Getting Close to Mothers' Day

Mothers' Day is coming up, which is rather convenient as I've been feeling very grateful for my mom lately. She's simply the best. I wish I had the capacity to express my sentiments in a manner of magnitude that would even come close to the reflection of her inherent, immeasurable quality of character. Alas, here are some tidbits that will have to do, examples of qualities and attributes I've had the privilege of (hopefully) learning from:

1. She values righteousness above, well, the alternative.

2. When she makes mistakes, she's truly humble. For example, last year she got on this kick called "family yard-work time" and held those pow-wows for a couple of weeks straight in the blazing, mid-morning, Saturday heat. (Enter sarcasm) Good one mom (exit sarcasm). It was hellish. After a couple of weeks, we kids gave her a talking to (respectfully of course) and in humility, she obligingly switched the next appointed date to an earlier time of day.

Note: That was not the kind of reflection of mom's humility I wanted to go for, but oh well. Free story for you. On to number three...

3. She knows how to laugh and do so thoroughly. She knows how to laugh harder than anyone I know. For example, a long time ago that wasn't too long ago, she and I were at the deli of the local grocery store. We stood looking at our reflections in the bowed glass. We definitely looked like squatty Oompa Loompas. I waved my arms up and down and lifted my feet. She followed suit. We sat there momentarily, waving our arms doing "The Freddy". She laughed so heartily that I had to stop and watch her laugh. I remember thinking "Shouldn't mom be quiet? People are going to stare!" I was more conscious of her laughter drawing attention than that which would have come of "The Freddy"? At any rate, I loved seeing her laugh like that. I'll never forget it. She can still laugh hard. And I still love it.

Don't know what "The Freddy" is? It's toward the end of the video clip below. Classic dance from some classic girls.

On to number four...

4. She is the hardest worker I've ever met. Ever. On top of that, she is diligent in her efforts, labors, and responsibilities. She doesn't work hard for a week or a month only to cut back and take it easy for however long (not that she doesn't have a balance). She pushes forward, giving her all and then some more, and doesn't look back. Also, her work is always fruitful. If I were an employer, I'd beg her to come work for me. You know what, I think someday I will be an employer (of something or other), and darn it, I will beg her to come work for me.

And now for number five...

5. She has a terrible sense of humor sometimes. If you're ever hungry and want something to eat, don't tell her "I feel like chicken". She'll pinch and poke your arm and say in return, "You don't feel like chicken to me." Terrible sense of humor. Also, don't tell her "I'm tired." She'll reply, "Hi tired! I'm Susan!". Terrible sense of humor. And ya know what? I've kind up picked up on that style too. I feel torturous dread when I hear the corny humor tumble out of my own mouth, but I can't not say it! Aaaah!

All right. There's so much more to say for this post, but I've got to go. I really wish I could post more but you'll just have to come for a visit and drink up her goodness yourself. It you can't stop by, then stay tuned till next year's getting-close-to-Mothers'-Day installment.

Poem for the Day

toucannery

whatever one toucan can do

is sooner done by toucans two

and three toucans it's very true

can do much more than two can do

and toucans numbering two plus two can

manage more than all the zoo can

in fact there is no toucan who can

do what four or three or two can.

Jack Prelutsky

Photo from HERE

Poem for the Day

Forgiveness

My heart was heavy, for its trust had been

Abused, its kindness answered with foul wrong;
So, turning gloomily from my fellow-men,
One summer Sabbath day I strolled among
The green mounds of the village burial-place;
Where, pondering how all human love and hate
Find one sad level; and how, soon or late,
Wronged and wrongdoer, each with meekened face,
And cold hands folded over a still heart,
Pass the green threshold of our common grave,
Whither all footsteps tend, whence none depart,
Awed for myself, and pitying my race,
Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave,
Swept all my pride away, and trembling I forgave!

John Greenleaf Whittier

Weekend Find

So I found some keepers this weekend and, surprisingly, I'm not talking about the books. The lovely skating duo bookends cost me a total of one dollar. I can hear you guffaw "Is that all?" as I relay the thrifty news. If I were the one asking "Is that all?", it would be in a tone of amazement that such a screaming deal wouldn't cost so much more. But I'm not the one asking. I'm guessing that those words probably dripped from your tongue with ample disdain. Here's what some of the household (and visitors) had to say:

Las's- Stupid.

Adrian- They look like trophies from a 6th grade ice-skating competition in Minnesota.

Shauni- Those are ridiculous. Are they really going to hold up books? They're kind of tacky. Are they going to be in your front room? Anywhere you put them, they'll look tacky.

Adam- I don't know what my opinion is of those things.

So, two cheap trophies (one 1988 6th place and the second 1989 7th place) are garbage just sitting on the shelf, or are they? I'm thinking about spray-painting them white to give them a sort of statuesque feel. Yep, I think I'll do that.

More For Reals

Why have I spent so much time in college when I could have been doing something like this?

Quote For the Day

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

Samuel Beckett, "Worstward Ho", 1983

Irish author, dramatist, & novelist in France (1906-1989)

For Reals?

Where do these guys come from?

Scary Mary? Very. Be Wary.

Something of Dreams

A while back, during one of my literacy classes, my teacher briefly posted a quote on the overhead. It was intriguing and I copied it down quick so I could ponder it at a later time:

"It's in the morning for most of us. It's that time, those few seconds when we're coming out of sleep, but we're not really awake yet, for those few moments we're something more primitive than what we're about to become, we have just slept the sleep of our distant ancestors, and something of them and their world still clings to us. For those few moments, we are unformed, uncivilized. We are not the people we know as ourselves, but creatures more in tune with a tree than a keyboard. We are untilted, unnamed, natural, suspended between was and will be."

-STARGIRL by Jerry Spinelli

I thought it was interesting. I liked turning it over in my head a couple of times. Just the other day, I read through a speech given by Richard G. Scott. You can read the whole thing HERE. One of his comments that caught my attention reminded me of the above quote from STARGIRL:

"One of the most memorable and powerful patterns of communication by the Spirit is through dreams. I have learned that when the transition from being fully asleep to being fully awake is almost imperceptible, it is a signal that the Lord has taught something very important through a dream."

Hm. I do like finding little connections between other's ideas and then comparing those to my personal life. Not only is it enlightening to identify those pieces that fit into my personal experiences, but I like to be on the lookout for/figure out those other ideas that I haven't quite fully realized, if they even are to be.

P.S. The polk-a-dot flower background was getting to be a bit much to look at. I was starting to feel pretty allergic to the whole situation. So, back to plain and simple.

Suzann Perry's Cast Offs

I was browsing along D.I. and I decided to check out the "collectible" glass cases. I usually don't float by there but boy am I glad I did because I found a set of The Journal of Discourses. It's a good set, and a full on for that matter. All 26 + the index volume are present and accounted for. There are no internal markings, the binding is taut, and the pages aren't discolored in the least bit. The only 2 imperfections with the set:

1. On the cover of each volume, the gilding of "Suzann Perry" has been rubbed of with only the impression remaining.

2. The outer leather creases (where the cover flap meets the spine) of a couple of the volumes are cracked.

I looked for a set on Amazon awhile back and found the cheapest one to be about $500 out of the question. When I found this present set was $175, I was thrown into a semi-frenzied panic then went into a deep, thoughtful daze trying to figure out how to make this impossibility work. Too bad $175 is a lot of money that's waaay out of my budget. Too bad I can't afford to not have it. I guess it wasn't an impossibility after all, seeing that they now rest on the bookshelf at home. Oh Suzann Perry (sigh). Why did you get rid of this treasure? I'm sure glad you did.

Friday Freebie

Click HERE for the freebie "Chipmunk Softie" directions.

Happy Friday Freebie!

Off the Tip of the Tongue

I like the way these words roll of the tip of the tongue (definition has nothing to do with it). Go ahead and read them out loud to get the full effect:

Clandestine

Clever

Pleasant

Popularity

Prominent

Protrude

Quarter

Quitter

Regal

Resilient

Sadistic

Sardonic

Satin

Seamless

Snack

Sniff

Superfluous

Now, after alphabetizing these gems, I see there seems to be a commonality among them; I like words that begin with C, P, Q, R, and S. Hmm. Are there any words you like to say and/or like the sound of?

Yet Some More!

Here we go again... The first two original posts are located HERE. And without further ado...

And one of the bloopers...

Purchased and Practiced

Today I bought the sheet music for "The Way I am", recorded on the above pictured album, and went home to jam on the piano. Needless to say, I averaged singing about a word a minute. It took considerable concentration playing the notes. It's coming along though. I couldn't embed the music video directly to here but if you'd like to see it, click HERE. I would suggest listening to the song without watching the video. The video is full of clowns, which promotes the creepy factor upon first viewing. If you must watch, watch. But if you've never heard the song my recommendation would be to simply listen first. Processing the audio and visual at the same time afford a completely different experience.

P.S. If you come on over for a visit, maybe you'll get a personal concert or something. Just be warned that I might require you to play the bongo drums.

Finished

I finished reading this last week. As far as ratings go, I'll give the author brownie points for creativity. Haddon wrote with a unique style and "perspective". Overall, I didn't really care for it. It wasn't realistic, though the writing seemed to assume that stance. It reminded me of the movie "The Truman Show". I also didn't like the fact that there wasn't much meat to it. It was a brainless read, which is a good at times, but nah. So to end on the positive note, I'll give it the brownie points for the creativity and it was easy to read through with with a medium level of interest.

I picked up this book today and read the first short story. It was definitely a good read and requires rereading for analysis. I love good short stories.

Demitri and Selfish Jean

I couldn't embed the video here on the post so click the link HERE to see it.

Friday Freebie!

I'm pretty sure you've all been dying to find a good free crochet flower pattern. Be at peace. I found you two:

This first one comes from Attic 24. Visit the site HERE for an excellent tutorial and detailed photos. I'm thinkin they'd go quite nicely on a granny quilt.

This next flower pattern comes from Salihan. Visit HERE for a worthy step-by-step guide that will even satisfy a beginner.

Sounds Good to Me

Kindergarten comments from this week...

1. Kendra (who is nasty, feisty, very smart, and still very lovable) came over and gave me a hug the other day:

Me: Hey girl.

Kendra: You look skinny when I hug you.

And lately, when I walk by in the classroom:

Kendra: Erica. Call me.

When I turn to look at her, she's gesturing a phone call with her hand up to her ear.

2. Braden (who is a picture perfect boy and usually doesn't pay much attention to me) ran up to me on the kinder playground outside as I was leaving to walk home:

Braden: Watch out for busses and cars. There are some crazy drivers out there. Look both ways (He looked both ways as he instructed me to do so).

3. Jess (from my moms class, who lives 4 houses down from me and is the size of a munchkin child) has a habit lately of approaching me, and when she has my attention says:

Jess: I love you.

I habitually tell the kindergartners I love them. It's impossible not to after a year of wiping noses, tying shoes, putting on millions of band-aids, listening to endless stories, and returning the warmest hugs. I feel a powerful connection when it's said. Sometimes it just pops out of my mouth and other times I'm more deliberate with specific kids. There's such a light that twinkles in their eyes when it's said.

Jess said it to me a week or two ago and it made me stop and pause for a minute. She was so sincere and I appreciated it so much. I didn't realize I needed it, but I did and it felt good to hear. Since then she says it out loud and often. "I love you" spoken sincerely is so powerful.

"Oh, No. Oh, Dear. I Think She's Actually Hurt."

The clarity of picture in this clip is very poor but the ending comments of the newscasters make it well worth the view. I got a good laugh out of it...

The Rescue

I'm going to teach the gospel doctrine class this Sunday. Yikes. Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I usually do feel positive about these kinds of things until about a 1/2 hour beforehand when I start violently convulsing. Luckily there is a manual, I know of some good sources, and I have some left over Klonopin from way back when.

So the lesson begins at the time when Joseph (coat of many colors) is now 430 years long gone and Israel is in bondage by the Egyptians. The lesson can be found HERE. The lesson plan suggests to have someone share a personal experience of rescue. I thought about rescue in my life. What has been my most dramatic rescue?

Flashback to February of 1997. I was a new 12 year old beehive and eligible to go to the stake youth Valentine's Day dance. I'd only been 12 for about a month and the whole boy-girl activity combo was so new and exciting.... and frightening. My best friend was 9 months younger than I, which meant I'd be rockin the dance floor solo. As soon as mom dropped me off, the moment I hopped out of the van, the excitement for the activity drained in exponential increments. In less than a minute flat I was left alone to fend for myself in the sea of goober-boys.

The dance was crowded and, as I wandered in, a slow song came on. I walked through the double doors, looked up and caught Stuart's eyes. I knew what that look meant. It didn't take much prior experience to recognize the penetrating question in his eyes. I had been born 12 years ago, not yesterday. In that blinking moment, the spirit screamed "RUN, you fool". Well, maybe it wasn't the spirit but whatever it was, I listened. Terror sank in and if I would have known what Klonopin was at the time, I would have been begging it from anyone I passed by.

In an overcrowded gym, one can only run/shuffle away so quickly. Luckily, I made my escape into the hall to get a quick drink. It only takes about 2 seconds to get a drink so I circled around the building and entered the gym from another door. How naive to think that I could have escaped the dance-proposal skills of the cunning Stuart. Before I could get ahold of myself and the situation, I found myself in the arms of my pursuer.

Bravely choking the tears back, i caught the last 30 seconds of the song with him then jogged/stumbled to the phone in the hall. Now, you may laugh and scoff, thinking, "Tears? Heh." I'm not lying though. This was traumatic for me. I called my mom and told her with that ugly-cry voice to "Come get me NOW." Needless to say, I waited outside for her.

My mom was the best rescuer ever. She was so reassuring and comforting on the way home as I choked back the tears (she was probably cracking up while I wasn't looking). She took me back to the safety of home and nurtured and nursed me back to strength without the aid of Klonopin... and life went on. I'm so grateful my mom rescued me from the dangers and trauma of the dance floor. Man, I owe her.

Now, how to fit this into the Sunday school lesson...

Bagpipes

I just got home from the daily duty of crossing guard. On the way (walking home), the bagpipes were blasting from the home of a neighbor. It's been so long since they've played. I love hearing them. Spring + the neighborhood bagpipes= good way to start the morning.

On the Mind...

1. On the way home tonight, I saw a guy get pulled over by a cop. I hate it when that happens. I felt so bad for the helpless chap and I didn't even know him.

2. I love donuts and ice cream and chocolate eclairs and cheesecake.

3. I have a chancre (see definition HERE) under my top lip and it's causing my lip to swell. Gross! I haven't had a chancre since I was little. What's the deal? Get it off me!

4. I'm so close to the end of the semester. Just hang on.

5. I really miss the temple. I've been every week since I went through in October and two weeks off seems like forever. I'm so grateful its only 10 minutes away and will be open next week.

6. I have always planned on graduating and continuing my education, but I also hoped that I'd have kids by now, not in pursuit of a career. It's weird to start planning for one but I'm excited. There's a fulfilling satisfaction obtained on the job that can't be obtained by any other means.

7. I really want to go on a mission. I've wanted it so bad for so long but it just isn't right. In my mind, it's the perfect thing for me to do, yet I just can't get the go-ahead. The whole prosessing of the situation is like meeting a guy, working the charm, then waiting for the treasured phone to ring... and he just doesn't call. Argg. Oh, I wish I could go. At any rate, I'm grateful for personal revelation and the confidence that comes from living in line with it. Though I'm not on a "mission", I'm grateful for the opportunities I have in my daily life to help build others around me.

8. Also, guys can be so dumb sometimes.

Poem For the Day

Who Am I?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Who am I? They often tell me

I stepped from my cell’s confinement

Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,

Like a squire from his country-house.

Who am I? They often tell me

I used to speak to my warders

Freely and friendly and clearly,

As though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me

I bore the days of misfortune

Equally, smilingly, proudly,

Like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?

Or am I only what I myself know of myself?

Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,

Struggling for breath, as though hands were

compressing my throat,

Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,

Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,

Tossing in expectation of great events,

Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,

Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,

Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today and tomorrow another?

Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,

And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?

Or is something within me still like a beaten army,

Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!

March 4,1946