Udated Post for July

Hello all!

The update is like this; Been out of school for the past month while my dear sweet wife has been working very hard at her new hired on position at Wells Fargo as a customer service agent. I am grateful for her and her sacrifice to help assist me at school to let me take on 5 heavy classes and schedules to graduate this September. Also I would like to thank Alan in all he does while we are looking after him to help assist in this matter as well. An extended thank you to all family members in all they do to support us as well and for your prayers. We pray for you as well and always hope that life is treating you fair as it can be. This month I have stuggled with my apnea and thanks to the upcoming insurance from Linda's work I am hoping that new things can be solved in helping me beat this issue. I have lots of dreams and projects that I want to see be fullfilled; however I can not do these things when I am always feeling like a zombie. We have had a great summer and now that things are warming up it has been a bit more enjoyable. We like to bbq meat once a week, go for swim in our pool, watch history and travel channel and go to movies. This past weekend we had the chance to go to Logan for the "Cruise in" - it was nice to get out of the valley and see cool cars. It was nice to eat out with my pops and he was so happy to see us - we do miss Cache Valley and I only wish is that I could work there for a living.

I will keep you updated as best I can - I have updated an old twitter feed and you can learn more about my adventures DAILY at http://twitter.com/#!/ryan_pic76

by for now!

Its Late but what the heck!

Random thoughts and our heritage or legacy... this is a picture of my grandma and my mother (the little girl) - they are both in heaven now and the house behind them I grew up in as well belongs to a new family. Looking back through out our lives we see rare glimpses of what we may become, I hope that I can leave a legacy of my own some day and those that remember me when I am gone will at least get a smile on their face and chuckle a bit. I am not writing my obituary here but came across this picture and see what made me and their sacrifices for me and my opportunity's of a better future.

Current news at the home front is about the same, Chester has been missing again - Linda got a better shift at work and works 9-5pm - I started school for the spring Qtr. Looking at one or maybe two more Qtrs. to go. Working on my portfolio for the 2nd time this year and hope to put some new and updated work. Work is going good and will be celebrating 3 years at Ad Wear this May - Looking forward to my B-day and getting sick and tired of the cold weather. May has to come through for me, its just gotta'.

We are pushing on and the battle wages on! Until next time, so long... (look for updates on my web portfolio to come some time in June officially!)

A New Year (A time to resolve) 2011

Taking the "plunge" and also working out... Yes! there comes a time were you must make a change and resolve. For me walking is very hard because of my back and the wieght I put on it... so the best thing for me is swimming. The about picture is an actual picture of our pool in Holladay, Utah. It is pretty nice and has a resistance walking path jet pool thing that helps in the process. Plus a hot tub, track, and slide. We get the gym and pool and access to the rec center for 40 bucks a month for the both of us! I have been going since last week and it is awesome!!! Linda and I want to make our lives healthy an happy for the good. Great thing too, its only a mile away from our apt.

Just quickly - we have been working hard and playing a bit too. Just ask us about how we like to laugh and see live comedy, plays and do it for real cheap. School is going along and it is going to be spring break in a few weeks and I am way excited about that. Well take care and have a great day. Thanks for visiting.

Is Spring ever to come....?

I took this picture with our new camera (thanks - Terry and Sally!) This is a man made glacier thingy we saw up in Heber Utah. We celebrated Valentines this year with some grub and the Homestead Bed and Breakfast. It was very relaxing and a nice break from all our issues as of lately.

This will be a short post but I wanted to bring you up to speed on whats new and what the low down at the Pilkington household. Linda works at Wells Fargo and does her best to go to school the next morning on hardly any sleep. They reduced my hours but say they are extremely busy and blah blah blah - I am grateful for my job and the steady income it provides. Linda has been learning lots in the culinary class and has made some pretty cool stuff. She loves it when she is awake. She is hoping for a day position soon. Alan is still living in his apartment down on 33rd south and by redwood road. He goes to seniors daily and is making walking sticks for other seniors that need them and it is being sponsored by the University of Utah.

We got our income tax return and was able take care of some loose ends as far as bills and needs and wants. I am getting tomorrow a new software program called Painter 11 and a Stylus pen tablet to start being more creative and making some art, also to give a tablet a go. We also got a 50" HD Flat screen and a new couch! The biggest thing that we are getting is a years worth GYM Membership from our Rec Center down the street about a mile away. Very nice swimming pool and work out facility. I want to swim right now, but Not getting it until some time this week.

Got new clothes and paid some bills and took a break at the Homestead. NOW IF SPRING CAN COME A BIT FASTER and the trees see some green... at least another month.

As far as my school - I have 7 more classes and should be graduated by September - if I can come up with some funding to finish...day by day and month by month and I will do it. I am to close to quit now.

Well take care and remember to check back often. Peace out!!!!!

When dark times come upon us, isn't it great when the sun shines again! That warmth on the face and the heart. During these trying times I look unto a similar strength that shines like the noon day sun - My God and Savior; I know that he will help us if we truly are doing our best and move onto the next journey. The blessing we can share is - our cat came back, the car was fixed for free, burns heal, and broken bone mend. We still have jobs and can pay our bills, we have a roof over our heads and great friends that help out and family too. This month even though Linda did burn her hand at school and is wrapped up like a cute mummy, I think we are going to be o.k.

We are going to be able to get some things because we are getting a return this year from the IRS!! We are going to get a year membership to our Rec. Center - so we can have unlimited access to gym, pool and walk track. I need to lose wieght and Linda too so that we can live happier lives and less stressed ones too. Might get some other things to and pay off some bills. We know what we want out of life but getting there is the hard part. May we remember our blessing with in the storm is my prayer this day and have a great day!

The tale of 2 cars and our stress - we are very blessed.

Well it all started out as a means to an end, a way for Linda to get to work and school and take care of her step father-in-law. So we set out to purchase a new car way back in March 2010. Frankly I do not know what we did until then...however we set out for this new car in achieving a better credit score by showing forward payments and such - we were so happy as we drove our new Cavalier home. The picture above is not a Chevy actually it is a Kia Spectra and the tale tell about its involvement will be explained in a moment. So one day I met Linda for a late dinner at a favorite place called - THE BELGIUM WAFFLE - Linda took the new car home and I took the Jeep, although I thought I would until it did not start. It got towed the next couple days later and after we sat and waited for 3 hours - It needed a new battery and we paid it - YEAH!!! But as we were celebrating that small victory our new car was experiencing a major hick-up. It was acting weird but do to the holidays, and such I never got to a mechanic, in fact I had a appointment for the next morning when the Chevy died.... I just put gas in at Maverick and turned on the car when I heard a loud bang and then It was dead. I sat and waited for the tow truck to pick it up for 3 hours again.

This is were it turns ugly folks... the next day we were told it would cost $2000.00 to fix it because it had a blown engine and needed a new engine. So I said that we will call them back and let them know what we can do. So here we are with a dead horse and payments on top. Linda needed a car that day because of our busy schedules.. we sat and brain stormed for some time when she decided to call Larry H. Miller and see if we can trade it in and get a car...by theory this made a lot of sense so there we sat from a new dealer and was placed into a new car - THE KIA -

THE CONDITION WAS... we were to wait until the loan went through and have the Chevy repo'd and returned to the bank. So 2 weeks went by and then we were told that we need to put some money towards this to help the loan go through - we decided to put a post dated check for $750 by January 14th (The car broke down in Dec 1st) - So we waited and waited and received threats from our bank because we needed the money for the down payment and not the dead horse car payment... in the back of my mind I knew that we needed to return the Kia and deal with our problem, but having a new new car felt wonderful and I knew that it was too good to be true. It was fix the car or repo it and deal with that monster later and possible get sued or garnished. We both decided to take back the Kia - there was a new offer on the table, while the loan is still pending because of Linda's job - Larry H. Miller told us to pay the payment for the other car (dead horse) and we will lower the down payment and we should know by Saturday...
Well - we paid them, the loan was still pending and my nerves were on edge, so we decided to take back the Kia no matter what and deal with the other car based on new info that the Chevy dealership could help us out. On the way to returning the Kia I drove the Jeep and was to meet Linda at Larry H. Miller; I stopped by McDonald's to get a coke because I had just spent the night at the Hospital with Linda in the ER for her women issues (She has suffered so much; that's another story) - So me being sleepy, and upset I backed into a car in the to go line. No injury's and no damage and no cost to me. But it made me so mad and upset at myself.

So to make a long story short... we returned the Kia with no issues or strings attached. The dealership for the Chevy kept stringing us along, day after day and then the situation was like this; If I could show 2 proofs of oil changes they could get us into a new car or fix the Chevy - but I only had changed the oil once... we were looking at putting down $1000 dollars down to fix that we really didn't have.. but it went back to the service desk at the dealership with there final say. Well, along with more sleepless nights (CHESTER in HEAT, Linda's Women issues) I got information about our car and the final conclusion this now almost 2 month ordeal. Here came the news...

THE BANK AND THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR OUR CAR TO BE FIXED!!!!! So tommorow the 26th of January we are going to get our car back with a new engine. Linda is feeling better and I got the cat fixed.

Lesson learned is - you can never run from your problems and the best solution is the one we might fear the most - it is time to buck up, suck it up and move on.

Have a great day.

A good chuckle for a COLD JANUARY...Brrrr!!!

Merry Christmas/Holidays 2010

As holidays often do, they make you take time to recognize your blessings and are accompanied by loved ones - how often do we in the hustle and bustle of this season of giving do we actually give, I know for me I would add a big fat ZERO... Do you know that it is literally days away from the big day and we still have yet to put the tree up or the lights. So at the first of the month I explained a lot of hardships that we were facing and it seems that they are still going on, and yet slowly slowing down. Schedules have been the problem and just now getting done with school and then I busted my elbow with a fracture last week has left the house in a bit of a shambles and just yesterday it has become the old apartment we recognize. I just wanted to post a quick hello and update and to wish every one a big hello! and Merry Christmas!!!!

I am fortunate enough to get 3 weeks off from school and 2 weeks off from work about. In this time I am going to be taking it a bit easier and getting caught up on things, and clean house on all my projects and otherwise left on the table. I am working on some sketches for an old friend and you can check out her music journey at

http://saraelizabethchandler.com/

I volunteered to do her logo and album art elements...? We will see how that turns out. I do a lot of free stuff and as time goes on, I am thinking of charging a flat rate for friends and family just to cover my expenses and time. Linda is enjoying her new job at Wells Fargo and works from 3 t Midnight, we rarely see each other and it makes the heart grow fonder - basically on the weekends and when we are school its even worse. This year is going to be our proving grounds to see what we are made of and the testing and growing will be new challenges to over come. We want to thank all those that have given so much to us and only wish that some day we can return those favors back to you - we miss and love our family's so much and only wish for the return of love comes back. We are all humans and miss the mark on a daily basis, and so it is my prayer that we can all do better in showing our family, friends, and all those the love they and us deserves.HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY and may your new years be a good one!!

Bad Week - Hope it gets a bit better?

UPDATE: CHESTER FOUND!!!! He was near our house the whole time!!!!!!! He is a bit confused as to the old surroundings but is alive and well!!!!

So, I feel a bit like this cat - frazzled to say the least. Linda is feeling just about the same as we shared this horrible week together and all I have to say is TGIF! Monday was not too bad but the thing was that our cat Chester has gone missing and so far it has been officially a week. I have put fliers everywhere in our complex to get some response. He was last seen Sunday with a neighbor's cats and that was last we heard. I have looked online since to see if he was picked up by animal control. - NO LUCK. So Monday not so bad, just missing the cat. Well I was going to take our new car we purchased via loan to the mechanic to see why it was acting up - and Tuesday night after work I put gas in the car and when I started it up - a loud noise and then nothing... I waited 3 hours for a tow truck in a Crown Burger joint (at least I was warm) Then I waited for Linda to get off of work at midnight to pick me up at her Step Dad's Al's. The next morning the dealership called and said that our engine is blown and the radiator has been dry? Funny thing is I just had it serviced at Jiffy Lube a couple of months ago and they said that the coolant was just fine...? No leaks, no signs... So we were told that we could purchase a new engine for $2,000.00 - What a do we do, we both have to have cars... well we are in the middle of working out some things and its a bit hush hush for now, but it might have been a blessing that the car died on us. (More to come later)
We had an appointment with a dealership and on the way a girl kissed our bumper at a red light and cause a bit of a stir and debate - it was a tiny car and I am in a Jeep and she just bumped me enough - I had to keep our appointment so I ignored it and left...I had just about enough that day and a little tap is nothing I want to get police and insurance agents out. To back up a bit in the story Linda was getting ready for work that she can not be late in and she had a bit of a toilet problem (valve) and the bathroom flooded. She did the best she could with the time she had to get ready for work... long story short the carpet got really bad in the closet and we were not aware of it for the next day or so..because of the drama about the car's engine. So $50 bucks later the house smells a bit smoldy and a bit swampy but the guy said it should work. We will see.
Then at work they are going to give me some artwork that I absolutely hate - it is re-inventing the wheel every time we work on it and it gets to be very frustrating... After work I decided to go to the animal shelter and see if my cat was there or not. I was sadden by the amount of animals there and to see some that looked just like my cat but not the right markings. I was very sad and I am going to take better ownership of the cats we do have still; Oliver and Queen Nala. It was sad to go through the sheets of paper of the cats found dead on arrival and luckily my cat was not one of them. (I hope)
Also one last thing, my work gave me a shirt and I am a big guy and they got me a 5xl and it does not even fit. WHAT A DEPRESSING DAY... and week. Linda and I both stressed with school, money, time management and the house is a wreck because we never have time or energy to come and clean it.
In conclusion there have been moments for me that have kept me going, Christmas music, a roof over my head, my sweet wife, and moments of some laughter in all the mess. May this month better then this week and may the mangy looking cat I see in the mirror like the picture I posted look more tame and rested is my hopes for the weekend. Look for my Holiday post to come in the following weeks.

Turkey day thoughts....

Just a brief post to express my thanks this year and looking back and forward to the many thanks to come. This year it was just the three of us, Linda, Alan, and I. My dad was ill and didnt want to make the journey across 90 miles of I-15... The picture above is in no way shape or form of the way our place looked like, this would be a dream setting to have at least this many around a table, but though we are few in numbers we are great in appetite. Linda fixed a great meal and we had all the fixins' - the cats are enjoying the bones and fatty remains. We watched John Wayne movies All day (Alan's favorite) So it was a lazy day and hit the bed running. One last thing before I leave, I wish there was more I could do to be able to be with those we love - For us it has been just the three of us for the past few years and I have to say it - I miss the big family functions and the great turkey day to see relatives you rarely see. What happened to the days of old when we traveled far to do so... I plan on having a house some day and with it, thanksgivings should be filled with lots of food, laughter and joy! I am going to invite as many people that will come and maybe if we are lucky enough to have a child of our own to spread the joy of the holidays. I hope your thanksgiving was great and looking to the future, may I see you around the dinner table is my prayer.

LINDA A PASTRY CHEF, YUM!!!!

Linda is going to my school to be a pastry chef, it was a funny moment when she reminded me that she always wanted to have a cookie bar and any one that knows me knows, I love milk - so that made Linda and Ryan OFFICIALLY soul mates!! With the stress of my school winding down and gearing up for graduation, If I am 40 more pounds in a year, you might have a clue as were I found the food - Linda's homework.

We are doing fine at the moment but did post on my face book status a saying or phrase that goes like this. "They're coming to get me aha, they are coming to take me away he he."

Yeah if the white coats are coming its no alarm it's just me stressed with web designing. At least Linda's homework will be a pie, call me goofy but that seems a bit enjoyably fun.


Well look here for more updates on the continuing saga. - bye for now...

ITs Fall time yet again - BOO!

This is going to be a very short post. - This is a time in life that we see change the most, the weather gets colder, the leaves on the trees are so brilliant with new colors until we see the last leaf fall then it changes yet again. There is a lot of change in the Pilkington house as of lately. I have gone to part time work and full time School - I am so close I can taste it. I am just 10 or so classes away from having my (BS) Bachelors in Graphic Design. It is major stressful, mainly because of all the homework and schedule issues. Linda is great and she works so hard in a job that lets say - is not up to her snuff. She is the best cheerleader and I wish so many great things for her in the future. We are working on having a baby, but nothing to report and the lord willing we will have a little family some day. Halloween is coming soon So I posted this image for fun and wish that we had some extra cash and time to go do some maze stuff but I will be in doors with Linda, both doing homework. Alan or Pa as we call him has moved to our old neck of the woods in Sun River in West Valley and has his own studio apartment. He seems to like it and we hope the very best for him. Things are going to be tight for us yet again for the holiday season, but looking forward to a better tomorrow and next year were I might have a better job and better pay.

I will leave with a quote:

Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?
-Leonardo da Vinci

A NICE BREAK FROME SLC

Well, we got a chance to escape from SLC for the weekend! We left to Morgan (Ogden Canyon) to Linda's Grandpa (mothers) @ grandpa Noyes 90th b-day party. He and his wife had 13 children and at the b-day party, well over 200 people attended, mostly children and grandchildren and great....so on.... It was a nice drive and a gorgeous day! We were going to go to Bear Lake after but we ended up there to late. So we headed to Cache Valley / Logan to see my family and Pops. It is good seeing him, and I know he misses us. My sister pre-invited us to spend the night at here house and sleep in her camper trailer. Great Idea!! The next day we made a slow start to getting to Bear Lake, but around 11am we headed 35 minutes through Logan canyon to Bear Lake - Utahs best kept secret... Anyways it was Sunday so we packed a lunch and headed to the beach on the north shore. We swam in the refresing water for a few hours and then got out and ate. (I did get stuck in the sandy beaches with my jeep, but got out unharmed) We were both sun soaked and stuffed. Felt great and relaxing. Then we left to go back to logan and regroup for a dinner party with my nephew and great nephew and neice. We stopped at Toni's Grove (Logan Canyon) and took a power nap over looking the awesome scenery. We had a great remaining evening chatting and eating at my sisters around an old familiar table. I sure do miss Logan and wish some how I could live and work there. Chatting with my family was my hightlight and playing with the kids and holding a baby. Linda trampled off to the park (mini zoo) and showed the kids the animals that are awake during the night - they loved it! Then we said our goodbyes and headed back to the big city. It was a great relaxing fun weekend filled with happy memories!!

Ryans Broc/Cheese/Rice Addicting Dish

Above pic is example only, it shows it with almonds...and the added real broccoli; in the which you don't really need to make any less addicting.

1 can of Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 12 oz Sour Cream

1 cup of rice

1 Chicken Breast (Cubed)

1 Pkg of fav. shredd. Cheese

*ADD real Broccoli for extra flavor!!!

Instructions:

Boil rice, cook chicken with desired seasoning; In a large bowl mix sour cream and soup mix together with 1/2 cup of water or milk - mix well and microwave for 2 minutes depending (do not over cook). When rice is done spread it onto a casserole dish (spray with non stick spray). When chicken is done cube into pieces and put into soup mix and mix well. Dump soup mix on top of rice and top with pkg. of Cheese and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and gooey. (makes enough for up to 4 servings)

Created by the mind of Ryan Pilkington

Pioneer Day - Bees Game!

Well on the 24th Linda and I decided to take trax to the Bees game and enjoy the open air and the crowds and to see some fireworks! The game was good, however a bit boring because the score was 12-1, Bees won but the game pretty weak. That aside, the chance to get out and do something we rarely do was great, the food was expensive and the crowds were pushy. But we had a good time any ways. I got my exercise for sure walking to and from the trax station. The highlight was the firework display!!! They were AMAZING!!! - They went on for a long time and kept going and going and faster and faster and louder!!! Music and all that! I actually laughed like a little kid at one point, while Linda Clapped!! We had a blast and went home very tired. Good day. The next day we had a good Sunday and had fun with our primary kids, they are too fun for sure! Next week (7/31/10) we are going to a birthday party in Morgan for Linda Grandpa... he is 90 something. Good times...