Joy in the Little Things

2011-10-04T23:51:00.000-06:00

Do you love fantasy author Robin McKinley’s books Blue Sword, Sunshine, Pegasus, The Hero and the Crown, Spindle’s End, and others? Check out the sale and auction of signed and dedicated books, special doodle-licious books, and other goodies. All proceeds will go to the New Arcadia Bell Restoration Fund. Ends 9-Oct-2011 http://robinmckinleysblog.com/bells/ Repost this to share the joy with fellow booklovers!

GiveAway Day!

2010-08-04T16:03:00.003-06:00

Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry is having a giveaway day! I'm entering for a lifetime membership to ClickinMoms - a photography site. You should check it out!

Sylvester Morton Hobble

2010-07-02T23:47:00.006-06:00

a stuft snake

fluorescent, squooshy,

curled up in a

ball.

It has circled itself

around my arm,

This swirling, slithery

serpent.

Now sneaking to my

babsitting job;

scaring Mariah

with its scarlet tongue

and spacious pink mouth.

Scaring her when it

squeaks close to her head.

Written sometime between 1992-1994. Posted now for Lou.

2010-05-10T15:41:00.000-06:00

30 Days of Thanksgiving #4

2009-11-04T10:52:00.002-07:00

In August, I had the privilege of joining the Salt Lake Choral Artists. I have loved singing in a choir again! Dr. Allred, our conductor, is brilliant and the music he has picked it wonderful. Our first concert was October 17 and our theme was "Made in America." It's hard to choose a favorite song - but I think I'm going to have to go with Randall Thompson's "The Lord is My Shepherd." Runners-up would be Mack Wilberg's "Deep River" (an ode to altos), Howard Hanson's "The One Hundred Fiftieth Psalm," and Carol Barnett's "Gloria from the World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass." A couple of our songs have been posted on YouTube.

We're now working on music for our Christmas concert and I am in heaven! Besides the requisite Rutter songs (it's just not Christmas without them!), we're also doing three movements of Rachmaninoff's Vespers - in Russian. I can't begin to tell you how happy it makes me! I am so grateful for good music, the opportunity to sing in this choir, Dr. Allred, and Christmas!

30 Days of Thanksgiving #3

2009-11-03T22:35:00.003-07:00

Today I'm grateful for my Gorgeous Grandma. A little over a year ago she had to get a pacemaker. She had a follow-up visit today and I got to spend a couple of hours with her at her appointment, lunch and visiting Grandpa (at Wasatch Lawn.) She is doing so much better than she was a year ago! I'm grateful that the doctors were able to figure out the problem and fix it! As usual, she kept me laughing most of the time we were together.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #2

2009-11-02T22:20:00.003-07:00

I'm still not used to blogging again! I almost forgot - and I'm totally brain-dead because I stayed up way too late reading last night. So, it seems appropriate that I express my gratitude for good books today. I've always been a reader - I basically slept through fifth grade because I'd stay up all night reading Nancy Drew - well, that and my teacher was an idiot so I felt no need to stay awake or pay attention (yes, I'm aware I was/am a total snob and very obnoxious!). But back to topic...I've read quite a few books this year. Some were good, some were very helpful, one in particular was down right awful. And two were wonderful - new favorites. I highly recommend "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and "My Life in France" by Julia Child with Alex Prud'Homme. I have read "Guernsey" twice this year - after reading it I lent it to my mom to read and when she was done, I picked it up and read it again. And was totally depressed when I finished it because I had looked forward to reading it so much every day! How many times is too many times to read a book in a year? Both books I found absolutely delightful. (The awful one is "Julie and Julia" by Julie Powell. I do not recommend it. I do, however, highly recommend the movie. That recommendation is based on three things: 1) they were able to make the Julie Powell character much more sympathetic in the movie, 2) a lot of it is based on Julia Child's "My Life in France" which I loved, and 3) Meryl Streep. Really, though, #3 is reason enough - the other two are just frosting.)

I'm currently reading "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. It's good. I was nervous - I still feel like I'm getting my brain back from illness. But I had a wonderful friend give me the unabridged edition and express complete faith and confidence in me a while ago and I finally decided it was time to give it a try. I've been very pleasantly surprised. I've found it much easier to get into than I thought. I am loving it. I finished book one last night - 300 pages down - 1100+ to go!

30 Days of Thanksgiving #1

2009-11-01T16:28:00.004-07:00

As I was sitting in Church today, thinking with excitement that the holiday season has begun, I started looking back over this last year. It's been a year of contrasts for me. I've had a few serious illnesses, and two trips to the ER including a real scare last spring. And yet, overall, my health has improved this year - I've had less frequent illnesses, have let go of 70 pounds, and have more energy than I've had in a long time. I've had some very dark days and very hard personal struggles this year. But I've also been blessed with the opportunity to serve in the temple -to have an entire day of peace every week, received some great tools in dealing with the struggles, and been blessed with much joy this year.

I was able to recognize that while from a strict "numbers" viewpoint, this year could be considered a disaster, in reality, it's been a really good year. I am so grateful for the everyday miracles, many blessings, small joys that really add up, and love and support from family and friends this year. I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven for providing these miracles, blessings, joys, family, friends and love for me.

I'm excited to celebrate this season of gratitude and peace. It's going to be a good one.

Don't Honk at Old People!

2009-04-27T10:59:00.001-06:00

A Present for You

2009-04-14T13:42:00.003-06:00

This is the most amazing video. Check it out!

Here's an article to go with it.

Smoky Tomato Soup

2009-03-26T14:57:00.003-06:00

2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1 TBS fresh thyme leaves (I used dried)
2 28oz cans whole fire-roasted tomatoes (I couldn't find that so I used 4 14.5oz cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes)
1 14.5oz can chicken broth
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, chopped

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and thyme and cook 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth and chipotle; lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Using a blender, puree the soup (Mom got a hand held blender stick for Christmas and it was so much easier to use than pouring the soup into a blender!) Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches (ours were made with pumpernickel bread and da Vinci Gouda cheese. Yum!)

This soup has a really nice fresh flavor. However, I think it needs cream. I added a couple dollops of sour cream to it and some members of my family put some milk in their servings. Next time, I will have some half and half cream available. Also, the chipotle chile was a lot spicier than we were expecting. The cream will help, but I'll probably try to remove some of the seeds next time. I think this would also be good as a dip for crostini if it weren't quite so soupy - maybe omit the chicken broth (and the cream)? Something to experiment with.

Recipe from a Rachael Ray magazine.

You Capture - Week #1

2009-02-25T21:30:00.004-07:00

Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry is sponsoring a fun photography challenge - You Capture. This week's assignment was to photograph something you love without using your flash.

Next week's assignment is Perspective.

Write Away

2009-02-17T21:17:00.003-07:00

There's an awesome contest going on over here. The following post, "A Thousand Miles," is my entry.

My beautiful, black bike has helped me "let go" of 49 pounds. I'm working on letting go of another 61 pounds and celebrating in Disneyland! My bike and I are partners in this endeavor and my goal is to bike 1000 miles this year. Those flying lessons are coming along nicely...

A Thousand Miles

2009-02-13T13:23:00.010-07:00

Who knew that a beautiful turquoise blue bike, complete with banana seat, white plastic weave basket with magenta, yellow and turquoise flowers, streamers and training wheels could provide such a profound life lesson?

My best friend was a year older than me and had two older brothers. There was no way I could hang out with them on a bike with training wheels! If I wanted to keep up, I had to be brave. I had to let go of the comfort of the training wheels. I had to let go of the fear of falling, the fear of failing. I had to let go of my control and trust that the laws of inertia would work for me, too.

It took me quite a while to decide that I really did want to ride my bike with my friend and her brothers. I was able to fool myself into thinking that I was too cool to do something just because everyone else was doing it. But deep down I knew that I wasn't really happy with that decision. So, I sucked it up and tried. And-

IT. . .WAS. . .BRILLIANT.

That rushing feeling of joy--of soaring!--changed everything. I was now "grown-up" because I could fly! The wind hitting my face and snatching my breath away was the most exhilarating feeling I had ever felt--pure joy.

Fifteen years later, that exhilaration for life was snatched away. In it's place was a bleak monster weighing me down. Fibromyalgia. Depression. Infection after infection. Pain. Brain Fog. Each new medication added pounds (and pounds, and pounds...) Each new infection stole hope. Until I couldn't even remember joy. For nine years.

Ironically, my best friend, who had inspired me to let go of my training wheels, was sick, too. She was diagnosed a year before I was. She took me to my first Rheumatologist. She comforted and commiserated. And now she was ready to help me heal. She had found a new way to approach health--Energy Medicine. But to follow her, I had to be brave. I had to let go of the comfort of Western Medicine. I had to let go of the fear of falling further into the illness, the fear of failing to heal. I had to let go of my control and trust there were options other than being sick the rest of my life. So, I sucked it up and tried. And--

It was hard. But also brilliant.

Three years later I'm ready to get back on the bike. This bike isn't turquoise with magenta flowers; it's black and gray. I won't ever feel the wind rushing past me when riding this bike; it will stay in a corner in my family room. This bike comes with it's own set of training wheels. And I'm okay with that. Because someday I'll be able to ride a real bike again. Someday I'll feel that wind rush past me and snatch my breath away because my grin is just too big. Yes, this bike is beautiful. This bike means that I have hope. This bike gives me the opportunity to let go of what has been weighing me down. This bike offers me the chance to fly again.

Split Personality Mosaic

2009-02-05T13:36:00.004-07:00

My sisters have posted these fun mosaics on their blogs and I wanted to play, too. However, as usual, I couldn't decide which pictures I liked the best! So, I decided to make two.

Here are the rules:

Type your answer to each of the questions below into a Flickr search. Using only the first page, choose your favorite image (or in my case, favorite two images - I didn't do two searches, I picked my favorite two images from the original search), then copy and paste each of the URLs into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows.) Leave me a comment if you play so I can check it out!

The questions:

What is your first name? (Julie)
What is your favorite food? (cheese)
What high school did you attend? (Hillcrest)
What is your favorite color? (green)
Who is your celebrity crush? (Tom Hanks)
What is your favorite drink? (juice)
What is your dream vacation? (Holland)
What is your favorite dessert? (mock-chocolate eclair - nothing showed up so I used "eclair")
What do you want to be when you grow up? (Mom)
What do you love most in life? (Wow, I just realized I read this wrong. I thought it said "What do you want most in life?" And I responded "joy." I wonder how it would have turned out if I had read that correctly. My response would have been "family.")
One word to describe you? (weird)
Your Flickr name. (HoboJo3 - nothing showed up so I used "Hobo Jo")

1. julie's garden, 2. Day 158/365: Grilled cheese - yummm, 3. Picture Perfect, 4. Green Dreams, 5. Foto&Cinema: Il miglio verde, 6. ripe, 7. into the light, 8. Thunder above Madeira waters, 9. The moon above a lake of digital water, 10. The Earth & the Heaven, 11. Persistence, 12. Hobo Jo

1. SOTTS clone (Julie), 2. Say Cheese, 3. A game of Tetris, 4. Splash in a Drop, 5. Tam Hanks and the piano scene from Big, 6. frog closeup, 7. Mill in motion, 8. Help yourself ....., 9. blush and bashful, 10. I'm singing in the rain...Just singing in the rain...What a glorious feeling!!!I`m happy again!, 11. Yes! It's My Birthday! And It's My Footprint :D, 12. Hobo Jo Drinks Juice

Give Away Time!

2009-01-30T11:49:00.002-07:00

My fabulously talented cousin is having a give away contest on her blog, RHBDesigns. The contest ends Sunday so hurry over there for a chance to win! She makes beautiful hand stamped jewelry. You may remember this post about one of her necklaces that I got and absolutely love. I'm hoping to win the $25 gift certificate to her Etsy shop so I can get this beautiful necklace.

Good luck!

A Little Sunshine

2009-01-25T13:45:00.002-07:00

I just read a short article in Parade Magazine about Giving in Hard Times. The article starts by saying that charitable contributions tend to decrease when the economy is suffering - just when those charities are called on to help even more people. But just when you think things are awful and there is no happiness in the world, the article continues...

"Households that earn less than $100,000 a year account for almost half of the nation’s charitable giving. And this past holiday season, fund-raising drives from Beaufort, S.C., to Billings, Mont., reported support from community members who didn’t have much to give. Maj. Bill Grein of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation reports fewer toy donations this year but more cash from individuals and even new donors. “People are saying, ‘I can’t afford a full toy, but I can give $10 or $12,’ ” Major Grein explains."

What a renewal of faith in the goodness of people that was for me. Yes, times are hard. Yes, there is a lot of sadness, heartbreak, and even evil in the world today. But there is also a lot of goodness, faith, and determination succeed - if we're willing to look for it. I am grateful for that patch of sunshine today. I choose to find the joy.

It Is Finished

2008-12-18T12:42:00.005-07:00

After four and a half months, I have finished my CD! What an experience! I learned so much and I'm actually very happy with how it turned out. Of course there are still things that I would love to fix and change and do over--I can really tell a difference between the first songs I recorded and the last songs. The learning curve was huge! But overall, I am very happy.

I put so much of myself into this project and really wanted to share my story, but I didn't have the budget to print a 12 page booklet to accompany my CD! So, in the post below, I am including my "bonus booklet." It includes the lyrics to all the songs, my thought process in choosing that song and a little background info.

Merry Christmas!

Harvest

2008-12-18T12:36:00.006-07:00

Several months ago my voice teacher, Debbie, suggested I think about recording a CD as a way to focus my energy and make lessons more productive. My initial reaction was that’s a good thought, but not something I could ever accomplish. But I did start thinking about what I would put on a CD if it were up to me. Over the next several weeks, my list of songs grew and I noticed a pattern. A lot of the songs represented, to me, major steps in a woman’s life—things I’ve learned, events I look forward to. From that realization came an actual song list. I knew I wanted to end with “For Good” from Wicked and my sister volunteered herself to sing the duet. I still hadn’t realized that I was seriously contemplating recording a CD. That realization came when Lauren was getting ready to go to California to pursue a graduate degree. All the sudden my duet partner was leaving. I quickly decided that I did want to attempt this and that I’d better get on the ball! This project had suddenly snowballed into a reality.

You would think that after putting together a song list, a title would be an easy next step—and we did have a lot of fun coming up with crazy titles taken from lines in the songs chosen (Julie: Dropped by a Sky-Bird; Julie: This Has Been a Test; Julie: The Danger and the Doom). But finding a title that was just right was a very hard task. Several of the song titles would have worked really well, but I didn’t want to use the name of one of the songs as the title of my CD. In particular, “Days of Plenty” from Little Women seemed to capture everything I was trying to say with this CD. While I was discussing my dilemma with my best friend, Melynn, she commented that Little Women is really Marmee’s story. Everyone thinks of Jo as the main character—and she is—but it is really Marmee’s story; any mother’s life story is her children. The last chapter of Little Women is titled “Harvest Time,” and at the very end, Louisa May Alcott has the family looking over their particular stories and how they have grown. Marmee, referring to Jo’s school for boys and own family, says:

“Yes, Jo, I think your harvest will be a good one,” began Mrs. March…

“Not half so good as yours, mother. Here it is, and we never can thank you enough for the patient sowing and reaping you have done,” cried Jo, with the loving impetuosity which she never could outgrow.

“I hope there will be more wheat and fewer tares every year,” said Amy, softly.

“A large sheaf, but I know there’s room in your heart for it, Marmee dear,” added Meg’s tender voice.

Touched to the heart, Mrs. March could only stretch out her arms, as if to gather children and grandchildren to herself, and say, with face and voice full of motherly love, gratitude, and humility,—

“Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!”

How perfectly these sentiments capture what I feel. This CD speaks of my own trials and triumphs, my own hopes and dreams, and the hopes and dreams I have for my own children. I hope that I will be blessed enough to look back on my life and take joy in my Harvest.

The Call: from Prince Caspian

It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope,

Which then turned into a quiet thought,

Which then turned into a quiet word.

And then that word grew louder and louder, ‘til it was a battle cry:

I’ll come back when you call me, no need to say goodbye.

Just because everything’s changing

Doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before.

All you can do is try to know who your friends are,

As you head off to the war.

Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light—

You’ll come back when it’s over, no need to say goodbye.

Now we’re back to the beginning,

It’s just a feeling and no one knows yet.

But just because they can’t feel it too

Doesn’t mean that you have to forget.

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger,

‘Til they’re before your eyes—

You’ll come back when they call you, no need to say goodbye.

I’ll come back when they call me. No need to say goodbye.

This was the last song that I decided on for this CD. I was very happy with how the song list was shaping up to tell the story of a woman’s life and I felt that I needed a good introduction. I couldn’t seem to find a song that fit that description from my Broadway repertoire. My siblings and I had recently seen Prince Caspian and as we were playing through this song, it struck me how perfectly the lyrics captured C.S. Lewis’s message. The whole Narnia series is a parable for our mortal journey—which is kind of what I was trying to portray with this CD as well. This song, while sung at the end of the movie, speaks of the longing to go to Narnia—to try ourselves. But it also speaks of the conflicting feelings of anxiety at the task at hand and the regret of leaving loved ones. And yet, we are urged to go forward—we’ll be reunited in the end.

Home: from Beauty and the Beast

Yes, I made the choice. For Papa, I will stay.

But I don’t deserve to lose my freedom in this way, you monster!

If you think that what you’ve done is right, well then you’re a fool!

Think again!

Is this home? Is this where I should learn to be happy?

Never dreamed that a home could be dark and cold.

I was told every day in my childhood:

Even when we grow old, home will be where the heart is.

Never were words so true!

My heart’s far, far away. Home is too.

Is this home? Is this what I must learn to believe in?

Try to find something good in this tragic place,

Just in case I should stay here forever held in this empty space.

Oh, but that won’t be easy. I know the reason why:

My heart’s far, far away. Home’s a lie.

What I’d give to return to the life that I knew lately.

But I know that I can’t solve my problems going back.

Is this home? Am I here for a day or forever?

Shut away from the world until who knows when?

Oh, but then, as my life has been altered once, it can change again.

Build higher walls around me, change every lock and key.

Nothing lasts, nothing holds all of me.

My heart’s far, far away, home and free.

Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. My best friend had also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia shortly before me and she often referred to it as a beast that was raging inside of her, trying to devour her. I’ve always loved fairy tales and her imagery opened up a new meaning in the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. I have had to learn how to tame the beast of fibromyalgia—or any trial—how to still find beauty in my life and be grateful for the lessons I’ve learned from my own “beast.” I felt that “Home” really captured that feeling of dismay at the challenges and trials in life and yet, more importantly, the need to press on, to find hope and joy.

Astonishing: from Little Women

Who is he? Who is he with his “Marry me,”

With his ring and his “Marry me”?

The nerve, the gall.

This is not, not what was meant to be.

How could he ruin it all with those two words?

I thought I knew him, thought that he knew me.

When did it change, what did I miss?

A kiss? When I thought all along

That we were meant to forge frontiers.

How could I be so wrong?

And I need, how I need my sisters here.

If I can’t share my dreams, what where they for?

I thought our promise meant

That we would never change and never part.

I thought together we’d amaze the world!

How can I live my dreams or even start

When everything has come apart?

I thought home was all I’d ever want, my attic all I’d ever need.

Now nothing feels the way it was before

And I don’t know how to proceed.

I only know I’m meant for something more.

I’ve got to know if I can be astonishing.

There’s a life that I am meant to lead,

Alive like nothing I have known.

I can feel it and it’s far from here.

I’ve got to find it on my own.

Even now I feel its heat upon my skin:

A life of passion that pulls me from within.

A life that I am aching to begin.

There must be somewhere I can be astonishing. Astonishing!

I’ll find my way. I’ll find it far away.

I’ll find it in the unexpected and unknown.

I’ll find my life in my own way today.

Here I go and there’s no turning back.

My great adventure has begun.

I may be small but I’ve got giant plans

To shine as brightly as the sun.

I will blaze until I find my time and place.

I will be fearless, surrendering modesty and grace.

I will not disappear without a trace.

I’ll shout and start a riot, be anything but quiet.

Christopher Columbus! I’ll be astonishing.

Astonishing at last.

This was a very empowering song for me. I think we all feel a desire for greatness. Whether it’s fame and fortune, recognition, or succeeding in schooling and at work, we feel a push to live up to our full potential. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I let my failures and fear hold me back from trying. I have to make the choice to let go of the past and let go of my fears and just go for it.

A Change in Me: from Beauty and the Beast

There’s been a change in me, a kind of moving on,

Though what I used to be I still depend upon.

For now I realize that good can come from bad.

That may not make me wise but oh, it makes me glad.

And I, I never thought I’d leave behind my childhood dreams,

But I don’t mind, for now I love the world I see.

No change of heart, a change in me.

For in my dark despair I slowly understood.

My perfect world out there had disappeared for good,

But in its place I feel a truer life begin.

And it’s so good and real, it must come from within.

And I, I never thought I’d leave behind my childhood dreams,

But I don’t mind, I’m where and who I want to be.

No change of heart, a change in me.

I mentioned that twelve years ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. For nine years my health slowly but steadily worsened to the point that I was in survival mode. There were no plans for the future, actually, there was no living. It was strictly get through the day. Three years ago, I was given a gift. I was given the opportunity to get my life back. The road of recovery has not been a quick or easy journey. And I’m actually grateful for that. I have learned so much about myself, about my purpose on this earth and about my Father in Heaven that I couldn’t have learned any other way. One of the lessons has been how to reconcile the old me with the new. There was a time I would have gladly given away the experiences of those dark years. But, as the song says, “…what I used to be I still depend upon…in its place I feel a truer life begin. And it’s so good and real, it must come from within.” My favorite line is “I’m where and who I want to be.” I think that is our ultimate goal. If we can say that—we’re doing good.

There’s a Fine, Fine Line: from Avenue Q

There’s a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend.

There’s a fine, fine line between reality and pretend.

And you never know till you reach the top

If it was worth the uphill climb.

There’s a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time.

There’s a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie.

And there’s a fine, fine line between “you’re wonderful”

And “goodbye.”

I guess if someone doesn’t love you back, it isn’t such a crime,

But there’s a fine, fine line between love and a waste of your time.

And I don’t have the time to waste on you anymore.

I don’t think that you even know what you’re looking for.

For my own sanity, I’ve got to close the door and walk away…

There’s a fine, fine line between together and not.

And there’s a fine, fine line between what you wanted

And what you got.

You gotta go after the things you want while you’re still in your prime.

There’s a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time.

Since I’m still in the single phase of my life, these next few songs are mostly speculation. I really like this song because it talks of the rejection and heartbreak that we all experience, but in a very optimistic way. Yes, there will be relationships that are more one-sided or that just aren’t right. But you have to keep trying and you have to believe in yourself enough to keep looking for what you want. I have faith that I will find that one special relationship that is neither a fairy tale nor a lie, but a wonderful reality.

Only Love: from The Scarlet Pimpernel

I see you try to turn away.

I hear the words you want to say.

I feel how much you need to hide

What’s happening inside you tonight.

Come meet my eyes one moment more.

Our eyes are different than before.

This night, so beautiful and strange,

This night begins to change who we are.

Don’t turn away, it’s only love,

Quietly coming to you,

Whispering through you.

Take my hand, it’s only love.

Let it come through you slowly.

Don’t be afraid, it’s only love.

We touch, the dark begins to stir.

We can’t go back to where we were.

Don’t be afraid to make it real.

Don’t be afraid to feel tonight.

Don’t turn away, it’s only love,

Only a touch that frees you, let it release you.

Take the chance, it’s only love.

Open your heart and show me.

Don’t be afraid, it’s only love.

Don’t close your eyes, don’t hold it in.

Reach out to me, let it all begin.

Don’t be afraid, it’s only love,

Only a touch that frees you, let it release you.

Take the chance, it’s only love.

Let it come through you slowly.

Don’t be afraid, it’s only love.

I can’t wait to find my husband and become a wife. To be known and loved and in turn know and love another that deeply is a great gift and blessing that I look forward to eagerly. But I think it can also be hard to open yourself up to someone else, to risk heartbreak and rejection. This song, for me, is not only a plea to be loved, but also a determination to love, a decision to trust—to act in faith instead of fear.

I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning: from Annie Get Your Gun

Taking stock of what I have and what I haven’t,

What do I find?

The things I’ve got will keep me satisfied.

Checking up on what I have and what I haven’t,

What do I find?

A healthy balance on the credit side.

Got no diamond, got no pearl,

Still I think I’m a lucky girl.

I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

Got no mansion, got no yacht,

Still I’m happy with what I’ve got.

I’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

Sunshine gives me a lovely day.

Moonlight gives me the milky way.

Got no checkbooks, got no banks, still I’d like to express my thanks.

I’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

And with the sun in the morning and the moon in the evening,

I’m all right.

I chose this song to represent that blissful “newlywed” time of life. Most couples just beginning their married life are rather poor—so this song fit that time perfectly. But more importantly, the lyrics speak of the joy to be found in life itself. In this uncertain economy especially, this song is a nice reminder that things are not what is most important. My favorite line is “I’d like to express my thanks.” There is great power in gratitude—it focuses our attention on the positive and lifts the spirit. For me, this song is an act of gratitude for life’s many blessings.

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel): by Billy Joel

Goodnight, my angel, time to close your eyes,

And save these questions for another day.

I think I know what you’ve been asking me.

I think you know what I’ve been trying to say.

I promised I would never leave you,

And you should always know wherever you may go,

No matter where you are, I never will be far away.

Goodnight, my angel, now it’s time to sleep,

And still so many things I want to say.

Remember all the songs you sang for me

When we went sailing on an emerald bay.

And like a boat out on the ocean,

I’m rocking you to sleep.

The water’s dark and deep inside this ancient heart—

You’ll always be a part of me.

Goodnight, my angel, now it’s time to dream,

And dream how wonderful your life will be.

Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullabye,

Then in your heart there will always be a part of me.

Someday we’ll all be gone but lullabyes go on and on.

They never die, that’s how you and I will be.

I can’t wait to become a mother. I believe motherhood is one of the most sacred callings we can ever have. This song captures the overwhelming love a mother feels for her child, the need for that child to know they are loved, the dreams a mother has for her child, and the eternal connection that mother and child share.

Hold On: from The Secret Garden

What you’ve got to do is finish what you have begun.

I don’t know just how, but it’s not over ‘til you’ve won.

When you see the storm is coming, see the lightening part the skies,

It’s too late to run, there’s terror in your eyes.

What you do then is remember this old thing you heard me say:

It’s the storm, not you, that’s bound to blow away.

Hold on, hold on to someone standing by.

Hold on, don’t even ask how long or why,

Child, hold on to what you know is true,

Hold on ‘til you get through.

Child, oh child, hold on.

When you feel your heart is pounding, fear a devil’s at your door,

There’s no place to hide, you’re frozen to the floor,

What you do then is you force yourself to wake up, and you say:

It’s this dream, not me, that’s bound to go away.

Hold on, hold on, the night will soon be by.

Hold on, and think of something else to try.

Child, hold on, there’s angels on their way.

Hold on and hear them say:

Child, oh child…

And it doesn’t even matter if the danger and the doom

Come from up above, or down below,

Or just come flying at you from across the room.

When you see a man who’s raging,

And he’s jealous, and he fears

That you’ve walked through walls he’s hid behind for years,

What you do then is you tell yourself to wait it out. You say:

It’s this day not me, that’s bound to go away.

Child, hold on. It’s this day not you, that’s bound to go away.

Many years ago a friend of mine was going through a particularly difficult trial. She gave me some very sage advice. Whenever things get hard, she counseled me to think of the most repeated phrase in the scriptures: “It came to pass.” The scriptures never say, “It came to stay…” I believe that we need to look for the joy in life—learn how to be happy even in difficult circumstances. But sometimes all you can do is just hold on and remember that it always “came to pass.” One of my favorite lines is “hold on to what you know is true.” The adversary is waging a battle to deceive us. But if we hold fast to what we know is true, we will weather the storm.

Days of Plenty: from Little Women

I never dreamed of this sorrow.

I never thought I’d have reason to lament.

I hoped I’d never know heartbreak.

How I wish I could change the way things went.

I wanted nothing but goodness.
I wanted reason to prevail—

Not this bare emptiness.

I wanted days of plenty.

But I refuse to feel tragic.

I am aching for more than pain and grief.

There has got to be meaning.

Most of all when a life has been so brief.

I have got to learn something.

How can I give her any less?

I want life to go on.

I want days of plenty.

You have to believe there is reason for hope.

You have to believe that the answers will come.

You can’t let this defeat you. I won’t let this defeat you.

You must fight to keep her there within you.

So believe that she mattered.

And believe that she always will.

She will always be with you.

She’ll be part of the days you’ve yet to fill.

She will live in your bounty.

She will live as you carry on your life.

So carry on, full of hope.

She’ll be there for all your days of plenty.

This song is from Little Women and is sung by Marmee to Jo after Beth dies. This is a very pivotal moment for Jo: she can choose to let her grief swallow her and overshadow her life or she can choose to learn, to grow, to love—to live. We all have moments in our lives where we have to make the same choice. Yes, there is grief and sorrow in life, yes life is hard. But life is also good. Opportunities for joy and happiness are all around—but we must actively choose the joy. I love the line, “but I refuse to feel tragic.” We can’t always control what happens in life, but we always have the choice of how to respond. That choice is a great blessing and carries great power.

Better Than I: from Joseph: King of Dreams

I thought I did what’s right.

I thought I had the answers.

I thought I chose the surest road—

But that road brought me here.

So I put up a fight and told you how to help me.

Now just when I have given up, the truth is coming clear.

You know better than I

You know the way.

I’ve let go the need to know why

For you know better than I.

If this has been a test,

I cannot see the reason.

But maybe knowing I don’t know

Is part of getting through.

I try to do what’s best.

And faith has made it easy

To see the best thing I can do

Is put my trust in you.

For you know better than I.

You know the way.

I’ve let go the need to know why

For you know better than I.

I saw one cloud and thought it was the sky.

I saw a bird and thought that I could follow.

But it was you who taught that bird to fly.

If I let you reach me, will you teach me?

For you know better than I.

You know the way.

I’ve let go the need to know why.

I’ll take what answers you supply.

You know better than I.

I've had a lot of ponderings lately on my need to trust the Lord. I like to be in control—a personality trait that was only intensified by my health problems. I am really trying to let go and let the Lord guide my life. I have really tried to live by Elder Cook's counsel to "Live by Faith and Not by Fear." If I try to control everything, I am letting my life be guided by fear—fear of the unknown, fear of failure. I don't want to live that way. But if I choose to allow the Lord to guide my life, then I am letting go of that fear and living in Faith. It is a hard lesson and one I'm still struggling with. This song's thoughts on letting go and trusting the Lord because He knows "better than I" really express what I am trying to learn.

For Good: from Wicked

I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason,

Bringing something we must learn.

And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them,

And we help them in return.

Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true,

But I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun,

Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood,

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,

So let me say before we part:

So much of me is made of what I learned from you,

You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart.

And now whatever way our stories end,

I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea,

Like a seed dropped by a sky-bird in a distant wood,

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

And just to clear the air,

I ask forgiveness for the things I’ve done you blame me for.

But then, I guess we know there’s blame to share,

And none of it seems to matter anymore.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed for the better.

And because I knew you,

I have been changed for good.

I truly believe that there are people we were meant to know in this life, people who help shape and color our lives. This song is such a perfect expression of gratitude to those people. There are so many things I love about this song. I love that I was able to ask forgiveness in it. No one is perfect and I love that at the end of my journey on this CD, I was given the opportunity to “clear the air.” I also love the line, “we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them,

and we help them in return.” We are always given the opportunity to grow, if we choose it. There are so many people who have touched my life for good. I am truly grateful for every relative, friend, and teacher who has taught me valuable lessons, shown acts of kindness and showered me with love. I hope that I can pass on that legacy to those I’m blessed to know.

I never imagined how much I would learn from this experience. I am so grateful that Debbie suggested it. I am grateful for the encouragement, support and sometimes pushing from my family and friends. Without that support, I never would have found the courage to even start this project, let alone finish it. These songs have become very dear to me. I am grateful for the power of music and good lyrics. I am grateful for this opportunity to reflect on where I’ve been and where I hope to go. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this part of myself—this part of my harvest.

Letter of Apology

2008-12-15T12:24:00.003-07:00

Dear Blog,

I am sorry I've been neglecting you. You have been so patient while I was sick, Mom was sick, I got to be a "Mom," and Christmas projects took top priority. Thank you for that patience.

I promise that I have been thinking of you and missing you while I've been away. I have so many posts planned! I have the rest of the Thanksgiving posts all planned out, a post about 101 goals, some deep thoughts on Advent (hope, faith, joy and love), my big Christmas project, and even a new nutcracker from Sinter Klaas! It doesn't help that our computer is dying, so all the great pictures I planned to include in those posts are not possible until (hopefully) after Christmas. Of course, with Christmas only 10 days away!, those posts might not happen until after Christmas anyway.

So, dear blog, hold on just a bit longer. I promise some good quality time is coming!

Love,
jkRibbit

30 Days of Thanksgiving #16

2008-11-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for wonderful parents who are happy to go on juice and cough-drop runs for me and accompany people for me.

I am grateful for a loving sister who shared her delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with us.

I am grateful for an awesome brother who put up our Christmas lights. I'm so excited for Christmas!

I am grateful for a fabulous sister who waited patiently for a turn to talk to Mom while I found disinfectant wipes for the phone after my turn.

I am grateful for the beautiful necklace I got from my talented cousin to remind me be thankful. Her website is: http://rhbdesigns.blogspot.com/

30 Days of Thanksgiving #15

2008-11-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

I am grateful that my pain level was low enough today that I could teach (very important since we have a recital next Saturday!) I couldn't breathe - but I could teach, sort of :)

I am grateful for wonderful students who are patient with my health problems. I am especially grateful for my students who came today. They are from India and their Mom brought me homemade Sambar - an Indian soup that I love! Perfect timing...

30 Days of Thanksgiving #14

2008-11-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for Tylenol 3 with Codeine. I am grateful for a doctor who trusts me so I had some Tylenol 3 with Codeine on hand when I really needed it today.

And I am so grateful for all of the well wishes and love that have been sent to me since I posted that I was sick. They have been a bright spot in my brain-fuzzy days! Thank you!

30 Days of Thanksgiving #13

2008-11-13T13:28:00.003-07:00

"Blah," said Toad.

Remember how yesterday I said that sometimes my body acts like an angsty, rebellious teenager? Well, just to prove my point it came down with a raging sinus infection hours after posting yesterday. And since whining always helps:

"Blah," said jkRibbit.

Okay, I'm done now. I am thankful for Puffs Plus facial tissue (pronounced with the "S" sound, not "sh") with lotion for my rubbed-raw nose. I am thankful for hot cider mix and apple-cherry juice. I am thankful for soup. I am thankful for extra-strength Tylenol, aspirin and cough drops. I am thankful for my comfy cozy bed, comfy cozy covers and comfy cozy pillows. I am thankful for "Gilmore Girls" on DVD to keep me company while I try to sleep. I am thankful that the scriptures always say that "It came to pass" and never "it came to stay."

I am thankful for my body. I am thankful for my body. I am thankful for my body.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #12

2008-11-12T13:07:00.003-07:00

I am grateful for my physical body.

I have had to learn how to make that statement true many times in my life, including this last week. As I've gone through this healing process, I have been so blessed to be able to come off of several medications. Last week, I was brave enough to come off of another medication that I've been taking for several years. There were some pretty good benefits to taking this medication, and I have been very worried about some of the side effects of not taking it anymore. But there were some pretty yucky side effects from taking the medication and I knew that it was time. My body was strong enough and ready to come off it. I just wasn't sure if I was emotionally ready. I decided to choose faith instead of fear.

This weekend was kind of rough - but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. I just felt drained (hence the need to play catch-up on this blog!). I am grateful that I did not "fall apart" (which is really what I was dreading) and that while I did have some pain, it was very manageable pain. I am very grateful that I was able to make this transition and for the love and support of my family while I did.

Then on Monday, I went for my yearly full body mole check (one of the joys of being fair skinned!). The doctor wanted to remove a couple of moles that seemed irregular - just to be on the safe side. One was on the bottom of my foot - the one connected to the ankle I sprained a couple of months ago - so walking has been a treat! The other one, for some reason, decided not to clot - and kept bleeding all night. I went back to the doctor yesterday and they painted it with some sort of liquid iron. Weird, but it worked. I am grateful for doctors who know what they're doing. I am also grateful for my Gorgeous Grandma who provided some much needed comic relief. She thought I said that I had a full body "mold" check! Apparently she's concerned that I'm growing moldy :)

Sometimes it feels like my body is at war with itself, like it is an angsty and rebellious teenager! Sometimes it is hard to be grateful for a body that has so many struggles. But I am grateful for the gentle reminders from the Spirit that this physical body was created in God's image - that one of the main purposes for coming to this earth was to gain a physical body. I wrote an article for the New Era on this very subject - and I still find myself needing to relearn it. But I am grateful for that opportunity.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have stewardship over my physical elements. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn how to lead them to exist peacefully and healthily. I am grateful for the knowledge the Lord has blessed me with in regard to my health. I am grateful that He led me to try BodyTalk and for the relief and answers I've found because of it.

I am grateful for my body.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #11

2008-11-11T12:40:00.006-07:00

Happy Birthday, AngelFish!

Today I am grateful for my beautiful sister AngelFish! I am grateful that she is in my family and that we are sisters. When AngelFish was born, we were trying to sell our house and build a new one in Farmington. My grandparents were on a mission and we were staying in their house in Farmington. Of course, things never work out the way you plan! My grandparents came home early for health reasons and we never were able to sell our house (we found out later that our dear next door nieghbor, Grandma Dot, prayed that we wouldn't leave - she really has an "in"!) So, when AngelFish was just a few weeks old (and I was 3 1/2 years old) we were moving back in to our house. Mom was unpacking boxes in the kitchen and AngelFish started to cry in the other room. She decided to let AngelFish cry for a few minutes so she could finish the box she was working on and after a minute or two, the crying stopped. When she went in to check on AngelFish, I was sitting on the floor rocking AngelFish and singing to her. I am grateful for that new little sister who awoke my mothering instincts and was patient enough to let a 3 year old practice mothering!

I am grateful for AngelFish's courage to accept a mission call to serve in Russia. She is strong in her testimony of the gospel and is strong in her determination to do what's right. I am grateful for that example.

I really think that our age difference is a very awkward one. It always seemed that I was going through a crabby/difficult phase when AngelFish wanted to be friends and by the time I grew out of it, she was going through a crabby/difficult phase and didn't want to be friends. (Although I'm pretty sure I had much more crabby/difficult phases than she did!). I am grateful that AngelFish was patient with me and never gave up on being friends. I am grateful that I've had the opportunity as an adult to really work on having a good relationship with my sister and that she's forgiven me for all of the rotten things I did when we were younger! I am so grateful for sisters who are also friends. I am grateful for the love and support we offer each other.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #10

2008-11-10T12:04:00.002-07:00

I love how the Book of Mormon begins:

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."

There is so much in that one, first verse! Yes, life is going to be hard - there will be afflictions. But even with trials, life can be good. The Lord loves us and will bless us. We need to teach our children of the Lord and seek to learn of Him ourselves. So much!! But I also love that Nephi starts off by stating that he was born of goodly parents. I, too, have been born of goodly parents.

I am grateful for the blessing of having parents who love each other and love me. I am grateful that my parents also love the Lord and have taught me of Him. I am grateful that my parents committed to each other for all eternity and were sealed as an eternal family in the temple. I am grateful for the opportunity to someday make that same committment to my best friend and start an eternal family with him. I am grateful for the opportunity to someday become a mother and teach my children to love the Lord. I pray for these blessings and choose to have hope and faith that they will come to pass.

And, for your viewing pleasure, I've included some of my favorite pictures of my parents! (Some of them I should have posted in June when they celebrated their 35 anniversary - but the summer was crazy and I never got around to it! I guess better late than never.) I am grateful for pictures :)

30 Days of Thanksgiving #9

2008-11-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves me enough to push me to help me grow. I was recently prompted that it was time to be brave and try the Singles Branch in my Stake. And while that doesn't sound like a very hard thing to do to some people, it is very hard for me. I don't like change (see my previous post about control issues!). I've also been rather isolated because of my health (which, thankfully, is improving!). But I think the hardest thing for me is leaving my home ward.

I grew up in my home ward. Half of the ward feels like they helped raise me - and they did. I have at least a dozen extra "Grandma"s in my home ward. They see the full potential in me. They pray for me, cry for me, cheer for me and are always there to offer the best hugs in the world. My home ward was literally home. My time there has been a time of renewal for me.

I am so grateful for the concept of a ward family. I am grateful for all of my extra "Grandma"s. I am grateful for this period of rest and renewal. And I am grateful that it will always be my home ward - I can always visit and come back.

I have been to the Singles Branch a couple of times now, and I am so grateful for the kindness and welcome that has been shown to me. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and socialize again. I am grateful for the opportunity to be brave and to grow.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who always sees my full potential and prompts me to find it myself.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #8

2008-11-08T20:01:00.005-07:00

I sang in a recital this afternoon. The song I sang is from a straight-to-video movie called "Joseph: King of Dreams." It was a follow-up movie to "Prince of Egypt." I love the message of the song and I'm so grateful I was finally able to find the music. I ended up needing to transpose it down a bit - I'm no longer a soprano! - but I'm very happy with how it turned out. Here are the words:

Better Than I
from Joseph: King of Dreams

I thought I did what’s right.
I thought I had the answers.
I thought I chose the surest road -
but that road brought me here.
So I put up a fight
and told you how to help me.
Now just when I have given up,
the truth is coming clear.

You know better than I,
You know the way.
I’ve let go the need to know why
for you know better than I.

If this has been a test,
I cannot see the reason.
But maybe knowing I don’t know
is part of getting through.
I try to do what’s best.
And faith has made it easy
to see the best thing I can do
is put my trust in you.

For you know better than I,
You know the way.
I’ve let go the need to know why
for you know better than I.

I saw one cloud and thought it was the sky.
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow.
But it was you who taught that bird to fly.
If I let you reach me, will you teach me?

For you know better than I,
You know the way.
I’ve let go the need to know why.
I’ll take what answers you supply.
You know better than I.

I've had a lot of ponderings lately on my need to trust the Lord. I like to be in control - a personality trait that was only intensified by my health problems. I am really trying to let go and let the Lord guide my life. I have really tried to live by Elder Cook's counsel to "Live by Faith and Not by Fear." If I try to control everything, I am letting my life be guided by fear - fear of the unknown, fear of failure. I don't want to live that way. But if I choose to allow the Lord to guide my life, then I am letting go of that fear and living in Faith. It is a hard lesson and one I'm still struggling with. The song's thoughts on letting go and trusting the Lord because He knows "better than I" really express what I am trying to learn.

I am grateful for good music that enriches my life. I am grateful for the talents I've been blessed with and for the opportunity to share my feelings through music. I am grateful for such a wonderful voice teacher. She seriously has the "Midas touch" and she is a good friend. I am grateful for my Gorgeous Grandma who has been to every single recital I've ever been in, including today. She has my recital for my students already written on her calendar.

And yes, this is one of the songs on my CD :)

30 Days of Thanksgiving #7

2008-11-07T13:25:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I had a good friend suggest some reading from one of Elder Maxwell's books, "Not My Will, But Thine". The chapter I read last night was amazing and powerful. I am grateful for this friend and for his recommendation.

As I was touched by many of the things Elder Maxwell said, I starting thinking of all of my favorite quotes by Elder Maxwell - and they are a lot! So today, I am grateful for Elder Maxwell, for his service and example. I am grateful for his willingness to share his spiritual insights so that I can grow as well. And in that same spirit of sharing, here are some of my favorite Elder Maxwell quotes. These first are from that chapter last night:

One of the most important contributions submissiveness makes to our individual happiness occurs in crucial moments of truth. These are moments when we teeter back and forth between surrender to Him and surrender to ourselves, between obedience and defiance. Submissiveness not only helps us to make right resolutions but also dissolves our pride, with its worry about what others will think if we admit error and yield to God.
Spiritual submissiveness is not blind faith but deliberate obedience.
Submission to God, among many things, requires us to strip ourselves of our pride in order to be obedient to Him.
Certain supernal spiritual blessings seem to come only after demonstrated obedience.

One of my favorite talks by Elder Maxwell is "Notwithstanding My Weakness" from the November 1976 Ensign. Here are some of my favorite quotes from that talk (although I highly encourage you to read the entire talk!):

The scriptural advice, "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength" (D&C 10:4) suggests paced progress, much as God used seven creative periods in preparing man and this earth. There is a difference, therefore, between being "anxiously engaged" and being over-anxious and thus underengaged.
We can distinguish more clearly between divine discontent and the devil's dissonance, between dissatisfaction with self and disdain for self. We need the first and must shun the second, for when conscience calls to us from the next ridge, it is not solely to scold but also to beckon.
We can make quiet but more honest inventories of our strengths, since, in this connection, most of us are dishonest bookkeepers and need confirming "outside auditors." He who was thrust down in the first estate delights to have us put ourselves down. Self-contempt is of Satan; there is none of it in heaven. We should, of course, learn from our mistakes, but without forever studying the instant replays as if these were the game of life itself.
We can learn that at the center of our agency is our freedom to form a healthy attitude toward whatever circumstances we are placed in!
Discouragement is not the absence of adequacy but the absence of courage, and our personal progress should be yet another way we witness to the wonder of it all!

Another of my favorite talks from Elder Maxwell is "Endure It Well" from the May 1990 Ensign. I haven't read it for awhile - that's on my agenda for today. And one final quote - I have this on a magnet and I haven't been able to find any source information so far - if you can help, please leave a comment!

Faith in God includes faith in His timing.

I found it! It was in the beginning of the very next chapter after the one I read last night! From Elder Maxwell's "Not My Will, But Thine":

Real faith in God includes faith in His timing.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #6

2008-11-06T13:52:00.003-07:00

Last night, between 10 and 11 p.m., I ordered some boots. It was a very responsible thing to do seeing how our world was covered in snow yesterday. It was probably not so responsible that I waited until our first real snow storm to order them. Also, the boots I chose don't exactly scream responsible. Let me rephrase that. The boots I chose are very responsible - they have good traction and will keep my feet warm and dry. The pattern I chose doesn't exactly scream responsible :)

At 2:00 this afternoon, 15-16 hours after I ordered these boots, I answered the door for my piano student and my boots were sitting on our porch waiting for me. Not even 24 hours turn around! I am very impressed. What is even more impressive is that the shipping was free. The shipping is also free if I decide not to keep them. Are you impressed yet? I sure am! And where, you are wondering, did I find these fabulous boots with free, fast shipping? At Zappos!

I am grateful for new winter boots that are practical and whimsical at the same time. I am grateful for my new found joy in snow and improved health giving me a desire to play in the snow so I need new boots. I am grateful for Zappos and for free, fast shipping!

30 Days of Thanksgiving #5

2008-11-05T14:00:00.003-07:00

Happy Blogday to me! I've been blogging for 1 year! I am grateful for the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings and keep in touch with friends and family. I am grateful for all of the kind and supportive comments I've received. Thank you!

I am also grateful for a beautiful snowstorm today. When I first started getting sick, it was in the middle of a particularly harsh winter. For many years snow and winter symbolized that hard time in my life. The days get shorter, colder and darker. My anxiety and depression increased. Winter was something to endure and survive. But the last few years, as I've healed, I've been able to enjoy and even look forward to winter. Everything is beautiful and white. And Christmas is coming! I am grateful that I am able to see the beauty and joy of snow again.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #4

2008-11-04T23:54:00.001-07:00

I am grateful for the opportunity to vote. I am grateful that I live in this country and have the liberties and freedoms that I do. I am so grateful for our troops who risk their lives to keep our country safe and free. (And for a great post on that, visit this site.) I am also so grateful that Proposition 8 passed in California - that people stood up for the sanctity of marriage.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #3

2008-11-03T20:50:00.001-07:00

I made one of my favorite soup recipes tonight Potato Cheddar Soup. It is so good! I am grateful for yummy food :) I am grateful for good recipes. I am also grateful for a family that is appreciative of my efforts in the kitchen :)

30 Days of Thanksgiving #2

2008-11-02T13:41:00.001-07:00

When I was three months old, my Mom went back to teaching school. A neighbor lady babysat me. Her daughter, who is almost 14 months older than I, and I have been inseparable ever since. BFF and I have literally been Best Friends Forever. We are sisters. I believe that were were best friends before we came to this earth and that we promised to help each other through the trials we would face. Today I was able to keep part of that promise.

I am so grateful for my friendship, my kinship, with BFF. I am grateful that I was led to take BodyTalk training and that I was able to use that skill to help a loved one. And this is the hard one, but I am grateful for the trials that I've been through. They have made the woman that I am now and they have prepared me to be of service to those that I love. They were hard - are still hard! - but they are part of my refiner's fire and they have brought me closer to my Savior.

30 Days of Thanksgiving #1

2008-11-01T13:30:00.000-06:00

What a gorgeous fall day! I was able to go up hiking with AngelFish and LSOC. It was so beautiful! Today I'm thankful that my health has improved enough that I could climb a mountain and not die! That is a major accomplishment! I am also thankful for such a beautiful world. We took so many pictures - these are the highlights...

I'm trying to decide which of these last two is my favorite...any thoughts?

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T13:18:00.004-06:00

These are some of my favorite pictures from past Halloweens. My Dad was the Bishop when these pictures were taken. The top two are my parents dressed up for a Ward Halloween party on a Saturday night. It's hard to tell in the picture, but my Dad has a mohawk. A lot of people don't know that he wears a toupee - a lot of ward members didn't know that. He took one of his old hairpieces and cut it to be a mohawk. Then he showed up at the party with his head shaved on the top with a mohawk. Everyone was shocked! So many people asked him what he was going to do for Church the next day. Of course, he then showed up for Church with a full head of hair! This was Halloween of 1987.

The bottom picture is of my Dad being The Count from Sesame Street. For years he would show up to work - as an accountant - as The Count, complete with the purple face. I guess I really learned to love dress-ups from my Dad! This picture was 1988.

I Support Proposition 8

2008-10-30T12:03:00.004-06:00

My sister recently posted a link to a really great article about Proposition 8 (Thanks, AngelFish!). "Disagree But Don't Be Unkind" is written by Orson Scott Card and he is able to express a lot of my views so eloquently. I especially like what he says about tolerance - that it isn't an absence of disagreement - that is uniformity. Tolerance is disagreeing politely and still treating each other with respect and love.

I believe that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan..." (see "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"). My Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has issued a statement in support of Proposition 8, which I fully support.

Easiest Ever Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-27T23:36:00.004-06:00

So, I was cleaning my room last week (I know, my family was shocked, too) and I found a recipe my amazing cousin, Stacy, gave me during the summer. The recipe was for these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that she brought to a shower we attended. After reading the recipe, I thought that I was remembering the cookies wrong - a recipe this easy couldn't possibly produce the wonderful cookies I was remembering. I decided I had to test it. I discovered that there was nothing wrong with my memory (that was also a shock...my memory is notoriously lacking!) - these cookies are delicious!

2 spice cake mixes (just the dry mix - not the egg or oil or anything)
1 large can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling - just pumpkin)
1 bag chocolate chips
That's it. Seriously!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cake mix and pumpkin. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop spoonfulls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes (Mine actually had to bake for 16-18). Enjoy! Just as an added bonus - Stacy informed me that these cookies are only 1 point per cookie on the Weight Watchers plan. We got three dozen big cookies out of this recipe - I'm sure we could have gotten four dozen with regular size cookies.

LSOC enjoyed an evening of amazing music and delicious cookie making tonight. We decided that we needed to add a step in honor of his job at the Church Office Building - they put an orange icing on their pumpkin chocolate chip cookies - so we mixed up powdered sugar and orange juice and drizzled it over the top. I'm sure that adds another point or two to the cookie - but it tasted so good! Don't get too excited, though - the icing recipe wasn't the best - I'm sure there are better options out there - but it was good enough for us :)

It's Time to Play the Music

2008-10-23T13:26:00.003-06:00

Apparently I have multiple personalities! My only regret is that I'm not at all like Pepe. He's the BEST!!

You Scored as Rowlf the Dog

You are one easy-going dude! You are mellow and outgoing, and are great with little kids and animals. People love you!

Kermit the Frog

100%

Rowlf the Dog

100%

Sam the Eagle

100%

Miss Piggy

100%

The Great Gonzo

100%

Fozzie Bear

100%

Robin the Frog

75%

Statler and Waldorf

50%

The Swedish Chef

50%

Sweetums

50%

Rizzo the Rat

50%

Janice

50%

Pepe

Animal

Beautiful Handmade Jewelry

2008-10-23T11:02:00.003-06:00

One of my cousins designs and sells beautiful handmade jewelry. She is having a contest right now to give away something from her etsy shop (your choice!) I'm hoping to get her Thankful necklace. Head over to her site - RHBDesigns - to enter. Good Luck!

Further Proof that My Family is Insane

2008-10-20T14:43:00.006-06:00

This is how we spent our Sunday evening.

We were playing with my Dad's new cellphone. (His old one went through the wash. We discovered that cellphones have absolutely no amphibious tendencies...)

After we tired of checking out the phone's new features...we headed downstairs to watch old home movies. Five years ago we spent the first couple of weeks of October watching old home movies and laughing our heads off while we sat in my Grandpa's hospice room waiting for his body to release him from this mortal life. It was a hard, sad time. But we were together and that's what counts most. It's nice to have some good final memories of spending time with Grandpa.

The highlights of last night included a five-year-old Tergaso receiving a shopping center toy for Christmas. As she rang up AngelFish's purchases, she made this very sage announcement in the toy's microphone: "Attention shoppers. If you don't have any money, please put it back. Thank you." We were also treated to a fantastic fashion show and dance video. Nothing says haute couture like a hot pink and black striped skirt paired with flourescent green and blue t-shirts or three pairs of socks layered - pink, black and yellow! However, the music selection was a timeless classic - "Pop! Goes the World" by Men Without Hats. We should have known then that LSOC was destined for great things - what three-year-old picks up choreography that fast?!

On a slightly more serious note (and in an effort to continue my randomness...) I have to post some pictures of RussianJoy - isn't he adorable?He is chewing on a rubber frog. He has good taste!

Peace Like a River

2008-10-07T14:24:00.005-06:00

Have you ever noticed how life seems to get hard when you are presented with Spiritual Feasts? As a family, we've commented before on how, especially around General Conference, there seems to be more challenges to face and choices to make. For me, the last two General Conferences have been in the middle of craziness - crazy schedules, crazy things going on, and a general sense of "I'm going crazy." This General Conference was no different. Besides my own cycle of injury I'm trying to break out of, three of my friends are going through some really hard times, my Mom has been under major stress at school and has a leadership training meeting coming up (which is always high stress), and my Gorgeous Grandma got a pacemaker on Thursday. Unexpectedly.

Everything turned out okay. My Grandma's procedure went well, and she is recovering. I feel that my efforts to help two of my friends were beneficial. However, I was not able to help my third friend. I feel like I completely let her down. I just ran out of time. Some decisions are hard to make - make time for family or time for a friend in need. With this sense of failing my friend, exhaustion and just in general feeling overwhelmed, I turned to Conference. I was not left in despair. I am truly grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who opened my ears, mind and heart and assuaged my pain. I am grateful for His Spirit that has calmed my troubled heart and lifted me from the bitterness and sorrow I was experiencing. So many messages touched me, but I want to share a few that I particularly don't want to forget.

I missed the General Relief Society Meeting. I had set my VCR to record it, but forgot to rewind the tape. However, the recap of President Uchtdorf's message in the Church News touched me. It seemed to go right along with what he said in the Saturday morning session of Conference. In the Relief Society Meeting, President Uchtdorf told us that as women, "happiness is our heritage." He encouraged us to participate in two activities to invite that happiness into our lives: creating, and being compassionate. I love that he talked about creating - I have had some experiences in my recovery where I have learned the value of creating. Creating is a Godly attribute. It is one of the reasons I am so grateful to be a woman - I have the capacity (and hopefully some day, the opportunity) to create life. I was advised by a counselor once to budget my energy for time to be creative - whether it was scrapbooking or crocheting, cooking, writing or practicing music - that act of creation would help ease the depression I was suffering. I've also learned ( 2 Nephi 2:11-27) that there is opposition in all things. If creating is a Godly attribute, destruction is of the Adversary. It's given me pause over words I choose to use, and how to approach a child's temper tantrum. It's also encouraged me not to give up on a project.

In the Saturday morning session of General Conference, President Uchtdorf spoke of Hope. He said that Faith, Hope and Charity stabilize our lives despite uncertainty; that Hope is a principle of promise and a commandment. We have been commanded to overcome fear and despair and to have hope. I can't wait for the November Ensign to come so I can study this talk some more. President Uchtdorf said that we have things we hope for and things we hope in - I feel a need to study this thought more. He said that hope gives us a reason to rejoice even when all is dark around us. One of his closing thoughts made me smile - "Never give in, never surrender." If you're familiar with Galaxy Quest, you'll see the similarities. And it's true. Never Give In. Never Surrender.

Elder Holland's talk on Saturday afternoon really touched me. I don't really have much to add other than that I have a testimony of everything he said. The transcript will be available on Thursday - I'll try to remember to post it.

Elder Bednar's talk ended a beautiful day of Conference. He spoke on prayer. He said that our prayers can be more meaningful if we give thanks in all things (D&C 59:21) and if we focus on praying for others instead of ourselves (3 Nephi 17:17). But the idea that struck me most was that all things were created spiritually first; therefore, our daily prayer is the spiritual creation of our physical life. I confess that I struggle to remember my morning prayers. It seems a bathroom urgency is usually what wakes me and I forget to go back and take time to start my day with a prayer. But this idea that I need to spiritually create my day first has made a huge impact. I have noticed a difference in how I approach my prayers since.

I am so grateful that, with all the chaos in my life, I was given the opportunity to watch Conference, that the Spirit was able to break through the din of my thoughts and worries. I am grateful that the Lord has blessed us with Prophets and Apostles on the earth today to guide and teach us and bring us closer to our Savior.

Happy Birthday, Countess!!

2008-10-07T14:06:00.004-06:00

I have been blessed with the best Mom ever! She is constantly serving others - whether it's going the extra mile for her students, putting together the best leadership meetings and activities for the Stake Primary, or picking up someone's favorite cereal at the store. I have learned the importance of keeping your commitments and doing your best, how to be a caring daughter, and great teaching and parenting techniques from my Mom. My Mom suffered through countless tantrums and arguments to keep me in piano lessons, survived smoking tv dinners when I was in charge of dinner, patiently bore my teenage angst and learned to step out of her comfort zone to help me heal from my health problems. Because of my Mom, I am now able to provide for myself by teaching piano lessons, I enjoy cooking, and have survived not only the teen years, but also serious health problems and am now on the road to recovery. My Mom is SuperMom.

Happy Birthday!

jkRibbit Randomness...

2008-09-25T13:32:00.013-06:00

Random the First: I like alliteration. I am aware that I'm a nerd and I'm okay with that.

Random the Second: (I need to preface this with a quick explanation. I am trying to be very careful with my words. I have learned through my experience with my continuing health saga, and even more so with BodyTalk, that everything has an energy - and I'm very susceptible to that energy. So, I'm trying to focus on the positive energy. Hence, I have been trying not to use the term "lose weight." A) the word "lose" has negative connotations. And 2) I never want to "find" that weight again. So, my family and I have been referring to that particular phenomenon as "letting go" - as in "I have let go of 30 pounds in the last year." This particular terminology, for me, says: "I no longer have the need to carry that extra weight, so I am releasing it." We will also sometimes use: "I am 30 pounds lighter than I was a year ago." You get the idea...) So, in case you didn't catch those oh-so-subtle hints -

I let go of 30 pounds!!! I am 30 pounds lighter!!!

Random the Third: I am recording a CD. I wrote a post a few weeks ago about being brave. However, I was not brave enough to announce what I was being brave about and that didn't jive with me. So, I decided to be brave all the way. I'm recording a CD. There will be 12 vocal selections mostly taken from my Broadway repertoire. Tuesday evening, I had my second recording session. It didn't go quite as smoothly as the first one - I was only able to complete two songs instead of the planned three (I'm a bit stuck in a health issue cycle - sprained ankle led to tweaked back, led to knee problems with a sinus infection thrown in the middle for good measure...but I'm determined to perservere :). But I am still happy with how the two turned out. I now have 5/12 done.

Random the Fourth: My siblings crack me up! AngelFish had a conference in Vegas this week. Tergaso thought it would be cool to drive up and spend some time together on the strip since she only has class on Monday and Tuesday and is feeling all cool and grown-up now that she's started her Master's program. (Apparently, she's also turned ghetto. Stay. Cool. Yo.) However, Brunhilde (her car) didn't agree with this plan. I guess what goes to Vegas, stays in Vegas and poor Brunhilde was left in the dust of the Greyhound that took Tergaso back to Claremont. Poor Bruni...

Random the Fifth: I was going through pictures to find my favorites of ScienceBoy and found these awesome pics and had to share. They were taken, I believe, eight years ago. The top one is pretty much what we look like whenever we're together (ie: laughing hysterically). The bottom one is of us pulling it together for a split second. I love these pictures.

Happy Birthday, ScienceBoy!

2008-09-25T13:13:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I'm almost two weeks late with this post...but at least the scanner is now officially hooked up to the computer. So, my procrastination means I can post pictures! Also, these pictures are three years old! But they are some of my favorite pictures of ScienceBoy, so I had to post them :)

We have a tradition that the birthday boy (or girl, depending on who's birthday it is...) gets to choose the dinner menu. You would think that a 10-year-old boy would pick something like pizza or hamburgers or macaroni and cheese...but no. ScienceBoy, like his brother SpiderMan in February, completely cracked me up with his distinguished palette. When I called to ask what ScienceBoy would like for dinner at his birthday party, without hesitation of any kind, he answered: artichokes, steak, and some sort of punch, please. Seriously. First thing out of his mouth was "artichokes." He also told me that at the top of his birthday wish list were a mug with his name painted on it and an eagle statue. Again, he's 10! Crazy kid!

Needless to say, he did get his birthday dinner of artichokes and steak - although we forgot about the punch until it was too late. He also got a kit to decorate his own mug and AngelFish and LSOC found him an eagle statue at the fair. I think he had a great birthday.

Easy Pork Chops and Stuffing

2008-09-25T12:32:00.002-06:00

This is one of our favorite comfort food meals. And it's SO easy!

4-6 pork chops
1 box stove-top stuffing
(usually the stuffing calls for 1/2 stick of butter)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 can milk.

Preheat oven to 350. Brown pork chops. Make stuffing according to recipe on box. Put stuffing in 9x12 glass baking dish. Put pork chops on top. Combine soup and milk. Pour over chops and stuffing. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. Enjoy :)

Remembering...

2008-09-11T11:22:00.003-06:00

Seven years ago:

I was working in one of the tallest buildings in Salt Lake City and heard the news while riding the elevator to the 24th floor. Not much work got done that day before they let us go home. We mostly crowded around the few radios and t.v.s in the office.
My sister, AngelFish, was serving a mission in Russia. We waited anxiously to hear from her and to see what would happen world wide.
My cute little ScienceBoy was about to turn 3. We had him for the weekend and he went out to help The Count put up our flag. He started to say parts of the Pledge of Allegiance that he had heard, including "one nation, under Uncle The Count..." We laughed and thought it was cute. But isn't it nice to have fathers and father figures that you can turn to and recieve comfort and safety. I know that we, as individuals, as a family, and, I'm sure, as a nation also turned to our Heavenly Father during that dark time.
I was touched by the stories of courage, the outpouring of love, the unifying of our country.

Finding Joy

2008-09-05T14:18:00.007-06:00

Today I had my annual dilated eye exam. And by annual, I mean that it's supposed to be annual but my last one was over three years ago. I remembered why my last one was over three years ago. I hate having an annual dilated eye exam. It is not fun. At all. Sure, the doctor was very nice and competent and sociable. The staff were friendly and also competent. And then they stick things in your eye: drops that sting, pokey things, bright lights. And then the panic starts. Anxiety levels go through the roof. And I am actually a little grateful for the drops that sting because I can explain away the sudden wetness on my face with them. (There are very few things in life I don't cry at. I'm not ok with this but I'm trying to be...) So there I am thinking "breathe! Remember to breathe!" and "wow, this isn't going to be such a great day."

And then I'm pulling into the driveway (they temporarily blind you and then send you out to drive home...) and there are two cute little toddlers out for a walk with their Grandma. And they squeal in delight to see me and come in for a treat and give me a big hug and lots of smiles.

And then my awesome sister posts a picture from our practically perfect weekend at our cabin. And I remember how wonderful it was to head up to the mountains and enjoy a last day of end of summer sunshine and then enjoy two days of fall storms with fabulous rain, lightening, thunder, mist, hail, and snow-tipped mountains. I also remember watching great-fun movies on VHS that I haven't seen in years. And playing games with my family laughing at me because I will always pick the green card from the Rook deck.

And then I have a delicious BCT (bacon, cheese, tomato - I don't like lettuce I've decided) sandwich for lunch with fresh from the garden tomatoes. And while I'm eating lunch I am able to see again and pull out a great book that I am loving re-reading (Little Women.)

And I remember to post a favorite quote on Facebook:
"We can distinguish more clearly between divine discontent and the devil's dissonance, between dissatisfaction with self and disdain for self. We need the first and must shun the second, for when conscience calls to us from the next ridge, it is not solely to scold but also to beckon." - Neal A. Maxwell

And so, I decide that today is a great day. I choose to be grateful that the exam, while painful and panic-inducing, went well and showed I had no problems with my eyes. I choose to be grateful that I don't have to worry about having another one for another year. I choose to be grateful that my health has improved to the point that that kind of panic is a rarity in my life now. I choose to be grateful for a wonderful family who can laugh at my OCDness and love me because of my weird quirks. I choose to be grateful for friends who stop to say hi and encourage their granddaughters to be friends as well. I choose to enjoy this glorious fall day. I choose to find joy.

What I Learned Today

2008-08-26T16:44:00.003-06:00

I started something today that I've always dreamed of doing - but never thought I'd have the courage to do. I actually still can't really believe I was gutsy enough to do it - but the project kind of took over and there I was this morning starting it.

I actually learned a lot this morning. I was very scared about how the final product would turn out - and it turned out better than I thought it ever could. I was very scared about what other people would think - and my sister was there to encourage and cheer me on. Plus, I decided that if I was happy with how it turned out - why would I care what other people thought? (That's something that I've had deep thoughts about before - and I'm sure I will continue to struggle with this concept for many years to come.) But today, I feel like I made progress.

I learned that I can trust myself and my instincts. I learned that my best is good enough, I don't need to push. I learned that I can make my dreams come true - even when that means conquering my own fear.

Maybe I can even learn to be excited about the next stages of this project.

Time to Brag About My Other Amazing Sister...

2008-08-21T14:17:00.004-06:00

I am really good at being remiss. It's a special talent of mine. However, it's not the best talent to have. So, I am now attempting to make up for my lack of promptitude and blog about a very important even that took place in my most-favoritest-sister-named-AngelFish, AngelFish's life a few months ago. My sister AngelFish is amazing. She is so smart, hard-working, organized, and talented! I really admire her. In May, AngelFish received her Masters Degree in Finance. She accomplished this while working full-time and completing the requirements to become a certified real estate assessor. I am so proud of her!

Her last week of school was really crazy. In addition to final assignments and regular work projects, she had a major test instead of a masters thesis and final dress rehearsals for a Stake production of Beauty and the Beast.

AngelFish was a "Silly Girl" and she was amazing!! She flirted it up like a pro. It was so fun to go to her graduation in the afternoon and then straight to this production that night and see her transformation. Like I said, AngelFish is amazing and I'm so proud of her!

Happy Bounding Birthday, Tergaso!

2008-08-20T21:20:00.006-06:00

I have to confess that I have been remiss in giving a birthday shout-out to my most-favoritest-sister-named-Tergaso, Tergaso. Hopefully, she'll now stop sending me looks such as the one pictured immediately above.

In all seriousness my sister is incredibly awesome. She is extremely intelligent - she got her bachelors degree in three years (with a minor, no less.) She is headed to Claremont Graduate University next week to start her masters program. She's rather a snob when it comes to books, which has provided great opportunity for sisterly argument. And she's fluent in two languages and about to start a third.

She is also one of the funniest people I know. She is crazy! She loves to high-jack my brother's laptop and use the camera to leave him folders of wacky pictures of herself staring into the computer. She actually uses this time to perfect her "looks" (bewildered, scared, smell-the-fart, and fish-hook-in-the-eyebrow...) She also loves to choreograph and record dances - still, and sometimes in public places. And she is not above dancing/awkward jerking in public.

But what I love most about my sister, Tergaso, is that she is most loyal and supportive. She'll call it like she's sees it, but with love. She takes the time to listen. When I was going through a rough-patch with my health, she crocheted me the most hideous hat (it actually had earflaps) - just to bring a smile to my face and to show she cared. She also, by the way, crocheted my Dad and brother ties for Christmas that year. They actually turned out pretty well, except they somehow seem to keep getting longer...

Happy birthday, Tergaso!

I have some really good pics to post here, but we have a new scanner, and of course I can't figure out how to work it...maybe Angelfish will come over sometime soon and help me (hint, hint...).

Thanks for setting up our new scanner, AngelFish!!

Kids Say...

2008-08-08T09:48:00.004-06:00

I have had the privilege of having my SillyGoose spend two whole nights with me while his Mom is at Girls Camp. SillyGoose and I have a history. We are pals. We were both very excited about this visit. However, I was a bit nervous after spraining my ankle while on vacation last week (more on that later...if you're good I might even post a picture of my butt-ugly bruise.) I had all these fun things planned - going to the park for a picnic, going out to lunch and to the movies - and since it's my right ankle that is sprained, I can't even drive right now!

I guess I didn't need to worry too much, though. I ended up creating a monster. I introduced SillyGoose to The Backyardigans. That is all he asks for now - "Can we watch more Backyardigans?" I did manage to pry him away from his beloved Backyardigans to go swimming last night, but then he managed to talk me into watching two episodes before bed instead of just one. I have created a monster! At least I also enjoy watching Backyardigans - it's not like it's Barney or some other equally annoying show (in my opinion.)

I thought I'd share some of our conversations:

SillyGoose told me on the first night that sometimes his imagination works too well at night and he imagines scary things. Later, when we were saying prayers (actually I was saying them), he whispered to me in the middle, "Don't forget my imagination!" So I prayed that his imagination would only imagine happy things while he slept. He was happy with that. Then last night it was his turn to say prayers. He said, "Please bless my imagination that it won't work." He kills me! By the way, I checked and both prayers were answered in the affirmative - no scary imaginationing here...
This morning I told him that we had cereal, toast, or eggs for breakfast - did one of those sound good? He said that he thought toast sounded good. Now, a couple of years ago, when I was tending him regularly while his Mom taught school, our favorite treat was toast with peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles. So I, of course, knew that's where his train of thought was heading and said, "toast with peanut butter and chocolate sprinkles?" SillyGoose was pleasantly surprised with my deductive skills and replied, "that is exactly what I was thinking! I was also thinking that after breakfast, we could watch Backyardigans!"
A few weeks ago, I got to watch SillyGoose while his parents went on a date. We were downstairs watching "The Incredibles" (I promise that I don't just stick kids in front of the tv!) and my sister, Tergaso, came home. We heard the door open and my other sister, AngelFish, said, "Who's there?" We then got into a big "You go check" war trying to get SillyGoose to go see that Tergaso was home. He didn't understand that it was someone he would want to see and was nervous to just go wandering upstairs when a "stranger" had just walked in the house. So he kept saying back to us "you go check." For some reason that struck me as really funny and I had to say, "It's actually Yugoslavia and Czech Republic." Of course that stopped the back and forth for a minute while SillyGoose tried to understand what the heck I just said. He finally decided that I had weird quirks and that he could deal with that and started up the "you go check" war again. We went back and forth several times and each time I would reply that it was actually Yugoslavia etc. He was finally quiet for another few minutes and finally said, "jkribbit, please yugoslavia who's there?" I obviously had to give in to this plea and went upstairs to bring Tergaso down, laughing the whole way...
A few months ago, AngelFish was playing hide-and-seek with SillyGoose and he wandered through the house calling, "where are you, pretty lady?"

Since the title of this post is "Kids say..." I have to throw in a couple things from my vacation that don't involve SillyGoose, but do fit with the theme of this post...

While coming back from Catalina Island on the boat, we went through the harbor and passed cargo ships being unloaded. There was a little boy sitting behind me and his dad was pointing out the cargo ship. He was telling his son that the big boxes being unloaded had stuff in it and a big truck would come and take them to the stores. The little boy asked, "a Honda Pilot?" His dad told him that although the boxes looked small enough to fit in a Honda Pilot from where we were, they were actually much bigger and wouldn't fit. I wonder what kind of car they drive...
This same little boy also asked his why we weren't "speeding down" when we entered the harbor. The captain must have heard him because we "sped down" just seconds later.
My 7-year-old cousin had a great time telling jokes at our family reunion. His favorite one went something like this:

"Knock, knock."
"Who's there?"
"Plummer."
"Plummer, who?"
"Wanna see my butt. You know, because plummers' pants fall down!"

When Tergaso told him a joke that went over his head a bit, he replied with, "That doesn't enjoy me."

Tagged

2008-07-08T13:06:00.002-06:00

4 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. "Working" towards my bachelor's degree at BYU.
2. (I used quotes on my #1 thing because I was also) Struggling with Fibromyalgia (and not attending my classes at all regularly.)
3. Working at the BYU Bookstore.
4. Really into painting my nails funky colors.

4 things I was doing 5 years ago:
1. Teaching Piano and Voice Lessons.
2. Working on my disability papers.
3. Spending a lot of time sleeping and at Doctors' offices.
4. Visiting CJ in Arizona.

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Exercised!! (12.46 miles in 45 minutes on the recumbent bike!)
2. Visited my Gorgeous Grandma for dinner.
3. Worked on transposing a song into a more manageable key for me.
4. Read more of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" by C.S. Lewis.

4 shows I stop for when flipping through channels:
1. Any type of cooking show.
2. Almost anything on TLC (minus tattoo shows and "pimp my ride"-type shows...) if I'm at my sister's or Grandma's (they have cable.)
3. Awesome re-runs; i.e.: Friends, Scrubs, The Office, Diagnosis Murder...
4. There are a couple of kids' shows that I actually really like - Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, The Backyardigans, Veggietales...

4 Biggest Joys of My Life Right Now:
1. Reading. Hooray for getting my brain back!!
2. Being able to exercise!
3. Painted toe-nails (they make me feel pretty...)
4. 50 cent popcorn night at the movie theater.

4 things that you might not know about me:
1. My room is a pigsty. Seriously, it's bad...
2. I secretly really like the song "Yeah" by Usher (and I'm not sure I'm okay with that...)
3. I enjoy cooking, but I really, really dislike doing the dishes.
4. I love camping - the food, campfires, family, friends, nature (Goulet), the time away from phones and computers. But, I hate sleeping outside! Camping within driving distance of my bed is perfect. Drive down at midnight and back up between 9 and 10 - ideal.

I guess I'm supposed to "tag" someone now. If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Tilapia Soft Tacos with Chipotle Cream Sauce

2008-07-07T13:18:00.004-06:00

4 8" tortillas
1 1/2 tsp + 1 TBS vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp Mexican seasoning, ground (we used a packet of taco seasoning)
1 TBS garlic, minced
1 lb. fresh Tilapia filets
2 TBS cilantro, chopped
1 lime (juice only)
salt, to taste
1 cup lettuce, shredded

Chipotle Cream Sauce
2 TBS prepared Chipotle salsa (we just used regular salsa - because it was what we had on hand)
1/4 cup sour cream

Evenly combine ingredients for Chipotle Salsa, reserve in refrigerator. Toss together 1 1/2 tsp, Mexican seasoning, garlic and Tilapia filets. Heat remaining oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Place seasoned filets in pan. Cook 2 minutes on each side. Remove cooked filets and place in a small bowl. Add cilantro, lime juice and salt, mixing and breaking the fish into chunks. Heat tortillas per package instructions and place on clean work surface. Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup lettuce, 1/4 of tilapia mixture and 2 tsp of Chipotle Cream Sauce. Fold each tortilla in half (taco style) and serve.

The recipe says it serves 4 (it makes 4 tacos) but everyone in our family ate at least 2 tacos. So, the amounts given here would only feed two in our house.

Check Out This Post...

2008-07-01T12:34:00.003-06:00

This is a great post. You should really go read it! Thanks Mudblossom!

ABC is for Alphabet Book Craft (Yes, I'm a nerd)

2008-06-26T13:02:00.006-06:00

Recently, Motherhood for Dummies wrote a great post about making Alphabet books for children. It reminded me of the alphabet books I made a few years ago for ScienceBoy and SpiderMan. I decided to pass the idea along.

I found a couple of photo albums that have hard vinyl coverings that zip closed. Inside is a two ring binder with 4x6 page protectors. I just cut out cream cardstock to fit in the protector and then went to town gathering die-cuts, stickers and pictures for every letter of the alphabet. I had to get creative - but that's the fun part. For example: for the letter Q - I used pictures of the boys laying on baby quilts people had made for them. For X - I used pictures of people in our family hugging and kissing and wrote "XOXO." For Z - I had pictures of the boys sleeping. Both of my boys loved vacuums - so I had plenty of pictures for V. It was fun coming up with creative pictures of our family for each letter. Here are some pages. B and H are from ScienceBoy's book and P and S are from SpiderMan's book.

These books are still favorites at our house!

LSOC's Favorite Meatloaf

2008-06-26T12:57:00.002-06:00

1 slightly beaten egg
1 1/2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry ground mustard
dash pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped

Glaze:
2 TBS ketchup
1 TBS light corn syrup

In mixing bowl, combine milk, egg, Worchestershire sauce, seasonings and bread crumbs. Let stand about 5 minutes. Stir in beef and onions. Mix lightly, but thoroughly. Shape into loaf in a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Combine ketchup and corn syrup, brush on meatloaf. Bake 15 minutes more.

Best Rice Krispie Treats Ever!

2008-06-19T15:32:00.003-06:00

I grew up having these every Memorial Day at our picnic in Logan. After visiting the Logan cemetery, our clan would head over to the park for a picnic and playing. One of my cousin's husbands is allergic to eggs, so he'd always be sure to sit by us during the picnic so he had first dibs on the egg-free dessert! When I started school, this was my favorite thing to bring for my birthday treat (back in the day when you could bring home-made treats to hand out at school!) My birthday is the end of May and we only had a swamp cooler when I was in elementary school so I think Mom appreciated not having to turn on the oven to make these! The peanut butter (and milk to wash it down with!) help offset the sugar - so hopefully, you won't fall into a sugar coma!

1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter (we prefer creamy)
6 cups rice krispies
1 package chocolate chips
1 package butterscotch chips

Combine sugar and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and heat to rolling boil; stir in peanut butter. In a large bowl combine rice krispies and syrup and fold together until well blended. Press evenly into large shallow pan, about 10x15" (careful, it's hot!).

Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips (the original recipe says over hot water - but I just put them in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring between. Once they start to melt, just stirring them usually melts it completely.) Spread chocolate mixture over bars and cool. Cut into squares and enjoy with an ice-cold glass of milk!!

Love

2008-06-10T14:17:00.003-06:00

My Mom has been cleaning out her room and she found a box full of keepsakes. In it, she found a scrap of paper wrapped around 3 pennies. It has, in a child's scrawl, "I love you" on one side. On the other is my Mom's handwriting "To Grandpa, From Julie 6/18/82." I was six. And apparently my Grandpa, a gruff WWII veteran, kept my present for many years and at some point my Mom found it and saved it as well.

June 18th is my Grandpa's birthday and it's been almost 5 years since he passed away. I always knew that my Grandpa loved me, but he was never as demonstrative of his love as my Grandma was. I get the feeling that he knew she'd take of spoiling us, and as long as she did a good enough job, he'd let her do it. When he was in the hospice and we were pretty much there round the clock those last days, we spent the time watching old home movies. There was one taken at another of his birthdays. I was older - mid-teen years. I was very into saving things, especially fun scraps of paper - notes, cards, wrapping paper. I watched this video of my Grandpa very carefully unwrapping a gift, careful not to rip the paper, and then hand it to me. Again, the image doesn't fit with my memory of a gruff, very non-sentimental Grandpa. I'm starting to think that it was only his exterior - all for show. In little, very un-noticable ways, he was just a softy who loved to spoil his grandchildren. I miss you, Grandpa. I love you.

New and Improved Me!

2008-06-04T10:47:00.002-06:00

Not to break my arm patting my own back...but...

Look what I did!!! I'm excited to have a new and improved look to my blog! (courtesy of Leelou blogs) I even customized some of the font colors - all by myself! Are you impressed?? I sure am!

Time to Play Catch-Up: Part 4 - April 21: Happy Birthday LSOC!!

2008-05-26T13:37:00.004-06:00

This is my beautiful "little" brother (He's 6'4" or 6'5", I'm not sure, exactly!) LSOC stands for the "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" one of LSOC's and Tergaso (also taken from that movie)'s favorite movies.) I feel bad that I actually missed posting on his birthday, but we were driving home from Aunt Norma's funeral in California and he was in Europe with Tergaso. Then, of course, I just kept getting farther and farther behind!

LSOC is the awesomest brother. He loves unconditionally, he's impossibly cool, he is a ton of fun and I truly look up to him (both literally and figuratively.) He introduces me to cool music, he watches really bad television ("So You Think You Can Dance?") with me, he quotes funny and bizarre movies at/to me. He even remembers to blow out my candle in the bathroom when I forget! He is just a good guy.

Happy belated Birthday, LSOC!

Time to Play Catch-Up: Part 3 - Tribute to my Aunt Norma 7.27.23 - 4.11.08

2008-05-26T12:52:00.007-06:00

My favorite part of going on summer vacation was that it always involved a visit to Aunt Norma and Uncle Al. I remember one summer, they emptied all of these containers they'd been collecting loose change in into our bags. When we went through airport security, the agents thought we were going to Vegas to play the slots - we had bags full of coins! I also remember that one summer, Aunt Norma sent us a bunch of dress-up clothes - fancy dresses, shoes, purses, etc. We had so much fun with them! I remember growing up thinking that I was related to celebrities. Uncle Al had been a stunt man on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Aunt Norma had held the record for deepest dive by a woman! They were famous! That made me feel very cool.

Aunt Norma has also been very supportive of me. When I decided to play the flute in Middle School, I rented a flute that was defective. No matter how much I blew into that thing, no sound would come out! A couple months later, Aunt Norma sent me a flute. I think it used to be Laura's. I felt so special that Aunt Norma sent me my flute. Aunt Norma and Uncle Al would also try to meet me when I was in California on Choir Tour in High School. They would figure out how to meet during my free time and take me out to dinner. I was usually pretty homesick by that time, and the chance to see family made such a huge difference!

Aunt Norma was always thinking of others. She would always send oranges for my Grandma Donna home with anyone that came to visit her during orange season.

Aunt Norma has a great sense of humor. I remember going to Bill and Michelle's wedding reception and Aunt Norma taught us kids how to pull the middle out of the strawberries so we could stick them on our fingers like olives! She was always eager to hear our jokes and was a great audience. I've also heard stories about the time she pulled out her prosthetic boob and passed it around for her brothers to feel!

Along with my Grandma Donna, one of my favorite memories of Aunt Norma was when she surprised Donna for her 80th birthday. It was so fun to have her show up on my Grandma's doorstep wearing a mask - "A Masked Marvel for a Masked Marvel!". And then to be able to go to the temple with Aunt Norma. It was such a great day. The feeling of joy and peace when she was sealed to Uncle Al was amazing. I'm so grateful I was able to be a part of that.

Aunt Norma was an incredible woman. I will miss her!

Time to Play Catch-up: Part 2 - The Count's Retirement

2008-05-26T12:34:00.003-06:00

I barely made it home from New York in time for Dad's retirement from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Again, the Lord was watching over me. My flight from Buffalo to JFK was delayed because of a faulty part. I literally had to run to my connecting gate. I got there as they announced the final boarding call - about to pee my pants. There was a bathroom right next to my gate with a line of about 20 ladies. I bypassed the line, walked into the restroom and plead my case (I don't even like to join a friend already in line!) But all of the women were extremely nice and understanding and let me take the next stall. I'm sure no one there will ever see this - but "Thank you!!" anyway. So, I barely made my plane. But I did make it - and without having an accident!

I had written home to my family that I was amazed by how much the Lord helped me while I was in NY. With my health problems, I need at least 9-10 hours of sleep per night to function and I ran on about 5 per night the entire 15 days I was there. I also wrote home that I was very concerned that I'd get home Saturday night and totally crash and not be able to go to Dad's final broadcast Sunday morning. I asked them to please keep the prayers coming. I facetiously asked them to pray for me to stay conscious until 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

Dad's final broadcast was wonderful. A lot of people came to support him. It's really weird that he's not in the choir anymore. He sang with the choir for 20 years - almost 2/3 of my life so far! He's sung with Angela Lansbury, Sissel, Josh Groban, The Kings' Singers, Audra McDonald, Bryn Terfel, and many others. He sang at the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter 2002 Olympics. He's traveled all across the world with choir, singing in: Brazil, Australia, Jerusalem, almost every country in Europe, Russia, and all across the United States.

We had a luncheon at our house afterwards. I had a great morning being with extended family and friends. As I was sitting out on our deck chatting, I just got hit suddenly with exhaustion. I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer! I looked at the clock and it was 2:15! I couldn't complain!! Apparently the Lord took my email literally and carried me through to my specified time. I had to laugh. And then I had to go down and find my wonderful bed.

Time to Play Catch-up: Part 1 - trip to NY

2008-05-16T16:16:00.020-06:00

Tyler, Emmalee, Nate and me with the blankets I made for them.

I'm not sure where to start - which is why I haven't posted about my trip yet. My trip to visit the Gardners was wonderful, and hard, and wonderful, and heartbreaking, and did I mention wonderful? I'll get the "hard" part over with first:

A) the trip there. I don't travel well - and a red-eye flight was everything I thought it would be and more. Of course I didn't sleep much, but I didn't expect the airplane to be so HOT! I was dying. But, I made it! I was truly blessed with the travel part of my trip - I definitely felt the Lord's hand guiding me and guardian angels buoying me up. Also, I had a nice chat with Craig Jessop. He was taking the same red-eye flight to NYC to be a guest conductor.

2) I got the stomach flu! The day Tyler was supposed to come home from the hospital I was so miserable with queaziness. It was not fun. At all. Again, though, I survived, it only lasted 24 hours, and I didn't give it to Tyler. (I'm not sure if I gave it Nate or he gave it to me - we both had a rough week that week!)

Now on to the wonderful:

Tyler after singing his favorite "Fishy" song with Dad. At the end they sing "splash" and Tyler "splashes" his hands.

This was my favorite activity. Every afternoon during the week Tyler was home from the hospital, I got to snuggle with him and take a nap. He is such a snuggle-bug and would just cuddle up into my arms and I'd sing him to sleep.

Tyler spent about five weeks in the hospital immediately following his diagnosis of Leukemia. I got to NY on Friday and on Monday, he came home. We got to have him home for an entire week before he had to go back for his second round of chemo. He was exhausted and very weak, but really started to get his personality back toward the end of his week at home. He loves to be sung to. He had a hard time when it was time to push his meds through his catheter, but he'd calm down if I sat down and sang to him. He also has several "action" songs that he loves. Tyler also loves "Signing Time." I'd never heard of it, but it's a great half-hour show that teaches different signs and has a lot of singing as well. I learned a lot of signs while I was there.

Tyler's second round of chemo started the second Monday I was there and instead of leaving the next day, we decided to extend my trip until Saturday. We were expecting this round to have him in the hospital for about five days, so he could possibly come home on Friday before I left. Unfortunately, Tyler had a rare reaction to the chemo. He spiked a fever of 104 for several days, which in turn caused some seizures. He also developed awful, blistery lesions all over his body, in his mouth, and down his throat. He was so sick. Poor little guy. I ended up spending the night with some of Jodie's friends in Buffalo Friday night so they could take me to the airport early Saturday morning (I had to fly out of Buffalo instead of Rochester) and I spent an hour with Tyler at the hospital before Jodie took me to Buffalo. He was in too much pain to be held, but I sat next to him and sang to him some more and he was able to fall asleep. When it was time for me to leave, I told him goodbye and he waved and blew me kisses. He was too sick to say "goodbye" and I know he was in so much pain, but he waved goodbye and blew me kisses. He is the sweetest little boy. That night, in an attempt to control his pain, the doctors switched his pain meds and his little body just couldn't handle any more. He coded. Fortunately, the doctors were able to resuscitate him and then stabilize him. Poor Jodie, she was driving home from taking me to Buffalo when Brent called her with the news. I felt so bad because I knew she'd want to be at the hospital with him but had no one to take Emma and Nate. Everything turned out okay. Tyler's fever broke on Monday, the lesions started to heal, and he was able to go home from the hospital the next Monday. I just ache that he has had to go through so much in his short little life. Please continue to pray for Tyler (and his family!) - he still has two years of treatment left.

This is Emma in her "Rella" dress that she got for her birthday. She loves everything princess/ballerina/dress-up!

Emma was so excited that we all had Crocs to wear.

The girls going shopping!

Emmalee is a fire-cracker! She has a very strong will and personality. She can drive you crazy! But she can also crack you up. I love her! I spent most of trip watching Emma and Nate while Jodie was at the hospital with Tyler and Brent was at work. Emma is a hoot! She is very independent and wants to do everything by herself. She is so smart! One afternoon, Emma wasn't doing what she should be and Jodie started counting (1, 2, 3...Magic! Great system). She said "one....two...." and Emmalee promptly said, "four....five....!" It was so funny! One morning I was checking my email and blogs. Emma climbed up on my lap and wanted to know who everyone was. I pulled up a picture of my family and told her who everyone was and we sang the "We Are a Happy Family" song. She loved it! She asked to do that every morning after that. Then the next day was my Dad's birthday - Emma was so excited to help me sing "Happy Birthday" to him on the phone. One of the first nights I was there, Jodie asked if I'd give Emma a bath before putting her to bed. Emma was excited - as long as it didn't involve washing her hair. I told her that I had a magic way of washing hair and she was cautiously interested. After letting her play for a bit, I got a big cup and brought it in the bathroom. I told her to look up at the ceiling and I'd use the magic cup to wash her hair and no shampoo or water would get in her eyes. It worked! Every bath after that, she insisted I wash her hair - even if Jodie was home. Jodie could watch, but only Julie could wash her hair! She also loved being Ariel in the tub. So we'd sing the "Ariel" song - basically Aahh, Aahh,....etc. - while she splashed around.

Nate is the sweetest little baby. Emma calls him "Naters", which I love! Nate is a very easy-going baby. He loves to be in his swing, he loves to be held, he loves his family, he just loves life. He is such a snuggle-bug, too! He is also so very patient with his big sister. Emmalee is trying so hard to be independent and that included being "helpful" with Nate. She always wanted to dress him and change him and he was so patient to let her pull him around trying to get clothes on him. There were a couple of days while I was there that he just wasn't feeling very good. He'd start fussing and I'd have to finish what I was doing (the dishes, making lunch, etc.) and just let him cry (although it about broke my heart!) When I'd finally get over to pick him up he'd just have these huge tears running down his cheeks, but he'd immediately grin up at me. I loved just holding him and talking to him - we had many long conversations! Oh, those grins!

I also loved staying up waaaaay too late talking and laughing with Jodie. (Heavy emphasis on the laughing part.) Did I mention that we laughed? A lot? It was great. I absolutely loved visiting the Gardners. The heartbreaking part came when I had to say goodbye. I really, really wish someone would just invent some sort of molecular transfer device already so I could just "pop" in to visit for the day! I miss those precious children so much!

Public Service Announcement

2008-05-15T15:01:00.004-06:00

So, when you've been out running errands and you're really hot because you drive a piece of crap van (that you either have to have the remote key to unlock or else go to the passenger side because the key won't unlock the driver side) and you decide to stop and get a cherry slurpee because you haven't had one since you were ten and you're feeling all nostalgic and you also have some minor cold/allergy symptoms going on: don't sniff while slurping your cherry slurpee. 'Cause, ya know, OUCH! all the way up to your eyeballs!

I'm just saying...

Happy Mothers Day!

2008-05-11T12:59:00.004-06:00

It's funny 'cause it's true...

Mothers Day is one of those huge, I-really-should-post-something-truly-deep-and-wonderful days. But I have a couple of problems with that.

A) My Mom is one of those that really hates all of the fuss and hoopla of Mothers Day. And I can never tell if it's because she feels more keenly her shortcomings as a mother (and believe me they are extremely few and far-between - but I sometimes think we Mormons could rival those of the Jewish tradition in the guilt arena...) or because we as her children can't quite get the day right. Probably a bit of both. Though, I think us kids are making strides in the right direction - hopefully.

And 2) I'm not a mother yet and desperately want to be one. My whole life all I've wanted to be was a mother. I'm fast approaching my 32nd birthday and it doesn't look like that dream is going to be happening anytime soon. Most of my friends are married and have children - in the plural. And I do enjoy being an "Honorary Aunt" to whoever will let me be. But that isn't the same as having your own.

Today in Church, one of the speakers gave a beautiful talk on motherhood. And in the middle she talked about women who don't have children of their own yet and how much she appreciates them and the influence they have on her children. I was really touched and got emotional (I know, shocker) and then felt dumb, especially since I was supposed to go up and accompany a musical number as soon as she was done. And I really wished that I wasn't there hearing that talk. Today I finally got a bit of a glimpse into that feeling of "I dread going to Church on Mothers Day." It was totally different than I thought it would be. I always got a bit frustrated when women would say that to me. I mean, come on! Just take the praise, will you? You really do deserve it and you get little enough thanks in the day-to-day job! Also, be grateful that you are a mother to enjoy that praise. Be grateful for the miracle that is motherhood! So many women want that desperately and can't have it. So honor it! But that's not what I felt. It was more of a "I'm uncomfortable with my emotions and would rather not deal with them, especially in public!" feeling. So, I'm sorry to the Moms I've sent frustration vibes at when they've made these comments. Maybe I understand a bit (just a tiny bit) more now.

What all of this rambling boils down to is: cherish the blessing of motherhood if you are lucky enough to be a mother. And if you're not lucky enough to have that blessing yet: Hang in there. There really are amazing perks to being an "Honorary Aunt" - sleeping through the night, being able to spoil adorable children, handing them off when they get cranky, etc. (all of which I would trade in a heart beat - but I'm looking for the joy in my right now).

And to my Mom: thank you. I can't say it enough, and I'm not even going to try to go into details, but thank you. I love you.

Let Me Entertain You

2008-05-05T14:35:00.009-06:00

I am so incredibly behind on my blogging! Oops! Not only have I been uber busy - but I've been uber busy with things to blog about too! Needless to say I have another birthday, a few graduations, a play, a funeral, my trip (still), precious babies, recitals, and a star student to catch up on. And I still don't have the time to do so - so, for now I'll give you a couple of great videos of my deliciously neurotic siblings' trip to Europe (the siblings being neurotic, not the trip!)

Yes, my brother and sister actually did take a video on top of the Eiffel Tower after using the facilities. This is the family I proudly claim!

This is LSOC's impression of over-exuberant tourists. Apparently the sleep deprivation was kicking in big time. (Also, sorry that it's tilted side-ways. They forgot that the camera only records one direction!)

This is, obviously, after the sleep-deprivation completely took over. My apologies to Celine Dion and the entire deaf community (although, with Tergaso's belting, a case could be made for the need to apologize to the entire hearing community as well - JK!! I love you Tergaso!!!).

Birthday Post Catch-Up

2008-04-14T19:22:00.002-06:00

I am home from my visit to the Gardners in Rochester, NY. I have very mixed feelings about that fact. Of course I missed my family and my bed and it's always nice to come home. But I really miss the Gardners and they still need so much help and prayers. I loved visiting them. I am going to have to save my visit for another post. Today, I wanted to catch up on the FOUR birthdays that I missed while I was gone!! So, Happy Birthday Gorgeous, PapaBear, BFF, and The Count!!

April 10: Happy Birthday, The Count!

2008-04-14T19:05:00.005-06:00

This is my wonderful Dad, The Count. I gave him that name because he's an accountant and used to always dress up for Halloween as The Count from Sesame Street (Complete with purple make-up all over his face!) My Dad gives the best hugs in the whole world. And I am so grateful that he is a worthy Priesthood holder. I am so blessed to have access to Father's Blessings and other Priesthood blessings whenever I need them. The Count is a talented musician - he just retired after 20 years in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir yesterday (more about that later) . He has a beautiful tenor voice and plays the piano. He has always been willing to accompany all of his children for recitals and talent shows. The most wonderful thing about my Dad is how much he loves and adores my Mom. Life is really wonderful for children when they know that their parents love each other and love them. I am so grateful that I have been blessed with that gift. Happy Birthday, The Count!!

April 4: Happy Birthday, BFF!!

2008-04-14T15:21:00.004-06:00

BFF and I have been Best Friends Forever since I was three months old. I was born the end of May, and in the fall, my Mom started teaching part-day again. BFF's Mom babysat me and we've been inseparable ever since. She is one year older than me and we are true sisters. We have taken ballet together, played flute in Junior High together, sung in choir together, pretended we were famous authors together, and were roommates in college. We even have Fibromyalgia together. These are some of my favorite pictures from her wedding. She now lives in Washington and we have to rely on our weekly hours-long phone calls to stay in touch. I miss her terribly! BFF is a beautiful woman. She is a very gifted writer - in almost any genre - and we have definitely enjoyed writing together and share a love of books. She has also been the one to find the holistic/energy-medicine treatments that have helped us both so much with our health. She is a tower of strength and I love her dearly. Happy Birthday, BFF!!

March 31: Happy Birthday, PapaBear!

2008-04-14T15:14:00.003-06:00

PapaBear is a great Dad to ScienceBoy and SpiderMan. Being a single parent is hard and I am so proud of him! He has had a rough life and has really worked hard to pull his life together and be there for his boys. He is a wonderful father and a great friend. Happy Birthday, PapaBear!!

March 28: Happy Birthday, Gorgeous!

2008-04-14T14:57:00.004-06:00

I have the best Grandma in the whole world. She is hilarious and wonderful and just the best. Gorgeous is always there for us. She comes to every recital, every awards ceremony, every party we have. She spoils us rotten. She is a ton of fun to be with. Who could ask for more? My Grandma taught me how to toilet paper by taking us toilet papering her brothers, she taught us how to hang spoons from our noses, and she continually teaches us how to love unconditionally by her example. One of my favorite stories about Gorgeous happened when Tergaso was a little girl. Now, my Grandma likes to swear - her favorite "term of endearment" for us (and her nieces and nephews) is "Little Shit" - and it's hilarious! Well, Tergaso totally called her on it one day. She told Grandma that we're not supposed to swear. And Grandma came back with: "Heavenly Father gave me permission to swear, so it's okay." !! Happy Birthday, Gorgeous!

My Crazy Family

2008-03-24T13:31:00.003-06:00

I love hanging out with my family. We are crazy! But we do have a lot of fun. Easter Sunday was no exception. I cooked up a crazy plan with The Easter Bunny (aka: The Countess) that my brother, LSOC, would be given the movie "Enchanted" in his Easter basket. AngelFish, LadyBug, Gorgeous and I had dragged him to see it in December (against very vocal protestations - he was pretty much guilted into it...) and was just as disgusted as he thought he would be. We of course all loved it and have teased him about it mercilessly ever since that it is his favorite movie. So, it's time to open Easter baskets and the Easter Bunny and I insist that we need to get the camera out first. That turns into a big problem. Tergaso has Mom's camera in Provo. She took it on her trip to Claremont last weekend and forgot to bring it back with her. (Apparently her own camera is broken. Keep in mind this is the second camera she's had from her mission - she broke the first one, too.) No problem, we'll use LSOC's camera. Except that Tergaso has his camera in Provo, too. She keeps forgetting to bring that back as well. Well, Tergaso has brought a former mission companion home with her for Easter and all the sudden she pipes up with, "I think you still have my camera, too!" Apparently Tergaso is a camera magnet! Of course, I can't talk much, because the next idea was to use my camera and Tergaso and I spent a good 10 minutes in my room looking for it and trying not to get lost in the bottomless pit that is my bedroom. So, our Easter pictures are from cell-phone cameras!

Anyway. Back to Easter baskets. LSOC opens his present first (youngest to oldest) and when he saw it was "Enchanted" he got extremely disgusted, burst out with "Are you serious?" and threw it at AngelFish. It was awesome. The only problem was that when AngelFish opened her present - it was also "Enchanted." It was finally my turn to open my present and that silly Easter Bunny gave me "I Am Legend" which AngelFish and I both refuse to watch. (LSOC will probably end up talking me into it - but I know there was no way I could stand to watch it in the theaters!) So LSOC and I switched. But his reaction was priceless.

After dinner we were sitting around talking and things got, well, crazy. I'm not exactly sure how things got started - I was snoozing on Mom's shoulder - of course, I'm not sure anyone else knew how things got started anyway. But they were listening to Russian disco/tech music. (I told you we are crazy.) I'm pretty sure the Russian disco/tech music got started sometime after they all took a walk around the block wearing crazy hats (they had to have their own "Easter Parade" complete with Easter Bonnets! I didn't go with - remember the whole snoozing on Mom's shoulder - but I wouldn't be surprised if they were belting "Easter Parade" as they went. Anyway, we were listening to Russian disco/tech music and Tergaso started dancing. First it was while she was sitting on the couch but then she stood up and pulled my Grandma, Gorgeous, up and they were dancing together. Gorgeous really got down and boogied! (Which she pronounces boo (as in, "Boo!" not "book") - gie) It was hilarious.

A little bit later, AngelFish had her feet propped up on Gorgeous's lap and Gorgeous decided to do "This Little Piggy." Well, Angelfish only has 4 toes on one foot. All the sudden, Gorgeous stops and says, "I can't wee-wee on this foot!" (She'd run out of toes...) We all almost wee-weed right there in the living room we were laughing so hard.

I love my family!

I'm leaving on a JetBlue plane...

2008-03-19T12:09:00.002-06:00

I think everything is now finalized for my trip to Rochester, NY to visit the Gardners. While the circumstances under which I'm going are not what I would have chosen, I have to admit that I am so excited to see them again.

The Gardners used to live in my neighborhood. We worked in the Primary together and became friends. When Tyler joined their family, I was immediately smitten. Tyler is the sweetest, most loving little boy in the world. I'm a snuggler by nature - I love hugs! - and Tyler completely agrees with my views on the subject. He would just curl up under my chin and snuggle down and we would just sit there loving each other.

A few months after Tyler joined the Gardner family, I started going to a singles ward. I didn't see them as often. I ended up going about three months without seeing Tyler before Emmalee joined their family. When I went over to visit, Tyler was sitting in his baby swing and when he heard my voice he just lifted up his arms for me to pick him up. He immediately snuggled right down in my arms and gave me the biggest, longest hug. It was amazing. He was not even 1 yet, but I know that he totally remembered me and was totally content to just cuddle for awhile. A few months later, Brent and Jodie moved to Arizona. I was heartbroken. Tyler had touched my life and my heart.

Since then, life has brought another move (to Rochester, NY) and another special baby to the Gardner Family. The weekend before New Years, they brought Nate home. The fall and Christmas months were crazy for the Gardners - Nate spent almost four months in the hospital because he was a preemie. I had offered to fly out to help for a bit, but things just didn't ever work out. They were able to settle into a good routine and life was going well. We talked about me maybe flying out during the summer for a visit, but nothing was decided.

And then everything changed. This family was hit with heartbreaking news. Tyler was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia. I can't even imagine what they has been through. I've been heartbroken - and I haven't seen Tyler for almost three years. But Jodie is an amazing woman. Her capacity for compassion and love is incredible. Her strength and perseverance is unlimited. And this family will be stronger through this trial.

And I have the privilege of visiting and offering what little help I can give. I leave the end of this month for almost two weeks. I get to meet Nate, play with Emmalee, renew my friendship with Jodie and Brent, and love Tyler. How lucky am I?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2008-03-17T13:45:00.001-06:00

My awesome sister, Tergaso, was just accepted to Claremont University School of Religion for her master's program! And received a 30% tuition fellowship! I'm so happy for her! (And so glad that JetBlue exists!)

Various and Sundry - Reviews

2008-03-17T12:44:00.007-06:00

I have been meaning to do a review post for quite awhile now and just haven't been able to spare a minute to post. My life is uber-crazy right now. But in a good way (if crazy can be good...) However, last night we watched a movie that I absolutely just loved!! So, I had to make time today to post about it.

You must watch "Dan in Real Life." It was awesome. I cried. (Of course, I cried through the last 1/2 hour of "Two Weeks Notice" while on a plane flying to Virginia. And that's not a sad movie! You have to understand that I am a very emotional person and it gets exponentially worse when I'm tired and/or stressed - both of which I was yesterday/still am. I also have to admit that I still cry every time I watch the end of "Meet the Parents". Yes, I'm aware I need serious help. Back to the movie in question, which is "Dan in Real Life", which is really, really good!) Who knew that Steve Carrell could act not just wig out? (Although I do have to clarify that I enjoy his wigging - I enjoy "The Office" and I'll be addressing another movie he's in in the next paragraph...) The movie has definite funny moments, but it's mostly just a real, honest look at the pain and heartache of losing someone you love and trying desperately to find love all while being the best person possible for you kids. (OK, looking at it that way, it's no wonder I cried - those are all subjects very close to my heart!) The bottom line: I loved this movie.

This is just going to be a Steve Carrell post, because the next movie I want to talk about is "Evan Almighty." I also really enjoyed this movie. It is very much more geared toward children - and my brother was totally weirded out by it. But I really enjoyed it. It's about Evan Baxter (a character introduced in "Bruce Almighty") who just ran for congress. He moves his family to the DC area where God (Morgan Freeman) appears to him and tells him to build an ark. I went into this movie wanting to like it because Lauren Graham is in it (Yeah! Gilmore Girls!!) but even without that positive bias, I would have still enjoyed it. I really liked the faith promoting message. Something like this could very easily become a cynical, sarcastic poke at religion and faith, but it didn't go there. While it may be hard to believe, I thought it was very respectful and encouraging of faith. I was also impressed, after watching the bonus features, with how green the movie was. Now, I have to clarify that I'm not buying into the whole "we've destroyed the planet and we're all going to burn up in five years" mentality. In fact, here (thanks to BFF for the link) is a great article about all of that. But I do believe that we have an obligation to take care of what God has blessed us with and use our resources wisely. I also believe that anything we can do to become less reliant on foreign oil, the better off we'll be. The directors of "Evan Almighty" seemed to have similar feelings. Besides buying bikes for everyone that worked on this movie, and planting trees, they donated everything they could salvage from the homes on the set and the ark (which was a full-size, huge ark) and donated it to Habitat for Humanity. Cool. The bottom line: as long as you know this is suspend reality kids fare, you'll enjoy this movie.

Now, to a movie I wasn't so impressed with: "Becoming Jane." I really wanted to like this movie. And I have to say that I really liked Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen - excellent choice. But I just couldn't like the movie. I couldn't even get through it a second time - it just wasn't that important. I didn't think that Jane falling for LeFroy was believable. I couldn't see any redeeming qualities in him for her to be attracted to. And I was put off by the covert sexual references. The Jane Austen I know is based on her books, and plot and tone of this movie was so incongruous to her books. It just wasn't believable. Which is sad, because I really did want to like it. And Anne Hathaway was great - even with the non-Jane material she was given to work with, I thought she made a great Jane Austen.

On the Jane Austen topic, I have two books I'd like to share as well. From a previous post, you may have guessed that I was reading "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. It was fabulous. And I must say that Emma Thompson's movie version was surprising true to the book. There were only a couple of things that, for trimming the story to 2 hours sake, were not absolutely correct. Good stuff! Also, my mom gave me a book for Christmas called "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. The author takes the voice of Jane Austen and write her memoirs about love lost. Compared to actual Jane Austen, this book was definite fluff. "Sense and Sensibility" is a full five course meal featuring all your favorite foods while "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" is cotton candy. But cotton candy is still delicious. I really enjoyed it and if you're looking for fluff, this is a good read. "The Lost Memoirs" is much truer to the Jane Austen we know from her books than the movie "Becoming Jane." I could believe "Lost"'s version of Jane. I couldn't believe "Becoming"'s version.

On a final note, I have to spend a little time talking about another of my absolute favorite authors: Robin McKinley. She specializes in juvenile fiction/fantasy. I just finished rereading "Spindle's End", a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty faerie tale. Such good stuff! Every couple of years, I have to reread all of her stuff. I've discovered, though, that I can't start her other books until I get through more of my to-do list. I just can't put her books down! I also just purchased her newest book "Dragonhaven" and I've had to literally hide it! Maybe after my trip to Rochester, NY (more about that in another post...) I can pull it out! Ah, something to look forward to...

Russian Joy, Part 3

2008-03-17T12:39:00.005-06:00

123 Book Tag

2008-03-08T21:13:00.002-07:00

Lanna has blog tagged me for the 123 Book Tag. Here are the rules:
*Find the book closest to you with at least 123 pages.
*Turn to page 123.
*Find the fifth sentence.
*Post the next 3 sentences.
*Tag 5 people. (Don't have 5 people to tag - Sorry!)

"Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half an hour Elinor frequently found her agreeable; but her powers had received no aid from education, she was ignorant and illiterate, and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance, whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct towards others made every shew of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless.

"'You will think my question an odd one, I dare say,' said Lucy to her one day as they were walking together from the Park to the cottage-'but, pray, are you personally acquainted with your sister-in-law's mother, Mrs. Ferrars?'"

-Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen

I tag AngelFish and anyone else who wants to play!

Jitterbug

2008-03-07T10:34:00.007-07:00

This is my adorable little cousin, Jitterbug. I had the privilege of watching him last Friday night. He is the cutest little guy. He was so much fun to play with. He pretty much just laughed the whole night. He totally has LSOC wrapped around his little finger, too. They had so much fun playing together and then LSOC had to leave. Jitterbug was gone when he got home and he was so disappointed. I've heard many, many times since then that I need to babysit him again. I agree!

In the third picture, Jitterbug is holding a DVD called "Your Baby Can Read" and he absolutely loves it. It's a 20-minute DVD that writes several words on the screen and then someone says it and then they show a picture of the word. Jitterbug totally knows the word "clap." When that word came up on the screen - he'd start clapping! Before they said the word, before they showed kids clapping. Keep in mind he's only 9 or 10 months old! For every word, he'd look up at me expectantly, waiting for me to say the word and then he'd squeal in delight. It was awesome!.

Predictive

2008-03-05T11:46:00.002-07:00

Don't you love it when you're in predictive while texting someone and you intend to type Homeboy and it comes out as Homecow?

It's the little things that make life worth living.

*credit where credit is due: thanks, Tergaso, for not immediately correcting the mistake; and thanks, LSOC, for sharing the mistake with me and then reminding me of it this morning by signing your email "peace out, homecow." It's all about Family :o)

Buying Affection

2008-03-02T12:30:00.003-07:00

There is a family in my neighborhood that I grew up with. The oldest daughter was just a year younger than me and we played together a lot. They are a great family. The daughter is now happily married with three adorable little girls. I am on pretty good terms with her oldest daughter-we are pals-and consequently, the younger ones are okay with me as well. This family also has a son who is now happily married and has an adorable little girl. They now live in the neighborhood, too. Their little girl hasn't been as sure of me as her cousins are. And if you know me, you'll know that I wasn't okay with that situation.

One day while I was shopping at Harmons, I saw a display with some My Little Pony fruit snacks on sale. And I formed an evil/genius plan: I would buy her affection with fruit snacks! Every time I saw her at Church, I told her I had a treat for her and gave her a fruit snack. The last couple of weeks, she has even given me a hug and a kiss in exchange for her treat.

Well, today I had my ultimate reward for my bribery. She was asleep in her mother's arms after church. She was just starting to wake up and her eyes opened and she saw me standing next to her mom. Her little eyes just lit up and she gave me a huge grin and sat up. I held out my arms to her and she willingly came to me. Of course, the first thing out her mouth was "treat?" but she was in my arms and happy. I gave her the treat and she gave me a kiss and a "thank you" and we had a nice conversation about her very colorful tights (way cute striped tights!) and which was her favorite color. It was awesome! My brother saw the exchange and couldn't get over how excited she was for the fruit snack. He also couldn't believe that I had purposefully set out to buy her affection and that it had actually worked.

Today I claim the title of Evil-Genius. Life is good.

Russian Joy, Part 2

2008-03-01T22:32:00.007-07:00

Potato Cheddar Soup

2008-02-26T19:50:00.004-07:00

12 slices precooked bacon, chopped
1 onion, diced
6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 TBS butter/margerine
1/2 tsp sage
1 tsp mustard
32 oz broth/stock
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups half and half cream
12 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
dash of hot sauce (tobasco sauce)

In a dutch oven, heat up the bacon to render the fat. If you have more than a TBS of fat rendered, discard the excess. Add the margarine and melt. Add onions and saute until tender. Add the sage and mustard and cook 1 minute. Add potatoes, broth, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer for 13 minutes. Mash the potatoes against the side of the pot. Remove the pot from heat and slowly add the cream while stirring. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Add the hot sauce and stir to combine. Serve with a yummy, crusty bread and great salad.

We loved this recipe! We had 1 bowl-full leftover from 4 people for dinner.

Russian Joy

2008-02-24T22:12:00.006-07:00

I have some dear friends from Russia. While my sister, AngelFish, was serving an LDS mission to Russia, she met this family and the daughter (RussianPrincess) came out to Utah to visit her brother who was here going to school. AngelFish told RussianPrincess to give us a call - that we'd like to meet her. Well, RussianPrincess is such a sweetheart, we immediately hit it off and just love her! Since then, she was able to get a student visa to come to school at BYU. A year and a half ago, she married an awesome guy. Tuesday, she defended her Master's Thesis and passed. Friday, she gave birth to this adorable little guy. Isn't he sweet?

I'm an Artist

2008-02-20T12:18:00.003-07:00

Click here to create your own painting.

P.S. On a scale of 1 to 10, just how bad is it to eat Dreyer's Grand Rich and Creamy Turtles Ice Cream for breakfast? I thought so. :( Pass the shredded wheat...

I'm an Exclamation Point!

2008-02-19T21:38:00.001-07:00

You Are An Exclamation Point

You are a bundle of... well, something.

You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama.

You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it.

Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself.

You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy.

(But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.)

You excel in: Public speaking

You get along best with: the Dash

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Thankful Thursday (Two Days Early, Again :o)

2008-02-19T13:43:00.003-07:00

So, I just couldn't wait until Thursday to be grateful...Today is just absolutely beautiful! I went to my absolute favorite lunch place - Ganesh - and besides having a fabulous lunch buffet, they also have a frequent diner card. If you buy seven lunch buffets you get the eighth one free! How awesome is that! Well, as you can imagine, I frequent their lunch buffet often and today was my seventh time - which means that the next time I go, it's free! I'm really trying hard to limit myself to only going once a week (I know, I know, I need serious help!!) But it's just so wonderful. I take a good book and prop it open on the table and enjoy vegetable pakora, sambar, chicken Tikka Masala, naan, and they have this really good, fiery sauce that I drizzle over the vegetable pakora. Oh, my goodness. It is SO good! The people there are so friendly and keep my water glass full (which is a pet peeve of mine - waiters that leave you high and dry with no water! I tend to drink a lot during my meals.) Have I raved about this place enough yet? I am so thankful for Indian food in general and Ganesh in particular!

When I got home, it was just so gorgeous outside that I took a walk (which is pretty earth-shattering news!) I just couldn't bear to go inside yet. I have to say that I am truly grateful for all of the snow we've had this winter. We really, really needed the moisture. And, with all of the storms, our inversion really didn't get bad this year. Usually you almost can't leave the house without a surgical mask during January because the air is so bad. But, it really never had a chance to set in because the storms just kept cleaning it out. Also, I'm very grateful that my issues with depression and the snow are abating. The winter I started getting sick with Fibromyalgia, we really got hit hard with the snow. I've since equated snow with getting sick and just dread it. But, with all the healing I've been doing, that seems to be healing as well. I've enjoyed the snowstorms this winter (as long as I didn't have to be out in them!) But, even with all that, I must say that I am so ready for Spring. Today there are birds singing. The sun is out. The temperature is very mild (i.e. I'm good with just a sweater.) It's a beautiful thing.

Life truly is good.

Oh, ScienceBoy!

2008-02-19T11:29:00.006-07:00

We had a great time at SpiderMan's party on Friday. We had our stew, as requested by 7-year-old SpiderMan, and some great conversation. Part of that great conversation occurred when we overheard ScienceBoy say something about a pompadour to SpiderMan. (Remember that ScienceBoy is 9.) So, we asked ScienceBoy if he knew what a pompadour was. His response was: It's when your hair is all up over on one side like Elvis's hair. What 9-year-old boy knows that?! He then proceeded to tell us that his teacher was worried that kids today were only learning things from the computer and television and so she had them look up things from the dictionary and encyclopedia. He had five verbs and two nouns to look up. Way to go teacher!

We always do "heavy, heavy hangover"when we open presents. (For those of you who are uniformed - we sing/say "Heavy, heavy hangover thy poor head. What do you wish this person with a bonk on the head?" and the giver bonks the receiver on the head with the present. The receiver then gives the giver a wish.) SpiderMan was pretty good with his wishes this year. He wished most everyone a cruise. He also felt the need to add to The Count's and The Countess's wish. Along with the cruise, he wished them a night in a motel. We've had quite a good laugh over that one!

Unfortunately, the night ended rather badly for ScienceBoy. After they went home, he was swinging from his top bunk down to the bottom one and lost his grip and went flying and hit the toy chest - hard - and ended up at the ER getting four stitches. However, ever the optimist, ScienceBoy is now proudly showing off his first stitches. I haven't seen the damage yet, but I'm told it's just in front of his right ear. Oh, the joys of boys!

Picture Post

2008-02-12T15:29:00.001-07:00

While I was looking for a picture of SpiderMan to post yesterday, I found these pictures from our Halloween party. I just had to post them. The first two are of AngleFish and Ladybug. We all love the Broadway Musical "Wicked" and AngelFish and Ladybug have so much fun singing "What Is This Feeling?" to each other. So, for Halloween, they decided to dress as Galinda and Elphaba and sing to each other. It was so funny. The top picture is their re-enactment of the cover picture from "Wicked." They are so funny!

Also, please pardon the white streaks across the pictures. Apparently they got stuck to each other at some point and I'm not techno-savvy enough to doctor them! I'm doing good to get these on my blog at all!

The last picture is me as a black cat. I also used this costume for my costume recital for my students. One of my student's little sisters absolutely loved my tail! She followed me around wrapping herself up in it and petting it. It was awesome.

Happy Birthday, SpiderMan!

2008-02-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Today is SpiderMan's 7th birthday! These pictures are actually 2 1/2 years old, but they are still some of my favorite. Right now, SpiderMan is in desperate need of a hair cut. He really likes the mullet look. He is so sweet and loving. His favorite things are wrestling with his brother, ScienceBoy, or LSOC and Tergaso. He also loves to go hiking with Tergaso and LSOC. He loves to laugh - and his laugh is so contagious. He loves superheros (he goes through phases for his favorite superhero, but Spiderman is always in the top two and he always comes back to Spiderman!). He requested stew for his birthday dinner, with chocolate and raspberry cake for dessert.

Happy Birthday, SpiderMan!

Bean and Sausage Stew

2008-02-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

1 Tbs olive oil
1 package of all beef kielbasa sausage
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14.5 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, with juices
28-32 oz broth (we usually use no-chicken broth - which comes in 32 oz box)
2-3 carrots (I actually like to use about 2/3 a package of matchstick carrots. It's really easy to quickly chop them into bite size pieces.)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Saute the garlic and sausage in the oil, briefly, in the bottom of a dutch oven. Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes to 2 hours. Enjoy with some yummy bread.

7 Random Things

2008-02-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

My friend, Jodie, tagged me. I'm supposed to share 7 random things about myself and tag 7 more people. Unfortunately, I'm new to the blog world and every blog I follow has already been tagged! So, I'll just share.

I have issues with numbers. It started out as a preference for the volume on the TV to be an even number. Then I realized that I liked the multiples of 5 as well. Then I realized that I really like the multiples of 3. Finally, I figured out that I really don't like prime numbers. I shudder if the TV volume is on 11 or 13 or 17. So, in order of preference: multiples of 3, multiples of 5, even numbers, any other non-prime number. I count stairs. (Although, I think that's to take my mind off my huffing and puffing as I go up them.) I also really like to find numbers that go in order. For example, four nights out of seven I happen to look at my clock right when it reads 12:34. And it makes me happy. Yes, I am that OCD.
If you think that's obsessive; oh, the issues with food. I am a very picky eater. Now, don't get me wrong. I love food. I love to eat. I actually enjoy cooking (although I definitely don't enjoy cleaning up afterwards!). But I am a very picky eater. I am very sensitive to smells. I usually can't eat leftovers because the smell of the cold food turns my stomach and I can't eat it, even after it's been warmed up. If someone else reheats the food so I don't have to smell it - I can cope. I am very sensitive to suggestion. The dinner table is not the place to tell scary stories. I also had a huge blowup one Halloween because The Countess prepared a very creative dinner complete with "scary" names for each of the dishes. I felt really bad afterward because I know she put a lot of effort into the meal, trying to be a fun, creative Mom (which she is!) and I totally lost it and refused to even come into the kitchen. I have major issues with food being served cold that is usually served hot: i.e. lunch meat, hard boiled eggs, etc. (actually I think potato salad is one of my least favorite dishes in the entire world - cold eggs, cold potatoes, mayo and mustard - both of which I don't like - it has no chance! I can't even handle the smell! It has to be on the opposite end of the table.) And then there's the huge list of things I just plain don't like. It really is a wonder that I ever even tried Indian food - I'm not that adventurous! I know that my family was shocked. But after that first brave bite, I was hooked!
I am a ballerina at heart. I took ballet for a good 10 years. I have great arches and good toe structure for toe shoes. I have pretty good flexibility (actually, when I stretch now, I get stopped by my belly getting in the way rather than my muscles not being able to stretch further.) And of course I love the music.
I love green. I have always loved green. I always will love green. When I was three (I think. I don't remember, but have seen the pictures and been told the story), all I wanted for Christmas was a green nightgown. That's it. No toys. Just a green nightgown. When I was a senior in high school, I thought I was pretty cool because the salespeople for class rings told us that we could choose a stone with our school colors, our birthstone, or a stone with our favorite color for our ring. Well, since I went to Hillcrest High School, our colors were green and white. And since I was born in May, my birthstone is an emerald. And, of course, my favorite color is green. So I was set for all three.
In Elementary School, my BFF and I wanted to become famous authors. My pen name was: JesakaTifini. (Yes, all one word.) My nickname in Middle School was: Jello Stress Weird, III. (My History teacher even called me this. And, by the way, weird is wonderful; strange is stupid.) My nickname in High School was: HoboJo. One of my friends adopted the nickname SlobBob and wrote a story about HoboJo and SlobBob.
I have sprained both my knees (within 6 weeks of each other!), an ankle and a wrist. I've had a tonsillectomy, a laparoscopy for endometriosis, part of my ear cut off, and sinus surgery. But, knock on wood, I've never had to have stitches or broken a bone.
I have won several awards for my writing and have also been published. (Literary Magazine awards and publishing in High School for both poetry and short story. Deseret News Poetry contest. Best Freshman Research Paper at BYU. New Era magazine article.) I was English Sterling Scholar. I even had a way cool professor at BYU who let me write a poem for my final research paper in History of Civ./Humanities 201. I shared a poem with her that I'd written on Michaelangelo and she loved it. Since my research paper was on Michaelangelo, she let me turn that poem into a series. I got an A.

I'm looking this over, and it turned into a bit of a novel instead of a list. But it was fun to reminisce!

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

2008-01-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

A little over two years ago, a cute little red-head moved into a duplex with my sister, Angelfish. Well, if you know anything about my family, you won't be surprised to hear that we basically adopted her. Ladybug has been coming to our house for Sunday dinner ever since. I was already developing a friendship with her - she was my visiting teacher, and was awesome! - and it's been a joy to have her in our family. She ended up moving into her own apartment and Angelfish ended up buying a condo and now, Ladybug is actually moving into Angelfish's condo on Saturday! She is an amazing woman. She's usually in a leadership position in Church because she's amazing and has great follow-through, she has her Masters Degree (I believe it's in Environmental Biology or Environmental Science - I'm sorry I don't remember the details!), and she puts up with the crazy family that I love (of course, we do feed her Naborhood Bakery Butterflake Rolls, which is pretty much like bribing her to like us!)

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

My Favorite Cheese Ball

2008-01-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 1/2 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup pecans, chopped fine
1 cup pecan pieces
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 Tbs dried minced onion
1 Tbs Lawrey's Seasoned Salt (maybe a little less, depending on taste)

Mix all ingredients except pecan pieces. Roll into a ball and chill. Roll ball in pecan pieces. Serve with your favorite crackers.

My Favorite Veggie Dip

2008-01-29T14:39:00.001-07:00

1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp dried minced onion
1 tsp dill
1 tsp Bon Appetit seasoning salt

Mix together and chill for at least two hours. Serve with a variety of veggies!

Tribute

2008-01-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

Our beloved Prophet and President of our LDS Church, Gordon Bitner Hinckley, passed away last night (Sunday, January 27, 2008) in his home in Salt Lake City. He was 97. I'm saddened by this loss, but so happy for President Hinckley. He was still going strong to the end (he just rededicated the Salt Lake Capitol Building three weeks ago!) and I know that was a huge blessing for him. I think it would have really hurt him if he couldn't be among his people, doing the Lord's work. I'm also so happy that he has been reunited with his beloved wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I know that he missed her terribly. What a blessing to know that families are forever, and we will be reunited with our loved ones!

I'm not sure what President Hinckley will be remembered for most; whether it will be:

temples (there were only 47 temples when he became the Prophet and today there are 124 and 13 more announced or under construction)
The Perpetual Education Fund (which offers loans to members in third world countries to further their education so they can support themselves)
His 6 Be's (be grateful, smart, clean, true, humble, prayerful)
His world travels to visit members of the church (the first President of the Church to visit mainland China and Russia and the Ukraine)
His interviews with top, "hardened" newsmen (Mike Wallace and Larry King)

and my personal favorite four:

The Proclamation on the Family (visit this site to read)
His wit and sense of humor (I think one of the most well-known images or President Hinckley is of him waving his cane to say hello. My mom's favorite was when he said that at his time of life, he didn't buy green bananas. I also heard once that one night after he went bed, his bodyguard heard some noises coming from his bedroom. When he went to check on him, he found President Hinckley walking on his treadmill. When asked what he was doing so late at night, he said that if so many people were praying for him and his health, he felt that he should do his part, so he got up and started walking on the treadmill!)
I love how much President Hinckley loved Sister Hinckley
The absolute love that surrounded President Hinckley. Whenever he walked into the Conference Center (or any room, I'd imagine, but my experience was only with the Conference Center), the entire room became silent and still. There was such love and respect for him. Whenever he spoke, whenever I even just see a picture of him, I can feel the love that President Hinckley has for me (even though we've never met personally) and for each and every member of the Church, for every person he's ever met, for every one of our Heavenly Father's children. He just radiates love.

I am so grateful for this great man and for his faithfulness and service.

Updates, Reiteration, and Book Reviews

2008-01-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing BodyTalk session yesterday. I was pretty immobile when I went (I have been since Friday.) I could walk - but only just and it looked rather amusing (I'm assuming) because there was no movement above my legs. But I was a completely different person when I left. I could twist (gently), bend, walk - it was amazing! The soreness is still there, but I can move! My practitioner has recently had some training in Matrix Energetics and she's been combining that with the BodyTalk with great success. I am just so grateful for being led down this path and having BodyTalk in my life. What a wonderful blessing.

I had my first physical therapy appointment today and was actually a bit disappointed. I'm not sure how to even describe it - whether my therapist was rushed, or not quite sure what I wanted or what my doctor wanted or what he should do - it was just not very satisfying. I don't know. It just didn't seem very thorough. He checked my reflexes, he asked me to bend back and to the sides as far as I could without pain. But that was it. He didn't feel my back - see if there was any swelling or bulging - nothing. And considering the wonderful treatment I've had from TOSH in the past, I was a bit baffled and disappointed. I do have an appointment for some pool therapy on Monday, so hopefully that will go better. And the therapist did get me started on some core strengthening exercises.

Now on to fun and fluff. I finished "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief", by Rick Riordan, a couple of weeks ago. It was fabulous! It was so much fun. It's about a sixth grade boy who struggles with dyslexia, ADHD, and school in general who discovers (after being kicked out of his sixth boarding school in as many years) that his problems can be attributed to the fact that he is the son of Poseidon (of Greek mythology.) He literally attracts trouble because he is a "half-blood." So he goes to Camp Half-Blood for the summer and ends up on a quest to recover Zeus's master lightening bolt. This book is very well written, has a ton of Greek mythology in it, and is very clever and witty. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend it. I can't wait to read more books in the series. I believe that three books have been published and a fourth is due in May.

I'm currently reading "North and South", by Elizabeth Gaskell. I'm tantalizingly close to finishing it. I've seen the BBC movie and loved it (and no, it's not about the civil war - as I mistakenly thought when Angelfish told me I had to see it - it's about the difference between the Southern gentility and Northern manufacturing parts of England during the 1800's.) But I was a bit nervous to read the book. As mentioned previously, I was scared to try out my "new" brain and find it lacking. But, I was brave and was rewarded! I'm glad that I saw the movie first. It's pretty faithful to the book, and I think it helped that I was motivated to get to the good parts and that I can picture these characters so well. Of course, it's helpful to me in my first venture back into the Classics, but is totally unnecessary if you've never lost your brain! The only recommendation I would urge is to make sure you read a copy with a glossary at the back and be aware that there's a glossary at the back. I recently discovered it and had many dialect words explained that I'd been frustrated over. Some of the characters kept talking about "clemming" or not wanting their children to "clem" and I had no idea what that was. Turns out it means "starving" or "starve." There are a few others examples as well. So, the glossary is very beneficial. I'm going to have to add this book to my library (I'm borrowing Angelfish's copy - Thanks!)