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.

On the Grid

Saw TRON: Legacy last weekend. You know, it occured to me last night as I was waiting to fall back asleep, that our current society has been influenced by the original TRON. After all, how many times do we talk about being "on the grid" or "off the grid"? That came from TRON. Interesting, huh? Also saw Chronicals of Narnia (again, for movie reviews, see sidebar). I really liked them both. Here's hoping when TRON:Legacy comes out on DVD, the original will too.

Preparations for Christmas have been consuming me lately, but I think I'm almost done. Still need to do my Christmas Cards and letters--I've been considering just sending cards this year. I just can't think of what to say for my Christmas letter.

Friday Night I went with my friend and her kids to see the Symphony of Lights in Columbia. They have all these figures set up with lights throughout the Merriweather Post Pavillion. The kids were so thrilled to see all the lights, especially the 2-year-old. Christmas is so much better with children!

Saturday night I went to the Helicon Concert in Towson (north of Baltiomore). Three guys, one on Hammered Dulcimer or fiddle (Ken Kolodner), one on guitar, piano, citar or other stringed instruments (Robin Bullock), and one on flute, small bag pipes, or other 'toot'ed instruments (Chris Norman) playing seasonal music--not just Christmas, but also for Winter Solstice and even some Hannekah. Ken's son Brad played with them this year on a couple of their songs, playing a banjo and another instrument I didn't catch the name of. It's always a good concert, and puts me in the Christmas spirit. My friend K promised to put it on her calendar for next year (Dec 17, 2011).

Last night was amazing. We had a Lunar Eclipse. It is also the Winter Solstice today. This convergence of events hasn't happened for centuries--since Galileo was alive. My friend M assures me that it will happen again this century (2094). Not sure I plan on being around for that, though. Here's a picture or two from my iPhone (didn't turn out very well, but consider the source)

This last one I tried to zoom in, so it's really on it's side. I suppose that, even though the moon was red, it was still eclipsed so the pictures wouldn't be all that great to begin with. Not a lot of light. Except for the street light behind me. Why did they have to fix it so soon! It was out for a few days, I could have waited a little longer for it to be fixed!

I did go out in my backyard for a while where my house blocks the street light, but my Kitty wouldn't come out with me--not because it was cold (she went out in the front of the house with me) but because she'd have to pass through Ani's territory. I tried to get her, but she didn't want me to do that either. Oh well. Silly Kitty. While there, I picked some rosemary for the dinner I'm making today (crock-pot). I wonder if it's significant to pick rosemary under the light of an eclipsed full moon? Probably not.

They're calling for snow on Saturday. Yes, Christmas Day. It should be beautiful, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to travel down to my friend's house in NoVA if it does. Too many crazies on the road, even on a holiday.

So far I've watched Holiday Inn and White Christmas, on AMC. I also caught most of "The Major and the Minor" with Ginger Rogers. Very fun. A little weird having a 30-year-old pretend to be 12 (she only had half-fare for the train), but as the narrator said, audiences were more generous back then (it was made in the 30's, pre-war). Hey, C, there's another movie for you!

Geotagging and snow

How cool is it that our phones can tell everyone where we were when we took a picture with it? Well, after the article I just read, not so cool. Turns out that between facebook or other social networking sites, pictures we take with our phones, and even just using our phones, people can figure out exactly where we are, what our patterns are, and essentially stalk us without us even knowing. Finding out where we live and when we're not home. So that's a little creepy. Here's the link: http://nyti.ms/917hRh Kinda glad I have that home security system now.

I was informed of this from our security people at work, a presentation sent out to tell people not to give away so much information! So I'm doing my civic duty and telling all my friends.

Ironically, I got an email the other day about how kids would go outside and play all day long back in the 'good old days'. Well, these may not be the 'bad new days', but there's so much more out there we need to be aware of. Not afraid of, mind you, just aware of. I think it's ok for my phone to know where I am when I'm trying to get somewhere else, but maybe not so much when I use the facebook app...

In other news, it's snowing. And apparently the schools have started closing. Hmmm, to night would be a good night to go shopping, no one will be in the stores... but there will be no milk, toilet paper, or bread. Good thing I stocked up on Monday then, huh? I forsee toasted cheese sandwiches and soup in my future...

Ah, Christmastime!

Parties and shows and movies and so much yummy things to eat! But that's not what Christmas is all about. Lest we forget, it's about the wondrous Gift given almost 2000 years ago by Heavenly Father to us and then from Christ to us as he gave himself a ransom for our sins (ok, I am actually borrowing phrases from hymns, so sue me).

I was reminded of this last Sunday night as I went to the Christmas Devotional at the stake center. I normally just stay home and miss it, but this year I'd leant three of my nativities to the annual display, and needed to pick them up, so I went to the broadcast (something my church does every year the first Sunday in December). I sat and knit (I have to knit, my presents aren't finished yet!) and listened and was reminded of what's truly important.

I had a nice Thanksgiving at my friend Kellie's house. We were joined by another family, so the table was full, and the food was very yummy. Kellie and I then went to visit another friend, afterwards returning to watch an episode of LOST. Always a good time.

The next day I braved the stores, but not until about 9:00am, and hit a nice lull--the lines were actually fairly short, and the stores weren't crowded. I got all the fabric I should need for the next year for baby blankets, and even did some other shopping. Then home to put things away and cuddle with my kitty.

Kitty's been very nice lately (ok, not this morning, but that was my fault). I think she's trying to show me that she's the 'good' cat. Ani, on the other hand, is still hiding behind the futon in the basement. I bought him a nice fluffy pad that should help him keep warm, but it also has the effect that I can't see him when he's on it. In a day or two I'm going to switch it with the one I bought Kitty--identical pads (actually, two in one box), so maybe they can start getting used to one another's smell. Ani still seems quite timid, but does seem like he's adjusted to his new situation. I just need Ani and Kitty to not fight--even if they ignore each other, that would be ok too.

Went to see HP7 pt1 that weekend as well--I really liked it. My main frustration with the whole movie series is that they left out a couple of key things in the previous 2-3 movies that would have made the beginning of this movie make a lot more sense. I'm still mad they didn't include Dobby in Goblet of Fire, but oh well. I suppose I shall have to just deal with it. He's back in this movie, finally. they still skip over too many things, expecting people to have read the book, I imagine, but that's ok.

The last week has been rather tame as I have been busy at work trying to finish up a document. It's done now, thankfully. Got lots to do still at home to finish getting ready for Christmas. And I have no idea what to put in my annual Christmas letter!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Thanksgiving Time again

Around this time of year, I always get a little pensive. My favorite Thanksgivings were when I was growing up. We'd have the big family dinner, my Uncle Bill would come over, and sometimes we'd have other people too, friends and family. I remember one year, I think I was five, Dad put a plank on some sawhorses on the patio in the back yard, Mom dressed it up, and we had our family, Uncle Clive's family, and Uncle Bill all there. I remember the time I first was allowed to make cranberry sauce myself, and how I got splattered when the berries would pop. I remember the year I helped Mom in the kitchen, and I didn't want to do the yams, so I did everything else. Sadly, Mom burned her hand on the yams, taking them out of the oven, I think. I felt bad about that, but like Mom said, I was there helping. I remember the trips we'd make to the Sav-a-Minit market on the corner for those last-minute items--marshmellows, canned pumpkin, stuff like that. There was always a football game on TV, which was turned off during dinner.

My favorite part of the day, though, once dinner was over and mostly cleaned up (we would pick at the remains for hours--a small breakfast and dinner was all we got this day), a brother or sister would sit at the piano and we, my siblings and I, would sing Christmas songs for hours. Dad, being a Band Teacher, didn't want any Christmas songs in the house any earlier than after Thanksgiving dinner, since he had to deal with them starting in September. But this was my favorite part.

Sadly, as the years have gone by, my family has moved away from home, and going back for Thanksgiving just isn't the same now that my Mom has passed on. I don't think I've actually been back there since my nephew Limi was on his mission several years ago. I have had the priviledge of joining my sister Beckie at her house for Thanksgiving several times over the last 8 years they were on the East Coast. Of course, they're back in Utah now too.

One thing I've been thinking about is moving back West. I've even started looking at the JPL job site. I don't think this is something that will happen anytime soon, not until after at least 60 days after RBSP launches (currently scheduled for May 2012). But I'm keeping my eyes open for the opportunity. Like everything else in my life, when the time is right, the way will appear. The Lord takes care of me like that.

So this year I'll be joining friends for dinner and sleeping in my own bed at night. With my cats. Who don't even know that this is a holiday. But at least Kitty will be happy that I'm home, there to open the door for here whenever she wants. Well, mostly. I'm thinking about braving a couple stores on Friday, and on Saturday I'm meeting up with my friends in VA to see Harry Potter. Can't believe I haven't gone to see it yet. (no spoilers please!!!)

In other news, my friend's son, who's serving a mission in Singapore, assigned to the island of Pana-somehting at the moment, was in a serious accident. He was riding his bike and was hit from behind by a car. A big car. After several miracles and a couple of surgeries, it looks like he'll be ok, but any prayers or good thoughts you can send his way, I know the family would appreciate it. His name is Elder Jeremy Schone. The family moved to Utah in August, so really, all I can do is pray. And ask other people to add him to their prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Crucial Conversations

I've been in a training class for two of the last three days learning how to handle crucial conversations--the ones where there's high stress, high emotions, and high stakes. We were encouraged to use examples from our lives, both professionally and personally. I'm kind of excited to start using my new skills at work and at church--somehow I don't think my cats will be that responsive. Since part of it has to do with paying attention to others, I've been using my tv as a training tool as well, although I do tend to watch more scripted shows than reality shows. But people are people, even when acting, so the same types of behaviors come out.

I used to read a lot of these types of books, 7 habits for highly successful people, lifebalance, even the myth of self esteem, but it's been quite a while since I've read anything, or even taken a class that would help with my relationships with others. I think my last class was something about relationships, and the one before that was another work-related course on the essentials of supervision. Not sure why I've dropped that ball, but I'm hoping this gets me back on my way to being a better communicator.

Meanwhile, since I last wrote, I'm managing to get back to being healthy. I still cough, espeically when I laugh to much (Raising Hope is SO FUNNY--the baby barked! it was hilarious! Ok, so the kid was in a daycare that only had dogs with her, so she was learning how to be a dog and that was kind of what the episode was about, but it was so cute), and every now and then my sinuses need cleared, but for the most part I'm getting there. I had to miss our blood drive at work this month, but my church is holding one at the end of the month, so hopefully I'll be able to do that then.

last weekend I went out and saw Secretariat--I'd recieved a free ticket from Regal Theaters (gotta love the members' card) so I decided to use it. That is a really good movie. I love the horse, he was great. It's amazing the things that happened, truly. And if you don't want to go see it now, you really should think about it. Course, I think it's out of the theaters now, but it will be on DVD in a few more months. I'm hoping it makes the list at Oscar time, it was really good.

Other than that I've just been trying to take care of work and keep up my house and not think too much about my not being able to go visit my sister for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. 8 years. That's how long they were on the East coast. Before they came, I never went anywhere, and now I suppose I'll return to that. Somewhat. Time to get stock in an airline or something.

Combratt

Hmm, what is combratt? Sounds like fighting siblings to me ;)

so it's been a little while. I had one crazy week (I think I blogged about that), then a week or so of down-time. And being sick again.

I did, however, manage to see MegaMind with my friends last Saturday. So FUN! course, one of my friends hates 3D so I'm going to have to go back and see it again, so terrible. Definitely putting this on my list of DVD's to get when it comes out.

Ani and I seem to be going back and forth--some days we have progress, some days we don't. He hasn't been eating the last couple of days, but last week was a little traumatic with my cleaning lady and then my friends coming over to meet him. But it's going to be ok. Kitty, on the other hand, was very sweet to me while I was sick. Of course, now that I'm going back to work (and no longer at her beck and call--or is that bite and meow?), she's getting a little temperamental again.

Halloween was very fun--the Trunk or Treat at the church was great (and yes, the same family won the costume contest yet again--do the judges even look at the other costumes anymore? There were some really good ones that I felt should at least be acknowledged (two words: Bee Family)). I got rid of all my candy there. Halloween was on Sunday this year, but that doesn't make a big impact on me--I just stay home and hand out candy anyway. I got rid of all my candy there too. I even pulled out the small bag I'd put in the freezer for myself--I don't need that stuff. And I made cupcakes for the Nursery kids--they love that :D I do too, actually :)

Nothing major expected this week, thank goodness.

On the weight-loss front, I am making progress. I now have an exercise ball with dvd that I actually used last night (the first night I had it). It came with a 10-week exercise planner, too. I'm thinking 15 lbs in 10 weeks, and significant shrinkage in the tummy area. It annoys me to no end that the clothes I had last time I was at this weight I can't fit into now because all that re-gained weight ended up right on my tummy. :( Yes, I know the next 10 weeks includes both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but since I won't be going anywhere (i.e. to visit family) for either, I'm thinking I can be reasonable while at home and watch my portion sizes while out. The main goal is to be 30 lbs less by next June, because next June I'm going to CHINA.

Yes, that's right, I'm going to CHINA. For one of those ad-hoc choir tour things that I did three years ago and went to Austria and Germany. Same person organizing it--not the same company but that's ok. She's the one that did all the work. I'm so excited!!! And yes, that is another reason I'm not going anywhere for the next six months. I might even get my house and yard straightened out :)

Unless, of course, some Major Family Event happens. Exceptions can be made for marriages and possible mission farewells (though the next one probably won't be until after I get back from China, and will most likely be in the fall). And of course the Family Reunion (which is also next June--I hope the two don't conflict!)

Crazy time

I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Not that I've ever seen such a thing, but my mother assured me that such a thing does happen.

Last week it felt like I had something going on every single night. It went something like this:

Monday: go shopping (flaked out--whoops)
Tuesday: really go shopping (major shopping trip to BJ's to stock up for the winter, as well as a side trip to Hobby Lobby because I'm so excited we have one in my area now). had to go directly after work to avoid the problem I had on Monday. Also had to stop after work at the American Radiology place for X-rays. I sat there for 30 minutes watching everyone who came in after me get called up. I finally practically ran up to the counter and they agreed to talk to me, but when I showed them my doctor's orders they said they didn't do that particular scan at that office, I'd have to go to Glen Burnie. Which would be closing in 5 minutes. Couldn't they have told me that earlier? When there was a chance I could make it to the Glen Burnie office that day? sigh.
Wednesday: really go get my scan taken (btw, nothing serious, just a check to see how much shorter my left leg is than my right) in Glen Burnie. Go pick up veggies from friend. Stop by baby shower.
Thursday: participate in Oktoberfest at work (the games part, and dinner), then go to LDS temple with friends (visiting teachers).
Friday: go to grocery store, then go out to New Market to see my former-roommate-now-friend Lisa and her fiance for dinner and movie at their house (he's actually staying somewhere else, but they get together every night at the house that they're buying--trust me, it's 'lds-legal').
Saturday: I did get to sleep in and veg, but then went to VA for dinner with friends and out to Cox Farms for their Fields of Fear. That was really fun. I don't like being scared, but we had a couple of screamers/teenagers in our group that set off all the scarey/surprise stuff before we got there. We did the Corn maze, the hay ride, a slide, and had too-hot spiced apple cider (my tounge is finally recovered from the burn, but it was worth it!).
Sunday: get up early and go to church for Choir Practice. Choir sang in church that day, then went to Nursery to find only one other person there to assist. We had a couple volunteers come in, including our sub while one of our other workers is gone for work, so it ended up ok, but three adults and 12 kids is really not fair odds. Especially with one little girl who just would not go play on her own, she had to be with one of us the entire time. So I did go home and crash and then stay up too late. Sigh.

So needless to say, I'm kind of tired (read: Exhausted) today.

On the cat front, Kitty was nice to me yesterday, but Saturday night she was less than thrilled that I came home and just wanted to go upstairs. I have the scars on my leg to prove it. Which really itches like crazy right now (that means it's healing, right?). Ani, on the other hand, has been responding to my bringing him food, and even played with me a little yesterday evening. I'm hoping he'll come out from behind the couch sometime this week. I'm going to try to encourage that.

This week should be LOT more calm. Only two planned evening activites: Medieval Times on Wednesday and our church Trunk or Treat on Friday. Should be fun!

Obesity in America | Down to Earth

In agrarian societies, you can tell who the wealthy people are by how fat they are--they don't need to work for their own food. I guess this means America is prosperous, but in an odd turn of events, it would seem that the wealthy are the thin ones.

After all, at fine dining restaurants, the portions are properly controlled. Personal trainers are expensive, but they whip you into shape. Even a gym membership is costly.

So the poor and the middle class are left with food options that are cheap (less than $20), outrageously portion-sized (a thinking person can get 2-3 mealsout of one depending on what is ordered) and no incentive to go to the gym. Yes, a good pair of walking shoes is only about $60, and the rest of that particular exercise is free, but apparently we would much rather go home and sit in front of the television for hours on end. Watching cable/FIOS/satellite TV. Which, come to think of it, would cost about the same as a gym membership.

Hmmm. We're too prosperous for our own good.
read this:
Obesity in America Down to Earth

A little excitement

We're conducting fire drills at work today. So this annoyingly loud, piercing noise goes off, complete with flashing lights, and we get to go down the stairs from the fifth floor, ready to head out of the building. We actually get stopped on the second floor by a fireman who told us we didn't have to go *all* the way outside unless the whole building was on fire (the drill was just for our floor). So we waited for a few minutes for them to give the all clear, and then we were climbing back up the stairs (72 steps) back up to our offices. I'm awake now, thank you very much!

My cat Kitty was very good last night. She stayed with me all night and didn't attack me once! I had such a headache (which I still have but can't feel at the moment thanks to the Excedrin I took this morning) that I kept waking up, and there she was, laying beside me all night long. OK, well, once I woke up and she was on the window sill making sure the neighborhood was still safe, or maybe just being nosy, but the rest of the night she was right there. She didn't attack me once! Unfortunately, this morning, little Ani decided to come upstairs. I heard the alterctaion and ran to stop it, so I'm hoping there was no physical contact, just the roar of an angry cat. I've blocked Kitty upstairs while I'm gone today--I want Ani to be able to come upstairs without fear, or at least when I'm around and can keep Kitty from fighting him. I have to do something to get her used to him, I think he's ok with her, but I can't be sure.

I did good with my addictions yesterday too. Only watched 2 shows, ate dinner while watching but then stopped eating. Didn't spend the time playing Tetris while watching either. I've been doing that a lot lately. If I'm not going to watch tv, I shouldn't turn it on, right? Silly Julia.

by now, time to get back to work!

Happy Birthday, Mom

My mommy would have been 74 today. She passsed away in January of 2000 of a liver disease that we still believe was caused by all the Motrin the doctors had her on. She was in a lot of pain. But she still managed to be cheerful through it all. Or at least every time I talked to her.

I find myself turning into my mother.

My oldest sister used to look down on me because of that, but I'm not sure it's a bad thing. After all, she's kind of turning into Mom too.

I decided I should go ahead and adopt the good mannerisms she had and things that she did

be kind to everyone
serve others
take care of people
love her family
trust in the Lord
faith
cook good food
seamstress/ crafter
doll maker

I should not adopt the bad things, though. I have plenty of those on my own (and no, I'm not going to list those).

Happy Birthday Mom. I miss you.

Warning (her favorite poem) by Jenny Joseph
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

four-two-four

Four days off to go to CA, two days at work, and then another four days at home... being sick. Yuck. Pretty sure I caught it on the plane coming home. Well, if you have to be sick, Conference weekend is probably the weekend to do it, I think. I had nothing else planned, and since I'd already set up the dvr to record conference, I didn't feel too bad when I slept through part of it. The cat was happy I was home. Well, one of them. I'm afraid it's going to take Ani a while to get used to me again.

The one talk that really made an impression was the one on additctions. This may be a little TMI. I'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol or pornography, no, I'm addicted to ordinary things. Food. Solitaire games on the computer. TV shows. I have got to work on these things.

The good news is, my tv schedule for this new fall season is fairly reasonable. except for the ones that are all on at the same time.

Monday I record: House, Chuck, Mike&Molly, Castle, and Hawaii 5-0. So far, loving all of them. I plan on watching Dancing with the Stars on my other tv upstairs but that hasn't happened just yet.

Tuesday I record: No Ordinary Family, NCIS, Lie to Me, Raising Hope, The Good Wife. I may watch Glee upstairs as well, but I'm not sure about that. Glee has some good moments, but every time I watch it there's some really horridly suggestive routine going on and I just can't handle it.

Wednesday I record: Undercovers and The Defenders. Yup, that's right, only two shows. Amazing, isn't it?

Thursday I record: The Mentalist. yeah, one show. It's on at 10:00pm, though, so I really shouldn't stay up to watch it.

Friday I record: Medium, Human Target, and Blue Bloods. I know, I could even watch two of these in real time. Although I prefer recording because then I can race through the commercials.

Saturday and Sunday: nada. That's right, nothing to record. Which means I can catch up all the shows I haven't had a chance to watch, or, gasp, go do something else. Can you imagine??

For the food addiction I'm doing weight watchers (yes, I CAN eat that, I just have to watch my portion sizes). For the solitaire, I don't know, I may have to cut off my fingers or something.

Ok, time for more cold medication now.

Whoa.

Another year come and gone, and me, well, I still feel 29. Once in a while I have an, "Oh yeah, I guess I am older than you" moment, but usually I just do my thing and all is well.

I had a very special birthday this year--I was able to spend it with my family. This doesn't happen very often, since I live on the East Coast and (now) they're all out West. I got presents and a cake and everything! Pictures... well, they're on my camera and by now you know how that goes. I'll get a round tuit some day.

I was out west to see my lovely niece (yes, they're all lovely, so that's not really a good description) who just returned from her mission a couple weeks ago. She was giving a talk in church on Sunday and I wanted to be there. So I was. I flew out on Friday, had lunch with my Dad, his wife, and my niece (Danja and I had huveros? corn tortillas, beans, meat (we went with chicken), lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and mexican cheese. delicious!), then went to Dad's house to see a cute email he wanted to show us but was unable to print. So we did that for him :) Then we went to Danja's house, and chilled. Not easy to do, it was over 100 degrees outside. I got to meet the newest member of the family, a little terrier mix named Lucy. By far my favorite dog that they've had. So cute. And 6 months old. So yeah, lots of energy. But she's small, so it's not intimidating when she jumps up on you. So Danja and everyone else had to leave that evening except for oldest nephe David. We watched tv and had Farmer Boys for dinner--fried zuchini. You may think I'm crazy, but I love fried zuchini dipped in ranch sauce. It was yummy.

Saturday it was again really hot so we opted to stay home and play with the little kids, my nephew Daryl's kids. Daryl had a football game (he plays for RCC in California) and his lovely wife Kristen and David went to support him. On my wonderful SIL's advice I stayed home (I do burn quite easily). (yes, I did get the acronym from Kristen). I got presents and a cake--did I mention that already? my youngest (in that family) niece took me to In-N-Out for dinner, which was just as yummy as I'd remembered. Can you imagine a fast food place that has proper portion sizes, few selections (hambergers, fries, soft drinks and shakes) and yet is one of the best, most popular fast food places in the west? It was so yummy. We had my cake when we got back. It was really yummy too (do I need a new word? I'll think about that). Then at one point I was tired so I went to take a nap, thinking I'd wake up by 7:00pm PDT. Nope. It was midnight when I finally woke up, so I got ready for bed and went back to sleep. I suppose I get so relaxed around family that I just can't stay awake? anyway, it was a very good day. I even got to talk to some people on the phone, my nieces and ex-SIL that live in AL and my good friend Tammy from my FOHI days. That was great. I'm going to have to be more forthcoming the next time I go to CA, so I can meet up with my old friends there :)

Sunday was great too. Got up, hung out, went to church where Danja gave a great talk. First quote: "Bishops are here to comfort the afflicted; missionaries are here to afflict the comfortable" Love it. It was a great talk, a couple of missionary experiences, lots of quotes, and she tied them all together beautifully. After church the whole family--well, ok, those that were in the area--got together for dinner, mexican themed. I had three servings of the enchiladas. I forgot how much I love enchiladas. I'm going to have to make them at home now. They're amazingly easy.

So I get home last night and my cat-in-hiding was still in hiding. My other cat decided she had to bite me. I'm thinking I still smelled too much like dog for her to be happy. Hopefully she'll get over that today, or I might have to limit her access to me, particularly at night.

nomash

Yes, another word verification. So what does nomash mean?

nomash--a nomad from the Sahara desert?
no-mash--what a kid says to older sibling trying to sqeeze them
noma-sh--what you tell noma to be quiet.

Any other suggetions?

As for me, last weekend I went to Kirtland OH for a Single Adult Conference. I love visiting Kirtland. It's my very favorite church history site. (those who are not LDS can skip this next part). We may not be able to get to Jerusalem or Galilee very easily, but Kirtland is the place where the Father and the Son walked and talked with the leaders of the church as they were preparing the way and endowing them with power from on high. The Father showed up five times in this dispensation, four of which are in Kirtland. We don't even have documented all the times Christ came to visit the saints in Kirtland, but it was a lot. So if you haven't been to Kirtland, put it on your list! :D I'll try to get pictures up sometime this weekend.

I even really appreciate the Community of Christ church for taking such good care of the Kirtland Temple. It's so odd that our history is the same for so long, so you can talk to them about our church history and it's the same. It's not until after Joseph Smith was martyered that all the splinter groups started going their separate ways.

Other than the trip I've spend most of last week and this week trying to put in extra hours at work--I'm out of vacation time. This means that every time I take a day off I need to work extra in order to not have to borrow from next year. So basically I'm exhausted. Looking forward to the weekend and my Sunday nap. Saturday I'm going to the cat show with my friend, hoping to find some smelly treats for my reclusive kitty, and some more stuffed toys for him and maybe a cat tree/scratching post. My not-so-reclusive Kitty already has everything she needs, but I may get her some new toys as well. I just heard about this mouse toy that acts like it's caught under a blanket and moves randomly for the cat to chase. I'll have to see if they have any. And if it's afordable.

blessons

Was commenting on my friend's blog today, and this was my word verification word. What could such a thing mean, I wondered.

bles-sons: the blessings sons bring to us
b-lessons:lessons on how to be
bless-ons: keep on blessing

Funny how sometimes they seem so appropos, and the rest of the time they're just a jumble of letters.

As for my 'son', he's a little upset with me. I started cleaning out the closet under the stairs where he hides. He kept giving me dirty looks. And watching me carefully to make sure I don't get too close (the scars are still fading from our last encounter). But Ani seems to be doing well, coming out at night to eat and make use of the facilities, play with his little stuffed mice, and wind himself up in the blanket that Padme used to use (and smells like her). Doesn't really care for the t-shirt that smells like me. Hmm.

Padme is being really needy these days, though. Keeps rubbing up against my legs wherever I am, particularly when I'm in the kitchen. She likes the litter box in the bathroom, although she did leave a little puddle for me this morning on the linoleum. At least it wasn't near the rug, like last time. Interestingly enough when she spills litter outside the box she does try to clean it up. That was kind of weird when I watched her do it one day.

I know, enough litter box stories. Finished a book, still wading through Brisingr (third book in the Eragon series), got my Pampered Chef stuff so working on distributing it now. Plus got my LOST set--the entire series in a really cool box with lots of other stuff. So cool!! It gets to stay out for a while :)

Oh, and making baby blankets. I have four people on my list now that need baby blankets. Anyone else? I need to get to work on my curtains and my quilt for my bedroom as well. And some vests. Just because I'm sick and tired of all my clothes right now. Must be time for a seasonal change... fall, where are you??

A new look

My niece-in-law is wonderful. She designed this page for me. Isn't it cute?

Not a whole lot has been going on with me. I went to the Lego Expo on Aug 7th (a Saturday), and while the displays were really interesting and intricate, and included a Boeing 777 (not to scale) and several working trains, it was really crowded. Lots and lots of pre-teen to young teenagers and their somewhat interested parents. Some more interested than others. The little shopping area was so crowded we couldn't actually get up to the tables to see the merchandise. Which was probably a good thing, because from what we saw there were a LOT of little SW figures. Now if only they came in a boxed set...

Last weekend, after doing some rearranging (bookcases are all in the den now as are the books that went on them before my roomie came), I crashed on the couch for hours. Finally watched 'The Day The Earth Stood Still', you can see my review to the side -> There were several movies on tv that were not bad to watch. I also did some sewing for the drama group that just started at APL. I'm helping with their costumes this time, maybe next time I'll actually join and do something on stage. Something more family-friendly, I hope. I'd like to be able to invite my friends, and most of them have kids.

This week I had my annual Pampered Chef Show. I'm closing it out this evening, I believe. I think I had twice as many people there as any previous PC show! All my chairs were taken! Ok, so I only have 6 chairs, a loveseat and a rocking chair, but you get the idea. I mostly have these shows because I need a reason to invite my friends over--I'm not good at the spontaneous "let's get together and have a party" thing. But I do enjoy having them over. And we got to make delicious, mostly healthy food--chicken ceaser salad and a fruit salsa with cinnamon pita chips. Yum! I'm trying the leftover salsa on ice cream tonight. :)

This coming weekend I don't have much plans either: work in the back yard, clean the bathrooms in the house (yes, I still have a woman come over to clean, but only once a month), and see if I can get my cat Ani out from under the stairs in the den. He can hide behind the couch, I'm fine with that.

Speaking of whom, Ani comes out at night to eat and play, but as far as I can tell stays under the stairs the rest of the time. Padme Kitty decided to stop going downstairs (where her litter box was), so I had to move her litter box upstairs into my bathroom. I hope they get used to each other sooner rather than later. I leave the doors open, but with him refusing to come out and her refusing to go downstairs, it's not likely that they'll meet.

So enjoy the new look of my page! I know I do :)

Run away! Run away!!

Funniest thing this weekend: I allowed my cat Padme Kitty to come into the room where Anakin Buddy is currently residing. After sniffing around the whole room, checking out his food, his litter box, his cardboard box, and his toys, she finally looked behind the couch where Ani was hiding. She took one look, then took off for the upstairs. It was hilarious. Poor little Buddy, he's more used to the company of cats than the company of people, so I'm hoping Kitty will come around sooner rather than later. I think that will help his transition immensely. He's doing well, though. I visit him every night and putter around for a bit before leaving him on his own. I've tried to get him to play a little with me, but so far nothing doing.

Still no pictures--he hides in dark places... And he's a black cat.