What I wish my world looked like......

So there is a lot going on today. At least, Not much I want to talk about in a public forum such as this.
But I did find this in my inbox today. So I thought I would share.

If I had my way, all my libraries would look like the ones in Kansas and Missouri!!

It is the end of an era.............

8 years ago at the end of a summer temple trip in Salt Lake, my church group had a chance meeting with our beloved Prophet. Pres Hinckley was just leaving the temple as we were finishing and took the time to greet each of us and talk to our group for just a moment. It is one of my favorite memories. One I hope to share with my grandkids one day...the day I got a hug from the Prophet of our church.


Tonight, that beloved man passed from this life into the next. While it was not quite unexpected, he was 97 after all, it is still a shock to the system.
I know that things have a purpose and a reason. That things will go forward. There will be a new Prophet called; the Lord's work will progress. But for now the members of the LDS faith will mourn the passing of this great man. My heart aches at the thought of Pres Hinckley not being the prophet. This man that has played such a role in my life and faith, he was the prophet when I graduated high school, he was the prophet when I went on my mission. I have been listening to his words of wisdom and allowing them to guide me through the difficult decisions of my 20's.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his remaining family.

But regardless of the sorrow, my main thoughts are centered on the fact that he is now reunited with those he has lost so recently. Especially the reunion with his sweetheart, Sister Marjorie Hinckley. What better joy can be found in the thought of their reunion.

So here ends another day at the office.....

On to the GREAT news……

Today is Tiana’s birthday…..


It is the big _ _!!! (I can’t actually give out her age on the web. I wouldn’t want her to hurt me. )







This is my big sister…


One of the few people who actually understand what our childhood was like because she lived it with me. Lol!




She understands the draw of Virginia….even if she did transfer her allegiance to Texas, she started here. Lol!

She is the one who I can call and talk to…..about anything. Good and bad.

Happy Birthday Sis! I hope it is a great one! You deserve all the happiness that can possibly come your way!

I don’t feel good…

I know, I know I say that all the time. But really...

My face is flushed.
My eyes burn.
My nose is running.
I’m tired (when aren’t I?).
I can’t settle or focus.

Worst of all:
I am cranky!

I hate when I am cranky. I feel like a 4 year old. Small things irritate me and I want to close the door and tell everyone to go away.

It is a sign…I need to be sent to my room for awhile. Unfortunately that is only the punishment for children. Adult punishment is not being able to go to your room. Lol!

Only 6 more hours of the work day and I can go home and hide for the night.

*End Rant*

Do I know me?

What Rachel Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I don't think these people know me very well.....on the other hand....maybe I don't know me very well. Food for thought.....

Sunday Night Rambling.....

My best friend of all time (whom shall remain nameless to protect innocent bloggers) made comments recently about “issues”. Everyone has issues, I don’t care who you are; you have issues about something. But I think sometimes we feel that we shouldn’t have issues. We get bogged down in the thought that we are so blessed with: ________, we shouldn’t ever be sad, angry, or upset. Fill in the blank with whatever your blessings include: husband, kids, family, friends, religion, food, job, etc….The list can go on forever. I think many people feel this way, me included. Why should we burden others with our insignificant troubles when there is so much to be thankful for? When the Lord has blessed us with so much, what right do we have to complain about anything? There are many problems with this thinking including:

• Just because we are blessed doesn’t mean that the bad stuff stops happening. There is opposition in all things for a reason.

• Why should we think that because we get one blessing the Lord will stop offering us others? Unfortunately, some of those blessings are a direct result of sad or upsetting things. Learning from our trials and the trials of those around us is a great blessing.

• Recognizing the worth of our blessings usually comes at the end of the pride cycle that is human nature. We don’t become humble until after the trials. That humility brings us to a remembrance of our God and His goodness. Why do we think that we could recognize the goodness of our life with out the bad? Again, there is opposition in all things for a reason.

• The Lord knew that we couldn’t handle everything on our own. There wasn’t just one person made in the Garden of Eden but two. He knew that sometimes the burden would get tough and we would need help. Not all of us are blessed with a spouse that can support us in our trials but God blesses us with friends and family that we can turn to. How can we learn from others and serve them if they won’t share their burdens. How can we continue to progress if we do not let others do the same for us in return?

I don’t want to justify complaining against God for our troubles and trials. But I do think that all too often women of faith feel as if they have no right to be upset. They think that because they are so blessed they should be happy all of the time. Well, show me a woman who is happy and perky 100% of the time and I will show you her bathroom cabinet filled with prescriptions for Prozac and the like.

Conversely, we aren’t supposed to wallow in self pity or grief 100% of the time either. Our emotions run the gamut for a reason. God wouldn’t have given us the ability to feel all of these things without a purpose. We are to use them for the betterment of ourselves. We are to recognize the sad and the bad and find ways to make it better. Sometimes we can do that on our own, sometimes we need to lean on a friend, and sometimes we need a professional. As long as we keep finding ways to fix the upsetting things our life will continue to get better.

Just in case you were wondering……I have issues….welcome to the club! ;)

A Vacation in January

There were the sounds of seagulls over my head as I walked to the metro this morning. At first I thought it was part of the song I was listening to but that didn't fit. A quick look found the scavengers above me.

As I stood in the freezing January cold, I was transported back 2 years. To a beach in North Carolina. I could feel the warm breeze against my face and smell the ocean. In my minds eye I could see the hammock that swung on the porch and hear the waves that crashed on the beach.

It lasted no more then a second or 2 but in that instant I was on vacation.

What is in my brain.....

I love my IT dept….. Not only will he (as our IT dept is made up of 2 people and I am always asking the same guy for help) answer the stupid questions and random computer problems I seem to have on a daily basis but he can also fix my iPod! I love IT guys!!

I love the snow…would anyone mind if I moved to Montana. They have lots of snow there. Or maybe Maine; the accents are better there.

I love vegetables…..since it is snowing lunch is being delivered…my lunch a pita with cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus, sprouts, mushrooms, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Sigh. I am starving.

I love musicals……Even when I hate the blocking, and the lead actress loses her accent when she is singing. It is still great to have a chance to go to the theater. (Is there a theater in Montana? Maine?)

I love audiobooks……I now have the Twilight series on my iPod! How cool is that?


And that is all for now….hope everyone is enjoying the snow as much as I am. 

Surronded by Memories

You know that box you keep in the bottom of your closet? The box that gets moved from house to house, but is never really unpacked. Every now and then something is added to it but you don’t ever empty it. Today I unpacked it. I don’t really have a choice. The box holding my memories has gotten to the point where it is falling apart. It had to be unloaded, sorted through and repacked in a smaller box. But what do I get rid of? How did I forget so many moments? How can I get rid of it, knowing that if I do the memory will end up lost in my brain never to be recovered again? There were operas, festivals and baseball games. There was the Chinese New Year celebration, hockey games, work events, weddings, and all sorts of trips that were taken. A few hiking, a few rafting, and at least one tubing trip.

It is interesting that, I am going through this box today. It is January 11th. On this day 17 years ago my mother married my step-father and the chaos that has become my family was begun. Just 3 short years ago on this day I moved to the East coast with no more then 3 suitcases, 2 carry-on’s and not a friend in site. Ironically, it is also the day that Boo moved out here.

Who knew that there would be so many memories to create; so many possibilities available to me.

So…Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad…congrats!

AND

Happy Anniversary R.A.G.S. Here’s to another 3 great years.

Ill....

I had a much different plan for my day yesterday. There was to be church, and friends and dinner, and planning for my weeks upcoming meetings.
Instead there were dry heaves, crying, phone calls to Kate, lots of Apple juice, Gatorade, and the ABC family channel. I hate to be sick. I am not a good patient. I get weepy, shaky, and cranky. I hate not knowing what to do. Worst of all, I detest not being able to take care of everything myself.

Thank heavens it was just a 24 hour type thing and the only residual effects are slight weakness and a tender stomach.

A huge thank you to Kate who, in my hour of need, hit up her mom the nurse for info and then went out and bought the groceries needed for the prescribed all liquid diet.

I would also like to thank Richard and my big sister Tiana for all of the phone support yesterday. It was really nice, even if I did cut most of your calls short so I could throw up.

Happy Monday...UGH!

It has been a week......I seem to still be suffering from the desire to be anti social. I am on my 6th book of the New Year., but it seems to be a bit heavy for tonight. I'll have to try something a little lighter. To top it off I seem to be suffering from bloggers block.

I am sure I'll be back in to the swing of things soon. Then I will blog about New Years Eve, my resolutions and everything else that is going on.