He's Our Bishop!

At the 2007 UCET conference David Warlick recommended that our blogs should have a purpose. I've been thinking about that for a few weeks now, knowing that this blog's purpose is just the miscellany of ideas that motivate me until I finally put fingers to the keyboard and share them. It's not that I really expect anyone to read them. Seems rather unlikely that any one does except for me. But I do like reading them myself, so I happily think I'll continue sharing. Then I had a brainstorm...what if this blog did have a specific purpose? Or what if I expanded its purpose?

Today I taught the lesson in Young Women about Appreciating the Bishop (YW manual 2, lesson #11) For some reason I become more nervous with each lesson I give. The lesson was straight forward enough. We were to discuss the responsibilities of the Bishop, who helps him with these and then why the Bishop is important in the lives of the Young Women. While preparing to give this lesson, I reflected on my days in the Young Women program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the only member of the LDS church in my family, I often looked to my Bishop when I did not have the family support that I needed. While we lived in Garland, Texas, and I attended Seminary, the lessons often recommended that the students discuss certain things with their parents, so I often visited with the Bishop about some things. Today, I really appreciate how my Bishop always had time for these visits. He always supported the role of my parents in my life, and had good counsel about how to nurture my relationships with my parents after they divorced. He cared enough for me to want the best for me.

During the lesson today I shared a special activity that meant a lot to me at the time and even more now. For one mutual activity when I was in Young Women we were each given a paper that was past around to the others in the room, including other young women and the leaders. Each took a turn filling out blanks about different characteristics about the person whose paper we held. Then the papers were passed on. I still have my paper from that activity. My Bishop had my paper when we were supposed to put the shape that reminded me of that person. I likely put "circle" or "triangle" about the person whose paper I held, but my Bishop wrote "perfect" about me. Knowing that my Bishop felt that way about me helped me through many difficult times over the years.

There are many folks that write derogatory remarks about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some even have received great acclaim from the world. I would like to use this forum to share my growth as I learn more about the gospel and apply it to my life.

Last night President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to the Young Women of the church. He challenged them to not let a day go by without attempting to better themselves. There were four things he wanted them to remember:

1. Pray-speak to our Heavenly Father every day
2. Study-the gospel and get a good education
3. Pay tithing-open the windows of heaven
4. Attend your meetings-partake of the Sacrament

How blessed we are to have a prophet of the Lord!

The Sunday Night Phenomenon

After an engaging weekend supporting family members and pursuing my own passions, I find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. I’ve tried many techniques to overcome this problem including foregoing a Sunday nap, a hot bath, quiet activities before bedtime, reading and daydreaming before sleep. Unfortunately this Sunday night seemed worse of all. After a fantastic UCET conference I spent the weekend doing some web activities that I haven’t taken the time to do, such as upgrade on of my websites (totally muffed it though…) Then I carefully began shut down mode on the early side and climbed into bed ready for a good night’s sleep and then my brain started going and I couldn’t shut it off. Fortunately I was tired from illness and being up all day, so I did fall into a busy sleep. Then about 2:30am the smoke detector decided that it was time for a new battery. I had a tough time getting it up on it’s mounting last summer, but I had it down and apart in no time. I took care of a few of my concerns: a new load of laundry in the washer, put together a few things I didn’t want to forget in the morning, and then settled back in for a little more rest.

Unlike most Monday mornings, I was able to get up when the alarm went off and begin my day, almost as planned. A trip to the gym for a brief workout did wonders for how I felt.

I took a pad of paper and pen to the gym and while I worked out on the bike and sat in the sauna, I wrote about all of the things that I wanted to do. Many ideas had come to me during my fitful sleep. After the brain dump I could process the day more clearly. Perhaps I should try writing before sleep?

Fortunately I can sleep on Monday nights.

Clean Office via Mission Get it Together!

I've used this blog to keep track of my progress attempting to get our home in tip top shape. There's just one bathroom and one hallway to go to complete the inside painting, but I don't like to paint when it's too cold to go outside to clean up the painting equipment. It has been wonderful to have things clean and organized, that is until you venture to the bottom of the basement steps and enter my home office.

About two years ago my two youngest sons determined that they would continue sharing a room in order for their Mom to have a room for an office. I had a desk and computer in the dining room, but stuff was everywhere. It was a kind gesture, so I took them up on it. Actually it was the home office where the painting began. The first wall was painted a beautiful rosewood color, but being on the dark side the next wall was painted a color that was a little lighter, but it still seemed a bit dark, so the rest of the room and the connecting hallway were painted an off white color that had just a hint of the base rose color. The bookshelves were moved in, along with a long table to serve as a desk. The large desk that I loved to use upstairs was just too big to put anywhere, so it found a new home in another home office. Then the stuff began to pile up. Research files, scrapbooking supplies and things that still need to be scrapbooked, books, sheet music, paperwork from running a household, computer bits and pieces, my work stuff (because I don't have an office at work), and that other stuff, too: souvenirs from many vacations and mementos received from my childrens' trips away from home, keys from old vehicles, my stamp collection that I haven't touched since junior high, the boxes of photos that I need to finish scanning, quilts that need to be completed, books that didn't go to college with #2 son, and other things which I had just piled up until I could figure out where they belonged.

It's not that I haven't been making an attempt to get the stuff in my life under control. I'm fairly good at having many things in a specific place, but I'm also a family historian, so my home is somewhat decorated with memories. I've even spent some time each week to put things in order. The time between ordering though is enough to create more stuff to deal with, so I was barely keeping my head above water, or at least my snorkle. A few weeks ago my favorite pen ran out of ink. I had ordered a large package of refills because I frequently run out of ink. I remember debating whether to keep the refills near my neatly organized pencils and pens, but alas, for some reason decided to put them somewhere else. So for a few weeks, I haven't been able to use my favorite pen. That has been sad, because my favorite pen flows so well when I'm trying to express myself in my journal, or when taking notes. I had to find those refills!

Then number two daughter made a decision. She decided that she wanted to become a professional organizer. When it came to getting things in order, she had been one of my very best organizers. She had organize the kitchen, her little sister's room, and her own room over the years, so she had good references. We looked at my office and this time, it was in a different light. I explained what I had tried to accomplish with my room arrangement. She praised my efforts and then started making suggestions. Considering her budget is about $100, I have to say that she had some great ideas. Then she left.

Finally just yesterday we got started. She was quite patient. I didn't get home until 6:00pm, then a phone call reminded me that I had a commitment until 8pm. When I returned, she was still there, waiting to get started. So we began, then I felt like those silly people that I've seen on tv who try to justify why they still have the key to the cars they no longer own, or the broken keychain that said #1 Mom from #1 daughter at a time when I know that she didn't really believe it. Looking at it through the eyes of someone who really wanted to help me get things in order so I could have a place that would really be a great place to work and who understood the real meaning of that keychain, it was easy to let go of what needed to go. She knew just the right questions to ask to allow me to think through what should stay and what should go. We had piles for things to be thrown away, things to be donated and things that don't belong in the office. We only worked for two hours, but those two hours were far more productive than previous office cleaning sessions. My daugher encouraged, praised and coached me through each box, bag and pile of stuff around the edges.

I felt so refreshed and lighter for having been able to figure out what to do with the stuff that had been just sitting around without a real place to be put away and of course never used, because it couldn't be found. This morning I took a few minutes to sort through some paperwork to get it where it needed to be. I've often tried to do a little here and a little there, but having someone else to guide me through the process, and direct my focus to the task at hand, I made great progress. Having worked in the office, I know what will help me to be more productive. Suzanne understands what I need, what I have to work with and has some great ideas for the possibilities.

Participating in the Political Process

It's that time of year--our legislature is busy on capital hill working to better the great state of Utah. Some of us did our duty and voted in the last election. But over the years I've found that citizens also need to keep in touch with those we have elected to let them know our opinions on the matters before them. These days it's easy to send an e-mail and let your legislators know what you think about the issues. A phone call is also appropriate.

During the year, I've also gotten to know my legislators, so when I e-mail they know who I am. I suppose that could be for good or for bad. Sometimes I learn that I just don't have all of the facts about a particular issue, so appreciate having my elected official explain the bigger picture. The media may skew what's really happening, so I take the time to read the bill and additional information made readily available on the legislative website. I read both local newspapers, including the opinion page, listen to radio programs, but haven't had the time to view very many television programs. One legislator I know has a blog that allows him to share what's going on and invite input in a public forum. I wonder if others have blogs, too. Are there any podcasts out there?

Of course the best thing that happens from this political process is the opportunity to talk to friends and family members about the issues and get a perspective on what really matters to those around me and in the end what really matters to me.

It's a crazy way to do things, but isn't it a lot better than not having a say in how my money as a tax payer is spent?

Feeling Human Again

As one of those "lucky" people to have naturally curly hair, I find that without the assistance of a professional to tame the curly locks I have persistent "vacation hair". It's amazIng how a brief trip to get my hair cut makes me feel like a whole new person. I'm fortunate that I have a neighbor who has opened up shop close by and spoils me rotten. Unlike most places that I've gone in the past, she takes the time to blow my hair dry. With her magic touch I have straight hair for a few days, until it's time to wash it, or I get caught in the rain. I can't do what she does for myself, so I enjoy the special treatment.

This is the first post from my new laptop, a MacBook Pro. The backlit keyboard is particularly handy and has a nice touch. I'm looking forward to using GarageBand to produce my podcasts. iMovie and iPhotos have a lot of potential for preparing presentations of many kinds. Having just taken many hours and days to rebuild my home computer, I just haven't had the time to spend a lot of time on this new computer. I'm planning to set up and transfer datafiles a little at a time.

One other new toy is a PDA phone. I'm learning it a little at a time, too. It'll sync to my Outlook to keep track of e-mail and many other things. I've never been particularly phone savvy, but perhaps using a pocket PC will help.

Getting Organized!?

For the last two years I have cleaned out, cleaned up, painted and generally fixed things up. So now that things are together, like with like, it's time to get them organized. One of the first things that I have started, is to get all of the digital pictures in one place--on one harddrive. I've used an external drive to collect them from various places. I'll probably even copy those that are on CD. There's even a plan to start to scan our non-digital photos, but that is getting ahead of myself.

In this process I've also been sorting other digital files. I'm not known for my wonderful filing system, except for my research, although I am trying. Time is always on our side with this one. If you wait long enough, it doesn't need to be kept anymore!

Enjoying Cub Scouts Again

Tonight I had the priviledge of being pinned by my youngest son with a mother's Webelos Scout pin. When they get into Webelos you lose track of what they are doing because they work on their requirements with their den, not so much with the family as they did when they were Wolves and Bears. But for some reason I still got credit for helping him with the accomplishment. Hardest thing is to actually get him to the den meetings since they are at the same time as so many other activities and too far away for him to walk. It's so different from when my oldest boys were in Cub Scouting and so was I.

I started out as a Bear Den Leader for my oldest son's Bear Den. Our next son was close in age, so I contined as the Bear Den Leader for him too, as well as serving as the Cubmaster. Our youngest son was born while I was Cubmaster. I loved being with the Cubs. For five years I served as a Cub Leader in some capacity, until I graduated to Scouts where I served for eleven years.

Tonight was a fun pack meeting. The boys received their awards...quite a few of them. They talked a bit about important things like citizenship and caring for others. Families came together. And my son was glad I was there. He thinks I'm a great Mom. And frankly, I really don't care about any other opinion.

Loved This One!

I love the idea of a blog...hoping that I might refine my writing to something that others would want to read. Sometimes I think just a journal would be best, then I don't have to worry about anyone else reading it. I could write without too much worry. There are many times that I would like to write, but just don't have the time to polish it to feel that it is Internet ready or even worthy to be written. This cartoon made me realize that perhaps no one is reading it anyway, so why worry? You can find this and other Savage Chicken post its at: http://www.savagechickens.com/blog/2005/12/read-my-blog.html. Love the chickens!

May I introduce Mr & Mrs....

Today my oldest son was married to his lovely sweetheart. It was a gorgeous day for this outdoor wedding. It's amazing how all of the planning and preparation turned out to be beautiful, and yet having all of the wedding party coordinate and remember their part in the ceremony isn't what will be remembered in the many years to come. What will be remembered is that on this day two people pledged their love and commitment to one another to become a family. We've already seen a strong couple work and plan toward their future together. I'm looking forward to seeing what the two of them will complete as a couple...it'll be awesome. So even though today was full of working out the details, the big picture is that this is just the beginning of a long and beautiful journey.

How welcome the rain

It has been very hot this summer. According to the news reports, this is not a local phenomena, but it's been hot all over the U.S. So today's heavy rainstorm is very welcome. I don't think I've ever seen rain like this...the wind was blowing the pouring rain so that we could barely see our neighbor's house. That didn't last too long. Now it's a gentle, constant rain. It's the kind of rain that I love to listen to from inside a tent. Actually it's quite lovely to listen to from the comfort of the recliner in the bay window in my bedroom. Just perfect for a restful summer's nap.

What I Learned Painting Today

Today I learned many things while painting. Here's the list:

1. Painting with two is much faster than one.
2. Willing assistants to retrieve various odds and ends keeps the process going.
3. Assistants are much more willing when there is hope of a movie when the painting is done.
4. No matter how light the blue paint, it always takes at least two coats to cover.
5. Taking the time to tape things that aren't to be painted is worth every second.
6. No matter how carefully you place the tape, there is always some paint that gets on things that it shouldn't.
7. Be sure to remove the tape before the paint dries.
8. Cleaning up right away is much easier than waiting until later.
9. Painting with two is much more fun than painting alone.
10. My children and I like the same music.
11. Dancing while painting makes it go even faster.
12. Painting works out more muscles than an hour with a professional trainer.
13. Painting a room is a sure way for a recovering perfectionist to fall "off the wagon."
14. A freshly painted room is immensely satisfying.
15. It takes longer to clean and replace the stuff removed to paint in a bathroom than it takes to actually paint the bathroom.
16. A putty knife cleans fresh paint off a tile floor.
17. A paint tray liner is worth the money.
18. No one cleans a bathroom as well as Mom.
19. One bathroom plus two teenage daughters with long hair equals a clogged sink.
20. Teenagers do not seem to understand how to put an empty shampoo bottle in the trash can. Perhaps they miss their tub toys.
21. Tub and tile cleaner does a great job getting rid of tough toliet stains.
22. Clean bathrooms attract less spiders. (Well, that's what I'm telling my children--then maybe they'll try harder to keep their bathroom clean).
23. Painting is a great time to listen to songs for use in multimedia productions.
24. It's a good idea to write down the titles of the good songs that you hear.

A few other things I'd really like to know. Am I the only person who uses a toothbrush to clean the dirt out of the outlets and off the switches? Do other people replace the face plate screws?

Coming soon...the end of the painting saga!

Success

I have always loved my beautiful front room window with its large picture window topped by a lovely arch. I can now say that it has once more been successfully covered. A quick internet search and I found instructions on how to create my own arch window "rod" from a clear plastic tube and 1" cup hooks. It worked beautifully, even though I had to go up on the fourth step on the ladder! Determination overcame my fear of heights and I got the project done. I even found out that I can drill and such with my left hand. Afternoons will be a little cooler with the harsh west sun filtered. Now off to paint a few more things....

The End of Summer Vacation

I don't usually relate much about my career in this particular blog, but today my work life and personal life were at the summer crossroads.

I've learned that many teachers spend their summer vacations doing many of the same things that I have done...home improvement, professional development and serious family time. My children tease that as we visit the local home improvement store that I'll run into one of my teacher friends and we always do. Sometimes we see more than one!

We all set some summer time goals, so that the time didn't slip away. We planted a garden that's doing pretty well. I finished a few major projects. There are more to go, but I'm happy that many were accomplished. Life is much more peaceful with the day to day household things more organized and under control. I'm not sure if I'll ever have every drawer organized and labelled like Sheila, but it's much better than a year ago.

Today was the official end of my summer vacation. I spent the morning with a team helping to put a computer lab back together after recarpeting. (We think the carpet was original to the 1977 building, so it was long overdue.) The carpeting is so beautiful, that after the machines were set up and ready to go, I spent the rest of the day making sure that everything in the lab was in tip top shape. I cleaned out the closet. Sorted through the miscellaneous tech stuff that gathers in the corners and under the tables and put aside the stuff that needs to be surplused to the district. All in all things got done to help get the new school year started off on the right foot. Of course there are always those projects that are important, yet never quite urgent enough to get done when school is in session, so I'd better find a few more hours before the faculty returns and get things all done up right. For instance updating the machine images, reimaging the lab computers, and reimaging the computers for the new teachers. Of course I'm sure that the first few weeks will be spent helping to get all of the equipment set up properly after the new carpet install.

It's been a shorter summer than usual for me this year, but I feel excited to get to work with students again. I've been taking an online basic PowerPoint course through the Utah Education Network this summer and it's sparked some ideas of things I'm looking forward to doing.

Tomorrow morning is an opening faculty meeting and I have the new school year excitement butterflies! I always try to find a way to support my schools goals and hope that this year I might actually do it.

And as I've finally learned to do, when I leave school tomorrow afternoon, I leave teacher at school and return home as Mom.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

is the name for a condition in which the bony bump at the outer side of the elbow is painful and tender.

I don't even play tennis, but that's what I have. So now I have a lovely black arm band to help keep the stress off the tendon. It helps, but it itches. Basically my right arm has become useless, so hopefully the treatment will get things right again in four to six weeks. Yep, that's right...four to six weeks doing things with just my other arm.

Fortunately I have wonderful children willing and able to take up the slack.

Paint Under My Nails

Not sure why it hasn't bothered me enough to finish painting the kitchen. Since Thanksgiving weekend the kitchen has only been partially painted. I stopped somewhere about the kitchen sink and have ignored it for too long. I thought I'd get after it right after school got out, but no matter how many times I thought I'd do it, I just didn't feel like it. So, after psyching myself up for a couple of weeks, I finally decided that it was time. I had a brief stall--a few hours clearing up ideas stuck in my head that I just had to research, but then I dove into the project.

Fresh paint looks great! The walls look fresh and new. There is great satisfaction when a room has been freshly painted.

The kitchen is the last major room to be done. In the last year or so I've repainted, fixed, and uncluttered every room in the house. In the other rooms I painted the ceiling and walls first, then I'd do the windows and trim. This time I did it differently. I painted the windows first. Not sure why, but they seemed to be the part that I left for last before (in fact, I should check them all and make sure that I went back and did them.) It was great to have the windows completed when I rolled the wall color on...then it was done! Fortunately the kitchen ceiling was painted last time and didn't need a redo. Ceiling paint makes such a mess!

Everything is very neutral now. The next challenge is decorating. I'm not very good at that and tend to just leave things rather blank.

We Did It! (finally)

It's been six months now that the drapes have been laughing at me since I first hung them up. You can see my original post here. After considering many ideas, we finally went to the home store and got a rod worthy of the drapes. It took some wandering through the store, but my dear hub'n also came up with a perfect solution for the sheers since the cafe rod was bending across the large span. He found an 8 foot aluminum U channel and it fit in the fixture perfectly. I painted it white, so it wouldn't leave black marks on the sheers. Now things are hanging straight! The drapes can also be opened without having to tug against the bump in the rod.

Not only did we hang the drapes properly, I took the time to clean the window and the track the windows open in. These window tracks collect the most disgusting dirt, bugs and whatever in the track. It makes me wonder how much other stuff gets in the house and goes beyond the window tracks.

It was quite a process getting the sheers and drapes rehung. Since the sheers still had the folds from the original packaging, I decided to wash them. I thought a trip through the washer and dryer would get rid of the folds, but it didn't. So, I had to iron them, too. Not only are they hanging straight, they also are clean and wrinkle free. Grandma would be so proud!

Congratulations to Our New Graduate!

"I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail."

Congratulations to the Class of 2006! We have a new graduate at our house, well, for a little while until she moves in a few weeks to begin the summer term at the University. For some reason, for a Mom, the commencement exercises feel just about like giving birth...the end of some difficult "labor" of the senior year, the joy of a new beginning and some sadness that a wonderful time in life is now over, yet a new time is life is just getting started. Seems that just a few moments have passed since she was our new bundle of joy and here she is, all grown up, ready to step out into the world.

Have I done what I needed to do as a Mom? That's a tough question. At this age children have many reasons to answer, "NO!" This is the time of life that it's tough to be a Mom. Seems I'm always in the line of fire.

Have I done anything right? Hopefully so, since she graduated with a diploma of merit and sang a final solo in the closing number of the Madrigals. Of course, I know that any accomplishments that she has earned have been of her own doing. Although I do hope that I provided some support and encouragement along the way, but truth be told she has become so much more than I could have ever dreamed. What a beautiful, talented, intelligent young woman she is.

I'm so excited to see what her new steps in life will bring. She will blaze a wonderful trail.

Congratulations, graduate. We love you!

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

Although life is so busy now that the thought of adding one more activity to the family calendar made me wonder if I would need to get out a magnifying glass to read the fine print, but I just couldn't turn down the pleas from the youngest son to sign him up for soccer. The teams usually practice at the large county park within walking distance from our home, so the oldest son at home agreed to accompany the youngest son to soccer practice, but that was before we were assigned a team that practices a few miles away. That's okay...practice is in the evening when I should be available to attend. Games are on Saturdays and Tuesdays, both of which are generally free on the calendar, well, there's actually white space to write the event on the calendar. As long as I didn't have to coach.

So last Monday, we went for the big, Soccer Meet Your Coach and Team Night at the park. The youngest son got to meet his coach, a few team mates, picked up his new, enormous purple uniform shirt, black socks and black shorts. Is there a soccer tradition that says that county teams have to play in jerseys that are ten times too big so the sponsors have more room for advertising? Just better watch out on windy days...the team might take flight! But the grin on every player's face was great...they were getting ready to play soccer!

Wednesday was the first practice. I still haven't gotten my soccer Mom chair in the back of the minivan, so I stayed in the comfort of my minivan and watched the practice. I also don't have my soccer Mom blanket handy either, so I also needed the warmth of the minivan to protect me from the spring breeze, too. This first practice was at the nearby park, where the parking lot overlooked the practice field. It was brimming over with a multitude of little soccer players. Fortunately no other purple teams were in sight, and the coach was able to keep track of his team. He's a great coach. He got in there and played with them and showed them how things were done, then encouraged them all to give it a try. The whole time he was laughing and having a great time...just what kids need these days. It also happened to be youngest son's birthday, a big 1-0, so we brought treats...seemed fitting.

Fortunately Saturday was a perfect day for the first game. We got out the chairs, camera, and a blanket, although it wasn't needed, to watch the purple play the blue team. Both teams lined up and at the whistle they were off. First one team then the other dribbled the ball down the field, then youngest son and another purple player started passing to one another. It took a few tries, but with some team work, they scored a goal! The rest of the team got in on it and soon they dominated control of the ball. I was snapping some photos, knowing that if I didn't take a lot, seems that I don't get many good ones. It's hard to take actions shots. But just as I snapped what I thought was a good photo, I looked up and the ball was in the net...youngest son, made a goal! We had a great time watching the action. After half time the other team seemed to catch on and scored a few goals, too. Youngest son, with back up of his awesome purple team, scored another goal. So by the end of the game there were goals scored by both teams and all of the kids left the field just as the county sports director requested, "with a smile on their face and a cookie in their hand." What a great way to start the season!

At practice this week the team was anxious to learn from their coach so they could prepare for the next game. The new practice location left more room for running laps and drills without running into other soccer players. While watching the purple team work hard to the encouragement of their coach, I kept myself busy finishing some paperwork on my laptop. No parking lot nearby, so sat in the shade of the elementary school. Still need to get that folding chair in the back of the minivan...

I Know This Expert!

Recently my graduating class of South Garland High School has been e-planning a reunion. Although I don't think I'll make the two day drive to Texas, I've read the e-mails as they've circulated and last night took a look through the e-mail addresses to see if there were any folks that were in my small group of friends. One I noticed had a URL with her own name: askandrea.com, so I decided to check it out. Andrea and I took almost every class together during four years at SGHS. She was the team trainer when I played soccer our freshman year. We were on the Math Team with Mrs. Shoemaker together. Andrea's the one who found the special kitten for my Mom our senior year. She graduated early the end of first term and I graduated the end of second term. When I've visited Texas, she's the one I would try to see or talk to. Needless to say, I haven't been to Texas lately. Her radio show is all over the Internet and so are her TV appearances. No matter what the topic, when Andrea was interested she become the expert. So it was no surprise to find this quote: "Andrea Ridout is considered to be one of the hottest home improvement experts today." She's an awesome lady and a friend that I wish I would have kept in contact with. It's really cool to hear her voice again. All the best!

I have missed every reunion of my class from SGHS. The fifth I had planned to attend and even put in my two cents with the planning group, but I was busy that weekend. It was the weekend that one of my sons was born. Bad timing, lack of funding, or the curse of having to cross a vast desert in the heat of August has kept me away every time. No wonder folks gave up on me. I have however kept up with a few of my graduating class via the Internet. I learned that one of our Math Team died very young. He was a quiet guy, but must admit when I see his picture on the cover of the yearbook I miss him. He was always willing to help me understand math. Can't recall if I ever needed to assist him. We had this awesome group of students who pulled together to learn the stuff, because it was fun!

One of my classmates, also a neighbor who happened to share a love of the skies, has travelled the world. Another has visited Utah as an actor at the Shakespearean Festival. (Mrs. C would be so proud!) Those that I knew best have all found that they have had to follow their passion, even if it didn't (or did) make business sense. If you aren't excited to get out of bed each morning, then life needs a few changes. Although I'm excited for the new day and hate each day to end, I still have a few passions to follow. I think I'll follow Andrea's example and the others, too and do what I love...I find that when I do, each day is a wonderful adventure!

And maybe there is some tie we all have to our alma mater...all hail to thee!

Guess the Kids Can't Be Too Embarrassed

My friend, Rachel had this link on her blog, so instead of going to bed and sleeping as I should, I decided to take the test. I'm only lightly nerdy..."Somewhat nerdy. I mean face it, you are nerdier than about half the test takers." That's less nerdy than Rachel, but I suppose I could hide it if need be. I actually prefer geek girl myself, although that avatar is taken. I'm highly motivated by a great technical conversation or success over a difficult problem. I enjoy science, web coding, online learning, digital video editing, digital scrapbooking, podcasting, and communicating with the world via the Internet. Fortunately though, when necessary I can dress up and hide the geekiness, so I won't embarrass my children.

Or maybe I might:




What does this mean? Your computer geekiness is:

Low Ranking Computer Geek. Definitely a Computer Geek, but low in the computer geek social structure.