As you, my friends, know, I have been single all my life. I haven't had a date in over 10 years (you *know* I wouldn't keep a thing like that from my blog!). So last weekend I went to a class on Relationship Counseling. When I heard about it, I decided I need to show Heavenly Father--and myself--that I'm serious about finding a special someone and start doing something about it. The course was being run by a woman I know, who I respect. She's been married twice, divorced twice, and has figured out--finally--that being single is not equivalent to having the plague or leprosy (sometimes it feels like that).
It was an amazing experience. We had a workbook, and I still have to do my homework, but the thing I really came out of it with is this: I do know who I am and what I want. I do have a really good life that I created for myself with help from Above. I have actually been working on this since I was a teenager and I was told in my Patriarchal Blessing that I should develop self-confidence. It's rather life-affirming to realize that I am the woman I envisioned when I was a teenager. Somehow, for the last eight years, I forgot what I was working for, and trying to become. Yes, the 'eight' is significant, since that's when my Mom passed away. A lot of things got derailed at that time.
In the course, we talked some about dating--concious dating, or being aware of what you want in a partner, and unconcious dating, where as long as they're breathing, they'll do. We talked a lot about Requirements vs Needs vs Wants. For example, a Requirement is that we need to eat food. A Need is that we need to eat nutritiously: vegetables, fruits, breads, protien, all in moderation of course. A Want is that we'd rather have our milk in the form of cheesecake. So while I would want to have Mr tall, dark, and handsome (Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, or even Orlando Bloom), what I need is someone who will support me, and someone who will let me support him. Someone who is strong, intelligent, and capable, like me. What I require is that he be a worthy priesthood holder in my church. Or willing to become one. Of course there are more, in each category.
I've known for a long time that there are few men confidant enough to be able to put up with both my religion and my profession. And they're all married, so they don't count (I also require that he be legally avialable). I refuse to settle for anything less than what I require; there is no reason for me to settle. I'm financially stable, and now that I have a cat I'm not nearly as lonely as I used to be. I have family and friends scattered across the country, and friends nearby that have told me to consider them my family.
During the course we started working on our Vision Statements, and mine starts like this: I am a strong, intelligent, capable woman of faith.
That is who I am.
I remind myself of this every morning, and move forward with confidence that I can be and do anything. That's something my mother taught me. I hope you know that you can, too.
Thanks for listening.
PS This is a positive, affirming post--sometimes it's hard to get the tone, so I'm just letting you know.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
March Madness
Well, here it is, my family letter/blog/LJ for the month. Due to some issues in blog-land, I'm going to try a new thing. Basically, put my monthly family letter on my blog. This will also encourage me to do my family letter, which is also a good thing.
So, March started out with me in South Carolina. My baby nevvy was getting blessed*. While a happy time, this was also a sad time, as my grandpa Allan had chosen the week before to finally 'give up the ghost', and pass on to the next life where my grandma and Mom were waiting for him (we’d known he was on his way for about a month). The funeral was the same weekend. Since I already had my plans, while I could have changed them, I decided to continue on to my sister's house for the celebration of life. I did send flowers, so I could be there in spirit if not in body. My dad told me later that he had the mortuary take them up to the burial site to be with the casket there as well (the burial site was in Springville, Utah, about a 3 hour drive from Cedar City where the funeral was held). But back to where I was.
Beckie's in-laws, Roy and Nancy and a brother-in-law, came, and I have to say, she really lucked out with her in-laws. Nancy is fabulous. I hope I can have a mother-in-law like her someday. Saturday the menfolk took the older kids down to Charleston to see the sights, leaving the baby with Beckie and Nancy and me, and we had such a good day. I had rented a car so Beckie wouldn't have make the 2-hour drive to Charlotte to get me, and I ended up with a Prius--a RED Prius, no less. No worries about gas, it still had 1-2 gallons in it when I returned it. It was a way cool car. So when we had to run errands, this is the car we took. Very fun. Particularly after I figured out how to get it started (no key to turn in the ignition, a power button instead—weird). We made the chili for Sunday dinner, realized we were a couple ingredients short so went to the store, then got our lunch at a little bakery, and watched a movie in the afternoon. We even ran to Lowes to get painting supplies. Nancy and I got to hold JackJack all we wanted, which was great.
Sunday was really nice as well, everyone dressed up in their Sunday finery (yes there are pictures, and yes, they are still in my camera. Deal with it). Beckie actually got to hear the blessing--the last two she missed because of her other children. I actually missed Collin's as well, since both Bonnie and Malena were acting up, but this time they were both really good. So was Collin. Sunday afternoon was a typically lazy time, with naps, movies and playing with kidlets. And a very good dinner, too.
Monday morning after the girls went to school, we painted the big living room. When they moved in last November, it was this dark paneling, so Doug painted primer all over it and stopped. Beckie found the color she wanted to paint it, ran it past Doug (because they both have to live there), but nothing else had been done. So Nancy decided we would paint it while we had four adults there to do it (hence the painting-supply run on Saturday). JackJack sat in his swing and basically slept the whole time, as I said the girls were at school, and Collin helped. Yes, the three-year-old was actually a great help. As I was taping up the base boards, he was very encouraging "You only have this much farther to go, Aunt Julia. You're doing great!" I decided I needed to take him home with me, because he is such a good little cheerleader. And so helpful! Willing to take stuff to the trash or find more tape rolls for us. So fun! We were done in about 2 hours, with a little time to spare before people had to leave to catch planes and whatnot. Collin and I had a rousing game of hide-and-seek while the others did the touch-ups.
The whole time I was there Jack took the opportunity at least once a day to spit up on me. Friday I had to change my shirt, and when Beckie said that they understand about spit-up, there was no need to change my shirt, I explained, “No, it was WET.” She gave her little baby a high-five. Yes, he got me on Saturday too, and twice on Sunday. The second time he was sitting on my tummy facing the TV, and I said something to him. He turned his head to look at me and deliberately spit up on me. Beckie was saying all weekend how he likes to be part of conversations and will talk to you just like you know what he’s saying and even listen, so I’m convinced it was a reaction to what I said. Don’t remember what it was, just that I laughed very hard. Jack is a very fun baby.
I returned to Maryland and promptly got sick. A head cold that lasted—well, I’m still congested as I write this so I’m thinking it’s still here. I managed to get to work and be somewhat productive, only taking a day or two off work, which was good since I had a major review last week of the stuff I’ve been working on for the last year and a half. Church didn’t fare so well—I managed to still do my callings, but I opted to stay home and sleep for two weeks in a row. I did make it to church on Easter Sunday, but left after Sacrament Meeting to go home and rest some more. I actually only went to support the Ward Choir, but when I got there they really did have enough altos so I’m thinking they didn’t need me; I should have just stayed home.
I did go see “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, which I quite enjoyed. There was quite a bit of bare legs and backs in the beginning, but no bad language, and it was sweet in the end. I plan on seeing “Jumper,” but we’ll see if that happens before it leaves theaters, probably next week. I also managed to finish the Farscape series, which I was renting via my blockbusteronline. It ended very well, although I do wish D’Argo hadn’t died :(
So I do my work during the day, I do my obligations in the evenings, and I spent a lot of time just crashing in front of the TV. Oh, but one of the things I also did this month was participate in our Relief Society project for Breast Cancer Survivors. One of the talented women in my ward came up with this as a tribute (hope she’s ok with me showing everyone):
Savage Mill Sisters
I also had a landscaper come by and do a proposal for a patio in my back yard. It was really nice, and with my tax return I think I can do this, so I’m getting a patio! Patio party at my place in May! Or June. Or maybe July. We’ll see :)
So that’s my month of madness. Hope yours was less insane, or at least not so filled with being sick.
* In my church (remember, I'm a Mormon), we get baptized when we're 8 years old. When we're babies, we get a name and a blessing in church on Sunday. When Christ was on the earth, he often would call little children to him and bless them. This is why we bless the babies.
So, March started out with me in South Carolina. My baby nevvy was getting blessed*. While a happy time, this was also a sad time, as my grandpa Allan had chosen the week before to finally 'give up the ghost', and pass on to the next life where my grandma and Mom were waiting for him (we’d known he was on his way for about a month). The funeral was the same weekend. Since I already had my plans, while I could have changed them, I decided to continue on to my sister's house for the celebration of life. I did send flowers, so I could be there in spirit if not in body. My dad told me later that he had the mortuary take them up to the burial site to be with the casket there as well (the burial site was in Springville, Utah, about a 3 hour drive from Cedar City where the funeral was held). But back to where I was.
Beckie's in-laws, Roy and Nancy and a brother-in-law, came, and I have to say, she really lucked out with her in-laws. Nancy is fabulous. I hope I can have a mother-in-law like her someday. Saturday the menfolk took the older kids down to Charleston to see the sights, leaving the baby with Beckie and Nancy and me, and we had such a good day. I had rented a car so Beckie wouldn't have make the 2-hour drive to Charlotte to get me, and I ended up with a Prius--a RED Prius, no less. No worries about gas, it still had 1-2 gallons in it when I returned it. It was a way cool car. So when we had to run errands, this is the car we took. Very fun. Particularly after I figured out how to get it started (no key to turn in the ignition, a power button instead—weird). We made the chili for Sunday dinner, realized we were a couple ingredients short so went to the store, then got our lunch at a little bakery, and watched a movie in the afternoon. We even ran to Lowes to get painting supplies. Nancy and I got to hold JackJack all we wanted, which was great.
Sunday was really nice as well, everyone dressed up in their Sunday finery (yes there are pictures, and yes, they are still in my camera. Deal with it). Beckie actually got to hear the blessing--the last two she missed because of her other children. I actually missed Collin's as well, since both Bonnie and Malena were acting up, but this time they were both really good. So was Collin. Sunday afternoon was a typically lazy time, with naps, movies and playing with kidlets. And a very good dinner, too.
Monday morning after the girls went to school, we painted the big living room. When they moved in last November, it was this dark paneling, so Doug painted primer all over it and stopped. Beckie found the color she wanted to paint it, ran it past Doug (because they both have to live there), but nothing else had been done. So Nancy decided we would paint it while we had four adults there to do it (hence the painting-supply run on Saturday). JackJack sat in his swing and basically slept the whole time, as I said the girls were at school, and Collin helped. Yes, the three-year-old was actually a great help. As I was taping up the base boards, he was very encouraging "You only have this much farther to go, Aunt Julia. You're doing great!" I decided I needed to take him home with me, because he is such a good little cheerleader. And so helpful! Willing to take stuff to the trash or find more tape rolls for us. So fun! We were done in about 2 hours, with a little time to spare before people had to leave to catch planes and whatnot. Collin and I had a rousing game of hide-and-seek while the others did the touch-ups.
The whole time I was there Jack took the opportunity at least once a day to spit up on me. Friday I had to change my shirt, and when Beckie said that they understand about spit-up, there was no need to change my shirt, I explained, “No, it was WET.” She gave her little baby a high-five. Yes, he got me on Saturday too, and twice on Sunday. The second time he was sitting on my tummy facing the TV, and I said something to him. He turned his head to look at me and deliberately spit up on me. Beckie was saying all weekend how he likes to be part of conversations and will talk to you just like you know what he’s saying and even listen, so I’m convinced it was a reaction to what I said. Don’t remember what it was, just that I laughed very hard. Jack is a very fun baby.
I returned to Maryland and promptly got sick. A head cold that lasted—well, I’m still congested as I write this so I’m thinking it’s still here. I managed to get to work and be somewhat productive, only taking a day or two off work, which was good since I had a major review last week of the stuff I’ve been working on for the last year and a half. Church didn’t fare so well—I managed to still do my callings, but I opted to stay home and sleep for two weeks in a row. I did make it to church on Easter Sunday, but left after Sacrament Meeting to go home and rest some more. I actually only went to support the Ward Choir, but when I got there they really did have enough altos so I’m thinking they didn’t need me; I should have just stayed home.
I did go see “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, which I quite enjoyed. There was quite a bit of bare legs and backs in the beginning, but no bad language, and it was sweet in the end. I plan on seeing “Jumper,” but we’ll see if that happens before it leaves theaters, probably next week. I also managed to finish the Farscape series, which I was renting via my blockbusteronline. It ended very well, although I do wish D’Argo hadn’t died :(
So I do my work during the day, I do my obligations in the evenings, and I spent a lot of time just crashing in front of the TV. Oh, but one of the things I also did this month was participate in our Relief Society project for Breast Cancer Survivors. One of the talented women in my ward came up with this as a tribute (hope she’s ok with me showing everyone):
Savage Mill Sisters
I also had a landscaper come by and do a proposal for a patio in my back yard. It was really nice, and with my tax return I think I can do this, so I’m getting a patio! Patio party at my place in May! Or June. Or maybe July. We’ll see :)
So that’s my month of madness. Hope yours was less insane, or at least not so filled with being sick.
* In my church (remember, I'm a Mormon), we get baptized when we're 8 years old. When we're babies, we get a name and a blessing in church on Sunday. When Christ was on the earth, he often would call little children to him and bless them. This is why we bless the babies.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Aplologies
It has been brought to my attention that there are people who have been hurt by some of my recent blogs. In an effort to let you know how I feel about some things, I have not been careful with my word choices, going for the harsher rather than the softer terminology, and I must confess in some cases I was just trying to get a reaction from someone. Anyone. Even a negative reaction since I wasn't getting any other reactions.
First, I did not intend to wish illness on anyone's children. "Spit up" would have been better than "throw up", and even better would have been not to say anything at all.
I really don't want to go through a list of reasons trying to excuse my behavior; there really is no good excuse. I will however be more considerate when I post. If you were offended, I do apologize. If you have something you want to say to me, please email me or call me and we'll work it out that way. Thank you to those who have already done so. I am usually not aware of how I am affecting other people, so I do appreciate it when people let me know.
First, I did not intend to wish illness on anyone's children. "Spit up" would have been better than "throw up", and even better would have been not to say anything at all.
I really don't want to go through a list of reasons trying to excuse my behavior; there really is no good excuse. I will however be more considerate when I post. If you were offended, I do apologize. If you have something you want to say to me, please email me or call me and we'll work it out that way. Thank you to those who have already done so. I am usually not aware of how I am affecting other people, so I do appreciate it when people let me know.
Monday, February 25, 2008
quick update
I know, it's been a while. Yes, I've been more busy at work, which tends to affect the length and frequency of my posts. I'll be in meetings most of this week, so we'll see. Evenings are going to be busy too, as I get ready to go to South Carolina this weekend (my nevvy Jackjack is getting blessed). I did think about going to Utah instead, but financially this is the right decision.
Why would I go to Utah instead? Especially since it would only be for the weekend? Well, my Grandpa finally gave up the ghost; the funeral is on Saturday. He's at peace now. He passed away in his sleep on Friday morning. I was at home on Friday due to the ice storm (no work, yay!) so was sitting at my home computer when the email came. My dad was going to call me but thought that I would be at work. You know, I think I grieved about 4 weeks ago when I first heard. And then again two weeks later when I hadn't heard anything and freaked out. It really is a good thing--Grandpa was in his 90's, Grandma passed away almost 5 years ago, and all his children are older and self-sufficient. Lots and lots of grandchildren, lots of great-grandchildren and more on the way. He was so healthy his body took a whole month to release him.
A little about my Grandpa. He was a schoolteacher, a principal, a farmer, and a blacksmith. He served two missions later in life with his sweetheart, one to Bolivia, and the other to Nauvoo. He was the one who first started using the Blacksmith Shop as a real Blacksmith shop, building wagons and handcarts to keep busy in the slow winter months. He even built a handcart for the Winter Quarter's Visitor's Center, and in 1997, when they did that 150-year celebration/trek to Salt Lake City, someone took that handcart to Utah. I beleive it or one of its brothers is on display in one of the Church Buildings around Temble Square. To be sure, lift it up and see if you can find the stylized A on the bottom--Grandpa Allan's brand. One of his great-grandparents was a blacksmith in Nauvoo as well. Cool, huh? He was always so worried about me not being married. I hope he knows not to worry; I really am ok. I love you Grandpa. See you when I get there.
Last weekend I went to the Home and Garden Show at the Dulles Expo Center with a friend. We had fun, and managed to find way too many ideas for our budgets. I'm thinking a nice patio in my back yard, and some lilacs by the side of my house, to cover up the rather ugly-looking concrete. And make it so I don't have to mow that side anymore. I found a shed at Home Depot that I want to get (small, rubbermaid, but still looks like a shed). I also found a free-standing porch-swing that I could really get behind. When my tax return comes in, it may not last long... then again, I suppose I have to file my taxes before I can get them back.
My friend also helped me find a new toy for Padme Kitty--a lure with feathers, on a string attatched to a stick. She loves to chase it as I flick it around. She looks at me like, "Isn't it time to play now?" At least she gets more exercise this way. We've been doing pretty well.
Why would I go to Utah instead? Especially since it would only be for the weekend? Well, my Grandpa finally gave up the ghost; the funeral is on Saturday. He's at peace now. He passed away in his sleep on Friday morning. I was at home on Friday due to the ice storm (no work, yay!) so was sitting at my home computer when the email came. My dad was going to call me but thought that I would be at work. You know, I think I grieved about 4 weeks ago when I first heard. And then again two weeks later when I hadn't heard anything and freaked out. It really is a good thing--Grandpa was in his 90's, Grandma passed away almost 5 years ago, and all his children are older and self-sufficient. Lots and lots of grandchildren, lots of great-grandchildren and more on the way. He was so healthy his body took a whole month to release him.
A little about my Grandpa. He was a schoolteacher, a principal, a farmer, and a blacksmith. He served two missions later in life with his sweetheart, one to Bolivia, and the other to Nauvoo. He was the one who first started using the Blacksmith Shop as a real Blacksmith shop, building wagons and handcarts to keep busy in the slow winter months. He even built a handcart for the Winter Quarter's Visitor's Center, and in 1997, when they did that 150-year celebration/trek to Salt Lake City, someone took that handcart to Utah. I beleive it or one of its brothers is on display in one of the Church Buildings around Temble Square. To be sure, lift it up and see if you can find the stylized A on the bottom--Grandpa Allan's brand. One of his great-grandparents was a blacksmith in Nauvoo as well. Cool, huh? He was always so worried about me not being married. I hope he knows not to worry; I really am ok. I love you Grandpa. See you when I get there.
Last weekend I went to the Home and Garden Show at the Dulles Expo Center with a friend. We had fun, and managed to find way too many ideas for our budgets. I'm thinking a nice patio in my back yard, and some lilacs by the side of my house, to cover up the rather ugly-looking concrete. And make it so I don't have to mow that side anymore. I found a shed at Home Depot that I want to get (small, rubbermaid, but still looks like a shed). I also found a free-standing porch-swing that I could really get behind. When my tax return comes in, it may not last long... then again, I suppose I have to file my taxes before I can get them back.
My friend also helped me find a new toy for Padme Kitty--a lure with feathers, on a string attatched to a stick. She loves to chase it as I flick it around. She looks at me like, "Isn't it time to play now?" At least she gets more exercise this way. We've been doing pretty well.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
well, I am rather short...
You're The Hobbit!
by J.R.R. Tolkien
All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man
came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're
all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this
crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be
surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring,
but keep its value in perspective!
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
I'm IT!
Brenda tagged me, so here I am. I tag Kellie, Lindsay, and Felicity, but only if you haven't done it yet.
What time did you get up this morning?
7:30 am I'm supposed to get up earlier, but as long as I'm to work around 8:30 I don't worry about it.
Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls
What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Mad Money. I quite liked it.
What is your favorite TV show?
I have to pick one? How about three? Lost, Medium, and I've really gotten into Torchwood lately. Gilmore Girls is no longer on the air, but it was my favorite too. And Babylon 5. I guess that's five, now, huh?
What do you usually have for breakfast?
Typically yogurt, but instant oatmeal is making a comeback.
What food do you dislike?
I still hate Lima beans. I keep thinking I'll grow out of it and try them again, but nope, still don't like them.
What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Anna Nalick (I've been 'in' to female artists for the last little while)
What kind of car do you drive?
Saturn ION. It's a great little red car!
Favorite Sandwich
Hmmm. Probably ham, cheese, and tomato with lettuce and mustard on wheat bread or in a wrap.
Favorite item of clothing?
Dresses. Pretty ones that make me look beautiful
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Denmark. A cruise of the Baltic Sea that includes Denmark.
Favorite Brand of clothing
Just My Size (they are so comfortable!)
Where would you retire to?
St George, Utah. Preferably close enough to the temple I could walk.
What is your most recent memorable birthday?
I think this is a trick question. What if my most memorable birthday wasn't a recent one? One of my favorites was going to see my sister in Cincinatti when she was there for work. We saw a show on a steamboat and had Jambalaya. Not at the same time, though.
Favorite sport to watch
Baseball, but I prefer to be at the game. Watching on TV does nothing for me.
When is your birthday?
September 25
Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night, but I'm usually unable to stay up late. I do like mornings too, though.
What is your shoe size?
6 1/2. I like having small feet :)
Pets?
Yes. I had dogs, but they were too much for me, so now I have a cat. Padme Kitty. She follows me around a lot.
Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
Did I mention I have a new grand-niece? She was born in January, and is very, very cute.
What did you want to be when you were little?
An Astronaut
How are you today?
Fair to middle'n, as my Dad says.
What is your favorite candy?
I like Three Musketeers. And Lemon Drops. But not together.
What is your favorite flower?
Pink Roses
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
February 29 (I get to go to South Carolina to see my newest nevvy be blessed)
What are you listening to right now?
Hallway conversations at work. I'm telling you, working in a trailer is really noisy.
What is the last thing you ate?
Strawberry Yogurt
Do you wish on stars?
Yes
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Cornflower Blue
How is the weather right now?
Cloudy and cold. They say it may rain. Kitty wanted to go outside this morning, but was out for all of two seconds before she darted back inside.
Last person you spoke to on the phone.
My Dad.
Favorite Soft Drink
I don't drink a lot of soda, but I tend to go for either Sprite or Rootbeer when I do. I prefer Lemonade when I'm not drinking water.
Favorite Resturant
Again with the having to chose just one! I like Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, and Hunan Manor. And several more I can't think of right now. I'm not sure I have an absolute favorite, although I really liked a little Vietnamese restaurant in Iowa City when I was there. And Breugger's Bagels. And--I should stop now, huh?
Hair Color
Blonde, and getting lighter all the time (I hope it just goes white eventually)
What was your favorite toy as a child?
The doll my mom made for me.
Summer or winter
Neither. I like Fall
Hugs or kisses
Hugs
Chocolate or vanilla
Is this a trick question?
When was the last time you cried?
Last Friday morning. I was having a meltdown at work. Unrelated to work, but a meltdown just the same.
What is under your bed?
My suitcases, a box full of empty doll boxes, and a box of clothes I can't fit into right now but don't want to get rid of.
What did you do last night?
Went to a surprise birthday party for a friend. It was really fun.
What are you afraid of?
Dying and no one finding my body for days.
Salty or sweet
Salty. I can't stay out of the potato chips, so I'm not allowed to buy them anymore.
Favorite day of the week?
Friday.
How many towns have you lived in?
Hmm, let me think. Fontana CA, Rexburg ID, Logan UT, Athens GA, Iowa City IA, Mesa AZ, Greenbelt MD, Jessup MD, Laurel MD. 9. Thought it might be more, but I guess not.
Do you make friends easily?
Nope.
What time did you get up this morning?
7:30 am I'm supposed to get up earlier, but as long as I'm to work around 8:30 I don't worry about it.
Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls
What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Mad Money. I quite liked it.
What is your favorite TV show?
I have to pick one? How about three? Lost, Medium, and I've really gotten into Torchwood lately. Gilmore Girls is no longer on the air, but it was my favorite too. And Babylon 5. I guess that's five, now, huh?
What do you usually have for breakfast?
Typically yogurt, but instant oatmeal is making a comeback.
What food do you dislike?
I still hate Lima beans. I keep thinking I'll grow out of it and try them again, but nope, still don't like them.
What is your favorite CD at the moment?
Anna Nalick (I've been 'in' to female artists for the last little while)
What kind of car do you drive?
Saturn ION. It's a great little red car!
Favorite Sandwich
Hmmm. Probably ham, cheese, and tomato with lettuce and mustard on wheat bread or in a wrap.
Favorite item of clothing?
Dresses. Pretty ones that make me look beautiful
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Denmark. A cruise of the Baltic Sea that includes Denmark.
Favorite Brand of clothing
Just My Size (they are so comfortable!)
Where would you retire to?
St George, Utah. Preferably close enough to the temple I could walk.
What is your most recent memorable birthday?
I think this is a trick question. What if my most memorable birthday wasn't a recent one? One of my favorites was going to see my sister in Cincinatti when she was there for work. We saw a show on a steamboat and had Jambalaya. Not at the same time, though.
Favorite sport to watch
Baseball, but I prefer to be at the game. Watching on TV does nothing for me.
When is your birthday?
September 25
Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night, but I'm usually unable to stay up late. I do like mornings too, though.
What is your shoe size?
6 1/2. I like having small feet :)
Pets?
Yes. I had dogs, but they were too much for me, so now I have a cat. Padme Kitty. She follows me around a lot.
Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
Did I mention I have a new grand-niece? She was born in January, and is very, very cute.
What did you want to be when you were little?
An Astronaut
How are you today?
Fair to middle'n, as my Dad says.
What is your favorite candy?
I like Three Musketeers. And Lemon Drops. But not together.
What is your favorite flower?
Pink Roses
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
February 29 (I get to go to South Carolina to see my newest nevvy be blessed)
What are you listening to right now?
Hallway conversations at work. I'm telling you, working in a trailer is really noisy.
What is the last thing you ate?
Strawberry Yogurt
Do you wish on stars?
Yes
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Cornflower Blue
How is the weather right now?
Cloudy and cold. They say it may rain. Kitty wanted to go outside this morning, but was out for all of two seconds before she darted back inside.
Last person you spoke to on the phone.
My Dad.
Favorite Soft Drink
I don't drink a lot of soda, but I tend to go for either Sprite or Rootbeer when I do. I prefer Lemonade when I'm not drinking water.
Favorite Resturant
Again with the having to chose just one! I like Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, and Hunan Manor. And several more I can't think of right now. I'm not sure I have an absolute favorite, although I really liked a little Vietnamese restaurant in Iowa City when I was there. And Breugger's Bagels. And--I should stop now, huh?
Hair Color
Blonde, and getting lighter all the time (I hope it just goes white eventually)
What was your favorite toy as a child?
The doll my mom made for me.
Summer or winter
Neither. I like Fall
Hugs or kisses
Hugs
Chocolate or vanilla
Is this a trick question?
When was the last time you cried?
Last Friday morning. I was having a meltdown at work. Unrelated to work, but a meltdown just the same.
What is under your bed?
My suitcases, a box full of empty doll boxes, and a box of clothes I can't fit into right now but don't want to get rid of.
What did you do last night?
Went to a surprise birthday party for a friend. It was really fun.
What are you afraid of?
Dying and no one finding my body for days.
Salty or sweet
Salty. I can't stay out of the potato chips, so I'm not allowed to buy them anymore.
Favorite day of the week?
Friday.
How many towns have you lived in?
Hmm, let me think. Fontana CA, Rexburg ID, Logan UT, Athens GA, Iowa City IA, Mesa AZ, Greenbelt MD, Jessup MD, Laurel MD. 9. Thought it might be more, but I guess not.
Do you make friends easily?
Nope.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Horrific week
The first week of any given month tends to be really busy for me. This past week was no different, but for some reason seemed to be worse than usual. Could it have been the lack of sleep?
I had something every night, almost, last week. I tend to get stressed out easily if I don't have some 'home' time, and by Wednesday I was starting to get a little depressed. Lack of sleep was mostly due to trying to finish the book for Thursday's book club meeting, which I really figured I should do, since I had picked the book, and was supposed to host the meeting ("Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel--very good, btw).
Monday was Family Home Evening at a friend's house--a Single Adult activity for my ward. It was fun, as always. These friends have four girls ranging from almost 8 to less than 1, and it's so funny to see them try to out-do one another. Even the littleist was happy to have me hold her by the end of the evening (not something she normally does).
Tuesday night was the Single Adult Stake Committee Meeting, for which I met up with my co-chairperson beforehand to try to figure out what types of things we should be doing. Both I felt were productive meetings, but again, gone all evening and much reading to do. And I had to watch the last hour of Biggest Loser (not too surprised about Jackie).
Wednesday night I went out to DSW shoe warehouse--my good black shoes have started leaking, so I needed new ones. Didn't find them, but I did manage to find a new pair of exercise shoes, which was also on the list. After which I went to the grocery store to buy the stuff for Thursday night. Of course, before all this shopping I recieved a request to switch the venue for the book club--her babysitter had backed out at the last moment. I wasn't happy about it, but I did remind myself that people are more important than things, and it really wasn't *that* much of an inconvenience to pack up all the snackies and cart them over to her house. If so, it would be my own fault for trying to do too much. By this time the lack of sleep had started to affect me--I was getting depressed and more than a little "I have no friends!/no one understands me!"
Thursday was the aforementioned Book Club meeting. After my Chiropractor appt which I hadn't thought was a problem to schedule that evening but since it was one more thing on the to-do list it really didn't help matters. Got to book club ok, though, early so I could set out the yummies. The other women showed up, we discussed the book, and then, as usually happens, moved on to other topics. I sat there listening to them, more than a little tired. It took me more than a couple moments to figure out they were dissing Star Wars, and then they started talking about marital relationships. I tried to make a comment--I tried twice, actually--and when no one heard me, I decided it was time to leave. So I packed up my stuff and left. I tried to slip out quietly, but wasn't completely successful. So it was good it wasn't at my house, because I couldn't have just kicked them out, that would have been rude (but was what I did any less rude? not sure). I've decided I really don't need to participate in this club anymore. All the women that come are about 10 years younger than me, they all are married and have children, and I have nothing, really, in common with them, other than church. I've had it with the potty-training stories, and any story I may share is really second-hand, so they don't care. I really believe I have more in common with their husbands, since most of their husbands like science fiction and have to work and stuff like that, but I can't just go hang out with their husbands. That would not be 'avoiding the appearance of evil', which is a whole other topic I don't want to go into right now.
Friday I had a little meltdown at work. Background information, my Grandpa is dying. We found out about two weeks ago that he's been sleeping his life away. Apparently, after leading a long full life, his body is too strong to just let him go, so he's sleeping himself into oblivion. Don't feel to bad, though, he is in his 90's, and it was a long, full life. My Grandma passed away in 2003, so he really has no reason to stay here. The hardest part is that it's taking so long. The waiting is really awful. Since we hadn't heard anything for about two weeks, I had convinced myself that he had passed away and no one had told me (and yes, that has happened to me before, when one of my uncles passed away and I found out about a month later). So I freaked out, but then I said a little prayer and sent an email to my family to see if they had heard anything. They hadn't, and they were getting a little worried as well. I called my Aunt after I got home from work, and she reassured me that he was still among the living. My Dad also called me on Sunday to reassure me that he would definitely let me know. (You see, I really do have good reasons for my fears--I have them because I have experienced them). I did get to stay home Friday night, but stayed up way too late catching up on the shows I had recorded all week long.
Saturday was very, very long. Individually all the activities were good, but since they were all on the same day... It started at 8:00 am with a world-wide Church Leadership broadcast. I had previously scheduled an RPG session with some friends, or I could have gone to the later one at 2:00pm. I had time between the broadcast and RPG so I went to Payless and bought two pairs of shoes that I think are the end of my shoe-shopping quest. yay. RPG was good, except that our group of adventurers managed to get our cleric killed yet again. We keep losing our clerics. Not good. Then it was time to go home for a little nap and get ready for the potluck/Single Adult committee meeting for the upcoming SA Conference in June/dance/party. It was a good thing my freind and I carpooled, because I was so tired and cranky I probably would have left much earlier, or not gone at all. They had a live band, and it was really fun, but I was so tired...
Sunday was again up early for a church meeting at 7:00 AM, brief choir practice at 8:30 am (we were performing) church at 9:00am (three hours long, I was going to leave early but my friend needed a ride home from choir practice. Her husband promised me dinner so I agreed). I got to hold another friend's baby, too, so it's all good. I was thinking, though, that there are weeks that go by and I have no human contact at all--no hugs or touch or anything like that. If it's true that we need 5 hugs per day just to survive, then I'm not surviving. Maybe my cat helps with that. Holding babies definitely does. So I did stay for choir after church, took my friend home, had dinner with her and her husband, whose meeting was cancelled (the reason why he couldn't take his wife home), then went home and slept and slept and slept. Padme Kitty kept trying to wake me up, but wasn't successful. I caught up on more tv shows, really just the ones from Saturday night, managed to be awake when my Dad called at 9:45pm (it was only 6:45pm for him), and then went blessedly to bed.
I do feel much better today. And I've lost over 5 lbs since I started Weight Watchers in January. Yay for me! I have far less to do this week, so I should be good. And no more reading past midnight!!
I had something every night, almost, last week. I tend to get stressed out easily if I don't have some 'home' time, and by Wednesday I was starting to get a little depressed. Lack of sleep was mostly due to trying to finish the book for Thursday's book club meeting, which I really figured I should do, since I had picked the book, and was supposed to host the meeting ("Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel--very good, btw).
Monday was Family Home Evening at a friend's house--a Single Adult activity for my ward. It was fun, as always. These friends have four girls ranging from almost 8 to less than 1, and it's so funny to see them try to out-do one another. Even the littleist was happy to have me hold her by the end of the evening (not something she normally does).
Tuesday night was the Single Adult Stake Committee Meeting, for which I met up with my co-chairperson beforehand to try to figure out what types of things we should be doing. Both I felt were productive meetings, but again, gone all evening and much reading to do. And I had to watch the last hour of Biggest Loser (not too surprised about Jackie).
Wednesday night I went out to DSW shoe warehouse--my good black shoes have started leaking, so I needed new ones. Didn't find them, but I did manage to find a new pair of exercise shoes, which was also on the list. After which I went to the grocery store to buy the stuff for Thursday night. Of course, before all this shopping I recieved a request to switch the venue for the book club--her babysitter had backed out at the last moment. I wasn't happy about it, but I did remind myself that people are more important than things, and it really wasn't *that* much of an inconvenience to pack up all the snackies and cart them over to her house. If so, it would be my own fault for trying to do too much. By this time the lack of sleep had started to affect me--I was getting depressed and more than a little "I have no friends!/no one understands me!"
Thursday was the aforementioned Book Club meeting. After my Chiropractor appt which I hadn't thought was a problem to schedule that evening but since it was one more thing on the to-do list it really didn't help matters. Got to book club ok, though, early so I could set out the yummies. The other women showed up, we discussed the book, and then, as usually happens, moved on to other topics. I sat there listening to them, more than a little tired. It took me more than a couple moments to figure out they were dissing Star Wars, and then they started talking about marital relationships. I tried to make a comment--I tried twice, actually--and when no one heard me, I decided it was time to leave. So I packed up my stuff and left. I tried to slip out quietly, but wasn't completely successful. So it was good it wasn't at my house, because I couldn't have just kicked them out, that would have been rude (but was what I did any less rude? not sure). I've decided I really don't need to participate in this club anymore. All the women that come are about 10 years younger than me, they all are married and have children, and I have nothing, really, in common with them, other than church. I've had it with the potty-training stories, and any story I may share is really second-hand, so they don't care. I really believe I have more in common with their husbands, since most of their husbands like science fiction and have to work and stuff like that, but I can't just go hang out with their husbands. That would not be 'avoiding the appearance of evil', which is a whole other topic I don't want to go into right now.
Friday I had a little meltdown at work. Background information, my Grandpa is dying. We found out about two weeks ago that he's been sleeping his life away. Apparently, after leading a long full life, his body is too strong to just let him go, so he's sleeping himself into oblivion. Don't feel to bad, though, he is in his 90's, and it was a long, full life. My Grandma passed away in 2003, so he really has no reason to stay here. The hardest part is that it's taking so long. The waiting is really awful. Since we hadn't heard anything for about two weeks, I had convinced myself that he had passed away and no one had told me (and yes, that has happened to me before, when one of my uncles passed away and I found out about a month later). So I freaked out, but then I said a little prayer and sent an email to my family to see if they had heard anything. They hadn't, and they were getting a little worried as well. I called my Aunt after I got home from work, and she reassured me that he was still among the living. My Dad also called me on Sunday to reassure me that he would definitely let me know. (You see, I really do have good reasons for my fears--I have them because I have experienced them). I did get to stay home Friday night, but stayed up way too late catching up on the shows I had recorded all week long.
Saturday was very, very long. Individually all the activities were good, but since they were all on the same day... It started at 8:00 am with a world-wide Church Leadership broadcast. I had previously scheduled an RPG session with some friends, or I could have gone to the later one at 2:00pm. I had time between the broadcast and RPG so I went to Payless and bought two pairs of shoes that I think are the end of my shoe-shopping quest. yay. RPG was good, except that our group of adventurers managed to get our cleric killed yet again. We keep losing our clerics. Not good. Then it was time to go home for a little nap and get ready for the potluck/Single Adult committee meeting for the upcoming SA Conference in June/dance/party. It was a good thing my freind and I carpooled, because I was so tired and cranky I probably would have left much earlier, or not gone at all. They had a live band, and it was really fun, but I was so tired...
Sunday was again up early for a church meeting at 7:00 AM, brief choir practice at 8:30 am (we were performing) church at 9:00am (three hours long, I was going to leave early but my friend needed a ride home from choir practice. Her husband promised me dinner so I agreed). I got to hold another friend's baby, too, so it's all good. I was thinking, though, that there are weeks that go by and I have no human contact at all--no hugs or touch or anything like that. If it's true that we need 5 hugs per day just to survive, then I'm not surviving. Maybe my cat helps with that. Holding babies definitely does. So I did stay for choir after church, took my friend home, had dinner with her and her husband, whose meeting was cancelled (the reason why he couldn't take his wife home), then went home and slept and slept and slept. Padme Kitty kept trying to wake me up, but wasn't successful. I caught up on more tv shows, really just the ones from Saturday night, managed to be awake when my Dad called at 9:45pm (it was only 6:45pm for him), and then went blessedly to bed.
I do feel much better today. And I've lost over 5 lbs since I started Weight Watchers in January. Yay for me! I have far less to do this week, so I should be good. And no more reading past midnight!!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Quote of the Day:
Where's my brain today? I need it!
Spoken at work, after a phone conversation where I completely blanked on everything I was asked.
Spoken at work, after a phone conversation where I completely blanked on everything I was asked.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Little Girls in the 70's
[time for something a little lighter]
IF YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 1970'S......
You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked. [nope, but I did have the Little People that were made out of wood]
You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket withflowers on it. [yup]
You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels. [yup]
You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!) [ok, I admit it!]
You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island. [yup, so I didn't watch it much]
You had either a 'bowl cut' or 'pixie', not to mention the 'Dorothy Hamill'. People sometimes thought you were a boy. [fifth grade, need I say more?]
You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days. YEAH! [lived in So Cal, so nope]
You owned a 'Slip-n-Slide', on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once. [Yes!!]
You owned 'Klick-Klacks' and smacked yourself in the face more than once ! [yup, did that too, lol]
Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession. [that was my younger sister]
You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers. [yup]
You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon. [ooh, I think my brother had that]
You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits, or the sunshine family [sunshine family definitely]
You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once. [yup, Dad was not happy with us]
You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!) [yes!]
You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). [don't remember those...]
You also had a pair of salt-water sandals. [yup]
You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Oleson! [Nellie Oleson is the devil!!]
You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink! [sigh]
PONG! ('video tennis' ) was the most remarkable futuristic game you've ever heard of ! [it was! And we had it!]
Your hairstyle was described as having 'wings' or 'feathers' and you kept it 'pretty' with the comb you kept in your back pocket. When you walked, the 'wings' flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna 'take off' [Farrah Fawcet, how you have affected the children of your era!]
You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie. [absolutely, and I'm glad to see they're making a comeback]
You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them. [I think mine was actually a Donny and Marie one]
You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend. [definitely Luke]
YOU had Star Wars action figures, too! [and we would fight over Luke vs Han too (again, Luke for me)]
It was a big event in your household each year when the 'Wizard of Oz' would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags! [best night of the year, this or The Sound of Music]
You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: 'Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy?' [Shaun. Definitely Shaun. He had 'wings' too...]
You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album. [That would have to be my Fame soundtrack on tape. Not listenable anymore...]
You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. [can anyone say 'yarn hook hangings'?]
You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts! [so fun!]
You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker. [Yup, did that too]
You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat. [don't forget Bop]
You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books. (Are you there God, It's Me, Margaret.) [yup, Judy was always there for us]
You thought Olivia Newton John's song 'Physical' was about aerobics. (?? its not??) [really? It's not?]
You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rain bow designs. [I think that was my younger sister too]
You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer. [especially after Rick Dees became the host]
You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first 'real' perfume you ever owned. [hmm, I think I blanked that one out]
You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it almost dripped off. [it was the BEST!]
IF YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 1970'S......
You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked. [nope, but I did have the Little People that were made out of wood]
You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket withflowers on it. [yup]
You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels. [yup]
You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!) [ok, I admit it!]
You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island. [yup, so I didn't watch it much]
You had either a 'bowl cut' or 'pixie', not to mention the 'Dorothy Hamill'. People sometimes thought you were a boy. [fifth grade, need I say more?]
You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days. YEAH! [lived in So Cal, so nope]
You owned a 'Slip-n-Slide', on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once. [Yes!!]
You owned 'Klick-Klacks' and smacked yourself in the face more than once ! [yup, did that too, lol]
Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession. [that was my younger sister]
You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers. [yup]
You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon. [ooh, I think my brother had that]
You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits, or the sunshine family [sunshine family definitely]
You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once. [yup, Dad was not happy with us]
You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!) [yes!]
You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). [don't remember those...]
You also had a pair of salt-water sandals. [yup]
You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Oleson! [Nellie Oleson is the devil!!]
You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink! [sigh]
PONG! ('video tennis' ) was the most remarkable futuristic game you've ever heard of ! [it was! And we had it!]
Your hairstyle was described as having 'wings' or 'feathers' and you kept it 'pretty' with the comb you kept in your back pocket. When you walked, the 'wings' flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna 'take off' [Farrah Fawcet, how you have affected the children of your era!]
You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie. [absolutely, and I'm glad to see they're making a comeback]
You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them. [I think mine was actually a Donny and Marie one]
You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend. [definitely Luke]
YOU had Star Wars action figures, too! [and we would fight over Luke vs Han too (again, Luke for me)]
It was a big event in your household each year when the 'Wizard of Oz' would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags! [best night of the year, this or The Sound of Music]
You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: 'Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy?' [Shaun. Definitely Shaun. He had 'wings' too...]
You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album. [That would have to be my Fame soundtrack on tape. Not listenable anymore...]
You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. [can anyone say 'yarn hook hangings'?]
You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts! [so fun!]
You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker. [Yup, did that too]
You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat. [don't forget Bop]
You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books. (Are you there God, It's Me, Margaret.) [yup, Judy was always there for us]
You thought Olivia Newton John's song 'Physical' was about aerobics. (?? its not??) [really? It's not?]
You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rain bow designs. [I think that was my younger sister too]
You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer. [especially after Rick Dees became the host]
You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first 'real' perfume you ever owned. [hmm, I think I blanked that one out]
You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it almost dripped off. [it was the BEST!]
Monday, January 28, 2008
More sad news
President Hinkley passed away last night.
He was such a force of nature, it was a bit of a shock to me when I found out. He was still out-running the younger guys on the Quorum of the Twelve and many on the Quorum of the Seventies as well. He was 97, in relatively good health. We should all be so lucky.
It strikes me as interesting that last week Heath Ledger died and the whole world had his picture up everywhere you looked. Entertainment Weekly had him on the cover. But President Hinkley dies and where are the news stories? The Ensign will have him on the cover next month, I'm sure, but seriously. A Prophet of God has left the Earth and the majority of the people on the earth have no idea.
But we are in good hands, still. President Monson as the President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles is in charge until the next President of the Church is chosen (and will most likely be the next President if the Lord wills it).
He was such a force of nature, it was a bit of a shock to me when I found out. He was still out-running the younger guys on the Quorum of the Twelve and many on the Quorum of the Seventies as well. He was 97, in relatively good health. We should all be so lucky.
It strikes me as interesting that last week Heath Ledger died and the whole world had his picture up everywhere you looked. Entertainment Weekly had him on the cover. But President Hinkley dies and where are the news stories? The Ensign will have him on the cover next month, I'm sure, but seriously. A Prophet of God has left the Earth and the majority of the people on the earth have no idea.
But we are in good hands, still. President Monson as the President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles is in charge until the next President of the Church is chosen (and will most likely be the next President if the Lord wills it).
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sadness
Heath Ledger died yesterday. Apparently of a prescription drug overdose, there was no evidence of foul play or that it was a suicide. I am heartbroken. He was so handsome, and had such potential. I was looking forward to seeing him for years to come :(
Apparently he finished work on the Batman movie that's coming out in July (he plays the Joker), so that's something, but not enough. Not enough!!
(FYI he was in A Knight's Tale, 10 things I hate about you, Roar, a western with Orlando Bloom, and Brokeback Mountain (the one he got the Oscar nom for, but I never saw that one).
Apparently he finished work on the Batman movie that's coming out in July (he plays the Joker), so that's something, but not enough. Not enough!!
(FYI he was in A Knight's Tale, 10 things I hate about you, Roar, a western with Orlando Bloom, and Brokeback Mountain (the one he got the Oscar nom for, but I never saw that one).
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Snowfall...
Well, after a few brief weeks of spring, we are back to wintertime here in Maryland. Oh boy! (sarcasm, just in case it wasn't clear). My daffodils had started coming up, the early spring ones, in December. I was a little worried about them. The cat wouldn't come back inside today, so she's outside in the snow. Serves her right? She has her vet appt tomorrow, so we'll see about that. In other 'kitty' news, her former 'dad' seems to have returned. I'm now wondering if she wants to go back to him. I knew there was a reason I shouldn't get too attatched. She even drew blood last night, but it was my fault. I like to play with her paws, and she tries to bite me when I do (the blood was from scratches when she ran away after I booped her to the head for trying to bite me). Silly Kitty. Crazy, silly kitty. She likes to 'hide' in her box and take swipes at me when I walk by. Tell me again why I took her in?
Family life is good. My nephew's wife had their second baby, a little girl, last week (Jan 7). I got the call just as I was leaving for FHE at the Bishop's house :) Her name is Jane Elizabeth. My first thought on hearing that was, "I wonder if she's a Jane Austin fan?" I suppose she wouldn't have to be, I think that's just the circles I run in, but still! She's a very cute baby. Let's see if I can post her picture... Nope. I'll try again later. So I'm a twice-great aunt!! Yay for me! yay for my nieces who have a niece! Now they have one of each!
Other good family news--my niece Leslie is going to be graduating in May and then putting in her papers to go on a mission! Her cousin Danja, that's a week older, is in the process of putting in her papers (the Stake President has them at the moment). Their hope is to be at the MTC at the same time, but we'll see. I'm so excited!!! Leslie's older brothers both went, but Danja is the first in her family. I'm so excited for them both!!! I'm going to have to stop breaking down my boxes so I can get ready to send care packages :D
Work is going well. The Powers That Be at APL have determined NOT to outsource the MOC (Mission Operations Center--get used to this acronym) (i.e. my job). The project managers need to present our plan to cut our budget on the 24th to The NASA Powers That Be. So still a little nervous, but life can go forward. The TIMED MOT (Mission Operations Team--get used to this acronym too) has succeeded in putting up a major software load to their processor, tested it, and the satellite is performing really well. Better than before, in fact. So, aside from the fact that we'd probably be doing this anyway, we're going to Mexican today (El Azteca in Clarksville). So fun!! In spite of snow. Though it's not too bad right now, and I did see multiple snow trucks out this morning, so it looks like they're prepared for the worst. Should we start taking bets as to which school system is going to shut down first? Winner gets to stay home with their kids... ;)
I think that's all I have to say for now. Happy snow day!
Family life is good. My nephew's wife had their second baby, a little girl, last week (Jan 7). I got the call just as I was leaving for FHE at the Bishop's house :) Her name is Jane Elizabeth. My first thought on hearing that was, "I wonder if she's a Jane Austin fan?" I suppose she wouldn't have to be, I think that's just the circles I run in, but still! She's a very cute baby. Let's see if I can post her picture... Nope. I'll try again later. So I'm a twice-great aunt!! Yay for me! yay for my nieces who have a niece! Now they have one of each!
Other good family news--my niece Leslie is going to be graduating in May and then putting in her papers to go on a mission! Her cousin Danja, that's a week older, is in the process of putting in her papers (the Stake President has them at the moment). Their hope is to be at the MTC at the same time, but we'll see. I'm so excited!!! Leslie's older brothers both went, but Danja is the first in her family. I'm so excited for them both!!! I'm going to have to stop breaking down my boxes so I can get ready to send care packages :D
Work is going well. The Powers That Be at APL have determined NOT to outsource the MOC (Mission Operations Center--get used to this acronym) (i.e. my job). The project managers need to present our plan to cut our budget on the 24th to The NASA Powers That Be. So still a little nervous, but life can go forward. The TIMED MOT (Mission Operations Team--get used to this acronym too) has succeeded in putting up a major software load to their processor, tested it, and the satellite is performing really well. Better than before, in fact. So, aside from the fact that we'd probably be doing this anyway, we're going to Mexican today (El Azteca in Clarksville). So fun!! In spite of snow. Though it's not too bad right now, and I did see multiple snow trucks out this morning, so it looks like they're prepared for the worst. Should we start taking bets as to which school system is going to shut down first? Winner gets to stay home with their kids... ;)
I think that's all I have to say for now. Happy snow day!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Movies movies movies...
I've been going to the movies a lot lately. Here's some of what I've been seeing, with some random thoughts about them. I'll try not to give spoilers, but do be warned, they may slip in...
Napoleon Dynamite
Ok, so lots of my friends have been telling me I have to watch this movie. I understand that it's very big out west (and by 'out west', I mean Utah and Idaho). I put it on my blockbusteronline list, and waited. Well, it came, and I watched. And now I totally understand why people like this movie. There's not much plot, and it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to it, but yet, at the end of the movie I was glad I saw it. It's funny, and real in a way most movies aren't. I couldn't help thinking "Brigham Young would approve of this movie" (I know, I have the oddest barometers I use for movies). It did the whole High School thing with the underappreciated non populars and the popular people without being annoying or weird or anything. Just real. And I was glad to see the girl who is Napoleon's love interest--I saw her first on Veronica Mars (which she did after ND), where she still plays a bit of an outcast although a computer genius one.
The Water Horse
My friends totaly ditched me on this one, so I went by myself. It wasn't anything like the book, besides a few common elements like the character's names and the actual water horse. Still, it was a good movie, and I even cried there at the end. It was interesting that they set it during WWII. I didn't really care for the ending. Such a marvelous creature should live for centuries, not a mere 50 years or so. Crusoe was quite fun to watch, too. I think he may have eaten the dog, though...
Juno
I saw this after The Water Horse on Saturday. I hadn't heard much about it, just that it seemed to be quite popular. I read a synopsis, and thought it might make a good addition to my teenage angst collection (I have quite a few books about unwed mothers, go figure). This one was quite thought provoking. I thought the main character had a lot of courage to do what she did, and was really smart about the choices she made after the one, bad choice. I liked that she faced up to what she did, and that she didn't decide to keep the baby knowing she wouldn't be able to take care of it. I liked that she found a responsible couple (or they seemed that way, anyway), and I found her parents reaction believeable. They were actually hoping she was into hard drugs or had been expelled--anything but being pregnant. But they were supportive. In fact, Juno did exactly what the church suggests young women do after they find themselves in this situation. So while the language was a bit raw, and it really was about teenage pregnancy, I really did like this movie. Not sure Brigham would approve, but since he'd probably see the whole repentance aspect of it, he might be ok with it.
National Treasure
This was a fairly fun romp. I rather liked the first one better, but this one had some nice effects and Indiana Jones-like moments. And everyone got a girl in the end, so that was kind of nice. There may be a sequel, though. They opened it up with the President's suggestion. I thought the whole kidnapping of the President was a bit contrived, though. I guess if they've already stolen the Declaration of Independance, they needed something to compete with that. I liked that the bad guy turned out to not be so bad after all. That was kind of nice.
I have a feeling I'll be going to more movies this winter, as long as there are movies worth seeing. And my blockbusteronline is fabulous. I can watch as many movies as I like for really not that much. Which reminds me...
Casino Royale
I rather liked this new Bond. He gets dirty, manages to lose things, even fell in love with the girl. Course, then she had to die, because that's always how it goes, but he also managed to be right where he needed to be in order to save the world. As M put it, he has a lot of cheek. I actually didn't care for Timothy Dalton's Bond, and *gasp* haven't seen any of Remmington Steele's (Pierce Brosnan for all the young whippershnappers), but I liked this guy. Of the old-school Bond's Connery is my favorite, but this guy might turn out to be my all time favorite, if he continues well.
So what movies have you seen lately?
Napoleon Dynamite
Ok, so lots of my friends have been telling me I have to watch this movie. I understand that it's very big out west (and by 'out west', I mean Utah and Idaho). I put it on my blockbusteronline list, and waited. Well, it came, and I watched. And now I totally understand why people like this movie. There's not much plot, and it doesn't seem like there's a whole lot to it, but yet, at the end of the movie I was glad I saw it. It's funny, and real in a way most movies aren't. I couldn't help thinking "Brigham Young would approve of this movie" (I know, I have the oddest barometers I use for movies). It did the whole High School thing with the underappreciated non populars and the popular people without being annoying or weird or anything. Just real. And I was glad to see the girl who is Napoleon's love interest--I saw her first on Veronica Mars (which she did after ND), where she still plays a bit of an outcast although a computer genius one.
The Water Horse
My friends totaly ditched me on this one, so I went by myself. It wasn't anything like the book, besides a few common elements like the character's names and the actual water horse. Still, it was a good movie, and I even cried there at the end. It was interesting that they set it during WWII. I didn't really care for the ending. Such a marvelous creature should live for centuries, not a mere 50 years or so. Crusoe was quite fun to watch, too. I think he may have eaten the dog, though...
Juno
I saw this after The Water Horse on Saturday. I hadn't heard much about it, just that it seemed to be quite popular. I read a synopsis, and thought it might make a good addition to my teenage angst collection (I have quite a few books about unwed mothers, go figure). This one was quite thought provoking. I thought the main character had a lot of courage to do what she did, and was really smart about the choices she made after the one, bad choice. I liked that she faced up to what she did, and that she didn't decide to keep the baby knowing she wouldn't be able to take care of it. I liked that she found a responsible couple (or they seemed that way, anyway), and I found her parents reaction believeable. They were actually hoping she was into hard drugs or had been expelled--anything but being pregnant. But they were supportive. In fact, Juno did exactly what the church suggests young women do after they find themselves in this situation. So while the language was a bit raw, and it really was about teenage pregnancy, I really did like this movie. Not sure Brigham would approve, but since he'd probably see the whole repentance aspect of it, he might be ok with it.
National Treasure
This was a fairly fun romp. I rather liked the first one better, but this one had some nice effects and Indiana Jones-like moments. And everyone got a girl in the end, so that was kind of nice. There may be a sequel, though. They opened it up with the President's suggestion. I thought the whole kidnapping of the President was a bit contrived, though. I guess if they've already stolen the Declaration of Independance, they needed something to compete with that. I liked that the bad guy turned out to not be so bad after all. That was kind of nice.
I have a feeling I'll be going to more movies this winter, as long as there are movies worth seeing. And my blockbusteronline is fabulous. I can watch as many movies as I like for really not that much. Which reminds me...
Casino Royale
I rather liked this new Bond. He gets dirty, manages to lose things, even fell in love with the girl. Course, then she had to die, because that's always how it goes, but he also managed to be right where he needed to be in order to save the world. As M put it, he has a lot of cheek. I actually didn't care for Timothy Dalton's Bond, and *gasp* haven't seen any of Remmington Steele's (Pierce Brosnan for all the young whippershnappers), but I liked this guy. Of the old-school Bond's Connery is my favorite, but this guy might turn out to be my all time favorite, if he continues well.
So what movies have you seen lately?
Monday, December 31, 2007
...and a happy new year!
Ok, so I had a lovely Christmas at my sister's house. I even had presents, swo I worried for nothing. I got to hold Baby Jack (6 weeks old) a lot of the time. My sister laughed at me for wanting to hold a crabby baby, but I didn't care. and he was never crabby for long. She asked me once if I was trying to get it out of my system, holding babies, but I said I was just trying to soak up as much as I could. He's so little!! Most of my nieces and nephews have been monster children, but Jack is Beckie's smallest, and he's still so tiny! I think he's still under 9 lbs. He's healthy, no worries, he's just not a monster child. Like two of his siblings. I'll get pictures posted to flikr sometime this week, I'll let you know when.
There were a lot of really good moments, too. Bonnie and Malena's grandmother Omi knew one of them loved Cinderella, but she got her wires crossed as to which one. So when Bonnie saw she was getting Cinderella toys and Malena was getting Sleeping Beauty, she immediately asked Malena if she wanted to trade. It was so sweet. Bonnie doesn't care that much as long as she gets toys. I mentioned this to Beckie, when the girls were in the room, and referred to Malena as a Cinderella-freak. Then I said I was a Star Wars freak. Malena said, "No, you're a DOLL freak! And I'm going to buy all your dolls from you when I get older!" "She's got you pegged," Beckie said. That was so fun. Doug didn't pull his usual disappearing act either, which was also nice. My sister married well. In PA, though, the house was so small, it felt like we were always on top of each other, so Doug would disappear into the depths or out to the garage. Their new house is almost twice as big, with no stairs, and a huge, huge yard. They're thinking of getting chickens. They need to fence in the yard, though, or a portion of it. The back of the yard has a pond. Not good for three-year-old inquisitive boys to be around. I really like their new house. Their family room is so large! I think you could fit my whole house in it! Probably not, but it's really big. Plenty of room for several activities to be going on at the same time. Baby Jack hasn't been blessed yet, so I'm thinking I may have to go back in February or March...
Thank you to all my friends. I'm at risk of becoming extremely sappy, so I'll stop now, but I do appreciate all you do for me. I go through periods of extreme anti-social behavior, but having you there when I pull out of it means the world to me. Thank you. I hope you all had Merry Christmases too.
There were a lot of really good moments, too. Bonnie and Malena's grandmother Omi knew one of them loved Cinderella, but she got her wires crossed as to which one. So when Bonnie saw she was getting Cinderella toys and Malena was getting Sleeping Beauty, she immediately asked Malena if she wanted to trade. It was so sweet. Bonnie doesn't care that much as long as she gets toys. I mentioned this to Beckie, when the girls were in the room, and referred to Malena as a Cinderella-freak. Then I said I was a Star Wars freak. Malena said, "No, you're a DOLL freak! And I'm going to buy all your dolls from you when I get older!" "She's got you pegged," Beckie said. That was so fun. Doug didn't pull his usual disappearing act either, which was also nice. My sister married well. In PA, though, the house was so small, it felt like we were always on top of each other, so Doug would disappear into the depths or out to the garage. Their new house is almost twice as big, with no stairs, and a huge, huge yard. They're thinking of getting chickens. They need to fence in the yard, though, or a portion of it. The back of the yard has a pond. Not good for three-year-old inquisitive boys to be around. I really like their new house. Their family room is so large! I think you could fit my whole house in it! Probably not, but it's really big. Plenty of room for several activities to be going on at the same time. Baby Jack hasn't been blessed yet, so I'm thinking I may have to go back in February or March...
Thank you to all my friends. I'm at risk of becoming extremely sappy, so I'll stop now, but I do appreciate all you do for me. I go through periods of extreme anti-social behavior, but having you there when I pull out of it means the world to me. Thank you. I hope you all had Merry Christmases too.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
hello, my friends!
I've been feeling rather out of sorts lately. I'm not sure if I'm coming down with something, or if it's just my usual end-of-year depression coming on. If not for my wonderful friend Lori I would have no presents under my Christmas tree. I asked my family to send them all to my sister's house since that's where I'll be. Even at that, I rather expect four cards, not actual presents. Ah, the lame life of being a single person with no family of her own.
Recently a friend seemed to trivialize a Christmas song, "Feed the World". I suppose she can't be blamed, she probably wasn't even born when that whole thing happened (or at least was very small). Bob Geldof heard about the famine in Ethiopia and really wanted to help. All he knew how to do was write and produce songs. So he called in all his musician buddies, and they recoreded a song. It sold millions--I did my part. My friend and I went in on it together, since we were poor High School students at the time. There were stories of how people would buy boxes and boxes of the record (yes, it was before CD's) and then give them back to the store so they could be sold a second time. The song brought international attention to the problem, and my church even got involved, declaring a special fast (which is how the Humanitarian Aid department of the church got started--people were very, very generous, far more than was needed). Bob Geldof recieved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, and every time I hear that song I am reminded of a time when the whole world seemed to pull together to help others. Others that didn't even believe in Christmas, true, but really, all that was required was that the people who heard it did believe in Christmas. Unfortunately, Bob didn't know that the Ethiopian government would interfere in his efforts and refuse to distribute the food, so I guess it wasn't the whole world that pulled together.
I've made a rather big decision regarding New Years. I'm not going to the Single Adult New Year's Conference this year. I've been feeling a lot of pressure to go from friends who are going, but quite frankly, all I've been feeling is stress when I think about going. So I will be home, taking care of my cat, and probably going to the movies and reading books for about five days (I return from SC on Thursday). I may even get motivated enough to work on my house. Depends on how Christmas goes. But I do forsee a shopping trip in my future... We'll have to see how good the New Year's sales are.
I went to three parties last weekend. On Friday I had almost triple-booked myself, but I cancelled one. I met up with my friend at the Temple Visitor's Center and we listened to the Handbells by a group from Virginia. It was really nice. My friend isn't LDS, and when she told her co-workers what she was doing they got very concerned. Turns out that they got Mormonism mixed up with Scientology. Weird. Then I went to another friend's party (I had told her I would be late). I heard it referred to as a 'couples' party, so I'm not sure why I was invited, but I went anyway. I made out with a great magnetic white board (that still needs to be put up, but that can be one of my after-Christmas projects), and the person who got the gift I brought seemed happy (although her husband wasn't *g*). Saturday started out with a baby shower, which I always love to attend, but don't necessarily care for the games. I mostly like to see the gifts. I felt kind of cheap for only bringing a baby blanket when it was obvious some people had spent a good $50-70 on their presents. Later that day was the Ward Christmas party, which was great. I didn't even get stuck at a table with old people (which tends to happen to me--they seem to follow me around wherever I go). I found a table with young people and children and we had a great time. And I love my scarf (everyone got white fleece scarves). We tried to get everyone in the Ward Choir (who had been asked to sing at the last minute, from what I understand) to wear theirs when we performed. I hope it was appreciated.
I've also been thinking about the things Mom's do for us. Birthday parties, Christmas presents, phone calls 2-3 times a month. My Dad just can't pull it off the way my Mom did. He does his best, bless his heart, but sometimes I just really miss my Mom. She would never allow my siblings to forget me for Christmas. Which has happened twice since she passed away. And two of them that did it before have me again this year.
This post may seem entirely too selfish and 'poor me' to anyone who reads it. Thank you for bearing with me. I'll try to be more positve next year.
I don't expect to be blogging much in the next couple of weeks, so let me take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Recently a friend seemed to trivialize a Christmas song, "Feed the World". I suppose she can't be blamed, she probably wasn't even born when that whole thing happened (or at least was very small). Bob Geldof heard about the famine in Ethiopia and really wanted to help. All he knew how to do was write and produce songs. So he called in all his musician buddies, and they recoreded a song. It sold millions--I did my part. My friend and I went in on it together, since we were poor High School students at the time. There were stories of how people would buy boxes and boxes of the record (yes, it was before CD's) and then give them back to the store so they could be sold a second time. The song brought international attention to the problem, and my church even got involved, declaring a special fast (which is how the Humanitarian Aid department of the church got started--people were very, very generous, far more than was needed). Bob Geldof recieved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, and every time I hear that song I am reminded of a time when the whole world seemed to pull together to help others. Others that didn't even believe in Christmas, true, but really, all that was required was that the people who heard it did believe in Christmas. Unfortunately, Bob didn't know that the Ethiopian government would interfere in his efforts and refuse to distribute the food, so I guess it wasn't the whole world that pulled together.
I've made a rather big decision regarding New Years. I'm not going to the Single Adult New Year's Conference this year. I've been feeling a lot of pressure to go from friends who are going, but quite frankly, all I've been feeling is stress when I think about going. So I will be home, taking care of my cat, and probably going to the movies and reading books for about five days (I return from SC on Thursday). I may even get motivated enough to work on my house. Depends on how Christmas goes. But I do forsee a shopping trip in my future... We'll have to see how good the New Year's sales are.
I went to three parties last weekend. On Friday I had almost triple-booked myself, but I cancelled one. I met up with my friend at the Temple Visitor's Center and we listened to the Handbells by a group from Virginia. It was really nice. My friend isn't LDS, and when she told her co-workers what she was doing they got very concerned. Turns out that they got Mormonism mixed up with Scientology. Weird. Then I went to another friend's party (I had told her I would be late). I heard it referred to as a 'couples' party, so I'm not sure why I was invited, but I went anyway. I made out with a great magnetic white board (that still needs to be put up, but that can be one of my after-Christmas projects), and the person who got the gift I brought seemed happy (although her husband wasn't *g*). Saturday started out with a baby shower, which I always love to attend, but don't necessarily care for the games. I mostly like to see the gifts. I felt kind of cheap for only bringing a baby blanket when it was obvious some people had spent a good $50-70 on their presents. Later that day was the Ward Christmas party, which was great. I didn't even get stuck at a table with old people (which tends to happen to me--they seem to follow me around wherever I go). I found a table with young people and children and we had a great time. And I love my scarf (everyone got white fleece scarves). We tried to get everyone in the Ward Choir (who had been asked to sing at the last minute, from what I understand) to wear theirs when we performed. I hope it was appreciated.
I've also been thinking about the things Mom's do for us. Birthday parties, Christmas presents, phone calls 2-3 times a month. My Dad just can't pull it off the way my Mom did. He does his best, bless his heart, but sometimes I just really miss my Mom. She would never allow my siblings to forget me for Christmas. Which has happened twice since she passed away. And two of them that did it before have me again this year.
This post may seem entirely too selfish and 'poor me' to anyone who reads it. Thank you for bearing with me. I'll try to be more positve next year.
I don't expect to be blogging much in the next couple of weeks, so let me take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Friday, December 14, 2007
A song in my head...
For the last several weeks Christmas songs have been running around in my head. Not annoying ones, my favorites. This started about the same time the radio started playing Christmas songs. It's kind of nice, having this soundtrack in my head, without even needing an ipod or anything.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a nice weekend, and that the storm really doesn't start until everyone is home from the ward Christmas party tomorrow night.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a nice weekend, and that the storm really doesn't start until everyone is home from the ward Christmas party tomorrow night.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
LDS equivalent of drinking...
Anyone know what that might be? I'm thinking pizza, lots and lots of pizza...
Work has been indescribably bad lately. We've been asked to cut yet another $70 million from our budget. Some idiot suggested we outsource Mission Operations. My job. Thanks. A lot. so I've been going to a lot of meetings where we try to figure out how to prove to those idiots that this would be a REALLY Bad Idea. Very RISKY. Somehow the guy at NASA HQ got wind of the idea, and now we have to justify why it's better for APL to do it than to have some university try to pull of our operations. If I weren't LDS, boy, I'd be seriously tempted to hit a bar on the way home. Really shouldn't break my diet, either, even though the diet isn't going really well. I haven't lost anything in a month. Haven't gained either, though, so it's not a total failure.
Three words: Cost Cutting SUCKS.
When can I get to my real job? If they hadn't just made me an APL employee, I'd seriously consider finding something else to do.
So for some good news, Kitty/Padme is officially mine. I spoke with the housesitter--really the girlfriend of the guy who lives there, who has been in Australia for the last 4-5 months and is considering moving there. She, on the other hand, has two jobs and her own place (hence the reason I never saw her). So when I offered to adopt Padme, they were grateful. She still likes to be outside more than inside, but I think she's happy I've stopped kicking her out of my house. She does like to attack my toes while I'm sleeping, though. That has got to stop...
Work has been indescribably bad lately. We've been asked to cut yet another $70 million from our budget. Some idiot suggested we outsource Mission Operations. My job. Thanks. A lot. so I've been going to a lot of meetings where we try to figure out how to prove to those idiots that this would be a REALLY Bad Idea. Very RISKY. Somehow the guy at NASA HQ got wind of the idea, and now we have to justify why it's better for APL to do it than to have some university try to pull of our operations. If I weren't LDS, boy, I'd be seriously tempted to hit a bar on the way home. Really shouldn't break my diet, either, even though the diet isn't going really well. I haven't lost anything in a month. Haven't gained either, though, so it's not a total failure.
Three words: Cost Cutting SUCKS.
When can I get to my real job? If they hadn't just made me an APL employee, I'd seriously consider finding something else to do.
So for some good news, Kitty/Padme is officially mine. I spoke with the housesitter--really the girlfriend of the guy who lives there, who has been in Australia for the last 4-5 months and is considering moving there. She, on the other hand, has two jobs and her own place (hence the reason I never saw her). So when I offered to adopt Padme, they were grateful. She still likes to be outside more than inside, but I think she's happy I've stopped kicking her out of my house. She does like to attack my toes while I'm sleeping, though. That has got to stop...
Friday, December 7, 2007
I'm here, really. I just haven't been in a blogging mood for a while.
So what have I been up to?
Here comes FIOS!
Last Tuesday stayed home in the morning for the Verizon/FIOS people that never came (they'd rescheduled and didn't tell me) So I stayed home from work this Tuesday (the 4th) as well, and they did come, and now I have hundreds of channels to watch!!! As if I didn't have enough of a problem sitting in front of the TV! But now I get BYU-TV, so no more trying to listen to Conference on the internet or shlepping up to the Stake Center! I should probably try to make it up there for at least one session, but being at home is so much EASIER!!
My internet is much faster too--at least, faster enough to be noticiable. Given that I had Comcast Cable before, this is a rather interesting fact.
Snowfall
As many of my friends noted on their blogs, it snowed on Wednesday (why? Why couldn't it have been Tuesday when I was home anyway??). I did go to work, and didn't get hit by other cars, or slide around, or anything. But it was nice and peaceful with the snow falling outside and my office mate staying home (she lives in VA, can't really blame her for that). We got a lot of snow, 4-5 inches (I never heard the final count, but there was a lot of snow on the ground). I didn't believe the weather people when they said it would snow. I thought they were talking about Western Maryland, or someplace else. Or that they were lying to us again. But no, they were right, and there was a lot of snow. And the schools didn't close. That was kind of amazing. Especially since it really did accumulate and cause many, many accidents on the highways.
Holiday Party
I went to the Relief Society's HF&PE night last night. It was a Christmas celebration, at the home of the RS president. It was very nice, and the program was beautiful. Most people crammed into the kitchen to talk to their friends, but I get really claustrophobic in large crowds, so I went in by the fire and sat. People came to me, and meanwhile I got to enjoy the beautiful decorations and quilt. Our RS president is really quite talented.
During the program one sister read O Henry's "the gift of the Magi". She was very expressive in her reading, and transported me to a different time and place. It was very nice. The music was really nice too, performed by several sisters in the ward.
Tin Man
A mini-series on Sci-Fi channel this week. It was a re-imagining of the Wizard of OZ story, and having seen Sci-Fi channel re-imaginings I was prepared for the worst, but it was actually quite good. It even had several homages to the original that were quite cute, such as the protaganist being the great-granddaughter of the original Dorothy Gale, and being named after her. It wasn't until my FIOS was installed that I realized I wouldn't be able to tape it off, or record it using my DVD Recorder (not the one that came in the FIOS box, either). I'm going to have to look into that, although I don't tend to tape that much anymore, just the occaisional movie or mini-series. I suppose I could buy it... sigh.
The Neighborhood Cat
Anyone who's visited me in the last several months knows about the neighborhood cat. She seems to think she lives at my house. Course, I do feed her, and I did get a cheapo litter box for her. I can't bear to think of her outside in this weather. But she's not a stray. Her current owner has been on travel for the last several months, and the house-sitter keeps letting the cat out, then leaving for work. Leaving the poor thing outside the whole time, til she returns late at night (often after I go to bed, then leaves before I get up). Not such a problem in the summer, but now that it's cold, she really shouldn't be outside so much. So I have a little furry roommate. I call her Kitty, for lack of knowing her real name. Maybe they'll let me keep her, and I can call her Padme like I want to...
Hoping everyone is having a happy (or at least not terribly stressful) holiday time.
So what have I been up to?
Here comes FIOS!
Last Tuesday stayed home in the morning for the Verizon/FIOS people that never came (they'd rescheduled and didn't tell me) So I stayed home from work this Tuesday (the 4th) as well, and they did come, and now I have hundreds of channels to watch!!! As if I didn't have enough of a problem sitting in front of the TV! But now I get BYU-TV, so no more trying to listen to Conference on the internet or shlepping up to the Stake Center! I should probably try to make it up there for at least one session, but being at home is so much EASIER!!
My internet is much faster too--at least, faster enough to be noticiable. Given that I had Comcast Cable before, this is a rather interesting fact.
Snowfall
As many of my friends noted on their blogs, it snowed on Wednesday (why? Why couldn't it have been Tuesday when I was home anyway??). I did go to work, and didn't get hit by other cars, or slide around, or anything. But it was nice and peaceful with the snow falling outside and my office mate staying home (she lives in VA, can't really blame her for that). We got a lot of snow, 4-5 inches (I never heard the final count, but there was a lot of snow on the ground). I didn't believe the weather people when they said it would snow. I thought they were talking about Western Maryland, or someplace else. Or that they were lying to us again. But no, they were right, and there was a lot of snow. And the schools didn't close. That was kind of amazing. Especially since it really did accumulate and cause many, many accidents on the highways.
Holiday Party
I went to the Relief Society's HF&PE night last night. It was a Christmas celebration, at the home of the RS president. It was very nice, and the program was beautiful. Most people crammed into the kitchen to talk to their friends, but I get really claustrophobic in large crowds, so I went in by the fire and sat. People came to me, and meanwhile I got to enjoy the beautiful decorations and quilt. Our RS president is really quite talented.
During the program one sister read O Henry's "the gift of the Magi". She was very expressive in her reading, and transported me to a different time and place. It was very nice. The music was really nice too, performed by several sisters in the ward.
Tin Man
A mini-series on Sci-Fi channel this week. It was a re-imagining of the Wizard of OZ story, and having seen Sci-Fi channel re-imaginings I was prepared for the worst, but it was actually quite good. It even had several homages to the original that were quite cute, such as the protaganist being the great-granddaughter of the original Dorothy Gale, and being named after her. It wasn't until my FIOS was installed that I realized I wouldn't be able to tape it off, or record it using my DVD Recorder (not the one that came in the FIOS box, either). I'm going to have to look into that, although I don't tend to tape that much anymore, just the occaisional movie or mini-series. I suppose I could buy it... sigh.
The Neighborhood Cat
Anyone who's visited me in the last several months knows about the neighborhood cat. She seems to think she lives at my house. Course, I do feed her, and I did get a cheapo litter box for her. I can't bear to think of her outside in this weather. But she's not a stray. Her current owner has been on travel for the last several months, and the house-sitter keeps letting the cat out, then leaving for work. Leaving the poor thing outside the whole time, til she returns late at night (often after I go to bed, then leaves before I get up). Not such a problem in the summer, but now that it's cold, she really shouldn't be outside so much. So I have a little furry roommate. I call her Kitty, for lack of knowing her real name. Maybe they'll let me keep her, and I can call her Padme like I want to...
Hoping everyone is having a happy (or at least not terribly stressful) holiday time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
"Let them worship how where or what they may"
I like to listen to my scriptures on the way to work. For the last couple of days, I forgot to bring my CD case out with me to the car (I had to switch out my regular listening fare for Christmas music), so I've been doing without. This morning, frustrated with myself, I decided to recite the 13 Articles of Faith. I discovered that I need to review 5 and 12, and relearn 7 and 10. When I got to 11, it occured to me that if everyone in the world would adopt the 11th Article of Faith, the world would be such a better place.
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
The level of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all peoples everywhere implied by this statement could change the world.
I think it's significant that the Articles of Faith were written at a time when my church was under heavy perscution, having just been driven out of Ohio and Missouri (where it's no longer legal to kill Mormons, since 1972) for what they believed. A newspaperman from Chicago wrote to Joseph Smith to ask what we believe in, and in his reply the 13 Articles of Faith were first documented--not in such a formal way, but still there in infant form.
The idea of allowing people to worship what they please is not a new one, being one of the founding tenants of our very country, but we still have trouble implementing it. Anyone who stands up and says, "You're wrong, because you don't believe what I do" proves it. I still see a lot of this, most recently on the message boards for the tv show House. House had a supposed Mormon in his ranks of interns, and in one of the message threads talking about this, there was a person whose sole purpose was to state how horrible and awful the Mormons are because of what we believe. I know there are also narrow minded people out there who think that just because a person is Islamic that means they're a terrorist. And how many terrorists would there be if we got rid of all the ones who terrorize in the name of religion?
At this time of year, when Christians celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, when Jews celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is celebrated, and the winter solstice occurs, may we all carry a little peace in our hearts, regardless of where we believe it comes from. Let everyone worship how, where, and what they may.
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
The level of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all peoples everywhere implied by this statement could change the world.
I think it's significant that the Articles of Faith were written at a time when my church was under heavy perscution, having just been driven out of Ohio and Missouri (where it's no longer legal to kill Mormons, since 1972) for what they believed. A newspaperman from Chicago wrote to Joseph Smith to ask what we believe in, and in his reply the 13 Articles of Faith were first documented--not in such a formal way, but still there in infant form.
The idea of allowing people to worship what they please is not a new one, being one of the founding tenants of our very country, but we still have trouble implementing it. Anyone who stands up and says, "You're wrong, because you don't believe what I do" proves it. I still see a lot of this, most recently on the message boards for the tv show House. House had a supposed Mormon in his ranks of interns, and in one of the message threads talking about this, there was a person whose sole purpose was to state how horrible and awful the Mormons are because of what we believe. I know there are also narrow minded people out there who think that just because a person is Islamic that means they're a terrorist. And how many terrorists would there be if we got rid of all the ones who terrorize in the name of religion?
At this time of year, when Christians celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, when Jews celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is celebrated, and the winter solstice occurs, may we all carry a little peace in our hearts, regardless of where we believe it comes from. Let everyone worship how, where, and what they may.
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