All the hype the last couple days has been around two thing: the shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, and the lottery. I refuse to get caught up in the shooting because I will certainly say something that offends someone, so my thoughts have turned to the Mega Millions Lottery. I am not a gambler and did not buy any tickets (I live in Utah anyway and would have to drive to Arizona to get any), but, being fairly broke right now, I wondered a lot what I would do if I won that much money. So, this evening, I thought I would entertain you all with my Mega Millions plan.

The jackpot is around $640 million. We will assume I take that as a lump sum, which reduces the amount to $462 million (if I took it over 26 years it would be $640 million). The federal government taxes me 35%, leaving me with $300.3 million, which would then be taxed by my state, which I believe would be around 5%. Pretend my math and tax assumptions are correct, and I am sitting with $277 million.

First, if it is not a sin to pay tithing on gambling winnings, I would give 10% to that, leaving me with $249,300,000. Next,  I would pay off my car and my debt. That leaves me with about $249,287,000. Then, I would share with my family. Federal law limits my tax-free giving to $5.12 million to anyone other than my spouse. However, I can give up to $13,000 tax-free per year to as many individuals as I want. Thus, I would set up a $13,000 annual gift to each of my immediate family members. That is $104,000 a year (though I suppose I could give Max a share as well). If I could leave my money alone without being touched by me or the pick-pocketing government, I could continue a yearly payment of $13,000 to each of my family members for 2,397 years. I would likely buy a few things though. Probably some clothing, I'd pay my $800 tax bill, I am out of body wash, and I could probably use a college degree. I would also donate $500,000 to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, as well as a bit to a couple other worthy charities. I would definitely upgrade to a better laptop, but I would keep my phone and pay as you go rate. Ultimately, I like to think that if I had $249 million, I would hire an accountant or something to help me put my money into trusts and savings and things, leaving me with a certain amount in my actual bank account. It would certainly change my life, but I would keep working where I'm working and living where I'm living. Those things make me happy and I just don't want to give them up.

Well there you have it. My not so exciting plan if I were to win the Mega Millions Lottery. I think now, after having written that, I see why I do not buy lottery tickets. I am content with working for everything I have and would have little use right now for excessive amounts of money...of course, if someone offered me money, I would happily accept it.

Song of the Day was an easy choice for me, it's "If I Had a Million Dollars" by: Bare Naked Ladies.

Some days I feel like I have nothing to say on here. Those are usually the days where I need to say something the most. Writing calms me and helps me feel more hopeful on days I feel hopeless. It helps me find the positive.

Today I just wanted to give an update on things. The weather has been very nice and springy. Grass is starting to grow, flowers are up and will be blooming over the next month or so. I have to start making a pinata for Cinco de Mayo.

I went and saw "The Hunger Games" today. All I'm allowed to say before some people who read this blog go and see it is that I liked it. I did not read the whole book, we listened to it on tape at work and I missed parts of it, but I plan on reading them all soon. I need to get back into reading. I think it would be good for me. I also need to get back into exercising. That would be really good for me.

One last awesome piece of news. I won a drawing today! I went to a home and garden trade show last Friday and on the way out, saw a table boasting Pepperidge Farm stuff. It turned out to be nothing more than the United Way of Cache Valley doing a drawing for one of two gift baskets. Generally I do not enter things, but I did. Today, they called and said I won. At first, I thought it was some scam and was about to hang up. Then he told me what it was and I got very happy! It's a basket full of Pepperidge Farm goodies valued at about $50. I'd be happy if it was only $15, but $50 is even better! I'll swing by and pick it up in the morning before work. I'll be sure to try to remember to let you all know what all I got.

Well, I'm tired and should sleep now. For the Song of the Day we're slowing it down with some pretty piano music. It's "Bella's Lullaby" from Twilight.

I am excited to announce a few changes to the blog today.

First, on the left side. On the left column, I added a visitor counter. This one has the total number of visits since I started my blog. I renamed the other stat tracker and it will be a monthly tracker. Each month, I will reset it and title it according to the month so I and everyone else can see how many people visit each month.

The middle also saw changes, but with my template, some of these may or may not show on your screen. I reconfigured the posting settings so you hopefully will see the time of each post as well as the date. I also added links to email the post or share it via social media. Those are not showing on my screen, but maybe they will on yours. I thought this would be handy if anyone read something they wanted to share with someone. If it works, now all you have to do is click a button. Lastly, in the center column, I have it set to show the 25 most recent posts. As always though, you can click the links on the left to go back to any post in the past.

The right column also got some additions. First, a better method to follow my blog. You can now receive updates to your email by simply typing your email into the "Follow by Email" box. I would encourage anyone who likes reading all my posts to sign your email up. Each time I post, you will be notified so you won't miss a thing. In addition to the new "Follow by Email" box, you will now find the top 10 most read posts. This does not have much value now, but is nice to see and in the future may matter.

Lastly, the blog happily welcomes a new follower. Cami Bodily is our newest official follower. If you count me, that makes 12, but technically the blog now has 11 formal followers. Thank you Cami for following and again, thank you everyone else for your continued support. As is the tradition, today, our song of the day is dedicated to our new follower. Since you made fun of me when this song came on randomly on a Pandora station at work many months ago, Cami, this one is for you. It's "Jar of Hearts" by: Christina Perri. And you now know I really do play it on the piano.

Happy Friday everyone!

I have to be honest here: I've been struggling. Last year, everything was going right and I was extremely happy. Then, it seems like I made every wrong decision and spiraled back down to where I once was. Being down is not the best place to be, but you see a different perspective. I see the difference in who I was a year ago and who I am now. I recognize the difference between being generally happy and being truly happy. I've been in this dark place before and it is not a place I want to linger for long. I climbed back up before and I intend to do it again, but this time I plan on climbing higher and filling in this dismal pit of sorrow once and for all.

I thank all of you for following me through my triumphs and struggles. Somehow, making myself vulnerable by putting my life out for everyone to see helps me.

Moving forward, I want to share some useful words from the great Dr. Seuss; words which are the starting point for my return to where I want to be.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."



and most importantly...


"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not."

I care. A whole awful lot...



Song of the day is "Skycraper" by: Demi Lovato...the lyrics pretty much explain why...

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! I hope you all have plans to eat some corned beef, cabbage and Irish Soda Bread today! If not, shame on you!

I have plenty to update you all on, but once again I am short on time and it's 1 am on Saturday and I work at 8, so I gotta go sleep. But, I just wanted to wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoy the fun Irish music for the Song of the Day. It's called "Irish Reel" by: Irish Connection.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I've been quite aware of my lack of recent posting. Most days I even thought about writing on here, but I have lacked the motivation to do so. I kind of felt like I had nothing good to talk about. Mostly that was brought on because the last couple weeks have been stressful and my sleeping habits have been all out of whack, which has led me to be cranky and tired and just not in a very blogging mood.

This week I hope to break that. It is Spring Break here, and while I will still be doing a good bit of working, I intend to relax a bit and reboot.

The weather has been absolutely wonderful and will stay that way for a bit.  I hope to be able to go out and enjoy it. Go for a walk, stuff like that. Today, (Monday), I'm getting some repairs done on my car. That is kind of important. No, it is very important. Hopefully this week we can get the car loan out of Annie's name and into my parents, then get the insurance changed and cheaper. If I'm lucky I'll be able to sell it too and get something cheaper.

Things are going good. As you can see there isn't too much new to report. As usual, I'm doing a good job of living an uneventful life :)

Song of the Day is in honor of the great weather. It's "Mr. Blue Sky" by: Electric Light Orchestra.

The days have gone by so quick lately. It seems that no more than a week has passed since I moved to Logan, but all of a sudden, it is March. The clocks will soon spring ahead, the daffodils and tulips will emerge from their winter slumber, and before you know it, the snow will all but disappear.

It was nearly one year ago to the day that my life finally found some sort of direction following a two year mess brought on by illness and poor choices of young adulthood. I know it has not been what I planned, nor what anyone expected, but I cannot deny that the past year has been positive for me. I lived in Provo for years and did not seem to be able to pick myself back up. The resort sent a million volts into me and helped me find my motivation again, which has translated into this phenomenal learning experience here in Logan. It was a rough start at my old apartment, but now I have a place I love and I am in control again. I was blessed to find a piano that more than suits my needs for an unheard of, unimaginable price of $60. It is difficult to explain how greatly that will affect my life. I'm not any sort of concert pianist and what little skill I have will never be heard beyond my living room and maybe a classroom at church, but I did not buy a piano to impress anyone or to show off, I bought a piano because music calms and soothes my soul and helps me find peace. Helps me find my true self.

Anyway...things are good here. I worked 71 hours last week helping run catering while the chefs were away at a conference in Vegas. It was stressful but I gained valuable experience, and more immediately important, the overtime money is much needed right now. As most of you know by now, I got a new phone. It has been fantastic for me and I'm very grateful for Brett, the Verizon Sales Rep, who was extremely helpful to me. Getting a new phone was necessary and because of him I have absolutely no doubt that I got a real good deal that is affordable for me and will serve my needs for as long as I need it to.

In other news, Mitt Romney has had a strong month with victories coming in Maine, Arizona, Michigan, and Washington state. His momentum has hit perfectly to poise him for a strong showing on Super Tuesday. I expect him to do well, to pull away soon and hopefully secure the nomination by the beginning of April. Many have voiced their support for other candidates, but, as I said before, I have spent 7 months now following the GOP race very closely and I firmly believe that Mitt Romney is the best suited to restore America's economy and greatness and the most prepared to defeat Obama, who I really do think is in way over his head and should not be running for re-election.

Last but not least, only 2 months and 1 day until Cinco de Mayo!

Enjoy the song of the day. It is the Piano Guy's mix up of One Republic's "Secrets" and Beethoven's 5th called "Beethoven's 5 Secrets."