tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83394632024-03-12T21:58:25.936-06:00Just Rannin' AroundUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger617125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-65675506425568117982014-01-08T12:09:00.002-07:002014-01-08T12:09:29.024-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once
controlled me can’t get to me at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If
you haven’t heard or really listened to the song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let It Go</i> by Demi Lovato go immediately to youtube and take a
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, I’ll wait . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
haven’t seen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frozen</i> yet so this is
purely just off the song itself and nothing to do with the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that a song has hit so close to
home for me in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it
shocks me how someone else can write the words that speaks for my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure that I am taking on meanings that
are applicable to my life and how I feel but that is the beauty of music. . .
it allows us to do exactly that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
some time now I have been contemplating letting go of some things that probably
should have been let go years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
not always easy to let go and sometimes as you peel back one layer it just
reveals others that also need to be released.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I stare down the barrel of the big four-zero fast approaching in a
little over a year, I know that there is no more time to procrastinate the
inevitable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have a list of items that I would really like to accomplish before that day
arrives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of a big deal to me
and I’m having a lot of anxiety already about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to get some things in line so that I
can tackle that day with a positive attitude about the life still in front of
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With
that said and so much left unsaid, this is where I say goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After almost ten years of blogging on this
site it is time to let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
one of the layers I discovered beneath something else much larger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a great outlet for me over the
years and I’m sad that it is coming to an end, but I know that it is one of
those things that will ultimately help me get to where I now need to be heading
in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank
you to those that took the time to read and for those that would even take the
extra time to comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means so much
to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-68237385895968154962013-12-13T15:08:00.001-07:002013-12-13T15:08:54.484-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Only
an Aunt can give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister and share love
like a friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
don’t think that it is any secret that I love my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are my strength and the solid ground
beneath my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can make me laugh
the hardest, boil my blood the hottest and calm my storms the fastest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They definitely remind me that I am a part of
something bigger than myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know if heaven will ever be fully prepared for what will hit them when we all get
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family is not perfect, but it
is perfect for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here
is the newest member of my family . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHVGgLjRasXIqqvqe3k-yB2nUKp8yzi-N9eKDA5Nvl8F5ijBHYr-UreXBHRLcAkFlXWlAehBN8aA2JTI7dPagXJAnPkpw8TcZcCY-JJSjPRHa-NUiNBpOZrfL_ZPaty8DAJ3Xag/s1600/baby1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHVGgLjRasXIqqvqe3k-yB2nUKp8yzi-N9eKDA5Nvl8F5ijBHYr-UreXBHRLcAkFlXWlAehBN8aA2JTI7dPagXJAnPkpw8TcZcCY-JJSjPRHa-NUiNBpOZrfL_ZPaty8DAJ3Xag/s1600/baby1.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir-fxs-7ddoYKWQSiDq3ZpAObK5TekEYqZsPksFGGRhHoZgERsAMsxKaBuWRlBy35CY9KJJRxawfzvG-dsdx32dA5ZysFt8iVsletqeahCf2r6THyhYzFb3Cl9OhYnRneIXahGg/s1600/baby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir-fxs-7ddoYKWQSiDq3ZpAObK5TekEYqZsPksFGGRhHoZgERsAMsxKaBuWRlBy35CY9KJJRxawfzvG-dsdx32dA5ZysFt8iVsletqeahCf2r6THyhYzFb3Cl9OhYnRneIXahGg/s1600/baby2.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
already in love with her, my little Katelyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These nieces and nephews of mine are the joys of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-3213683925873462152013-11-18T14:53:00.003-07:002013-11-18T14:53:28.058-07:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“At
the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the
positive involvement of parents.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Without
a question or second thought, I can validate that statement in my case as a
true fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents have been a solid
standing place in my life through which I have weathered some fierce
storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They created a home so filled
with love, security and encouragement that we felt free and safe to explore and
grow into individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most
amazing things about my parents is that they didn’t just provide this for us,
their children, but for neighborhood kids and our friends and anyone else that
needed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door to our home was
always open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judgment was never
allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were never the most spiritual
household on the block . . . but I would dare say that my parents are some of
the most Christ-like people that I know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
Wednesday my mom is going in for her third heart surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad was currently diagnosed with a slow growing
prostate cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality of losing
them increases each year and the weight of that sometimes knocks me to the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Losing a parent, I’m positive,
is never easy for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand
that this is morbid to even think about but it is a reality that hits each time
something of this nature occurs and forces the mind to ponder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
doesn’t seem to hit my siblings as hard as it does me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’ve thought about it, I understand why a
bit more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have a spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have families of their own and other
people to lean on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, my parents
are still my entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are who
I call when I need to cry or when I have done something to celebrate or when I
just want to talk and really have nothing to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where I comfortably spend holidays
where traditions I love are done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is where I find my comfort, security and unconditional love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have amazing friends whom I adore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t ask for better siblings whom I dearly
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However when push comes to shove,
they have their own families that need their time, attention and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get it and I am so extremely happy they do
have that blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it comes
down to the thought of losing my parents to me equals truly being alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
know that I am not the first person to ever go through this and I know that I
will not be the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly this isn’t
even about a pity party. . . I just needed to write it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing for me tends to calm me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been carrying around a lot of anxiety
about this for the last little while and needed to dump some of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents will be between my house and the
hospital for the next two weeks starting today and I need to be a support not a
worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
if you remember, prayers for my parents are needed and appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-47337763414273201102013-11-11T11:25:00.001-07:002013-11-11T11:25:37.890-07:00Sometimes you have to do what you have to do<br />
<br />
I don't like spending money but there are times that it becomes necessary. The Trailblazer was struggling. I have 153000 miles on the poor thing. It is still a great car which is why it is still in my garage (they wanted to do a trade in for a lousy $1000 . . . um go jump in a lake). I will use it when I go camping or on really bad snow days or just because I want to. However it was getting to the point that I didn't trust driving home by myself anymore. Since I was needing a new ride anyway and I was going to keep the Trailblazer, I wanted something with much better gas mileage.<br />
<br />
Meet the newest addition at my house . . . <br />
<br />
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<br />
It is a Chevy Malibu and I am really liking it. I only have to fill up with gas every other week verses every single week and I feel much more comfortable about making long drives by myself. <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-73860194401943862382013-10-31T15:48:00.001-06:002013-10-31T15:48:14.753-06:00"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among things hoped for."<br />
<br />
My family was never really huge into Halloween. However I work with a bunch of people that think Halloween is THE holiday of the year. I've tried to get more into the spirit of it for them. I have to say that this year I think that I finally did good. <br />
<br />
I've had several people tell me that I look great with gray hair . . . not an expected compliment, but I will take it nonetheless. <br />
<br />
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<br />
The office theme this year was super heroes/villians. I choose Storm from the Xmen. Spandex was risky but heck, you only live once. Why not make it as fun as possible!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-75912600687287699272013-10-28T11:35:00.000-06:002013-10-28T11:35:05.276-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Drag
your thoughts away from your troubles . . . by the ears, by the heels, or any
other way you can manage it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Mark
Twain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes I think
that I allow responsibility to become too big in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There definitely needs to be a balance that I
have yet to master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However there are
times that I will just drop kick responsibility to the curb and play.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<br />
I love weekends away . . . especially when they are close to the ocean!<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-85267971799266999582013-10-10T16:16:00.000-06:002013-10-10T16:16:01.591-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Winter
is nature’s way of saying, ‘Up yours!’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You
know you laughed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could you
not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is funny in that it is so true
sort of way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still find myself
giggling every time I look up and re-read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So now you know that I am very easily entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
has been dark and dreary all day long outside with non-stop rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that it is terrible because I love a day
or two like this when I can curl up by the fireplace and lose myself in a good
book, but today this just seems to be the beginning of Mother Nature holding
her middle finger up and calling in the start of her seasonal nastiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say winter is not my favorite
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
only thing that I am looking forward to is down time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winter I don’t feel as inclined or as guilty
sitting at home reading or watching movies all weekend long because the weather
is not conducive to being outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
thinking there will be some serious movie-a-thons in the next proceeding
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are quite a few movies and
movie series that I have been meaning to re-watch and snow days are always a
great excuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone is welcome to
join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if you prefer a read-a-thon, I
will be having plenty of those also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Book suggestions are needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well I guess it is
time to watch for flights into places with year-round sunshine!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-37257052135533797412013-09-18T14:55:00.003-06:002013-09-18T14:55:59.871-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
had an epiphany<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
going to write based on the assumption that just about everyone has put
something together. . . . or if not actually completed the task themselves,
then at least been witness to someone else doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
happens to all of us; the instructions are followed number by number and page
by page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t until the last number
on the last page is finished that realization hits that there is one or two
extra parts still sitting on the floor that should have already been placed
somewhere within the contraption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost
always you pick the parts up off the floor and turn them over in your hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go through the instructions in your head
again thinking that by so doing they will magically tell you where they are
supposed to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally
after coming to the conclusion that you put the item together exactly as
instructed and didn’t miss a step, you set the extra part(s) down on the floor
and test the newly formed object for stability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Upon satisfactory inspection and testing, you look at the part(s) on the
floor again, shrug your shoulders and laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are a hundred jokes about the “extra parts” and you have
rediscovered that it is still humorous when it happens to you for the hundredth
time because it still messes with your head every single time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No
this was not the epiphany . . . this is merely set up for the epiphany<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday
I came across some photos that stirred major reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was reflection of where I have been and
where I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a wake-up call
straight from reality that wasn’t necessarily the easiest thing to
swallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
not positive why I drew the parallel between the two things, but I do have to
admit that it made me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
my thought process was that once upon a time I had a huge group of friends that
was adventurous and played all the time . . . and I mean all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was rarely a night that went by where
all or a portion of the group wasn’t together doing something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of the activity, we were excited
and ready to take on anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me,
this was a well put together, stable item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was a useful part that was integral in forming this beautiful
structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However
time and change always occurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
natural part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This structure was
not meant to be permanent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly it was
taken apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched and cheered as things were reassembled
into multiple items using other parts from similar structures nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was different but so much more beautiful
to me as they came together and were built into structures that were meant to
be permanent and eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
structures were only the base and I’ve witnessed as they make additions and add
levels that give depth and so much strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m in awe of the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was on Sunday that I realized that I am the extra part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The instructions were followed number by
number and page by page, but when things were put together, I was still on the
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t used in any of the newly
created structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t really a
place that I belong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old structure
where I fit so tightly was gone and the new structures didn’t need me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t that I am useless, I just don’t fit
in a structure any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now don’t think that
this is a pity party because it isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
honestly laughed long, hard and loud when this came to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is what it is and what it is is an extra
part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t build anything with just
me, one part is not meant to build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However I can admire the strength and beauty of those structures built around
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to remember that the One
who wrote the instructions knows exactly where I do go and will eventually affix
me perfectly.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-38551874936624451872013-09-09T14:04:00.002-06:002013-09-09T14:04:07.698-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Is
there still a battle between nerds and jocks or has that gone away?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Random
question, I know but there is a reason behind it that I will share
momentarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m never sure about these
types of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After recently
attending my 20-year high school reunion I was blown away with all the drama
that happened during those four short years to which I was completely oblivious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that everyone was friends and that
we all got along fabulously . . . however I found out that was not true to most
people’s recollection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was informed
that just because I liked everyone and was everyone’s friend didn’t mean that
everyone else had that same attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seriously, I had no idea the drama!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
the above question came to mind immediately on Saturday afternoon as I boarded
Trax to go up to the University of Utah to attend the football game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I board at one of the very first stops
heading north to downtown and so there were just a handful of football
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However after a couple of stops
the train was already getting crowded and a gathering of people in costumes had
boarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a while to remember
that Comic Con was also happening downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two groups were definitely not from the same cut of material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group going to Comic Con was not
comfortable and was a bit edgy about being in the middle of the sports
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing
happened and everyone was completely cordial . . . at least in the car I was in
. . . but it still made me smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-65848503436404919612013-08-19T11:56:00.002-06:002013-08-19T11:56:50.903-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our
prime purpose in this life is to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-Dalai
Lama<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
I have been given a new responsibility with my calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not quite sure how to feel about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are countless reasons why I absolutely
love the calling to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher and one of the biggest ones
is that there are no meetings and I do all my preparing on my time table whether
it be at midnight or 5:00 in the morning or whenever I get a thought of inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
teach a little different from most people in the fact that I study the lesson
material, but I typically have one or two areas of the lesson that I choose to
cover but still don’t follow the manual per se.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay so let’s just admit that I study to know the material and then fly
by the seat of my pants where the Spirit directs while standing in front of the
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even take the manual with
me to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically the only things
in my hands during the lesson are my scriptures and a notebook full of quotes
given by the Brethren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically I am
not a scripted teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
new responsibility has thrown me for a loop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
bishop called me into his office a couple of weeks ago and asked me if it were
possible for me to mentor an 18-year old young woman who was turning in her
mission papers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants her to be more
prepared to teach the gospel and wanted to give her the opportunity to do so in
a safe environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought the best
place for that would be in my hands in Gospel Doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked that I let her take ten minutes each
Sunday to teach a small section of the lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was unsure how this incredibly shy 18-year old would react to the
calling of teaching the adults in gospel doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday
was the beginning of several months of lessons that would be handled in this
new way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate to admit that it
completely threw me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lesson
seemed to be disjointed and not natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know it was hard for me because I had to adhere more to the exact
direction of the manual because I had to make it easier for her to do her
portion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she got up I think I was about
the only one who could hear her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
hung her head and was almost whispering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people from the middle of the room to the back kept asking her to
speak louder so they could hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
she was done it took me a while to get my normal flow back going and just as I
started feeling better about it, it was time to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize that ten minutes from the
40-minute class time would make such a big difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the very few things that have come to
me naturally is public speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
aware that it is a gift given to me, but I’m not sure how to teach her how to
become comfortable doing something that most adults still fear more than death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also don’t want her to think that the only
right way to teach is my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
has a different way of teaching and different ways of feeling comfortable in
front of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I am at a loss
as to how to make the lessons cohesive without teaching directly out of the
manual which makes me want to poke my own eyes out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked out of church a little discouraged
knowing that I still have a couple of months of teaching this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
any suggestions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to make sure
that she has a good experience and also gains some skills that will be helpful
for her in the mission field and in life as general as a member of the
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to make this
miserable for her, me or the class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-63702429411759881402013-08-12T15:32:00.001-06:002013-08-12T15:44:56.837-06:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“A
fear of heights is illogical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fear of
falling, on the other hand, is prudent and evolutionary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-Sheldon
Cooper, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Big Bang Theory</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There
is always a sure sign of summer coming to a close . . . I receive my season
tickets to Utah football in the mailbox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must admit that is the only sign of summer coming to a close that
would ever put a smile on my face and make me squeal a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is probably a good thing that getting
those tickets are the first sign of the impending doom of winter or I might not
take it so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However every year my
first thought is always, “how did the summer go by so quickly?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy that I was able to at least get in
some fun during the short season and I even managed to obtain a sunburn that
had me peeling for an entire week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
was also able to spend some time with family and friends that I don’t see often
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a busy time at my
house with people in and out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last
two weeks have been a blast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able
to have some dear friends from Boston stay at my house for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to have time to catch up and get
Jamie addicted to a new television show . . . sorry Jamie . . . and put I
promise there is no email being sent. :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After
they left, my parents came and spent some time with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They actually came to get some appointments
in, do some family history research and to attend the family reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only when my house was suddenly quiet again
last night did I realize just how much better I was sleeping while there were
other human beings there that I love and trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t jumping at every single little noise of the house settling or
car driving by while they were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is amazing the difference of my comfort level while having the priesthood in my
house at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, for so
many different reasons it was nice to have wonderful people in my home for a
while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have officially been in my home for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hit that mark the first of this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is hard to believe that it has already been a year but then again
when I look at everything that I have already done to the house, it is seems
like I have been there a lot longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am really enjoying my neighborhood and my ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have been so great and it is so refreshing to live somewhere that
has that old-time neighborhood feel to it . . . a sense of community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is great to feel safe enough to go out
biking or running by myself, not only because it is a great area but because
there are always a ton of others out doing the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never left my house and not seen
someone out doing some type of physical activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After
the ward split I was re-called into teaching Gospel Doctrine with a few
changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only going to be one
class and I would be the sole teacher which means I teach every single
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bishop wanted consistency in
teaching and so he only wanted one teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly I don’t mind and it gives me more reason to study harder each
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday my darling 88-year old kissed
me on the cheek after my lesson and told me I was his favorite teacher
ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so stinking cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone should have a grandparent around,
adopted or not, to make them feel special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could I not love teaching especially in this ward?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discussion is always spiritually uplifting
and informative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is definitely a
spirit of love and learning that envelops us each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so blessed to be a tiny part of
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did I mention that I
got my season tickets in the mail?!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-43052564955609379492013-07-19T03:12:00.000-06:002013-07-19T03:12:00.711-06:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Nothing stands out so conspicuously or remains so firmly fixed in the memory, as something which you have blundered.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cicero</st1:place></st1:city></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It has been over three years since I last went out on a date . . . which for me also means that it has been over three years since I have been kissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t that I haven’t been asked out or that I haven’t had the option of kissing, it is that a little over three years ago I made the decision to put myself up on a shelf and I’ve collected dust since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently I am being aggressively pursued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly I didn’t think that any male ego could take the rejection which I have spewed at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet he continues to ask me out and bring me flowers and tell me that he will keep asking until I finally give in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t going to happen and I’ve informed him of this fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit that it is flattering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However there is a reason behind my madness that nobody else ever needs to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 69.0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve been inundated with random reminders as of late why I made the decision. It is probably just because of the time of year and it is more on my mind but it doesn’t make it any less difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The radio station that I listen to has constantly been playing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yeah</i> by Usher lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not a new release song and it always takes me by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course who doesn’t automatically turn up the volume, car dance and sing at the top of your lungs every single time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a mass of wildflowers growing in my neighborhood in the undeveloped lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve almost stopped a few times to gather some of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several others but I won’t bore with the details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There have been a lot of people pushing me lately as to why I’ve put myself into a dating time out and I give them great reasons but I always keep the real one to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously I don’t think anyone would ever understand and honestly it is between me and Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as I know we are traveling down the same pathway, I feel good about my decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been reading some lately trying to square my life back up and so I picked up a book that gives ten reasons or chapters about why you’re not married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they are:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re a bitch</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re shallow</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re a slut</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re crazy</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re selfish</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re a mess</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You hate yourself</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re a liar</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re a dude</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">You’re Godless</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So as I read the book I tried to stay as objective as possible because I am all about trying to make myself a better person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a few things here or there that I could work to improve upon but nothing that hit me in the gut and made me think that I definitely have issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course then at the end of the book, she said that most people are blind to it themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the question becomes, do you see me falling into any of these categories?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be honest and brutal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t be angry, not even a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t take offense or even give you friendship penalties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I am asking and I am ready to make any and all changes that are necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I will be running out to date again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really think that part of my life is finished and closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just think that I need to be better at personal relationships as a whole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for today. . . I will try not to think too much about things I have blundered and lost.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-47081889860985035882013-06-18T13:38:00.000-06:002013-06-18T13:38:22.377-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Summer
has a way of making time speed up . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Or
maybe it is that I am trying to get a million things squeezed in that time only
seems to be moving more quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have been out and going as often as possible and I will share just a couple of
the adventures . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First
off was the 50-mile bike ride up in Cache Valley (thank you Uncle Troy and Aunt
Tracy for letting us crash at your house the night before).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful ride with amazing
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit stinky in places
as we passed cows and even worse a pig farm, but overall it was enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty dang proud of myself for
finishing it in three hours and eighteen minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had there not been the straight uphill climb
for about 3 miles near the end of the ride, I probably would have come in under
the three hour mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely wasn’t
prepared for that uphill when my legs were already tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, asthma and all, I made it up that
hill without stopping once and even managed to not fall under six-miles an
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a super reward after the
hill and it came in the form of straight downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am an adrenaline junky and so as everyone
else freaked out a bit about the speeds we were catching, I was smiling from
ear to ear all the way down! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nxyVdIQYbKKbBp-zYFLiUJbt4svnjd-xOvrHd7psXe0g01MzrnMqhZgFh781KrpifWTOZ6HaUNUbHlD8v3Cttl4O2Q-J-b5YoTZ9wGa7R1JTA9sPGMtBYEvZT1zzHUT6kEgC1w/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nxyVdIQYbKKbBp-zYFLiUJbt4svnjd-xOvrHd7psXe0g01MzrnMqhZgFh781KrpifWTOZ6HaUNUbHlD8v3Cttl4O2Q-J-b5YoTZ9wGa7R1JTA9sPGMtBYEvZT1zzHUT6kEgC1w/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
more I ride my bike, the more I fall in love with the sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve spent almost every Saturday morning on
my bike since it has gotten warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
riding the stress of life just gets left behind and I’m able to clear my
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Saturday morning after our 50-miler, I decided that I would go hiking
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a friend in tow we headed
up the mountain up by Alta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been
hiking for about an hour and were of course talking and laughing (which means
we were NOT being quiet in any sense of the word) when suddenly both of us
stopped dead in our tracks and went absolutely silent at almost the exact same
second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We exchanged a glance, turned
around and very quickly and just as quietly headed back down the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we had gotten a good distance away both
of us started breathing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we,
again quietly, discussed what had just occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, both of us had heard it . . . a
bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gratefully it had growled a
warning at us rather than making an appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
all of my years of hiking the mountains in Utah, I have never had anything like
this happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It scared me more than I
could imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hadn’t seen any other
hikers all day long until we hit the trailhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A father and his three children were just starting the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We informed him what had just happened and he
said, “That doesn’t surprise me, I was up here a week ago and we saw bear
tracks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the heck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why bring children up that same trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least he did turn around on the trail and
didn’t take them up any further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve
done so many more things including spending time with my family up at the
cabin, Blaze game (these games are a ton of fun by the way) with my cute
nephew, trips up to Park City, and general playing as often as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been camping yet though and that is
definitely on the list of things that need to happen before this summer passes
by . . . anyone want to go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-83737521807194262672013-06-03T16:10:00.002-06:002013-06-03T16:10:54.484-06:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dream what
you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because you have only one life and one chance
to do all the things you want to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple of
weeks ago I was called into the Bishop’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was extended another calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After an extensive discussion I told them
that I was more than happy to accept the calling but that I did have some time
limitations that might cause some hesitation on the part of the new
president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After discussing it with her,
they decided that it would be better to extend the calling to someone
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest issue was that I was
unable to attend a weekly presidency meeting because they held it during the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of them are stay-at-home
moms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly I was a little relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do love being a Gospel Doctrine
teacher but like I’ve previously stated, I’ve never held this calling for a
full year and it is just about four months away from hitting that mark so it
didn’t surprise me that that they wanted to change me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last Sunday
I was bluntly told that I was wasting my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, in those exact words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had
they not come from a 90-year old member of the ward that I have truly grown to
love, I may have told him where to go and how to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I just wrapped my arm around him and
listened to him explain the statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told me that I should be working for the church at the Institute as a
teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that the rising
generation needed me and my love and knowledge of the scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a gentleman that worked for the
church under the CES umbrella his entire life and traveled the world setting up
the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of being offended,
I decided to take it as a compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Sunday
they split our ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all knew it was
coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ward is over 800 active
members strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like Stake
Conference every week as we fill up not only the chapel but the entire gym and
two other overflow rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they
announced the new boundaries I realized that I would be going to the newly
formed ward which means automatic release of callings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have asked us to continue performing our
current callings until both wards can get completely reorganized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m not too positive that I will still be
a Gospel Doctrine teacher when the dust settles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the bishop of the new ward was
announced, I couldn’t hold the tears back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord definitely showed me a tender mercy with the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve grown really close to one particular
couple during my short time in this ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have taken me under their wings and made me feel so loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday he was sustained as the new bishop
of my new ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very comforting
feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose that I shouldn’t
become so attached to people but there always seems to be at least one couple
that really becomes attached to me as my “parents” and watch out for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel extremely blessed to have such
wonderful people in my life all of whom I am still in contact with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will be
exciting to see all the changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
been involved in a lot of ward splits but I’ve always stayed in the existing
ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be a new learning
experience to be in a newly created ward starting from ground zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m weird, but I’m kind of excited for
the changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-64185210283470678702013-05-24T18:15:00.002-06:002013-05-24T18:15:31.301-06:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lost
time is never found again.” –Benjamin Franklin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve
had a few people ask me why I’m not blogging anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well the short answer is lack of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much happening and so many things
that need to be completed that I literally falling into my bed at night
exhausted wondering how I managed to survive the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Work
has been a beast in and of itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think that I have come up for breath the last year and a half with the
exception of the almost two weeks that I went on vacation to Spain and
Portugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course after the prior 5
years of every day wondering whether I would have a job the next day or not, I
have a hard time complaining that work is busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been able to make my house payment AND even put a little back
into my depleted savings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Outside
of work (hahaha) is a whole different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am currently trying to be on my bike as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a 50-mile ride coming up that I am
trying to literally get my butt ready for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am proud of myself as I know that the 50-miles won’t be a problem at
all so it has been training on getting my time faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping to ride between 17-20 miles an
hour the entire ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may not be
fast for most people, but for me that is a great start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a little concerned because the ride is in
Logan which means higher elevation which could mean more problems with my
asthma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m determined to beat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve
been absolutely falling in love with my new house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it really has taken me some time to be
able to say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was weird and didn’t
really feel like home for the longest time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now that I’ve had the basement done and everything is furnished, it is
beginning to get that home feeling to it and I’ve begun to feel like it really
is mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving from 1100 square feet to
over 3100 square feet definitely adds some cleaning time though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the library downstairs makes it all
worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also I am learning the joys of
added yard work to my schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
landscapers should be there in the next couple of weeks to get some control on
a couple of issues and to make it pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are going to give me some room around my backyard fence line for a
place to grow some veggies and herbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
will be great to have some fresh, less expensive items straight from my very
own backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My
neighborhood is fabulous and my ward is the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such a blessing to be able to feel like
I can be outside by myself and feel completely safe no matter the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still loving my calling as Gospel
Doctrine teacher and more than that I love the fact that I feel growth because
there are so many knowledgeable members in my ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives me that extra push to study a little
more in order to be better prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is good for me to feel challenged and in the gospel arena, it has been a long
while since that has been the case. That isn’t meant to be bragging, the area
that I spent the last six years living spirituality was just not a top priority
for a majority of the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Those
few items have taken up the majority of my time, but of course there are so
many other little things that also pop up and demand a piece of my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so many blog entries that I have
floating in my head . . . some may end up getting posted and others probably
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose that I need to take the
time more often because I really do enjoy writing and it acts as a release for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall see if it happens . . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-21381577430384521412013-04-28T00:19:00.001-06:002013-04-28T00:19:48.932-06:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The adventure continues . . . </div>
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After a bit of frustration with technology, we were finally able to get our GPS to actually speak English which is a great thing since that is the only language that I understand . . . we headed out onto the streets of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portugal</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about a 45 minute drive and finally with the help of the local mailman and a payphone (yes, we used a payphone since our cell phones weren’t on an international plan), we found these familiar faces . . . .</div>
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It was SO good to see the Roses and even more fun to be able to spend the next four days cruising around a foreign country with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to see quite a bit of the country and tried to squeeze in as much as we possibly could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I must admit that I would have been perfectly content sitting on the couch in their living room and just talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are such amazing people and what a blessing it is to have them in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I must admit that talking while wondering the castle walls in Obidos was pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We also headed into <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Coimbra</st1:place></st1:city> where there is an amazing University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students all wear robes like they do in Harry Potter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I can’t imagine having to dress in those every day in order to attend class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there we went to their famous library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the library in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast . . . well this library is just like it and had I been allowed to take pictures I would have as it was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m actually quite surprised they were able to get me to leave.</div>
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Love their plant holders!</div>
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Sunday we went to church, okay we attended a Sacrament meeting in one ward and then Sunday School in another ward 40 minutes away and since Brother Rose is a Councilor in the Mission Presidency there we spent most of the day in between a few cities as he attended meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those was right by the ocean so we just had to stop and take some pictures.</div>
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The next day we traveled to Sintra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We toured another castle, walked another wall and then went through another mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However what I loved most about this mansion was the grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have played hide-and-go-seek for days on end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were tunnels and passages and secret places everywhere I turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a child’s (or a child at heart) wonderland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We ended the night by going to a light house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the furthest point in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> for something put I can’t read the sign and I can’t remember exactly to what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, but hey I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It was sad for the next day we had to say our goodbyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t tell you that we all didn’t cry because that would be a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Rose and I both had a hard time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be excited when they get home and will only be 30 minutes away again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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We spent the day in Lisbon as our flight left at 6:00 the next morning we decided it would be best to stay a couple of minutes away from the airport as to be able to get some sleep that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we jumped onto a bus tour and took in as much of the city as possible before calling it a night and the end of our trip.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Over all it was a great trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food left much to be desired, but other than that they both were beautiful countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say that it neither hit my favorite places list, but they all can’t now can they.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-90802358714285606912013-04-21T09:26:00.002-06:002013-04-21T09:26:19.424-06:00"Missing someone isn't about how long it has been since you've seen them or the amount of time since you've talked. It's about that very moment when you're doing something and wishing they were right there with you."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-5888318080650040112013-04-04T19:38:00.000-06:002013-04-04T19:50:15.129-06:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Madrid<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes I am a big kid at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the train from Barcelona to Madrid and who doesn’t love riding on the train?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to train verses fly because I wanted to be able to see the countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides it was only a two and a half hour journey by train and so when I calculated time spent having to be at the airport, it just about evened out time wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful trip speckled with a lush green countryside of vineyards and olive groves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon arrival in Madrid, we had welcome introduction to the Metro lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m always so impressed with public transportation in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many efficient ways to get from one place to the next without needing a personal car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After checking into another hotel with a super fabulous location, we were off . . . this time with Rick Steves in hand and opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a walking tour that covered much of the sights I was interested in seeing and since Rick is typically my best friend when in Europe, I wasn’t afraid to test it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not fail me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went by some amazing sights and ended with the crown jewel . . . or rather the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love traveling during off season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the place almost to ourselves and if there just wouldn’t have been guards standing in every room, I would have totally made myself at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to imagine that the royals still really do live in the huge “home” during some of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walk back was completely leisure and full of window shopping at all the tourist traps along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The next morning we got up and headed to the Madrid Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing day! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to make it into a special session that they had set up for the members of the Canary Islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had taken a couple of my family file cards and was able to do family names while there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temple was beautiful and also in that enclosed block was the MTC and the Stake Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I went to gather my family file cards from the temple office, I was met by a handful of couple missionaries that were serving their missions there . . . all from Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After talking to them for a while and gathering my cards I was getting ready to leave when the Temple President approached me and wanted to talk for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He too was from Utah and had heard that there were some American sisters at the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made my heart happy that we could give them a little bit of home which they all seemed to soak up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I will say that I don’t think anything would prepare me for the sights of the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a rather leisure day and one that I was looking forward to because we were just going to wonder around the huge park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had spent a good portion of the morning finding little gems of fountains and statues and churches along the way and then within the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were getting hungry and decided it was time to call it a day so I was taking one last path straight through the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were talking as we were absorbing the warmth and beauty of the park when I glanced to my left because I saw that there was someone there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of where I am I always am very aware of my surrounds and always make sure that people know that I see them . . . it is a tactic of safety that I do without even thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy did I get an unexpected eye full!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There standing just off the path was a man buck naked enjoying nature himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a bit off guard because I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but I did a quick recovery and told Cori to look to the right and to walk a bit faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until we were completely out of the park that I bust out laughing and through tears running down my face was able to tell her what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She missed the entire thing and thought I was acting weird at the time but was grateful I had saved her an eyeful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That put a cap on our time in Madrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got to love Europe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-54493090279423763162013-03-18T19:27:00.000-06:002013-03-18T20:00:43.091-06:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Barcelona<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once upon a time I went to Italy and ended up spending the first couple of hours twisting and turning through the cobblestoned roads completely and utterly lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason my internal navigation was not properly functioning that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once upon another time, after busing into Barcelona from the airport I was able to immediately get my internal bearings set and walked directly to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No issues at all the entire time I was in Spain and I must admit that I am pretty proud of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was also extremely excited to see that the hotel was located in such an amazing spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were fairly central to everything that we wanted to see, including the ocean which was no more than a ten minute walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The furthest thing that we had to walk to was La Sagrada Familia and even that was a pleasant walk that only took us about 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t be jealous, but for the entire two weeks of vacation, with the exception of one day, we had incredible weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was between 60-65 degrees each day and although that is still a bit on the chilly side for this girl, it was much nicer than snow and sub-freezing temperatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sunshine does amazing things to my attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do wish it would have magically made the food better, but even the sunshine isn’t that powerful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Barcelona was a fun city and the Cathedral of Barcelona was essentially right outside the hotel front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first night was one of the only food experiences that I really enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to this quaint little hole-in-the-wall and had crepes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had one crepe filled with spinach, feta and tomatoes and another crepe that was filled with Nutella and fresh strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were good but one can never go wrong with Nutella and strawberries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was lick-the-plate wonderful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a good thing that each crepe was almost a foot long and four-inches wide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost everyone that heard I was going to Spain would rave about tapas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course I tried them on a couple of occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t impressed – at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure why everyone is so in love with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially they are appetizers or finger food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that they were bland and unseasoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even tried the “curry” at one point hoping that there would be a little spice and flavor infused . . . no such luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only other thing that I really enjoyed eating here was all the fresh bread and cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The people were extremely friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were wondering down La Rambla one day and stopped by one of the street venders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just wanted to look at my blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t get over the fact that they were so blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so fascinated that he forgot to even try to sell us whatever it was that he was selling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter how many places I visit, I will never get used to people stopping me just to look at my blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Utah it is so prominent that I forget that it really is rare in other places in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-87891624280731754372013-03-10T17:32:00.000-06:002013-03-11T10:49:00.794-06:00Overload . . .<br />
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So my poor ward is going to get more of me than they should ever have to endure over the course of seven days. Here is a breakdown:<br />
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Today: the Relief Society did a spotlight on me<br />
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Wednesday: I was asked to speak during our Relief Society additional meeting about how to find happiness in the life you have now<br />
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Sunday: I will be speaking in Sacrament meeting and then teaching Gospel Doctrine right after<br />
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I guess they are all being asked to endure this trial together. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-36367307999474780682013-02-23T13:01:00.001-07:002013-02-23T13:01:45.634-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Courage is the decision to place your dreams above your fears.”</div>
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As the plane landed on the return trip from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Portugal</st1:country-region>*, it didn’t escape me that it was nine years ago I also had just returned from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t unusual that I am gone during a certain day in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be honest, it is just plain easier to be in a country that doesn’t acknowledge or celebrate certain holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I don’t have many specific moments in my life that I can look back on and with absolute clarity state that it forever changed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This day holds one of those for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it happened it felt like electricity flowing through my blood and it was instantaneous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew immediately that I was being presented with something that would be life altering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It scared me so much that I avoided as much of the situation as I could for the next couple of months because I didn’t know what or how to handle it especially when I knew something before I logically should.</div>
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So very many things have transpired over these last nine years that should have dissuaded me from what was learned on that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still amazes me how deeply ingrained it is in my heart and impossible to deny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose that there are reasons unknown to me as to why that is, but I hope to have the missing puzzle piece one day handed to me so that I can finish the picture and see the glory of the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe understanding will make it easier.</div>
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Honestly there isn’t a day that has passed that in one way or another that this hasn’t been in my mind and my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today it is just particularly vivid and real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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*More to come on the trip as soon as I have pictures developed and can share one or two.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-10462381174165033992013-01-18T17:43:00.002-07:002013-01-18T17:43:17.013-07:00
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
will cut taxes – cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families, because, in
an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle
class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a warrior for the middle
class.” –Barack Obama<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear
Mr. President,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Every
single time you show your face or open your mouth my whole being screams “liar!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried to persuade my inner logic that
there is no possible way for one human being to be that incredibly dishonest
and underhanded, but you have done nothing but prove the fact that you are time
and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon receiving my paycheck
this week, once again it seems that you have lied yet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad to say, it didn’t even shock me this time
but that didn’t mean I was any less disappointed in your tactics and the
repercussions that once again landed at my feet and not yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am as about middle class as they come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
work extremely hard for every single thing that I have ever gotten in my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have decided that it is okay
to reach into my paycheck and take 44% of what I earn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No that is not an exaggeration as I calculated
it with my jaw dropped to the floor when I realized how little of my check I
was actually taking home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t recall
you being at my side as I worked over 60 stress-filled hours each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet you are more than willing to dip your
hand into my money as you vacation for the umpteenth time in Hawaii (or
elsewhere) since you have taken office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That accounts for almost half of my income and yet you swear that you
are for the middle class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I see is
that you are for the middle class dropping below the poverty line as we sweat
to pay for all those whom you have vowed to give welfare without any checks,
balances or time limitations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you
understand why I have an issue with this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suppose you don’t because you are not personally affected by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that and from everything that I have
seen it is your objective to singlehandedly destroy everything for which the
United States stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great
way to pull a Country down to a dictatorship . . . tax everyone to death so
there is no point of working and just get on welfare and then on top of that,
take away our Second Amendment rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
will proudly stand and say that I did not vote for you in either election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also proudly stand against everything
that you are attempting to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
thought that bringing down the United States of America would be an easy
project well you didn’t account for those of us that will fight you to the
bitter death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not stand idly by
as you try nor will I just accept your lies and manipulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see I have a brain and I also have a
backbone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will not win, but I will
give you that you have four more years to give it your best try and anger those
of us that still believe in America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-62807341063757907492013-01-11T14:54:00.001-07:002013-01-11T14:57:16.136-07:00<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Liebster
is German for "favorite," and there's this fun little award running
around the webiverse. My friend <a href="http://bartlebulletin.blogspot.com/2013/01/liebster.html" target="_blank"></a>Katie
nominated me, and I'm so glad that someone actually reads this blog that I have
decided to join the fun. Here are my tasks:</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Post
11 random things about myself.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.
Answer the 11 questions my nominator set for me.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
that I am going to be a party pooper because I’m supposed to nominate 11 other
bloggers, but since I don’t think 11 other people actually read my blog I’m
going to choose the skip that part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However if by chance you read this and want to play, please feel
free!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Random
facts:</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For my 40<sup>th</sup> birthday
(which is in a couple of years still) I am refusing to spend it in this
Country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure where I want to go
though. . . suggestions?</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m more excited to have
my library done in my basement than any other room in the entire house . . .
that includes the kitchen and that says a lot!</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a tablet for Christmas and I have no
idea how it works.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think ice cream should be its own food group.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With the exception of the 3 hours I am at church, I
wear pjs all day long on Sundays.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would much rather be in hot weather verses
cold weather and do not understand people who like it the other way around.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the hardest things I do on a daily
basis is deciding what to eat and how to make it for just one.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been river rafting, but have
always wanted to try it.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a freckle on the tip of my nose which
I can see all the time.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Growing
up I had the mouth of a trucker and still swear under my breath more than I
care to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. </span></i><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I was little I always wanted to
be a marine biologist when I grew up.</span><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Katie,
here are the answers to your questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. How
old were you when you got your first kiss, or alternatively, how old were you
when you first thought you were "in love" with someone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I didn’t
get my first kiss until I was 18, but it was pretty magical.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. What
is your favorite color for a front door? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red
. . . would you expect anything different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>:)</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. What
song are you slightly embarrassed to admit you love? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anything by Boys to Men . . . it makes me smile to listen to them.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. If
you could do anything you wanted for a day, what would that be? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Explore some place new in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing like being in a new place
and meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love it!</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5. What
fictional character are you in love with? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Robin
Hood . . . this is a topic that I really have fun discussing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many from which to choose!</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. With
whom are you most likely to argue... and least likely to argue? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m most likely to argue with my boss, but
only because he likes to push my bottons on purpose and I am least likely to
argue with my dad.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. What
is your favorite holiday, and why? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holidays
are not always emotionally easy on single people . . . so I will go with Saint
Patrick’s day because there isn’t much attached to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:)</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8. What
is your favorite thing you have created yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Food .
. . always creating new things that make my mouth and tummy extremely happy.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9. What
was your favorite toy as a child? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A stretchy
incredible hulk . . . it was the best thing ever but mostly we just kept trying
to break it so we could see what was inside him.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.
What is something that you'd like to improve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My attitude.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11. What act of service
might you perform for a total stranger? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It
might just be something that is incredibly small, but I love to make people
smile just by eye contact and smiling at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside when someone walks by me and my
smile is contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also like to let
people go in front of me at the grocery store line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is again something so small but people are
always so grateful . . . especially moms with screaming children.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "Arvo","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-7042487313416264502013-01-08T16:34:00.003-07:002013-01-08T16:34:34.241-07:00
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Single
Female does not automatically equate cats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over
the last month, I have been asked at least a dozen times if I have a cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the answer comes back that I absolutely
do not, the follow up question is always why when it would be such great
company for my situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most are
appalled at my response and I have probably managed to offend a soul or two,
but seriously who thinks it is kosher to insinuate that one is an old maid and
therefore must have a cat, if not cats?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With
the exception of my darling nieces and nephews that are now getting to the age
that they comprehend that I’m not married and don’t understand why, the
marriage questions largely went away as I climbed into my mid-30s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it is slowly being replaced with the
question of not just animals, but specifically with cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me clue everyone in . . . in my world the
only good kind of cat is a dead one.*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have a super fabulous friend that had some great responses to the question of
why she wasn’t married while in her late 20s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My favorite one was she used to tell people that she wanted just one
more summer in her hot pink tube top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
used to make me smile and still does just thinking about how it sent the asker
away flustered because they were certainly not expecting that answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could come up with something as
clever when asked about cats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*<em>For
those cat lovers of the world out there, don’t get your panties in a wad that I
feel that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey it just means that
there are more of them for you to take home and for you to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To each their own and my own does not like cats.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8339463.post-55297456132469193812012-12-30T10:47:00.000-07:002012-12-30T10:47:35.312-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
May I please get off this rollercoaster?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Well with 2012 almost at a close, like a horrible accident on the side of the road . . . I just can’t help but look back at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a year that I never expected and certainly didn’t plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had aspired to accomplish such great feats this year and managed to do none of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody else had different plans and those plans always take center stage in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I am still wondering why and what now, I am also beginning to just accept and move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Selling a home and buying a new one, participating in my first triathlon, acclimating myself to a new neighborhood and ward, working far too many hours at work, spending a lot of time at the temple, receiving a call to one of my favorite callings as gospel doctrine teacher, making new friends and seeing old ones, watching people I love being sealed for time and all eternity, visiting lots of new exciting worlds through reading . . . . and so much more have been a part of what has made up my year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This year I have come to terms with the fact that I will never have any children of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was an excruciatingly painful pill to swallow, but I’ve learned that too isn’t the end of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning to focus on things I do have control over and things that I can provide for myself has been a lesson that will be ever on going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am needing to jump one more hurdle with acceptance but that too will most likely come with time and hopefully some understanding.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My basement should be finished within the next couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a much needed trip planned to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Portugal</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work is still looking strong and is projected to be decent for at least the next couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a pile of books just begging to be read and another pile of recipes waiting to be made and tasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As for this New Year, my knee-jerk reaction is to want to make lofty goals, but that quiet part of my soul that is still recovering from this year is softly urging me to just be still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I have decided that there will be no resolutions for me this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a pathway that I have painstakingly forged for all these years that will keep my feet going in the right direction as I will not stop proceeding. </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This will be my year to try to find inner peace with who I am and what I am supposed to be doing to be of worth to the world and of service to my Heavenly Father outside the realm of long ago dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3