More snow?

So my friend has a friend at her work who's been very good about predicting the amounts of snowfall we've been getting this season. He says we're going to get between 2 and 3 feet of snow this weekend. Course, he's in Northern VA, so the amounts in MD may be different. What worries me is that he came out with this prediction on Tuesday. The storm wasn't even on most people's horizons at that time. Scary.

Not a whole lot's been happening with me lately--got snowed in last weekend so didn't go to the movies as planned. Have a big review at work coming up in a couple weeks so this week we've been doing flip-thru's and dry runs. Yesterday was particularly fun since we went through a day and a half of material, leaving only half a day for today. The reason behind this is because it's supposed to start snowing between 10 am and 2 pm today, and we really don't have another time to get together with everyone until the 23rd, which is the day of the review. yay.

Wednesday night was fun, though. The Youth at church were having an Etiquette Dinner. They'd had classes on how to behave at formal dinners, and then the Mia Maids hosted a fancy dinner. Their leader asked for volunteers (adults) in the ward to serve, so I volunteered. It was quite fun, serving from the left, clearing from the right. Keeping an eye on our table to make sure everyone was happy. I kind of felt like I was in an episode of Gilmore Girls.

Monday I went over to my friends for Family Home Evening. It was so much fun. They have four of the cutest little girls I've ever seen, and they're all so funny. One of them is in my Nursery class, too. The Single Adults in my ward are supposed to have Family Home Evening with a ward family the first Monday of every month, but I'm usually the only one that comes. I'm starting to think I'm the only SA in my ward interested in SA activities. This is kind of sad, but we did just go through a huge re-org of the ward, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

Well, I think that's it for now. I may actually be on facebook this weekend since I'll probably be socked in. Stay warm, everyone!

A meme for 2010

Funny how I recieved two of these this week, from the same person! Even funnier is that three of my four brothers have already responded. I guess we should include them more often, huh? You are under no obligation to do this, but if you do let me know so I can go read!

Welome to the new 2010 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Have fun and be truthful! I'd love to see your answers!

1. What is your occupation right now? spacecraft engineer
2. What color are your socks right now? black
3. What are you listening to right now? telecon (it's on mute, and I just have to listen)
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Thai broccoli stir fry (7 points, but I think I need to double-check that)
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Gene
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? She's my favorite!
8. How old are you today? 42
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Not applicable
10. What is your favorite drink? water
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, usually red
12. Favorite food? Edible
13. What is the last movie you watched? Avatar
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas
15. How do you vent anger? Throw things, but only when no one is watching
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? mousie (I still have her)
17. Favorite season? Fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Of course!
20. Who is the most likely to respond? N/A for blog (Glen was actually first)
21. Who is least likely to respond? N/A for blog
22. Living arrangements? townhouse with a cat
23. When was the last time you cried? Last Sunday Night (emotional meltdown)
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, laundry basket
25. What did you do last night? Finished up the last costume for my friend's daughter's play
26. What are you most afraid of? dying alone and no one finding me for days (or worse, weeks)
27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Yes
28. Favorite dog breed? Shi-Tzu
29. Favorite day of the week? Friday
30. How many states have you lived in? 6 (California, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, Georgia, and Maryland)
31. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls
32. What is your favorite flower? Pink Roses

Mottos

My favorite niece-in-law (can I just refer to her as my niece?) challenged the readers of her blog to pick a motto for this year. I choose "Make good choices." I've been making a lot of bad choices lately--eating when I'm not hungry, watching tv instead of doing anything else, playing instead of working. I need to work on making good choices.

And I challenge the readers of my blog (ok, all three of you), should you choose to accept it, to come up with a motto for this year for you. What would you pick for a motto for this year?

Ok, time for the journal update. I have been doing a whole lot of nothing lately. At least, it feels that way. I took the Sister Missionaries out to dinner, I cleaned one bathroom in my house (I have 1 1/2), I go to my rehearsals on Thursdays, last Sunday we had a performance at a Why I Believe Fireside in Annandale VA, and I went Rock Climbing with my friend K. So I guess not too much 'nothing'.

This week I'm working on making tunics for a friend--her daughter is in a performance of Mulan, and they needed four more outfits for the chorus. They bought the most beautiful fabric--stuff I covet but usually manage to tell myself I really don't have a purpose for it and don't buy it. Well, now I do get to make this lovely fabric into tunics, using my most favorite pattern of all time. My Jedi pattern, of course. I love to make Jedi outfits for some crazy reason. I wonder if they'd let me keep one... but even if they don't, I'll have enough left-over fabric to make a couple or three vests. That will be fun. I shall have to take pictures if I do. I found some beautiful space fabric at the store when I was looking for fabric for another new project--I'll be making a 'round the world quilt with my church group. Except that they meet on Thursdays which is also rehersal, so I probably won't be able to join them until July. I may have it started before then, though. Like I said, I already have the fabric, and the woman in charge will be sending me the pattern :)

I was also thinking about those silly meme's that come around via internet sometimes. At church on Sunday they were talking about keeping a Family History, and I was thinking that those meme's, as a part of a journal, not a replacement for one, would be a good addition. Dated, so the reader knows when it was filled out (may be important). But still, those lists are a snapshot of our interests at a particular moment in time. That could be fun for someone to know in the future. Or even to look back on for ourselves. So send out those memes!

And let me know about your motto! If you pick one, that is.
Pleasant dreams of your favorite thing; me, I'm going with Hugh Jackman...

Some updates

Trying some new things on my page--like only listing 10 friends at a time. I'm hoping this means it will update based on whether or not the blog was actually updated, so I don't have to see the ones that haven't been updated in the last year (kaf! Kris! kaf!) but if they per chance do get updated I will see them. So don't be mad if you don't see your blog on the friend list--if it doesn't work the way I want it to I'll change it back, but if it does, then it's your own fault for not updating!! :D

have a great day!

Hmm what to say

I find myself playing catch-up again. Things were rather busy in December, plus the resurgeance of my cold made things even more difficult. I'm finally better now, though.

Christmas was great. I went to South Carolina (again) to spend it with my sister and her family (again). I forgot my camera (again), but I did have my camera phone. The pictures didn't turn out that great, though. Here's a sampling:

Present Time!

Me and my new doll!

I took a really nice shot of Mama and Baby, but it didn't turn out so great, out of focus and a little over exposed. That will teach me not to take my camera.

I came back to MD to put in a couple days of work (I was out of vacation so have been borrowing from next year), then went to a Single Adult conference for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I met a couple nice guys at the dance on NYE, which encouraged me to attend the workshop part of the conference on NYD, so I could see them again. In daylight this time (yup, still cute). I did, however, go to the workshops on Smart Dating (and if you saw the alternatives you'd know why). One thing that struck me is that it takes about 2 years to get to know someone, especially if it's just through conferences and occaisional activities. Those quick, meet once and know the person is your true love experiences do happen, but more often than not they end up in unhappiness and divorce (or at least, that's true of the SA crowd. Hmm, the stats may be skewed (or is that screwed?)). Therefore, I'm going to take my time with my two new prospects. and if someone else comes along, for them or for me, I can be ok with that. Sounds good in theory, anyway. I know, it's only taken 20 years for me to get to this point.

The rest of the conference was about leadership, and how leadership really begins with me, whether or not I have someone to lead. And about controlling our thoughts. So it was a good conference.

On Saturday I went to see Sherlock Holmes and Avatar (I love doing double-features, even if theaters don't usually do them anymore and I have to arrange them for myself) with my friends. See reviews in side panel (yes, I liked them both, probably Avatar a little more than Sherlock Holmes).

Now it's time to return to real life and get my car maintained and Kitty a check-up, get my hair cut and clean my house (amazing how yucky it gets when one is sick for two months).

Oh, resolutions? I typically make four every year, one in each category:
Spiritual: attend temple once a month, read BoM four times (once each season, with a different focus in each)
Physical: exercise more, continue with Weight Watchers
Social: go to more SA activities (just because I'm not in charge anymore, doesn't mean I need to drop out of sight), make an effort to go out with friends more often.
Mental: practice controlling my thoughts, such that my mind doesn't wander when I'm supposed to be paying attention, at work, at church, or with my friends.

Wish me luck, and a Happy New Year to you!

Christmas party'd out..

My Group Supervisor at work had the right idea. Instead of a Christmas party for our group, we're going to have a 'Summer' party on May Day. did that this year and it worked really well. We've had a party at work every other day for nearly two weeks. A woman we all love is retiring, so we started with her. Then there was the Department party which I skipped because I don't care for hors deovers and alcohol and lots of people I don't know. There was the RBSP holiday party (my satellite mission). There was our office party at work (holidays in the hallways, complete with gift exchange), then our 'Branch' party (a group larger than the Group but smaller than the Department) that I missed because I had a meeting (story of my life--I was late to the office one too because of a meeting). And there's yet another work party tomorrow. Fortunately most people are leaving next week, so I don't think we have any more parties then.

I have been good at bringing vegetables, because I have been trying hard to follow my Weight Watcher's guidelines. Not quite succeeding, but I have lost weight due to this cold. Yes, the same one I've had since before Thanksgiving. The one the doctor gave me anti-biotics for. Guess it's not all bad, huh? (cough, cough, hack, pick up lung, re-insert into chest). Mucinex. I'm telling you, it's good stuff.

Among all the work parties there have been parties in the evening too. A good friend had a surprise birthday party, which of course I couldn't miss. There was my church's Christmas party that I did have to miss because my cold came back (I thought it was leaving) and I really didn't want to get anyone else sick. Oh, and I forgot another one I missed, the Friends party at the beginning of the month, also mssed because of this dratted cold. There was a Visiting Teaching party last night (ok, so there were only the three of us and we exchanged treats instead of eating them, but still). Enough parties already!!!

Ok, so now for the fun stuff. Went to Karen (my niece)'s wedding the day before Thanksgiving. It was very small, held in a small ward building in North Carolina, with maybe 20 people there. I think she was glad I was there--I was the only one from her side of the family (long, long involved story), so I tried to be the great Aunt that I can be. I do like her new hubby, I do see why her mother does not, though. I think she'll be ok. I do have pictures, but they're still in my camera. She was beautiful, and he was handsome, and what else do you need?

Thanksgiving, since I was already in North Carolina, I just went a little farther south to South Carolina to see my sister and her family. It was great. Very laid back and calm. My sis kept apologizing that we weren't going anywhere or doing anything, but since I was still recovering from my previously mentioned illness, I was perfectly ok reading the books she thrust into my hands (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the sequel, Catching Fire--both really good, hard-to-put-down YA books, my review is on Goodreads). We had two kinds of turkey--my brother-in-law cooked his on the grill with rosemary, and their friends brought over one they'd fryed with Cajun seasoning. That was yummy, I tell you! All gone now, though :( I actually bought a little turkey breast to roast when I got home, but it's still in the freezer. Maybe I'll have it for New Years?

I think this means my blog is caught up. I do intend to go back to my sister's for Christmas, but I will return before New Years. There's always a chance I may go to the big Single Adult dance my church has every year on New Year's Eve. Unless I'm still sick : p

a trip to a Galaxy far far away... but first...

Apparently there *is* a Jacob doll. I'm going to have to go look...

Stiill sick, but going to the doctor today.

Last night was Amazing. My two friends came up from VA and we went to "STAR WARS: the Concert". It was great. We had dinner at the Paper Moon diner in Baltimore first--I recommend this restaurant to anyone. It has amazing decor--brightly painted walls, toys stuck to the walls and ceiling--evertthing from Star Wars action figures to baby dolls to barbies to mannequins cavorting on the ceiling. My friends enjoyed it every bit as much as I do.

The concert was in the First Mariner Arena, which is a basketball arena, but also used for cool things like concerts. It included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a giant screen, a laser show, and cameras that would focus in on the performers. They played 'concert suites' of all our favorites, from the Main Theme, to Anakin's Theme, to Padme's Theme, and on to Luke and Leia's themes--separate and together (the brother/sister theme as well as the individual themes). Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) was the host, and he did a marvelous job, up to and including the gold vest under his black suit coat. They even did an encore--the Empire Strikes Back theme, of course! I love when there are encores!

It was amazing. Kind a makes me want to go watch all six movies again. Maybe this year for New Years. I did that about 10 years ago for New Years, except that there weren't six movies at the time. Party at my house!

New Moon Dolls

Now, I'm a doll collector, so I can say even I'm tempted by these dolls...

Edward... all glittery and bad-hair-day-ish...


I do think Barbie Bella is prettier than what's her name. Although... where's the Jacob doll?

Discrimination!!

OK I was wrong

And I admit it. They did indeed take 4 wards and made... four more evenly-divided wards. Oh, and one ward got a new name. Catonsville became Ellicott City Ward, and recieved nice large geographical tracts of land from Columbia 1st and 2nd wards. they both turned around and recieved nice chunks of Savage Mill Ward (my ward). Savage Mill only lost people--about 60 families or so. I'm quite impressed that the ward websites are already up to date--just have to go in them to see which friends are missing.

Good news for me is that I still have my HT and one of my VT. The VT I lost (they come in pairs) was the one that never really came to visit anyway, so I'm ok with that. Our ward does need a new Single Adult Rep, though. Uh oh.

Very sad that our choir director and pianist are now in C1, too. I think everyone I offended in choir is now in a different ward, though, so I may risk returning to choir practice. As long as I can keep my big mouth shut (when it's not being used for singing).

So I'm thinking another couple or three years and we'll be going through this again.

In other news, I have been sick. Just a cold, not the flu, and right now it's just a rather bothersome cough that's most likely going to keep me out of a performance tomorrow night with the Washington DC Mormom Choir. Rats. I really wanted to go to the Interfaith Concert this year, too. The flip side is that I've lost 5 lbs since I got sick. That happens when all you do is sleep. I practically had to force liquids down my throat. My cat's not too happy with me, either. Apparently she doesn't like the hacking sound I make periodically. It startles her. I did find her collar, though--she took it off behind the couch. So now I'm wondering if I should put it back on her or not.

And obviously I'm still not making a lot of sense. I'll probably leave work early today, too. I left work early last Wednesday, slept through Thursday, came in for a little bit on Friday, then slept through Saturday. Made it to the Stake Boundary Change Meeting on Sunday, but you can bet I'd've stayed home if it had been a normal Sunday meeting schedule. My nursery kids don't need this, even if I suspect it was one of them that gave it to me! Today I'm at work mostly because I was bored at home. I have a couple things that need to be done today, so I did them, so now I'm just trying to get my mind to make sense. Too bad I'm really short of both medical and vacation leave. I think I coud still use a couple more days off... and not just because it's nice outside. I would spend it all laying down on either my bed or my couch. Doesn't that sound nice? I could open the windows and let Kitty outside.

Oh the Anticipation!!!

Since I'm not certain that there are people who read this who aren't LDS, if you need clarification for anything just ask. Otherwise, I'm going to be writing in "Mormonese"

An exciting thing is happening in my stake. Four wards are getting new boundaries!! The last time this happened, four wards became five. I'm convinced that history will repeat itself, although I seem to be the only person who thinks that.

Come on, of the four wards involved, three have over 400 members, and one (mine) has almost 600 members. A standard size ward is about 300 members (yes, including children and teenagers). Do the math!! So yeah, I'm thinking we'll be getting a new ward.

We already have a new building. I drove past it today, and it looks really spiffy. It's actually not far from where I work. Which is not far from where I live, but the church building is in the opposite direction from where I work. So that's kind of unfair. But really, it's ok. New building, new ward, everything will be so fun! It was fun the last time, only the building wasn't *quite* ready for us when we moved in. We're assured that will be different this time.

The sad part is that we won't be seeing everyone we know every Sunday. Then again, it will be easier to get to know people in a smaller ward. My ward, in case I haven't mentioned it before, is humoungous. Really, it's big enough to make two wards. We don't fit in the building we're currently in, and the new building is the same size. In actuallity, our ward has never been small. Six--or was it seven?--years ago our ward was the new, fourth ward that was created, and from the very beginning we had to open the curtains at the back of the chapel and extend into the cultural hall. Our Primary classes average around 10 kids per class, and the young men/young women classes seem to be about twice that. The little tiny classrooms in our building just don't come in that expandable, bigger on the inside than on the outside (Dr Who reference) size. We just don't fit. So while it will be sad to not see friends on Sundays, I'm actually kind of hoping we'll have a ward that fits into our building. Our new building. Because the building we meet in now is actually in another stake. But that's another story.

But like I said, almost everyone I've talked to seems to think that they're just going to readjust the boundaries a little more equitably. We find out on Sunday.

So exciting!!

Checking in

Ok, so last week another long one I didn't care to mention. Last weekend was our annual Trunk or Treat activity, though. That was fun. I was golidlocks. No, I didn't get any pictures, but other people did. I may have to go find them. I told everyone that I break into people's houses, eat their food, break their furniture, and then go to sleep on their beds. One little boy, dressed as a police officer, gave me a ticket. Cause I was bad.

I went to the doctor yesterday to get the results of the tests I did about a month ago. Results are, he couldn't find anything wrong. Whew! I'm thinking diet and exercise may clear up my problem (now where have I heard that before?). now I need to call the Red Cross and let them know I'm ok to donate blood again.

As for other things, life's about to get crazy again...

At work we have our Critical Design Review coming up, and I get to present (stand up in front of the room and talk to my 7-8 slides). Speaking in front of a group is really not a problem having been a Mormon all my life--they start us when we're very small giving talks and stuff. It's good preparation, really. The tricky part is that the review board gets to ask you questions and interrupt you and stuff like that. Practicing a talk no problem, but the ad libbing stuff gets to me sometimes and I say thoughtless things (those HOPE guys!). Whatever Nicky says, I did NOT use the 'd' word to describe those HOPE guys (HOPE is the name of one of our instruments). Although it does make for a better story when she tells it. So the next month I get to prepare for that.

In the Mormon Choir we have a fireside coming up, and after that the Interfaith Concert. That's pretty cool because choirs from all over DC, all religions and aspect, come and perform. It's done to encourage cooperation and peace between people of different faiths. But what this means for me is Tuesday Night Rehearsals. And Thursday Night Rehearsals. Not to mention we have the Temple Lighting Ceremony the week right after Thanksgiving, so the first week of December will see me at rehersals and performances. Yay. Busy busy busy. No time to sit and watch tv :(

Speaking of TV, November is Sweeps month. Which means all the best tv episodes will be played. Can't miss that, but I don't think my DVR can hold more than 40 shows at a time, so exactly when will I be able to watch them? I'm at rehersal twice a week, remember? Yikes.

but I may have my weekends off. That would be nice. Stay home and veg. Oh, wait, clean house, that's it. I have to clean my house. And get ready for Christmas.

So if I don't blog quite so much the next few weeks, you know why.
Have a great day!

I work in a scary place...

Now don't get me wrong, I love where I work and what I do. I'm in the Space Department at JHU/APL. I get to fly satellites for a living.

This week I had PSOP--basically orientation for new employees. I know, I've been at APL for over 2 years now, but this is the first time I haven't had a conflict. It's a four-day orientation, with presentations in the morning and tours in the afternoons. Every department at APL gives a presentation so you get an idea of what goes on in the other departments at the lab.

Really cool stuff, for the most part. There's a lot of work going on for development of a prosthetic arm right now. There's also a lot of work on building a human-like mannequin they can stick sensors into and see how it reacts to different types of trauma. Like what happens when a person puts on a bullet-proof vest and gets shot. Ok, so the bullet didn't go through, but what happened to the person's innards?

Scary stuff too, though. I learned that, during the Cuban Missle Crisis in 1962 at one point the guy in charge of the arrmed forces went into President Kennedy and told him that we had a huge command and control problem. There was no way to stop some guy out in a sub from starting the next nuclear war. Up to that point our focus was just to have more bombs and whatnot than the Russians. Once the crisis was resolved they decided we just needed enough to insure total anihiliation. I.e. the guy who shoots first dies second. APL was asked to step in and do some of the command and control work. Like I said, scary stuff.

I knew there was a lot of military stuff going on here--it was formed during WWII for just that purpose--but I had no idea what. I like my nice, safe, little bubble in the space deparment, working on the civilian space side of the fence (i.e. NASA). We do cool stuff too, discovering new things on other planets and determining the environment outside of our atmosphere. I'd much rather be involved in the work I'm doing. Far more positive. Though it is kind of nice to know some of the things we're doing to help our troops overseas. And under the seas as well. And I'm thinking I really need to get my brother (the unemployed one) to take a look at applying here. I think he would do well in the technical services department.

As for the rest of my week, it's just been long. So glad it's the weekend.

Oh hey, I didn't mention my trip to NYC! Shannon and I went up last Saturday on the train. We had lunch at a place serving New York Pizza, and then went to the theater. The play ("A Steady Rain") was ok, I think it suffered a little by being so time constrained, but there are no complaints at how well it was acted. Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman did FABULOUS!! They're so cute. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go. I'm really glad Shannon keeps up with what's going on around here. Next month we're going to the Star Wars concert at the Baltimore Maritime Arena. So cool!

Long boring week

Hmmm, nothing of note really happened this week either.

Saturday and Sunday I watched General Conference on TV. It was good, per usual. I need to work on noticing the Spirit more in my life and temperance. I also did some yard work and let the lawn guy cut my lawn. I do pay him for it...

Monday I went to work then went home and crashed on the couch and watched TV. Donny danced very well on Dancing with the Stars. I really like Louie and Chelsie too.

Tuesday I went to work then went home for dinner before going to the Chiropractor. He straightened me out. Oh, and Donny's safe for another week.

Wednesday I went to work then went home and crashed until time to go get my vegetables. Got these weird bulb things attatched to what looks like chard. No idea how to cook that. Maybe boil it and eat with butter, salt and pepper? A stir fry? Hmmm. Spent the evening watching NCIS on USA. Totally hooked. Yikes. Seven seasons to catch up on. Not clear if the current season is 7 or 8.

Thursday I went to work and then went home for dinner, programed my DVR to record NCIS off of USA, then went to Choir Rehearsal. Tried really hard not to be jealous of the beautiful talented alto that gets all the solos. Not her fault she's so talented. Not her fault the directors don't seem to choose anyone else for the solos, even with auditions. Not her fault I have no breath control (I did audition, just in case you were wondering).

Today I'm taking the Sister Missionaries for dinner before going to the store to get some stuff. I've been on restriction from shopping this week, but I got paid today so all is well. And I really need some new pants. Oops, not going to make the RS Social. Not a very social person anyway, so I guess that's ok. I do better in small groups. Large groups, even if I know everyone, intimidate me.

Tomorrow I'm going to NYC to see Hugh Jackman on stage. Live, in person. In a show. With Shannon, my partner-in-crime. Well, not crime. She's in Law Enforcement, so no illegal activities. Then again, she did tell me to bring restraints to make sure she doesn't leap over the balcony onto the stage to get closer to the Most Handsome Man Alive. Must remember to take credit card in case I need to bail her out of jail... Oh, and don't ask me what the name of the show is, it's enough that Hugh is in it. I'll know more when I return tomorrow night. Yup, quick trip, on the train, up and back. You won't even know I was gone...

Wish me luck!

Ahh, October!

I just have to say, that I love Fall. I love the cool crispness of the air, I love being able to leave my windows open all day and all night (with a good comforter and my kitty for warmth). I love when the trees turn briliant colors. Hasn't quite started yet here in MD, unless you count my poor tree in my front yard that's been losing leaves all summer. Poor thing. It gets so confused and doesn't know what season it is.

Last weekend was pretty tame. I was on a committee for the Relief Society dinner before the broadcast on Saturday, so I spent most of the day at the church setting up and helping out. Sunday was nice and laid back, complete with a visit from my HT and his wife (my other HT was in the hospital :( ) This week has been fairly calm too. I know a lot of that is due to my recovery from my cold--I just don't have the inclination to do a whole lot. I am much better now, though, and all ready for a night of singing. Choir rehearsal, you know.

This weekend I have the opportunity to listen to General Conference at home. I'll spend time before and between sessions in my yard, trying to make some sort of order there, but for at least four hours I'll sit on my couch and listen to the General Authorities in Salt Lake and try to get a feel for what I should work on for the next six months. I just love Conference Weekend.

Kitty and I had a cat-fight the other night, though. I sat on the couch and was drinking some juice when she latched on to my leg with both front claws and her mouth. I don't think she was trying to hurt me, she didn't draw any blood, but my juice spilled all over the place, including me, and I was unhappy. She knew it. She ran down to the basement to escape my wrath. I am really tired of her attacking me. She might find herself with a new home. Actually, what I will try first is to get a cat trainer over to my house to help us. And maybe play with her more.

I've gotten into NCIS now, too. My Fall TV-Watching schedule is greatly reduced from last year--mostly because half my shows were cancelled and part of the others don't start until January. I have two whole nights where I'm not recording anything. That is just amazing. Throw in the fact that I'm only recording one or two shows on about two other nights, and now you really get a sense of it. fortunately (unfortunately?) USA runs up to 6 hours of NCIS nearly every day. That's a lot. That's more than I can do, actually, but I usually only catch one or two episodes. Lori is going to laugh at me when I tell her. She told me to try it last year (or maybe the year before) but I didn't. She was right.

Life is calming down?

Well, summer's over, and along with it all the family visits and visiting. Erick and I went to my sister's over labor day weekend, and had a blast. We walked through Congaree National Park with the kids, and Malena had to read all the points of interest along the trail. Since it was a swamp, there was a boardwalk all the way around it. And the Mosquito index was 2 (mild). I was glad of that, but still put on bug spray. Just so you know, the index goes up to 6 (war). On Labor Day Beckie took us to Charleston where we took a carriage ride and walked through the Market. I even bought a sweetgrass basket. Kind of expensive, but should last forever (unless Kitty decides to shred it for some reason). So that was fun.

I dropped Erick off at the airport, and it was time to get back to life. Rehearsals for the Mormon Choir of Washington, DC (MCW) have started up again. I auditioned for a duet, and was asked to come back again. I have to work on my breathing. Last week I had a work conference/workshop at Goddard Space Flight Center, so I drove to Greenbelt on those days. Not a bad commute, really. Took only 20 minutes to get there and back. The key is to only go on the Parkway for as little as you can get away with--in my case, from Powder Mill Road to 197. Worked very well.

Last Friday night (the 18th) I had so much fun. My Realtor, the McGinn group, was having a Customer Appreciation Night--an interactive viewing of The Sound of Music. I invited my friend Kelli to come with, and it was so fun. I wore one of the dirndl's I bought in Germany last year. We were encouraged to participate in the movie, so we sang along with each song, and tried to tell Maria to be careful. By the end a lot of the families with smaller children had gone home, and I think most people were getting tired, but I was having too much fun. I kept going, telling the Captain not to go out from behind his tombstone ("NO!!! Don't do it!!"), among other things. It was great. I do hope I wasn't too annoying, Bob McGinn and Chris (my realtor, the one that helped my find my house) both told me I'd done well, trying to keep it going. I also got to talk to one of my little nursery girls, and she even came to stay in Nursery on Sunday (she'd been having issues about going into Nursery, but not last week *g*)

Saturday I was supposed to go to the RennFest (Irish weekend!) but I had a headache. Now, don't think I was flaking out. I'd had this headache since about 6:45pm Thursday. Yes, I do remember exactly when it started. I just didn't have any time to slow down and try to sleep it off, and the headache medicine I take would make me hyper (imagine how hyper I would have been Friday night if I'd taken it). So I got up Saturday and went to my Pilates class hoping that would help, but when it didn't I took my medicine and laid on the couch watching tv shows all day. And taking a nap. Which may not sound like it made me hyper, but that's because the pain really didn't go away until mid-afternoon. Kitty was ok with the nap thing, but I think she was getting a little annoyed I wasn't playing with her.

This week, so far, we are indeed back to 'normal', whatever that is. I get up, go to work, count my points (I've re-joined Weight Watchers, and it's a good thing, too, since I gained back 10 of the lbs I lost last year just this summer), do some exercise, and watch my tv shows. I'm watching a lot less this year, though I did include Dancing with the Stars since Donny Osmond is on it. He's so cute. And Marie was in the audience, cheering him on. Of the men, I think there's only one or two of them that could be considered major competition. The ladies dance tonight. But I digress. And I can't believe September is 2/3 over. And I can't believe my birthday is on Friday. The number on the calendar is definitely not how I feel. I think my age should be 32 this year. Sound good? Think people will believe me if I tell them that?

Book Meme from Cami

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack? Sometimes. Chips, popcorn, sometimes fruit. Nothing sticky or messy. But usually it's too annoying to try to eat and read at the same time

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? It horrifies me. Books are meant to be pristine, pure volumes that don't get messed up by the readers but are left in a condition that others can also read them without having to deal with the previous reader's opinions.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Bookmarks. Sometims I use the flaps of the dust covers. I never dog-ear. Sacrilige!

Laying the book flat open? My books don't stay open unless I hold them. Not sure why.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? I read both, mostly fiction, and of that, mostly of the science variety.

Hard copy or audiobooks? both. Hard copy (i.e. actual books) the majority of the time, but I do like audiobooks for trips.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? End of chapters, or if there's a break between paragraphs, or it's a good stopping place. I can't just put it down whenever or it takes too long for me to get back into it.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Nope. Like Cami, I do context.

What are you currently reading? Heir to Sevenwaters by Julliet Marillier.

What is the last book you bought? If I recall correctly, it was the Anthony and Cleopatra one by Colleen McCullough

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? I've read up to 5 books at a time before, but anymore I find I just get confused about what I've read where. So I try to stick to just one at a time.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? I tend to read just before going to sleep, but I have been known to read on the couch, at the table, outside, at the beach... wherever I can properly lay down.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I like both, but if a series is more than 3 books long I don't want to start it because it will take too long to finish it.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? The Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher. I just love wizards named Harry.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) by genre first and author's last name second. Except for my Star Wars books. They are organized by chronology. But my physics books are organized by size (the big books to one side, the little books to the other). so I guess it really varies within the genre. The genre's are not alphabetical, more like each genre has a particular place in my house.

too much fun

My nephew Erick is here, visiting from California. This is kind of a graduation/vacation/birthday trip, as his birthday was last Sunday. We have been going all over.

He got here Wed Aug 26, and on Thursday we went into DC. We went to the Smithsonian, and had lunch with a friend of mine who works at the Holocaust Museum. Erick just graduated with a Bachelor's in Art History, and was a little lost as to what to do next. Clare was able to give him some really good ideas, and he's already found two internships to apply for.

Friday we went into Baltimore, to the Baltimore Museum of Art. We had lunch at the Paper Moon Diner, which is a great little place close to the JHU Homewood campus. Better now that they've painted the previously naked manequins that cavort all over the ceiling, I must say ;) They're cute, and not doing anything bad, but now that they're painted I think they look better. Erick appreciated both the diner and the Museum, which I hadn't been to before either.

We went to Medieval Times that night, and gues what! I won four free tickets to the Renaissance Festival!! I may have to find a friend to go with me, I already bought the tickets I needed for this year, and now I have more.

Saturday we went to the Rennaissance Festival. Yay!! We saw Fight School! And then Don Quixote, this year's play. And then Johnny Fox, and O and some of the Medieval Babes. I atually hadn't made a point to see the Medieval Babes before, not sure what type of show they do, but it was really good, celtic music. Not bawdy like the O'Danny Girls (who are to be avioded by all those with children). I may have to look up their website, since this was their only weekend there. We also saw the Squire of the Wire, who is pretty funny, does a lot of 'little boy' humor as well as walking a tightwire in a kilt. Yes, a kilt. Pick your seats carefully. Then of course more Fight School! and the final joust of the day. Good as always.

Sunday we rested. Church too, but mostly rested. We was ti-red.

Monday I had to go back to work, seeing as I really don't have enough vacation time, but I allowed Erick to use my car, and he was able to do some stuff he wanted to do. He dropped me off and picked me up, and even made dinner for me!

Tuesday more work for me, back to DC for Erick. Went to Red, Hot, and Blue for dinner--a Southern BBQ place that is very good. Wednesday more work for me, Erick did his internet research, and for dinner we went to La Palapa Too, a fairly decent Mexican restaurant (and believe me, Erick would know!). Today I'm back at work again, he's meeting a friend for lunch, and tonight I have choir rehearsal in VA. He may come with me.

Tomorrow we head out to South Carolina. I still need a friend to watch my cat for me, otherwise I may fill the bathtub with water and leave her plenty of food for four days and see what happens. *cross fingers* Hopefully she won't tear the house apart while I'm gone, but I know there are no guarantees if I do that.

Just wanted to post a quick up date for what I've been doing. And leave you with this picture. Fires in California. Pretty dramatic.

Monday monday

not a bad day so far, managed to get up and get to work only 15 minutes later than I wanted to. I still have the Verizon DVR in my trunk that I need to send back to Verizon, so I'll do that this evening. Plus my three packages are ready to mail--one for my sister's birthday that was in July (oops), and two for my missionary nieces (missed their birthdays too--double oops).

Beckie and Dustie stopped on their way back from PA on Wednesday night. That was very fun again. The kids weren't quite so wiped out this time, so we were able to watch the end of their movie before they went to bed. They left the next morning after lots of hugs and kisses. I'll be taking Erick down there in a few weeks, so we'll see each other again soon.

Thursday I managed to *finally* go rock climbing again after several starts and stops (my own fault). I even managed to break my last personal climbing record. Almost made it to the top, but my arms were tired. If you haven't been rock climbing, you have no idea what that means, seriously. You try hanging on to the side of a wall with your arms sometime. Yes, you're supposed to use your legs too, but everything gets used.

Friday night was way fun. Took the sister missionaries out to eat--they requested chinese food so I took them to Hunan Manor, my personal favorite. They loved it. We each got different things and tried them all. After dropping them off it was time for Game Night at Jann's. That was way fun. Harry Potter Clue, do I need to say more? Maybe not, but I certainly want to go get my own edition. Then we played scruples, which was also very fun. The things you learn about people!

Saturday I did indeed start on my office--I'd set aside the whole day to work on it. Well, I actually watched tv for about 5 hours first, so I decided I wouldn't get my reward of going to the movies, but I did manage to clear out one side of the room and almost a whole shelf of books. I'm getting rid of some, but I'm also taking more of my college books to work where I might actually use them. I have two whole shelves of books I haven't read yet. I think I'm embarassed.

Sunday was nice, had the SA potluck that night. Somehow Tess and I ended up at the 'old persons' table. Which really wasn't fair since we sat down at that table first. They didn't go in to their various medical problems, though, so at least we were able to eat. And the food was all very good.

Ok, time to get back to work. For those who want to know what I think about movies I've seen, *cough*Cami*cough* please check the right-hand side of my blog for "Recently Seen Movies and/or DVD's" It's been there quite a while, and that's where I put short reviews of what I've seen. So if I mention a movie but not whether I liked it, just check there.

Had a nice weekend. Saturday went to see GI Joe with my friend, then met up with my other friend for another DVD of LOST. Sunday got my finances organized and bills ready to pay. Went to church and ran nursery--I was the only regular nursery worker there, so I got to set everything up and take everything down. It went well, but it made me remember the days I used to be in nursery, about 5 years ago, when I would come home exhausted from entertaining small children for two hours. The subs helped, but I still got to run the show. It was fun, and they were cute, don't get me wrong, but it made me appreciate just how smoothly Janet has nursery running these days. We all kind of take turns, so no one seems to get overwhelmed. Kind of nice.

Spent yesterday texting my sisters as I knew they were on their way. They left at 10:00am, and I figured they'd be very, very late, but they arrived at 7:00pm, just as predicted. I was amazed. And dinner wasn't quite ready. But it was shortly after they showed up, so no worries.

So Collin, the 4-year-old, runs in the door an immediately starts chasing my cat. I had to take him by the hands, look him in the face, and tell him, "Do NOT chase the cat." repeated three times. He got it, but was still a little overanxious. I let Kitty outside, and she didn't come back in until all was quiet inside (i.e. the kids had gone to bed (note I did not say, "asleep")). Bonnie, the 9-year-old, ended up on the couch in the living room, and Kitty even paid her a few visits in the night time--after I had kicked her out, but out of courtesy to my guests I didn't close my door on her, just shooed her away. She was ok with that. Kitty, I mean. Bonnie was thrilled that Kitty would condescend to sleep with her. On her. Whatever. JackJack was barely awake while he was there, so no worries from him, but Malena was on a tear. I'm thinking that girl has had ENOUGH traveling for this year (they've essentially been on the road for two months). Apparently she kept telling her mom to let her off at the next exit, she didn't want to be in the car anymore. I'm thinking I should probably count children tomorrow night when they come back to make sure Beckie still has four... (jk)

Projects to do tonight, or rather I need to go to JoAnns to get supplies for my projects. I've been putting off this trip for about a week now, for some reason. Doesn't help that the store closes at 9:00pm and I get my second wind about 8:00pm. Oh well. I'll go, it'll be done, and then I can finally send Kathy her birthday present. It's only 6 weeks late...

Just a quick note today...

Ok, so I suppose I worried a few people with my Three-word Thursday. I went to the dentist, he drilled out two teeth, then put a temporary crown on. It's a little achey today, but I'm ok, really. Even if I got really hungry yesterday because the Novacaine hadn't worn off and I hadn't brought lunch because I was supposed to meet the guys for lunch but the Dentist took too long. Fortunately I do have oatmeal in my desk from last winter. That was pretty yummy.

I just found out this morning that my sisters Beckie and Dustie and Beckie's kids are coming to visit me!!! Well, I suppose it's more of a glorified hotel stop, but I'm so glad they're going to come and stay with me! They're taking a trip to PA, which is a really long drive from South Carolina, so they're going to stay with me on the way there and on the way back. So fun! Hope Kitty doesn't mind too much. As long as the kids don't chase her too much she should be ok. Maybe it's time to set up that second litter box on the second floor, though...