Just cuz I can...

Ryan and Jared dancin'
At the Chattahoochee with some friends.

Helmet Heads...

Randomness...

Parking and Driving in Georgia

I have to vent. I have to vent about people who are inconsiderate in their driving and parking. It seems there are certain days when the idiots of driving come out in full force. Yesterday was one of them- and as of this morning on my way to work, today is too.
First of all, living in Utah for 7 years I experienced some REALLY bad drivers. And I think the thing that consistently bothered me is what I and a few others referred to as the "Utah Box". Now those of you who know what I am talking about can shake your head in annoyance with me. And it most often occurs in the fast lane and the lane next to it. I hope I can sufficiently describe it although, this is not the purpose of my blog- the title of my blog is pointing out the real issue I have with Georgia drivers- more specifically ones in the greater Atlanta area.
But going back to "the box", picture yourself driving down I-15 (if you live in Utah) and you're going at a pretty good speed (of course well over the speed limit, because really- who drives 55 on the freeway? And if you do, good for you but move over) in the fast lane of course, because well, that's where you're supposed to drive fast. They didn't name it "the fast lane" for nothing. When all of a sudden you come up to another vehicle in front of you going about 10 or so MPH slower than you are. You decide to pass them on the right because there is no where else to go and flashing your brights at them did nothing to move them over. So you look to your right, of course checking your blind spot when you see a car next to you with it's front end about half way back the length of your car. And you cannot move forward or pass to the right. There's an example of the "Utah Box". OR another example is when you've got someone to the side of you going about the same speed as you, maybe a titch bit faster and a person in front of you going about the same speed and no extra lanes to pass either of them in. ARG! I think that a mentality comes in for some who think they can "monitor" the other drivers in hopes that they will go the speed limit by getting in the fast lane and setting their cruise control at exactly the speed limit and not backing down to those who come up on them like they're about to make a permanent impression on their bumper.
So, now- getting to the drivers here in the ATL. WOW. I don't even know where to begin. I thought Utah drivers where bad... not so much compared. The reason for my anger this morning was: #1- a driver that refused to go with the flow of traffic on a two lane city street and felt the need to ride every one's (including my) bumper and then passing in front of them wildly just to get to be about the same speed he was going before this neurotic move. And only to find out that he works at the same place I do and got to the parking garage at exactly the same time I did trying to go faster than me and everyone else and cutting people off. I just laughed to myself and called him an idiot, secretly hoping he didn't hear so that he wouldn't beat me up.
My #2 reason for being angered this morning and just about every morning here at work was that there is always some jackass (excuse the language) who decides that he/she can take up 2 parking spots just because he/she feels like it. There is one guy who is a repeat offender, and I have come SO close to writing a small note saying "You know, it could do you some good to be considerate of others around you- in particular this parking garage. Learn how to park!" But I haven't... yet. I mean, there are hundreds of people that have to park in that garage everyday- and there are already limited spots. They had to make up spots to accommodate everyone and then people like that don't even pay attention. Its as if they park their car (with a tire a foot over the next spots white line) and just get out and say "oh well" and walk on. Where as a normal human being, or rather, a considerate human being would FIX the mistake. Right? I mean, why not just take the literally TWO seconds to back up and straighten out your wheels and then pull forward again? Do you want people to hit your car with their door? Do you want dings or possibly dents? Because if I can squeeze myself in there, and it's tight when I get out- I'm not going to be very careful. I'm just sayin'... I'm going to gather some footage just to prove my point and not just from people at work. It's everywhere.

At work...seriously. And this isn't even the bad one.
This is in a Costco parking lot.

Two punks in another parking lot. It's a good thing my car is small.

The driving thing... well, I just don't even know how to describe it other than A LOT of people, not all, really don't tend to think that there are other people on the road besides themselves. Like the article I linked about Utah drivers and how they don't signal at ideal times, the same goes for people here. Only I think it's worse. Crossing three lanes of traffic just all of a sudden it seems. Going 25 MPH in a 45 MPH zone just because they're looking for an address instead of pulling over because there are 5 cars behind them and reassessing where they are. Or getting off an exit (the correct way a person should) and then someone from not one, but two lanes over decides "oh yeah, I need to get off here" and shoots on over with no signal of course and no indication to the other vehicles that happen to be on the road as well that they are making this irrational move.
Bottom line is- I never knew I had road rage until I moved to Atlanta. Luckily I don't have to travel 285 anymore, because when I did for a year and a half and would sometimes get home an hour and a half AFTER I left work, my poor sister would have to listen to me just go off with a look of "what happened to my happy Heather?" It's horrible. I just have to deal with the other idiots who make the stupidest moves. I keep saying over and over again, that it all comes down to being CONSIDERATE. If there is someone that's pulled in behind you possibly backing up traffic behind them and you have room in front of you to move up so that they can too- then move up! Not only will it get them in the right place, it alleviates traffic elsewhere! It's a simple concept that some people just don't tend to understand. Oh and don't even get me started on rubber-necking... seriously.
I think I should stop. I could go on. I could recount many times of my anger. Not to say that I'm a perfect driver- no, no, I am not. I have done some pretty bad moves myself. But I at least TRY to be considerate and mindful of the other drivers around me. I'm just saying, if you're going to be driving in GA and haven't before- it's an aggressive world out there on those roads. BE CAREFUL!!!

Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!

There's a sales rep here that insists that I look like Maureen McCormick who played Marsha Brady in the original Brady Bunch show. Not sure how I feel about that...

Magic i8ball- Copied Christina

Directions: Put your music player on shuffle. Press forward for each question. Use the song title as the answer to the question. No cheating.
How am I feeling today? Sleeping In-The Postal Service (this is pretty accurate, I'm super tired today but I didn't sleep in-I wished I could though!)
Will I get far in life? He Wants Me Back- Dancehall Crashers (Not sure what that's supposed to mean...)
How do my friends see me? Sneakin' Out of the Hospital- Beastie Boys (watch out for the crazy! Ha, ha!)
When will I get Married? Everything is Exactly What It Seems-Slow Runner (I'm taking that to mean that since I am already married, that it wont change. Oh good.)
What's my theme song? Spirit Voices-Paul Simon (yes, that's me... mystical and mysterious and I have a way of throwing my voice into a whisper as if it's a spirit...)
What is the story of my life? Touch Of Grey-Grateful Dead (Hmmm, sort of depressing- although the song was our high school graduation song.)
How can I get ahead in life? I didn't like my first answer Bertie-Kate Bush so I did the next one after that Dancin'-Chris Isaak and I liked that a lot better!
What is my best feature? I've Seen All Good People-Yes (I guess that means I have an agreeable personality and can see the good in people? Okay, I'll take that.)
How is today going to be? Absolute-Scritti Politti (Absolute what?)
What is in store for this weekend? Ice-Sarah McLaughlin (ha, ha I hope not!)
What is my life like at the moment? We Never Change-Coldplay (Actually, I like where it's at- and I'm cool with it staying this way for a while!)
What song describes my secrets? Okay, this one is HILARIOUS! And yet, pretty accurate! Big Time Sensuality- Bjork
What is my current lover like? Hmmm-interesting...no comment. Pressure Drop- The Maytals
What song will they play at my funeral? Folk Song-The Sundays
How does the world see me? Heavenly Action-Erasure (I know, I'm like an angel.)
Will I have a happy life? Can't Buy Me Love-Beatles (that's true)
What do my friends really think of me? Enola Gay-OMD (*a bomb dropping plane? Whoa.)
Do people secretly lust after me? Ice Cream-Sarah McLaughlin (what the? What's with her and ice, and does the ice cream secretly lust after me or do people think of me when they eat it?)
Will I accomplish my goals in life? ah, sad. Lose Again-Alison Krauss & Union Station
Will I find true love? Eleanor Rigby-Beatles (again that's sad. It's a good thing I already did!)
How do I treat others? Mediocre Bad Guys-Jack Johnson (I think Karma is after me.)
That's me. No not the guy waving, the airplane. *Refer to above.

OUR WEDDING PICTURES ARE UP!

(yes, we are posers... that's right! )

Heather & Ryan Smith by Kennison Photography. Kennison Photography invites you to view the images for this event.

Link to the event www.pictage.com/274157 .
You may need to enter an event key to view the images:

If you have trouble, please paste this link in your browser: http://www.pictage.com/274157.

They are so wonderful and it helped me remember what exactly happened that busy day! There are SO many of them though, so if you want to see all of them- take your time! We even cut out about 200 for people to view! I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend these guys- they were so great to us and we had a lot of fun with them, and I LOVE our photos.

We also got our furniture this weekend, and it's beautiful! And the bed is so comfy my back is learning how to adjust to it! We got a new bedroom suit, a kitchen table (which we desperately needed) and a sofa table. We really needed a new bed too, we had been sleeping on the bed Ryan's grandparents left to him that he'd been sleeping on forever and I only had a twin (we obviously don't fit on that! he, he!). And I got that one from my parents, which had previously been my grandmother's! So... it was time. It'll last us forever too! I feel so grownup to have a real grown-up bed and everything! Oh, and a husband and a house and stuff like that too...

We spent last weekend painting with Ashley in our bedroom, and I think it all looks quite nice! I'm in search of a throw/accent pillow that has the green, orange and brown to tie it all in with each other. I have this vision in my head of a retro looking floral print with it all. I think if I could design it, it could be a hit. But I'll make sure someone else has first and hopefully it wont be too expensive!

Easter Fun

We spent Easter over at Ryan's parents house. His sister Kelly and her kids Matthew, Taylor and Nicholas all came over too for dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt! They are cuties! It was fun to hide the eggs for them and then help them find them. My sister Delinda came with us too and we talked about how much we used to LOVE looking for the Easter eggs. Those were the good ol' days of dying boiled eggs and then finding them. I could only eat like 5 after a little while though. But instead of boiled eggs, my mother in-law got the plastic eggs and put coins in them, like a quarter or a dime or a nickle. I thought that was a cute idea. Each kid ended up with about $3.50! Score for them! And not only that, but they were the coolest eggs too- some egg shaped soccer and footballs, My Little Pony, Spiderman and Shrek are just a few. We didn't have those in my day...

This ones for you Ashley...

P.S. if you haven't seen Clue, I highly recommend it. Good, funny movie.

Better Together

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Accents

I was reading my friend Christina's blog and took a quiz she had on there. Funny how I grew up in Arizona and then lived in Utah for 7 years and have only been here in the South for 2 1/2 years and that some people think I'm from the Mid-West or up North... I don't get it. I can only attribute it to the fact that because of my occupation I've talked to sales men and women from all over the US and parts of Canada at times and that maybe after talking to all of these people 8 hours a day for the past 5 years, they've rubbed off on me. Strange... we'll see what happens to me in the next few years after living here in the South with a husband that has a tinge of a Southern accent. I've already become quite accustom to the phrase "y'all"... I know, but it's all about convenience and the easy life here, and I'm really okay with that. Take the quiz... I'm curious, it wasn't anything what I thought mine would be.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
North Central
The West
The Inland North
Boston
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Honeymoon Pictures!

Our pictures still aren't up yet, and I am SO anxious to see them! I love the ones I've seen so far- I just can't wait to see the photographers take on it all! There's one that I'm looking forward to seeing of me with my flowers really close to my face and just my eyes looking up. Ryan did one like that too! Ha, ha! He's a funny joke man! The photographer made mention of possibly entering our photos into some sort of magazine or photo contest too- that would be pretty cool eh? But I did want to mention that my big brother Greg took a lot of pictures and also a video of me walking down the isle to my sweetheart. It's pretty awesome I have to say! If you look to your right you will see Greg Collier Family as a link on my main page and if you go to Wedding Pix you can see some more pictures there, and then he named the video "Heather's Walk".

I love technology, but not as much as you, you see... but I still love technology...always and forever.
We went to Charleston, SC on our honeymoon. For the first night we stayed at Lake Oconee, GA (thanks to Jill and Brent Woodson) the night of our wedding. Let me tell you what- we had a California King and it was AWESOME! One of the most comfortable beds I've slept on (besides one in Kristiansand, Norway at the Hotel Norge- beautiful... absolutely beautiful). We ate dinner, did our thing and went to bed at like 10:30 and didn't wake up until 9am the next morning! Then on to Charleston. We stayed at the Battery Carriage House; cute, historic, quaint, lovely! My cousin Laura and her husband spent their honeymoon there and recommended it. The bed wasn't the most comfy thing on this planet, especially after the other one we'd slept on- but it was a fun room and place to stay none-the-less. Basically we walked around a lot and enjoyed the beauty of the historic homes and buildings there and napped and had fun and strolled. It was super enjoyable. PICTURE TIME! Warning, there's LOTS of them to take a gander at. But I'm sure there's plenty of you that haven't been to Charleston, and may not get a chance to go there- although I highly recommend it.

Our room at The Lodge at Lake Oconee.

Here is the Battery Carriage House, circa 1845

Our Room The view from our room

There are a lot of old cemeteries in Charleston, just about every huge church has one on their property. They are such beautiful sights to see and so picturesque. Here are some shots I took.

Here are some random shots of us gallivanting about the city.

It was a lot of fun... I'm glad we chose to go there. The weather couldn't have been better, except for we didn't get to swim in the ocean. That's okay, we'll save that for our next trip!

***

We ate our cake too... we only got a TINY bit of cake at the wedding from when we shoved it in each other's faces... so we decided it wasn't worth waiting a year to eat the top layer. I'm pretty sure it would've gone to waste. We dug in the night after we got home! Yummy stuff!

I'm going to complain for a second. I'm tired. I feel like throwing up. I have a headache for two days in a row. Okay, I'm done. And NO, I'm not pregnant. T'would be impossible already. I should go to bed I guess, Ryan's asleep next to me already... it's late.

It's done!

We're hitched! I have husband now and my Ryan has his wife! I can't believe how smoothly and wonderfully perfect it all was! As Ryan put it, "it was story book perfect!" I feel so blessed for all those who came, helped, those who couldn't but thought of us, those that helped and put up with some of my emotional instability the few days before, and those who made me laugh. And most of all- I have a husband that I am SO blessed to have in my life. I love him so much! I can't even explain it- but I'm sure most y'all understand. Anyway- I only have some pictures which are wonderful to have from my family members and then our actual photographers pictures will be up in a couple or more weeks at www.pictage.com/274157 so check them out then!

Okay, sorry for the delay!

Here is the breaking news! Ryan got baptized & confirmed a member of the LDS Church on Saturday March 17, 2007! He was ordained to a Priest on Sunday in Elders Quorum. Both of those beautiful experiences will be ones that I will remember for the rest of my life! By making this decision, he has not only blessed himself but me and our future family! Now we can be sealed to each other for time and all eternity when the time comes next year! I am SO proud of him for making such a big step in his life, especially a week before the wedding! I am SO grateful to be able to now have the priesthood in our home!

Lori, Michael, Ryan and I and the Elders (that DIDN'T originally teach him). And in the other picture Ryan and Michael with Jared too. Michael who is Ryan's best friend growing up baptized him and Jared confirmed him! It was so neat! It was a tad bit difficult for Ryan and Michael to keep serious in those totally hot baptism outfits though!

Well, we're getting there! Just three more days until we're Mr. & Mrs. Smith! My family is arriving this afternoon and after 2:30 I'm a free woman until April 2nd! And, just in case you were wondering... http://littlehuxies.blogspot.com/2006_11_19_archive.html