At Last My Love Has Come Around

I think that is a line in an old classic jazz song. It's sung by Ella Fitsgerald or maybe Natalie Cole... then it wouldn't be such an old classic version, but good none the less. I just wanted to take a moment and give honors to the love of my life.... VOLLEYBALL. I should be paying tribute to our new President, but since I didn't watch the inaugural address I don't have much to share. He sure has made an impression though. People are completely smitten. I mean they practically worship the guy. There was an article in the paper yesterday about Obama the King. Are you kidding? But, this blog is not about my political views of the new President it is to pay tribute to the sport of the Gods. Aw! Yes! VOLLEYBALL.

Finally after an eight week silence the Nacho Mamas have risen again to take victory. We have had a few weeks to work the rust out and we are kicking tail and taking names.

I love this sport! Seriously. Bump! Set (that's me)! Spike it! That's the way I like it! Ugh! I love the rush of the game. The speed and movement. Always going. Always reaching. It's like opening a pop can. Psshht! Ah! Now doesn't that feel good?

What's Cooking?

I don't know. I came home from church today and got a bug to make something. I haven't really done much cooking in the last few years. So, I took an assessment of the goods I had in the cupboard and fridge. Pork. I had pork. "Pork, mother." (What movie?)
It seemed boring to just have plain old pork, but it isn't like I knew how to do anything with it. With hamburger there are so many options, but what does one do with pork? There are fried pork chops, but I didn't want to fry it. I could bake it, but what seasoning do you put on pork.
Ah! Revelation. I have 101 cookbooks in the cupboard that I have never opened. Perhaps I could find something there. Ta da! A recipe or and idea at least for breading meat. So, I made up my own breading and baked up some pork served with red beans and rice.

It turned out pretty good. I impressed myself that I still knew my way around the kitchen a bit. I should attempt that more often. I think my dating portfolio is short on entries.
My college roommates and I started our own dating portfolio's O' so many years ago. We would mentally add entries that we thought would impress potential suitors. Like here is a picture of me with kids.... I am good with children. This is me making my bed.... I am a good house keeper. You get the general idea. Well, my portfolio has been hurting in the Betty Crocker department and we all know the way to a mans heart is through his stomach, so I had better getting working on those skills and soon. I am not getting any younger you know. Today I can add I cook pork to my portfolio.

BUMPER KISSER!!!

I was enjoying a pleasant drive into work this morning. Loving the sunshine lighting up the sky and making our snow covered world look brilliant and beautiful when out of nowhere this silver Mazda comes speeding up behind me. I was driving in the fast lane in a bit of a hurry myself. I was trying not to be to speedy and minding my P's and Q's at 75. I figured she would slow down and back off as there were several cars in the next lane and I would be unable to move over for a minute. I tried speeding up just a little to try to put some mustard on the process because she was trying to send the message that she was in a hurry. The more I sped up the closer she got. Practically kissing my bumper. I suspect because she figured the second and I do mean second, I moved over she could pass me. Several minutes passed and I still had not been able to move over. At this point I was becoming excessively annoyed, so I gently tapped my brakes to give her the signal to BACK OFF!!!!! I had received her message that she was in a hurry and would like me to move over, but I was boxed in and there was nothing but driving like a crazy person could remedy at that moment.

She immediately threw her hands in the air to signal back that I was being completely wrecklessly irrarational and what the heck was I doing?!

In gesture back, I threw up my hands to say, "Yeah! Exactly! What the heck are you doing? Get off my bumper!!"

"Look lady! We aren't exactly driving on safe roads here. We've just had a sunami snow storm and the roads are a bit wet and icy. Now is not the time to show your thunder. I'm as competitive as the next guy, but could we save it for another day?"

What irritated me more is that she didn't back off. She got closer and gave me an even more kind and friendly commuting gesture. Yep. Does the phrase, "Peel my banana", mean anything to you right now?

Oooo! Boy was I ever hot! That put a burr in my saddle and I weren't none to happy about it.

At this juncture I was giving myself the self talk lecture, "Calm down. It will not help the situation nor your persnal dignity to continue this bumper kissing, crazy commuter driving rampage. So, I continued calmly forward at my previous speed.

The instant there was even a spec of room between her and the next lane she cut over, giving her neighboring commuter a fright. She vehemently cut right back in front of me and all the while sending me a finger message letting me know her disregard for me. In cutting in front of me, crazy Mazda lady nearly clipped my bumper at put us both in a tale spin. RRrrrraghhh! What an idiot!!!

I am now at work and the moment has settled a bit. I have been calmly thinking maybe I just misread her. Maybe if I had just taken a moment to take notice, she could have been an old friend from high school and she was just getting close enough to say good morning and it has been such a long time since I have seen you. Maybe she has a muscle injury that doesn't allow all her fingers to flex up when she waves hello, desperately trying to catch someones attention. Really, maybe I was just being a bit unreasonable.

Next time I will just honk and smile. And salute singing, "Here's to you bumper kisser! Hope you have a nice day too!"

Changes

Well... I attended the resident ward for the first time today. A little different after a fourteen year absence. I have been attending a student ward for fourteen years. My how time can zoom by when you are having so much fun.

It is a rather large ward. Gospel Doctrine was huge. At least for a family ward. Everyone was very welcoming and nice. Aubrey Newland was there. She is home for the holidays, but is headed back to grad school soon. It was nice to be able to sit by her during Sunday School. It is a very active ward and I am excited for the new opportunities there will be there for me.

I can't deny I feel a little like a fish out of water. I couldn't believe how awkward I felt. I didn't expect that. I felt a lot of things I didn't expect, but all in all it was a good experience and there wasn't anything oh so dramatic as to impeed me from returning next week.

My first day would be fast and testimony meeting. It appears that the ward is all together normal and grounded in good priniciples. I have heard of some crazy ones out there. I was relieved to only have one travel log and that was in Relief Society and she brought it around. It was easy to get distracted in Sacrament as the little kids are adorable and there are so many new faces. Well.... pretty much all of them. My old Bishop is in the ward and my boss too. Who is the current Bishop. I met the parents of several friends who are attending the University ward in Salt Lake. I struggled to pay attention in Sunday School. I guess that is the same where ever I go. Ha. Ha.

"I think I'm gonna like it here." - Annie

So, here't to change and embracing it.

Christmas Jar

I found myself restless tonight and unable to sleep. I lay staring at the ceiling and reviewing the events of the last year. It seems like a lifetime has transpired over these last 12 months. I reflected on cherished and sweet memories of falling in love, dusting off hidden ambitions, saying goodbye to dear ones, facing challenges you felt were beyond yourself and embracing new kindred spirits soon to become lifelong friends. Finally, after accepting I was never going to fall asleep, I brushed off a dusty copy of Christmas Jars by Jason Wright and started reading. It is now the weary hours of the morning and I have finished the book. For the first time this Christmas Season I have felt the pangs of the true spirit of Christmas. The book reminded me of Christmas miracles. Not just Christmas miracles, but the miracles of everyday life. It was not like I forgot, but rather perhaps lost hope in miracles. Sad since I have witnessed so many this year. I was mostly disappointed in myself for losing hope in the greates of all miracles. The healing power of the atonement. I marvel at a Father's love for His children and the sacrifice of His Son. Christ was born, lived and died that others might live. Not just to bring to pass immortality or the resurrection, but that I might "live" now in this very moment.

In my scripture study tonight I noticed a passage that had never caught my eye before. It is in Jacob 2:8. Jacob is addressing the people for the first time since his brother Nephi's death. Really, what would you say? He admonishes that they, the people of Nephi, have come to hear, "... the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul." The word was given to heal the soul. He lived to heal us. Today. Now. This very minute. I have a merciful Father and through His sacrifice of love I am healed, can become clean and whole again. So, in the quiet of this morning, I rejoice. I rejoice in my King, the Prince of Peace and my heart is full. "Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel... Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought, Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls (Alma 26:16. 20)." It has brought to mind the words of a famous Christmas hymn that struck me in Sunday's meetings as never before. They were the words from O' Holy Night, "... long lay the world in sin and error pining, til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth. A thrill of hope. A weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees. Oh hear the angel voices. Oh, night, divine. O night divine." We are no longer a world that need lay in sin and error pining. He did appear and a soul felt it's worth. Mine. I have reason for rejoicing. I love Christmas and finally I have felt it. Perhaps now I can rest a bit. :)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree!

Tonight I had the fantastic pleasure of participating or rather watching a small town Christmas tradition in Farmington, Utah. They have been sharing this tradition with the folks of Farmington, friends and family for 40 years. They perform a live Nativity the first Monday of December every year. They act out the King James version of the Christmas story intermitent with carols. The play takes place in a small barn off the beaten path on Main Street here in Farmington. It was a beautiful beginning to this years Holiday Season.

Decorating my tree is another treasured part of my Holiday. Cheers to my grandmother who helped me develop a love for Christmas and Christmas trees. My grandma has my favorite tree of all time. All of her children and grandchildren have given her a doll from wherever they served missions in all corners of the earth and she uses them to decorate her Christmas tree. You could spend hours talking with her about the dolls and where they are from. She passed away this year and I won't have the joy of seeing her tree this year, but I always have the memories.

So, now that I have my tree up..... Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Thanks grandma.

Ginger "Snap"

What happens when you pack a room full of kids with a pile of candy and gingerbread on the table?

FUN!!

Or you snap and go just plain crazy

As part of our Thanksgiving tradition we make gingerbread houses and although we were short a few grandkids this year, we had a great time. It always ends up being more work than we anticipate, but we still manage to have a good time. I actually had time to make a house this year. I opted to make a log cabin. It turned out kind of cute considering it was my first gingerbread house.

Camera one...... We're all finished...

Camera two.....

Did you see what's missing besides Nathan's mammoth bicep?

Maybe you should ask Kyle? What you got there Kyle?

You guessed it....... Kyle sneakily sneaked a marshmallow off Jennifer's gingerbread house.

Way to go Kyle! Those Bott jeans run deep. Real deep. He knows how to get the good stuff.