3 Things......

It's late and I am tired so to make this short

1....I might have a house to move into soon. Then I can stop feeling like a mooch, and be more independent again.

2.....I really love working in the book store. I'll be honest: if I could make the same amount of money with the same great benefits, I would give up my day job and never leave the store. *sigh*

3....The Kindertransport was an amazing thing....I have now read the book and now onto the movie.

2006

I found this on my Friend Jeremy's site! Let’s see what I can remember.Now we all know the answer is not much. Thank heavens for the blog...I wrote most of the important things on at least one of my sites. Lol!

JANUARY
1. Where were you on New Years Eve?
I do remember that: We were in Alexandria looking for fireworks…..Steph and Boo were getting annoyed by a boy….Who else was with us? Gwen was there with her boy….who else?

2. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?
Yes, there were a couple of resolutions: continue on my track to go to the temple, continue to walk everywhere, and travel over seas. None of them stuck! 

3. Does it snow where you live?
It should be…but it is not yet

4. Do you like hot chocolate?
Of Course……

5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
I haven’t been to New York ( I am not counting the times we flew in and out of the airport to go over seas…we never left the airports (did we? Tiana do you remember?)

FEBRUARY
1. Who was your Valentine?
I don’t think I had one….There might have been a crush at the time but nothing that got written about.

2. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?
Well, I don’t actually remember that but I know that the boys had to make cards for everyone in their class….so I am assuming that I was also required to.

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?
Am I supposed to? Never really thought about the poor rodent!

MARCH
1. Are you Irish?
I believe there is a trace of the Irish in the mutt blood that I have.

2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?
Always! It is my favorite holiday.

3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2006?
Got mad at a friend (wonder what it was about, Steph do you remember?) and went to dinner with R.A.G.S. to plan the trips we never took. *sigh*

4. Are you happy when winter is over?
Yes and No. I love winter but there is something about be able to walk with out the biting wind or sleet.

APRIL
1. Do you like the rain?
My ring tone is Singing In the Rain!! I love the Rain!!!

2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?
I never got in to April Fool’s jokes…I feel bad when I make someone else feel silly.

3. Do you get tons of candy on Easter?
Not tons…but I believe there was Easter candy consumed this year.

4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
No

5. Do you love the month of April?
Yes! Usually……..maybe……..I don’t know. I think so.

MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?
I love the Forget-me-nots. But I also love Lilacs…so much so that my mother planted them in our yard just for me!

3. Finish the phrase "April showers":
bring May flowers. What do Mayflowers bring? PILGRIMS!

4. What is the first color you think of when you think of Spring?
forget me not blue….pastel Green….

JUNE
1. What year do/did you graduate from High School?
1997.

2. Anything special happen to you in June?
June was a busy month: I turned 27; I gave CORRECT directions for the first time; I worked on the time out for women conference, I came home from the beach, I went to baseball games, there was lots of Rain (YAY!), and I got a broken heart. Not sure any of it was special though.

JULY
1. What did you do on the Fourth of July?
I can’t remember, I know we watched fireworks at my friend Nicks House, because Staph and Boo blogged it. But I think I slept through the rest of it? That is the only thing I blogged on any of my sites.

2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?
My sister came for a visit and I went rafting!! And camping!!!

AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special at the end of your summer?
I went to Utah for my brothers Mission Farewell and I got sick. The dizzy spells had set in and I was not a happy person.

2. What was your favorite summer memory of '06?
Sitting on the Beach all by myself….sleeping in the hammock at the beach….really most of my time at the beach.

3. Did you have a sunburn?
Yes…SPF 15 is not strong enough for this whitey!

4. Do you go to the beach a lot?
May….I spent 2 weeks straight at the beach. It was heaven!


SEPTEMBER
1. did you attend college in 06?
No. I wish!

2. Who is your favorite teacher?
I had an English teacher in High school named Mrs. Bestor (Kurt’s mother not his wife) I loved her!

3. Do you like fall better than summer?
I love the fall as much as I love the spring…Summer is probably my least favorite season, though I still like it.

OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite Halloween costume?
I really don’t dress up….though this year I wanted to be Velma Dinkley from Scooby Doo….I think I could have pulled it off….Oh well maybe next year!

2. What's your favorite candy?
I love Candy Corn.

3. What did you dress up as this year?
I didn’t….

4. Carve a pumpkin this year?
(Jeremy you are so right with this answer I am going to keep it!)
No. It's really no fun for me to do these decorating things all by me onesies. I'll carve a pumpkin when there's someone worth carving a pumpkin for.


NOVEMBER
1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?
I stayed at my place. Boo came over and we made soup and Pie!

2. Do you love stuffing?
I love Stuffing! It goes with Mash Potatoes and Gravy! Oh I miss those foods. I wonder if I could make them on my own with out ruining them? Hmmmm…..

3. What are you thankful for?
Peace of Mind, Family, Good Friends, and so many other things….but mostly the people in my life, they have such an impact!

DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?
Yeah, it is always a whirlwind of activity with the Hinkson Clans

2. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
Not that I remember. Would be nice to have happen….Anyone know when David Boreanz is going to be standing under some Mistletoe?

3. Get anything special ?
I got a digital camera that I still have to learn, some good books and this fabulous homemade Christmas ornament(from these great girls in Idaho!)

4. What did you want this year?
Not something I got…..but then again it was not something that was really possible so I am not to heartbroken that it didn’t come.

5. Do you like cold weather?
YES! I love the snow…the winds of Idaho this year were a little more then I am used to. I am glad to be back in VA where it is at least 50 degrees!

And that is my year in review!

Home Again

I am Home!! I was glad to have my time with my friends and family. But I am glad to be home! Sunday Morning was a rush, between sick kids, church, and the rush to make the Hinkson Christmas Eve dinner. Dinner was a true Hinkson affair. We barely fit in the dining room. There had to be two separate tables. There was lots of laughter and just a touch of food throwing (but only the rolls I promise, I don’t throw the messy stuff!). From there we went to the living room for gifts. Yet again there was the realization that we just don’t fit any more. Gifts were fun, the new babies made out like bandits as was expected, and the chatter was almost overwhelming. As the night drew to a close, the babies got tired. One of my favorite moments was watching my big brother fall asleep while he rocked his daughter. There were tender moments all around. Those that were staying at the house then stayed up till 1:30 playing Killer Bunnies (a card game of sorts).

Christmas Morning didn’t even start until 9 am, luckily for us…..but then it lasted till almost 2 pm. I have many favorite gifts…but I think the digital camera is one that will find the most use in the next little while. I am still learning but hopefully soon I will be posting my own pics here.

Our Christmas movie was Eragon. I won’t say much other then I can see the influence of Robert Jordan and J. R. R. Tolkien in Chris Paolini’s stories. It was enjoyable for what it was, even if they took liberties with a few of the story lines.

Now I am back into the thick of things. Apartment hunting and working (hopefully I still have my job at B & N Lol!). Only 5 days left of December….are you ready for 2007?

December 22nd and 23rd

Today is day three of my Christmas Holiday and day two in Idaho. Every night I have tried to write a little for my blog. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get my thoughts in order. The trip on Thursday was fine; as a matter of fact I rather enjoyed my second layover in Vegas. I got to watch a beautiful sunset. Yesterday (Friday, December 22) was filled with fun and first meetings:

I met my niece Amber for the first time. She is 8 months old and this is the first time I have had a chance to visit with her. She is adorable and so happy. I couldn’t believe how calm she was, our family is quite chaotic and to see her so calm and content made me rather hopeful for our future generations. My bother Ralph is a good daddy, I never doubted that he would be, but it is amazing to see him in action.

From there we went to see the newest nephew. As I posted a little over a week ago, Kent III (a. k. a. Triple Dee) has joined this mortal realm. Tiana and I had a chance to spend some time with the new baby and his mom Cynthia. As you can see he is also adorable, unfortunately, at a week old all he does is eat, sleep and poop. He is not all that fun yet, but I am sure he will be as he gets older.

Next was a 3 hour drive to Pocatello. Tiana, Sarah, Baby Sean Michael, and I headed north to see Grams Gifford. I must admit to being a bit distracted, I do not handle a change of plans, when my schedule is tight. But thanks to Sheila I was able to get back on track, though not quite focused. Grams is doing well, but there was only time for a short visit before I finished my final leg of the journey.

I was able to catch the Salt Lake Express from the Jackson’s Shell Station and hitch a ride to Idaho Falls. After an interesting ride where I learned that the young man in the back had recently found the delights of “more then a handful” and the woman in front of me felt the need to put her dog in my face, I met up with Sheila at the Kick’s 66 in Idaho Falls. Of course I was running a hour late, but the kids were nice enough to hold dinner for me. And what a dinner, The Professor had made a delightful meal. From the Bisque and Pastry to the Risotto and Beef the food was delicious.

I don’t know if I have time in this blog to say all that I want about the first meeting with Sheila, the Professor, and the children. I will say that I had an enjoyable time, and hope to be able to meet up with them again at some point when I am not on such a tight schedule. They and the children are quite enjoyable to be around

That brings us to today (December 23^rd). Today was a day of activity. It started with a fun drive filled with I spy and Fabulous Stories of Cinder Cheddar and Prince Gorgonzola ( or was it Mozzarella) from Camille. There was a quick goodbye to the Hadden/ Skazzekie clan before I was swept up n the whirlwind that was family pictures.

As you can see they turned out pretty good.


FYI: This is Arizona Dad’s Mother, her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren (plus spouses) for a grand total of 19 people. We were there for almost 2 hours getting the poses and pictures set up.

Pictures were followed by a family dinner at a local restaurant. We didn’t want Grams to have to cook for all of us, so soon after surgery (Plus this way we didn’t have to do dishes, a major incentive for us!!) Dinner was a boisterous affair, full of laughter and a few tears. Dinner was followed by presents at Grams’ while Ian slept on the floor.

We rounded out the evening with pumpkin pie and a lovely game of Mexican Train. Almost every memory I have of visiting my grandmother includes playing Mexican Train. It is tradition; we cannot leave without playing this game. We surround the kitchen table and try our best to get rid of all of our dominoes. These are treasured memories. They are always happy times full of laughter and joy. As was that night.

Lesson Learned.....

Here I sit at my second layover of the day. The first in Atlanta was pleasant, as is this one in Las Vegas. My next flight is not for another hour and a half and I figured I could impart a bit of the wisdom I have gained today.

So here are the lessons I have learned so far today:

• Do not write at 3 am when you are tired and still not finished packing, life almost always looks bleak at 3 am, even when you have a pretty good life.

• You will not sleep very well on an airplane full of people.

• Delta Airlines Stewards are very nice people, they will wake you every time the pass by your seat offering food (even if you would rather be sleeping).

• Long layovers aren’t that bad, especially if you have a laptop, a slew of movies, and you own electronic handheld Sudoku game (Kate you are the greatest ever!!)

• When the airport is under construction and 3 out of the 4 women’s restrooms are under going renovations…..Hold it till the next airport, you will have to even if you stand in the line that wraps around the corner.

Hope everyone else is having a fabulous Thursday and isn’t stranded in Denver!!

Alone for the holidays....

Well it is that time of year again. Single women around the globe get depressed and stressed over their singleton status then we eat lots of chocolate and holiday foods.

I am never technically alone at holiday time. When all the numbers are added up I have 19 members of my immediate family. If you include spouses, nieces and nephews, grandparents etc. the number rises drastically. Plus I have many good friends that I could call on at a moments notice. So there is never really a chance that I will be "alone" for the holidays. In reality though, I have been a singleton for every Christmas season I can remember. So while I am technically not alone, the holidays remind me just how single I really am. Don't get me wrong, siblings, parents, and friends are great and I love my time with them, but that is not what we are talking about here. This has been on my mind for the past week. Most girls stress over being alone for the rest of their life. I will admit that I can be found stressing over it on occasion; but I am more often then not okay with my status. I like where I am in my life. This week I realized that even though I dislike being alone, it is preferable to being with someone who does not want to be with me. In my head I hear Cheap Trick singing: "I want you to want me."

I am tired of the game. I am tired of trying to sell myself. I know I am not any good at sales. I never have been, I am too shy on the inside. It makes me feel as if I am forcing people to be my friend. That is not a good feeling in the dating world. I want someone who thinks I am interesting enough to pursue. I want someone who will approach me, some one who wants me. Sooooo.........until I find someone who is willing to put forth a little effort I will be single. Every girl deserves to be wanted and needed. I know Christmas hasn't come yet, but that is going to become my New Years Resolution. Not exactly a "Down with Men" year; but a resolve to not date those men that don't think I am worth the effort of pursuit.

Now I am off to pack. I am to fly out in 7 hours and I am not finished packing.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.

Time.........

Then (with the clan of course):
Lately, I have been thinking about the passage of time. There was a comment made in Relief Society about things happening one drop at a time. It was said in regards to learning things line upon line when we are a society that thrives on instant gratification. Unfortunately, my brain took a turn from the lesson and all I could think about was the passage of time. Things happen drop by drop, minute by minute, and day by day. One day you look back and you realize that while you have been living day by day, months and even years have passed. I am 27 years old. I have been home from my mission for over 5 years now. I have lived on the East Coast for almost 2 years. (Sidebar: Ladies we are going to have to figure out a way to do a bi-coastal R.A.G.S. celebration this year!)
As I go through the stress of this holiday season, I realize that this isn’t the first time I have done this. Last year there were worries about flights and holiday parties and what to get roommates and friends for Christmas. Next year will be the same. It amazes me how time slips away from us. I start to wonder if I have appreciated all of the things that I have been able to do this year. There have been beautiful sunrises and sunsets; moments on the beach, rafting trips, dinners and movies with friends, baseball games, hockey games, new friends, old friends, new babies, funerals, and memorials. I have learned quite a bit about myself this year, but is it enough? As my dad asked earlier this year: Have I finished finding myself so that I can move home? I think I finally have your answer dad. I think I have found a bit more of myself, and this bit says I AM home. The day to day living had masked that change. I am comfortable here. I no longer feel like a country bumpkin on her first trip to the “big city.” I still miss my family and am shocked when I return to Utah and see all of the changes in my boys, but for now I am home. And I am grateful to be here.

Now (with Tiana):

Friday night was the Holiday Party for work. My company is good to us. Every year they put us in a resort for a night. Each employee and their chosen guest (or spouse lol) are required to get dressed in cocktail attire and then they give us free food and drinks until midnight. It is always funny to watch people you work with get totally smashed and tonight didn’t disappoint in that area. There were a few awkward moments when I was less then graceful, though I was told I handled the situation gracefully. There was a little frustration, I mean come on, when will I be able to get all dressed up and not do something klutzy? I am 27 ½ years old; you would think I would have grown out of the awkward phase, but I guess not. I guess all I can do is learn to handle the mistakes I make, as I am sure they will never stop. Lucky for me, the mishap did not ruin my night. After a few minutes with a hair blow dryer (Cuddles you are a genius!) I was able to return and dance the night away. There were plenty of pictures taken; I’ll have to post some of them later when I get copies.

Saturday, I spent the day at my “second job.” I can’t really call it work because it is more play for me then anything. I mean who can hate working with books. Even when working the cash register, I am happy to be there. We’ll see how much longer it lasts, though with the way I am about books, I doubt it will ever end. Or should I say, I hope it will never end!

Congratulations are in order…..

Wahoo for the Kent Hinkson Jr Family!!

I am happy to announce the newest addition to my ever growing clan.

My newest nephew joined our family this morning at about 1 am……
Kent Dee Hinkson III, weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz. and 18.5 inches long, had to be here in time to meet Tiana and me at Christmas.

As you can see he came into the world a screamer with a full head of hair.
Congrats to the proud parents!

The next day....

The day after I am sick is always the best day of my life. Have you ever noticed that? Sunday and Monday were rotten days. This morning was beautiful. The air was crisp and clear. You could smell the winter in it. The sun was shining. I feel good! I got to work and was happy to be here. It didn’t matter that I knew it would be an extremely busy day. I was just glad to feel good. To top it off…….Today’s calendar quote reads:

“I will not, under any circumstances, spend my precious time with a man who has already rejected me.”

So I guess I am no longer wondering whether or not to be friends with that “old friend”. Lol!

And this is the pic she wanted.....

Here is your Boo!

The Bells are ringing....

Tonight Kate and I took the time to enjoy the lights at the temple. We were specifically going to the Temple Visitors Center to listen to tonights bell choir. While there we walked the grounds and just enjoyed the peace and the lights. There is nothing greater then being able to enjoy the peace that can be found at the temple. The bell choir was fabulous. Making music is not a talent I have. Even in band I was last chair; well except for one day…I got to be second chair; unfortunately there were only 2 people in class that day. But there is something about music that resonates with me. Music seems to be a living thing, I love to listen and feel it. I have a hard time sitting still at concerts, tonight they even let us sing a long to a couple of the Christmas songs. I was completely content.

By the end of the evening, we had realized that the weeks fatigue had caught up with us. This made it a perfect time for me to watch one of Kate’s favorite movies. Therefore I can now say I have seen Wayne’s World. Interesting…to say the least. Fatigue definitely makes it funnier then I think it really is.

To answer a few questions which have come my way recently:

1) Yes, I have moved out of the house on Jenkins Lane.

2) I packed Tuesday and Wednesday then moved on Thursday.

3) Yes, that means my schedule has been a little crazy with very little sleep.

4) No, I do not have permanent housing at this time.

5) My belongings are being stored at various places

a. A special thanks to The Water Oaks Boys, the Leeland Ladies, and Boo. What more could a girl ask for then good friends.

6) I am currently staying with the Leeland Ladies and looking for something more permanent, so if you know of a place close to a metro please let me know.

I hope that answers everything. I am tired so I better go to bed before Time convinces me to buy a bunch of 70’s soft rock CD’s. ;)

G’Night

So a friend from my past decided to help me pack last night.
He was kind and sweet and funny.

He would like to be friends again.

Do I trust him?

I am too tired to decide for myself.

Isn't it Ironic......

I have gotten into the habit of reading the Express on my way to work in the mornings (I love taking the Bus!!) Ironically today's horoscope read:

You mustn't let a negative outlook keep you from trying, from experimenting, from moving forward. Do everything you can to maintain momentum.

Once in the office my quote calendar read:

"There's never a reason to shout at someone unless they are in imminent danger."

Just a little bit of irony in my world. I hope everyone had a good weekend. If anyone has time on Thursday night I am moving, and could use any help you can give! I'll treat to pizza after we are done, though we will have to go out for it. Lol!

Hmmmm.....

A friend sent me a fabulous quiz today. Lol. I found it rather ironic, especially since Boo posted THIS on Tuesday. Hee Hee Hee





Now that you have read all about me.... Is it true? Am I really the Rock Star? Any one actually understand my psyche? Lol! I sure don't!

.....Phew...

I would like to write something interesting. I would really like to write something that will make people laugh and smile and would help me remember what I have been thinking etc. these days. Too Bad!!

Today was the presentation that I have been working towards for the last month. There were a few hiccups this morning….a little embarrassment…..a little nervousness….but I survived. Now my brain is mush. Let’s hope I can actually get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow I start nights at Barnes and Nobles. Yeah for Book Money!!!

Grams has got cancer. Surgery is on the 7th.

She'll be fine.

Right?

Right.

Nothing to worry about.

She will be fine.

Home for the holidays

I spent most of this weekend tired. Someday I hope to get over this dragging feeling of fatigue but that is not today.

Thursday was nice; it was a quiet and enjoyable Thanksgiving with Amber. She crashed at my place Wednesday night and we were up early (okay 9ish is kind of early right?) to watch the Macey’s Day Parade. It was fun to just laze around in my pj’s and watch the floats and commentators. I even learned a few thanksgiving facts. Dinner was easy…. Amber made her homemade vegetable and chicken soup. No, it’s not traditional Thanksgiving Day fare, but man was it yummy. I know I’m not a cook but I did make pumpkin pie as a nod to the holiday. Might not have been the greatest pie ever but it wasn’t inedible. Boo was even kind enough to eat a piece. Lol!

Friday was spent in bed. Not as much fun as it sounds, when all I did was sleep with short bouts of reading in between.

Saturday was definitely a “Rachel Day”. I find it funny how easy I am. Amber and I headed into The District to take a tour through the National Spy Museum. Unfortunately, tickets were sold out until 2pm. So after purchasing our tickets for the 2 o’clock tour we decided to visit the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery; there was an exhibit on Josephine Baker that I was excited to see and Amber kindly indulged me. I am a loner when it comes to museums; I like to walk by myself slowly and I love to read the things that are posted. I loved the Portrait gallery; we spent hours in there. I got to see many of the exhibits. There was a fascinating one on the American faces of today and I enjoyed the Walt Whitman paintings. Especially the one where he seems to be laughing, not laughing at you but more laughing at something he has found in his head. Anyway, I finished off with Ms. Josephine Baker who was an amazing woman. After a quick bite and Amber’s favorite lunch spot, Potbelly’s, we headed over to take on our new identities at the Spy museum. As Greta and Angelina we learned…well many things, among them I would make a horrible spy. Lol! Amber is definitely Bond Girl material though. By the time we headed out of the district I was dragging, poor Amber let me crash for a bit at her place before we headed out to meet up with Nic for our last activity for the day. We closed our day with singing and dancing penguins on a giant screen. Yup, you guessed it. It was a showing of Happy Feet on the IMAX out at the Air and Space Museum. A movie that I enjoyed so much I will probably be seeing it again. And maybe I will even own it. (I have a secret love for musicals and for cartoons….put the two together and I am sunk. Lol!) Unfortunately, by the end of the movie I was wiped. Nic drove me home and I couldn’t even stay awake to read. And that is a good thing. Hopefully I have caught up on the sleep I need to get me through the week. It is going to be a doozy! I hope everyone else had an enjoyable Holiday Weekend!

Greatest Thanksgiving Quote....`

"Bond is like Ammon. He will never die.
It's like he's protected or Something."

Thanks Boo! We love you!

I am just a common mutt.....

I find it very interesting that there are 362,962 with my first name and 20,998 with my last name but there are only :

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 25 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Not my generation?

There is just something about listening to Jim Croce.
There is really no explanation.
But I love it!

I need something else at the top of my blog...

So I really have nothing to write except that I no longer want the top post to be my fears...So lets see.....

I have purchased my tickets to fly home for Christmas. I will only be home for 5 days. 2 of which will be spent in Idaho with my grandmother. I have many emotions about going home for the holidays. Most of which I don't wish to express here. (Hi Family...I love you!)
But I will say that I am a little excited to see my mountains covered in snow again. *sigh*

I'll try to think of something better to write later. But for now I am back to Open Enrollment.....

Post Secret....

I recently purchased The Post Secret books. I have spent the last couple of days reading these books off and on. It is amazing the secrets people have. I find that I am even more amazed at the courage these people have to share their secrets, notwithstanding the anonymity. Take a look. I hope that being able to share with others allows these people to get beyond the fear that they believe is holding them back.

Some one recently commented to me that this blog could make me sound intelligent....today I am afraid to write anything. What if everything I write from now on makes me sound like I am stupid?
And that is where these 2 themes converge. I decided to post my secret; maybe if I put it out there then it will not have such a hold on me.

I am afraid of being thought of as stupid. (Pause for dramatic effect)

Who knows where this fear comes from? Who cares? It is something that has been a problem all of my life. I know that when I speak my words never come out right. I stutter. My thoughts tend jumble when I get excited. I forget the word I want to use. I frequently mispronounce words. I know this doesn’t make me stupid. I know that I have a decent mind. My mother has always told me that I am dyslexic…if I am it is a mild case that I believe I have mostly defeated due to my voracious appetite for the written word. I was surprised by my elder brother recently when he commented that he was glad to realize I was a “deep thinker”. That was high praise to me, especially coming from this particular brother; he is extremely smart. (And no, he was not being condescending or unkind , it was a compliment.)

I know in my head that I am not stupid…Logic tells me so. But there you have it. My fear that I do not tell any one.

(Because everyone already knows that I am afraid of the dark and the things that go bump in the night!)

Great Waters?

So today's Fortune Cookie from my lunch said....

"You will soon be crossing the great waters."

Does the Great Salt Lake count as a one of the "Great Waters" and is Christmas considered "soon"? If so does this mean I have to go home for Christmas?

Sigh.....looks like it is inevitable....

Well family, get ready, I'll be home for Christmas!

My memory never serves.....

I saw the movie The Queen with Kate last night. I was excited to see the movie until I realized that I was thinking of a different movie. I had thought the movie was the Esther Movie (One Night with the King) but it was a movie of the british royal family at the time of Princess Di’s death.

Now, as you all know, I have a horrible memory; therefore my memories of the events of August 1997 are extremely hazy. I do remember that I was working on the housekeeping staff for Days Inn in Provo. My boss was very affected by the death of Diana, to the point that she listened to the play by play of the funeral on the tiny radio in her office. I remember that people we lauding the work that Diana had done with her various charities, almost painting her as a saint. I also remember that for some reason there was a great dislike of the Royal Family. The main thing I remember of that time is that I was shocked at the grandiose measures that were taken in regards to Diana’s death and the fame that was heaped upon her head for her charity work when a mere week later Mother Theresa died and it was a mere blip on the radar. A woman who dedicated her life to charity work, she even one the Nobel Peace Prize in ’79 for her work, but she was not as “important” as Di? But that is a diatribe to be written at another time.

Back to the reason for this post…..

Last night’s movie was a view sympathetic to The Queen. It causes one to empathize with her struggle at the time of Diana's death. I was impressed with the way she was portrayed. It gave her a very human feel as she tried to deal with all that is being thrown at her and realized that maybe she didn’t know what was best anymore. I was so intrigued in regards to what I did not know about her that I looked into it today.

I learned many interesting points……..such as did you know that Queen Elizabeth was a mechanic(technically titled a driver) during WWII? She is, so far, the only female member of the Royal Family to serve in the armed forces. Her first Prime Minister was Winston Churchill. She was called Lilibet as a child and was know for her sharp wit. At the age of 14 Elizabeth made her 1st broadcast addressing the children who had been evacuated due to the War (WWII)

Queen Elizabeth II is not a person I have ever thought much about therefore I had no real opinion of her. As I have read about her, I have created my opinion of her. She is a woman who amazes me. One that has done the best she could for herself and her people. I truly believe that she has devoted her life to the service of her people, as she pledged when she was a mere 21 years old. I am glad that I went to the wrong movie last night.

P.S. I promise to post the pics of last weeks wedding soon. It was an adventure and the Bride and Groom deserve to be celebrated.

Upoming Posts.....

I am waiting to blog about This weekend until I have pictures.....It shouldn't be long.

But until then....

Congrats to the Happy Couple Mr and Mrs Truman Hinkson!!!

Pass the screwdriver please

This weekend Erin was out of town so I had the house to myself again. I really like having roommates but every once in while I enjoy having an empty house. I didn’t want to go out so I slept late and hung around the house. Kate came over for a while. We went for a walk in my neighborhood. While it was beautiful outside and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere; this walk did nothing more then cement my belief that whoever created the roads in VA was severely disturbed (yet again a story for another time).

During a manic moment after our walk, I decided to rearrange and clean the common areas in our house. After moving the couch and small tables I learned our lamp would not stand straight. It only required a little tightening and I was onto the cleaning phase. Unfortunately the first thing that I noticed was that our vacuum was broken. There was no suction. This was a travesty; some things should suck when I want them to! A quick assessment proved that the hose was clogged. Not a big deal, I assumed it would be easily fixed. After about 15 or so minutes (it was really clogged, I should clean more often!) I realized that the clog was not the cause of the lack of suction. I sat down with a couple of screwdrivers and took the machine apart. I found and fixed the problem and then closed up the machine.

Now you might find me silly, but I actually had fun taking apart the vacuum and putting it back together. I had flashes of childhood memories. Helping my Dad put together the bunk beds when we moved to Utah, helping my grandfather build the playhouse in our back yard, fixing little things around the house. I remember my mother teasing me when I was 9 or 10 that I was going to grow up to be the family fix it woman. Lol! By the time I was 12 things had changed. Among them was the realization that fixing things required a coordination I do not possess. I quickly moved onto other things and became the family bookworm, a title I still hold. I rarely have reason to handle a screw driver or hammer any more but I still get a little thrill when I get to take something apart, especially when I can put it back together correctly. Lol!

Let me tell you a little story………

Once upon a time there was a young woman. We will call her….ummm… How about Rae. For various reasons Rae decided to move 2000 miles away from all of her family and friends. Upon arrival in her new land Rae knew no one, not one to make friends easily she was set to be very lonely. While sitting in the new member class her first Sunday, Rae caught a glimpse of two women, Steph and Boo, sitting at the very end of the long high council table. Steph and Boo were obviously already friends. They were laughing with each other over some irreverent comment Steph had made. (Really when is Steph not irreverent during church classes)
After Church that Sunday Rae approached Steph and Boo in hopes of finding a place to use a piano during the week (there is a long story for that which I will explain at another time). Alas there was not one available; but contact had been made. It is unclear when the friendship between these women started. It seems to have just happened. A fourth woman joined them, Gwen, and they became R.A.G.S. By summer time there were together all of the time. They sat together at church, they attended parties together, they went to the movies and they had dinners together. By fall, when Rae wanted to change jobs, she had Steph take over her old one. Then 2 months later when Rae lost her new job, Steph was the one to help her get back on with her old company.
Among the three of them there were boy troubles, and friend troubles, there were musicals, and birthdays, there were Christmas parties and Halloween costumes, deaths of family members and friends, classes starting, jobs ending, new jobs and new apartments. In a short 22 months they have run the gamut of experiences and emotions. Gwen was the first to withdraw from the group. She suddenly became a world traveler and after a couple of quick jaunts to Europe decided to settle in Utah. Now there are changes on the wind again. The remaining trio is breaking up. . Steph is leaving us. Things will never be the same.

A little of everything.....

No wonder I can never make up my mind! I am apparently a little bit of it all. Now if only I could get to London to feel like I fit in.........

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Out of Focus...

I am supposed to be working....How do normal people do this?

Here I sit in my office; I have a pretty nice office if I do say so myself. It is rather spacious, with two desks, though I am in here all alone. There is no window, yes sad I know but I have a great corkboard that I have had a lot of fun pinning various things to. Focus….

So here I sit in my office. I have lots of work to do. We are finally allowed to start recruiting again and HR is all abuzz with recruitment efforts. I love this part of my job. There is a hole to be filled and it is my job to find the person to fill it. It is an organizational thing, I have to read through resumes, co-ordinate interviews, gather and then report on all feedback; all to find the one personal with the right personality, skills and experience to fill the position that we need filled. Focus….

Again….. Here I sit in my office, with lots of work to do, and ready to work. I even turned on my iTunes to set the work phase. I have the most eclectic taste. My music will play Il Divo one moment and then Missy Elliot the next. I have Show tunes, Otis Redding and Monsters of Rock (80’s) which can be followed by Death Cab For Cutie, Radio Disney or Michael McLean. I love to put my music on random and see what comes up. It makes no sense, I know but it is the way I am. I like too many different things to be locked into one category. Focus….

Now Again……Here I sit in my office, ready to work, with lots of work to do, and the inability to focus on my responsibilities. I seem to do this often, Am I always like this? I don’t honestly know. I thought I was good at focusing. I can be single minded when reading a book and not even notice what is around me. But here I don’t focus well; there are always things that get in my way. This is driving me nuts!

Here is a quick glimpse:
Today is Wednesday…Wednesday…..Yoga Class…..I forgot my yoga clothes…..maybe I will not take the next set of yoga classes….what if I asked Kate to walk the National Mall with me after work. We could go in the evenings after work…we could even meet on The Mall to save us time……Print Job Descriptions……I hate the way that is worded if we change this just a touch….That sounds better I should get the okay here in a minute and then it can be posted……Good Song……New recruiting website to look at….I wonder if the cork board is up so I can post flyers in the basement kitchen…………Hmmm….I might be getting hungry….good thing I brought lunch…I am glad I cooked last night…….I wonder if Nessa could mail me the bridesmaid dress so I can try it with the shoes…maybe I need to have it fitted…Oh crap I have to find out if I need a liner for the shirt…email Nessa on list of things to do!.....

Etc…Etc….Etc….It never ends….Maybe now that I have gotten all the garbage out of my brain I will be able to focus.

Wish me luck….

....Did you know that to walk around the National Mall is 3 miles? Yeah for walking...I love to walk... Arrgghhh FOCUS!

My big Sister

I have an amazing sister. I am not going to share any details of my week. It has been an emotional one for my family and the experiences are not mine to share. I would like to share something I have learned though.

I have an amazing big sister. T is just over a year older then I am; we grew up together. We lived together. We were raised by the same parents. We went to the same church and schools. We were taught the same gospel principles. We are completely different people. Neither of us are bad people, as a matter of fact, I think we are both pretty good people. I am constantly amazed by my big sister. This week she has taught me the meaning of love. I am not talking the romantic love. Romantic love has many faces and I have even seen some of them. But this week I have watched my sister, in the midst of her grief, think of others. She has comforted and worried over everyone, even those that most people are not as considerate of. I have listened to her answer various tactless questions with patience and kindness. I have watched her interact with people who treated her with much less respect and kindness then she deserved. She never allowed it to effect her, she never once let others idiocy change her treatment of them. There was always understanding and caring. At least that is the face she presented to me and the world, even though I know that some of the comments were very hurtful. Not one person there could ever doubted her kind heart or genuine love for each person.

Again, I have an amazing big sister.

Love you Sis!

Sunday Pot Luck

I know I said I would be taking a break but I am feeling the need to write. Who knows why but this is what you are stuck with.

It is Sunday. I am at Nick’s house tonight, at least for the next couple of hours or so. This seems to be a weekly occurrence. My friends love football, they love food and they love when we put these things together. As it is football season, we gather every Sunday at one house or another for football, food, and games. Sometimes I even offer my home.

Personally, I am not a fan of football. I am usually a person that needs other people around. One of my favorite things to do is go with my friends and sit in the background reading a book or typing on my computer as I am today. I figure it is part of nurture not nature. I grew up in a family that more often then not is loud and obnoxious, with children running everywhere, lots of laughter and lots of food. Of course there are also moments where we are all occupied with our own things. We could each be found in a different room reading a book, playing computer, or just working quietly; each with the knowledge we weren’t alone. Maybe it is different for my siblings but I realize that I do not do well all alone. I need the knowledge that there are others around even if I am not interacting with them. Then should I want to actually talk to someone or join in a conversation I can, but I am not required to (except when Steph forces me to but that only happens when I am too antisocial for too long)

Hence, I like football season even if I don’t know anything about football and have no desire to learn anything about it.

I always liked Baby got Back......

This one gave me a needed chuckle..
Baby got book

Taking a break due to Family Issues...

I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

LIkes....

There was an interesting comment made last night. One of the girls mentioned that I happen to like guys with less then normal social skills. I believe the comment was I have to “knock the physics books out of their hands” to get them to pay attention to me. I thought about this and ironically enough, I don’t think it’s their social skills I am attracted to. I think it is the fact that they use their brains, there is something that is such a turn on about a man that can carry a conversation with my face.

Mornings....

I am not a real energetic person in the mornings. I am not one to jump out of bed ready and rarin' to go. It is never going to happen. I’ll admit that I love the morning; there is something peaceful in knowing that so far your day has no mistakes in it. The look and smell of morning is amazing; I love sleeping with my window open in the fall so I can wake up to the smell of crisp mornings. But getting going early is not in me. I like to wake up slowly. I plan my wardrobe from my bed. What is the point of getting up if you don’t know what you are going to wear? Once out of bed there is a nice hot shower and puttering around the house in the morning quiet before I am off to the office. All of this is done at leisurely pace, of course. Once at work I struggle, I know that come afternoon I will work like a mad woman, but until then I can’t seem to focus. I can’t seem to concentrate. This morning I am supposed to be working on a presentation for Wednesday. Instead I am staring at the screen of my computer drawing a complete blank.

Well back to the struggle……

I'm A Big Kid Now!

It is just about 1 am here. I am awake. This might be because I slept most of today, If Erin and I hadn’t had tickets to Toby Keith I am not sure I would have even gotten up. Which considering I am up at 1 am could have been a good thing. But that is another story entirely. The concert was good, I liked most of the songs, but realize as open minded as I think I am, I am really a prude when it comes to certain things. We met some nice people, some not so nice people, and one creepy older gentleman whose staring gave both of us the heebie jeebies.

Tonight I am blogging because I am missing my family; specifically my younger brother Paul.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULIWOG!

Paul is the 1st half brother born to my mother and step father. I now have 3 half brother and 3 half sisters from both of my parent’s second marriages. Today I was trying to figure out Paul’s age; I couldn’t remember the year he was born so I had to think back to how old I was when he was born. He was born in the first year of my mother’s second marriage. I turned 12 the June after my mother married and Paul was born 4 months later in October.

Therefore he is 15 years old today.

There are only a few things I remember from when he was born. Someone standing in the Kitchen of the house in Provo, talking on the phone with Kent just after Paul was born to tell us his stats and what they had decided to name him (Was it Gretchen on the phone? Tiana? Ralph? Someone help me out, I can’t seem to remember?).Mom was in that tiny hospital room. And a month or so later all of us in white going to the temple to see Paul sealed to Mom and Kent. I wish I could remember more.

Paul is a nice mix of our two families. He has the famous temper that Ian and I share but he keeps it locked down tight; which is pretty impressive for a kid his age. He loves to read; as a matter of fact I try to send him a new book every birthday and Christmas (sorry this time it is late but I don’t know what series you are on now.) He has a wicked sense of humor that comes out at the oddest moments. He has the Hinkson build which is great for runners and he loves the computer. He can be really thoughtful and sweet. He has been playing the frech horn for 2 years now (he plays the theme song to Star Wars and Indiana Jones!!) He is also taking French classes (like me and Tallie instead of Spanish like the other 9 siblings in our family) He is an amazing kid; though I guess technically he is a young man now. I miss being able to see him all the time, knowing how his classes at school and church.

So this one is for you Paul! I miss you kid! I Love you! I hope you had a fabulous birthday!!

Love your Big Sister

Rachel

Hmmmm.....

People who find their way to my blog via a google search interest me greatly. The hit I get the most is looking for "a day when everything went wrong". Sadly that post is not one of my best. It wasn't even the worst day I have had in the last year. Though I remember feeling completely overwhelmed and frustrated at the time I blogged.

That this particular post is googled so often has made me contemplative. There are some horrendous days in our lives. The Fridays (as Elder Wirthlin called them) will come. Tonight I am going to be grateful that my "Friday" was an exploding bottle of perrier, a few drops of blood on the floor, a couple of trips up and down the stairs, and a backhanded compliment about my hair.

Milk is of the Devil

Saturday Tiana, Heather and I bought 2 gallons. We had to be sure we had enough for people coming over on Sunday. Ironically we didn't even drink half a gallon. So what am I going to do with a gallon and a half of milk when I do not even drink it any more? And to top that off, Steph Just brought over another full gallon. Heaven Help me. I am drowning in Milk. Agggghhhhh.....gurggle...gurggle....glub...glub...glub

Nothing really to say today......

I felt the need to blog today, but had no idea what to write. So here I sit, at 11 pm on a Monday night, trying to figure that out. There were a few interesting things that happened today.

I was finally able to ship the company package to our employee that was called up. Frank is currently in Iraq. It is amazing to see people respond to the call for support. Last Monday the email went out that we were sending another package to Frank. Under great duress Frank had created a list of things that he and his buddies could use over there. Our employees were given the opportunity to contribute money or drop something by my office to be put in the package. By Thursday I had received almost 200 dollars. Items from the list have been dropped off daily in duplicate and triplicate. Today I shipped 3 boxes that all together weighed over 65 pounds. That didn’t include the items that we saved so we can send them to Frank for Thanksgiving. People want to help, they just don’t know how. Give them specific instructions and they will jump at the chance.

I also came to a realization about myself today. Not anything new or exciting, as a matter of fact people have been telling me this for years. I have been telling myself for years but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a shock when it hits me again. I am a very opinionated person. (Yes I know that made my family and close friends laugh, thanks for your support. Lol! :P ) I always view myself as someone who can let people make their own choices and tell me there opinions and not get upset. Recently I have found that I have a few nerves that can cause me to shout. I don’t think there are many, but pick just one of my hot topics and I can lecture for hours, usually in a loud voice, about how I am right. I do not believe that is a good way to act, I should be able to be calm. I am (*gasp*) like my mother in this way, the warrior for the underdog. Each one of my “nerves” involves innocent bystanders. The hottest ones are when the choices of one person, either directly or indirectly, affect the lives of others in a negative way; especially when the innocent is a child. It seems to be knee-jerk reaction, one I will now spend a considerable amount of time trying to control. At least I will try to get it down to a level where I am not shouting any more. It gets rather embarrassing when I get all hot about a topic in a restaurant and half the people there are listening to me rant and looking at me like I am nuts. It’s just another step on the ladder of making Rae a normal person. Lol! I hope everyone had a good Monday!

1 year and counting.....

One year ago today I started my blog. No one else read it at that time; I just wanted a place to pour out the thoughts that would never quiet in my head. I have always had a fear of rejection and abandonment; that once people knew what I actually thought they would run screaming into the night. Lol! I did finally let Steph and The Professor read and now I have a couple of people who check in every now and then. If nothing else now I know what I did over the last year.

So this day has been remembered. Now I am going to bed! G’Night

Quote of the Day:
DON'T WASTE THE PRETTY
(If he won't appreciate it find someone who will)

Saturday night at the church....

The following post is very long. It is not often that I post my feelings on my religion; it is something that I hold close to my heart and feel inadequate trying to explain. But after this weekends meetings I felt the need to write. Feel free to skip reading this one.


The lights in the chapel are dim. The pews are filled with women of all ages; mothers and daughters, grandmothers and friends. There is the dull roar of chatter as these women catch up on what has been happening since they were last together. I arrive a few minutes early with Erin and Boo. The room quiets as the pre-conference presentation starts and we are given a glimpse into the life of our remarkable prophet through a series of photographs. Our presenters tell of their journey around the world following President Hinkley. The pictures are wonderful. But that is not what we are here for. Finally 8 pm comes…. The conference center in Salt Lake is projected onto the screen and we see women in brightly colored blouses singing a hymn. Women’s conference starts. The Theme is 2nd Nephi 1:15 “...and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love.” It is not a smooth beginning; Murphy’s Law requires that there be a technical difficulty right in the middle of the second hymn. Though, again, as beautiful as the music is, that is not what we are here for.

Sister Parkin starts to speak and the reason we have all given up our Saturday night has arrived. We are given the opportunity to listen to the Relief Society leaders of our church. This opportunity comes once a year, and every year I am tempted to skip this meeting. Then as I sit in the dark listening to the words of the Lord for the women of his church, I am reminded why I attend. There is something peaceful in the bond that is built between the women of our church. None of us are the same, yet we are all connected by the bond of Relief Society, something I cannot articulate and even if I could I doubt the world would ever understand.

As the conference progresses my thoughts and feelings are unexplainable; they tumble through my head so fast that I cannot get them all down on paper. Some I am able to capture others I reference in my notes so that I might think on them later. One of these is the question posed by Sister Parkin; “How do you feel the Lord’s love in your life?” I would like to answer this question; if for no other reason then to remind myself.

There are so many ways I feel His love, as a matter of fact, many times a day my friends and co-workers will hear me flippantly say, “God loves me.” I do sincerely recognize how blessed I am. One of the greatest blessing the Lord has given me is my ability to find joy in small things. I live in a city which enables me to get around without a car. On a regular day, I get to walk to the metro station. This takes me about twenty-five to thirty minutes. I love the chance I get to walk in the mornings before sunrise or at night as the sun is setting; there is a feeling that is indescribable. I find His love in the beauty that surrounds me at any given time. The sky can be cloudy and a foreboding grey or it can be clear and a crystal blue. There can be rain or snow, humidity or dry air, beautiful sunshine or twinkling starlight. Regardless of weather I am reminded that this world was created for us, His children. The beauty is awe-inspiring. And as I walk I usually listen to music, it varies according to my mood. It doesn’t have to be a hymn for music to touch your heart. Bach, Beethoven, or even the National Anthem can bring a skip to my step just as quickly as a pop or country song. I have not been gifted with the talent of creating music, but I have been given the blessing of enjoying music. I consider this to be an amazing show of the Lord’s love for me. Not everyone can allow music to transport them to another place. Life is not always comfortable and to be able to find peace and solace in music is an amazing blessing.

There are many other ways that I feel the love of the Lord, but already this blog is too long and I feel too vulnerable. Suffice to say, I am blessed with a large, boisterous and complex family, a wonderful group of friends and a firm knowledge of the sacrifice of my Savior. I will be forever grateful to know that I can be encircled in the arms of His love and that He will not leave me.

The Cap'n Mad Dog Flint at your service:

Thanks to Shaka, I now know that "Talk like A Pirate Day" was yesterday! I know I missed it but I had to post this....I mean come on, how many times are you going to find out that I am "part crazy, part mangy, and ALL rabid".

My pirate name is:

Mad Dog Flint

Part crazy, part mangy, all rabid, you're the pirate all the others fear might just snap soon. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Or that I could be THE CAP'N....

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.

What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

The results are in.....

For those that were worried the tests prove......

That I have a Brain!!

Who knew? Lol!

On a more serious note, the tests came back normal.
What ever the issue is, it is not in my brain. So we are back to square one.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Here's hoping that the doctors know where to go from here.

Tribute to Utah

I might never be to keen on moving back home but every so once in a while something comes along that makes me chuckle. Enjoy!

Today I am in a pensive mood.

I would love to just sit on my couch at home, turn on a bit of Jazz or some nice moody Blues music and stare out the window and just let my minds wander. I could even take some time and read a good book. ;) Unfortunately, this is not possible. First, and foremost, because I have to go to work. Secondly, because I am not feeling well so I would probably fall asleep if I were to do this. Bummer!

It seems that this week seems to be one of deep thoughts and music that winds through the soul. It goes well with the grey rainy days that are outside. I hope every one is enjoying it as much as I am.

How much am I worth these days......

I'm always curious.....

My blog is worth $1,693.62.
How much is your blog worth?

If you commonly come to my blog you might have noticed a block that appeared on the bottom of the right column a couple of months ago. I become a part of a tribute to the victims of 9/11. I have thought about today’s blog off and on since July. I have tried to learn about Robert D Pugliese from East Fishkill, NY. I do not know much of this man who lost his life that dark day in September five years ago. He was the assistant Vice President of Marsh and McLennon Companies Inc. I know he had a daughter named Lisa who was in college at the time. That isn’t a whole lot.

So what do I write? Along with everyone else in the country I have been thinking about what I was doing that morning. I was living with my family in Orem, UT. I was working 2 jobs at the time while preparing to leave for my mission. That morning my uncle had been watching the morning news in his room as usual; he came running upstairs to turn on the news for us. I only had a few minutes watch before I had to rush off to my morning job at the MTC. I watched the second plane crash into one of the towers and was in shock. I spent the short drive to work wondering what was going on. At the MTC, rumors were running wild. No one knew what was really happening. There was no TV allowed, no radios, no idea what was really happening. But we heard of missionaries stranded in airports around the country. It was un-nerving and frightening. By 10 am I was heading to my second job. I expected this to be the easier of two. I was temping for a company as an admin assistant. Unfortunately, 2 of our men were in New York, one even on the same block as the Towers. I was finally able to learn more about what was happening. Talk about shock and fear. Who would do something like this? I was soon fielding frantic calls from the two wives. There was nothing we could tell these women. No one knew how to contact our guys. Their phones weren’t working. No one knew where they were. I was more then grateful to pass them on to the VP I was assisting. I don’t remember much of the rest of that day.

So why am I remembering this? What do I find so important about that day five years ago? That day taught me what I valued most in this life. I was itching to get out to the mission field. I wanted to tell people that this life was not the end. I wanted people to know that there is something after this life; that those that lost a loved one that horrible day (or any other day before and since) would have the chance to see them again. I wanted to spend as much time with my family as I could, to make sure they knew I loved them. We had already been through so much as a family; I wanted each member to know that I loved them and would always love them. That day showed me that the most important things in my life can be summed up in 2 things; God and Family. I do not know what I would do with out either one.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of those that did not get to come home that day five years ago.

~Rae~

Finally....someone who will agree with my mother...sort of. ;)

I promise to try to blog this weekend. All of the testing is finally finished. I should have my test results by next Thursday. I'll let y'all know what the neurologist says then.

So to tie you over until I blog here is the latest quiz I was sent from the girls at Team Ten!

If only life were this easy.

The Regency Romance Quiz: What kind of Romance Heroine are you?

My dear girl, you are clearly On the Shelf. You are unmarried and in your mid-twenties. You are intelligent and sensible, but quiet, and consider yourself plain. You have had several Seasons, but never received an offer, or perhaps you refused the offers you received. The reason for this is that you have always loved the man you danced with shortly after you came out at 18. He, of course, never returned your affections, or even knew about them, and is probably courting your sister. Nevertheless, he always seems to like you, and treats you much as he treats his sisters. Your love for him is immediately evident to everyone else, especially his sister, aunt or mother, who think you are the best possible wife for him. This attitude may prove either helpful or difficult, depending on how much the author likes you. When an accident befalls, your calm practicality and ability to stitch up wounds impresses him, and all of a sudden he finds himself noticing the way your smile transforms your face, lighting your eyes and making you quietly beautiful. His interest and appreciation will quickly turn to love, but he will have to spend the rest of the novel trying to convince you that his affection is genuine and not a result of pity.
Take this quiz!

Some days seem to never end.

I'll blog something positive another day. Until then....

Daniel Powter

Working from home.....

So this morning I woke to stage three of the dizziness cycle. (For Clarification: Stage one is dizzy spell, stage two is nausea and stage three is the shakiness). Now depending on the severity of these stages depends on the severity of the dizzy spell. Last night's dizzy spell was pretty bad. So when I woke this morning the shaking was pretty bad too. I was a little worried about trying to walk the 15 minutes to catch the bus so I called in sick to work. Not that that stopped the calls to me. It really didn't bother me; as a matter of fact, it made me feel needed. I finally gave up trying to sleep when I realized I wouldn't fall back asleep. The cicadas outside my window are really loud. I figured if I had to be home I might as well work while I could. Thank heavens I brought home my laptop.

Between my laptop and my cell phone I can do almost everything I need to. I have never worked from home before so this is a new experience for me. I now realize the joy of working in my PJ's. There is just something about knowing that you don't have to shower and get dressed that makes the day nicer. No makeup or even a bra if you don't want! You can crank your music as loud as you want and eat when ever you feel like it. I have spent the afternoon finishing all of my projects. It is really nice.

So here it is 3:20 pm and the shakiness is almost completely gone, down to just a slight jittery feeling. I can't tell you how good that feels to me. I think I might even go for a walk.

(Kristin if you are reading this, I promise it will be a short one and if I get weak I will call for a ride. I promise!)

On an upsetting note...

I go in for my first MRI tomorrow. They are going to check my brain to make sure that there is nothing visibly wrong there. They will also do a test for a rare type of seizures. (Steph could probably explain it more than I can) This morning I thought I was doing well. I really thought that maybe that this was all in my head. Maybe I am causing these things to be happening to me. ( I used to have the same thoughts when I was sick as a missionary) It was driven home to me that this is my current reality when during my yoga class I had a dizzy spell that worried not only my boss but also my yoga instructor.
Maybe I should be taking this more seriously. But why should I if the doctors do not know what is wrong with me? What is the point of getting all worked up over an unknown. I figure, sooner or later we all have to die. It's not like we won't see each other again. And that is the end of my morbid rant. Good night all, I am going to sleep off the nausea from this evenings dizzy spell.

Family

So I went home last week. My brothers mission farewell was Sunday. I flew home Friday night and arrived just after 2 am on Saturday morning. The day was full of interesting
things.

It started with a short walk and a chance to see my big brother Kent's new lawn and his family Garden.

This was followed by a fabulous lunch with Meg, William, and Sarah. Some days the most fun can be had with old friends and a restaurant full of memories.

After lunch I got a chance to watch Lukas play Soccer. My Goose has been playing soccer for almost 2 years now. While I have had a chance to watch a couple of practices, this is my first game. It is also the first game of the season. It rained a nice cold rain for the first half which was followed by a sunny and hot second half. The Hillcrest Hawks (Lukas' Team) won 4-0 I think. I got kind of lost in the middle of the game. I should really pay more attention.


Goose had the largest fan base on the sidelines. But then again with our numbers how could he not.

Dinner was Pizza and Kentucky Fried Chicken on our front lawn. There was lots of laughter and fun. Afterwards I went for Coldstone with Truman and Vanessa. It was nice to meet Trumans Fiance. I am excited for their wedding. It should be great. Vanessa is great. She is sweet and nice, all the things I hope for Truman.

Sunday was full of people and fun. Hugh's talk was great. He really is a talented speaker. Mom and Cynthia set up a fine spread for the Open House. Ian was able to come home a day early, giving me a chance to visit with him.

All in all it was a great chance for me to talk with all of my siblings. Lukas, gave me lots of hugs, and asked that I move back home again. I told him that wasn't possible and we had a talk about him coming out for a visit one of these days. I think it would be fun. Now all I need is our parents permission. Hopefully Paul, James, and Goose can all come for a visit.

I think one of my favorite parts of the trip was the chance to finally meet Sean Micheal Gifford. My first nephew. He was born at the beginning of January and this was my first chance to meet him. I was thrilled to be able to hold him and rock him to sleep.What more fun could you ask for?

The Day Everything Went Wrong.....

*****Warning*****

*****Written Poorly. Read at your own risk. I'm too tired to care*****

The morning started off right. I woke up at 6:30; my roommate had lost her morning alarm so I said I would wake her. After waking her I made a serious error. I got back in bed! It was only for 15 minutes which somehow turned into 50 minutes. (It could have something to do with the repeated late nights and strenuous lifting of the move.) After a hurried prep of 12 minutes we were in the car and on our way to the Metro. I thought I had barely caught my bus, but I was wrong. I could have sworn it said #425, apparently it read #427. Not completely bad, it was just a short walk (about 15 minutes) so I was only about 20 minutes late to work, and then of course I dropped a glass bottle in the kitchen here. A bottle of Perrier that explode upon impact. Of course while cleaning it up I cut myself. It is small but bled enough to leave drops on the floor. It seems it never ends….I kept forgetting the things I needed down stairs so I was up and down the stairs 3 separate times this morning. And then I got pinged by a gentleman that has not talked to me in months. (Good? Bad? ) And now, I was just told by a co-worker that I look like the old Raggedy Anne Doll...”All red curly hair going everywhere” (his exact words). And it is only 11:20 in the morning. It is going to be a long day.

I have to clean my old room tonight to prep for the new girl moving in, I need to finish unpacking, and then make sure I am packed for this weekend. It is going to be a long night.

Is it over yet...........

So today I am covering the front desk for the morning. I figure since I have the time to write I might as well. So here are the updates on my life.

“The Move” Update:
The move has been started. I am moving closer to the metro. Erin and I will live in this house for the next 11 months. It is shaping up to be quite nice for me. I have my own room, my own bathroom, a fully furnished kitchen (which is beautiful) and shorter walk to and from the metro.
I packed completely last night. I even moved a carload of boxes to the new house with Kate’s help. I probably should have planned a bit more carefully when I was choosing what would go to the new house. Necessities should not have gone. But some of them did, and I had to scramble to make sure I could get ready for work this morning. Hopefully the furniture will be moved tonight and I can spend my first night in my new house.

“Health” Update:
The dizzy spells still happen once or twice a day, though they have lessened in severity. I am very grateful, today was my deadline day. It should have been over by now. My doctor will be referring me to a neurologist to find out what is going on. Yay, for more doctors’ appointments. Apparently 4 appointments in 3 weeks are not enough for me.
My emergency visit to the dentist last Friday resulted in a referral to an oral surgeon. I have broken a tooth. After the surgeon I will have to go back to my dentist for some major repair work. Aren’t I excited? Can’t you see me smiling from ear to ear?
As a side note I have never been more grateful for Medical/dental insurance; especially a high deductible medical plan in which my company pays my deductible. There is always a silver lining, right?

Family Update:
My brother Hugh has recovered from his bout of the shingles. He will be entering the Provo MTC in one week from today. This Sunday is his Farewell talk in church. I will be flying in to SLC Sat @ 2 am so that I can attend church with the family. I will then be flying home Sunday night at 11 pm so that I can be at work Monday morning.

All in all…..
I wish it were September.

Hope everyone else is having a better August then I am. This has become the Month from Hell!

"Marian the Librarian, at your service...Shhh"

Apparently everyone realizes that I should be a librarian. Now if only I could get back to school. Some day.....*sigh*

Your Career Personality: Idealistic, Service-Oriented, and Future-Oriented

Your Ideal Careers: Alternative health practitioner Architect Environmental lawyer Librarian Magazine editor Museum curator Novelist Nutritionist Photo journalist Playwright

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

Welcome to the family.............

I know I have not been posting any good stuff recently. The only excuse is I haven't been feeling well. Life now consists of work, visits to the doctor and the dentist (as of yesterday), sleeping and reading. So on to the Farkledunkons....

My younger brothers Paul and James started a chain of emails with my family. One in which we all received a new name. I of course am Goober Farklebreath, is that not a fabulous name. It has been humorous to me to see all of my family respond. I am now giving you the new names of my various siblings. (We are missing many as they have not yet figured out their new name.)

The real names have not been given to protect the innocent. Hee Hee Hee

Enjoy!

The following are the fabulous members of my family...

Sleazy Farkledunkon

Dipsy Farkledunkon

Snickle Farklebreath

Boobie Chickendoodle Farkledunkon (my second favorite)

Sloopy Farkledukon

Boobie Farklebreath Dippintush (My all time favorite!)

Sloopy Chucklefanny Farkledukon +1

(couldn’t have 2 with the exact same name)

Sneezy Chucklefanny

Sleazy Chucklefanny

We are quite the crowd. ;)

Tagged again.......

Here's the latest Tag....

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your LJ/blog along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.
6. Tag five people.
(Steph's Paragraph)

"Finally the girl said, in that same strange tone, "I see deer--a great herd of deer, and a man among them with his body painted--they put the antlers on him--oh, he is down, they will kill him--" Her voice trembled and again Viviane passed her hand above the surface of the water, and the ripples passed over the surface. "Enough," she commanded.

(me)
"He turned to the agent next to him.
"Take four men and search the road and brush. Don't take chances. These are criminals who---What the hell is that?"

I tag...ummm whois left to tag?

The Professor.............Did anyone get Sherpa yet? Tiana?

I am out of names.

Hey T.....Can you send me your blog address again. I lost it. :)

Quote of the evening....

There is just something about live music that seeps into the soul. I live it. I could listen for hours. And tonight I did. It has been a long night, which started and ended with a headache. But even that couldn't overcome the excitement of seeing the Dorothy and her friends follow the Yellow Brick Road on their way to see the Wizard. Tonight I saw the Wizard of Oz on the big screen at The Wolftrap. This was not just any showing of the Wizard of Oz. Tonight they removed the music from the movie and had the National Symphony Orchestra play it live. It was amazing. I loved it.

Though tonight's quote comes from the ride home when Amber got lost in the conversation. No one but those in the car will find it funny, but I told them I would blog it....therefore:

"I thought you said your foot was swollen, now I feel dirty."

Boo, we love you!

Tagged

People keep reminding me that I was tagged. Alright already. Here is my response.....Enjoy

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Italian and Cesear are the fall back dressings, but I like to try just about anything....

What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
I don't have one.....They all have their moments.

What is your favorite sit down restaurant?
The Sushi joint in Vienna where we used to go to lunch.
Hey Steph what is the name of that place?

On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
between 20% and 25%.

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Chicken and Cheese Rice Bake, or Ghetto Chicken Parmesean

Name three foods you detest above all others.
Icky Sauce (sorry Mom), and cooked fish: Halibut and Salmon particularly

What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant?
Dumplings

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Mushrooms, Sausage and Cheese

What do you like to put on your toast?
butter and peach jam

What is your favorite type of gum?
Winterfresh or spearamint

Number of contacts in your cell phone?
133- but 1 is my grandpa who passed away at Christmas time, I haven't the heart to delete it.

Number of contacts in your e-mail address book?
Which email account. I have 3 and only some of the address are in more then one account.
Lets just say there are plenty of contacts.

What is your wallpaper on your computer?
My familys laughing picutre

What is your screensaver on your computer?
Don’t have one

Are there naked pictures saved on your computer?
Only half naked. Sorry

How many land line phones do you have in your house?
0

How many televisions are in your house?
3

What kitchen appliance do you use the most?
microwave...cuz I can't cook

What is the format of the radio station you listen to the most?
my alarm is a country station. Otherwise I listen to my iPod.

What do you consider to be your best physical attribute?
I would have said my hair but I cut it all off. So maybe...my eyes?

Are you right handed or left handed?
Right

Do you like your smile?
Depends on the day

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
not anything that I can comment on here.

Would you like to?
yet again pleading the 5th

Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom?
Of course, what is life with out a book in your hand.

Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
Not touch, not hearing is off, not sight is horrible, taste is preety good. But I think smell is probably the keenest, especially when I don't feel well.

When was the last time you had a cavity?
Today, Tomorrow, Forever

What is the heaviest item you lift regularly?
Cases of Soda...though Steph says my backpack weighs more then any case of soda.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Not that I can recall

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Ignorance is Bliss

If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?
Larrissa...cuz then I would be able to fulfill my fathers dream to be called Larissa the Pissa

How do you express your artistic side?
I don't, it is a scardy-cat

What color do you think you look best in?
Peaches, and the right color blue

How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison?
It would depend upon my "alliances"

Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
Please clarify...this could be incriminating

If we weren't bound by society's conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at?
Not really

How often do you go to church?
Define Often. Eveyr so Often.

Have you ever saved someone's life?
Not that I know of but who knows.

Has someone ever saved yours?I do believe there was an Incident were a home teacher had to pull a chicken bone out of my throat

Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
That’s just one of the many things I would do for that much cash.

Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Do I have to use Tongue?

Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
I like all of my fingers personally

Would you never blog again for $50,000?
Depends on my mood when the money was offered

Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
When we have sno-cones in Hell

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Probably not, I do not like pain. Give me a year or two to work my way up to a whole bottle.
Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000?
Probably, Though I do like the hair on my head.

Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?
If I could go to the movies still I would be okay.

Who do you tag?
The Professor, Steph, Gwen