What...! A post!?

Yeah, I know, it's been a really long time since I have posted anything. We're already into August and I really don't have that good of an excuse. The most I can claim is that my brain has been turned into mush. I have a theory about it. I think that being Primary President has pushed it over the top. Filling out adoption papers, holding down a job, taking care of church, taking care of husband, taking care of self... You get the picture. I'm amazed my hair got done this morning! If it were acceptable to wear a hat to work I would.

Now that that is over. How about a list of things I'm looking forward to.

1. Getting this week over. It's our class reunion on Saturday... still not sure how I feel about it but I've paid my money I might as well enjoy the meal.

2. We're going to spend a few days in Steamboat Springs, CO for our 4th anniversary. Never been but why not! And all of the activities are pretty inexpensive and right now that is a very good thing.

3. Fall weather. Fall is my mostest favoritest time of year. I love the warm days and the crisp chill of the evening. Sad that it brings Winter but it is magical for me.

4. Believe it or not I am looking forward to school starting up again. I don't know if it symbolizes normalcy in some sick and crazy way, but it is what it is.

5. A new camera. Not just the replacement for now, but a nice new really big expensive so many buttons and whistles it makes my head spin camera. I drool at the thought. Won't be able to get it for a while but when we do, look out world!

That's pretty much it for now. Not too much progress on the adoption thing. Writing a letter to the birthmom is HARD. I think it's the whole pressure thing. What if I don't say it just right... I'll just have to get brave and give it a go.

And just to rant: Why do stupid people who may or may not be in my family... have to pooh pooh really good ideas just cause it would be a slight step out of their own comfort zone? Blechk! I shake my fist in your general direction.

The end.

Just another day in paradise

So, I am at home once again. Of course I can't really say once again because technically I haven't really left. I did go to the doctors office today so that I could find out that I have a touch of vertigo accompanying my recovery. What a drag huh! It's so weird cause my eyes move past things but it takes a moment for my brain to register. Trippy.

I think by the time I have fully "recovered" I will be more than happy to be back to work. I honestly never thought I would say that. What I wouldn't give to be in the office complaining about people who won't let the cord be cut. Seriously, all you parents out there, please please please make your 20-something year old children write their own papers and get their own books. Oh, and call their own professors for their syllabus. That's all I'm going to say about that... for now. It could very well be another topic of discussion on a slow day.

The end.

New Year's Resolve

I hate New Year's resolutions.

It often seems like another way to put more pressure on an already pressured life. "Let's see, you've done your best this year but apparently that's not quite good enough. You're a mess! Let's see if we can step it up this year and up those approval ratings. Now drop and give me 20!"

Why on earth did this tradition ever get started!? Perhaps we all need a regular check-up to see just how we're doing. If we let the years slip by without evaluating ourselves at some point we could let our life get away from us (cause it doesn't do that already). How are we going to know where we stand, what we've improved upon, what needs improvement if we don't sit down and take a look at ourselves.

In order to get a good resolution one must first be honest with oneself, even brutally so. Let's face it, getting down to a size 4 is impossible for me and what else is left after that? I read an article once that talked about realistic resolutions. Why try to do the impossible. Why not try something you actually enjoy? Resolve to take more bubble baths, eat more chocolate, exercise less, and watch more TV. Those are very doable as well as enjoyable. So why can't I feel good about that kind of resolve? Is it because it's too easy? Do I actually need to do something that will improve my life.

In light of my sick need to be a better person, I have decided to make one New Year's Resolution. Do more service this coming year. I'm not exactly sure what I mean by that. More service by the week? day? year? I feel I should start out slow if it even has a chance of getting off the ground. Perhaps I should settle with doing my visiting teaching regularly. Hmm...

Interesting statistic:

"Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a Resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends" -Wikipedia

Stars in God's clear skies

God's Garden
-Robert Frost

God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strown,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said: "To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowrets tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end."

Then came another master,
Who did not love mankind,
And planted on the pathway
Gold flowers for them to find.
And mankind saw the bright flowers,
That, glitt'ring in the sun,
Quite hid the thorns of av'rice
That poison blood and bone;
And far off many wandered,
And when life's night came on,
They still were seeking gold flowers,
Lost, helpless and alone.

O, cease to heed the glamour
That blinds your foolish eyes,
Look upward to the glitter
Of stars in God's clear skies.
Their ways are pure and harmless
And will not lead astray,

But aid your erring footsteps
To keep the narrow way.
And when the sun shines brightly
Tend flowers that God has given
And keep the pathway open
That leads you on to heaven.

I've always had an affinity to the poems of Robert Frost. I'm sure there's a lot of his poetry that I don't understand and many a scholar would think that I am a simpleton, but I do enjoy it.

This, of all his poems, I dedicate to you wonderful women out there who have lent me a helping hand/note/phone-call, etc. to keep me on God's path. It's always been there, stretched out before me, I just occasionally let blinders be put on my eyes. Thank you for stepping in and helping me remove them. God has always had a hand in my life even when I wasn't sure I wanted it. If he helped then, why on earth wouldn't he help me now?

There are definite silver linings to every situation we find ourselves in. The trick is trusting God enough so he can help us see them.

Quantum of Solace

So, today was a good day and a bad day. The good part was that I got a free ticket to the new James Bond thriller "Quantum of Solace". We went as a work group to the 10 am showing. I always hate it when people spoil things for me so I will reveal nothing of the plot. I will say that I really really really liked it. Of course I also hate it when people say that to me cause then I have high expectations and nothing ever lives up to them. So, forget that I said I liked it, in fact it was stupid, hardly worth your time to go really. I wouldn't have but I'm a sucker for free things. But if you want to go and need someone to go with you, I'll sacrifice and "hold your hand" through the painful experience of watching such a horrid movie. :)

K, the bad part of the day was going to the dentist! YUCK!! I had a small cavity that needed to be filled. My mouth is still numb and at first when I tried to talk I sounded like I had had a stroke. And the drool, oh the drool... But I was so thirsty! I know, traumatic. Somehow I survived though.

And just to round out the James Bond thing, isn't there something terribly yummy about Daniel Craig... That is all.