Almost time!

Packages are wrapped and sent, Christmas cards went out today (I have a couple hold-outs, but they'll be out tomorrow). (If you read my blog, you don't get a card, and you want one, please let me know! Course, at this point it will be after Christmas that you receive it). Went to three holiday parties, with one more today and another next week. I think maybe it's time to relax and enjoy Christmastime now.

I also went to two holiday concerts--Helicon, the one I usually go to, and a Jazz one that was very fun, even if our seats were quite high and I got a little dizzy. Took Kellie to the Helicon concert, and she enjoyed it very much. Will need to take Corrine next year, and possibly Sheely too. Hopefully it won't be the same night as the Ward Christmas party next year!!

Also busy getting prepared for the play I'll be directing in the New Year--The Curious Savage. It's a sweet story, and one I can invite my church friends to, so that's good :)

On my way to Utah this evening!

Found it!!

Found my Christmas Spirit!

I was driving to work today, and "Do they know it's Christmas?" came on the radio. As i remembered what it was like back in winter of 1984, with the Ethiopian famine, and how Bob Geldof organized so many rock stars and others with huge egos and managed to do something that would allow me, a high-schooler in California to participate. A friend of mine and I pooled our resources and bought the record--she has it now, but I did get a recording of it on cassette tape. Of course, now I have it from iTunes. But it accomplished what nothing else seemed too--it got me into the Christmas spirit. because this really is the time of year when it's all about giving, far more than receiving.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

yeah, yeah, whatever

I know, I know, I haven't posted in a month. I have some serious picture downloading to do and then I'll tell you all about my niece's wonderful wedding, my friend's fabulous experience on our NYC trip, and Thanksgiving by the beach. Promise. Maybe even some cat antics.

But I got to thinking today, it's supposed to be Christmastime, and I really just don't feel very Christmas-y right now. Then I thought, what makes it feel like Christmas?

Is it the lights? The trees? The cold winter breeze?
Is it the carols and songs we hear only once a year?
Is it family and friends and cards and presents?
What makes it feel like Christmas?

Sorry, I don't really have an answer for you, but if you have one I'd love to hear it. I need to give this more thought. Maybe I just haven't slowed down since I got back from my trip. Maybe I need more hot chocolate and maybe a few cinnamon sticks in some hot apple cider. I'll take suggestions as well.

Cat antics

I really need to get some more pictures of my cats. They are so funny these days!

Last week Kitty wanted outside, so I let her, but when it was time for her to come inside (so I could go upstairs and go to bed), she didn't come! I called and called, and finally went to bed anyway. I had a really restful night's sleep. Hmmm. She was ready to come in in the morning, though.

Ani has been getting braver. When I go downstairs to feed him I sit and read for a while, and he's been slowly getting closer to where I sit. Someday I hope he'll be brave enough to come close enough for me to have him smell my hand. Maybe even let me pet him. I have been leaving the door open between the basement and the rest of the house whenever I'm home, and I think this has been helping. I find him in the mornings on the main floor curled up in Kitty's place. Well, she doesn't actually sit there anymore ;) One morning I didn't see him--until he leaped up from the couch where he'd been sitting and ran for the basement! Yup, he still runs from me :(

Sunday mornings are way more fun. I lay on the couch reading quietly, Kitty sitting somewhere near by--on the rocking chair, or the floor, or even up on the window sill (just not where That Boy has been sitting). Ani will slink upstairs, making little mewing noises to Kitty, calling to her. Kitty will growl. Ani will edge closer and mew. Kitty will growl. this continues until Ani gets inside Kitty's personal space, and she hisses (it's about 3 feet from wherever she is). One morning Ani lay down and presented his cute white belly to her. "See," he seemed to say, "I'm not a threat. I just want to play with you." "Go away," she growled. "I don't like other cats!"

Ah Kitty. I hope she will accept him someday. I hope Ani will accept me someday. I hope Kitty will stop attacking me because she has an appropriate play friend (who can defend himself if necessary). I think I'm in an odd sort of relationship triangle with my cats...

My week has been crazy. I'm trying to fit in some extra hours at work so I can take off next week and not have to dip into next year's vacation (yup, I'm almost out). Then, of course, things keep coming up in the evenings so I have to leave, and then after I get home I stay up too late so it's hard to get up the next day (for example, last night I was getting things ready for tonight's Ward Halloween Party). Exercise has gone out the window, and actually so has tracking, though i was very good on Monday and Tuesday. Today not so much. Tomorrow should be better. I was going to help with the Stake Service day, but one of the events was canceled, so I think they're all going to descend upon the Stake Center where I was going and as much as I love hanging out with these people, large crowds make me anxious. Kind of like Ani, only the size of crowd he can handle is, well, one. Sometimes. Anyway. But in the afternoon I'm going to see Disney on Ice with a friend and her daughter, so that will be very fun (and keep me out of the kitchen). Then in the evening I have a fun thing planned, but don't want to say anything until I do it. I promise, you'll be among the first to know.

And then next week I have Mon, Tues, and Wed and then I go to CALIFORNIA!!! :D Definitely will post about that then too :)

In other news...

I love having Home Teachers. Last night my HT came over with his little sons and he replaced my smoke alarms. No more going off because of the humidity!! I think I mentioned that I like to have my windows open, but then when it's humid outside the humidity comes in and that set off the old smoke alarms which I'm sure were indigenous to the house (installed when the house was built). But now I have nice new ones, and I'll have to remember to change the batteries and everything, but they also came with a mute button just in case they decide to go off for random things.

Another performance of our Fairy Tale Theater tomorrow, in Columbia this time. If someone records it I'll be sure to post the link again. Hopefully some people from my ward will come, it would be nice to have more friends in the audience.

I upgraded my iPhone with the new OS 5. I can now access iCloud. Not that I have any other Macs at home or whatever, but still. I feel so... so... 'NOW'. Just wait until I get my iPad! I'm thinking probably sometime before my trip in November. I'm going to put my movies on it so I can watch them on the plane. Yay!

And basically keeping up with my TV shows. A couple new ones start this week: Once Upon a Time, and Grimm. Chuck finally starts back this week too. And I may be adding the one about the police detective that remembers everything. I watched it last week and it was intriguing. I like cop shows. Can you guess? No, please don't suggest CSI or L&O. Been there, done that, got really, really paranoid. I prefer the unrealistic ones.

Taking a break

I'm taking a break from tracking this week. Tracking every little thing I eat. I haven't been good at it for months now, and it shows in my lack of progress in the weight-loss arena (no, I don't get to be Glinda this year for Halloween, I'll just pull out my purple witches cloak and go from there). So I thought I would give myself a break. After about two days of not tracking. So I really just made it official. I can maintain this weight fairly easily without even trying. So why am I paying Weight Watchers to maintain my weight? We're coming up on a new session starting Monday, so this really is the time to give this some thought.

Pros of keeping with Weight Watchers

• Support Group. these people are amazing. Like J who came in starting at the middle of last year and has lost ove 150 lbs. B who has lost over 60 lbs--she started when I did three years ago, and while she hasn't made goal yet, if I'd followed her example I'd have lost 60 lbs by now too. Diana, our leader, is inspirational and motivating, and sends out a weekly email as well as keeping a blog (Thin Thinking, she's on my list).
• materials. I love stuff. They have trackers and books and snacks and worksheets and booklets and recipe books and all kinds of stuff. All designed to help you keep focused.
• eTools. They have an app for that. I can track on my iPhone, look up recipes, make meals, check out nutritional information at restaurants, just about anything.
• I did actually lose 15 lbs. When I followed the program. And I have kept it off for about three years.
• I do actually have better eating habits than I did, and I know what foods I really just need to not buy (potato chips--actually, just about anything with potatoes--bread, crackers--sensing a theme here?)
• My activity level is actually higher than it was three years ago.
  

Cons of staying with Weight Watchers

• Price. It does cost. It's about 80% cheaper than any other diet you can try (mostly because you eat all your own food, not theirs--they want you to eat normal food so it's easier to maintain once you reach goal). Once I reach goal and become a lifetime member, I won't have to pay anymore, but it has been three years of virtually no progress.
• I don't follow the program. I don't track, or rather, I track until I get home from work and then I eat constantly until bedtime. If I want something and I'm out of points for the day, and out of weekly points for the week, I just eat it anyway. This is the behavior I really need to change.
  
• No Mexican Mondays. My friends at work go to El Azteca for lunch on Mondays. My meeting is on Monday at lunchtime. Conflict!

Desire: I really do want to lose weight. Reasons for doing so (and yes, I do believe these ar ein order:

• Health reasons. I need to lose weight in order to be healthy and live well. Still not convinced I want to live to be 100, but living to 80 to be with my nieces and nephews and their children would be really nice. Plus that whole, "Run and not be weary, walk and not faint" thing is quite attractive.
  
• Clothes. I can never find cute clothes in my size, and when I do, I have to alter them because I'm 5'1" and the world isn't made for short fat people. Even petite sizes, while better, don't often come in big enough sizes.
• Sisters. Oh yes, really want to lose weight so they will tell me I look great. Is that sad or what?

So it seems fairly obvious what I need to do. Stick it out, track religiously, and maybe by Christmas there will be noticeable improvement. but meanwhile I have the weekend. I think I'm going to make cupcakes. With all the little lower-fat tricks, of course, but still!

Quote of the day

“I believe when we determine within our hearts that by and with the blessings of God our Heavenly Father we will accomplish a certain labor, God gives the ability to accomplish that labor; but when we lay down, when we become discouraged, when we look at the top of the mountain and say it is impossible to climb to the summit, while we never make an effort it will never be accomplished. “ Heber J. Grant

I tell myself that I don't expect results with my weight loss goals as long as I continue to not follow the guidelines of Weight Watchers. However, I still wake up every morning wishing I had.

Went to the PA Rennaissance Festival on Saturday (more on that in a different post, this one is more introspective), and as we were leaving I once again tripped and fell. I used to fall a lot more when I would insist on wearing shoes that were slightly too small, but once I started wearing shoes that were big enough I stopped falling as much. Now I'm thinking one reason I fall is because I have small feet, and it's too easy to overbalance when I weigh this much.

So today I have bruises and scrapes on my arms and knees--actually not as bad as some I've had, I can still kneel down if I need to, but the pain is making me grumpy. Mostly my arm where I have a nice bench-shaped bruise from where my arm landed. I was grumpy all yesterday at church too, and at home all I did was read because that's all I wanted to do. Time for some Tylenol, I think. Ibuprophin is ok, but didn't really help the pain, just the mobility.

So this week's goal is to have three carb-free days, not necessarily in order, but today is the first day. Because carbs are my weakness. Which is how I got to be this big in the first place.

heaven help me stay focused.

Fairy Tale Mashup

and this is how I've been spending my time since Rumors ended...



It's about 26 minutes long, so be prepared! This was recorded by Scott Stanchfield (Papa Pig) on Sept 24, 2011

Pictures!!

My sister is putting me to shame on the pictures! So here are some from the Maryland Rennaissance Festival. I've been twice this year, once with my real camera, once with my iPhone (well, it was there both times, but when you have a real camera, you use it). So obviously I only have the pictures from the day I took them with my iPhone. I went on Sept 17, by my lonesome, but was far from it. Puss in Boots was there!! I even got a poster, and I'm so going to see that movie when it comes out!My friend from the APL Drama Club was there, performing with her madrigal group (Camerata Musica). They even did a song I remember doing in high school!

This is Lynn. She's fabulous.

While wandering about I heard screaming, and the next thing I know this crazy woman all dressed in purple was hugging me!!! Lady Ravenwolves, my good friend, who actually just retired from the Navy the day before and was there celebrating with her family.

Later that day her daughter Armanda did the exact same thing. Didn't get a picture with her, though. Or Goldilocks, a woman from VA who stayed with me several years ago when she was working at the RenFest and needed a place to stay. Ran into her too. Didn't get a picture of her either. Drat!

Did all my shopping that day, picking up my favorite honey (Killer Bee), a new dress from Wolfstone Kilt company. No picture, but I will be taking it with me in November to my nieces' wedding. I'm sure there will be pictures from that.

It was a fun day. I may go again this year, if I can find some friends to go with. It's always better with friends.

New Seasons

It's finally Fall!! course, we really only know that because the temperature is much cooler. It's still cloudy and yucky most of the day, as it has been for the last several weeks. I'm hoping for a nice, long fall, at least a couple of months, but we'll see.

And with the lower temperatures come the new TV Season!!! Yes, I'm still addicted to television, but this season I've dropped several shows I was watching last year and am really only watching four or five new ones--and at least three of them are 1/2 hour shows. Course, there are still a couple more coming... But what it really means is that I only have one night where the shows I want to watch are 'doubled', and there are about three nights where there's nothing on I record at all. Ok, maybe only one night, but the other two there's only one show recording. And yes, I do still record everything. so here's what I'm watching this year:

Monday: Terra Nova, Hawaii 5-0, Castle, How I Met Your Mother, and Two Broke Girls
Tuesday: NCIS, Body of Proof, Raising Hope, New Girl
Wednesday: Harry's Law, Revenge
Thursday: The Mentalist, Person of Interest
Friday: Fringe (may be dropping this soon--I like the characters, but it's kinda creepy, and I'm four seasons behind--will catch up on DVD)
Saturday: Dr Who (will be ending soon)

Considering the 20 or shows I was trying to keep up with last year, this is much better. Course, the USA/TNT shows will start back up in November for a few episodes, but I've cut that list down too.

What will I do with my extra time? Exercise, practice piano, learn Spanish, and sew. I have lots of sewing I want to do. Course, I can sew and watch tv at the same time, but generally I only sew during the commercials, and if I've recorded it, why do I need to watch commercials?

OH, and sleep. I really have got to start getting enough sleep.

Queen of the Castle

She sits on my Jewelry box, surveying the scene
To all in my house, she is the queen.

She sits there in the mornings sometimes as I get ready for work. Those who follow me on Facebook know that she scratched me in the face last Friday, and smacked me again on Monday. But now I use my pillows as shields and she doesn't like that too much. She's gone back to attacking my ankles.

In other news, I'm FINALLY released from Ward Chorister. I still have two other callings, plus Visiting Teaching, never fear, but it will be nice to not always be 'on' when I'm at church. And sit in the congregation. And sing whatever part I feel like when singing hymns. Including descants.

I'm taking Spanish lessons now--second one was this week. I'm bad at practicing when I'm at home, though. You queiro espanol, pero no quiero a trabajar. I want to learn Spanish, but I don't want to put in the work. Same with my piano lessons. Yes, taking piano lessons from a woman in my ward. It's really fun. She encourages me to practice but is so completely understanding when I don't. She give me a lot of leeway too, since I do actually know how to play, I just need the encouragement and discipline of taking lessons. She's great (yes, it's Ashley, for those who know her).

I went to a play called 'Or', put on at the Howard County Community College, with a couple friends from the drama club. It was... performed very well. Set in the 16th century a woman has affairs with the King, an actress, and her former lover, a spy. She was a spy before too, but now is trying to be a playwrite. There were elements of humor, but a lot of bad language and even more innuendo, and lots of kissing. Everyone kissed this woman. Yes, I mean everyone. Can't really recommend it to my LDS friends, but those who are not might like it. My friends enjoyed it quite a bit. And like I said, it was performed very well.

Not much else going on. Going to the RenFest tomorrow, provided I can get my driver's license renewed in a reasonable amount of time. If not, I guess the yard is finally going to get worked on :)

Things that come in threes...

Who knew disasters also follow the 'rule of three'? We had an earthquake, a hurricane, and now flooding. Lots and lots of flooding. Not where I live--I'm on the top of a little hill, so my house doesn't get flooded and the nearest stream is at the bottom of the street about 1/4 of a mile away. I haven't lost power, and I haven't had any other major issues either, so I'm quite blessed. The roads I take to work are high and, well, mostly dry. Just rained on, not covered like my friends' roads. My cats have been particularly ornery this week, but that could be put down to the weather too, right? After all the thunder and lightening, I'd be a wreck too if I was small and completely dependent on my human.

Speaking of cats, my orange kitty is bucking to get herself made into chili. Yeah, you heard me. Cat chili. She's been attacking me regularly this week, so last night I clipped her claws. How did she get me back? She clawed me in the face. Only one scratch drew blood, I suppose I should be grateful for that, the little brat. One of my home teachers keeps referring to her as Chili, because he says he'd be happy to put her in a pot. She keeps this up and I just might take him up on it. She wouldn't be adoptable since she scratches people, so I can't take her to a shelter, and a rescue, well, she'd just be placed somewhere with other cats, whom she HATES. So I'm thinking the chili pot is the place for her. Ok, I'm only kidding. Mostly. Stupid cat anyway.

Speaking of ornery cats, Ani has been regressing. He was coming out for a bit, but now he just hides. He comes out to eat, but last night with all the thunder and lightening he hid in the laundry room. I tried to get him to sniff my hand, but he just hissed at me. Maybe I should give him back to his rescue. At least there he'd have other cats to play with. Or maybe I should bring a little friend home with me tomorrow from the cat show...

Yes, going to the cat show tomorrow with a few friends. That should be a lot of fun.

Last weekend went to the Renaissance Festival with friends. That was a lot of fun. I also went to the Maroon 5/Train concert with a friend. That was a lot of fun too. I do have pictures, but they're still in my camera. This has been a busy summer. And every weekend for the next month or so is busy too.

Rumors and Earthquakes and Hurricaines, oh my!

Yes, the play is finally over. The last weekend went well, but I think the audiences on the first weekend were better.

Then on Tuesday we had an earthquake, right here in Maryland. My story isn't as dramatic as other peoples--nothing in my house fell down, my cats were find, my house is fine. I was in my office at the time, on the fifth floor, and once I realized what it was I jumped up and ran for the doorway and braced myself in, but it was over before I could tell the rest of the Marylanders (i.e. people who'd never been in an earthquake before) to join me. Oh well. I guessed it was a 5 or 6, and I was right--it was measured at 5.8, epicenter near Richmond VA. People here thought there were two earthquakes, but it's just that the P waves and S waves travel at different speeds. You kind of get a feel for it when you're in enough of them. And yeah, I like that song by Katie Perry too (it's a guilty pleasure of mine)

Then this weekend we had a hurricaine. Everyone was all panicked, all the water at the store was gone, but it just didn't feel to me like it was going to be a big deal. It was for some people, particularly those farther east than I was, but for me I got a day off. They cancelled church at noon the day before (which I thought was odd, but who am I to say?). So I didn't have to sing in church, I didn't have to lead the music, and while I love Nursery it was kind of nice to just stay home and chill. And read. I finished two books this weekend. I didn't even lose power (which was probably good because all the C and D batteries at the grocery store was gone. So I bought two pints of Ben and Jerry's and decided I'd just have to eat them both if the power went out. :D

The Drama Club has moved on to its next project, a mish-mash of fairy tales that we'll be performing at local libraries and hospitals. It's a lot of fun. And yes, I'm doing the costumes for them as well. We had a cast party for Rumors last weekend and I finally got my thank-you card. And a card to JoAnns. Whoa. And a Darth Maulette. What is a Darth Maulette you ask? Here:

Doesn't he--uh, she look adorable? One of the guy's in the clubs' daughter did the dress herself. Yup, she's on my piano with Briar Rose. Aurora didn't want to be in the picture...

Which kind of brings me to my next goal. If I tell people my goals, it helps me keep them. I want to be Glinda for Halloween. And win the Best Individual Costume prize at the Ward Halloween Party. But only if I manage to lose enough weight and inches to go down a size. Don't you think I'd look cute in this?

And if I make it myself, there's a definite chance, if I work as I should... I'll be making good... ;)

Not just busy, FREAKING busy

I have been so freaking busy. Can I just tell you?

• Wicked at the Kennedy Center: went with friends from the Drama Club. It was so much fun. It was interesting to see a different interpretation, from a different director. Not sure I agreed with the choices that were made, but it could be that I just prefer the Broadway production. It was so fun to go with friends tho.


• "Ghost Story", the next in the Dresden Files series: Finally got it. Stupid Amazon didn't send it to me until TWO WEEKS after it was released. So all, and I mean ALL of my friends that are reading the series have finished it and I've barely started it. Because, of course, it showed up the one week when I had absolutely no time to read.
  


• Tech Week: Dress Rehearsals for Rumors. Plus two performances last week, and two more this weekend. If I didn't invite you, it's probably because there's some--ok, some significant--bad language in it. I got to edit my part so I don't say anything I'm uncomfortable with, but if it were a movie it would be rated R for language (yes, that kind of language, even though its not used in context). I'm only doing this because they needed help, and you know me, I'm a sucker for helping out when I can. I'm also doing the costumes, and those lame people. Everyone else involved in the props, sets, and production crew got a stupid thank-you note or flowers or something. I got a flower for being in the cast, but do they remember that I'm in charge of costumes and might like a thank-you card for that? All the nights I spent making dresses, trips to VA to find tuxedos? No, they don't. Stupid 20-year-old dumb girl-director anyway, and her stupid warm-up exercises. [addendum: the girl doing the posters/programs didn't get a thank-you card either. Maybe we should stage a revolt]



• American Idol Concert: went with Tess to B'more to see this. It was a great show. So much fun. I love James!! Truly, the others are all really talented, but James is the only one who knows instinctually how to work a crowd. I hope he goes far, I just love him. I love Haley and Pia and even Casey too (as evidenced by the autographed pictures I now have of all four), but after the concert James is my favorite.



• Performances of Rumors: Both went really well last weekend. There's something really energizing about having an audience in the theater. Katie, who plays Chris, is so funny. Jeff, who plays Lenny, is really hilarious as well. It's really funny. We've gotten so many compliments; everyone did a simply amazing job. Now it's up to us to do it again this weekend.



• Film Festival: two of my Drama Club friends were in a short film, the screening of which was last night. So we went into Eastern Baltimore (just before the neighborhood turns bad) and watched 11 short films (4-9 minutes long). My friends' film was the last one. It will be up on YouTube later today. Dating Advice in the Apocolypse. Zombies, no women, one guy who just wants a girlfriend, and another guy who gives him advice. It was great. My favorite was probably the one that was a Firefly fan-film. Zoe and Mal and how they first met. Several of the other films dealt with death and odd aspects of death, but probably the other favorite was Corporate Stiffs--a training film all about how to include 'Revenent Americans' in the workforce (aka zombies) As a clue, you are no longer allowed to say, "pick your brain" :) Here's the link to the film my friend is in: Dating Advice

Other than that, work's been pretty slow for me. I have some superviser stuff I need to do as performance reviews are coming up, but it shouldn't be too bad. I have no problem children in my section. Church has been, well, just kinda there. I've been promised a release from one of my callings (I have three, remember, plus Visiting Teaching, and my companion just moved so I've no help there either), and they have someone approved, but that person has to come back from vacation first.

I've been feeling a lot out of sorts lately, probably due to lack of sleep and constantly running my lines in my head. Jeff will steal them if I'm not fast enough. Tuesday I couldn't find my key and badge for work, so had a big LOSER badge on all day long. Turns out it was in my car, between the pasenger seat and the door, where I can't see it from the driver's seat. Should'a just stayed home that day, I think. All I really want to do is go home and read my book, but I'm doing gifts for our wonderful director and production staff (the 'wonderful' is only sarcastic for the director), and then it's time to do costumes for the next project, which we're dry-running next week. Yay. No sleep for Julia. Remember, I had no intention of being in Rumors, just doing costumes. And when the production assistant was unavailable to help the production manager I stepped in to help her. I have got to stop volunteering for stuff. It's making me crazy. But I do feel better now that I've vented a little.

So weird

There are like three or four blogs that I can no longer comment on. For some reason, Blogger doesn't recognize me on those blogs and won't allow me to log in (even though I tried three times!). I put in the stupid word verification and everything, but no. No comments allowed. I know it's just me, though, because other people comment on these particular blogs. Now I have friends out there who think I don't care about them because I can't comment :( This makes me sad.

In other news, my cold is finally (almost) gone. Lots of going home early to sleep. Ani has been getting his supper at 8:00pm instead of 10:00pm, which allows me plenty of time to read without thinking, "I have to go to bed sometime tonight, you know." He's been coming out a little farther, but the whole being sick thing set him back, I think. I worry about him not getting enough exercise (he doesn't seem to like things that move unexpectedly, so that's an issue). I did make a treat bottle for him--soda bottle with holes cut in it so I can fill it with treats and they come out when he moves it. I don't think he really plays with it, though. I did order a couple treat-dispensing balls, though. I'm going to put his regular food in one and see if he manages to keep from starving to death. Which he won't since I bring him canned food each evening, but hopefully he'll get the idea and start playing. I want him to be happy.

Padme Kitty is being her usually cranky self. She loved having me home for four days to open doors for her and lay on when she wanted to nap (I actually really like it when she does that). She's been attacking me at night again, though. I try to play with her--her new favorite toy is a stick with a string on it (used to have a toy, but Ani ate part of the string the last time he came upstairs and Kitty decided she likes it that way). Sometimes she just sits and looks at my feeble attempts to flick the string until I get tired. She will stand at the door and meow until I come over, but she doesn't want out, she wants something else, but what she does is walk into the kitchen and eat. I think she's a bad influence.

Went to a show Saturday night, my first venture after starting to feel better. It was with the Drama Club, and since I'd already paid for it and felt much better, I decided I would still go. It was "Anything Goes" at Toby's Dinner theater (http://www.tobysdinnertheatre.com/). It was very good. it was dinner and the show, and dinner was good too. I didn't over eat the meal, but then Chris egged me into ice cream and a slice of cheesecake. He's definitely a bad influence--one of those guys who can eat anything and never gains a pound, then feels guilty when he's the only one eating so he tries to get other people to continue eating. I really need to not sit near him for meals. Sunday I made it to church, which was good since the other guy who helps run Nursery was sick this week. Only 12 kids, only one crier--she's still fairly new, although her older brother is in the class and has stopped crying. There should have been another crier, but I just couldn't handle two of them and no one else had shown up to help yet, so the dad just took her with him. He won't be able to do that much longer, though. Good thing I'm over my cold, right?

No major plans this week or weekend, just working on the costumes for the play I'm in. Here's the flyer, made by one of our drama people. She's very talented.

I will be going to some concerts in August, though. Let you know about that then :)

Hello Again

Been a busy couple of months. Danja's Wedding went very well (pictures are on facebook, friend me if you're not a friend already). I managed to spend a lot more time with my brother B and his wife than with their kids this time, and I actually slept quite a bit. It was really nice. Family reunion squeezed into the wedding time, well, ok, right after we finished decorating the cultural hall at the local stake center we--Dad, me, my brothers and sisters and interested spouses--sat in a circle and conducted family business. The most important part, to me, is that the reunion in 2013 will be in Maryland!!! YAY!!! It will be so fun for me to have my family come!

Meanwhile, at work we've held a Mission Simulation, simulating Commissioning activities for the instrument teams. It went very well. Enough problems so that we were sure we were on the right track, but nothing major or show-stopping. Plus we got lunch brought in for three days, which is always fun (if not so good for my diet).

Church, well, is what it is. Summertime in Nursery with people taking vacations, you'd think there'd be less kids, but no, it's the adults we're short of this year.

Rehearsals for Rumors are going well. We all need to work on our lines more, but I suppose that's natural. Performances are August 12, 13, and 20 at 8:00pm (I think that's the right time), and 21st at 2:00pm (yes, I'll have to miss church again that day, but I can go to the earlier ward so that works out ok). Oh, and this one is not for kids. It's adult humor, and there's some language in it. For those in the area who might want to come :) I'll send out an email with the flyer when it's ready.

Other than that, I have been SICK. head cold, mostly, moving south into my lungs. Was doing better but last night two coughing fits and a cat that couldn't sleep makes today a lot harder. Sigh.

But at least now I'm caught up, right? So here's a parting thought: Focus on the positive. This brings better results than focusing on the negative, or even not focusing at all (according to a study published in the NY Times--still looking for the link for that, though). I will be better soon. And I did loose 2 lbs this week :)

I thought I was going to be bored...

With the rescheduling of my China trip to next year, looking at my tv schedule and realizing there are only about 6 tv shows I want to watch this summer (4 on USA), I thought to myself, "what am i going to do with myself this summer?"

Well, I didn't have long to wonder. the APL Drama Club was in need of someone to step in and take a part in their summer show, "Rumors" by Neil Simon. So now I have rehearsals on Mondays and Thursdays until August. Plus there are lots of other things I scheduled, like the American Idol concert in Baltimore, going to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center, and of course scads of movies with Shannon and Clare on Saturdays. I also have my family reunion/niece's wedding at the end of June.

But I'm still going to work on my yard. I have a crabgrass infestation. :(

What have I been up to lately? Well, I walked in the annual APL 5K run/walk. Not as impressive as my niece's 5K since she ran, injury and all, but I still did it, and finished in 1:07:45. Not too shabby. I will work on running until next year so I can run part of it too. One of my drama club friends was there, and a few people from my department, so that was fun. I had my ipod and it really helped me keep going, since everyone was faster than me. Except the woman with the stroller.

I went to see Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides with S&C on Memorial Day Saturday. I liked it. I think the first one is still my favorite, but this one is probably up there with the 2nd one (I didn't like the 3rd one at all--well, ok, there were several really great scenes, but not a lot of cohesion, and I didn't like the ending). This one ended well.

Other than that I've been doing church stuff and trying to get to the store--well, multiple stores. If I don't get to it on Saturday I need to do it in the evening, and if I can't go until after rehearsal or after walking (which is what I do after work on the nights I don't have rehearsal), then it just gets delayed until the next week or until I get desperate for something. Although, given that I do try to have about 3 months worth of food storage in my house at any given time, I really don't get that desperate. I just get, well, bored.

May flowers

Ok, I have to confess, I liked the pictures of my nieces so much I wasn't really inclined to write anything. Aren't they cute??

So. I went to VA two weekends in a row and made $21. My friends and I went to a meeting of the DC Star Wars Collector's Club in order to try to unload some of our stuff the first week, and then did a joint yard sale in one friends' yard the following week. I then took a box of books that didn't sell to my local second-hand book store and got $30 in store credit. Hmmm. Somehow I'm not sure it was that much of a success. I did leave a lot of junk at my friend's house as the Purple Heart foundation was coming by yesterday to pick up junk, and only kept the stuff I thought I could either sell online or would just keep.

Of course we did so see Thor after the yard sale. I quite enjoyed that movie. I may have to see it again, this time in 3D. Chris what's-his-name is sooo pleasant to look at. Sorry, words fail me. Cute isn't right, and while handsome is in the right ballpark, he's just so much more than that. Must be the long hair ;)

Meanwhile I'm just trying to keep my eating in control. I saw a picture of me--part of a training class I'm taking recorded us giving presentations--and for some reason I don't think of myself as being *that* fat, but turns out I really am. And I look a lot like my sister Dustie. That was the first thing I noticed. Weird, huh? That I wouldn't really recognize that until I see me on dvd? As myself? With the same mannerisms, smile, and expressions that Dustie uses? I think it's weird.

More success and a Happy Easter

Well, my sister (from the last post) replied that I'd given her a lot to think about, so I think we're not actually fighting. So that's good. And I lost 2.2 lbs!! I weighed in today, after being gone last week (more on that later), and I'd lost 2.2 lbs in 2 weeks!! So even after visiting my sister and then coming home with strep throat and being home for 4 days straight (almost), eating ice cream, pasta with cheesy sauces, and drinking lots of juice, I still lost 2.2 pounds. Yay me!!!

OK, so last weekend I went to Utah to visit my sister B and her family for Easter. We were hopeful that she'd be at least moving into her new house, but that didn't happen, so we just hung out in Logan. I got to play with the kids, and B and I went out for lunch on Saturday (and more Aggie Ice Cream--yum! It will be a while before Ben and Jerry's tempts me again).

I also got to spend time with my newests nice, Sophia (shown here with older sister Malena). She's so cute, if a bit on the crabby side ;) She finally decided to eat solid foods while I was there--we think she didn't like the cereals because they were so bland. She loves carrots and sweet potatoes--and chocolate ice cream (of course!).

Bonnie, the oldest, had a project on Friday involving a beehive that she'd made herself out of yellow cake using Peeps to make bees. It was very cute.

And then, of course, we went to church on Sunday.

We then went down to Ogden for the Easter Egg hunt with the Hales cousins, which went very well. The weather was really nice that day too. The whole time it was fairly cold--highs in the 40's, sometimes making it up to the 50's. Then when I came back to Maryland I walked out of the airport into 80 degree weather (at night!). Man, from the freezer into the fire! It's a little better now, having cooled way back down again. This spring has been so crazy, two really nice days, some storms, then several really cold days again. Slowly it's been getting warmer, but Winter doesn't seem to want to let go.

Speaking of letting go, today is a day of bittersweet celebration. Osama bin Lauden, architect of the 9-11 World Trade Center plane-crashing Pentagon smashing horrific beginning to a war on terror that has been going on since 2001 is dead. Killed last night in a shoot-out by Navy Seals. I don't think anyone on Earth is capable of judging him fairly, so it's just as well that he resisted (apparently trying to use one of his wives as a sheild) and got himself shot in the head. Only God--Allah, Yaweh, Heavenly Father, whatever you believe in (or not) is capable of judging him. It's best left in His hands. Now I just want our troops to come home. May they be able to come home soon.

Success and Failure

Well, after a week where I didn't quite know what to do with myself--no rehearsals, no evening activities scheduled, a cancelled Saturday activity due to rain--I still managed to lose one pound! Yay me! I win! This is actually a 'new' pound, too! I've been losing/gaining/losing the same 3-5 pounds for the last two years, but this pound is a new one. You know, following the WW program actually works! APL is having their GetActive program right now, too. I need to get 107 minutes of exercise in each week. And before you freak out, that's only 20 minues a day for 5 days and 7 minutes a 6th day. Easy peasy. Bob will help me (I have two Bob Harper DVD's--one even has a 20 minute 'beginners' workout).

The play I was in, "The Mouse that Roared" went very, very well. We're supposed to be getting DVD's of the two performances, so that will be fun. Everyone loved the costumes. All I did, mostly, was organize them, but I did make a few things, like the Duchess's dress. LIke this, only in yellow and gold.I love doing costumes. That's probably all I'll do for the next one, though, since it will be in the summer and we're having a Mission Simulation around that time.

My failure is, I think I'm having a fight with my sister. Which one, you ask? that's confidential, but she doesn't live in this state (course, none of them do). I'm not even really sure because it's hard to have a fight via email. Days go between the emails and you're just never sure what the other person is thinking until you get the email and a dreadful pit-feeling in your stomach. Then, in my case, I skim it to see if it's really as bad as I think, and if it is, sometimes I just delete it. She's mad at me because of an email I sent out to my family last week. Apparently an initial email with a request in it only went to some of them, but not all of them, and since I happen not to trust the two people who emailed me back that they didn't get the information, I just figured they deleted the email because it was sent from me. Or ignored it for the same reason. So my second email was a bit trying to guilt them, but the third one was really a "if you couldn't be bothered to read it the first time here it is again." In all three of her replies my sister went on and on and on about how I need to take responsibility stop being so childish and blah blah blah. Yeah, she's one of the ones I don't trust. Guess why. Then it occured to me that we're in the middle of a Crucial Conversation. Yup, the class I took last November.

You'd think I'd learn, right? I listen to the CD's, I read the book a few bits every week, and yet here I am in a CC with a sister that I'm convinced dislikes me. So I deleted her last email and sent out a new one full of the language I learned in my class. She'll probably think I'm preaching to her and send me another nasty-gram. She's never wrong, you know. And here I am doing it again, villainizing her. I'm the victim, you know. Helpless before her wrath. All I can do is hope to avoid it. (That was sarcasm directed at myself)

You know, people ask me all the time if I enjoy being part of a big family. I tell you, it has upsides and downsides. Yeah, there's always someone there--to play with, to be friends with, or to pick on you. Or ignore you. Or treat you like you're a guilting, conniving little brat that will never change. However, there are also people like three of my older brothers and my two younger sisters that I get along with just fine. Course, my goal is to get along with all of them just fine (there's 9 of us). That's kind of a tall order, particularly when I can only control my side of it. So, that's my failure. I went overboard while I was tired, still recovering from the trip and the play, and now I have a sister who's mad at me. I guess I have to wait to see if she replies to my email of attempted reconcilliation.

Ratinos, trips, and plays

Ratinos

Got this as the word verification for my niece's blog just now. I can't decide if it's a kind of Latino rat or maybe something crunchy to eat. Thoughts?

Trips

I went to CA last weekend to see my Uncle Bill. Uncle Bill is getting old. He's probably around 90 or so. He's been in and out of the hospital since November, but in February decided he really had to move to an assisted living place. So that's where he is now. Since then he's had a stroke, and for a while there my Dad thought he'd be planning a funeral. I made the plans for the trip about two weeks before going, and after hearing about the stroke I was glad. I went thinking I was going to say good-bye. Imagine our surprise when we walked into his room that first day (Friday) and he was awake, aware, and happy to see us. About ready to cry from joy, but also from frustration as the stroke left him without the ability to speak properly. That trip Dad took me down and my brother Blaine and his wife Yoli met us there. It was a good visit. Uncle Bill's cable had been hooked up, and he was watching a basketball game. The facility he's in is very nice (Silverado retirement homes, in Tustin, CA), and one of his "adopted daughters" works there. Uncle Bill has never married, never had children of his own, but has gone out and "adopted" several other families, as well as making each of his nieces and nephews know how much he loved each of us. He is my example.

Saturday my brother David drove me down, and we watched part of our church's Annual General Conference with Uncle Bill. Again he was wide awake, happy to see us. He'd eaten all his breakfast that morning, too. We visited a little more, and talked about how to help with his communication problem a little. Then we returned back to my Dad's house (where we watched the afternoon session).

Spent Thursday and Friday afternoons with my brother David's kids--very fun, Wii, movies, and How I Met Your Mother, not to mention In-N-Out for dinner on Friday. Saturday my niece Leslie picked me up and we went to a movie then dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at Ontario Mills Mall. That was so fun. I love hanging out with my nieces and nephews.

Sunday morning I watched conference with my Dad and Nancy, then Blaine and Yoli and Leslie picked me up to go watch the afternoon session with Uncle Bill. My sister Dustie joined us there, which was great. Uncle Bill was so happy to see her too. He was a little more tired on Sunday. They'd taken him to go do his exercises that morning and tuckered him out. He was still awake, though, and got a little irritated at us for talking when we should be listening :) We brought him a little white board for him to write on, but it will take some practice as he was right-handed and that hand is now useless to him.

All in all, the trip was so much better than I expected. I'd expected to just be sitting by his bedside as he slept. I expected one trip down (it's about an hour from where my Dad and brothers live), hoped for two, and ended up with three. It was wonderful. I'm so glad I went. And here's hoping he sticks around until June, the next time I go out (when my niece gets married!!)

Plays

I'm in a play. I'm sure I've mentioned this. This week is Tech Week (aka dress rehearsals). As well as having several small parts, I'm also in charge of costumes. So I'm really busy. My cat thought when I got home from my trip I'd be HOME. But no. I'm gone every night until 10 or 10:30, then I work on costumes because they're not *quite* done, then sleep for a few hours before getting back up to go to work. Fortunately today is Friday, and I can rest a little tomorrow. Our first performance is tomorrow evening, at 7:30pm, the second one is on Sunday, at 2:00pm. Yes, I know, this means I'm missing church. I can go to a different ward in the morning, and maybe once a year or more it's ok. It's not like anyone's getting paid. Except the AV guys.

I thought it would be fun. I'm sure when I look back on it, it will have been fun. I am getting to know more people, and they are really fun people. But right now I'm just too tired to really care. And all my TV shows are piling up. Although I have been keeping up on my two reality shows (DwtS and AI(my first time watching that one)). I like to have something on while I sew, and they don't require a lot of attention. No plot twists. Although I have to say, Pia was ROBBED!!! Dang Casey for taking the save a couple weeks ago!! (although I was happy for that at the time) I hope someone picks her up, I would love to go see her, and love to have her music. Which I will have some of it, since it's available on iTunes, but I hope she gets to do much, much more.

Ok, back to the play. The Mouse that Roared. Very funny. If you're in the area, please come! Call me for directions (the play is free). And kid-friendly.

Ok, done babbling for now.

Another Legend Gone

Elizabeth Taylor has died.

She was 78. My mother always loved Liz Taylor. She loved the story about how Liz grew three inches over a summer so she could be the lead in National Velvet. Every movie I've seen her in, she's just so beautiful and graceful. Seeing her in The Taming of the Shrew should be required for all High School English courses.

I had the opportunity to see Carrie Fisher's new show last year, significant because Eddie Fisher was Liz's husband before Robert Burton. I can't recall if Eddie left Debbie Reynolds for Liz or not, but that's most likely.

I just love the stories of Old Hollywood, learned from my mother. They just don't make movies like they used to. In so many ways.

Grandma's life

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I struggle with my weight. I was thinking this morning about how my life compares to my grandma's life. She would work in the garden every day she could. She may have eaten a lot of meat and potatoes, but there were always fresh vegetables at her table. When they weren't fresh, they were veggies or fruits she'd preserved herself. Maybe if I followed her example a little more closely I would weigh a lot less. I may have to check into local farmer's markets. I did a 'Community Supported Agriculture" thing the last couple of years and ended up either giving away or throwing out most of it because I couldn't eat it all. And I don't have a big freezer. And I don't can my own veggies. And I'm tired when I get home. that's probably the biggest reason. But here I am, considering it once again, even though the couple I shared with last year isn't doing it this year. But that would mean I get to eat all the strawberries myself.

Restlessness

What's the song that goes "you calm my restlessness"? i think it's from Icehouse, late '80's. Anyway, it's been popping into my head. I've been feeling restless. Like I want a change. I'm not sure where to make the change. Usually when I get like this I start thinking about dropping out of church. It's not that I don't have a testimony, it's just that I'm tired. I'd like to just stay home all day on Sunday and play with my cats. Or watch tv. Or just not have to deal with anyone else (can you tell I'm an introvert?). Sometimes the whole not having a family thing just gets to me, and I lose the point of doing these same things over and over and over. And over and over. Everything the same. Always. Sundays always the same. Mondays through Fridays always the same, get up and go to work. Sit at my desk all day long. Pretend I care about things. Go home and try to keep from eating everything I can find (not very successfully, usually). Watch tv with the cat. Feed and attempt to play with the other cat. Always the same. Even with the play I'm in, the rehearsals have settled into a routine. Saturdays there are some variations, but usually I can't even force myself up off the couch unless I have plans with someone. And even then, I've been known to cancel at the last minute.

Am I bored? Am I tired of the routine? Am I exhibiting signs of depression? (yes, that's an issue for me, controlled with medication and an herbal remedy). Or maybe I just want it to be spring.

But it would be nice to do something different at Church. Much as I love Nursery, it's just not challenging anymore. And I really dislike being SM music conductor at the moment. Sometimes when I've had this calling I absolutely loved it. Now it's just another ordeal I have to get through every Sunday. But one doesn't ask to be released, do they? And I've made it so clear that I love Nursery, I don't think they'd even consider releasing me. Particularly since people who love Nursery are so hard to find.

So here I am, restless. Wanting a change. Or maybe a vacation. I miss having family close enough to drive to. Definitely would have gone down there a couple weekends ago. My next trip is the end of April, and it seems so far away.

As the dream disappears...

... or at least gets postponed.

My trip to China this summer has been postponed until next summer. For many reasons this is a good thing. I no longer have to worry about whether or not I can afford it, I have a whole year to save up the money. I can spend my vacation time visiting my family instead, and since next year I get an additional week of vacation it won't be as much of a sacrifice next year. I can spend more time helping with and enjoying my nieces' wedding. My friend who is going with me will be much healthier next year (she's experiencing some issues right now). So yeah, there are a lot of good things about this.

But I'm still bummed.

and next year is when my two satellites launch. Which means I may not be able to go. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Or maybe, " launch that rocket" ?


In other news, I'm not nearly as dizzy today. I did go to the doctor, he said it was probably some sort of inner ear virus or infection since I wasn't diplaying any other symptoms. He gave me some anti-dizziness medication and sent me home with instructions to come back if it didn't get better in a few days. It got better. Probably helped by the fact that I completly blew off everything I had planned on Saturday and stayed home and slept. Not intentionally. I went out to go to my Pilates class and my car wouldn't start. Same problem as always--it was too cold. Just to make sure I went out 20 minutes later and it started right up. Of course, then I would have been too late for Pilates, so I decided to lay down on the couch until it was time to go to the next thing in an hour and a half. Four hours later... Ok, so I didn't actually get up off the couch until around 2:30pm. Had several crazy dreams, though, like I was supposed to get up but couldn't stay awake. I hate those dreams. My cat got increasingly mad at me as I continued to lay on the couch the rest of the day. Apparently I was supposed to play with her. Plus I left the door to the basement open and Ani came up to see what was going on (we were both being very quiet at that time).

Like I said, feeling much better now. Other than being bummed about my trip to China.

I did it!!

I finished my second climb of the Empire State Building today! Yay!! It wasn't really that hard to fit more steps into my day, particularly considering where I work--5th floor of a building that has 24 steps between all the floors (except between the first and second floors where there's 26). Walk up in the morning, down in the evening, and up the 30 steps to the parking lot in the evening and I've about got it made. Really helped that Saturday we went to see Disney Princesses, too. After the show we decided we didn't want to wait for the elevator, so we walked up the six flights to where we'd parked (117 steps--seemed like more when we did it, though, but then there were only 18 steps between floors). yay me!Now the challenge will be to keep going up the steps now that I don't have a challenge. I shall have to find other tall buildings to climb, I suppose. Maybe the Washingon Monument?

Had a very lazy weekend. Yes, I was supposed to meet up with my friends in VA, but I've been having light-headedness issues and didn't want to drive so far feeling like my head would float away. I left church early on Sunday too, for the same reason. Don't worry, I have a dr appt tonight, we'll see what he says (I'm not seeing my regular doctor, she wanted me to come in ASAP but all her appts were booked). I'm hoping its something simple. Like a vitamin deficiency. (Update: he thinks it's an ear infection of somekind and should go away on its own. To that end he gave me some medicine that should help with the dizzyness, and so far it seems to be working)

Rehearsals are going well (performances are April 9 & 10--yes, the 10th is a Sunday (if I'm remmebering correctly), and it's a matinee, so I'll need to go to another ward in the morning). I'm struggling with my lines, mostly because I'm usually reading for someone who isn't there and they need someone to pinch hit. I don't even have that many lines!! I only have four parts, each with about 3 lines each, average (one only has one line). That's not very many.

Ok, back to your busy lives

300 more to go!

Yes, I finished climbing the Empire State Building on February 8, and decided to keep going. I only have 300 steps left! yay me!

Rehearsals are going well--I volunteered to take point on costumeing since no one else was, and I've been talking to everyone. We don't have that many things to make, fortunately. A few tunics, a couple dresses, and then maybe some surcoats or something simple like that.

Last weekend was so very fun. I went with my friend and her two girls to see Disney Princess Wishes on Ice. It was very well done. We did get there a little late--we underestimated the amount of traffic going into Baltimore (who'd a thought leaving an hour early wouldn't be enough time?), but once we got there we all enjoyed the show. It was fast paced and entertaining, with a couple vilains but mostly it was the love stories of the different princesses. Mikey and Minnie were there too :D And Goofy, of course! None of the pictures I took turned out (that's what I get for trying to use my phone), but hopefully my friend's did.

This weekend I'm going back down to VA for a Spa Day with S&C. We'll see how it turns out. We wanted low key, healthy, and low cost. So we're meeting at C's place for various activities and lunch. And Despicable Me Minions :D (someone in marketing really missed the boat on that one--everyone wants minions).

In other news, Bob Harper's been kicking my butt. I asked for one of his cardio work-out DVD's from blockbusteronline and it's serious stuff, man. I couldn't sit down without wincing for two days!!! But it does give me 13 PointsPlus--which is really good because for today I'm all out of points. I'm doing really well this week, though. I didn't 'lose it' until last night, and still have two of my weekly points. I plan on working with Bob again tonight, then doing pilates in the morning, and with lots of fruits and vegetables shouldn't have any trouble staying within my points values for the weekend. As long as I only have ONE handful of goldfish during Nursery! :D But I'm doing good, as I said. I just need to continue on.

1238 steps

I'm getting there, pretty surely. At this rate I may have to decide to do it twice. Course, I suppose if I get close I can just add in the 30 steps I climb every day when I leave work--currently I'm only counting them on the days I don't climb the 98 steps to the fifth floor (and my office). Plus adding in the 23 steps I take on the way to Pilates class. I may have to start counting the stairs in my house deliberately--I think it would be too easy just to count the number of times I go up and down, but if I do both flights in a row, that would count (and be 24 steps).

Rehearsals are going well (I did mention I'm in a play, yes?), but I'm still struggling with mealtimes on those days. Even when I eat dinner before rehearsal my mind thinks I need to have dinner when I get home, even though I've already eaten. I may have to reserve some points for a sandwich or something when I get home. Something nutritious. Fruit is free, but by that time I want something more substantial. Hmmm

Work is going well. Well, exept for the things that aren't, but I'm not in charge or even helping with those things--ouside my jurisdiction. I can only do the things I'm responsible for.

Saturday was nice--Pilates, ironing, laundry, and started working on my curtains that I've had the fabric for for over a year. I actually had started them when I got the fabric but stopped when I realized the fabric I had wasn't long enough. My sister talked me into two-toned curtains, so I'm working on that now. I really hate blinds, so I'll be glad when I can take them down.

Sunday was even nicer, read a book, went to church, ate my 29 points in one sitting (hey, it was Fast Sunday, I'm allowed--aren't I? I may have to rethink that). I did lose .6 lbs today when I weighed in, so that was good. I also managed to sort out my finances. I need to do my taxes soon so I can get my refunds--hopefully. They'll help me pay for my trip to China.

And the best news is: my niece is getting MARRIED!!! The one that just got off her mission last September. She's getting married at the end of June, right before I leave for China, so it looks like I'll be making that trip alone (a friend is coming to China with me, but we'll have to meet up there). I'm so excited for her! And looking forward to getting some more babies in the family :)

758 Steps

And only 818 left to go! And it's only the second week! And I completley skipped Saturday and Sunday! I may be able to do it twice at this rate :) My secret is simple: walk up the stairs in my building every morning (I'm on the 5th floor--it's 98 steps) and take the routes to my meetings that involve stairs. No simple ramps for me. This also helps me get in at least 10-15 minutes of walking. That's two activity points right there! (One for the steps in the morning, the other for the walking/steps to and from meetings). APL has a lot of stairs.

I've had several weekends to myself lately. Between the weather and S&C and I running out of movies we haven't gotten together for about 3 weeks. On the other hand, my house is getting cleaner each weekend. I should have something more fun to tell in a couple of weeks, since I'm going with some friends and their daughters to see Disney Princesses on Ice. I'm so excited!

The weather is cold and dreary--there was an icy/rainy mix this morning (before I got up), and another icy/rainy storm on it's way to us now. Here's hoping for a chance to sleep in tomorrow :)

Stay warm, everyone!

Climbing the Empire State Building

Ok, not literally, but our challenge in my WW meeting is to climb enough stairs in 30 days to have climbed the Empire State Building. 1576 steps is 53 steps per day for once, 106 steps per day for twice. Steps going down don't count, even if you have to go back down in order to go back up. My building at work has 98 steps from the first floor to the fifth floor (I may have mentioned this before). Just a few more steps and I'll have climbed it twice--except that I expect weekends to be more difficult, and I always take Sunday's off. Anyone want to climb with me?

In other news, my cats are still not friends. I guess that's really not news, though. I deliberately left the door to the basement a little ways open, and sure enough at 4:30 in the morning I heard the sound of cats getting ready to fight. Fortunately that's all they do, make a lot of noise then run. Kitty later smacked me in the face--still not sure if it's because I didn't want to get out of bed or if she was still upset at the interloper.

Also in other news, I'm in a play. I'm in the APL drama club, and I auditioned for "The Mouse that Roared". Not really as nerve-wraking as it sounds, given that there were more parts than people who showed up. I actually got three parts, small ones all. I'll also be helping with costuming again (I helped with costuming on their last--which was also their first--production).

Nursery is a breeze these days--last week we had the most we've had since January began--7. Yup. Seven kids. There are actually about 10 on the rolls, but with colds and travel and everything, I doubt we'll get all of them there on the same week. Kind of nice after the 16-18 kids we had before.

Stake History is pretty much done for now. I'll be sending out reminders at the end of each month so hopefully next year won't be as stressful, but that was a lot easier than I expected. And this year I can keep an eye out for what's going on in the stake and be more pro-active about getting write-ups and details.

Ok, time for the next meeting (hey, it's lunchtime, I'm allowed!)

15 things you might not know about me...

Ok, saw this on my nieces' blog, so now I have to try it too!!

1. I hate it when people spit out of their cars. Yuck!

2. I am a tv-aholic and a food-aholic. Surprising how well those two go together.

3. I am a collector. I collect dolls, Star Wars Toys, random sci-fi show toys, fine art pictures of children, specifically girls, movies, and now tv shows.

4. I don't clean my bathrooms regularly, usually just before someone comes over or when I get too disgusted to stand it anymore.

5. I like to sew and make costumes.

6. I make up stories in my head with characters from my favorite books or movies or tv shows. My mother would get really upset with me when I started acting them out.

7. While I love music, it isn't my life. I know, with my family, that's about as close to blasphemy as you can get, but there it is.

9. I love to dance.

10. I like to take classes on how to be a better person and communicate with people around me better. Latest one: Crucial Conversations from VitalSmarts through work. Very informative.

11. After many, many years of protesting otherwise, I'm thinking at this point I probably won't get married in this life. I just don't see the point, since I probably won't be able to have kids. I've never had a relationship with a man that convinced me my life would be better to have one in it. Sole control of the remote is very important. Plus I have cats, it's not like I'm lonely. And a Home Teacher, so it's not like I have to do without the important things like priesthood blessings and tools and help around the house.

12. I have a testimony of the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You may already know that about me, but just in case I haven't been clear in the past, I really, really do.

13. I love to go out to eat with friends. I used to just go by myself, but after a while realized I just didn't enjoy sitting there with a book. I prefer to go with friends. I have a standing date with the Sister Missionaries each month and it is the highlight of the whole week, usually the whole month (unless I've been visiting family, that kind of wins)

14. I really hate writing documents for work. Or for church. Or for any other reason. I can't even finish the stories I make up in my head, what makes them think I can finish something so boring as a technical manual?

15. I really, really, REALLY love my family. I would do anything for them. I don't live very close to them anymore, but as money and time permit, I do visit them as often as I can. So if I'm not here, that's probably where I am.


Ok, I'm supposed to tag 5 people, so if you decide you want to do this too, consider yourself tagged. Then leave a comment so I know to go read it :)

Christmas and a New Year

I had a very nice Christmas. It was small and quiet, but I liked it that way. I opened presents in the morning, tree shining over me. My two younger sisters had me for Christmas*, always a good thing. I hope I can do half as well when I have them next year :) Books, dolls, and even toys for my kitties! My friend L also sent me a few things--turns out she was my Secret Jedi this year**, also a very good thing. So a year that could have been very sad and lonely--my first in over 8 years not spending it with my sister B--was actually very good after all (bad memories of the first year after my Mom passed away--two brothers had me that year and they both forgot. Or didn't mail on time, or something like that. So I had nothing, and no one remembered me, and not being remembered on Christmas Day really, really sucks).

After presents I let Kitty outside to find that it was snowing lightly.

She likes to try to catch the snowflakes. Later that day I went over a friend's house for dinner. Like I said, nice and quiet.

The week between Christmas and New Year's Eve was also very quiet. No vacation time left, so I went in to work all four days (when the holidays are on a weekend, we only get one day off--next year we only get six holidays off :( ). I was a little put-out that the huge snowstorm that took out parts of North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York completely missed Maryland. I really wanted Monday off too!

For New Year's Eve I went over a friends house. She invited all the local SA from church over for snacks and movies. I brought Avatar, the extra special edition with 18 more minutes in it, and we decided to watch that. I really like that movie. I have to say, though it really was better the first time, when I wasn't aware of what was going to happen. It was a fun time, though. We stopped the movie shortly before midnight so we could watch Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's party (and see the ball drop) so we could toast with our non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice. Then we had to text everyone and wish them Happy New Year. That was kind of funny--and one of my nieces accused me of cheating since she still had to wait 3 hours for New Years :D

New Year's Day I went out and worked in the yard for quite a while. didn't quite complete the 'getting ready for winter' that I should have done two months ago, but the majority of the grass and weeds are gone now. Just one little patch left... Some mulching in March and it should be all ready for spring.

So this year I have three resolutions. I try to do resolutions every year, things to work on, and then do progress reports to myself, usually in May and then again in September. First, this is the year I am going to lose the weight. One pound a week, or 3 (6?) dress sizes by next year. Since dress sizes drop by two, I'm never sure if the difference between 10 and 12 is one or two. Anyway, that's one. Two is to work--at home, at work, and at church. I slack way to much. Three is to be more humble. I always think I'm right about everything; I really need to stop that. I figure there's more scripture study and prayer in my future. I figure that these three resolutions cover all four areas that I try to cover each year: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. I usually do one in each area, but this year I figure the work one counts for social and mental, and the humble one counts for spiritual and mental.

Ok, enough about me for now. We may get flurries again tonight. This morning it was kind of fun to see all that powdered-sugar looking snow everywhere. I didn't eve bother trying to sweep it away, I'm sure it's melted by now.

Ok, I think I'm done now. And kudo's to you if you made it through this really long post!

*my family rotates names--every year we have two siblings, and the following year it rotates to the next younger two until it wraps around to the older ones. Works very well, we don't have to buy for 8 people, just 2.

** Secret Jedi is a fun thing me and a group of friends do every year. Like Secret Santa, but since we all like Star Wars (that's how we met), we call it Secret Jedi. And we mail stuff throughout the month of December, usually leaving the nicest gift for Christmas Day. It's really fun.