Day 49: Tempers and Temples

Aha:
Clinton and I went down to the temple today.  It was so nice to be inside the House of the Lord where I could enjoy the quiet reverence that can only be found there.  I had time to think about my relationship with God; where I need to improve, where I am doing okay and how much He still loves me regardless of all my faults.  I felt, even for just a small moment, that He knows I'm trying my best and is pleased.  I have just felt so inadequate lately and I really needed that reminder today.  I'm thankful for a husband who took time out of his studies to take me to the temple, it made me feel closer to him and closer to God.

Ha ha:
As I mentioned this last week, the Premenstrual Witch is ba-ack and she's uglier than ever.  I've had a really crazy day and have just felt a bit off.  I told Clinton, "I don't feel right", to which he responded, "You're not right.  If you were right you'd be a man."  Seems I've got myself a clever one.

Day 48: Rootin' Tootin' Good Time

Aha:
I have had two very happy and playful days in a row.  I didn't realize just how much I needed these days until I'd had them.  I have had a couple of really great dates with my H.B., great laughs with friends and several special reflective moments that have provided me an opportunity to recognize and ponder on all of the many blessings in my life. 

Ha ha:
Today. Was. Hysterical!  I brought a Fart Machine to work.

My first victim was my coworker, Michelle.
I had been waiting ALL DAY for one of my close-by coworkers to get up from their desk so I could plant the machine.  When she got up for lunch--I planted.  I put the machine under her purse so it was nice and muffled, and then I told my two other coworkers to not react so we could really get a good reaction outta her.  For some reason,  my machine kept responding to other signals in the office and was going off on its own, but when Michelle came back to her desk, and the room had grown real quiet...it went off.  Michelle turned around and said, "What the?" and started frantically looking around under her desk.  Lissa, Kelli and I were literally shaking back laughter till Michelle spotted the Fart Machine and busted up laughing.  We all "let loose" and were "cracking" up.  By the time we stopped laughing, Michelle was crying, Kelli was snorting, Lissa was choking on her drink, and I never really stopped.

2nd Victim:  Christine
Christine is around my mom's age and was raised in a fairly proper British home.  As she was walking by my desk to say "goodbye" at the end of the day she mentioned something about being filled with cream puffs and I couldn't resist.  The machine went off and she turned around and said, "What was that?"  She started looking around with a concerned look on her face while all the rest of us were dying with laughter.  I don't think she thought it was as funny as we did.

3rd Victim:  Hema
Hema is one of our fellow doctors.  She is a pretty reserved Indian, but can have a good sense of humor.  As she was walking out the door, I pushed the button.  Her eyes got as big as a deers and she exclaimed, "What was that?"  I pushed it again.  "What's happening you guys?  Where's that coming from?"  Again and again.  "Who's doing that?"  One of the other fellows came out and asked, "Are you farting Hema?" and just kept on walking in the other direction without waiting for a response.  We were dying!  Hema pulled open the door to leave and said, "I'm just contributing to nature's gasses."  HILARIOUS!

Our last encounter of the day was with one of the attending physicians.  As he walked by, I "let it rip".  He wanted to know why were were laughing, so when we told him he asked, "Have you heard my iFart?"  Hearing him ask that was funny enough, "butt" then he brought out his iPhone and played us a few toots and we were in absolute stitches.

After letting the machine rumble through all of its many sounds, Lissa said, "Sadly, all those sounds remind me of my grandma, God rest her soul!" to which I promptly replied, "And her bowels!"

I probably laughed harder and longer today than I have in quite a while.  What a blast, and oh-so mature!

Day : This was MY Fair, Lady!

Aha:
Today was a good day.  I got to leave work early, get some lunch with my husband and our friends, come home and read for a couple hours/rest, take Petey for a little walk and then go to the Fair (at a discounted rate and in perfect weather to boot)!
Days like today are a reminder to me that the Lord is mindful of our needs and is happy to provide us happy situations.  I'm sure much of what played-out today was simply happenstance, but the fact that it all happened to me in one day?  In my book, that counts as a blessing!

Ha ha:
Clinton and I had the pleasure of attending the Wisconsin State Fair today.  There is some amazing people watching to be had there!  We saw; a women whose bosoms hung down to the bottom of her shirt, made it look like she was carrying some footballs under her shirt, a woman sleeping sitting straight up (probably had too much of the beer and brauts!), a young woman who was literally orange from too much tanning, a "performance" by an elderly woman with imitation eagle wings strapped to her arms who "danced" (walked slowly waving her arms and occasionally turned in a circle) around on the stage to the longest. song. in. the. world and, another dance group consisting of old women (aged 60-80 years young, as they said) called the "Jazzy Jewels".  All these things, and so much more were an absolute hoot to observe!
We also enjoyed some Wisconsin State Fair delicacies.  We ate; cream puffs the size of your face, fried butter (it's not what you think, it's a pat of batter that's been wrapped in like a flour tortilla or something, then fried...but if you were thinking it was gross...you'd be right), fresh-squeezed lemonade (delicious!), and my personal favorite--fried Oreos!  Fried Oreos are UNBELIEVABLE!!  They take an Oreo, dip it in doughnut batter, fry it, then sprinkle it with powdered sugar.  Pure artery-clogging bliss.  And I had three!
Anyway, here are some pics to enjoy!  More to come!

Day 46: Silence and Inappropriate Laughter

Aha:
Totally fell asleep on the couch while writing my blog...so this will be very short.
I had a small moment during my day where I stepped into a very quiet room, got on my knees and prayed that God would hear my prayers and provide me the answers I'm looking for.  Although they have not yet come, I felt comforted kneeling in that quiet room, and if nothing else, knew that God heard my prayer.

Ha ha:
I was reminiscing with my coworkers today about funny things that have happened at work.  Here are a couple of mine...
1.  One time I was laughing so hard at something and then the phone rang.  It's my job to answer it.  I answered like this..."Pediatric bwah ha ha ha, Hematology ah ha haha...I'm sorry...ha ha...just a...moment."  After a moment's composure, I came back on the line to excuse my giggles only to end up laughing again.  Fortunately, the listener was kind about it and had a good sense of humor themselves!
2.  I called what I thought was the right phone number for a contact over at the hospital.  A woman answered on speaker phone.  I asked if so-and-so was there and she replied, "Nope.  I think you've got the wrong number.  This is a conference room and you're on speaker phone with about 12 other people in the room."  Laughing, I replied, "Well.  Nice to speak with all of you.  Hope you enjoy the remainder of your meeting!"  We all had a good laugh!

Day 45: Dictators and Diction

Aha:
There is someone that I work with that really intimidates me.  They rarely make eye contact but when they do, it's usually because they are staring me down to show how disappointed in me they are...not that they have a reason, they just aren't very easy to please.  Needless to say, I don't feel comfortable around them.
Today...I got eye contact.  My abilities to keep an accurate calendar were being questioned.  Instead of absolutely freaking-out on the outside, I stayed very calm and said, "Let me look through my notes to see why things were done the way they were and I'll get back to you."  I quickly pulled my info together (I was in no wrong, btw), conferred with one of the other people who helped create the calendar and returned with answers/solutions to The Intimidator.  They were quite responsive to my thoughts/reasoning and I didn't end up getting "pulled into their office".  Woohoo! 
I definitely felt the help of the Lord today to stay calm, find my notes for referencing and then presenting my information to The Intimidator.  This could have gone so badly but instead, it went oh-so-well! :)

Ha ha:
As I was coming back to my desk from the above-mentioned situation, I was apparently still a wee-bit flustered.  One of the girls from another office was sitting in my desk chair and started to say she was leaving as I approached.  I tried telling her that she could just take Lissa's (sounds like Melissa, but without the Me) chair since she was out of the office, but that would have been too easy.  Instead, I said, "You can have Leeza's sheet...Lisha's share...Take Liza's seat...Oh my gosh...Lissa's sare...never mind!  You. can. take. Lissa's. chair."  I started to laugh but she turned to me, with a concerned look on her face, and with a somewhat monotone voice said, "Wow.  You really are having problems."  I laughed so hard!

Day 44: We Women are Fickle

Aha:
1.  I made it through the workday without eating everything in sight.  Confused?  Read this post.
2.  Managed to have about an hour to work on my callings for church.  I also did my first Rodney Yee yoga session, made my lunch for tomorrow, talked with my mom on the phone, played with Petey, gave a voice lesson and am going to bed at a relatively decent hour!!  I feel somewhat accomplished today!
3.  Before things got too ugly, I "realized" (thanks Honey) that the PMS Witch is beginning to show her warted-face again.  This "realization" gave me time to kind of gather a plan to douse her ugliness during future witchy-periods (no pun intended).  I think I am going to use my process from week-before-last's posts regarding using the Atonement.  This week (and next) I plan to refocus my feelings on the Savior and plead for his help when I find (or my husband finds) that I need it most!  We'll see my pretties!! (evil cackle)

Ha ha:
My grandma told me to shut up today!
I called to ask what her address was so I could send her a letter.  I told her I was drawing a blank and that I couldn't quite remember, but I knew her PO Box number was similar to my in-laws but I didn't want to mix them up.  As I was rambling, she got a word in edgewise and said, "Shut up!  It's 1167."
I'd like to say I was totally surprised, but I wasn't.  Love you Grandma!!

Day 43: Blogging My Blessings and Bust-Ups

Aha:
I'm not sure what to write today.  I keep thinking, what do I have to write about?  I went to church, came home, took a nap, ate dinner and watched some ABC Family with my husband as we enjoyed some bomb brownies (thanks Jenna!).  We got to enjoy our new grill and some amazing steaks!  But what from my day was especially spiritual?  Where did I recognize the Lord's hand in my life today?
As I sit here typing I'm looking at my little sleeping pup beside me and I can't help but smile.  I am so blessed.  There it is!  The Lord's hand is pointing to all the things with which I have been blessed.  Here are a few that are most prevalent to me today...
1.  My husband.  He is so funny and so happy and he makes me laugh every day. 
2.  My pup, Peter.  We got Peter when I was just beginning to feel especially baby-hungry but couldn't have babies.  He is the best little companion for me.
3.  My family.  I have been quite homesick lately as I've had a new nieces and nephews added to the mix but have been unable to meet them.  My family is ever changing but am so thankful for technology that helps me to keep in touch with them on a regular basis.  I know they pray for me and my little family here in Wisconsin and I am so thankful for that!
4.  Good friends.  My girlfriends throughout my life have been such an anchor for me and especially now that I live far from home.  I don't know what I'd do without good girls in my life to support me in my struggles and to lift me up when I'm feeling down.
5.  Home, Job and Extra job.  I have been blessed with a great job and several other jobs (from my home) that provide well for my family, keep a nice (air-conditioned) roof over our heads and have made it possible to save/obtain my year's supply of food storage!
I have truly been blessed!!

Ha ha:
I was laying on the bed asking Clinton to tell me something funny to put on the blog.  He started telling me a poem but when I began typing it here, he told me it was too embarrassing.  As, I laid my head in shame thinking I would have nothing to write, he pulled on my ponytail (which is held up by some hair pins) and I exclaimed, "Ouch Honey!  I have hair pins in there and they jab me in the head when you pull my hair."  His response?..."Oh.  Careful!" 
Clinton was quizzing me on questions for his pediatrics exam.  Questions like, "At what age do babies sleep through the night?  At what age do they sit up?, etc".  I was doing fairly well and then he asked, "What is the best way to get a child interested in potty-training?"  I replied, "By having them watch you."  He said, "Yes.  But I find it helps if you urinate on them as well."  Ha ha!  Where does he come up with this stuff?? 
P.S.  He does not/nor would he EVER actually do that, he was just being funny!