Aha:
As has become our typical date night, we ended up at the mall to "look around". Well, I decided to head over to Payless to see if I could find any shoes. I've been on the lookout for a pair of white sneakers I could wear with my jeans; the kind that didn't look like tennis shoes. Anyway, each time I've gone they've been about $35! However, tonight was my lucky night! I found a pair for $11, plus I found some really cute purple wedges for $4.50! I got two pairs of shoes for under $17! Then I went into Forever 21 and found the cutest navy blue shirt for $5 and a lipgloss for $2! It was a great night for deals! I've been looking and waiting for sales on these items and today was payday!! I'm gonna be adorable tomorrow!! :)
Ha ha:
Clinton and I went to Taco Bell for dinner. As our meal progressed, Clinton was inspired to take pictures of us and insert them into the Fat Booth app. We gathered that this is what we'll look like in 2 years if all we ate was Taco Bell...
And this is how we'll look in 2 years if all we ate was Taco Bell and were okay with it...
Aha:
Today absolutely flew by at work! I was given an extra assignment (I actually scrapbooked some photos for one of our docs, if you can believe it) and it kept me occupied all the diddly-day long and I couldn't've been happier! I also got to have lunch with a new friend and we really had a great time talking. Today gave me the extra little boost I needed to make it through the rest of my work week. :)
Ha ha:
My sinuses are still a bit plugged from the last hangings-on of my cold. One of my coworkers and one of the docs were standing by my desk when I tried to say something. The words came out and so did the rattling sound of my sinuses. Not sure why, but I thought it was a great opportunity to show them my Chewbacca impression. So, there I was at my desk, utilizing the snot in my sinuses, to show my coworker and my boss just how cool I sound/look doing a Chewbacca impression. When that wasn't enough, I decided to tell them about how I can still make that impression with or without the excess snot in my sinuses and how I used to be really good at it in high school. But was that enough? Nah. I decided to show them that too, although it didn't go so well. Come to think of it, in retrospect--none of this went well...for my reputation. :)
Aha:
We have been having WONDERFUL weather these last few days and I've been trying to get out and enjoy as much of it as I can before winter sets in (shudder). Wisconsin truly has the best fall colors I've ever seen. Deciduous trees are plentiful here and fall is their time to shine!
I had a thought the other day about fall leaves: I think it's interesting that leaves are most amazing as they're dying. We "ooh" and "ahh" at the process of their decay. Who would ever think that something dying could be so beautiful? This all made me reflect on life on earth; we come here to grow and gain experience before we die. The growing part has it's beauties and uglies, but ultimately it makes us stronger and hopefully, more beautiful (inside and out) before we meet our Maker. I don't know, maybe I'm rambling, but I think this idea has some merit. It gives me hope to think that one day, if I stick it out and try my best to do what's right, despite my trials, I'll one day be as beautiful and bright as a...dying tree? Um...I think I need to rework this idea (or not write it out past my bedtime), but hopefully you get my drift. :)
Ha ha:
Clinton and I noticed this street a while ago and I finally got a picture of it today. Don't know about you, but f I were this saint, I think I'd have my name changed...
Aha:
I was working on the calendar for the physicians' schedules at work. It's my responsibility to keep 7+ schedules completely accurate or all hell breaks loose...at me. I was proofing some appointments and thought I was just about done. I got a feeling to check one more thing and sure enough, one of the docs calendars was missing his night on call. Yikes! That's a pretty big one to have on there. I'm so grateful I paid attention to that prompting!!
Ha ha:
Have I mentioned I love the show, "Raising Hope"? It seems that every time it's been on lately I become completely oblivious to time passing and something embarrassing happens. Well, tonight, during a commercial break, I got up to start the sink running to soak my dishes. I heard my show come back on and kept the sink running.
I'm sure you know where this is going.
Anyway, I hear it running still at the next commercial break and run into my kitchen to see the water is just coming over the brim. I turn off the sink. Sticking my arm into the water to pull out the plug, let alone a dish, sets the water fully over the brim and onto my floor (which is now very clean I may add :) I eventually get some dishes out without too much of a spill and complete my washing...after my show ended.
Aha:
It's really amazing what one person can accomplish when they put their mind (and their body and their time) to it. After listening to several talks in General Conference reference "spending our time wisely", I decided to spend my time this evening a little differently. When I got home from work I started on dinner right away so I didn't lose "free" time later in the evening. We ate and watched a rerun of 30 Rock. I got up as soon as it was over and took Peter for a walk. The air was cool and crisp and it felt WONDERFUL to be outside! Anyway, as soon as I got home one of my new favorite shows, The Sing Off, was on. (If you haven't seen this show, WATCH IT! It's amazing!!) It's two hours long, so to avoid getting a couch-butt, I got up during every commercial break and cleaned. I got my bathroom clean, three loads of laundry done and returned some emails to boot! Go me!
Now, as I reflect on my day I feel good about what I've done. I'm especially grateful that I was able to do these things tonight so I don't have to worry about them on the weekend!
Ha ha:
As I mentioned above, I watched The Sing Off tonight. It was two hours of singing bliss. There is one group on there from BYU Provo called, Vocal Point. They were amazing! They did this rendition of Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight". I kid you not, I was giggling like a school girl and clapping my hands after every review by the judges. I couldn't stop smiling and giggling. I ran upstairs during the commercial break to clean the bathroom and Clinton asked why I was clapping and giggling. I was gushing over the song, telling him how much I loved it. He said, "Oh." He must have thought that with all the giggling and hand clapping going on, I was watching something much more Ryan Reynolds, or Robert Pattinson-esque. Swoon! (sigh)
Aha:
Well, it was another day filled with wonderfully inspiring and thought-provoking talks and messages from General Conference. I have truly been spiritually fed over these last two days and I wish the feeling could stay with me always.
I feel inspired to be more involved in service, genealogy work and overall, wiser use of my time. I feel encouraged to live my life happily--knowing that God is aware of me and my desires. The things that matter to me matter to the Lord because He loves me.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a wonderful talk about overcoming trials, tragedies and tribulation (click here to watch the video). He spoke right to my soul when he said these words: "There are many kinds of challenges; some give us necessary experiences. Adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith, or of imperfection in our Father in Heaven's overall plan. The Refiner's Fire is real and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God."
I felt the spirit many times today whisper to my spirit that the messages I heard today were true. I know God lives and that He loves me. I know that doing things the Lord's way will make me happier than doing things my way. I know that I can receive guidance and comfort as I turn to the Lord in prayer. He knows who I am and even more, knows who I can become, if I will be but trust Him.
Ha ha:
Clinton reminded me of something that he loves to laugh about from the beginning years of our marriage. We had just bought cell phones for the first time and were enjoying the convenience they introduced into our lives. One afternoon I left the house, got into the driver's seat and buckled before realizing I had forgotten something inside. I guess I was feeling especially lazy and had the brilliant idea to use my cell phone as my legs. I called Clinton and asked if he could bring me what I had forgotten.
He: Can't you just come back in and get it?
Me: I can't.
He: Why not?
Me: ...I'm kinda in a hurry and don't want to deal with the seat belt.
He: (laughing) The seat belt's automatic! You just don't want to get out of the car and get it.
Me: (not laughing) No. Forget it.
I went inside and he was laughing at my terrible excuse but I refused to admit to it...
Today was the first time he brought it up and I laughed with him. I guess after 8 years I can finally admit I was just being lazy...although, that seat belt was annoying! :)
Aha:
I had the pleasure of watching General Conference today from my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). In it, one of the speakers, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged each member of the church to be bold in declaring their beliefs. He encouraged members to do three things:
1. Be bold in our declaration of Jesus Christ.
2. Be righteous examples of the believers to others.
3. Speak up about the church, who we are and what we stand for.
So, even though there is no way to sufficiently express my feelings in words on a screen, I'm taking that counsel to heart and will now share my thoughts with the first of these today and the other two in the days ahead...here goes.
In a world that is filled with confusion and heartache, there is One who can bring us peace, heal our pains and our souls and lead us to everlasting life: Jesus Christ. I have not seen Him, but I have felt his influence in my life. He has healed my broken heart, comforted me when I've been afraid and has been the source of exceeding joy too many times to deny. He came to earth and was born of Mary in a humble stable. His life was not one of earthly riches, but of meek circumstances and bitter betrayals. He lived a perfect life and chose to be the Savior of Mankind. He felt all of our hurts, pains and sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and paid for our souls with his blood. In a way I don't understand, He mercifully satisfied the demands of justice, paying the price for each and every human being, by giving up His life. After three days He was resurrected, paving the way for each of us to be resurrected someday. His life was a life of miracles, sacrifice, service, preaching, forgiving and loving. I love Him so much and hope to one day kneel at His feet and thank Him for all He has done for me.
Ha ha:
I got on my computer to look up some troubleshooting for my sewing machine (bottom stitch on reverse is loopy...any ideas?). My homepage happens to be Facebook (dangerous, I know) and I saw a friend had posted a ghost video. Apparently this was a film shoot taken for a car commercial and a ghost aura appears just out of the trees. Slightly intrigued, but already getting the spooks just thinking about it, I click on the play button anyway.
A scream of absolute TERROR ripped from my throat, my hands flew up and covered my eyes and I started shaking. I shook from being scared and I shook from laughing at myself. Clinton turned to me to ask what the heck had happened so I told him. He said, "Oh, that fake commercial? That thing's been on the internet for years!" I can't believe I fell for it.
I watched it about 30 minutes ago and am still getting over the shakes.
Clinton is a 1st year Family Medicine resident and I am a stay-at-home wife while awaiting my permanent residency in Canada. We have a little boy named Peter...and he's the cutest little pup you'll ever see!
