Self-Inflicted

Braces Hurt. And before Halloween? I'm a thinker.

But there are plenty of extremely happy things going on to distract me from the feeling that my teeth are being yanked out of my mouth.

I just did a major house SWOOSH. And it looks/smells fantastic!
I finally got a locking gas cap that fits the Jeep... so take that gas siphoning punk! (This was necessary after calling my grandma to bring me a gallon of gas today when I couldn't start my car)
Looking forward to the Warren Miller movie in Park City tonight! And carving our pumpkins after that (maybe I'll carve mine with braces).
Looking forward to dressing up for work tomorrow!
Looking forward to our Murder Mystery party tomorrow!
Looking forward to dinner with Kirst and Nick on Sunday! (We're going to make a surprise visit to the boys as Buzz Lightyear and Woody)

I love Halloween!

Kindergarten Politics

First of all, who invented these?

Whoever it is, that person is making a killing on the most obnoxious and inexpensive to produce fads I've seen since POGS. I mean... that was a winner of an idea as well. Some genius found a way to make a killing by selling cardboard circles.

I haven't had a single day go by where silly bands haven't been mentioned in one context or another. People call into the store asking, "Do you have glow-in-the-dark silly bands? What about the ones shaped like Justin Bieber's head?" Really? There's Justin Bieber silly bands?

By the way, what is that yellow one on the left supposed to be?

Anyway... Last week was a crazy week. Somewhere amid the craziness, my mom, Kirsten, and I took the little people to Gardiner Village to see the Witches Town. While we were there, Grandma bought Andrew his first pack of silly bands. HALLOWEEN silly bands!
The social significance of silly bands: "Meg, if you don't bring limes to school you're a nothing. You might as well be dead!"

So today Kirsten called me, "Lindsey, Andrew is part of a silly bands club."

Andrew told Kirsten that he now qualified for the club. They get together at recess and auction/trade their silly bands with each other. All kindergarten boys. He was so excited about it; "Mom, today's my first day!"

Let the kindergarten social politics begin...

He leaves for school with 10 Halloween silly bands on his wrist. He comes home with 4 non-Halloween silly bands. Huh.

Kirsten: "Andrew, where did all your silly bands go?"
Andrew: "I traded them!"
Kirsten: "But you left the house with 10, so you should come home with 10."
Andrew: "Well someone gave me 1 silly band, and I gave him 2."
Kirsten: "Well that's not how we trade, Andrew. It's important to share, but I don't want anyone taking advantage of you."
Andrew: "Don't worry Mom. We all have the same number of silly bands. If I have 6, and my friend has 4, I give him one of mine so we both have 5. Everyone in the club has the same amount."

Socialism in Kindergarten. Somehow they've intuitively managed to figure out our burgeoning political system.

That fact aside, today was a good day. I can honestly say that the only down point was misspelling the word occasion on a Thanksgiving greeting card to my brother. When that's the most to complain about, I'd say it's a pretty good day.

Oh, and if I don't post this tonight, I'll miss my window of opportunity. Eh hem....

Insert musical theme from My Fair Lady (sung by Alfred P. Doolittle):
"I'm getting braces in the morning.... ding dong my metal mouth will shine!!" So how old do we think I'll look? People already guess I'm in high school. This new orthodontic development isn't going to bump me back in time clear to middle school, will it? I've worked hard to finally be mistaken as a fifteen-year old.

24 years

These girls have been a predominant part of my life for ELEVEN YEARS!


And now I (and the WORLD) get to celebrate another year of 'em!

Happy Birthday Amelia and Sydney!!!!

Frantic

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Austin is Old.

We made it through one of these trips without calling Search and Rescue or terrifying falls from 300 foot cliffs. (Don't watch those movies, Mom.)
I ate approximately my weight in M&M's.
We didn't think we could get more sleep deprived, but we did.
We did more climbing in one day than we've ever done before.
I loved it! It felt so good to get moving!

FINALLY

Snow has hit the glorious mountains of Salt Lake City!!!! And I LOVE it! Bring on the defrosting of cars in the morning. Bring on the hot chocolate evenings. Bring on the scarves and the knit tights and the boots. Bring on the SKI! Bring on the SNOWSHOE! Bring on the evenings in a quilt with a book. Bring on the Christmas music. That's right. I said Christmas music. Bring it all on.

From the councils in heaven, our Savior sought only to do His Father’s will. This pattern of Father and Son can help explain the paradox “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The world pursues enlightened self-interest. Yet the power is not in us to save ourselves. But it is in Him. Infinite and eternal, only our Savior’s Atonement transcends time and space to swallow up death, anger, bitterness, unfairness, loneliness, and heartbreak.

Sometimes things go wrong even though we have done our very best. A Lamb innocent and pure, our Savior weeps with and for us. When we always remember Him, He can stand with us “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in.” His “faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.” In drawing us to Him, our Savior also draws us to our Father in Heaven. While some things are imperfect on earth, we can trust our Heavenly Father to complete “redemption’s grand design, where justice, love, and mercy meet in harmony divine!”

Gerrit W. Gong

Shtuff

And all the lives we ever lived
And all the lives to be,
Are full of trees and changing leaves.

A couple things...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG AND AUNT SUE!!!

This week has been associated with so many fun things! Work (work is fun!) and family... but also a Monday night dinner with Adam, Bekah, and Andrews... a haunted house last night... Gardiner Village with the nephews today... and a trip to Southern Utah for some climbing... Warren Miller Movie in Park City next week...

Life is good, and we have a good one!

I'm just hoping for a little snow soon... any... day... now.



Ignore Scotty's extremely sappy expression.

www

I guess the plus side of waking up at 5am with your husband is finding out that we have internet that early in the morning... even though it's usually gone by 7:30, which is the usual time I check.

So we need to get the web. We're rebelling against this fact. But it's a fact either which way. I'm a little embarrassed to call Comcast, though, after calling them last month to yell at them about the seven pieces of advertising junk mail they sent me in seven days. After that phone call, I'm not sure if they'll even let us have the net.

I have SO MUCH to write about. But it's still a pleasure, not a burden. I'll get moving on it soon. Maybe today?

Roasting Co.

... and a lot more than you'd care to know.

We've decided to further protest obtaining the internet. Here we are at the SL Roasting Co. to get our quick internet fix.

A few things that have been going on...

Autumn is my favorite season. But it is simultaneously soul-filling and agonizing because it is so fantastic, but you can't take a Fall walk without feeling desperate, knowing that the beauty is slipping away from you before your eyes. Sometimes I swear I'm watching a leaf change from green to yellow in a matter of seconds. I'm dying to find some time to post and appreciate the pictures I was able to take of the family up at our cabin over conference weekend. Then again, I'm also hoping I'll find some time to listen to the rest of conference. Those pictures depict the joy of human love.

My mom and I have finally completed the unthinkable. We have ordered my wedding pictures! Nearly 2 years after the fact. It's been a good project and a lot of fun to relive the memories and spend some time laughing hard with my mom. My mom has really been such a friend to me the past few weeks as Scott's schedule is getting more and more demanding and intense. I love having such a great friendship with my mom. I don't think a lot of people are as lucky to have what I have.

She introduced me to my first aerobics class involving a gigantic bouncy ball. I'll go on record saying that those things are trickier than you think.

Scott and I have had a good time getting the hang of our busyness. It's fun to be busy. While I do think that Pres. Uchtdorf's was personally addressed to me and my dear friend, to-do list, it has been nice to really get a hold of our schedules and it helps us enjoy the time we do have together even more. Scott took his finals last week, and we're enjoying a weekend of freedom from the MBA. Scott has a whole new energy, even surpassing my hyperactivity. He was bouncing around this morning cracking me up all day.

Scotty took Friday off to study for and take his last final. I loved having him around. Even just having him in the room while I go about my regular day with my regular things made my day so much better!

We celebrated the end of his final with a dinner with Matt and Loral. It was a 10pm dinner, which was late for us, but it was only a warm up for our evening climbing at Momentum from 11pm to 2am. It was actually a blast. I can't believe how well I held out... considering our constant house guest: sleep deprivation. We had a blast climbing with some Provo buddies and mostly just with each other. I miss hanging out with my boy all the time like we used to! (But I did just say that busy is good. What's the trade-off?)

We crashed around 3am, and I had the joyful experience of waking up at 6:15 to get ready for work at 7am. Scott was very sweet and got up with me like I do each morning when he leaves early for work. He even offered to make me a lunch like I make him a lunch. Very sweet.

I was in and out of work. Came back at 9:30am to find Scott still slumbering away. I was so proud! I crawled in bed to join him for another solid hour. I can't remember the last time we slept that late or for that long. I guess when I add it up... it was really only about six hours of rest, but it felt great! After we got up, we hung out for about an hour or so before going our separate ways. Scotty went up to Park City to mountain bike (jealous, I am), and I made the rounds at work again until about 7:30pm. We met up around 8, went to the Pie, and then made our way here... to the Roasting Co. Remember how I was going do budgeting and work done while I was here? I'm blogging. I miss the internet.

My husband just told me that he used to play Magic as a kid. When he saw my concerned reaction, he told me, "DON'T blog about that! Okay... fine. It just makes me more well-rounded as a person." Maybe that's also true for the dance class he took as a child.

Other important topics discussed this evening: What is Bill Nye the Science Guy doing these days? And is it too much of a stretch for Scott to compare him to a Greek Oracle as I compare the literary allusions to simultaneous blindness and wisdom?

So yesterday, I was listening to a RadioLab podcast about voices in your head. It was interesting, but not recommendable... and extremely creepy. So with this weighing heavily on my mind, what are the odds that we choose a table at the coffee shop next to a girl who must be hosting the Mid-East peace talks in her head. Such ups and downs.

Scott was getting a nasty smerk on his face, and I saw right through his mischievousness. "Scott, are you blogging about me while I blog about you???" AND HE WAS! That's it. I'm revoking his admin privileges. How long do you think until he notices? A year? Maybe two?

Oh... by the way, yay for us for getting engaged two years ago on October 14th! That was a smooth move o' Scott.

This has been THE WEIRDEST night at the coffee shop. Our friends playing Magic are now going to serenade us with thematic magic music... whatever that is. Right now it's mostly atonal chords.

By the way... wish us luck in our new ward tomorrow! We still have A LOT to do to wrap things up in our old ward... but we're going to start attending our new ward in the meantime. It felt sad last week to say our goodbyes. We were a little surprised at the loving farewells we received. We're going to miss our first home and ward family!



We got plenty of notes, cards, drawings, hugs, and even an REI gift card with some little magnetic climbers. Do they know us or what? I'm happy I got to teach such a great lesson on my last week with the girls. I think the girls were trying extra hard to stay awake for me since it was my last week and all.

I'm going to miss my girls, and we're both going to miss the boys. What a funny bunch. It'll be hard not to sneak over and visit. While it's sad... it also feels great and exciting to be moving on. Another new start. We love new starts. And comfort. What is that Fiona Apple song? "I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb, but I'm good at being uncomfortable so I can't stop changing all the time. I noticed that my opponent is always on the go and won't go slow so's not to focus, and I noticed he'll hitch a ride with any guide as long as they go fast from whence they came, but he's no good at being uncomfortable so he can't stop staying exactly the same."

Anyway... we love you Emmigration 27th East!!

Goodbye to all my friends in the ward and especially the stake. I've really had a blast with these women!



Hello Ensign 20th (only two houses down from our apartment)!


By the way. Remind me to google the game "Magic" sometime. I have no clue what it is, but Scott seemed pretty embarrassed claiming his "Magic" skills.

Thanks Annie!

Thanks for posting this article, Annie! We miss you guys! It's so great to see you at Jolley's when you're in town now and then!

12 Ways to Have a Happy, Healthy Marriage

Everyone in this life is affected by marriage, either that of their parents, their own, or their children's. Keeping a marriage strong while surviving life's trials can be a huge struggle, but learning from other's experiences can help us through these times. Here's a list of twelve ways a couple can develop a happy, healthy marriage.

1. Marriage Based on Faith in Jesus Christ

A happy marriage will be more easily developed and maintained upon a firm foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy said:

"A final gospel truth that will contribute to our understanding of and hence the quality of our marriages relates to the degree in which we involve the Savior in our relationships as husbands and wives. As designed by our Heavenly Father, marriage consists of our first entering into a covenant relationship with Christ and then with each other. He and his teachings must be the focal point of our togetherness. As we become more like him and grow closer to him, we will naturally become more loving and grow closer to each other" ("A Union of Love and Understanding," Ensign, Oct 1994, 47).

2. Pray Together

One of the most common things mentioned in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when talking about having a happy, healthy marriage is to pray together. President James E. Faust said:

"Marriage relationships can be enriched by better communication. One important way is to pray together. This will resolve many of the differences, if there are any, between the couple before going to sleep....

"We communicate in a thousand ways, such as a smile, a brush of the hair, a gentle touch.... Some other important words for both husband and wife to say, when appropriate, are, 'I'm sorry.' Listening is also an excellent form of communication." ("Enriching Your Marriage,"Ensign, Apr 2007, 4–8).

3. Study the Scriptures Together

To really strengthen your marriage study the scriptures daily with your spouse! Here's some great counsel to help you start:

"As husband and wife, sit down together in a comfortable and quiet place in your home. Consult the Topical Guide found toward the back of the LDS edition of the King James Bible. Scan the scriptural topics for areas that you feel might help strengthen your relationship with the Lord, with each other, and with your children. Consult the scriptural references listed with each topic, and then discuss them. Jot down the insights you gain and the ways you will apply these scriptures in your own lives" (Spencer J. Condie, "And We Did Liken the Scriptures unto Our Marriage," Ensign, Apr 1984, 17).

4. Have Charity for Each Other

Selflessly giving of oneself is one of the hardest aspects of marriage. Our natural tendency is to be self-focused: that we make sure we're happy; that we get our way; that we're right. But happiness in marriage cannot be achieved when we put our selfish needs first. President Ezra Taft Benson said:

"Today's inordinate emphasis on individualism brings egotism and separation. Two individuals becoming 'one flesh' is still the Lord's standard. (See Gen. 2:24.)

"The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development. Paradoxically, the more we serve one another, the greater is our spiritual and emotional growth" ("Salvation—A Family Affair," Ensign, Jul 1992, 2).

5. Only Use Kind Words

It's easy to be kind and say loving words when you're happy with your spouse, but what about when you're upset, frustrated, annoyed or angry? It's better to walk away and say nothing then to say something hurtful and mean. Wait until you're calm so you can discuss the situation without negative emotions tempting you to say something that would be hurtful and damaging.

Saying unkind words in the form of a joke or with sarcasm is an abusive technique that people use to avoid being responsible for their words/actions by forcing the blame on the other person, making it their fault that their feelings were hurt because they "just couldn't take a joke."

6. Show Gratitude

Showing genuine gratitude, to both God and a spouse, shows love and strengthens marriage. Giving thanks is easy and should be done for both the little and the big things, especially those things a spouse does on a daily basis.

"In the enriching of marriage, the big things are the little things. There must be constant appreciation for each other and thoughtful demonstration of gratitude. A couple must encourage and help each other grow. Marriage is a joint quest for the good, the beautiful, and the divine" (James E. Faust, "Enriching Your Marriage, Ensign, Apr 2007, 4–8).

7. Give Thoughtful Gifts

An important way to maintain a happy, healthy marriage is to give your spouse a gift now and then. It doesn't need to cost a lot of money, if any, but it does need to be thoughtful. The thought put into a special gift will tell your spouse how much you love them- much more than a gift of monetary value ever can. Unless your spouse's "Love Language" is gifts, then you don't need to give them often, but it would be highly advisable to still give an occasional gift.

One of the twenty suggestions by Brother Linford is to give "occasional gifts... such as a note, a needed item- but mostly gifts of time and self" (Richard W. Linford, "Twenty Ways to Make a Good Marriage Great," Ensign, Dec 1983, 64).

8. Choose to Be Happy

Just like being happy in life, being happy in marriage is a choice. We can choose to say unkind words or we can choose to hold our tongue. We can choose to be angry or we can choose to forgive. We can choose to work for a happy, healthy marriage or we can choose not to.

I really like this quote by Sister Gibbons, "Marriage demands work. A happy marriage exacts the very best of us. Yet above all, maintaining a successful marriage is a choice" (Janette K. Gibbons, "Seven Steps to Strengthen a Marriage," Ensign, Mar 2002, 24). The attitude we have about our marriage is a choice: we can be positive or we can be negative.

9. Keep Stress Levels Low

It's so much harder to react rationally and kindly when we are stressed. Learning how to lower our level of stress, especially in regard to finances, is a great way to have a happy, healthier marriage.

"What do airplanes and marriages have in common? Relatively little, except stress points. In airplanes, stress points are the parts that are vulnerable to a lot of wear and tear....

"Like airplanes, marriages have stress points.... As engineers of our own marriages, therefore, we need to be aware of the specific stress points in our marriages so that we can strengthen our vulnerabilities" (Richard Tice, "Making Airplanes and Marriages Fly," Ensign, Feb 1989, 66).

10. Continue to Date

Continuing to date each other will help keep the spark in your marriage. It takes a little planning and prioritizing but the results are worth it. You don't have to spend much money to have a fun date, but can easily find something enjoyable to do together, such as going to the temple together or doing one of these dating ideas.

"Time spent together sharing interests helps a couple grow closer and gives them a chance to relax and take a break from daily stresses. Perhaps most important, dates help a couple build a reserve of love. Filled with memories of good times and strong positive feelings, this reserve can help them through difficult times of stress, disagreement, and trial" (Emily C. Orgill, "Date Night—at Home," Ensign, Apr 1991, 57).

11. It Takes Time

Building a happy, health marriage takes a lot of hard work, time, and patience- but it is possible!

"Marriage, like any other worthwhile activity, requires time and energy. It takes at least as much time to keep a marriage in shape as it does for a weight lifter to keep his body in shape. No one would try to run a business, build a house, or rear children on two to three hours a week. In fact, the more two people who love each other interact, the stronger their bond becomes" (Dee W. Hadley, "It Takes Time,"Ensign, Dec 1987, 29).

12. Complete Fidelity

To keep their covenants of marriage a husband and wife must always been completely faithful to each other. Trust and respect are built upon this faithfulness, while breaking the law of chastity, even with something as seemingly harmless as flirting, can destroy the sacred bond of matrimony.

I strongly believe that love and respect go hand in hand. Without love you can't respect your spouse and without respect how can you love your spouse? You can't. So build your love for each other by respecting one another and always being true and faithful to your spouse.

Tuesday

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

October 6th is a Great Day!

Because we get to celebrate the b-day of this wonderful sister! Happy Birthday Margy! We love you! We wish we could be there to celebrate with you in person! Hopefully we'll see you soon!



Things I see now and then that make me think of Margy (as well as things I don't see all that often that still make me think of Margy):

1. New York
2. Chocolate Covered Worms
3. Norstrom Rack
4. Ear Wax Candles
5. Vibram Shoes
6. Fire Hydrants

I'm Allergic. I think.

There's just no other explanation. I'm allergic to that dang shot. I'm not getting it again.

Same symptoms... dry asthmatic cough. Tight, sore lungs. Swollen, sore throat. It's only been a couple hours since I got the shot.

Can you be allergic to the flu shot. I need to consult one of those online doctor diagnostic sites.

This is what I look like when plagued by the nasty flu, incurred by this malicious shot... The symptoms hit fast, and before you know it, you've got SPOTS. ALL. OVER.



The plus side of this flu shot experience: Rachel and I were getting worried at work that our left arms were shutting down because the flu shot seemed to be numbing our entire left limbs. So we decided to get our arms active and get the shot running through us we'd have a left-handed arm wrestle. I have to say... I'm pretty proud of my win!

Frost

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
To-morrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know;
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away;
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

I just decorated for Halloween! I need to start taking pictures of these fun beginnings. I'm love our homey home!

And I'm beginning to think Halloween is even more fun than Christmas.

Updates to come: our weekend at the cabin, GORGEOUS FALL, an ode to my wonderful job, and braces....

I just got an email from Em.

She's in Maine with her family.

I used to listen to her describe her time in Maine and wonder how a place could be so idyllic.

Hearing from her reminded me of my summer on the coast. I went back to my archives to read about it. The connection to be found there is inspiring. I felt it so fast. I loved it so quickly. I forgot it too easily. Thanks for the reminder, Em, not only of Maine, but also of a simultaneous content and inquisitive Lindsey.

From an email written to a friend 7.28.05

Today was a relaxing day. We went out to this old lighthouse for a while. The waves were crashing up against the rocks so rhythmically; i tried to catch a few with my camera, but you never know if those things turn out. It was beautiful, though. Perfect place to sit with the wind blowing as i took pictures. On the way home, we stopped by this small swimming hole. I loved it because it was freshwater and warmer than the ocean. It was so refreshing to jump from the bridge or swing from this pathetic little rope swing. We stayed for a few hours, got ice cream on the way home, and went to a few shops before coming home. Em's grandparents (Nana and Pop Pop) own a large house right on the corner of a small street in the tiny town of Ocean Point. They also own this portion of rock/beach in front of their home, so I've spent a few nights sitting out on the rocks with the salty breeze and the waves crashing below me. I love sitting out there and clearing my mind. Emily's grandma has this garden that is famous on Ocean Point. It's on post cards and in books... so we've spent some time working in the garden. I love jumping off the dock and being on the boats. It really is the best feeling. Tomorrow Em and i are going to this small Boothbay Harbor Farmer's Market where we hope to buy something we can make a dessert out of. We were looking in recipe books yesterday and we have some good ideas for some desserts we want to try. They have the best fruit here. And the best ice cream and cheese! I am told it's because the cows out here eat grass instead of sage... mmmmm.... ice cream. I've eaten so much ice cream. After the farmer's market we're going to go into town where there's a lot of little shops where we can entertain ourselves. I love how quiet everything is here. On Sunday nights, you can ride your boat across the harbor to this restaurant where they play live jazz. You can just sit in your boat and listen to it from there. Em's parents go on cocktail cruises in their boat; we went on one last night. Friends come, and they just sat out on the boat, eating and drinking their cocktails while we went for rides in Emily's little put put boat that we can barely start. Oh, and we go tubing in another boat that the Kerns own. They have three boats all together. It's fun right now because Em's cousins are in town so there's always people around. There's this pack of neighborhood kids who spend their summers here so they all know each other. They're a little intimidating because there's so many of them... but they come over and Em's brother brings out his potato gun and they shoot potatoes out into the ocean, trying to hit seagulls but always failing. Oh... i tried freshly-caught fish. It wasn't gross... but it wasn't good. Let's just put it that way. You wont believe this... but today Em and I stopped by an ice cream shop in inland Boothbay Harbor, and out of 49 flavors of ice cream i chose peach, a difficult decision, believe me. So the lady hands me my ice cream cone... oh my gosh this thing looked like heaven! I can't even describe it. I was so excited about this ice cream cone, just the look of it, and when i started eating it i was completely consumed by it. THIS IS THE BEST ICE CREAM I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE!!!! and i am completely positive that that is true. Every time i licked my ice cream i just started smiling. Finally, i gave Emily a hug; she was just laughing at me because i was finding so much pleasure in this ice cream cone. Two glistening tears down my cheeks, and i was crying over this peach ice cream. It was divine. I am having so much fun! I love Maine. I love everything about it, the salty, humid air and the tall houses with the wrap-around porches. I love riding crappy bikes to the dock, and i love the windblown feeling of being on a boat all day. I could stay here forever!

Sometimes my need to organize and consolidate causes me to toss the clutter. I'm glad I've held on to this unchanged hotmail account (the first email account I ever established). These emails are my journal.

Role Reversals.

Becky, sorry I robbed your blog! I love this advice from your dad. With your permission, I want to apply it to my life as well. So perfectly put. Someone knows you very well.

"If you can, learn to be a passenger, just floating down the river, enjoying the scenery and letting the guide worry about hitting rocks, picking a campsite, running the rapids. Its part of being a saint, a mother, a wife, a daughter of God. Let Him take the lead and wait. Good things will happen" (Robert Lee Bunnell).

(this place feels like home)


By the way, Becky, Wordsworth put it this way.

And John Henry Newman said it this way.