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.