It's Me!

If you've been following my siblings blogs, you may have noticed that everyone has been tagged to divulge information about themselves that no one else may know. It was interesting for me to read, as I would think "I do that too!" with several of them. But here is some things that you may or may not have already known about me:

1. I REALLY like blankets. I tend to walk down the blanket aisles at stores and just dream about what it would be like to own those blankets. If anyone ever needs to give me a gift and does not know what to get me, I am always happy with a blanket.

2. My body likes to compose in the key of D major. It's odd. I do this with any instrument. I noticed it during college. I would receive an assignment to write a song in a certain key, and I would somehow transpose it to the key of D. Also when I improvise it is generally in the key of D, and in the Dorian mode.

3. I like to read books about (how could I describe this...) depressing subjects. I have this fascination with psychology and how the body and mind works. Lately I have really been drawn towards reading books regarding what I deal with at work. It has really helped me become better in my career as I work with those who have mental illnesses. The last book I read was "Cutting:Understanding and Overcoming Self - Mutilation, " by Steven Levenkron. Right now I am reading the book "The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog: and other Stories From a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing," by Bruce D. Perry. Luckily I have an amazing sister and brother (aka: her wonderful husband) who are recommending and providing me with FICTION books that help me become somewhat more balanced. (THANKS!)

4. I tend to question "traditions" a lot. I have a hard time understanding the concept of doing something just because everyone else is doing it. Especially when they don't know why either. I think this may have begun when I had to go on such a strict medical diet and had a hard time participating in all the festivities that are catered around food.

5. I LOVE to watch previews to movies.

6. I am really trying to get into running. It's a big desire I have had. In the past I thought I had to give this desire up permanently as I would tend to have Crohn's attacks after I ran. But I have been learning how to teach my body to slowly accept it. Some days it works, some days it doesn't. But I tend to maintain or improve the amount of time I can run. My sister Jen , and I have a goal to run a 5k this upcoming year. Stay tuned for that fascinating post.

The Power of Plastic Spoons

I have been down with a cold this week. It's been frustrating, as I really have no patience when it comes to myself being sick. I have found though that one thing that brings me comfort is to eat with a plastic spoon. I bought some kid plastic spoons over the summer, and have been using them while being sick. There's something about it that for me makes the world seem like a better place. I don't know why, but I am truly grateful that they were invented.

Jack Frost Nipping At My Nose

I grew up in Arizona and have never really experienced snow much until moving to Utah. I will have been here almost 2 years in January, but still feel I have a lot to learn about how to handle a true winter. Some things though that I have learned since being in Utah are:

There are closets in the Church buildings. We don't have these in Arizona. This is still a new thing for me and just seems a bit odd. I remember the first time I saw this odd thing. I was in Tennessee with my family when I was little. We saw on the wall these odd coat hangers and my brother and sister and I were trying to figure out what they were for.






For a few months, it feels like I have gone back in time and am living in a black and white movie.
















And last, the power of just a little snow (or that's what I thought). Here is a picture of my car stuck in the cul-de-sac where I live. We all had to park away from our home last night as there was too much snow to get to the house. My car got stuck. Luckily it's Sunday and I will hopefully wait for the snow to melt by tomorrow, or I will be utilizing the shovel.

Goodbye Friend

You may remember me posting this picture a few posts ago. This is a picture of Finney. She came into our family 13 years ago. Ever since she came, our family has never been the same. She has brought more joy, laughs, comfort and peace than I could have ever hoped for. I found out last night that she needed to be put to sleep. She had not been eating or drinking the past couple of days. My dad took her to the vet. They found out that she had cancer all over and was bleeding internally. My dad decided that it would be better to have her put to sleep than to continue living in pain. I am grateful that she won't be in as much pain now, but sad to not have her with us. It's amazing how much Finney has become a member of the family. She filled in areas that no one else could. I am grateful for the many wonderful years we were able to have her in our lives. She was a one of a kind friend. One that will truly be missed, but I will look forward to seeing her again. It's amazing how much I've learned from Finny. The importance of greeting people when you see them, of never giving up an opportunity to socialize and acquire food. To stop, enjoy and smell the flowers, and rocks, and trees and grass, etc, To protect the ones you love. To cuddle whenever possible. To take every opportunity to sleep in the warmest part in the bed or house. To sun bath. To love going on walks and get excited about the possibility of exercise. To forgive immediately. To just sit and listen. To always be cautious of wood floors. To enjoy car rides with the ones you love. That to truly enjoy a present you must relish in every part of it, including the wrapping paper. To let others know you love them every opportunity and chance you can.

Angels Among Us

10 years ago (sometime around now), my family drove up to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with family. On our drive back home the van we were driving blew a tire. The van rolled several times. The majority of those in the van sustained some serious injuries. That day was full of many miracles for us though. We were protected and helped in every way we possibly could have been. From this, I have learned that the although the Lord has us endure many challenges, he is there for us to help us get through life in every possible way. Life changed dramatically for us as we had to endure and support each other through surgeries, physical therapy, new disabilities, and patience with the recovery time. I remember one day, when we were finally back in Arizona, I was driving some where before Christmas (probably buying more Christmas tree lights) and the song "Angels Among Us" by Alabama began to be played on the radio. I am aware now that this song came out a long time before this, but for me this was the first time I had heard it. I remember just crying as I listened to it because it explained exactly what I was feeling at that time in my life. This song has a special meaning to me, especially at this time of year. I created this clip with various pictures I have, to say thank you for a few of the "angels" in my life. I know that we meet people every day who are placed in our life to help us.

One of these socks is not like the other

I tend to wear fun, different socks when I am having a hard day to help me out a little bit. Last Saturday I had wanted to wear my "frog" socks. These are great as they are also slipper socks and have frog feet on the bottom to prevent slippage. I hadn't really gotten around to sorting or putting my clothes away after doing laundry that week. All my clothes were still in my laundry basket. I reached in grabbed one frog sock and then another sock and went on my way. Later that afternoon is when I realized that I was wearing two different socks. I just laughed about it, as I'm sure many of you have worn two different socks as well and not realized it. (at least they were the same color) But the only problem of wearing two different socks is that you need to wear a similar pair again because you still have another same unmatched pair that is still clean. Yesterday was an unmatched day for me again. I realize that it's fun to wear unmatched socks. It reminds me of being young and wanting to develop more independence, thus dressing yourself and creating your own fashion style. I think this would also delete the hassle of having to match socks when you are putting away laundry.

Thanksgiving Memories

(9The coolest dog, Finney, celebrating Christmas 1999.)

For some reason I woke up early and wide awake this morning (5am). I decided that since there wasn't much I could do that early, I would go to the gym. I was thinking it would be crowded because everyone would want to work out before having their BIG feast. I was wrong. There was really no one there. After I went to Harmon's Grocery store to get a newspaper. I want to keep the tradition of circling everything I want in today's paper and then mailing it to my parent's to help them with Christmas shopping:) When I got to the store the guy delivering the papers was just starting to stock the stand. He had a cart full of papers that he was unloading. As I was talking to him and waiting for a paper, I began to notice the sweet smell of newspapers that I seem to like. I think this is smell brings more of sweet memories as I would work with my dad, brother and sisters on delivering newspapers to homes on the holidays and weekends. Thanksgiving was a day I thought needed to be dread as it was supposedly the biggest newspaper of the year. This paper was huge and heavy. We would get up REALLY early in the morning just to wait for the paper to be delivered. This was a fun time for us kids as our dad would provide us a feast of the best pop, sweets and food while delivering the papers. I think this was more to help us stay awake and not get car sick. I remember how cold it was standing out there putting the papers together, shivering, talking and shivering some more. I also remember how we would laugh a lot (or maybe it was more me, I can't remember) due to us being really tired. We would also listen to old songs on the radio. I love the oldies station because of this. We would try to get the job done as quickly as possible so we could go home to our warm beds and sleep.

Yesterday I was thinking about how when I was young it was almost a tradition for a few of us in my family to head over to a family friend's home (the Brauer's) Wednesday evening to help her make pies and clean. We made so many pies, and then we would celebrate Thanksgiving with them the following day. This was a fun time as we would also be able to watch movies on their HUGE TV.

I also remember a Thanksgiving where my brother invited me to go to Wal-Mart with him the day before. When asked why he said "because everyone was going to be there." It was a fun time, I think we both were just burned out as well with college papers and exams. We laughed as we were hoping to have to park in the back of the parking lot and stand in a long line. Instead we got the closest parking spot we had ever had before, and there was no line when we were ready to check out.

I've also been thinking about how it is almost a tradition for our family to go to KMart on Thanksgiving and check out their specials, and indulge in bread sticks. With this memory I feel that pizza has become associated with Thanksgiving as well. My dad one year took my brother, sister and I to a store and bought us a pizza to eat before we went to a friend's home to have Thanksgiving dinner. We were so stuffed before we went to the Thanksgiving dinner. My dad told us to not tell mom that we had pizza before. For some reason I feel like that was the best pizza. I think it was because we were hungry and it was fun to eat pizza on Thanksgiving. I also remember a few years ago when it was only my mom, brother and I for Thanksgiving. My mom told me that I would be in charge of Thanksgiving. So since I was in charge, I decided that we would have pizza. I had found a pizza recipe I could have. It was such a good dinner. We had BBQ chicken pizza.

So on this Thanksgiving, I would like to thank my family for all the sweet and cherished memories that you have given to me revolving around Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Thanksgiving!