Schematics for Church

Yesterday we went to the building we will be attending church at for the next few months. When they handed out blue prints with the bulletin I got a little concerned. This building is big: double chapel, two Primary Chapels - upstairs - an elevator and many small rooms to get lost in. This would be the perfect building for multi-family trick-or-treating to say the least. It took me more than 5 minutes of opening random doors to find where Connor was after locating Tylor and Lauren (to the right not left). But, on the good side; the building didn't smell funky, it was warm!, the ward got all mixed up in the new chapel setting, and the church is still true. ;-)

From the Great Beyond

A few times a year I ping our brother David. I haven't heard from him in 4+ years so this year when I sent out my ping I expected, well, nothing. It's good to set your expectations very low when it comes to David. BUT!, I received an e-mail from David's ex-mother-in-law (who is very protective and strange in her own right) letting me know that David wanted me to call him. I called left a message and waited. And lo, a voice from the heavens (or at least a satellite!).

From the last contact via e-mail I had with David he was arrogant, self centered, a victim, and not very interested in anyone's views that didn't agree with his. Needless to say after a year of trying to be tolerant I told him to knock it off and oh, he did. No contact again (remember the first 15+ years?). Well, he's the same. Nice to know some things don't change too much.

Here's a short update on David's life: He is still living on Widbey Island in WA, his current malady is his skin is sloughing off (his phrase was, "I look like hamburger thrown against a wall.") and has to wear women's lingerie and silky gowns in public (okay...??) , he may be moving to Eastern Washington's high plains, Tanaket, in late spring (30 miles South of the Canadian border) so he can cleanse himself, he was exposed to Agent Orange while in ?? (didn't catch the country name), and has now walked around the world 4 times, didn't make it to Afghanistan because they would probably kill him (another, "Huh?") and he is off-line because it is too polluted with wild ideas.

He said he would keep in touch with me via phone now and call every now and again to let me know that he isn't dead (how thoughtful!).

So, in a nutshell, he's still crazy.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I was thinking about a few of my favorite things lately:

1. The smells of Christmas; pine trees, spiced apple cider, baking cookie (all), candy making (and friends that volunteer their house for these projects!)
2. My kids; Lauren's joy over it being both Christmas and her birthday (26th), Tylor's subtle gift suggestions (random comments made at odd times - not when asked directly!), Connor's not so subtle gift suggestions ("Hey, Mom you need a new phone - this company has a 2 for 1 deal!" - plays on my frugal side!)
3. My home. I love being here more than anywhere else.
4. My sisters and dad and Frankie ... and brothers. I love that they are there for me always.
5. Christmas movies. I am such a sap! I love the old classics and the goofy ones too. I cry at all the appropriate places!
6. My husband. I was telling someone that he was shopping without me then going home to make dinner and they wanted to know where they could get one like that. Sorry I got the only one!
7. The Gospel spirit. I love going to church during the weeks before Christmas because you can feel the warmth (and our chapel freezing right now!) of the Gospel everywhere.

I am thankful for all those who make my life great and possible.

Clown Car

There are lots of things that doctors fail to tell you when you are having 'work' done. I have come up with a handy list of questions I'm going to use if I ever find myself in the position of needing surgery again:

1. Will you be pulling anything akin to a dozen clowns out of a bodily cavity? (answer: Yes.)

2. When I eat for the first time will I be stunned for any reason? (answer: Yes, your eyes will bleed and, as in every apocolyptic movie, you will die shortly thereafter...dramatically.)

3. Will there be swelling? (answer: Yes, you will feel like you are drowning because of said swelling so be sure to stay awake for the first 24 hours. See above for potential outcome.)

4. Any unexpected side effects? (answer: Yes, you won't be able to see well or wear your glasses since you have a cast so forget about catching up on any reading.)

5. Will I be able to rest? (answer: No. You have children, they don't make enough drugs for this)

6. What will it/I smell like? (answer: You don't want to know.)

7. When will I feel normal again? (answer: HA! HA! HA! (tear wiping involved) HA!)

I'm sure I will feel normal again but for now I will sniff and try not to gag.

Let's See....

So in the last two weeks since my last post the following things have conspired to make me not post:
1. Ward Christmas party preparation - how did I get roped into doing 40 goodie bags & gallons
of hot chocolate, 2 dozen cookies, costumes and 4 gingerbread train center pieces?
2. Connor sick (2 days), Tylor sick (2 days), Lauren sick (2 days), Jim sick (7 days) and me sick,
am I over it yet? You'd think I could have squeaked out one post in there but no.
3. Almost hit our neighbor's dog and child - they ran into the street at night
4. Multiple trips to Costco because no one else has a Costco card
5. Thanksgiving - lovely but busy as usual
6. Work
7. Going to the court house not once but twice in one day - long story but the witness protection
program isn't part of it ... yet.
8. Serious annoyance over Jim calling saying, "I'm taking a walk down a beach....".

I'm sure there's more but my addled brain can't remember what. And now there's Christmas shopping to throw in the mix, and three parties to throw at school and surgery and cards to mail.

Is it over yet?

13

At 9:38 pm November 17, 2009 I will have a teenager. Let me say that again. I will have a teenager. I haven't seen my only toe-headed toddler for years but I miss him right now as my 5'4" teenager leans over to hug me.

Happy Birthday Connor!

Time Traveler's Wife

I am a time traveler's wife. "How so?", you ask incredulously. Well, Jim is leaving leaving China on Friday at 10 a.m. to get home to San Francisco at 8:25 a.m. on Friday. He has obviously overcome the time/distance issue so why can't he .... uh, I was going to find something slightly pithy to say here, but, I got nothin'. Nice thing to have me be stumped on! I'm just ever so happy he will be home! And now we dance to "12 minutes of Silence by Raymond Wornton". Hum along if you must!