my hand and helped pull me along so I'd have a strong finish. What a great guy! Reactions are mixed- I kind of feel like running's for the toilet right now, but I'm sure in a month or two I'll be ready to hit it again. It's such a wild feeling- I had no idea I could accomplish something like this and if I can do it, ANYONE can do it!!!

Everyone looking pretty chipper before the race. (From Left) Our training partners Travis and Brooklin, me and Tanner, my 14 yr old sister in law Ryley, Mom Guzy, Dad Guzy, my brother in law Trent and his wife Eliza

Oh Shiz Moment #1: The race has barely begun and this is the first thing you round the corner and see. So discouraging, the hill seemed to go on forever

Some pretty scenery to help us forget we've got 10 miles ahead of us

Oh Shiz Moment #2: The second hill after cresting the first

Oh shiz Moment #3: Looking at the third, and last, hill that I have to conquer

Dad at the top, filming everyone

More pretty scenery

A nice rainstorm came to cool us down

Where the trouble began- when I took this photo, I thought it would be fun to see I made it to mile 9... little did I know

Finally exiting that blasted canyon

The finish line

Maryanne, who kept me moving through mile 10. I'm not sure who's looking worse here... hahahaha

Mom with her medal- she took second in her age group and came in in under 2 hours. She's a running superstar

Still chipper, but a little more beat

Go Team Guzy!! (A funny sidenote: see the port-a-potty behind us? I accidentally walked in on a girl using it this morning before the race. Hahaha- there she was, exposed to everyone, with her shorts around her ankles. C'mon people- who doesn't lock a port-a-potty??! I kept seeing her throughout the race and every time I did, it brought a little smile to my face. Poor girl)

Go Team Jones!! (Why does it look like Travis is a getting a little post- marathon action out of Brook??)

A Favorite American Pastime

One thing I love about summer is a good baseball game. I love hollering at the players, eating hotdogs, and singing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' in the seventh inning stretch. Since I usually can only get Tanner to come out to 1 game a year with me (and I reserve the BYU football games for that luxury), I have to turn to alternate means. Who said daddie-daughter dates are only for 12 year olds??

Go Bees!!!

Now I had a pretty decent hotdog at Ikea last week, but nothing beats the sweet, all-beef deliciousness of a ballpark footlong

Me and Dad, loving us some good ol' fashioned baseball

Veni Vidi Vici

A few weeks ago the government decided to initiate a stimulus package that actually made sense- they opened all of the national parks to the general public at no charge, for 2 full days. I'm sure they'll find a way to make up for the loss, seeing as how we ALREADY pay for our national parks with our taxes. Oh yeah, and with the campground fee. AND the donation buckets they have posted everywhere. What a joke- the government never misses an opportunity to wring your pockets dry.
Well, we decided to take advantage of the offer and coerced a few friends into hiking the Narrows with us. I haven't hiked it since I was 12 and have been dying to do it again. For those of you less familiar with the hike, it's a 16 mile (as the crow flies, but more like 20+ with the number of times you zigzag across the river) hike through the back country and Virgin River in Zions National Park. Since the hike takes an average of 12 hours to complete and you are hiking in the river about 96% of the time, it can be pretty grueling- I've heard it likened to walking over very large, slippery bowling balls, which leaves you feeling muscles you may never have known you have. The view, however, is spectacular and some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see. It is touted (and quite deservedly) as the best hike in the national park system. I think you'll see why when you look at the photos below.
We had such an amazing time, and an amazing crew, that we're planning on doing it again next year. We're aiming to get licensed in repelling though, so we can hike the Subway and Slot Canyons. Who would have ever guessed I'd become such an outdoorsman?? I guess I have to pack in all of the adventure now, before I end up a rich socialite living in the Hamptons... such things will probably be below my social status then...

Our campground- good thing we hadn't put the food out yet; this mom and her 2 fawns wouldn't leave us alone!!


Tanner spent most of his free time catching lizards and frogs- such a boy!!


Freezing our arses off at 6 am in the morning- just hitting the head of the trail and beginning our day. It was horrible trying to make ourselves cross the river and get wet- we could see our breath!!


The sun starting to peek up- the camera was on a rock, set on timer mode, so the view's a little crooked.


About 3 hours in, hitting the small Narrows.


A cool, little inlet.


A beautiful waterfall that we had to hike around.


Tanner, trying to be artistic. I love Lindsay's head at the bottom. or should I say bangs and hoodie?


A view through the Small Narrows


Getting kind of deep. Little did we know we'd be swimming less than 100 yards ahead.


Probably my favorite picture of Tanner.... ever (he's holding another lizard that he caught.)


Big Springs = half way!! This is about 6 hours in. There are 2 springs, but again, on a rock, on a timer, so it ended up not such a great shot.


The crew entering the Narrows- that's them at the bottom, several yards ahead of me. Pretty daunting knowing you're now stuck for the next 4 hours with no way out...

The bus on the way back to camp. We made in 11 hours, 15 minutes- 45 less than the average. I look like a deer in the headlights, but maybe it's the blisters on my feet, the strawberries on my inner thighs, and the fact that I can barely walk. But seriously- this hike is amazing! Lol

!! NO !!

I am not pregnant, nor are we currently trying. That announcement probably won't come for another year or so. We've only been married a year and a half and we're still enjoying the newlywed scene and have our hands full enough with our 2 very young dogs. Don't worry- no matter how much I express the desire to have a baby, it is definitely tempered by reality. Once I am pregnant, however, I promise to make an unmistakably clear announcement so as to leave no confusion. So you'll have to tune back in next year to catch that one.

I Heart Babies

My brother Jason and his wife Grace just had a baby girl. She was 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long. They named her Etta and she is so cute I could eat her alive. Weird that my brother, only 1 year older than me, just had a baby. Maybe ours won't be far behind...

GRRRRR

This is pretty close to how I've felt about my computer lately, thanks to a nice Japanese website that held within it a dirty trojan virus that hijacked it, rendering my every function useless. What was I doing on a Japanese website you ask? Well, none other than surfing the web for a cool, new blog background! I'm happy with the one I ended up with (courtesy of a more reliable, American site, no offense to the Japanese), however, am not so happy with the hoops I had to jump through to fix my machine. After many phone calls to my tech-guru brother Jimmy, I finally gave up and ended up uninstalling the entire XP operating system, then installing Windows Vista, which I luckily happened to have an extra copy lying around, thanks to my other brother Jeff. Now I think I'm back up and running and I have to say, I'm kind of excited about this new OS... Vista might be kind of cool afterall, despite all of the negative rhetoric from the geek world. To just an everyday, average joe, vista looks pretty sweet. Thank heavens I have great family to fall back on, otherwise, I might have been stuck on Tanner's trendy mac forever!!!

I'm an Achiever

We ran a little 5K this last weekend for an organization called 'Fill the Ark.' They fill ships with animals and send them to third world countries and teach them how to be self-sufficient in farming. We thought it was a worthy cause, and good motivation to continue in our training for our half marathon in Sept. I finished in my usual time- 32 minutes. Nothing special. I like to say I'm just behind the over achievers and just in front of the under achievers, which I guess in turn would make me just an achiever. I'm okay with that.

Otis' Little Treasure

Look what Otis found!!

I took Lola and Otis out to potty after work one day last week and found Otis getting a little distracted with what I thought was a pine cone. I told him to leave, then walked over to investigate for myself. I picked this little guy up, he was almost completely non-responsive and could barely open his eyes. I felt so terrible for him! I brought him inside and put him in a little sauce bowl and under a lamp to get warm. Then I called the Tracey Aviary and was connected with a local bird rescuer. It turned out that she lived right down the road from me, so I was able to take him on over to her house. By the time I got there, he had warmed up a lot and was quite the explorer around my car and lap and had no problem chirping out his story to me :) The rescuer looked him over and told me he had obviously gotten separated from his mom and almost been eaten by another bird, as was evidenced by the peck marks on his head and back. He would've been eaten if Otis hadn't found him. The poor little guy had such a rough start in life, but I hope that now he has a bright future!