Traditiooooooooon.......Tradition

Every year, I get each member of my family an ornament that symbolizes something significant that happened to them. It's kind of become a tradition and I love it; especially when we decorate and pull each one out and remember the year. This year, instead of going to the mall and buying them, I decided to make them. (Because I hate going shopping at the mall unless I'm desperate...especially this time of year). After hunting through mom's craft closet to find the polymer clay and stuff, I got to work. We couldn't find the pasta machine to help knead the clay to an easy molding consistency so I had to do it all by hand...at first. Boy, were my hands exhausted! When we finally found it, the work went a lot quicker and easier.

Dad - He ran for a seat on the School Board and won. His campaign signs, flyers, and handouts had a pencil as the main logo so I made a figurine of him holding a pencil. I think it turned out pretty well (and it's my favorite one). I was really nervous about doing the face because of my perfectionist tendencies and it had to look just right. You never realize how hard it is to make a human head - glad I'm not on that part of creation-duty. Luckily, I got it on the second try. Dad was pleased that I was generous with the hair on this little guy.

Mom - She is always the hardest to find an ornament for because she's always trying new things all the time, so the choice of topics to choose from are endless. This year, Mom and Dad are "empty-nesters" so the ornament speaks for itself. If it doesn't, let me explain. It features an egg-less nest with a mommy bird and a daddy bird. This one's not as lifelike as Dad's, but it's super fun. While I was making it, Baby Brother thought I was making feet standing in manure. Not quite!

Me - The most significant thing that happened to me this year was my study abroad so it was natural for my ornament to be a native London element. And hence the "Mind the Gap" logo. If you don't understand or recognize it, then you need to take trip. Okay, so I won't/can't be that mean. It is the phrase, well-known to any London traveler as the voice which rings out every time the "Tube" (subway) door open. What it really means is "watch out for that giant hole between the train and the platform".

Baby Brother - This year, he graduated high school so I made a graduation cap on top of a diploma. The second year of college gets an ornament featuring the school's mascot/logo...just to prove loyalty to one institution. This was the last ornament I made and at that point, my hands and brain were exhausted. It's not the most exciting or nearly as intricate as I had planned, but I'm still happy with how it turned out.

While I worked, we listened to old Christmas cassette tapes, and Mom decorated the tree. Usually I do the decorating, but this year I passed the job off to Baby Brother (since he'll be gone for the next 2 Christmases). But, as usual he ditched out on us and didn't get it done. Mom therefore took it upon herself. I haven't seen her do that in a long long time and it brought back memories. At least back to when the parentals would "dispute" while trying to direct the other how to put the lights on while Baby Brother and I argued over who got which stocking. With each ornament, she told me something about it; their first Christmas, ornaments from mom's world trips, my first baby ornament, bead icicles she and I made when I was little, our homemade noodle ornaments from school, and various school pictures in popsicle stick frames. She even set aside some of my favorite ornaments for "the future". I got a twinge of excitement for the day when I can decorate my very own tree in my very own home.

I'll Be Home For Christmas....eventually

This year's trip home was the worst travel experience I've EVER had. Early Friday night I found out that my flight for Saturday was canceled. Nobody heading to the East was going anywhere!!! The weather was horrendous with DC receiving record snowfall (3+ feet) and highest windspeeds EVER. When I called the airline to transfer my ticket, I was on hold for 3hrs, two separate times; not to mention the 6+ other times I called but refused to wait longer than 20min. I was beginning to worry when it looked (and sounded) like the weather wouldn't allow me to get home till after Christmas. I was told that they could get me a flight out early in the morning, but if I got stuck in some airport, I'd have to pay for my own lodging. No thank you, I'll stay overnight for free right where I'm at. In order to guarantee me some kind of flight before Christmas, dad went ahead and purchased another ticket online so all I had to do was get the refund for my original one. Once again, the call call-hold music and I became well acquainted and finally, 2hrs later, I got through. I had a flight home!!! It wasn't a direct flight, but at least it would get me home by Christmas. I was scheduled to leave Sunday at 2pm with a layover in Chicago and an ETA in BWI at 10:30pm.

......OR SO I THOUGHT......

Everything started out perfectly. I got to the airport, checked my bags quickly, got through security super fast, and found the gate easily. I had my book, music, and Sudoku puzzles to keep me company so all was well as I waited for 2hrs for the plane to arrive. It arrived on time and we left 5min early. The old man on the seat beside me would not stop talking the entire 3hrs to Chicago!! I pulled my book and iPod out when I thought we was finally sleeping, but 2min later he popped his head forward and started talking again. Finally, we landed in Chicago where I was scheduled for a 2hr layover.

.......THAT'S WHERE THE FUN BEGAN......

I found the gate and sat down to wait out the 2hrs. Not so fast! 1hr into the wait, the loudspeaker proclaimed that there's been a gate hold on all flights heading east and so it'd be an extra half hour before we'd get going. Okay, I can handle that! I'd finished my audiobook and turned off my iPod to watch the Steelers vs. Packers game. The gate down the hall from us was apparently watching the same game, but our TV had a 5 sec delay from theirs. In the final milli-seconds of the game, where the game winning catch was caught by mere toes, we heard the other gate celebrate, but weren't sure if they were a gate-full of GreenBay or Pittsburgh fans till our TV showed us that indeed the Steelers were a dominating presence.

...A BRIGHT SPOT MAY COME EVENTUALLY...

2hrs later, we were still waiting. The plane sitting at our gate was waiting to take off so our plane wasn't going to be leaving any time soon. 3 1/2 hrs later and I'm still not on my way home. 4 hrs later and our plane had finally arrived. I had an "A" boarding pass and was soooo happy to get an aisle seat with no one sitting in the middle. Definitely a plus in my not so fun day of travel. There was a lot of turbulence when we finally got in the air and that just made me nervous. Take-off and landing are my least favorite aspects of flying because I don't like that feeling of my stomach lurching up and down unpredictably (hence why I don't like rollercoasters). I'm fine when we're in the air, but the ups and downs are not fun for me...at all.

......THE END IS HERE AT LAST.....

After circling the airport for an extra 20min, we finally arrived at the gate at 2am. 12 HOURS AFTER THIS TRIP BEGAN!!!!!!!! I was about to kiss the ground, but decided against it for reasons of sanitation and I was just too tired to get down there. I was cranky, tired, and definitely not wanting to be on a plane again until at least July. Our bags changed carousels 2 times before I finally saw my bright blue suitcase crawling along the conveyorbelt. Baby Brother found me wandering around and guided my half-dead body to the car where Mom and Dad were sleeping, "anxiously" awaiting my arrival. Finally, yes FINALLY, I was almost home. 1 1/2hrs later (15 hrs after my trip began) we pulled into our driveway and all three of us crawled to bed. At that point, I was too exhausted to care that I slept in my clothes, on top of my blankets, holding my book, and still wearing my glasses; I was just glad to be home...at last. 3am on Monday.

"I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS"...almost happened to me

The first shall be last; and the last shall be first

Why is it that whenever you're looking for something it usually ends up in one of two places - where it's supposed to be, or the last place you'd look? I will hereto discuss the latter. Next time I go looking for something, please tell me to look in the last place I'd think it'd be. That's where I'll find it. Note to self!

Ready....BREAK!!

This year's Thanksgiving was probably the best I've had in a long time. Because my parents are empty-nesters now, they decided to come out to Utah and spend the holiday with us. We spent the week at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We've never been around for big family holidays so this one was especially special for me.

It was really fantastic not to have a really structured schedule and each day can be molded to my very desires. Each morning was started with "The Price is Right" (as per G-ma and G-pa daily ritual. Then, I got to sit and read as long as I wanted to without interruption. It was also nice to get to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up without any cares or stresses. Another wonderful thing about the break was that there was no internet and my cell-phone pooped out (and I forgot my charger) so I was able to fully relax without any distractions. JUST THE WAY "BREAK" SHOULD BE!!!

Got to watch the finals of "Dancing With the Stars" live on an actual TV screen instead of a week and a half later on my laptop with crappy internet. I could almost say that this was the highlight of the break, but I think I'd get some rather disapproving comments. Surprisingly, Donny Osmond won. Everyone thought for sure that Mya would win because she has dominated the competition all season. She is even quoted as saying that the trophy was hers for the taking. Not so fast.

THANKSGIVING DAY - Food-wise, Thanksgiving was filled with secret family recipes that I finally got to help do now that I'm "a big girl" and am capable of keeping the secrets...upon penalty of death. I was in charge of making the rolls (K-Girl, I thought of you with every one) and the apple-pie. Everything turned out wonderfully! Watched the Jazz game.

BLACK FRIDAY - Baby Brother dragged the family out for Black Friday shopping early in the morning and didn't make it back till noon. Let's just say that when he got home, he was EXHAUSTED!! He didn't make it far before crashing. Not being able to stay up till 1am and sleep till noon then lounge around was not his favorite. Got my hair cut.

SLACKING SUPER SATURDAY - Took Dad to the BYU vs. Utah football game. He graduated from the U so this was a big deal for him to go, but I told him we wasn't allowed to wear full Ute gear so we compromised on the "half and half hat". He got a lot of compliments on the hat from Cougar and Ute fan alike. I was able to get a ticket from my wonderful, awesome, wonderful roommate. (Not that I'm polishing apples or anything). Loser had to wear the winning paraphernalia for the rest of the weekend. Before the game, because we got there super super early (1pm for a 3pm game), we went to the tail-gating extravaganza and gathered a lot of free stuff. We had 2nd row tickets in the North endzone where they also placed souvenir flags for us which was AWESOME. This was truly a blessing because that's where all of the real action happened...aka overtime. In case you're reading this not having heard about the game, BYU won in overtime by 3 points. Dad even got lucky as 4 Ute fans ended up sitting right beside him. "My people" as he called them, were there to cheer and boo and shout with him till the final whistle blew. We were totally pummeled as the entire crowd stormed the field OVER TOP OF US. Yes, we were caught on the front as people pushed, shoved, and scrambled onto the field. Eventually, we found a safe path out and made it out alive. This win gives me exclusive bragging rights over my extended, U of U supporting family. OH YEAH!! The traffic really wasn't too bad out of Provo surprisingly. We made a stop at dad's favorite burger place "Arctic Circle" then headed for home while listening to the Jazz game on the radio. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

SNOOZING SUNDAY - Woke up, read, and became the family barber while we all watched "The Lawrence Welk Show". Then, I finally sat myself down to work on that Hemingway paper I've been dreading. It's an analysis paper on an adaptation of a Hemingway Novel. I chose "In Love and War" starring Sandra Bullock. The story is based on "A Farewell to Arms", but also centered on actual events in Hemingway's life. Two and a half hours later, I have a VERY detailed outline and the beginnings of a truly in-depth analysis. Baby Brother headed back to school. Ended the day with "The Very Best of the Andy Williams Christmas Shows" musical special. I love love love Andy Williams and so it was especially nice to watch him on TV...even if it was rebroadcast from the 60s.

Let Go of the Wheel

With thoughtless and impatient hands

We tangle up the plans

The Lord hath wrought.

And when we cry in pain He saith,

"Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot."

"Trust Him, even when in eternal perspective it temporarily hurts very much. Have patience when you are asked to wait when you want immediate action. He may ask you to do things which are powerfully against your will. Exercise faith and say, Let Thy will be done." - Richard G. Scott

I Love Laughter

Just Because It's November 14

Today was stressful
Ended it by watching Lawrence Welk with a mug of Hot Chocolate...definitely a good idea
Made decisions
Planned
DONE

ME TIME!!!

A good friend of mine suggested that I start doing a couple "Me-time" sessions throughout the week to rejuvenate myself and straighten out my head. These times are just for me. That's exactly what I've started doing and I absolutely have a testimony of them. I've dubbed Tuesday "Me-Day". I love being around people, but for most of this day it's all about me. Tuesdays are now my favorite day of the week. In the morning I get up early and go to the temple all by myself. Then, I come back, take a nice hot shower, and listen to my favorite music as loud as I want because I'm the only one home. The week takes a toll on my organization so Tuesdays are clean-up days where I find things that have wandered from my notice throughout my busy schedule. Often K-Girl comes home so we kill our brains with some D&C review. Just before devotional starts I make lunch and get comfy on the couch.

Tuesdays are my long days on campus so when I get home, I'm more than ready for a quick breather before jumping in on my long to-do list. I actually take time on this day to make REAL FOOD for dinner with enough for leftovers. Now that my mind is clear, I take a minute to schedule the rest of the week. That's when I turn on one a movie (watching only my favorite parts) or TV show on my laptop (with headphones). 20min later I'm rejuvenated and ready for some studying. To finish off this fabulous day, I have another jam session while doing some homework, but this time with headphones so as not to disturb the roomies. Then, it's bedtime and I'm energized for the rest of the week.

THANKS _______ FOR THE IDEA!!!!! ----- (you know who you are)

Oops!

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT OF THE WEEK/MONTH/YEAR

Went to sign out at work today
.....ID card didn't slide through the time clock as smoothly as usual
...........Jumped out of my hand
...................Bounced into the recycling bin
.............................Stuck arm down to get it back
...................Noticed perplexed friend who'd apparently only seen me dive in
...........Tried to pull arm out quickly
.....Recycling bin lid stuck on elbow, no card in hand (had to go back in)
Definitely not going to hear the end of it from him

I'm Proud of My Daddy!!!

My dad just won the school board seat in my hometown. This is a big deal and I couldn't be more proud!! He was ahead by a huge margin within the first 6 precincts. With a voter margin of 576 votes, he took the seat away from a current seat holder 1,334 - 758. WOOT WOOT!!!

After all the strenuous, exhausting, begrudging envelope licking and sign posting Baby Brother and I did...oh and not to forget the easy, joyous, exciting, and fun campaigning and petitioning dad did, HE WON!!!!! He'll be a wonderful member of the board and will assure that decisions are only made after full investigation and analysis. Above all, I wish we were there to celebrate as the polls come in just like the President's family with hopes for a dog, but hey, Thanksgiving will be super fun this year!! GOOD LUCK DAD!!

Political Newcomer Wins Seat on Waynesboro School Board
Pennsylvania: Incumbent Ochoa Loses School Board Seat

Halloween Quack Attack

This year, my roommates and I decided to do a group costume. K-Girl, Shley, and I became Huey, Dewey, and Louie from DUCKTALES while Rachett and Daddy#1 finished off the group as Webb Vanderquack and Uncle Scrooge McDuck. What a fantastic night of fun!! There were many other unique costumes in the bunch, but none could master the Quack Pack. Among the strange characters wandering around we saw: Jared the Subway guy, Wood Nymphs, Otter Pops, a Sailor, Swine Flu, an Arab, and the Balloon Kid from the news.



Each year, the costumes get more obscure yet creative as our fellow college students try to save money but win prizes and have fun. The activities and gatherings stay the same, but the excitement just keeps getting better and better.

PA in "Reverse-Bloom"

Fall has finally shown its beautiful side, BUT it has forgotten about Utah. Fall is truly my favorite season of all. When the leaves begin to "reverse-bloom" (aka die) is when I truly appreciate nature's intricacy. Who would've thought that so many colors can come from things that at one time were exactly the same.

These are pictures of my neighborhood back home. GORGEOUS!!!!! The East beats the West....HANDS DOWN! Oh how I wish home were closer so I could visit and go hiking in the beauty. Don't you wish you were from the middle of nowhere like me?!?!

1-2-3 Strikes, I'm OUT

It's official...I'm down for the count. This week has been a struggle in all facets and my body has finally decided to tell me that it's had enough. Enter the common cold! I've been emotionally drained, mentally stressed, and now I'm physically exhausted. I've had a scratchy throat most of the week,Wednesday added a minor cough, Thursday saw my energy levels plummet, and today I couldn't talk. All of this accompanied by the severe lack of sleep. Today, my roommates decided they wanted me to get better NOW so they banished me to the couch to rest (despite my grumbles and protestations...and attempting to claw/sneak/weasel my way back). I always try to make sure other people have their needs taken care of and often I forget about myself so thanks K-girl and Rachett for making me look after myself...even though I whined. After lying there for awhile sulking, I actually fell asleep...something that I haven't been able to do much of at all this week. It was heavenly!!

We Are Still Alive

We have firmly concluded that the mysterious red spots were none other than a spider who couldn't get enough of us.

I Always Want to Be With My Own....

Families are so great, especially MINE!! Labor Day weekend was spent at my grandparents' lake house while my parents were still in town. We played games, laughed, and joked....I LOVED IT!! As always, there was much Pool, Foosball, and Ping Pong being played as well as the typical sports game on. Grandpa fell asleep in the recliner again and Grandma made her famous culinary creations (that Grandpa only gets when people visit).


We finally got the boat out of mothballs and took the water skis for a spin. Well, almost! The ropes themselves were about 35-40 years old and probably hadn't been used since then either so there was a lot of creativity to keep them going. Ropes were tied to ropes were tied to floaties with a wooden handle slipped through. Overall, that was quite an experience. Only one of us was even close to getting up - and he wasn't even family so that doesn't REALLY count. ;) We even got pulled over by the Coast Guard, but got off scott-free (of course we did with Grandpa-ex cop-at the wheel) which made the weekend even funnier. As is Hailes' tradition, we had to go four-wheeling. Up and around we went free as can be. Rode past the freaky cows and the Llama out to the old ruins where Grandpa used to camp with his brothers. Phil and Jackie brought Jason and that only added fuel to the fire. Teasing and sarcasm went flying like winged monkeys. What a fantastic weekend and a much needed relaxation before the new semester really gets going.


"...I always want to be with my own family..." So glad that's part of the plan that I get to spend eternity with such wonderful people. It's sad to think that much of the world doesn't have the whole story and so marriages and families end at death. If they truly love, then they should want to be with them always and do whatever they can to make that happen.

Itsy Bitsy OUCHY!!!

K-Girl has been complaining of waking up every morning with new, suspicious, itchy spots. We've concluded that they're spider bites. The problem is, we don't know where they are, and now they're attacking me! This afternoon I noticed a really itchy spot on my ankle, my forearm, and my calf. I used to chastise K-Girl for scratching, but I find myself seeking relief in that same fashion - HELP US!!

Does anyone know any good remedies to get rid of/repel these pesky bugs so they'll stop eating us alive in our sleep?!?!!?!?

New Album Titles PLEASE

Why is it that almost everyone has a facebook photo album called "Summer Loving" (or some form of that)!! Aren't there an infinite number of word combinations that could be used to title the photos and yet everyone seems to pick that one. Odd!!

Hi...um...I'll let you go now

I'm not good at talking on the phone to people when I'm the one to initiate the call. I get nervous and can't talk or change the subject frequently only to come back to the same topic. Sometimes I even just not say anything at all and then get more nervous about the silence. (Humans can't tolerate silence in a conversation, they always try to fill it ASAP). Then, when I've said whatever my purpose was for calling, I almost try and immediately try to end the conversation. Even with friends, unless I have what I want to say planned out and such then I just blubber my way through the conversation.

On the other hand, I love talking to people in person and it's something I think I'm good at. Conversations flow and it's easy to merge topics and have an in-depth talk. Odd, because a phone conversation is kind of the same in that you get an immediate response including emotions, tonal changes, and such.

Sorry to anyone who's had to endure talking to me on the phone only to hang up frustrated or confused.

Dial-up is My Enemy

Had post of cross-country roadtrip (with pictures and stories) all ready to go when my grandparents' dial-up stopped and the computer crashed. This is the "I-don't-want-to-write-that-whole-thing-again" version

WEDNESDAY 12th - Dad and I left PA early and made it all the way to Springfield, Illinois before nightfall. Drove 700 miles. With my navigation skills and dad's good driving, we didn't have any wrong turns. Discovered that my car gets 31 mpg. Such a good little car! Brother had blown fuse in the car so we had no radio or air-conditioning at all

THURSDAY 13th - arrived in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Nothing to see the whole day so my form of entertainment was looking at the license plates of the passing cars and trucks. Whooppee!! (no enthusiasm present) Saw the National Headquarters of Cabela's in Sidney, WY which is the most po-dunk town you'll ever see (emphasis added). Drove about 850 miles. I fixed the blown fuse and reconnected the broken wiring...Eeezy Peezy!!!

FRIDAY 14th - left Cheyenne and made it to Rexburg, Idaho around 6:30pm. Favorite part of the drive was seeing Palisades Lake near Ririe, Idaho. BEAUTIFUL!!! Hit the biggest and juiciest bug ever. SPLAT!! Rode up to see the Rexburg Temple after dark. Camera battery was dead and so I didn't get pictures.

SATURDAY 15th - Saw Peterson do the triathlon. Started early in the morning with a 1/2 mile swim, then a 14 mi bike ride, and finished with a 3.1 mi run. Met his sister, brother-in-law, and their kids. Developed a little, giggly, blonde shadow. He finished in under 2 hrs and broke his own record from the previous year. No accidents. Mom and Baby Brother were planning on coming up and going to Yellowstone and Lava Hot Springs, but my brother didn't want to so dad and I ended up just going down to SLC. We wanted to go to the TV museum in Rigby, but it wasn't opened yet. Drove around and saw the town. Really nice! Ate at Artic Circle (dad's favorite fast food) before leaving Idaho. Made it to grandma's by 4pm. Saw the house my parents lived in when I was born. Took Baby Brother to IKEA (still don't know why he wanted to go there). Ended the day by watching The Lawrence Welk Show with grandma and grandpa; just like the old days. Felt sick

SUNDAY 16th - Went to church. Helped Baby Brother move in to his apartment because he just couldn't wait to get there. I think that he just wanted to get away from my parents....you know, independence. Still sick

MONDAY 17th - Cleaned the car out. Did some Watercolor. Helped dad clear weeds, shrubs, and trees from around the building my grandpa owns so someone will rent it. Got eyes checked. Made dinner with Aunt and watched "Sabrina" (starring Audrey Hepburn) with grandma. Still sick.

The Night Before Life Goes On

Tonight's the last night my life will be relatively close to the way it used to be. My brother is packing up all of his belongings and preparing to leave the house forever...figuratively speaking. No longer will we all be living under the same roof, sharing the same cars, and fighting over who has to do the dishes. Tay's heading out to Utah for orientations and such at Utah State University in Logan. After tonight he'll technically no longer live in this house (he'll have the same status as me...wanderer). I thought it was weird for me to be the one leaving, but now that it's my baby brother, I feel like life will never be normal again. As Carrie Underwood sang "it's the night before life goes on". I don't like this growing up thing!

Whoops!!

So pretty much the dumbest thing I've ever done. I accidentally vacuumed one of the keys off my laptop keyboard...still not sure how I managed to do that. Had to go vacuum diving in the GIANT home-based vacuum system. Found all the pieces (for they were tiny and clear). Was quite an experience, but not one I will ever do again. ALL FIXED!!!

(still sneezing)

"A record shall be kept..."

...That's why the Doctrine & Covenants were written...and more importantly why we should journal - because we're commanded to. Alright, so I'm not the best example of a perfect record keeper, but I'm doing much better. I've taken a (figurative) page out of my roommate Shley's life and decided to be more consistent with my journaling. She writes like no novelist/writer/poet/playwright ever in the history of the world. (She can fill a journal in about 2 1/2-4 weeks). She, as well as K-Girl, have been my examples of journal writers. Anytime they wrote in or mentioned their journals I got a pang of guilt knowing my posterity wouldn't get to delve inside my heart and mind. That's when my goal was born - fill a journal...even just one...with a stream of information/ponderings/happenings

One of my jobs this summer was to do some typing and secretarial/computer work for my ex-bishop. He wanted to have his mother's journals accessible electronically so he can make discs of them for his kids. He reads from them while I just sit and type away. He pulls out the spiritual tidbits as well as weather and important family memories (births, marriages, deaths, etc), whatever he thinks will be of value to his family. What we have compiled is phenomenal - 20 years of her journals. I'm just amazed that someone can be this constant with something that so many people take for granted and don't do. The funnest tidbit was documented today "I don't think anyone will ever read this...." She may have been right, but that's not what's important. Some of her entries were pages and pages while others, mere sentences or phrases but each has its significance. You can definitely see a progression not i=only in her life but those of her family and friends. We covered grandkids' graduations, births, baptisms, temple trips, priesthood to all worthy males, death of Prophet Spencer W. Kimball, EVERYTHING. It's neat to see the past through another's eyes.

In my life I've only fully completed 1 journal of my 7 1/2 weeks of experiences in London, but it set a fire under me to keep going. If I can find time to write when I'm bombarded by travel and fun then I can certainly write when I've just sat and done homework. I'm going to strive to follow her diligent example and write in my journal as often as possible - more than just once every few months or so. I typically shy away from journaling when there's nothing exciting happening in my life - THAT'S WHEN I SHOULD BE WRITING THE MOST. I learn from the insignificant just as much as from the significant. "A goal not written down is merely a wish"...well now it's written down and the whole world are witnesses (well, my blog followers/casual readers at least) to my commitment to journaling. Now, will you follow my example or just wish me luck?!?! Remember "And again, let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the archives of my holy temple, to be held in remembrance from generation to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts" (D&C 127:8)

Before and After - MY NEW ROOM

Since my brother got a brand new room in the basement - aka "Man-cave" I've been moved into his old room. It's a lot smaller and I like it a lot better than the room I've lived in for the 8 yrs we've been in this house. Since the room was in bad shape due to an overly-active growing boy, I got to completely overhaul and redecorate...with approval from the master decorator - MOM. I started with a blank canvas (with numerous scuff marks, ball marks, dents, and bruises). After I steam cleaned the carpets, the real fun could begin. I'm a big fan of reusing old stuff to recreate something new so I scrounged in the garage for paint and supplies. It's been my dream to have a room with non-white walls. I found a beautiful sage green color for the walls. There was even just enough so we didn't have to buy more - BONUS!! In some light it also looks slightly blue or gray.

After 2 coats of paint, I could work my magic. Having my music-playing computer handy kept me entertained while I taped, painted, and decorated...and allowed for my brother to come in and boogie with me. I only had existing furniture and accessories to work with, but that was perfectly okay. I've had the same furniture since I was really little so I know a lot of arrangements for them (I get tired of the same thing all the time). In addition to giving my round side table table and reading chair new life in white, I was finally able to give my keyboard a place of its own that doesn't include being a makeshift table or stuffed in the closet never to be used. I feel that this redecorate was a complete success and I love finally having the room of my dreams...it took 20 yrs to get it and now only 2 1/2 weeks to enjoy it.

Heaven...Don't Miss it for the World

Youth Conference was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad I got to participate. No, I'm not still in Young Women and going to activities...I was in charge. Well sort of - the Young Single Adults were asked to be counselors for the tri-stake mock-EFY Youth Conference. The theme was "Heaven...Don't Miss it for the World" and only lasted 3 days so the EFY aspect of it was really pared down.
Each counselor was assigned groups of 10 youth randomly matched from the Harrisburg, Altoona, and York stakes. Our job was to corral, teach, and have fun. Believe me, I did all three...especially the third part. DAY 1 consisted of team games, banners and cheer-off, free time, and a dance. DAY 2 narrowed it down to classes, service project, more free time, and another dance. DAY 3 was the spiritual portion of the conference when we had devotionals and firesides followed by a testimony meeting.

Freetime started with a rather violent, unorganized game of "nail the guy near you as hard as you can with the ball" and ended in multiple games of dodgeball. Even the pink counselor Tshirts seemed to bring a sense of competition and caused us to be set against all of the youth. We won....sometimes. I loved working with the youth of many different backgrounds and it gave me a chance to break out of my own box a little bit. At the dances I loved to flit from group to group making sure everyone was having fun. Having all the line dances ingrained in my brain since my own youth dances there was no question who helped everyone learn them. And I loved it. I even used my matchmaker instincts so that every girl who looked lonely had at least one moment in the sun and one slowdance...thanks baby brother!

Being given multiple opportunities to teach on spiritual topics gave me confidence in my own knowledge on the gospel. I have never been the kind to willingly volunteer to comment in lessons at church because of the plethora of RMs around who know a WHOLE LOT more than me, but with a summer of study and confidence I've been giving myself a chance to try. My spiritual and physical strength were really tested this weekend and while the first excelled, the second was left in the dust and I got very sick. I appreciated having all the other counselors around me to be the examples and support that I needed. My group was the lucky one to have 10 extra youth so we had extra hormones sardined in one spot. That in itself was interesting. There were of course struggles, but the rewards outweighed them and the weekend was one that I really enjoyed.
We are amazing enough to even make the Mormon Times newspaper on July 26th. Check it out: http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/mormon_experience/?id=9840

Palmyra

I spent the past two days in Palmyra, NY with the Young Single Adults from the stake. It was quite a fun trip and a great time getting to know people I've never met before. We met Friday morning at the Stake Center and began the long 5 1/2 hour trip with a convoy of 5 cars. Between the 5 cars we played "get to know you trivia", "scattergories", and some other fun time-passing games over the walkie-talkies. We were lead by Bro Cox who happens to be a military man so he was quite official in his leadership and the convoy made it without a hitch...and he's really good at leading so no one gets lost and we're not driving bumper to bumper going 45 mph on the freeway. I occupied myself alone in the backseat with The Work and the Glory Volume 4 and Sudoku (if you're surprised then we need to spend more time together).

When we arrived in Palmyra we first went to our hotel in Rochester and then scurried over to the Hill Cumorah for the Pageant. Bro Cox wanted to be sure that we made it in time to save good seats so we arrived 5 1/2 hours early!!! While killing time with Phase 10 and reading, I happened to glance up and thought I recognized a girl passing up ahead. I DID! Tiffany was there with her family. Oh it's great when the LDS world is so small that you find people you know in a gathering across the country from where you met. The Pageant itself was phenomenal! The weather cooperated too and I didn't get a single bug bite or sunburn. PERFECT!!! My favorite part of the Pageant happened towards the end when Joseph Smith is reading the Book of Mormon to the saints and as he mentions the prophets in it, they are brought on stage and take their recognizable poses. That gave me chills. After the Pageant, we caravaned back to the hotel where everyone in my room was already in REM cycle the second their head hit the pillow. I was too - a welcome change from my night-owl status I've had since coming home.

Saturday started at 8 with a trip to see the temple and go to the Sacred Grove. The sky threatened rain but I wouldn't let that stop me from enjoying the scenery. Car 4 - for that is the name we were given - was ready to move on after walking through the Grove because we didn't take the tour. (I've had enough tours for awhile after spending 6 weeks doing nothing but) The three of us loaded up and headed to the "Grandin Press" where the Book of Mormon was first printed. While waiting for the rest to come join us from the Grove Kiely and I found an antique shop to get lost in as the skies poured buckets and barrels. We were ready to go after that, but the rest of the group was still stuck in the Grove. We waited 20 min before they came and we headed home. I am so grateful for riding up with a car who didn't want to waste time wandering without a plan so we went home. The ride home was treacherous as the rain just came down harder and harder. Some of the group opted for an extended trip up to see Niagara Falls...they didn't get home till 6am Sunday. Glad I didn't take that option!

Looking back, I'm so glad that I took this opportunity to travel to some historic church sites and enjoy the company of strangers who have now become my friends. All I have to say to that is "Car 4 checking in, and checking out the prospective ECs" ;)