Happy Singles Awareness Month, and Stake Temple Night

 I have decided to attempt to write a singles awareness post every day this month. Tonight was a good night to start, because honestly I don't know of too many places that make you feel painfully aware that you are single more than the temple, on stake temple night, in a stake that recently relocated the vast majority of their singles to another stake. 
  There was a brief and poignant moment where I wanted to cry because I felt pretty much like I  stuck out like a sore thumb, and felt kind of socially awkward being the only single person I noticed in the room. That moment passed very quickly, because one thing about stake temple night is there are an awful lot of people there that I know and that I love, and that love me. Ultimately what happens is you realize you are part of one big happy family, and about twenty seconds later you realize that you just stand out because you are so incredibly loved, not because you  are so incredibly single.  

 I am single, but I am also loved. The temple is the most loving and peace filled home like place to be on the planet, especially when you are there with your Stake family.  I have this big thing about how I like to blend in and not stick out. I am coming to realize something, since I started  going to counseling all those  months ago.  I was born to stand out. Stand out in a good way. If I blend in I ain't living up to my potential.  

 So, at the end of the night, what I am aware of is that, yes I am in fact single. Sometimes, that makes me stick out in my mind, but ultimately people love me all the more because I stand out ,and I am OK with that. I love them too.  It was a great night, and a long continued tradition of riding to the temple with Julie and Isaac Shaver. We've been doing that since Julie moved here. Traditions are awesome. I am tired, I think My dog is sick. good night. 

A Mean Sick, and Why I Will Never Sleep W/O My Body Pillow Again!!

You know, earlier today, when I went to work feeling like crap, I wondered for a moment,  "If I were a drunk, would I be a mean drunk?"  I don't plan on drinking EVER, so we wont find out, but the reason I wondered this is because I can be an awfully mean sick, at least in my head. Usually I just grunt when I want to swear or punch someone in the face.  You can thank my grand ma, she taught me "If you don't have something nice to say don't say nothing at all."

    My first day back to work after five days of feeling sick and not socializing with people at all, and still feeling pretty horribly sick. Everything smelled horrible to me, sounds seemed amplified by a billion decibels, and there were all these people things I was so not used to seeing. Moments like this,  I DONT HAVE NOTHIN NICE TO SAY, at least till around noon when I feel slightly less horrible, and have gotten used to people and noise again.  In all actuality, I was nice, just quiet. I grunted a lot this morning. My head hurt, I couldn't think straight, there were piles of things everywhere. I felt a little over whelmed. AND IT WAS SO LOUD and everything smelled bad and made me want to vomit!  Some things on my desk I still couldn't understand at the end of the day. When I feel better I will understand them perfectly, but right now my mind is still a foggy haze of pain and grumpy.

 All I wanted to do all day today was go back home, drink my ginger ale and chicken broth, and cuddle with my fuzzy white Jack Russell and my purple body pillow, resting my weary, food deprived brain and body while enjoying all the love and support my wonderful friends have shown me in peace, quiet, and a smell neutral zone.  That didn't happen, but as of an hour ago, I was almost singing again- a sure sign we are on the road to recovery, and clear thinking.

 If I have learned anything from this torturous sick week, its that I have great and loving friends, who just never cease to amaze me with their kindness and love, and that  no one, I repeat  NO ONE should be without a body pillow!! those things are great. I can roll all over my bed and the pillow is always there with me. I have no idea how I made it 31 years without one, but that is never, ever happening again. That thing is my new buddy, and wherever I go, He goes, my buddy, my buddy.... oh sorry, singing again.

          well, time to go cuddle with my new purple pillow. night all. 

Chocolate Helps With Dementors, Not So much the Stomach Flu.

 On day three of the stomach flu, I finally got really sick of eating saltine crackers, and trying to eat soup.  Saltine crackers are salty. They are fine, they are about all I can eat, but lets face it, there isn't much to them besides salt and flour.   
  I have attempted to enjoy a vegetable soup, Butternut squash bisque, and chicken noodle soup. Normally I enjoy all of these. Right now, they all taste horrible and make me want to vomit.  

 Particularly after the Butternut squash, I wanted to do anything to get that awful taste out of my mouth. Somehow, I think I may be slightly delusional or something. I have had a slight fever, its possible. Any way, for a moment I was lying there in misery thinking, man, this is a lot like a Dementor attack. Chocolate is supposed to help with that. I think I will try chocolate...
 ... this is not a Dementor attack, it is the stomach flu. Chocolate will not, I repeat WILL NOT make you feel better. If everything is tasting horrible and making you sick, go brush your teeth, drink some water, and stick to the saltines. That is my advice. This is one instance to just say no to chocolate, and anything else for that matter.  
       Well, writing this has zapped me of all my energy, So I am going to go back to sleep and hope my 20 lb dog doesn't push me off the bed again with his super strength. If anyone can come over and take him for a walk, he is getting really restless. 

Chinese Acrobats, and Other Magical Birthday Surpirses

 31 is way more awesome than 30.  Last year, On my 30th birthday I got a surprise call at 7 am from my dad telling me one of our family friends had died of cancer. That is not the kind of birthday surprise I want, ever again. If anyone dies on my birthday, don't tell me till the next day please!!

  My 31st birthday was also full of surprises, but they were much much more fun. It started a week ago, when one of my friends surprised me with a spontaneous opportunity to watch Les Miserables, followed with Crepes with friends. A week out, my birthday was already better than last year.

 On Wednesday, I went to go play floor hockey with women from my stake, one of them invited me to come to a Chinese acrobat show today. That sounded exciting so I said yes.  Thursday I went out to lunch with my co-workers. I was surprised with the most delightful Cajun seafood gumbo I have ever tasted, and a piano man playing me a Jazzy Happy Birthday song.

 Friday was the best. I took off work, and went for breakfast with my friend Amie. She made me some really good crepes, and I got to eat with her family. Her kids love me, and they are super sweet. Her two little girls made me at least a dozen happy birthday cards, and drawings, and one of them even surprised me by wrapping up a non peppermint candy cane for me. I am allergic to mint and really appreciated it.

 The kids were quite excited to have me around, so they dragged me down the stairs to play for a bit. Surprise, the six year old gave me a violin lesson. I can play two notes now. We had a lot of fun, and then my friend came and surprised me and told me she was taking me over to another friends house. The kids weren't going to let me go. They are surprisingly strong. I actually couldn't move them when I tried to get them to let go of my legs and coat so I could get out the door. Only a mom knows the magic words to unlock their  child death grips.

 We headed down the road not far and I didn't know what to think, because I hadn't expected this side trip at all. We got there and Boom!! Mary Kay at my finger tips. Surprise make up. a few hours later, I was back at home just chillin. Then I headed to my friend Michelle's for a birthday party- for me! I knew there was a party, but I had no idea what would happen or who would be there. I made a bunch of pies for it though. I blew out my birthday candles on a Pie.  My friends came, I was surprised they all made it, one was really sad because her dog has a tumor, and I wasn't sure she would.   

 My friends surprised me with things like body pillows, books, and a doctor who tee shirt. I didn't expect anything but their company, so I was quite over whelmed.  I also got a surprise TARDIS!! It was so cool!! my friends know me well. We played some games but mainly we just talked and ate, and then my roommate surprised me and came to the party, she surprised me again and told me that my present was on the table at home, which surprisingly was the delightful rosemary plant. mmm smells so good. It was a great party, and I laughed so hard and enjoyed spending time with my friends.

At One AM I drove home, expecting to stumble blissfully into bed and sleep. I pulled up to my  house and noticed I had been heart attacked!!! How exciting! I didn't expect that one at all!! I read the words on the hearts, and they were all so touching, I almost cried.  

This morning, I woke up and went with my friend Christina to breakfast at Tap Rock. Not many surprises there, just good conversation. I was surprised at how amazing my pancakes tasted though!! mmm.  And she surprised me with a cool Jack Russell Birthday Card that barks the  "Happy Birthday" song at you. My dog is loving this. He goes crazy when I open it. 

  My aunts had sent a surprise present with my parents when they came out- I was so surprised- A photo book of their last trip out here. It was so personal and cool, and I know they put so much effort into it.  I got a present from my parents in the mail today too- Agave juice and freeze dried mushrooms. If that isn't a tasty surprise I don't know what is. 

Finally It was time for the Chinese Acrobats. I didn't expect to be Wowed, but I thought it would be fun. I was completely bowled over with surprise. It was amazingly awesome. These acrobats looked like they could  have been at least Olympic Gymnasts, if not higher level. Is there a higher level? I don't know. I guess this is the higher level. The most amazing was this guy who stacked like a billion chairs on each other, climbed up them and did  hand stands and all t hose strength moves you see on the rings.  Did I ever mention  I have a thing for male gymnasts? well I do. What a birthday!! that was amazing.  

Surprisingly, this birthday was probably my best ever. I have never felt so loved, and I almost don't know how to accept that much love, but I know I have some really awesome friends and family, and co-workers, and I know this year is going to be a great one.

















  

My Life Sound Track - Part 3

2002- More Peter Brianholdt.  Enrique Iglesis- Hero. There were more good songs, but these were the ones that mattered most to me in 2002. I will never forget driving around with my roommates singing Hero on the way to the BYU game.  Mindy "I can be your hero baby," Paige paying attention to driving not singing interjects about someone making an odd turn "can you really do that"  ha ha ha. Oh yeah, and ME!! this is when I wrote my first songs- Break of Dawn, and I LUV 2 B W/U.  Weezer- Island In the Sun was also a big hit in my apartment.

2003- Me and Tiff Johns- 3rd Floor of Heaven. That was a great song, got us through a death of a friend. Also- If You could Hie to Kolob, a lot of Dwight Yokhim, and Cold Play- The Scientist. 

2004- (on my mission). Rebel Heart- Lietuva Tevyne Musu , God Be With You Till We Meet Again- Lithuanian,  A Latvian hymn we did for choir. I have no Idea what it was called but it went something like ... pieduot mani kauna, mani kauna aaaamen. Oh yeah, and Kur Ir Mana Lidsmasina?

2005- (still on a mission, heard most of these with members or on buses, or in shops)   Vivo Per Lei- the Lithuanian version,  Daniel Powder- Bad Day, James Blunt- You're Beautiful, and Vilija Mataciunaite - Spjaudau ir Gaudau.  

2006- In order to juggle French class, Russian class, and my brain still wanting to be in Lithuania, I listened to a lot of previously mentioned French and Lithuanian artists at this time, but in Russian class I found some exciting new artists  Znaki with the song Polli. Crazy Music Video, and  Zveri- Do Skoroi Vstrechi. You don't have to  understand Russian to enjoy the music videos, they are awesome!! 

2007-   Kelly Clarkson- Because of You ( like the duet with Reba the best). Weezer- Pork and Beans

2008- One Republic- Apologize,  Flight of The Concords, Brooke White, David Archuleta,It was a very Idol kind of year.  

2009- Pink. I listened to a lot of pink. Fun House. Great CD. Amazing videos, slightly disturbing. Eminem. I've always secretly loved Eminem, but this year, I think I started to openly love Eminem.  

2010- The Killers- Are we Human? , Eminem and Rhianna- Love the Way You Lie. Its just a really amazing song about a truly horrible and dysfunctional relationship, what is not to love? Katy Perry- Fire work, Eminem- Not Afraid- this is the best song ever for motivating me to not give up and to keep trying when I am feeling kicked while I am down. , Pink - Raise Your Glass (it was just so much fun!!)   Taylor swift, Sugar Land (stuck like glue), Miranda Lambert, and  The Band Perry helped me to love Country music again.

2011- Adele, Mumford and Sons, The Head and the Heart, Death Cab for Cutie, M.I.A, Adele, Adele, Adele, and She and Him. Zooey Deschanel has an amazing voice. And I will never tire of Adele. My friend Julie introduced me to Adele before her music exploded everywhere. My friend Karen took me to a Death Cab concert that was opened by The Head and the Heart. And nothing is more fun that driving around with Karen listening to Paper Planes by MIA. I found She and Him thanks to Zooeys roll on Elf, because her Baby its Cold Outside is so amazing I  had to hear more.  Eurovision also lit up my life with treasures Like Lako Je Sve, and  Drip Drop by Safira. 

2012. My heart broke. Who better than Taylor Swift for such a moment?  No one is better.  Gotye, your timing with Somebody that I Used to Know could not  have been better, I belted it. and when I was ready for healing I welcomed some light hearted "Call Me Maybe?" and more Katy Perry and Fun.   There is some really great music right now, and some crap. We are too new into 2013 for me to be sure about what will define 2012 in the long run, but I am betting Gotye, and Fun. don't quickly leave my memory. And every time I even think about trying to date an ex Taylor Swift reminds me why We are Never Ever EVER getting back together. 

                 Thirty years of music that has got me through life.  I wonder what music will define My Next Thirty Years? 

Music of My Life part Deux- The Second Decade

1992-  Reba McEntire- The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia ( I think my love of this song was so intense it worried my mom, since it was it was about murder),  Tanya Tucker- Two Sparows In a Hurricane,  Kris Kross- Jump ( yes, I did indeed wear my clothes backwards. Its really hard to get jeans on backwards, and sip them up propperly.)

1993-  ACE OF BASE!!! the entire The Sign Album.  Does He Love You- Reba and Linda Davis,  Travis Tritt - T-R-O-U-B-L-E.  I listend to The sign almost no stop for the next, hum 4 to 20 years. I made up skating programs to it, after mama mia came out, I tried to make a musical using it. The Sign has and still does define my life.  The duet with Reba and Linda was just cool- they blew up a boat!!, and Travis Tritt, it is thanks to you that I learned how to spell trouble. I still sing that song anytime I have to spell  T- R- O - U- B-L- EEEEEEE!!

1994- Bolero. I have no Idea who played it, wrote it or whatever. But, Torvile and Dean skated to it and that changed my life.  Rednex- Cotton Eye'd Joe. All I will say about this song is "had it not been for Cotton eye'd Joe, I'd been married long time ago."  Its true, I said it.  Brian Adams, Sting, and Rod Stewart- All for love. I melt. I melt.  The Cranberries- Dreams. SO Pretty!!  and Enigma- Return to Innocence. I can't even describe how much I still love that song.  I made up skating routines to it too.  and finally Beck- Looser. It took me a while to figure out he was saying Looser in spanish in the chorus, but that song always has the effect of making me feel like less of  a looser when I feel like one. Thanks Beck for shaving your face with some mace in the dark, and burning down a trailer park. 

1995- Sophie B. Hawkins- As I Lay Me Down.  some of the songs on that casset tape dropped the F bomb, I was disappointed. But I loved As I Lay Me Down, and I sang it for my solo in eighth grade choir the next year.  Weezer- Buddy Holly. I made a parody. I had windows 95, the music video was on there free. I watched it a lot. I thought the lead singer was super hot.  Alanis Morisette- Ironic.  I was so sad about the guy in the plane. Also TLC - Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls.  It was just so 1995. 

1996- Summon The Heros- the sound track of the 1996 Olympic Games, Power of the Dream- Celine Deon. Seriously, I listened to them non stop.   Spice Girls- Wanna Be, and Los Del Rio- Macarena.  great songs I still sing and dance to. I even made up a jump warm up routine for myself to the Macarena a year or so ago.  Wierd Al- Amish Paridise. Ok yeah, I still know all the words. Sheryl Crow- the entire If It Makes You Happy album.  Finally Celine Dion was a major slow dance song hit at my Jr High with  Its all Coming Back to Me Now. I still remember that party, with the pool, and the dancing, and the boy I said no to dancing with because I was too shy.  Oh Yeah and NO Doubt the entire Tragic Kingdom CD

1997- THE BEATLES- Free As a Bird and the release of Beatle Anthology made my whole class quite obsessed with the fab four.  The Verve- Bittersweet Symphony- I still love Love that song.  oh and Elton John's Candle in the Wind 1997, I still remember Diana's funeral every time I hear that song. OMG-How Bizzare- my French friend Laetitia and I used to go crazy dancing to this song and singing along.  Finally TUBTHUMPIN- Chumbawumba. I dont drink, but drinking songs are the most fun to sing.  Honnorable mention to Jewel. and to White Town for -  Your Woman. Things were gettin crazy. 

1998- This year is defined by my trip to France.  Madona- Ray of Light, Ricky Martin - the whole Livin the Vida Loca CD, Eagle Eye Cherry- Save Tonight.  Pascal Obispo, Mylene Farmer, and a lovely african dance hit called "Yakalelo" Oh and I think the chicken dance factors in here somewhere. Yeah, that trip to france forever changed my life. 

1999/2000- the year I graduated from High School. Sara McLaughlan- I Will Remember You, LeeAnn Womack- I Hope You Dance, Weezer- The Sweeter Song,  and Six Pence None The Richer- Kiss Me, also the French 80's group Telephone with their song Cindrillon was the key to my senior project, and I loved it. Saddest take on cinderella ever, but to such a catchy tune.  Green Day's Good Riddance helped me shed a tear and say good bye to my family and high school. 

2000- The college part of the year was very very much MXPX, and Dixie Chicks. they ruled my world, at opposite extreems of crazy, as well as Newsies, which got a reprieve when one of my roommates bought the  movie and the sound track. mmm Newsies. =) 

2001- Peter Brianholdt, and Colors ruled my second year of college. If you aren't from Utah, there is a chance you may not know about these two AMAZING bands, but you should check them out. 


and that ends another decade of my life in music.  One more to go!!  

The Songs of My Life- The First Decade (Part 1 of 3)

Have you ever thought about what would be on the soundtrack of  your life, if your life were a movie? I have. In honor of my 31st birthday, I have decided to compose a list of songs that were most influential  for each year of my life. Some years had to have more than one song, but where possible, I am holding it to one. 
enjoy, and Happy Birthday to Michael, Sheri, Linda, and  Elder Gerisoli  my birthday twins!! 


1982- Mandy, Barry Manalow.  This song didn't come out in '82, I was named for it. MTV was also born this year. 

1983-  I'm giving this one to Nina. 99 Luftballons has changed my life, and helped teach me German. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers- Islands in the Stream. I still love that song. uh huh.

1984- Lee Greenwood, God Bless the USA. I still cry, because I'm Proud to be an American. 

1985-Grandpa, The Judds.  I searched long and hard on this one. Lots of great songs, but Grandpa still touches my heart so much to this day. Whoa whoa grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ol' days!

1986- Walk Like an Egyptian, The Bangles. Yup, I was walkin' like an Egyptian a lot as a child. loved this. 
Also Somewhere Out There from the movie An American Tail. That song WILL be played at my wedding. it my my signature love song. 

1987- I give this one to country music. KT Oslin , George Straight,  The Judds  and Randy Travis were some of my favorite, but   Dwight Yokim- 1,000 miles was an enduring favorite that even got me through my first years of college over a decade later. 

1988- A big music year for me. The creme de la creme for me: Keith Whitley- When You Say Nothing At All, George Harrison- Got My Mind Set On You, George Michael - Faith,  Poison- Every Rose Has its Thorn,  and Rod Steward- Forever Young. all of these songs were so important to me, I couldn't pick just one. 

1989-  Roxette - Listen To Your Heart,  New Kids on the Block - You've Got it (The right stuff), Hank Williams Jr&Sr There's a Tear In My Beer.     I was mad for New Kids. I had a big crush on Donny. 

1990- Alannha Miles- Black Velvet. I hate Elvis, but I love this song. Garth Brooks- The Dance- Words can't explain how influential this song has been in my life, it got me through many sad, tough moments. Tanya Tucker -Walkin' Shoes. I wanted to be Tanya Tucker at this time in my life.  Vanilla Ice- Ice Ice Baby. All you got to say is "stop" and I follow it with "collaborate and listen."

1991- Finishing off my first decade of life... The Judds- Love Can Build a Bridge (still brings a tear to my eye) , Trisha Yearwood- She's In Love With the Boy (theme song of my first crush!!) , REM -Loosing My Religion,  MC Hammer- Too Legit (I had hammer pants, yes I did).  Tanya Tucker- Down To My Last Tear Drop. Reba McEntire -Fancy ,  Travis Tritt- Here's A Quarter (call someone who cares)- I still want to say this to people, then I realize we have no pay phones.  Aaron Tippin  - You Got To Stand For Something.  Country music was big in  my life that year, when ever  it wasn't Hammer Time.  


If I had to pick just one for the whole decade, it would be Love Can Build A Bridge by the Judds.
As you can see, Music got increasingly more important, and harder to narrow down. Good luck with the next decade =)

Not Running Faster Than Your Strength

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." Says king benjamin in mosiah chapter three.
  This morning I read a talk by Elder Ballard about having a balanced life. It was really good, but I cant remember what it was called.
For the past year I have been litteraly learning this lesson about running as injuries physically restricted me from the ability to run. Those injuries only reached that point, because I chose to ignore them and run faster than I had strength.
In the past month, I also did this running too fast spiritually and emotionally. Just like with my physicall injuries, the results were detremental to me and my ability to progress.
Similarly, when I was physically injured, after pushing myself too hard too fast, I reached a point when I gave up and quit trying at all. I lost muscle, gained fat, and got weaker and more unhealthy than was necissary, until someone showed me some exercises I could do at the pace I could handle.
These exercises are called the daily dozen. You do each for forty five seconds then rest for fifteen. It takes only twelve minutes of your day. When I first started doing these, I had to modify most of them to my ability. Slowly as I continued to progress and build muscles and flexibility week by week, I was soon able to do most of them without modification, and eventually add a few of my own on.  This allowed me very slowly to reach a point i could ice skate and even run a little again.
I still have a long way to go, but I know if I continue at a propper pace I will get there. I could use this same technique for spiritual, social, emotional, and intelectual aspects of my life.
For example, a daily dozen mix of priorities could include
Prayer
Scripture study
Eating healthy
Getting enough sleep
Haveing alone /reflective time
Creativity time
Work time
Friend time
Work on calling time
Exercise
These are things i need at least a little of every day. If i get this much in balance, then i can add a few things more. If this is too much for me, i can modify the time, intensity, and way that i carry them out to fit my needs,so that i can have wisdom, order, and balance, so I can get that prize I so desperately want and am working for.  
If i run too fast, ill colapse without the prize, if i dont run at all i definately wont get it. If i pace myself, one day ill get there, ill get that prize, ill win it

Iron Curtains Rust. ...

If you are tuning in to read a blog about the downfall of the Soviet Union, You will be sorely disappointed. If you are looking to read about what has become of the infamously unbeatable church floor hockey goalie Mandi Marquardt ,you have come to the right place. 

 After a year off from my glorious YSA floor hockey carer due to injury and Oldish age, I returned again to the floor tonight, in a more suitable "Women's church floor hockey" format.  Yup, I got beat once or twice by sister Lamar. I don't think she has played hockey before, but she is a natural and has some mad skills. She so nice to everyone all the time you wouldn't think that she could beat you to the puck like that and brutally turn and score on you, but she so can. 

 Everyone played extremely well. I even still  had some magic left. But again, my nick name was "The Iron Curtain" and what is a problem with Iron? well Iron rusts. I got rusty. I let a lot of easy goals in. I was slow. I got tired. I haven't ran this  year at all. Now I am chasing a ball down a court with a stick in toe. I lasted 15 min before I was begging to be goalie. I would have gladly stayed in goalie too. but we rotated, that was fair, and probably wise. I probably actually wouldn't have wanted to be goalie the whole time. I had Barbara  O'leary on my team. We warmed up together. She's really good too. I am good. I still have, well, some of it. But lets put it this way, If I had to face Isaac "The Capitalist" Shaver  today, or Bryce"I'll beat your face in" Jameson, I would have died after 15 minutes, or less.  
  I think Brielle "the Brick" Porter and Julie "High five you in the face with a chair" Shaver could have taken me in less than 20 and  Michelle "the Mad woman" Pitcher and Karen "the Kreamer" would have turned me into creamed corn in  no time at all. 

When I was done, I walked into my house, turned to my roommate and said "I need a shower, I smell like a buffalo"  she asked what a buffalo smells like. From my experience, they stink. I stunk. I stunk bad. Like rust. like a rusty B.O. filled sweat drenched former hockey glory once known and feared as the Iron Curtain.  These Women, They will soon whip me into shape I hope. They run, they exercise. they do physical stuff beyond walking.  I used to do things like that.
  Well, the time has come, and this time the Iron Curtin is going to find some WD-40 and a Brillo pad and work until she shines again, until no puck or ball gets past her, and every puck she shoots lands in the net. 
   As Red Green Says, folks, "Keep your stick on the Ice," or in this case, the hard wood. If  you are in the poulsbo area, and are a woman, come join us Wednesday nights at 8:30 in the Poulsbo LDS church building. Its a blast.

Real Ramen, Les Misrables, and some hockey

Ok, I have about 10 minutes till I head to the poulsbo church building for some womens floor hockey, but I just had to write really quickly about what an awesome evening i've had so far.

Wednesdays I go to my counseling session in Auburn and then I go have dinner with my friend Toni afterwards. She wanted to go to sushi tonight. I wasn't super excited. I get intimedated in sushi places, mainly by the chopsticks. I have no chopstick skills.  I compromised a bit. She took me for frozen yogurt first, so that sweetened the deal.

When we got to the sushi place, I looked at the menu. I am playing hockey tonight, I didnt think I would get full enough, and then I saw it. Japanese Ramen. I hate Ramen noodles. those card board things in the package. YUCK!!! I will eat them if the other option is starving to death.

 But, I have heard Japanese ramen is way different and totally better. This IS A FACT!! I will tell you myself from my personal experience tonight. YUM!!!  Also, Toni shared some of her sushi with me. Last time I had sushi was on my road trip with Toni to La Push (Sushi is good in port townsend at Ichikawa).  Any way, Mmm, she chose well and I was pretty happy we had gone for sushi. We also had some great entertainment. There were no forks, only chopsticks. Toni had to give me a refresher on how to use them. I had to modify that to eat any ramen, but within 15 min I was using them properly to eat the sushi. First, though, I had to drop a sushi roll in my soup. It went well together.

 We spent about 15 min giving our own reviews of the movie Les Misrables. We  both agreed that we liked Ann Hathaway, Russell Crow, Hugh Jackman, and the girl that played Eponine.  We both agreed we didn't like the sound affects accompanying Javerts suiside, the realistic seweryness of the sewers, and we didn't like  cosette.  oh and we agreed that bonhem-carter, and Borat were really perfect villans. Ok, I am now late for Hockey, so pardon all my typos, but I gotta run.

I survived 9 am church

 Today was a monumental day for me. It was a day that proved I can get up before 8 am on a Sunday, get dressed, and take a shower before 8.30.  It wasn't easy.
    I had 9 am church today for the first time since well before my mission. Its 7pm right now. I feel like its midnight.  I also feel kind of like I skipped church. 

With my new calling as Primary secretary, My mind wasn't much on the testimonies shared at fast and testimony meeting. No, I spent most of that hour trying to figure out how to simultaneously put up the signs on class rooms (that I failed to get to church early to do), hand a presidency member the agenda, and oh yeah, did I mention I am also teaching CTR 6. So I needed to get ready for teacher mode and keep an eye on my class while doing secretary stuff. 

  I am a great multi-tasker, In my own mind.  I sped out the door as soon as they started singing the Sunday school opening hymn. Someone forgot to release the teachers to go prep. I released myself to do so.  I handed the agenda away as I ran out the door and frantically dogged people while sticking class signs on the doors. Then one of the presidency grabbed me to do a room change. It was Pandalerium as my dad would say in his best Jeff Foxworthy.  
  
  I put the class we were changing in the wrong class room, but it actually worked out OK in the end. Then I sorted out the Relief Society rolls. Did you know that? some one has to mark the teachers  in the RS rolls that teach primary. Its me!! and then hand out RS announcements. 

 We had a whole new family move in today, so I helped add them to the right class, then I ran and got the rolls from the clerk and distributed them to the teachers.  and then..  well I had a massive brain fart. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing. I though I had taken care of all the secretary stuff, but I couldn't find my teacher mode. I couldn't find my class. Which one was it? how old is CTR 6?!!! what does a 6 year old look like? oh it was a melt down. I went out in the hall and looked at my books, kind of blankly until someone said "Where is the teacher for CTR 6?"      Oh that's me!!!  "Well, go get that girl to quit standing on her chair!!" oh that is what teachers do during sharing time. OK.  melt down done. Found my class, got the girl to sit down.        
 I was there for seven minutes. I was really getting into the armor of God sharing time lesson.  and then....oh yes, secretary time. five minute warning for senior primary teachers, a chance to pick up class rolls, and drop off the RS roll, which I did in good time, dogging loose teenagers in the hall ways. 

  And then it was time to teach the six year olds.  I think we did well until the last fifteen minutes. I ran out of lesson materials and had them color, which some how turned into them trying to do gymnastics and me trying to get them to stop. Apparently they got a little too loud with their "coloring" and someone came to check on my class.  Finally, it was all over. I was again lost. What do I do now? Do I have some other secretary duty? oh yes, I have to collect JR primarys rolls, and take down the signs.  Done Done and Done.  now what?  Do I get to go home? I didn't know. I couldn't think any more. I wandered a few laps around, saw no one from primary, so I figured it was time to go home. I went for a walk, and then worked on some primary documents, before getting super frustrated with my Internet which has been having problems. Tried to call comcast a few times, got hung up on. Got to angry to speak. Cooked dinner (it was now 5.30pm)  My roommate called comcast and got it all fixed, and I went to go write a blog about how tired I was and why its crazy to have 3 callings and 9 am church all at the same time.  Oh yes, I still have one more calling. Single Adult rep. I don't know what to do with that one. I don't know who the other single adults in the ward are.  Any way, its only 7 pm, and I feel like its midnight.  What a Sunday. 


Please ignore my spelling errors. My Internet is still having issues, so spell check wont work because the connection is too slow or something. its hit or miss. 

Tea Party Paper Hats, A Tutorial

At the Urging of some of my friends, I have finally done it. I have finally assembled a tutorial for you on how to make a really cool paper hat for a tea party, or a garden party, or why not, the upcoming us premier of season 3 of Downton Abbey. This is what the final product looks like. Don't wear it in a rain storm.

first, you need three large square sheets of pretty scrapbook paper, preferably the same pattern, but at least two of them must be the same pattern.

cut one sheet in half

tape the two halves together as shown above

measure it to your head and then tape the other side to for a  cylinder as shown

cut slits about 1/2" to 1" long around the top

fold the strips in to form  the shape of the hat. You can use staples, or  clear tape

when you finish it should look something like this

cut a strip off the second matching scrapbook page big enough to cover the hole in the middle.

You can stick the patch on the inside or the outside, I think it looks best on the outside.   Tape the patch on the inside first, then cut the extra paper off, so that it just covers the hole.

now tape around the outside of the patch so nothing is sticking up.

now cut 1/4" to 1/2" long flaps around the bottom, approximately  1" to 2" apart 

fold flaps like this, all the way around the hat

take the remaining part of the second scrap book page, and the third scrap book page, and  cut them evenly in squares or rectangles, then begin taping them to the flaps. If more than one patter in being used, alternate them for the best result. 

tape them or glue them on ever flap, or every two flaps together all the way around. 

tape down the top side of the flaps to give extra stability to the brim of the hat.

add a ribbon for a hat band. Whatever color or thickness you prefer. 

where the ribbon ends meet, tape on another ribbon in a bow.

another example, using tape

My first attempt, using staples and glue and no scissors.

So, This is Christmas? Happy Christmas

T'was the week before Christmas, I stayed in my house. Thanks to St. Nickolai there was no mouse. 
There was snow on the ground, for just a day or two
I spent my time sleeping due to a cold, not the flu.
When finally I awoke from my slumber, 
I decided to watch youtube videos, the better the dumber.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear but The Mighty Boosh, 
and Noel Fielding wearing hats with some ears.
I watched and I wondered in confusion then glee,
I watched, then I laughed, I liked it by episode three.

The presents are bundled all under my tree, my stockings are hung, 
and now its raining. Its time for church, and I get to teach
my third christmas lesson to my class in primary.
Time for some Samuel the Lamanite's speech
No arrows could hit him, what a missionary. 

Through sickness, through snow fall, through mindless humor
out of the fog comes the reason to be here. 'tis all about the heavenly child
Christ changed the world, and he changed it by love. 
so let us all learn, and let us all feel it. 
Happy Christmas to all, Have you got the true spirit? 

If Coal Means You've Been Bad, What Does Poo Mean?

My roommate and I had an interesting discussion at dinner. You see, on the way home from church I was singing along with She & Him's Christmas CD to the song Little St. Nick, but I change all the words to be about a dog, because, well I have my own 20 lb Jack Russell  St. Nick.  This year, he has confused the tree skirt with his potty pad, so  he has been leaving me Christmas presents on occasion, and then I have to clean the skirt and the carpet. He's getting better about not doing it, but considering that I was told as a child that Saint Nick leaves presents for good girls and boys, and a lump of coal for the bad ones, I can't help but think that perhaps I've been worse than bad this year, because Ol' St. Nick is leaving me a lump of dog crap. At least coal you can burn for heat to stay warm, dog poo I just have to clean up and dispose of. 

  Santa Baby, I'll give you a treat if you use your potty pad, and not my tree. Thank you.  

I Saw the Hobbit, and I Think I'm In Love With a Dwarf

 Richard Armitage...   

How could you not just love Richard Armitage?  I first met Richard Armitage when he played the handsome fellow that swooped in and swept the Vicar of Dibbley off her feet. Pretty sure he swept me off my feet that day too. Where is my boring accountant with dark hair and beautiful eyes? I asked myself with no reply. 

Next I saw him as an industrial giant in the cotton mills of the north of England, sweeping some young southern English preachers daughter off her stubborn feet.  He was a ruthless, merciless employer, who it turned out was actually merciful, kind wise and had everyone's best interest at heart. and mmm that hair, those eyes. How could I not love him.  North  & South, I'd follow him any where. 

As a villain he appeared next  in the woods  fighting Robin of Locksley. Even as the evil sheriff of Nottingham, wearing some kind of mascara and being an absolute slimy jerk face, a part of me loved him still, and rooted for him to change. I don't remember how Robin Hood ended, I may have made this up, but I think he may have almost turned partly good at the end after the death of Marian? No? I can't remember, but my brain refuses to think otherwise. 

The ultimate test though, of if you really love someone, is if you see him covered in Orc blood, with a beardiness only befitting a dwarf and you still are captivated by his eyes and the soothing sound of his voice through and entire nearly 3 hour movie. When his eyes make you forget all about Elijah Woods eyes, when his voice lets you know not even a mountain troll would harm you in his presence, when a man can play a Dwarf with as much sexiness as he can play his lead in any love story, that man is a great actor, and deserved the most sexiest man on the planet award.  And that man is Richard Armitage. 

Who is your celebrity crush? if you could marry anyone famous who would it be?  Move me to England, and  bring me my Armitage,  No one else, not even the Doctor would do.

Free Pie!! and Face Mask Wednesday!

  So, some of you know I have started a new tradition. Wednesday is my therapy day. I go to my counseling appointment, which is amazingly awesome. I unload all my emotional crap, and find new emotional crap to sort out for the next week. Eventually I think I will run out of emotional crap, and then I will be totally and completely emotionally healthy!? right? is that how that works? I don't know. I just know I have a lot to work through. 
  Any way, so after that, I am usually in need of second therapy- aka friend time. So I go have dinner with my friend Toni. Usually we cook healthy food at her house, but in celebration of dealing with a super big issue very well, this week we decided to go out to eat. I wanted Ice cream. We went to Sheri's. I ate some moderately healthy food,  including shrimp skewers. mmmm.  And then we saw the sign, and it opened up our eyes 'cuz we saw the sign. FREE PIE WEDNESDAYS!!! Woooo Hooo!!!  As they say, if you have a choice between regular heaven, and pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It may be a trick, but if not, mmmm. 

Its not trick, Pie is Free with your order of something else, at Sheri's on Wednesdays. I got peach pie. I no longer needed Ice cream. Although, that would have gone nice, a la mode. 

After we went and walked around a park full of Christmas lights on the waterfront in Renton. It was very pretty, but there were all sorts of oddities, dancing clams, and a hamburger in Christmas lights. Toni explained it was because there was an Ivars and some other restaurant in the park. odd, but still. To top it all off we listened to a She & Him Christmas album. Say what you will of Zooey Deschanel, but she has mad vocal skills and killer comedic presence in my book. 

And then I went home and did a peel face mask. I hated it. It was like slimer attacked my face and then I had to be a little kid peeling glue off  my face. Ok as a kid i would put glue on my hands and let it dry then peel it off for fun, as an adult, with it on my face, that isn't fun or relaxing. So I took it off  and did my usual mud. Much happier =)  good night. 

Super Mom, Super Heavy Gifts of the Spirit, and Thoughts on a Super New Website

OK, so I am just basically going to summarize my Sunday in one word.

AWESOME!!!      You thought I was going to say SUPER huh? ha ha

So at church, my first new friend in the state of Washington gave a talk, and it was pretty good. and then her husband spoke and I learned she is moving to Bainbridge and I almost started crying, even though its not that far away, its further than the two minutes that currently separates us.

But before that happened, I found out super mom was in my ward. Let me explain. So I have an awesome new friend in the ward, and her daughter was speaking today. Apparently she (the daughter) is on the shy side and speaking in sacrament meeting isn't on her list of all time favorite hobbies. It is on mine, but it wasn't always. Any way, so she was a little upset when she stepped up to the microphone to speak,  well, a lot upset. She didn't seem to be able to go on. I was rooting for her. I wanted to hear her speak. I don't know her though, so I was sitting helplessly in the audience praying someone would know what to do. The bishop and his councilors uttered words of encouragement, that I believe from my seat appeared only to result in more tears and frustration. Then out of no where, a very amazing mom who I didn't notice had been seated on the stand to help her daughter popped up, well ducked up behind her, and uttered just the right words of encouragement.  The girl stepped back, took a breath and read her talk so well it didn't sound like she was reading it, nervous, or any way affected by the beginning trauma.

  Wow!! I sat in my seat awed. What a perspective, loving and amazing mom. As the girl finished her talk, she took her seat next to her mom on the stand, and her mom gave her a hug and more words of encouragement. If I'm ever  a mom I hope I do that. I hope I know my kids well enough to know just what to say, to be aware of there challenges, and to be there for them when they need me, in just the way they need me.  I found it completely inspiring.

After that, I went and taught my primary class the most amazing lesson I have ever taught in primary. We kind of have free reign as to what lesson we choose to do these two weeks before Christmas, and I got this Idea, and cleared it with one of the primary presidency that since last week we only talked about 7 verses in Moroni 10, that I wanted to cover the rest of them, on the Gifts of the Spirit. I had a genius idea. Inspired, I am sure, to tie it into Christmas gifts. So this morning I got up early and wrapped up pictures of scripture stories, apostles, prophets, and other objects that represented the gifts of the spirit mentioned in the verse. Then I wrapped up my baby Jesus from my Creche and well, it all weighted about 25 lbs. it was heavy. 
   But we opened each one, discussed the objects relation to the scriptures, then I ended with John 3:16, and how Christ is the greatest gift we have received from God, and then back to Moroni 10 where it says all good gifts come from Christ.  I actually kept their attention for the entire lesson. It was awesome, and I am glad I followed the prompting to teach it that way, because I think I may have actually reached them today.


On a last note, in my last post I encouraged all of you to check out the churches new website www.mormonsandgays.org . Not wanting to be a hypocrite, I went and not only checked it out, but watched every single video on there, and read each section. I think it is a great site. It is a balance of maintaining the importance of living gospel standards, but encourages with a message of  love and compassion to those struggling with same sex attraction within and without of the church. It also encourages greater love and understanding from those in the church NOT struggling.  It shared the experiences of many people in the church who's lives have been touched by this issue in one way or another. In this day and age, I think we all have. The video testimonials of Elder Christofferson, and Elder Oaks were inspiring, and the messages of hope of those willing to share their stories were also great, the thing I enjoyed the most though was Elder Cook sharing his experiences from his time serving as a Bishop and Stake President in San Francisco, the people he met, and the impact it had on his life. It was very touching. I encourage you all once again to take a moment and take a look at it. If you do nothing else, watch Elder Cooks video.  

Happy Sunday and Happy Christmas to all!!

The Christmas Devotional

So, I have been reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I've been reading it for two plus years, but I am finally starting to get into it. In fact, I put off dinner tonight so I could read. Then, my stomach won out at around 9pm and I went in the kitchen to cook. I was going to watch hulu while I cooked, and then I remembered that I haven't seen the churches Christmas Devotional yet. I decided to watch that instead. 

 I love the music, its amazing and beautiful. But what has stuck out the most to me was Elder Uchtdorfs talk on being a good reciever as well as a good giver. This stood out to me in stark contrast to what I had just read in that big fat book. Im not finished yet, so I can't really comment too much on the book, but here is the opinion I formed after contrasting the two things. It is good and important to work hard, to earn your living and your way in life, its important to do this to learn and to grow, But, its also important to humbly learn to rely on others, especially the Savior. None of us can or should do it all on our own, and none of us can do it all. 

Jesus took everything on himself to help us to be able to grow, to become like him, but even he can't do everything, he can't take our will, we have to decide to give that to him.  Its important to love one another, and recieving gifts with the attitude in which they were given is an important lesson to learn. The greatest gift ever given's birth is celebrated this time of year, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. The gift he gave, the gift God gave is ours to accept graciously or to refuse contemptuously.  John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever will follow him might not parish but have eternal life"           


To end it off, President Monsons talk about the lonely, about bringing people into the warm thoughtfulness of our hearts, of true love for each other. He called it the Christmas spirit, the reflection of the Saviors love for us. So true. Charity, after all, is the pure love of Christ.    As I looked at the churches website, I also noticed that they have a link, to a new website that the church has created.

 This website deals with a very emotional subject for most people in our world today, inside or out of the church. It is to clarify the churches position, and to express great love, to a subject that has created some  divisions, and some lonely and hurting people both in the church, formerly in the church and out of the church. Its worth it , I think, to check it out, read it, gain some understanding whether you currently know someone struggling with this issue or not, perhaps this will help you to reach out in love to someone who will need it in the future.  here is the new website, Please check it out.....  http://www.mormonsandgays.org/  it is an official website of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints  - from the news room relase "NEWS RELEASE —  6 DECEMBER 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — 

In an effort to encourage understanding and civil conversation about same-sex attraction, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched the website “Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction” (www.mormonsandgays.org). It features a number of videos from people who share real experiences from their own perspectives on a sensitive and sometimes emotionally charged topic."

any way, anytime the church puts out new stuff its to help us learn something important.   So watch the Christmas Devotional if you haven't  http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/christmas-devotional/2012/12?lang=eng&vid=2006359549001, and take a moment to take a look at that new website. 

Troll Hunter

Oh, you get a two for one tonight, because I haven't posted much lately. But today, I watched a really fun Norwegian movie called "Troll Hunter"  Its supposed to make you think it is a real movie about something that possibly really happened. Yeah right, trolls live in Norway  and love to eat Christians. That's what the movie claimed any way. Crazy stuff.  it was super fake looking, but I really enjoyed it. 

First, I got to watch three stupid college kids making a documentary that they thought was about a bear poacher. Then they found out he was a troll  hunter. One got bit by a troll and survived, he later found out the troll that bit him was rabid, and that he now probably had rabies. I think that's hilarious because he didn't go to the doctor to have his troll bite checked out even though it was bothering him throughout the movie.  If you get bit by a troll, please check yourself for rabies!!!

Second, I saw a three headed troll turn to stone, and another troll snack on some goats- very Jurassic park- and then it exploded. The key to defeating these trolls? UV lights baby!! oh yeah!!  there is an anti-fake bake add for you, look what this tanning bed will do to this giant mountain troll! BOOM troll guts everywhere.

Third, kind of sad, but if you are on a film crew, and decided to follow around a troll hunter, and he asks, "Hey are any of you Christians? because trolls really love to eat Christians." Don't lie about it, or you will for sure be the camera man that gets eaten by a smelly foul big nosed pack of trolls when you go tromping through the troll cave where you oughtn't be, because, well there is clearly no way out of that cave, no sunlight going in, and you are the one that smells like a Christian, so the troll can snack on you and your friends can escape.  

Great movie. I think its only moral was that you can't trust the government, and that Trolls eat Christians so all the Atheists are the ones that will have to save you from the trolls. Have fun with that Atheists.  Any way, I had fun watching it.

Why I currently look like The Mask, and I'm loving it!

Its Wednesday night. Wednesday nights are always interesting for me these days. On one hand, I feel a great relief because I got to talk with my counselor about the things on my mind all last week,  and on the other hand, over whelming, because in the process I usually find some new thing to work on. This week was no exception, and I don't even know how to begin on the task at hand this time. I don't think my usual Idea of reading a book about it and following someone else's Idea is going to work.  Its going to have to be me, and I'm going to have to think outside my usual box. 

  Another great thing about Wednesdays is I always get to spend Wednesday evening, after therapy, with a friend, going through what I like to call Second Therapy.  You know,  like when you go on a vacation, and you leave one extra day to be home after your vacation to have a vacation from your vacation before you go back to work because you are exhausted from vacationing?  Well, after therapy, I usually have to go talk to a friend to transition out of therapy mode. Usually I have dinner with my friend Toni, but tonight I ended up going to Starbucks in the Silverdale Barns and Noble to get hot chocolate and look at books. 

  I love hot chocolate, especially when that  hot chocolate is half eggnog. mmm chocolate eggnog. Thank you Anna. Anna is the one that took my eggnog latte back for me to get eggnog hot chocolate like I wanted, because well, I don't drink lattes, but I also hate taking things back. Oh , and my good friends don't let me drink caffeine because they know bad things happen when I do.  Any way, we drank our comfort beverages and wandered around looking at all the books we wished we owned but don't have money or room to buy and then we went home. It was nice, because we just laughed at silly things and talked about books. It felt good.  

  I got home after and I had already taken care of making and packing my lunch for tomorrow- prosciutto wrapped salmon.  mmmmm  tasty. And then I did my exercises, and took a shower, and I was just thinking, what else would make this day end great so I am ready to deal with the world again, and It hit me. FACE MASK!!! wooo hooo!!!  I chose and avocado and oatmeal one this time. I applied it, and then I looked in the mirror and saw someone who could be on The Mask, you know that great Jim Carry film from the nineties?  Any way, my Jack Russell doesn't have a mask, but he is siting at my fit. Good boy! I am calm, not crazy, and ready to go to sleep. but, I do look like the mask.   

Any way, I will be making a tutorial on how to make really awesome hats out of paper. Then, I am going to try to make them out of felt. If I make them out of felt, I am going to consider selling them. If I sell them ,I have to fill out paper work at work. its a great dilemma, so we shall see. but, I will show you how to make the paper ones.  night all!!! and Happy Christmas!!