Topic Hopping

What a Crazy Roller Coaster

…. or sometimes I’d like to know what the Lord is up to…. (but I’ll get to that in a moment)

When I last left you the week began on a sad note. That week only got worse. I really do try not to be too attached to things. I promise. But when I was rear-ended by an E250 van I was SOhappy I was driving a truck. You’ll never, NEVER get me to drive a small car. EVER. Sorry. And I do love my truck (her name is Maid Marian -crazy I know) and she is now back to being beautiful again – new hitch, bumper fixed, frame straight again (yes it bent the frame). And I was able to drive her to Girls Camp.

We had an amazing time at Girls Camp this year. Our theme was “Experience the Change” from Alma 5: 13-14 and we used butterflies as our “Mascot” for the week. The great part about it was the girls worked hard to do what needed to be done. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go next year because my brother is getting married and I think it will be the same week, but I’ll be there the year after. I love camp!

Back from camp and we jumped in to adopting a dog. We found a fabulous rescue organization. Can I just say if you’re looking at getting a pet, please search your area for a local group that is doing animal rescue. You may find you get more information than you would adopting from the SPCA about the pet and it has been a great experience for our family.

Maggie is an absolutely wonderful 2 year old chocolate lab and we just love her already. She has so much personality. She makes us laugh all the time. She fits right in with our family – she’s just as crazy as the rest of us!

So what’s with the roller coaster? All of that is up right? The truck is fixed, Girls Camp was fantastic, fabulous new family member – where’s the loop -d- loops?

I got a new calling. Let me tell you having your husband as the Stake President Executive secretary gets interesting when he walks into the living room and tells you “We need to be at church a little early to meet with….” and I KNEW it was for me! I got cold and clammy. He asked if it would help if he listed all of the callings that currently needed to be filled? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! NO!

But of all of the callings that went through my head in the time I had to think about it I never once thought of the words that were uttered.

Early Morning Seminary Teacher. I blinked. Really.

See. I don’t think about the fact that I’ve been driving my children for Ohhh…. 6 years now. So it’s habit to be up at that time whether I drive them or not. I went to seminary when I was High School. Sure.

But Seminary Teachers know stuff. I don’t. What is the Lord thinking? What is he up to. Sometimes I just don’t know. I do love that we’re teaching the Book of Mormon this year – and the Doctrine and Covenants will be next year. And while there are times I get frustrated with the “kids” (they’re not kids) – They are amazing. I’ve known most of them since they were Primary age and I’m So proud to see the Men and Women they are growing up to be.

Talk about feeling humbled…..

Late Night Trying to Kick the Hamster Off the Wheel

Late Night Insanity, Topic Hopping

I start a new job in the morning. It’s a job, there’s work, but I *get* to work in a quilt fabric shop. I’m really excited. It’s like a candy shop for any quilter. I literally sigh every time I walk in the shop I just love it that much.

So I’m sitting here at almost 2 o’clock in the morning with this hampster running around inside my head. You know the one. Thoughts about this and that and the other going around and around over and over again constantly turning this way and that way keeping you awake until you give up on sleep and crawl back out of bed and stumble into the livingroom to boot up your computer and log on to Facebook and type a blog post in an effort to exhaust the hampster who seems to thinks it’s really COOOL to be up at this time of night. (Thanks for breathing for me.)

I typed up a note on Facebook (another one) that’s little lists of 3 things about me. I don’t have many favorites really. I like a lot of everything. It’s probably easier to name the things I don’t like. I don’t like Rap. Sorry. It just doesn’t float my boat. The only thing I’ve ever had anchovies in is Caesar Dressing. Sardines – Um… SOOOoooo, NOT going to ever try. I’m pretty open, but I can’t do it. In fact, I can’t picture myself eating any size fish served to me whole. Can’t handle it looking at me.

I’ve actually tried octopus, not a big fan of it either, though I will eat calimari. People tell me Brussel Sprouts taste good – I don’t believe them.

I worked on some things for Girls Camp, too. We have a little over a month left to plan and get things together. The schedule is being finalized along with the food. It’s going to be a good year. Our Theme is “Experience the Change” (Alma 5:14) and we are using Butterflies as the mascot. Girls Camp is absolute highlight for me each summer.

That did it. Tthe hamster is done. Capput. Gooooooooodnight, everybody!

Brain Dump

Family, Quilting, Topic Hopping

I’m working on a quilt project. Shhh.. it’s a suprise for…. I’m not even posting who yet. Just in case he decides to pop in. All the blocks are done and I’m going to finish the top tomorrow.

I also sign up for a nine patch a day quilt a long. WHAT was I thinking? I’m already behind. Lots of squares cut, but nothing sewn. I’m not giving up though, it just may be smaller. One of these days I’ll have my machine set up all the time in a nice craft room so things like that will be “easier”. rIIIiiight.

My living room and kitchen are a wreck though. And we’re having the missionaries over on Monday. SO that MIGHT take precidence.

It’s Eagle project season again at our house. I will be patient… I will be patient…

Have you heard about the guy who set a goal to go to every Starbucks in the world? He’s been traveling all over the place drinking lattes. He’s hit a stumbling block though as Starbucks keeps closing stores. He might not be able to achieve his goal! Somehow I’m having a hard time feeling sympathy for him.

I watched the semi-finals of the National Spelling Bee today. I heard words I have NEVER heard before in my life and I think the oldest participant was 14. The oldest finalist is 13!! Spelling mystifies me (I use a dictionary a LOT!). The finals are on now. The words are even crazier. I mean “fackeltanz”?? I’d be so doomed.

My bucket list

Analyzing Infinity, Topic Hopping

A tag going around facebook had me wondering “What IS on MY bucket list.” Some of the things on that list are… some of them aren’t. The great thing is, I’ve done some of the things on the list…. but I’ve added to it. So. In no particular order. My list.

Go to Scotland
Go to Italy
See places that Kevin has seen (Paris, Greece, Singapore)
See a Broadway musical (Done!)
Go to New York City
Go on a quilting cruise
Ride a motorcycle – maybe even own one
Swim with the dolphins
Learn to paint (sort of done – could learn more)
Take portraits
Have a vegetable garden
(why is it so hard to put down the things I’ve actually done!)
See the Golden Gate Bridge (Done)
Go to Disney (Done)
See Niagra Falls (Done)
Go on a cruise to Alaska
Stay in a Bed and Breakfast (Done – want to do it AGAIN!)
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch (Done – WON’T do it again – it SWAYS!!!!)
Gone to Washington DC (Done)
Riden in a horse drawn carriage (Done)
taken a road-trip by myself (Done and loved it!)
Been to Daytona and heard how loud the cars are when they go around the track (Done)
I’ve been to 38 States – I’d like to see the other 12.
Have a story published
Come up with my own quilting designs

I’m sure there’s more that I could put on the list. What’s on your list? Maybe there’s things on your list I’ll end up adding to my own. And by the way…. Tag.

A Patchwork Week…..or more

Church, Family, Quilting, Topic Hopping

Is it any wonder I love quilting? There are so many metaphores that can be stacked, chopped and pieced back together in a thousand different ways to describe life. But that’s not what this post is about (WHEW! Right? breathe… I wouldn’t do that. Ok. I might. But only late at night…. I hope.)

Life never stands still, have you noticed? It really doesn’t matter what age or stage of life you’re in no matter what you might have thought previously or might think you can trust me when I tell you that life moves, evolves, changes (Pick one.) and hopefully it’s moving forward.

That’s pretty much been me this week. I got a new calling. As with just about any calling there are some things that make sense and others that I’m think I’d really like to talk to the Lord and find out what he’s thinking. It’s one I’ve never had before… not really. See that’s where things get a little wonky. Oh? What is it? Activities Chairman.

Much of the rest of the week has been spent on research. Kevin has had some contact from companies that he didn’t expect to have. One company is in Pennsylvania. The other is in Virginia. Both would require a move which is not something we were looking to do. It’s also not something we consider without looking at all of the information that’s out there. Company information, schools, real estate, city information, cost of living. You know. The pros and cons. It’s amazing what you can find out before you move.

We do have one we like a little better than the other. There are just a few more things in the “pros” column.

But it’s not a done deal.

There was a girl’s camp planning meeting this week. I love girl’s camp!

At this moment I have 4 quilts I want to make this year. The first deadline is approaching. It’s K.’s birthday. The quilt is ready to quilt (stop if you think you’ve heard this story before) but I need to finish it by then. Her quilt is an “All About Me” quilt and I promise I’ll post pictures. The other 3 quilts I’ve designed myself. They all use traditional quilt blocks though and they’re aren’t original ideas. Mostly, my take on them. If I’m being circumspect it’s because they’re gifts for people and I don’t want them to know I’m making them.

And my kitchen is clean and stayed clean ALL week. Glory Hallelujah!

Recovery, Halloween, elections, OH MY

Family, Topic Hopping

Wow! That was Awesome! (The children and teachers did an amazing job on the Primary Presentation!)

Whoa! I slept how long?!

Answer : Explosive Poodles; Question: What you get when you have our family work together on Mad Libs for Family Home Evening

How in the SAM HILL do I make sleeves? A Dress isn’t a quilt! (said while trying to cut the fabric for K.’s Pocahontas costume)

Beads! No more Beeeeads!! (at that moment wishing that I’d cut the fringe and left it at that.)

My Costume? I’m an accident victim. (and yeeeeessss. I need a COSTUME for that!)

I really wish I could turn off our house phone until after the election. (I can’t. and I won’t. But OOOOOhhhhh, I really wish I could.)

First Thoughts and Impressions

Analyzing Infinity, Church, Topic Hopping

I love General Conference. I’ll post more later I’m sure, but the first session was so amazing I just couldn’t wait to post a few of the things that were stand-outs for me. (These aren’t all quotes. Some have to do with the topic of the speaker’s talk)

When I was little all of the temples that were built at the time fit in a circle on the front of my Book of Rememberance. Less than 30 years later and that would be an impossible cover to achieve. Amazing.
Spritual Benefits of a Simplified Lifestyle. I need to simplify my life and there are so many ways I can do this and need to do this. I took a lot of notes during Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk.
Prepare to participate in the Sacrament – (I think I talk a little too much before Sacrament Meeting.)
“She put Faith and Hope into action” – Now that is cool. I need to do that more.

I am so glad that someone over at Segullah issued the Challenge to think of specific questions before Conference and then we’d meet back and discuss the answers. I didn’t write them down. And truthfully, my questions weren’t even all that specific (Ok, I did have one specific thing that I may talk about when Conference is over), but just the very act of thinking about them helped focus my thoughts.

And yes, I’ve gotten some answers already.

Church, Family, Topic Hopping

Other people call it Random thoughts – I call it Topic Hopping. When your mind doesn’t seem to settle on one subject but jump from one to the other. When I’m in serious topic hop mode having a conversation with me can be seriously difficult to follow. This post could also be called a brain dump.

– Folks, life is messy. It’s not always neat and tidy wrapped up in bow. There aren’t always easy answers to all the questions. Sometimes blessings come in strange ways. Sometimes people help, sometimes you have to find that help yourself. Just because I’m at church on Sunday with a smile doesn’t mean I don’t know about problems or how difficult life can be. Don’t assume that you can tell what my family goes through on a regular basis because you see us enjoy each other’s company and work well together. We work hard at it. Sometimes more than others. The fact is, with work you can enjoy church on Sunday and have a good time with your family. Maybe not all the time. But when you do, WOW. Hold them close for the those times when you struggle.

– Have you ever noticed how some children’s wake-up habits follow how they were born? G. took a bit of coaxing because he he had to be induced early (it was 2 weeks early and he took 2 days…) . Now if it’s early for something he’s not motivated to be at – he takes a lot of coaxing. C. (my middle son) just needed to be reminded that hey, it’s time to go and we were off and running. Now so long as he knows when he needs to be there we’re good to go, but if it’s not on the calendar, or he has the time wrong he’ll forget and you’ll need to make sure he knows what time or he’s going to be late. Once he’s reminded he’s at top speed and moving and out the door. K. (our daughter) was the easiest. No reminder, she was a self starter. She had her own date in mind. But it was an easy birth compared to the others (still no drugs though – I only got those with C.) Now, she’s the family calendar. Give her the date she keeps it, she’s dressed and ready (when it’s something she wants to be at – she is a teenager!) I just think it’s kind of funny how they seem to have set the pattern so early.

– I’m currently trying to get a job. It’s an interesting thing since most of the work I’ve done has been volunteer (not all for church). Getting my resume together seems so complicated as well. Add in that Kevin and I got married rather young and I didn’t do anything at that time to continue my formal education SO there is a big blank on the resume. I’m trying to convince them that the things I’ve taught myself are adequate. I read a lot and research to keep up, but that doesn’t give you piece of paper that says “I’m certified”. We’ll see what happens.

Hmmm.. ok not too many topics I guess.