Santa Duty -- Sign me up!

This year I had the opportunity to play Santa for my a few of my favorite leetles. While Mom and Dad were busy setting up the tree, set up the tree and getting the new video games all set up, I was tasked with filling the stockings with wonderful things like Reese's Peanut Butter trees, orange slices, and simple wrapped gifts. It was neat to be there in the dark, sneaking quietly while the kiddies were sleeping, silently creating the JOY of Christmas morning. I think I may volunteer for Santa Duty again next year.

Presenting Mr. Mouse

Last week a friend of mine asked if I could make her a crocheted mouse to use in Primary. She sent me a link to a pattern she'd found. It didn't look too hard, so I said I'd give it a shot -- I've never finished a crocheted toy before -- I tried to make a Popeye doll years ago (yes, a Popeye doll) from a pattern my Grandma passed on to me, Popeye still sits unfinished in the garage.

Long story short, about 3 evenings and 2 tails later (the first one was pink and made Mr. Mouse look more like a rat, which would not do, rats are gross) Mr. Mouse is ready to make his debut in Primary this coming Sunday! I even got the Cat seal of approval from Gus.

Just the other day I received some very happy news

Earlier this year my Dad went into the hospital to have 3 giant kidney stones removed. I spent the day at the hospital with my mom, so she wouldn't have to be alone. She's a worrier, and I knew if I was worried, she had to be ten times more worried than I was. I just had the feeling at the time that she shouldn't have to be alone. The surgery was uneventful, thankfully, but it caused me to think seriously about the fact that my Dad is not invincible, and he's not going to live forever, whether I agree with that or not.

Not long after the surgery, Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Cancer is a word you never want to hear used in the same sentence as the name of someone you love. As he went through his readiation treatments I sent countless prayers out for him to be okay--fully acknowledging that if God had other plans that I would accept those too. I remember one day as I was driving up the Bountiful Temple a line from one of my favorite movies popped into my head, "your Daddy's gonna die" this literally broke my heart. Before then I had beleived that somehow time would make an exception for me -- I've always wanted to believe that the people I love would live forever. But this movie quote brought me back around to reality. We don't get to live forever, at least not in this life. I can't count the number of hours I spent crying and trying to come to terms with this idea.

Radiation went well, but even a couple of months later Dad was having trouble getting his strength back. Then we learned he had pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. The doctors spooted it in time and they were able to drain the fluid and get the pneumonia in check.

The other night, my mom called with good news, they had gone in for a blood test and the results for Dad's PSA level were good, scratch that they were GREAT! Apparently a 4 is considered normal -- Dad's levels were at 0.003.

In short, Dad's protate cancer is gone and I get to have him around for at least 20 more years (I hope).

Happy Halloween!

Inspiration

The other day I was inspired by something as simple as a notebook.

It’s simple really, made of recycled paper and banana fibers. I was drawn to it (and his two sisters) by the fun birds on the front (two of them have owls on them, and I’ve a minor obsession with owls these days). When I saw them at the store I had to have them, so now they are mine.

I grabbed one the other night to take notes on at a Relief Society meeting about finances and though I hesitated a little at the thought of starting yet another notebook of notes I’ll probably never look at again, I thought what the heck and I cracked the cover and started taking notes. We were about halfway through the presentation when my mind wandered a bit and I started to contemplate the inky colored fleck throughout the pages of this recycled notebook and began wondering what this notebook had been before…

Had it in fact been someone else’s notebook where he or she jotted down brilliant thoughts and crazy ideas. As I chewed on that thought this very cool notebook became something more – perhaps a little like Tom Riddle’s diary, only far less nefarious (hopefully). What secrets might these recycled pages hold and what might I be able to offer to these not-so-empty pages?

There’s just something about adding ink to a blank page that makes me feel a little freer --- I don’t know how to explain it and the wonderful thing about writing is that I’m not obligated to explain it to anyone!

What inspires you?

Is it looking at beautiful wedding photographs taken by someone else’s camera? Is it reading poetry that you could only pretend to have written? Is it picking up a piece of sidewalk chalk and just letting yourself go? Is it watching your nieces and nephews grow into remarkable people? Is it discovering an ancestor you never knew you had? What is it?

"An Excellent Elephant Maker"

In case you haven't heard, which you probably haven't -- I am an excellent Elephant maker. Toby's nephew Sam decreed it to be so, and I have to say I agree with him.

Sophie's Room

Before Sophie was born Norm gave me the go ahead to decorate her room. This is what I came up with for a wall hanging. Toby and I found some adorable fabric to make a quilt for her and we stole the pattern of the panda bear to make a hall hanging. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Introducing...

...Sophie Sue! Born this morning at 5:59 AM. She weighed in at a whopping 5 pounds 11 ounces and is 22 inches long. She has LOTS of thick dark hair and pretty eyes. In my unbiased Auntie opinion, she's beautiful!

Welcome to the World, Miss Sophie. I have a feeling we'll be very good friends.

Congrats to Norm and Becca!

Indiana, Day 4

Woke up, barely -- it was very hard today -- snoozed the alarm more than once.

Realized that Kenji graduates exactly 16 years after me.

Sent Kenji a text to wish him a Happy Graduation Day!

Made it to the library too early.

Perused the used books and CDs and ended up buying the soundtrack to "My Best Friend's Wedding" for $1.50.

Helped the missionaries fix a couple problems on their laptops -- for which they were so grateful they offered to buy me dinner.

Ate lunch.

Answered several questions throughout the day.

Went out to dinner with the missionaries at Logan's Roadhouse. Pretty good food, the baby back ribs were delicious.

Drank a root beer.

Headed back to the hotel.

Packed my suitcase while listening to Kenny Chesney.

Wrote out a few baby shower invitiations.

Went to bed.

Indiana, Day 3

Woke up – it was harder today.

Hit the snooze button once.

Performed my ablutions.

Skipped breakfast in order to squeeze in a trip to Wal-mart to grab some kind of gadget for wrangling network cords – they were all over the place yesterday! (Ever notice things are better when you know where a Wal-mart is? Why is that?)

Snagged some food items as well as a belt and a tank top – today I’ve decided my pants are too big and could kick myself for not going for the size 10 over the 12s…do they make an 11 in women’s sizes – add to that the fact my pink polo shirt is still not my favorite shirt (why is it I can never remember that it doesn’t flatter me at all?) thus the tank top and the belt, a valiant attempt to make myself look and feel better, if only I could be sure it worked.

Headed to the Library, got turned around on the many one-way streets surrounding the library.

Spent the day wrangling cords with wire-ties, more computer stuff, and sundry other housekeeping items.

Had a yummy sandwich for lunch brought to me by the Matthews – with a spicy sweet pickle and an apple.

After work, ventured once again to the Cracker Barrel for dinner, after attempting to cook a microwave dinner with hot water – very unsuccessful.

Tonight’s dinner consisted of broccoli cheese chicken, green beans and baby carrots, not my best dinner.

Discovered that if you’re a party of one you get served much faster than if you’re a party of more.

Ended up buying a green Indiana t-shirt and a cow flashlight keychain to get change for parking tomorrow.

Hope to spend the evening reading Percy Jackson and going to bed early.

Indiana, Day 2

Must have fallen asleep at some point. I think it came right after I realized I’m only comfortable laying flat on my back, blanket tucked under the chin and shoulders, much like a mummy.

Woke up bright and early (literally -- its two hours ahead here, so waking up at 6:00 is like waking up at 4:00) with a sore tailbone (yuck!)

Managed to complete my morning ablutions – I even managed to squeeze in a little Percy Jackson.

Ate breakfast at the hotel cafe and made my way to the Library by 9:00.

Met the missionaries – very nice people — Sisters Greene and Wilkins and Brother and Sister Matthews.

Spent most of the day fielding questions, defragmenting computers and sundry other administrative tasks.

Ate a very strange sandwich for lunch.

Ventured back to the hotel at day’s end.

Discovered Toby had been in an accident on the way to working – “I ruined my car” she says to me when I catch her on the phone. Elphie reduced to carnage – but Toby’s okay, torn rhomboid muscle (and a broken heart – I’ve been there, losing the car you love mostest – thus the heartache when I saw the red VW yesterday).

It could have been much worse, I’m glad it wasn’t.

That’ll teach me to go out of town on a workday! Ventured to the Cracker Barrel once again, this time in the rain to make it a little more interesting.

Once again successfully completed the triangle peg puzzle while waiting for dinner.

Ordered the “Eggs in a Blanket” – which here means, two fried eggs in the middle of two slices of sourdough toast with a side of fried apples and some bacon (at this point I began wondering how much is too much bacon to consume in a 24 hour time period?) Did I mention it was very tasty?

Back to the hotel.

Wrote a few work emails.

Scheduled a baby shower for Becca.

Watched the season finale of Glee (loved it! – yes I’m a “gleek”).

After that, went to bed.

Indiana, Day 1

Flight out delayed one half hour.

Ate scrambled eggs and bacon at the Wolfgang Puck express place in the Airport.

Waited.

Boarded the plane.

Seated between 2 good sized men.

Decided that when I invent an airplane it will have ample seat space.

Read quite a bit of The Lightening Thief”.

Did a more than a few framework puzzles from my puzzle book.

Arrived unscathed in Cincinnati.

Wandered the shops, ate a slice of greasy pizza and boarded the next plane.

Spent 25 minutes in the air before landing safely in Fort Wayne.

Collected my Chevy Cobalt rental car and drooled with envy over the candy apple red VW Beetle sitting in the stall next to it (ah, my heart!)…what would I have to do to get to have that for my rental car?

Successfully located my hotel using my MapQuest direction – which is a feat in and of its self.

Checked into the hotel.

Found my room.

Settled in – yes folks, I even put my clothes in the drawers – somewhat uncharacteristic of me.

Ventured to the Cracker Barrel next door where I had my favorite dish – grilled pork chop with applesauce and mashed potatoes (yum!).

Successfully completed the triangle peg puzzle while waiting for dinner.

Got sucked into the vortex that is the Cracker Barrel store and ended up buying a Wynona CD (all because the sound system was playing “My Strongest Weakness” which is one of my favorite country songs (thanks Marges!) not to mention it helps support wounded soldiers.

Back to the hotel, talked to Toby on the phone, then Mom who had to make sure I’d arrived safely – we chatted while Mikayla fell asleep on the floor.

Then I set my alarm, brushed my teeth, washed my face and crawled into the unexpectedly hard bed.

Found it hard to fall asleep, not only was I in a strange place but I was missing my furry leg warmer Gus.

Just as I was falling asleep, got a text from Andyra wondering if I’d made it safe.

And the Random Knot Goes To...

This blog is for all of you Chuck fans out there...I fear it will be lost on anyone else.

As I was donating blood today, as always there was music playing in the background, but today it wasn't the usual local easy-listening radio station but rather the iPod of one of the phlebotomists. Whilst waiting I was entertained by many classic hits of the 80s and 90s including Hit me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar, The End of the World as We know it by REM and Video Killed the Radio Star by the aforementioned Buggles, only I couldn't remember it was the Buggles until I "googled" the song title and found an article on Wikipedia.

Open closer examination I discovered something shocking!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Video_Killed_the_Radio_Star_single_cover.jpg

Remind you of anyone?

Can you honestly tell me, without a shadow of a doubt that this is not everyone's favorite rock duo JEFFSTER?

Didn't think so.

One might argue that The Buggles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Buggles) show no real resemblance to JEFFSTER.

You be the judge!

My 5 Minutes of Fame

Last week I helped at the National Genealogical Society Conference in Salt Lake City. I was there showing visitors a little bit of what I do on a daily basis working at FamilySearch. A fellow from the Deseret News snapped my picture while I was helping some cute little (unbeknownst to me until after the fact, I might have protested had I know what was happening). After taking down our names and telling us we'd be in the Mormon Times on Thursday the guy with the camera went on his merry way.

So, like any crazy person who wants to see her name in print I hunted down the print edition of the Mormon Times late Thursday night but I did not find myself there...Flash Forward to today when a coworker on the Elevator says "we need your autograph, you're famous!"

Famous, probably not, in print, yes, if you call the Internet "print" --

Check me out -- you might need a magnifying glass to spot me.

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_living/family_history/?id=14731

Granted it's not much to write home about, but one should take their fame where they can get it.

Gus's Favorite Spot

Confessions of a Game Show Junkie

I confess that I'm not the biggest TV fan, but often I find myself watching probably one-too-many game shows. I've always enjoyed a good round of Jeopardy, and I find myself solving the puzzle before the contestants on Wheel of Fortune agonizing because the contestant can't quite figure it out. When I'm home sick, it's The Price is Right (I know I'm not the only person out there who can't resist the Showcase Showdown). Through in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with an occasional dose of Family Feud or Lingo (I know I'm not the only person out there who can't resist Chuck Woolery, or am I?) I'm pretty good at getting a lot of the answers right…even if I am guessing, though often I honestly know the answer…Lately, it's been Deal or No Deal – I have yet to see anyone win the million (although someone actually did). And have you ever noticed that Howie's shirt always matches the dresses the models wear.

I've decided that becoming a game show contestant might be my calling in life. I'm not even asking to win the million, just enough to pay of the house and the car and take a nice long vacation.

Sew Much Fun (or “It’s Curtains for Gus!”)

When we first moved in to the little Pink house my mom asked "Well don't you think you need curtains for your room?" At the time I didn't think I did, so I lived 2+ years without them – content with my window blinds.

Each morning I would open the blinds for Gus to be able to gaze out in to the forbidden outside world (he is an inside cat after all, no matter how much he wants to ne an outside cat). As time passed one of the blinds in my room became more and more difficult to open (one side would go up and the other wouldn't and vice versa when trying to lower the blinds.) Each passing day the contentment I had shared with the blinds began to fade. Did I mention the fact that each night after closing the blinds Gus would feel the need to climb through the slats of the blinds making a crazy "clackity-clack" sounds that can become obnoxious when one is trying to sleep.

A few weeks ago I decided I'd had enough of the shenanigans (both Gus's and the blinds) so I decreed to whomever was listening at the time "I'm going to make some curtains for my room!" After all I've got the know-how and a sewing machine that's been collecting dust in the pantry since the last sewing project (New Year's Day 2009 when I made myself a purse – which has since become infamous, but that's a subject for another blog).

On January 23^rd, with my intentions decreed I located my coupon for the local fabric store and headed over with roommate in tow to pick out some fabric. I wanted something fairly simple that would work with the bright green walls of my room and my very colorful duvet cover. I finally found some cute fabric that I liked enough and bought enough to make the curtains. Fabric in hand I was well on my way (or so I thought)

Then I was side-tracked by life for a week or two—during which time I learned that one of my nieces was diagnosed with a hip problem, my dad has mysterious kidney problems, and the announcement that we have 2 babies joining our family this year.

Feb 6^th – I found myself at Wally-world buying more fabric for the lining of the curtains.

Fast forward to President's Day – Toby and I took the day off to play – after going to see a movie and buying a lamp at IKEA we headed to Pila's to use her big table and finally got the job done. One can only take so much frustration due to the lack of space to spread out (let alone cut) the fabric. With the panels cut we headed home.

My first attempt to sew them was thwarted by my elevated frustration level. There are just some days when you should go near a sewing machine – thus was my first attempt at making the curtains. After a 10 day struggle and the interruption of many Olympic events (Apolo Anton Ohno and his speed skating being the biggest threat to my project) I finally got into the groove of it and finished sewing the last of the curtain panels on Saturday the 27^th.

I am impressed with how well they turned out. I forget sometimes that I am a pretty good seamstress (perfection complex aside).

I don't know that I'm used to the change yet, but Gus seems to like the fact that he doesn't have to climb through the blinds anymore and it is no longer a hassle and a frustration to get the blinds to open each morning.

It's nice to finally have one of my projects crossed off of my to-do list!

Words of Wisdom for 2010

"Up to a point, a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him; but there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes it to be. Everyone has it within his power to say, this I am today, this I shall be tomorrow.” - Louis L’Amour

"It Is What It Is"

Over recent weeks I've adopted a new mantra of sorts on any given day, at any given time you might hear me say these five little words--"It is what it is"--You know the feeling, maybe you just describe it a little different than I do.

Have you ever felt like you're stuck--not smack dab in the middle of a hurricane since after all that's the calmest place to be--in a raging storm -- wind whipping your hair, tearing at your clothing and just all-around making you feel like you're on unstable ground???

The past few weeks life has been a bit up in the air. They've launched yet another reorg at work and I've yet to learn who my new boss is or if the project I'm working on will continue far into the new year... I've been scrambling along with the rest of the Primary presidency to make sure we have enough teachers for the classes this coming year. Hopefully it won't be too chaotic come Sunday at 10:20am when the kiddles head our way...throw in a roommate with strep and the traditional gloom that for whatever reason comes along with the holiday season (maybe it the fact it still dark at 7:30am) I'm ready for a fresh start.

So I've been waiting a while for inspiration to hit so I might have some idea which direction to go next and it hasn't yet. Around here we might look oddly at each other and ask, "ever had one of those years?" Granted 2009 wasn't all bad it's always nice to have a new year and a fresh start -- if only the world would slow down for just a minute just long enough for a girl to get her sea-legs on. But since that's more than highly unlikely, I guess I'll continue to face each challenge and try not to stress if there's nothing I can do to change it...I'll just keep telling myself it is what it is.