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!!!