A Christmas Carol

Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov 19, 20, & 21

7:30 pm each nite, with a 1:30 Matinee on Saturday

Come see 125 cast members of all ages perform this timeless classic!

Busy, busy, busy!

I realize it has been quite a while since I last posted. Lets see, whats been going on? Our Stake is currently doing a play...A Christmas Carol, the full musical version! I am Mrs. Fezziwig, she is the wife of Scrooges old boss, they are the ones who throw a huge ball every Christmas Eve. They describe her as "a plump, comical woman." Why do I feel like I have been type cast?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints

14903 SW Westlake Dr

Lake Oswego, OR 97035

The play is running at the address above the week before Thanksgiving. November 19, 20, & 21. Starts at 7pm every night, with a matinee at 1pm on Saturday. Admission is free, we ask that patrons bring a can of food to donate to local food banks.

I am still directing the ward choir...trying to get ready for our Christmas program. Still playing the organ for sacrament meetings and various ward temple nights.

Still singing with the Oregon Chorale (www.oregonchorale.org) We have multiple performances coming up... Sunday, Nov 1 6pm at St. Marks Cathedral in downtown Portland. More info to follow later!

Working part time for Toys R Us, super fun! I get to play with toys!! Today I even jumped in a HUGE puddle! It was pouring down rain, and the puddle was irresistible. Except in the middle of my jump, I realized that I would be landing in the deepest part of the puddle and it was too late to change my trajectory. So, there I landed, in water up to my shins! I had to jump back out too. So, I squished my way back into work, where I got to stand in soaked shoes for the rest of my shift. But it was totally worth it.

This past weekend, I took a couple of good friends down to my parents house for their ward primary program. While we were down there, we went to McCready Hot Springs. It is a great hot springs and we enjoyed them very much. It was fun to spend time with my family as well. We crammed 6 girls into one bedroom, so needless to say only 1 of us really got any sleep.

I think that is the highlights for now. TTFN!

Current Favorite Quotes

"I have buns of steel, but they are not magnetic!"

"Just dial Hell, and I will answer!"

Stunning

This moved me to tears. She is a truly talented woman.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

You probably won't see this again

My sister Katie and I in the pool this weekend.

(yes, that is me diving backwards! Do you see the muscles in her arms?)

Thank you Bakerella!!

Mmmm, these are super yummy. I got the idea from http://www.bakerella.blogspot.com/ I had a barbeque to go to today, and decided to make them! I wanted to see how they worked... and viola! They were a hit.

My Stolen Heart

Good morning Auntie Meg! Please?

Check out those Baby Blues!

At the splash park...

At least he is having fun...

How can anyone not fall in love with these two? I know they have stolen my heart!

(by the way, can anyone tell me how to make the pic not be sideways?)

My new favorite recipe!!!

Recipe for THE PERFECT WEEKEND!

Ingredients:

1 car

a great friend

1 MP3 player with nonfunctioning screen

90+ degree weather

the Oregon Coast

random swimming holes

a bridal shower

The Decemberists in concert

various errands

1 frog

no time devices

saturday market

Henna

Tillamook Cheese Factory

fun shops

midnight swings on the beach

Directions: combine all ingredients in any order, at any time, shake and enjoy!

God Bless America!

This is an amazing video from America's Got Talent. If you haven't seen this yet, please watch it! A wonderfully touching story, and absolutely awesome vocals!

The Voices of Glory - America's Got Talent 2009 - 06/23/09

I must admit, I always get a little teary-eyed at patriotic songs, poems and things about our great nation. This just dissolved me to tears! I love the wonderful land in which we live. I love seeing children dressed up in red, white and blue in celebration of our country's independence. I am so grateful to all those who died to make this country a reality, to those who give their service to keep us free, and to those whose family members are in our armed forces. God Bless America!!

The Emblem
by Megan Zimmerman

Walking 'cross the blood ground
I carry the torn and soiled cloth
My comrades lay around me,
having dearly paid the cost.

The cost of our freedom
that we so highly claim.
So many have died,
millions we cannot name.

As I gaze out o'er the refuse
I wonder "What is all this for?
Will our children's children
remember this, and more?

Will they remember whose blood was shed
which watered all the fields?
Or those who never gave in,
but before their Maker kneel?"

Yes, they will remember
what occurred here today.
Yes, they WILL remember
every time they look this way.

They'll see this Emblem, tried and true
flying high above the trees.
They'll see it and begin to cry
as they fall upon their knees.

For their freedom has been purchased,
bought with human blood
given by these valiant men
whose rest is now the mud.

Next!

Well, the fireside is over! I am happy that it went so well. The soloists did wonderfully, and the choir was great! We even had an audience. I heard the audience estimate was about 75, not shabby for a singles ward that doesn't attend firesides! There were also several non-members there, which was very nice to see. The spirit was strong, so hopefully some were touched.

Now it is on to the next big thing. This weekend, my mother and her husband fly in for a visit. This coincides with our spring concert for the Oregon Chorale. (For those of you who don't know, she also sang with the Chorale many years ago.) The concerts are: Saturday June 6, at Bethel Congregational Church in Beaverton at 7pm, and Sunday June 7, at St. Matthews Church in Hillsboro at 7:30 PM. Come if you can! This concert is all music Northwest Composers. Every piece was written by someone who lives in the Northwest (IE Oregon, Washington) or someone who was born here in the Northwest. Many of the composers will be in the audience. I am excited, it is definitely going to be a fun concert.

Oh yeah, one other small piece of news... I got a job. At Toys R Us, part time, as a cashier. But money is money, right? And in other news... oh wait, that's all I've got!!

This is what happens when...

Friends come to play!

First, we play...

Then We eat, and then...

we sleep!

I love it when people come play!

Smattering of Happiness!

Here are a few of the pics from this weekend at Lincoln City. A friend works for a Dr who had a beach who was willing to let us use it! So we did! The beach house was on the Spit at Siletz Bay...so basically it was a private beach! Woohoo!!!

We went Friday, and came home Monday. Well, that is what they did. I, on the other hand, came home Saturday evening to see my BFF Jenna, who flew home from Phoenix for the weekend to surprise me! I spent Saturday evening with her, and then Sunday she came with me to choir practice and Sacrament meeting (where I had to play the organ.) After that, I headed back out to the coast and stayed through Monday.

My time at the coast was filled with walks on the beach, watching a seal pup finish being born (AWESOME!), shopping (of course), eating, building fires, hanging out with friends, reading on the beach...basically living the good life. The house was wonderful!

Um, yeah.

So I realized the other day that I haven't blogged in awhile, and then realized that it was because I felt like I didn't really have anything to say! I am still searching for a job, which is driving me bonkers. I have gotten really good at being rejected, so I am certain that by the time anyone actually offers me a job I will stunned and will have to practice accepting.

I have been trying to stay busy with different projects. I have started crocheting a new blanket with this really cool variegated purple yarn, and I have decided that I am going to keep this one when it is finished. (All of my other blankets were made to give away.) I have watched several movies...most recently Australia, Last Chance Harvey, Bride Wars, and some other. Let me just say, I loved Australia! I cried, multiple times.

I have also been singing with the Oregon Chorale for our upcoming concert. For more info on the concert, go to www.oregonchorale.org See if you can find me in the picture! I love singing with them. It has been my form of therapy.

Along with singing with the Chorale, I had the brilliant idea to put together Kenneth Cope's "Greater Than Us All" as a musical fireside for our ward. (I am the ward choir director) After several weeks of freaking out, I think it is finally starting to come together. We will be performing it Sunday, May 31 at 5:30pm in the Lake Oswego Stake Center. That seems to have taken up a lot of time and energy, at least more than I anticipated. But, I am more confident now, after working with several of the soloists.

That is about it! My life is fairly boring right now!

The lovely tulip fields of Oregon

If I Didn't Have a Jiminy Cricket...

I had the opportunity the other day to discuss how different my life would be if a) I didn't have a conscience, and b) if I didn't have the church to guide my decisions. ****Warning, if you think I am perfect, stop reading!!! ****

It definitely gave me reason to pause and consider where I might be. My life could be drastically different. I would definitely have 2 (or more) tattoos...I have always wanted one, but chickened out each time I tried to get one. I would most likely have some sort of a substance abuse problem, possibly a child or two. I could be a bitter, depressed, angry unwed single mother.

Instead, because I have the good news of the gospel, I know that I am a child of God. I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, and knows me personally. He knows my struggles and my accomplishments. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for the gift of His Son, who died and rose again to atone for my sins. Jesus Christ is my saviour and redeemer. I am grateful for the Lord's prophets who give us inspired guidance today. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church that existed in the time of Christ. Christ is the head of this church, He guides and directs it.

I am not a perfect person, but I am doing my best. I know that the Lord will make up for my shortcomings. I know that everything will work out, because the Lord is at the helm. Even though life is crazy and unknown, I need not fear. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

A Streak of Craftiness!!

Question: What does one do when one has no job (besides looking for a new one)?

Answer: Get creative!!

This necklace I made for my roommate, to match her new Easter skirt


This next set I made to go with a shirt that I bought a little while ago...cuz I had no jewelry that went with it! I am really happy with how it all turned out.

Not only do I have time to make jewelry, but I also can take a little more time in food prep! These were so pretty and fun that I couldn't eat them until I had a picture!

Easter morning breakfast (yes, those are strawberries and raspberries!)

And, an Easter cupcake! We had a little get together at a friends house on Saturday night and we had a cupcake decorating contest. This was mine, but I don't know who won, since we couldn't stay very long.

The Sound of Silence

For those of you whom I normally talk to on the phone...I have not been neglecting you, I have just been enjoying the Golden Sound of Silence. Let me explain...

In the past few weeks, I have been struggling to keep my voice. I first had issues after the nasal realignment, but wrote it off to post nasal drip. I enjoyed about 4 days with most of a voice, but had to cancel a singing gig with a church in here in downtown Portland because
a) I was barely getting my voice back, with only 1 week to go before the mass,
b) I wanted to protect what voice I did have (those of you who sing understand this)
c) I wasn't entirely sure that I didn't have a virus of some kind

So, fortunately, the few days of voice happened to occur when my family was here. Now, my voice was not totally back, just a little deeper and raspier than normal. then, my throat started to HURT!!! and not just a little sore throat. This was the worst throat pain I have ever felt, worse than post surgery tonsillectomy pain. Needless, I had absolutely no voice. After almost a week of this, it developed into a dry hacking cough that once started seemed impossible to stop. I plowed through 2 boxes of Chloraseptic throat lozenges, and was drinking amazing amount of liquids, trying to cool my poor throat.

Fortunately, my throat only twinges occasionally, but my voice is still in and out. Especially at the end of day, if I have been doing any amount of talking, my voice is generally gone.

Needless to say, our house has been somewhat quieter. You know me, I like to talk! It has made ward choir practices interesting, since I normally demonstrate for the choir members the sound I would like to hear...now it just croaks. Hopefully, this will run it's course and my voice will return shortly!! Wish me luck!

Spring Break...at my house!

So this year for spring break, my family decided to come visit me!! We made my place home base, and my little sisters stayed with me. My dad had a conferance in Vancouver, WA so he stayed at a hotel up there, and my mom joined him. We had fun, hanging out and doing some portland things. One day we went to OMSI and then the next we headed to the Zoo! Lot's of fun, but man, am I tired. One thing I can say for my family, it is that we are never dull! These pics help show you that.

the newest members of my family...

Introducing... ROSCOE! yes, I named my vacuum. I have never had a vacuum more fun to drive!! I have become enamored with the little circles I now have on my floors. I have even taken Roscoe over to Jackie's, and she said she felt like the woman in the commercials. Really, if you even have an inkling of wanting one of these vacuums, find a way to get one!!

And enough gushing over Roscoe, I also have a wonderful new laptop. Yes, I realize that I don't have a job, but that is what tax returns are for, right? I am still contemplating naming this one.

My family informed me last week that I have become their spring break destination. So, starting tonite, my house will be full! I pick up Katie, my little sister at the airport (she was in Memphis or somewhere like that for a couple of days) and then everyone else gets here tomorrow. The general plans are to just go to the Zoo, OMSI and maybe the rose gardens. Basically, just to see the things my baby sis hasn't seen since she was super little. It should be fun!!

Happy SPRING BREAK!!!

the saga of the exploding nose...

(Warning: Disgustingness ahead. If you are squeamish, do not read any further)

You know the saying "You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose" right? Mostly, that is true. A certain friend, who shall remain nameless (Dr Jason Young) had the brilliant idea to "realign" the bones and cartilage in my nasal cavity. He thought possibly it might be contributing to my headache. I told him if it worked, he would be elevated to HERO status in my world. And that I would blog about him. However, didn't necessarily work like we wanted, but I am blogging about it anyway.

In short, he threaded a finger condom (mini balloon thingy) up into my nasal passages. Then, he blew up the balloon. OUCH!!!! I could feel my stuff snap into place, and my ears popped. He did this in each little nasal passage, so a total of 6 times. This was followed by copious amounts of snot and lubricant exiting my nose...continuously. So today, post nasal drip has caused major sore throat, continued drainage, and made my voice go funny. Good thing I didn't really need to talk today huh? Let's just hope that this will go away shortly, and not turn into a full blown sinus infection. I have managed to go all winter without illness (well, except the headache, but really started in the fall, so I don't count it anymore.)

And the moral of the story is, if anyone offers to "realign your nasal cavity" JUST SAY NO!!!

And I'm back!! My laptop has been having internet connection issues, mainly that it is refusing to accept that I actually have an internet card. Oh well, I will hopefully fix it soon. But, in the meantime, I have been borrowing my roommates computer, and currently I am at my parents house stealing theirs!!

I heard from the state appeals board. They have decided to "affirm the decision with no further opinion." Whoot, whoot!!! So in other words, "stick it!" to my former employer. Hopefully this will get the message to them that they really had no right to do what they did. (how is that for ambiguous?)

Plus, I did my taxes today, gotta love that! I love getting money back. I am already planning on buying a Dyson vacuum, since my previous vacuum turned to the dark side.

yep, that's about it!!

Finally, justice

So, the saga finally has continued. You might remember back to November, when I was fired. Shortly after, I filed for unemployment benefits. Several weeks went by, with no decisions. Finally, I was contacted by the state unemployment office. They were conducting an investigation, because my former employer was challenging my eligability. Based on their answers, the state chose to deny me benefits. I appealed, and finally was informed of when the telephone hearing would be. I called in on the day of the hearing, and shortly after being connected with the judge, the states phone system hung up on all of us. After 40 minutes of trying to reconnect, we finally got the hearing rescheduled. The hearing finally occurred on February 4th.

The results of that hearing were finally delivered to my mailbox on Saturday, February 7th. I say finally because it seemed to take much longer than it actually did. The appeals judge ruled in my favor, declaring that despite what my former employer tried to claim, I am eligible for unemployment benefits. Needless to say, this takes something of a weight off my mind. I won't feel pressured to accept any minimum wage job that cmes along. I will be able to pay my rent and my bills, while still being able to relax a little and look for a good job.

Family Pic Christmas 2008

The first family picture since 2000, the last one was taken at my sister's wedding.

From left to right: Janina (exchange student) Russell, Anna, Dad, Lily, Katie, Nate, Cooper (the blurry one), Kristel, Mom (Coral), Eric, Kiri, Megan

Beautiful Kids!

Finally, here are a few pics of the babies from Christmas!

Miss Lily, in her favorite place, under the Christmas tree with all the presents!

Mister Cooper, like his sister, loved the Christmas tree!

These are the outfits that Grandma sent. Aren't they just the cutest? Cooper had a santa hat that went with his, but he hated having it on!

Here is the whole family. The babies loved to chew the tags off of all the presents, but when they went over to their other grandma's house they discovered ribbons and bows. Man, they had fun chewing on all of the pretty shiny stuff!

aaargh!

Okay, as you can see, I changed my layout. But, in the process, lost all of my links. If I normally had you listed in my friends and family lists, but you don't see yourself there, please email me or leave me a comment, and I will come add you back on! Sorry!

I am sure there is a better way to do this, but I sure don't know it!

Our Hearts Knit as One

Alright, here it is. This is the talk I gave in Sacrament meeting today. Enjoy!

When I was about 10 years old, I asked my mom to teach me how to knit. She helped me pick out some yarn, showed me how to hold the needles, and taught me the basic stitches. I was so excited that every chance I had, I was knitting. Unfortunately, at that point of my life, I did not have a very long attention span, or much patience for that matter. So, after the first couple weeks, the excitement wore off, and I began to see it as tedious. Pretty soon, I stopped all together. A few years ago, I picked it back up. I am still pretty slow, but it is now something that I enjoy. Let me try to describe why.

First, you need supplies: yarn, needles, and a pattern. The yarn is pretty, but by itself it isn’t anything but yarn. The needles come in all shapes and sizes. You choose the needles based on the pattern of what you want to create. So, once you have all of your supplies do you put the yarn in a bag, throw in the needles, shake it up some and hope to pull out a scarf, a hat, or a blanket? No, by themselves they cannot create anything. Someone is needed to put it all together. Someone who knows how to knit. With the knowledge and the correct tools, these ordinary things become part of a bigger whole, something beautiful and useful. What was once separate things are now one.

According to Webster’s dictionary, to knit is defined as this: to tie together, to grow together, or to become drawn together. I like the last definition, to become drawn together. To me this implies action on both sides, not just someone imposing their will on two separate units.

If we turn this around and apply it to us, we may see it something like this. We are the supplies. Some of us may be the yarn, and some of us may be needles. We have been thrown together in a bag, which is life here on earth. But without the master knitter, who is the Lord, we cannot expect to come together to make a beautiful blanket. With the Atonement of the Lord, we become drawn together as one people, united in purpose, with an eye single to the glory of God. Since the beginning of time, the Lord has commanded “that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith...having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” (Mosiah 18:21)

Unity is defined as the quality or state of being made one, a condition of harmony. It is not just a condition, it is also a commandment. In Doctrine and Covenants 38:27 it says “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” President Henry B. Eyring said in his October 2008 conference address that “The Lord Jehovah will return to those who have become his people and will find them united, of on heart, unified with Him and with our Heavenly Father.” The amazing thing about all of this is the fact that we cannot do it by ourselves. Unity cannot be achieved individually, it requires all of us to look outside ourselves, and to serve each other.

Pres. Eyring also gave us some excellent principles to guide our progress toward unity. The first principle is revelation. I know revelation sounds like a huge thing, but it is fairly simplistic. Revelation is simply the act of communicating divine truth. We are fortunate to have a tool to assist us in personal revelation. We have the Holy Ghost. I think at times, however, we may take this gift for granted. Now imagine for a moment living your life without this marvelous blessing. We have the unique opportunity to have the Spirit testify to our hearts what the Lord would have us do. When we are confirmed members of this church, we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. We have a direct conduit from the Lord. However, this is based on obedience to his commandments. As we obey, our hearts become knit together in unity and love with the Lord. Here’s another way to think of it. Revelation is a pattern. The Lord sees the whole pattern, but we are only given the part we need to be working on. As we progress, we are given the next step. Everyone has a part, each a different piece of the whole.

The second principle he gives is to be humble. As we humble ourselves, we realize that we are merely tools in the Lord’s hands. We become willing to do His will. The Lord uses all of us. No matter our background, we all have something in common, and that is we are all his children. We are unified in the family of Christ. We are each different colors of yarn, but it takes all colors to create something truly beautiful. To be humble is to be pliable, willing to be put with whatever color the Lord needs to accomplish His design.

The third principle Pres. Eyring gives is to speak well of each other. We all know what Thumper (from the Disney movie Bambi) says. He strokes his ear, and ducks his head, and says somewhat sheepishly, “If ya can’t say somethin nice, then don’t say nuthin’ at all.” In Moroni 7:18 it says: “And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.” We are not perfect. So often we find ourselves holding others up to a standard of perfection when we ourselves are not able to stand up to the very same standard. The Savior does not point out our faults, so why do we continue to do that in others. As we try to see others the way the Savior sees them, we begin to feel the peace and joy that comes from the Light of Christ. That light then shines brighter in us, allowing us to become a beacon of hope and love for others. As those others follow our example of speaking “good will towards men” we all become unified in purpose.

You can’t just pick up a set of needles and some yarn and expect to immediately know how to knit. You have to ask someone who already knows how, like I did with my mom. Prayer is our opportunity for one-on-one tutoring sessions with the Lord. As we pray, Heavenly Father shows us the stitches and technique. We can pray for our families, our roommates, those we home and visit-teach, our ward members, our leaders… the list goes on. As we pray about someone specifically, mentioning them by name, the Lord shows us how we can begin, and continue to be, united with them. Like knitting, this also takes practice. The more we pray for others, the easier it is to obtain the true joy of unity.

It is part of mortality that we will make mistakes. Fortunately for us, the Lord has provided us with a way to fix those mistakes. No matter who we are or what we may have done, the Atonement brings about the same changes in all of us. The Atonement of the Savior is our way to fix the stitches we did wrong. Sometimes, parts of the blanket need to be torn out and redone. This can be painful and time-intensive, but through the Atonement our stitches become even and perfect. Sometimes we may feel like a heap of yarn on the floor, yarn that has been torn out and needs to be redone. At that time, we need to trust the Savior and allow ourselves to be put back together into something better. Sometimes the Lord even uses us as a knitter, helping each other perfect our patterns. As we become closer to our Savior, we will become closer to each other, having been knit together in love. As we become closer to each other, we become a beautiful blanket, ready to be put to use in warming the world with the love and light of Christ.

It is my goal this year to become more unified with my Savior, ready and willing to do my part in this great and marvelous work. May we each strive to become unified as a ward, as a church, and as the people of Christ.

Holiday Recap

Yep, I'm back! I kinda went berserk with all the snow and crazy weather, and called my parents in desperation. They came and picked me up the Tuesday before Christmas. Yay!! (btw, it took 3.5 hours to get from Salem to Portland, normally a 40 min drive.) Gotta love the weather. Anyhoo, had a great Christmas with the fam, then the next day, we all (Dad, Mom, Me, Janina (the exchange student), Anna, Katie, and Kiri all got into the van and drove to Boise to have a late Christmas with the entire family. Yes, the twins came too. They are so adorable!!

By the time I got back into portland, the snow had melted, yay!! Then, after a major pity party which involved me lying in my bed, totally in tears, feeling ultimately sorry for myself, my awesome roommie came home randomly. She had been down in Corvallis at her folks, and had run up to Portland to get some things for her sis. Anyhoo, she walked in the door at the exact right time. I hauled myself outta bed, and went out to talk to her. About 15 min after that, I repacked a bag and we were headed back down to Corvallis. Spent New year's eve and day with the Glasmann's (my other family, I guess) and then back to Portland I went!!

Oh yeah, it is now official, so I can share. No, not getting married, or anything crazy like that. I officially have a calling in my ward. Not just one, but two!!! Wait for it... Yep, I am the Ward Chorister and the choir director! Shocking. Not really. So, here we go again! It seems my life is always steeped in music somehow. Not that I am complaining, because I totally love music.

This Sunday should be fun, since I not only get to direct the music, I also get to speak. And there ends my 13 year run of good luck. I have not spoken in Church since I was 12. Amazing, huh? That is what moving around alot does, as long as you don't tell anyone you are leaving until the last sunday you are there...then they don't have time to get you to speak!

I might post my talk, if I feel like it, after sunday, and if it is any good. We'll see.