How I Spend My Days

12 years ago I posted this on Facebook:

17% of my day is spent trying to keep Zoe's clothes on

3% is spent applying medication and/or ointment to Nicky's facial stitches, leg warts, and eczema

25% is spent trying to remember what I was doing

12% is spent cleaning up mysterious substances or bodily fluids

8% is spent answering ridiculous questions

4% is spent feeding people

16% is spent redoing tasks that have already been completed but have been undone by the little people that roam the house

8% is spent trying to locate shoes

1% is spent sleeping

6% is spent repeating myself

6% is spent repeating myself

Life has changed a bit since then, so I figured it's time to update the stats on how I spend my day. 

In 2026:

21% of my day is spent managing the emotions of hormonal individuals

15% is spent at work

3% is spent managing medical situations

12% is spent carpooling

4% is spent feeding people

30% is spent trying to remember what I was doing

1% is spent sleeping

8% is spent trying to get my kids to do their chores

6% is spent repeating myself

6% is spent repeating myself

Rifle Falls

I wouldn’t have thought a five-day trip to Colorado would constitute four blog posts, but it does because we did different, neat things every day (unlike a weeklong trip to Disneyland where we kind of do the same thing every day). 

On the day we headed home, we stopped at Rifle Falls State Park. THIS IS MY KIND OF DESTINATION.

We parked in a parking lot, walked 100 feet, and saw this:

Now, remember the hike that almost killed me four days earlier? If I had gone to Rifle Falls first and then had to do that hike to Hanging Lake, I would have been swearing the entire way. Scotty’s original plan was to stop at Rifle Falls on the day we drove to Colorado, but we ran out of time. I think God intervened, and said, “No, you can’t take Brittany to the easy waterfall first.”

Rifle Falls was amazing!! Not only were the falls beautiful, there was a relatively easy hike that led to a few different viewpoints of the falls and some caves. I loved that the hike was short and easy and that it offered a variety of things to see. 

That was our last adventure before we officially headed home (unless you count a stop at Dollar Tree and a few searches for decent toilets, which is always its own adventure). 

After our trip to Glenwood Springs, I would recommend it! It was a great place within driving distance from Salt Lake. 

Peace out, Glenwood Springs!

This Book Made Me Think of You

Last week I read This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page. I waited months for this book to be available at the library while everyone raved about it. I also heard that it was very sad. I didn't read the book summary, so I went into it completely ignorant.

In the end, it wasn't my kind of book, but if they ever make it into a movie, fine. I'll watch it out of curiosity.

Now, I'll give you fair warning, if you want to read this book with the same ignorance I did, don't read the rest of this post. However, I'm not going to give much more away than the book jacket does. Make your decision...

If you're sticking with me, here is what I need to discuss after reading this book...

In the story, Tilly's husband has passed away, but before he died, he arranged for a bookshop to give Tilly one book per month for a year, starting on her birthday, with a letter from him explaining his book choice. 

The plot then goes on to tell how Tilly responds to each book, and how she manages the loss of her husband.

I have to confess, I didn’t like this for Tilly. For one thing, the books her husband chose for her were dumb. But they also somewhat dictated what she should read and what progress she should make in the grieving process. 

As a DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO person, that does not sit well with me. This got me thinking… if my husband died… would I like something like this? 

There might be some sort of premeditated gift Scotty could leave for me that would be appreciated. Like a Little People set. Or a gift card. Or, heck, maybe flowers on my birthday. I dunno. And hopefully I never need to find out. But anything that slightly makes me feel like I’m being controlled would bother me, and Tilly’s gifts controlled her. Her husband was like “Read this book and do this thing associated with this book!” and I was yelling at him in my mind going, “What if she doesn’t want to do that thing? She’s in mourning! Stop guilting her into doing these things from beyond the grave, you selfish turd!”

I have major issues with feeling like I’m being manipulated or controlled, and I am in a constant battle with feeling like my choices are being taken away from me. Who’d have thought that, of all the things that could trigger me, it would be a fictional, deceased husband leaving his wife twelve books? 

But I ask you…

Would you like your spouse to sign you up for a marathon without your knowledge?

Would you like your spouse to choose a new hobby for you to try?

Would you like your spouse to enroll you in school? (This has actually happened to two of my friends - their husbands “surprised” them by registering them for classes!) 

Would you like your spouse to buy a house without telling you? (This is another real-life scenario - it happened to my cousin. Her husband bought a house OUT OF STATE and said “We’re moving!”)

I would not be happy if Scotty did any of these things… dead or alive.

So what was probably supposed to be sweet and maybe even romantic in This Book Made Me Think of You was not so for me. 

————

Despite what I’ve written in this post, I can see why so many people have enjoyed this book. Again… not my thing… but YOU might like it, so give it a whirl, and don’t let my weird problems taint your perspective (too late?) 

I *think* the book was actually pretty clean (if I remember correctly). It does have 4 “f” words, but not really any other profanity.

High on a Mountain Top

While we were on our trip to Colorado, we spent a day at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at the top of the mountain. 

We were very lucky with the weather because it rained in the morning before they opened, stayed pleasant all day, and then started raining right as we arrived at the parking lot when they closed. 

There were no crowds at the park, and we were able to walk on to pretty much every ride. I think we rode the mountain coaster about ten times (that’s usually the longest line according to the reviews and the staff). 

Daisy and Eva on the mountain coaster for the 8th time

One of the special attractions of the park is their caves. They have two caves with guided tours, and they’re really cool. Our tour guides were excellent, and one of the funniest moments of the first tour was when someone asked the guide, “Are you a geologist?” (he was impressively knowledgeable about the caves and could answer every question like an expert) and he shrugged and said, “No, I’m just in high school.” 

We paid extra and did a black light tour of one of the caves. Caves are crazy, guys. Like, what are these freaks of nature? 

In addition to the caves, there are a few heart stopping rides at the adventure park where you swing off the cliff (if you’re a Utah local and have ridden Nutcracker at Lagoon, imagine doing that off the edge of a cliff). I wasn’t sure if I could do it or not, but I did it! I had to do some mental preparation, though. I coached myself into not imagining plummeting to my death. It was weird how it actually worked. Turns out, my mind is pretty powerful. I am powerful. Help me remember this for next time I need to muster my mightiness. 

One of the cliffside coasters

Zoe and Daisy on the swings

They had pumpkins everywhere in the park and signs that said they were for sale for $7. At some point during the day, they marked them down to $3, so we all picked pumpkins to buy and take home. I was particularly excited about this for three reasons:

1. Pumpkins for $3!!

2. They had yellow ones!

3. How often do you get to ride a gondola down a mountain with a pumpkin in your lap? (For that matter, how often do you get to ride in a gondola?)

Going up - no pumpkins

Coming down - pumpkins!

Spending a day at the adventure park was a success for our family. Everyone enjoyed it! Fall was a great time to be there, and one day was plenty (we almost purchased a two day pass, but we were glad we didn’t. Even if it had been busy, one day would have been just right). 

Sunday Sentiments - Questions for Latter-Day Saints

When were you baptized?

January 4, 1992 when I was 8 years old. My cousin, Jess, and I were baptized together (we also share a New Year's Day birthday and were blessed together as babies). 

Have you served a mission? 

Not officially, but we consider our family "honorary missionaries" of the Wallsburg Camp.

What’s your favorite temple and why?

I don't really have a favorite temple, but here are some of my thoughts on a few temples:

Jordan River is the most "comfortable" temple to me - the one I'm most familiar with. We are no longer in the Jordan River Temple district (we are in Taylorsville now), but I still consider Jordan River to be "my" temple. 

I've always liked the look of the San Diego Temple, and I think it's cool that you're just driving down the freeway, and BAM! There's this big, beautiful building.

Salt Lake is so cool historically and structurally. It's classic. 

I like how the Logan temple looks sitting atop a hill. I think it's really pretty. 

Provo City Center has an amazing story - it was originally a tabernacle built in the 1800's. Then it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as a temple. 

Jordan River Temple

What is your favorite primary song?

"I Know that my Savior Loves Me"

What is your favorite hymn?

I love so many of them, but you can read about three of my favorites here. I can't pick one favorite because there are probably at least 30 hymns that are equal to me. 

Do you have a favorite apostle?

I think Uchtdorf, Bednar, and Kearon are top notch. 

Do you have a favorite female leader in the Church?

Sheri Dew, Julie Beck, Sharon Eubank, and Kristin Yee are some of my favorites. 

Who was the prophet when you were born?

Apparently it was Spencer W. Kimball (I had no idea - I always thought it was Ezra Taft Benson, but I googled it just now to confirm, and whatdoyaknow!)

How many prophets have passed away in your lifetime?

Six

If you are endowed, in which temple did you receive your endowment?

Jordan River

If you have been sealed, in which temple were you sealed?

Salt Lake

May 9, 2003

Have you ever attended General Conference in person?

No

Have you ever participated in a trek?

Yes, but not as a youth. 

Do you have a favorite story about Jesus?

Honestly, not really. Does that make me a bad Christian? I don't think it does. I don't think you have to have a favorite. 

What is your favorite story from the scriptures?

For all the wrong reasons - I have always loved the story of the conversion of King Lamoni. Mostly because he falls over as if he were dead and there is a discussion about whether he "stinketh." 

What has been your favorite calling?

Relief Society teacher. I also loved being the primary music leader, but I would be okay to not do it again. It was a lot of work, and I had to "fake happy" a lot, and I didn't like doing the primary program. I had some good moments as a youth Sunday school teacher (which I have done twice), but the kids didn't have cell phones either of those times, and I wasn't scared of teenagers back then. They terrify me now, and I don't know what to do with them. 

My Sunday school boys ten years ago

(which means they are 25-28 now)

What has been your most challenging calling?

Anything in Young Women. I have PTSD from every single time I have served in YW.

Are you comfortable speaking in sacrament meeting?

Most of the time (it depends a little bit on the topic). 

Have you read all the standard works?

Bible - no

Book of Mormon - yes

Doctrine and Covenants - yes

Pearl of Great Price - probably not

What is the best part of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints?

I feel like my life has meaning and purpose. I have a sense of identity and a feeling that there is something more than my current state of existence.  Gospel teachings offer established values to help me make decisions in my life. I don't know all the answers, and not everything sits well with me, but overall, I feel a connection to something greater. 

There's a line in the hymn "O My Father" that says, "Yet oftimes a secret something whispered 'You're a stranger here!' And I felt that I had wandered from a more exalted sphere." I relate heavily to that sentiment, and being a member of the Church helps me understand it. 

A Hike and a Soak

For our trip to Glenwood Springs, Scotty wanted to hike to Hanging Lake. We were able to snag some permits for 8:00 a.m. We froze (38 degrees) for about an hour, but after that, it was really nice weather. I prefer hiking on the cooler side, so I’ll take that over summer heat any day. I would have died in anything hotter than 55 (let it be known that I will refer to near death many times in this post because this hike about killed me). 

The hike was pretty much 1.25 miles of stairs ascending 1,200 feet (and then 1.25 miles going back down - which is also rough), and for those who don’t know, I am overweight, out of shape, and have neuropathy. I planned on dying on the trail and even told two of my best friends some of my last wishes before I left town (including a charge to delete all of the voice memos I’ve sent them - they die with me!)

We knew this hike would be a beast with our girls, so we took it nice and slow with lots of breaks and tried to keep it peaceful. I was alright until halfway up, and then I started to suffer a bit. My feet hurt terribly, and have I mentioned that I’m overweight and out of shape? My hips were getting really sore (I didn’t anticipate this) I also wanted to drink a ton of water but didn’t want to have to pee on the trail, and that’s always a rough battle. 

Oh, hi, stairs. 

Fortunately we took two sets of trekking poles to share because I would have died without them. After going up and down all of those stairs I have no doubt that if I’d done it without the poles, I’d be on my path to knee surgery now. 

Me faking mountain joy at the bottom of the final staircase

Stairs

Stairs

More stairs

The final stretch of the hike was the steepest portion, and when I saw it, contemplated how I could have a helicopter come get me without attracting unwanted attention.

I hadn’t looked at any photos of the lake, so I had no idea what we were heading to, and then I saw it…

It was beautiful and worth it!

The lake and the waterfall renewed my energy, and I was so happy to be there.

If you go up more stairs, you can go behind the waterfall

The eighth wonder of the world...

the backside of water!

(O2H! O2H!)

IYKYK

But then we had to come back down, and it was the same pattern. I was okay for the first half of the descent, and then I just needed to get the heck off that trail. Everything hurt, and it was time to pee.

In the end, I’m glad I did it, but now that I know what it’s like, no one’s getting me up there again in this lifetime unless I lose a hundred pounds and find a cure for my neuropathy. Also, I will take a sandwich to eat at the top, but it will probably be a stupid sandwich wrapped in lettuce due to my immense weight loss. 

After the hike we had lunch at a place called Fatbelly’s. We went wild with the sides - we had fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and fried okra. We thought we ordered too much food, but we were starving, and we managed just fine!

Then Scotty, Daisy, and Zoe hiked to Doc Holliday’s grave. Eva didn’t want to go, and my legs were jello, so I was happy to stay at the trail head with her. 

I don't know anything about Doc Holliday, and they don't even know where he is actually buried

That evening we also went to a fish hatchery and fed the fish. 

The following day we went to the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and soaked in the hot pools all day, which our sore muscles appreciated. 

(Eva is going through a years'-long phase of sabotaging all of our photos). 

We enjoyed the hot springs, but if I ever go again, I will remember to take robes (didn't even cross my mind, but with the cool weather, robes were genius, and everyone there had them) and lots of water (no outside food or drink is allowed, but people had water bottles, and you dry out quickly in that hot mineral water). 

Gratitude #2: Words

I’ve always enjoyed writing, and with that comes my love of words. I love finding the right words. I love when I learn that there’s a “word for that.” I love exploring alternate word choices (like right now I should probably consider using some synonyms for “love,” but I love to overuse the word “love”).

I could read a dictionary and have a real good time highlighting words and saying, "Ooooo! That's a good one!" 

I love to compare definitions to see which one I like better.

I love word games. I could play Scrabble and Boggle every day! 

(Actually, I kind of do). 

I love that in the Kindle app I can long press a word, and it will bring up the definition. 

I keep a list of new words I hear and like in my notes app.

Have you ever heard of a portmanteau? That’s when you combine two words to make a new word - like spork, brunch, or hangry. 

So today I’m thankful for words, and with that, I am also thankful for dictionaries, thesauruses, books, and Wheel of Fortune.