Please Don't Take This The Wrong Way

This really made me laugh today. Enjoy!

It was once said that a black man would be president. "When pigs fly", indeed 100 days into Obama's presidency.........Swine flu.

Words To Live By

"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train." - Gwendolyn (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Ernest)

Sunday's lesson for the young women was about maintaining our personal records. This lesson always excites me because this is something I'm passionate about. There are so many ways to keep personal records. Journals (written and audio), letters & emails, blogs, essays, scrapbooks - the possibilities are endless. I never have liked scrapbooking because it feels like a project that never ends. There are always more pictures to catalog and more supplies to purchase. Journaling works best for me, however, to each his own. 

Since I was teaching the lesson, I took the opportunity to peruse through my volumes. I've been a mostly diligent journaler since 1995. Of course, my early attempts are rather indicative of my age, but I consider some of those entries to truly be gems. Here's one from 10 years ago:

Today I was playing a trivia game with [my brother Marc]. His question was "what are the five senses?" In all seriousness, Marc answered, "The sense of touch, the sense of taste, the sense of humor . . . "  

Just a glimpse at the workings of my family. I think "sense of humor" should be added as the sixth sense. 

It was interesting for me to read through and see what has been important to me over the years, to see what has influenced my decisions and my personality, and to see how I have grown. I reviewed moments that made me smile, moments that made me grimace, moments that filled me with chagrin, and moments that brought me closer to God. 

I love the happy stories, the insights into my family, and seeing how my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has grown. I treasure the writings from my predecessors. Sometimes I'm more like them than I like to admit. And ultimately, the things that were most important to them - like family and faith - are most important to me too. 

I left Sunday feeling a firmer resolve to write more frequently. And to write better. 

Further spiritual enlightenment here.

And I'll Sing Once More

I splurged yesterday. I was at Costco to re-stock some key elements of our food storage, and it caught my eye. I knew it was going to be an impulse buy, but I had to give in. Since Brent was working, I did go clear the purchase with him. We've been trying to be smart with our money (read: frugal), but I just couldn't resist this buy.

I  bought my own copy of The Sound of Music. It has long been a favorite musical of mine. I remember borrowing Grandma's two-tape copy (back in the days of VHS), and watching and singing along. I always wanted a dress just like Liesel's from the "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" scene. Gorgeous countryside. Timeless music. Julie Andrews. It's a classic.

A classic that my husband has never seen before. This must be remedied! I'm so sad for him to have a childhood - no a lifetime devoid of the music of Rogers & Hammerstein. Throughout the whole drive home, snippets of various songs played in my head causing hours of smiles. Brent doesn't understand why yet, but he will.

The very first musical I ever was a part of was my elementary school production of The Sound of Music. I played the part of Brigitta. I fell in love with the whole experience. I don't know if we sounded any good, but I loved being a part of it. I enjoyed being a part of several stage productions of various musicals after that. Musicals are definitely one of my favorite things.

One of my favorite stories was told to me by a neighbor and friend from Arizona. She and her family were on a road-trip. As they were driving, they noticed that they were going to pass a car full of nuns. Their youngest son, who was probably about 4 years-old at the time, rolled down his window and signaled the car of nuns to do the same. Perplexed, his family watched as the nuns rolled their window down. Then, this innocent little boy leaned out the window and yelled, "How DO you solve a problem like Maria?" The question makes me smile every time I think about it. 

Enough talk, I'm going to indulge my whim. And I'm going to sing along!

Cravings

While the following may not be food cravings, they nevertheless rest in the same place of longing in my soul as a good hankering for tasty food. There are two things that have been tantalizing the edges of my thoughts for the past few days. I find myself dreaming about these things. They creep up behind me during my workday, and beat me over the head leaving me dazed and feeling empty. 

What has been afflicting me so? It's completely irrational, I know that. I feel like pregnancy gives me a little wiggle room for irrationality. 

First, I want to go to DIsneyland. I've only been once to the happiest place on earth. Two years ago I went with my whole family (save Devon who was serving as a missionary in Idaho at the time). It was heavenly. I want to go back there. Tomorrow.

Second, I wish it was Christmas. I've been singing carols all week. And smelling cinnamon. I know that there are places in the world still receiving snow. I can't tell you the last time I saw snow . . . maybe last year? But I'm craving a chill in the weather. And warm, baked goods. And family - lots of family.

Maybe I'm just wanting family close and people pulling together in a spirit of harmony and love. Either way, I know I'm not going to fill either calling any time soon. A girl can dream . . . 

I've been remiss . . .

It's been a busy month, and I haven't been very good about keeping up here. Sorry! I made a list of the "catching up" items, but "there is too much, let me sum up."

• one trip to Mesa for my brother-in-law's wedding (we love you John & Chantel!)
• living and breathing the heavenly scent of orange blossoms (I miss Arizona in March for this very reason)
  
• My brother, Marc turned 18! (Welcome to adulthood, brother! You're amazing!)
• I'm still tired all the time (literally, I can take a 2 hour nap and still go to bed by 9:30) Brent has been so understanding and patient with me, and I'm so grateful!
• Settlers of Catan has become the favorite game of the Hill household. We've had lots of friends over and we love it!
• We had our first ultrasound. Brent feels like it's real now. We're actually having a baby, and it's developing right on schedule. The doctor even moved the due date up a week (10/07/09) Sorry, my scanner's not working, so it's going to be a while before I get that picture up here. Be patient with me, please. I'd just take a picture of the picture, but we're missing a transfer cable too . . . Apparently I'm technologically challenged at the moment. 
• Brent and I want new neighbors. The current ones smoke like a chimney. And they don't just smoke tobacco. Yeah. 
• My appetite is back. The only trouble now is that nothing sounds good. Pretty much ever. Unless it's something that's terrible for me due to the inevitable accompanying heartburn (like tomatoes or anything cooked in the slightest amount of grease).

In other news, I loved General Conference. It was such a boost for me. It somehow always comes at the best time (meaning the time when I'm feeling the most stale and stagnant). The counsel given was so timely. From Robert D. Hales' talk about provident living to D. Todd Christofferson's talk about being strong Christians to the talks about the temple, I feel richly fed. Of course, I feel like there are so many areas for improvement in my life, but I feel hopeful about it too. 

It's interesting that I can feel simultaneously completely inadequate and yet hopeful. I guess it's that I recognize that I'm far from perfect, but I have the assurance that I'm on the best path for me at this time. I'm hopeful because I'm not alone on this path - I have some help. I have so much to learn, but I'm excited to learn it!