Day119: Comfort and Chuckles

Aha:

I was talking to a friend of mine today about fear and how it seems there's always someone put in your life who's been through something similar to help you through it.

We both agreed that it's typically not fate that brings people together, but a watchful and mindful Father in Heaven.

I am thankful for the people who have been placed in my life at various times when I needed help or reassurance or a good laugh or cry. And I'm most especially thankful for a loving god who sent them to me.

Haha:

Yesterday I mentioned to Clinton that we never gave Peter a middle name.

He: Sure we did.

Me: No, it's just Peter Logan.

He: Let's see, how about Peter Poodle Logan?

Me: (laughing)

He: Or it could be, Peter Hogan Logan.

Me: (laughing)

Both great options, but I think well just stick with no middle name. :)

Day 92: Call Me Poopular

Aha:
I had a phone interview for a fairly prestigious position in the Oncology Department at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre here in Calgary. It was kind of weird to hear the interviewer use words I am so very familiar with since working in oncology at MCW. The job sounds rather great but as I was talking with the lady I just kept thinking about my current job and how content I am in it. The pay would be quite a bit more and I'm pretty sure I'd be offered it, but I just don't think I even want to consider leaving where I am. The commute sorta stinks for both jobs but at my current job I already know I really like the people and the work. Plus, it's only for six months anyway.
This call was kind of a blessing in disguise cause I feel like it really put in to perspective what I want and what I have. I want a happy and friendly place to work that keeps me busy and interested...and I have that.

Haha:
Conversation between Clinton and I while taking Peter for a walk.
(Peter poops and I bend over to pick it up with a garbage bag)
Clinton: Eat it.
Me: What?
He: Eat it. Eat the pooh.
Me: No! You eat it.
He: No thanks.
Lol.

Day 87: Hymns and Has

Aha:
Clinton set up my piano for me the other day and I got to sit down and play for quite a while today. It felt so good! I was practicing hymns and doing so always makes me feel uplifted. Later, while I was cleaning the bathroom, I caught myself singing the words. I love the hymns. Their words are scripture to me and I'm grateful I have them to refer to for comfort and direction.

Haha:
What happens on a Saturday when four inches of snow falls overnight and keeps falling all day, and your husband is at work? About a five-hour marathon of Lost, that's what.
I think my butt has become a completely flat surface from all the sitting. But hey, I'm really making progress on episodes. Ha!

Day 77: I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found

Aha:

I am thankful for the comfort and peace the Holy Ghost brings. This may come as a surprise (insert sarcasm), but I tend to be a worrier and am easily anxious. Well, when those uncertain times come I am thankful for the companionship I feel from the spirit--reminding me that there is One who knows my concerns and can make things right.

Haha:

I don't know why I do this to myself, but for some reason when I have a little time on my hands I start a new series on Netflix. 

I have watched 8+ episodes of Lost today. I never saw it when it was on and I'm beginning to see why people were so obsessed with it before. 

Why do I do this? I know my chores and social life suffer and yet I can't help myself! Anyway, better get to bed so I can squeeze one more episode in before sleepy time. Ha!

Day 56: Eating Ice Cream is Hard Work

Aha:
I've had a few people ask me about my new job so I thought I might as well talk about it on my blog.
My official title is "Marketing Administrative Assistant". I work for a company that specializes in improving hospital survey scores through catered training programs for leadership and frontline staff. My job duties are kind of all over the place, but it includes making phone calls to prospective clients, updating the company blog on a weekly basis and other admin jobs I have yet to learn.
As I said before, I'm not sure I like it, but I LOVE the people there. I've talked with a couple girls there about my concerns and people have been really reassuring and understanding. I love that! I am still keeping an open mind and for now I am really enjoying the regular paycheck. :)

Haha:
Clinton called me to tell me he was on his way home. I asked him if he could either pick up a treat for after supper or if he'd be willing to go get some ice cream or something later.
He: Ice cream? I'm kind of over ice cream.
Me: What? How can you be sick of ice cream?
Well, when he came in the door I noticed he was carrying to drinks from A&W.
Me: What are those for? (Thinking he maybe had a work party or something.)
He: They're milkshakes for us.
Me: Oh! Thanks!
I guess he doesn't dislike ice cream so much after all. ;)

Day 48: What a Relief

Aha:

Day 2 at work was better than Day 1. I actually had a good talk with the girl who I'm replacing and she said she had the same fears and hesitations that I have when she started. She said that the job was much better than she thought it would be and rather interesting too, so that makes me feel a bit better. 

I am choosing to remain open-minded and am more hopeful that I can be happy working here.

Haha:

Ever had it when you feel the need to pass gas and just as you are about to you think, "Huh...is this gonna be more than just gas?"

Yah, that happened to me today. Fortunately it was just gas.

Day 46: Gave Me the Chills

Aha:

A guy gave a talk in church today and the topic was kind of about his conversion to the church. He said it took many years for him to decide to be baptized and that decision came after much thought and prayer until one day it hit him that it was true for him.

His talk was fairly interesting but at the very end he mentioned a scripture about Moses and his inadequacies in speaking. The Lord had called Moses to be His mouthpiece but Moses was afraid because he struggled with speech.

At this point the speaker interjected his own thought that those whom The Lord calls to act He lifts up and qualifies.

This made me think. 

I start a new job tomorrow and I've really been struggling to be happy about it. I don't mean to sound like a whiner, but there's a lot going on in our lives, I live far from any family, and I've had a lot of time to be used to being home and available to do whatever whenever. Now the reality that I'll be working full time has hit me and it makes me sad to know I can't just pick up and go for the next while. But when the speaker mentioned that to those whom The Lord calls he qualifies, I felt comforted. 

I realize I am being blessed with work and a chance to save a lot of money. I realize that The Lord is giving me a chance to bless my family. And I realize that since I am being called to this responsibility at this time, The Lord will help me through it.

Haha:

I made chili for supper tonight. I called Clinton in and told him it was ready.

He: It can't be ready yet, it's not cooked long enough. It's doesn't even feel warm (holding his hand over the pot)

Me: Trust me, it's fine. It's been boiling; I just turned the temp down. I have been having to blow on it before I can taste it, it's hot trust me.

He: (turning the heat back up) No, I don't want to eat raw beef.

Me: Trust me, it's fine.

He: Let it simmer for a bit.

About two minutes pass.

He: Ok, let's eat.

We sit down to eat.

I notice my bowl is really hot and knowing it's been boiling for a while, I really blow on my food before taking a bite.

He: (taking a bite without blowing on it) Ahhh! (spits out his food and looks over at me with a coy look on his face)

Me: So, it's warm enough then?

He: No need to rub it in.

Me: (laughing)

Day 30: AHHHH! & Hahaha!

Aha:

I had a horribly scary nightmare last night. One of those that makes you feel like...you're not alone in the room when you wake up...catch my drift? Anyway, when I woke up I immediately rolled over, snuggled right up to Clinton, calmed down and fell back asleep. I was so thankful to have him there. My unconscious but comforting protector. Aren't husbands the best for that?

Haha:

Conversation between Clinton and me before bed last night.

Me: I'm funny.

He: You're your own worst critic.

Me: Yah, but I'm your worst critic...ya dummy!

He: Oh yah? You're a dummy.

Me and He: (laughing)

Love that we can make each other laugh.

Day 29: Feeling Hungry?

Aha:

When I was eight I had to go in for a procedure to break up and remove a kidney stone. As you can imagine I was very scared. 

My dad pulled me aside and told me the tale about a man who had to eat an elephant. At first the task seemed impossible; how could he eat such a large animal? Well, the answer came that he could eat the massive elephant if he but ate it one bite at a time.

My dad then gave me a pair of elephant earrings to wear to remind me that I could overcome the scariness of my surgery and recovery, I just needed to take it one thing at a time.

Those earrings, and the story behind them, were a great comfort to me then and have continued to be a source of strength throughout the trials of my life.

Well, I had another experience over the last week or so that was pretty scary--bringing the elephant story to the forefront of my mind.

I found a lump in my right breast.

I have no family history of breast cancer, that I know of, and I know breast tissue can change throughout the menstrual cycle, but a lump is still a scary thing to find. 

After a priesthood blessing, I went in to the doctor. He examined me and thought it was characteristic of a fibroid cyst, but sent me in for an ultrasound just in case. 

I went in for my ultrasound today and was pretty nervous, though I was trying to trust God and relax. When I was called back to get changed into my hospital gown, what print did I find on the dressing room curtain?: elephants. 

I smiled to myself, took a deep breath, and remembered to take this whole lump thing one thing at a time.

After my ultrasound the radiologist came in and performed another very thorough exam. She said that the lump wasn't cystic and it looked to be nothing more than dense breast tissue (very common in women my age and at this point in my cycle). She said that, for her own comfort, she'd like to follow up in a few months if the lump changes but that at this point I don't need to be concerned.

One bite at a time.

I am so thankful for the comfort prayer brings. I am thankful for competent doctors and thorough follow through. I am thankful I'm OK. I am thankful for the elephant story and the reminder it is that all things are achievable if we just take things one thing at a time. 

Thanks, Dad, for taking the time to give me courage when I was little. That lesson (and my love for elephants) has stayed with me my whole life. 

Lady friends, please be sure to perform regular self breast exams. Go in for your regular check ups. If you find anything questionable go in and have it checked right away. Have courage and take it one thing at a time.

Haha:

What happens when you go on vacation for a week, then back home for a day before leaving again for a week, and then when you come back home you still forget about those banana-based cookies you had in the cookie jar till late this afternoon?

Answer: about 5 inches of dense mold. That or some homeless person broke into the house while we were gone and dumped his creepy bag-o-hair collection into our cookie jar.

I guess we'll never know. ;)