Linemorens' world

Norwegian Holiday Traditions....

2012-01-07T20:13:00.002-07:00

As I'm going through some papers, I am coming across all sorts of different things... among some are talks and presentations from Church activities...
Like this one;

Christmas in Norway is associated with white snow, candles, Santa Claus, decorations in red, green and gold, and the smell of homemade cookies.

Christmas is definitely the number one family holiday in Norway. Half the 24th all of the 25th, 26th, 31st and half of the 30th as well as New Years Day, are all holidays in Norway. The schools have a lot longer vacation, usually lasting two weeks.

Santa Clause

in Norway ...is called “Julenissen” and looks very much like the santas found elsewhere in the world. However there exists another character whose name ends with “Nisse” in the Norwegian folklore - a peculiar figure named the “Fjøsnisse” (the barn “nisse”). For a long time, when most Norwegians were farmers, this Nisse was believed to be a secret helper in the barn. If the family on the farm was nice to him and left him a bowl of porridge every Christmas eve, he would be kind to them and help them the next year. If they didn’t they could expect accidents, sick animals and mysterious noises.

This superstition eventually mixed with the commercial Santa Claus, leaving the Norwegians with one name covering both figures and the mutations in between them - “Nissen”. Today one may often see Christmas displays where there is one head Santa (Julenissen) surrounded by many other, smaller santas (versions of the fjøsnisse), or even entire Santa families.

Advent

Every year in Bergen (where I'm from), in December, the inhabitants are invited to participate in the making of the world’s biggest gingerbread city. Schools, kindergartens, anyone who wants to can make a gingerbread house and bring it to the shops downtown, where they have an area especially set apart for this display. All the ginger houses, ginger boats, schools, churches, people and decorations are put on display and for many years it has been officially the worlds largest Gingerbread City Display (in accordance with Guinness World Records). The admission is low if not free.

The Norwegian children typically have Advent calendars with 24 flaps/windows. They open one door in the calendar each day from the first of December and open the last on Christmas Eve. That day is also the day Norwegians open their presents and have their big Christmas meal.

Behind each door in the Advent Calendar is a small chocolate or toy, or if it is a homemade calendar, something else like a pencil or other type of little gifts.

The national tv station NRK has since the late 70s sent a special daily “Advent Series”, for children. The later years the station has produced the series itself and these series are said to be some of the more expensive productions. Each series is normally about 30 minutes long. And often the religious messages are toned down to make it more including. Usually, in combination with the tv shows, are there calendars and other toys made as well. Many times the family will gather and watch together.

Christmas Preparations...

The shops start putting up their Christmas decorations in mid November, but the big rush to buy presents does not start until mid-December.

...At home

As the times get closer to Christmas Eve, many families bake cookies. The tradition is that there must be at least seven kinds of cookies on the table Christmas Eve. Making marzipan and marzipan figures dipped in melted chocolate is also a popular way to prepare the holiday season.

...In schools

Many schools arrange Christmas workshops some days before the holidays start. This kind of activity is found in grades 1-7 almost without exception.

Before the school’s Christmas vacation starts, the students in grade 2-7th will put on a play for the parents. The play is a version of the Christmas story. The show also typically include some Christmas carols, and usually ends with the everyone being served cookies and juice.

Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to be good and start the year on a good note by blogging a bit.... 2012 is hopefully going to be a better and less stressful year than 2011 was. And it looks like it will be a changing year for this girl... Hopefully I'll have lots to blog about and tell. :)

That's all for now. Short and sweet. Happy New Year everyone!!!!

the Legend of the old Christmas song

2011-12-22T00:36:00.004-07:00

The old Christmas song

Once there was an old Christmas-song who dragged himself along the way. It drizzled and he was frozen. A yellow tit sat with puffy feathers on a birch twig. - Who are you struggling along? it asked.- I am the old Christmas song, said the wanderer. Everyone has forgotten me. Sing me, little tit!
-Me?? I am hoarse and Christmas songs I do not care about. It is spring ditties I like. And the tit flew his way.

The old Christmas song struggled tiredly on. Then he met a rich businessman.- I'm an Old Christmas song. You could knew me well when you were little. Sing Me!-Although I have been able to sing you at the time, I do not anymore. The sound of cash registers is the most beautiful song I know. Go your way, I do not have time to talk, I have to think about Christmas sales!And the wealthy businessman went his way.

The Song continued further. The wind blew cold through the thin clothes. When he met a busy wife.-What kind of a drag are you? said the lady, she could not stand that not everyone was busy.-I am an Old Christmas song. Your mother used to sing me, do you remember me? Sing Me!- As if I have time to sing Christmas songs now, just before Christmas. I must clean the house and cure the ham, cook the turkey and bake Christmas cookies and iron Christmas tablecloths and rolling and polishing and scrubbing and dusting, and .......More did not the old Christmas song hear, for the busy lady was already far behind him as he ran away.

The rain kept up, it froze stiff on the ground and the cold began to bite, but still the old Christmas song walked around seeking someone who would sing it. Then met a famous poet. The old Christmas song was happy.

- I am an Old Christmas song, said to the poet. - You remember me for sure. Will you sing with me? The poet stopped. - So, an Old Christmas song? But my how you look. You're full of rhymes! And with no rhythm. As if I would sing something like that! I am a famous poet, very modern. What I sing is more like: -In solitude. despite the fact that I do not know if you are a green-yellow frost, big, bigger biggest ......The famous poet's voice disappeared in the distance, for the old Christmas song ran away as fast as it could.

Tiredly he sat down on the stairs of a tiny cottage by the forest at the edge of town. - I'm going to die. No one remembers me or want to sing me, he thought sadly. Then came an old woman on the trail. She held the hand of a small child.

-Look, Grandma, there is someone on our stairs, said the child. Grandmother saw with the old, worn eyes, and although she was nearly blind, she knew the old Christmas song again.- It's the old Christmas song, she cried. - It was my grandmother who taught me, and she had learned it from her grandmother, that's how old it is!Sing-me, bade the song low. It couldn't do any more.- But come in, come in, said his wife, And the song went into the poor but warm living room.

And the wife began to sing with the weak and cracked voice, and the bright child's voice fell in too. And the old Christmas song was no longer a gray and tattered wretch, but clear and brilliant with a gown that shone in the glory of the stars and lights.

And it was like the roof lifted up on the little house, and the song spread beyond the notes and hurried out of the dark and dreary world. And everyone who heard it, forgot the bustle and cares and began to sing along. Their childhoods old Christmas song. Oh, THOU HOLY, O THOU Blessed .....

This story is written by Marjatta cure Niemi. The translation to Norwegian is done by Jo Tenfjord and the story was originally published in the book Christmas in our house in the 1980's. Translated into English by myself....

Idaho trip

2011-08-26T22:22:00.000-06:00

In the spring some time it was apparent that Mary was going to attend a Con in Idaho at the end of the summer, and as the weeks progressed this became a "family" vacation, meaning that John and the kids would come along and also visit a bird center near where the Con was. So after having been invited, I decided to go with. As this had turned out to be a family thing I only had to pay for the attendance ticket to the con myself, so I decided why not....

2011-08-14T10:36:00.001-06:00

Oh my poor neglected little blog.... so much has happened in so little time, and I guess I should have learned by now there's no way of catching up..... [sigh] there's the terror attach in Norway (though I touched briefly on that before), there's the con in Idaho, the bird babies updates, we've had floods in the basement (again), daily life with all that follows living with Aspies, a day at the cabin of one of my favorite living poets; Emma Lou Thayne.., books I've read, riots in the UK, Torchwood being back on TV..... and that's just what rolls off the top of my head at the moment... I'm sure there's a lot more as well....

Now, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to catch up on every little thing, but I'll be doing my darnedest to try.

My only comment about the happenings in Norway is that I'm proud of how the Norwegian people handled the grief and the sorrow. It has been a hard time following the US news through this, as their incompetence and ignorance has shown even more through it all. It's been hard and very shocking as the details were released, but again, I have to say I'm very proud of how Norwegians stood together through it all!

Bob Walters of Utah Division of Wildlife at the orientation

On to happier notes, the falcon babies we have been following this spring/summer have been hanging around downtown on Temple Square and we've enjoyed getting updates about them on this blog, though we miss being able to watch them on the box cam. It's amazing to learn about these amazing hunters, they're quite the aerial killing machines, but also so graceful and beautiful. This year the kids got named after famous human Aviators, so we have Amelia, Charlie, Sally and Bobbie.

Falcon box on JSMB downtown SLC

When we went to Idaho for the Con, we stopped at a Preserve for birds outside of Boise, (more on that later though) and I was thinking maybe some of "our" kids will end up with one of "their" kids next year... They also have falcons in Downtown Boise you see.

Well, this will be it for now, I have to get ready for the day and put on dinner, but I'll be back with more later... ;)

All four babies looking down at us

Amelia, the oldest, looking out

closeup of Amelia as she peeks over the edge..

2011-08-02T21:38:00.001-06:00

"God saw she was getting tired,

and a cure was not to be.

So he put his arms around her,

and whispered: Come with me.

With tear-filled eyes we watched her

suffer and fade away

although we loved her deeply

we could not make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating

hard working hands put to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove us,

he only takes the best"

In memory of the oldest living relative on my mothers side who passed away last night. Tante Klara was married to my grandmothers brother, and lived a long and wonderful life. Rest peacefully dearest!

Terrorism in Norway...

2011-07-22T12:51:00.002-06:00

As I sit here watching the Norwegian News, I can't help being grateful for Social Media and online News. It's been a great tool as I've been following the horrible acts of terrorism in my native Norway.

Heidi woke me up this morning, telling me a friend had called after having seen on the news a bomb had gone off in the middle of Oslo (capitol of Norway). It's not where I grew up, and it's not where I have any close family. But I have friends there, and as it is where the government is situated, it's still shocking and frightening. Then an hour or so later there were news of a shooter at a Labour-Party Youth/Teen Camp....

This post is likely very random, as I try to put words to my thoughts. it's been a crazy morning to say the least..

bad habit

2011-07-20T01:04:00.001-06:00

Just recently realized as I was reflecting on past conversation with friends, I've developed a nasty bad habit... I'm not proud of it, and I will attempt my best to change it. Knowing it is REALLY REALLY annoying..

So here it is: cutting people off when they talk, to insert my own thoughts, ideas, inputs, etc. and it's gotten really really bad... And I hereby apologize heartily and pledge to do better!!! I am but a product of my surroundings, but I will apply myself and do better from now on!!!

Service

2011-07-13T00:11:00.001-06:00

Heidi's old boyfriend (or one of them..lol..) moved back to Salt Lake a few months ago, to help take care of his aging parents. This past weekend his father passed away (on Sat. as I was at the funeral... yeah it was the weekend of emotions at our house). Needless to say his life was turned a little upside down, and he called us this morning at the end of his wits. Heidl, being the nice friend she is offered our support, and so we raced up to his apartment to help out.

Now Dave is a great guy, but a tinsy bit ocd and a bit of a clean freak, so Heidi and I spent about two hours helping out by dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, doing dishes and so forth.... It's quite AMAZING how much funner it is cleaning someone else's house than one's own...

Hopefully we left Dave with a lighter heart, we definitely came away cheered up.

Serving is amazing! The "magic" it does in one's life is awesome. :)

"Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity." Neal A. Maxwell

Onward

2011-07-12T10:25:00.001-06:00

We are moving on, to happier notes...

I am excited and happy to be able to go watch the last Harry Potter movie this coming weekend. Thanks to my friend Alicia in NYC, for the ticket. I have been a fan of HP and JK since I first discovered the books over ten years ago, the movies I've always found a little lacking, but have still watched. This weekend it all comes to a close with the last movie in the franchise opening. And unless one has been living under a rock for some years, we know the hype is pretty big.

So, I am going to go enjoy myself with Harry and the gang for the last time. Thanks JK for inviting us all into this wonderful and magical world!!!

Grief

2011-07-11T22:37:00.000-06:00

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

Victor Hugo

There is something, not quite but almost profound in grief. Most times I guess it can seem overwhelming and hurting, but at times it can lead to some honest, spiritual and acute "light-bulb moments".

Everyone will lose someone they love, someone they're close to, someone who's made an impact on their lives... How we deal with this is individual, and very varied. I'm learning things about myself and about what is important in my life. I "blame" this on Wes, (my friend that I lost...) I think I am having this learning experience in my grieving process, largely because of the kind of man he was.

Fortunately I have my personal Faith to sustain me and carry me through.. So many times throughout the funeral I found myself wondering how others get through something like this without a belief in life after death. I believe it with my whole heart. In fact I'll go so far as to say I know it! I know we will live again. And I believe families can be together for ever.. That faith sustains me.

Back to grief, the process this time, has for me been quite deep and philosophical. Emotional to be sure, but so enlightening that I find it endurable. I think we humans grieve in many situations. Many scientific reports have shown that Grief is a process and a healthy one at that... Personally I've experienced the devastating grief that almost pushes one over the edge, the calm, cool and collected grief, and each time I've come through a wiser human being. This time I'm going through a healthier kind of grief process.

So, Wes is still teaching, still showing a perfect example, oh my friend, the heavens have gained a powerhouse of a human being. I'm left with a hole in my heart, but I feel it glowing with your love and friendship. Tusen takk min venn!

Do you know what friendship is... it is to be brother and sister; two souls which touch without mingling, two fingers on one hand.
Victor Hugo

When a good man goes to war....

2011-07-07T23:54:00.002-06:00

"When a good man goes to war" was the name of the last season episode of Doctor Who... and I find it fitting as I grieve and attempt to deal with the loss of one of the best men I've had the privilege of knowing....

What does one say to a young widow, at the loss of her best friend, her companion, her husband? How does one comfort a family with two small children who will grow up without their father? What can one say to a family who have lost and have to bury a son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin? What do I have to say that can make a difference or give comfort?

In the nights, when I am alone with my thoughts, the regrets and missed chances come out. How do I honor my friend and the influence he made on my life and my personality? The sorrow for all the opportunities that were missed, because I didn't bother picking up the phone, or write a letter.. The words that were never spoken, the gratitude never expressed... And yet, his influence in my life will never go away, his example, his model life never forgot. He lives on, in his children, his wife, those who's lives he has touched.. The many people he taught, will live on with his teachings.

But I.... I have lost a dear friend, a brother, to a meaningless illness... and I grieve.. knowing as I do, his family grieves more..

Updated:

Happy Birthday United States of America!!!!

2011-07-04T21:06:00.000-06:00

We started the day with a neighborhood breakfast -- complete with a parade of police cars with sirens, men, women, and children on decorated bikes and unicycles-- old cars, scooters, even decorated doggies. We eat, then run home to wave flags and whistle as the parade passes in front or our house! Cutest kids ever! :D

Talked to people for quite some time, then I took a nap, while "watching" Stephen Moffats' Sherlock Holmes.

Heidi's cousin invited us to the movies in the afternoon and we watched 17 Miracles. An inspiring movie! Then we were invited to have dinner with them at the Red Iguana, a Mexican/Aztec type food restaurant. VERY GOOD FOOD!!!!! I had a chicken enchilada platter, and it was AMAZING!!!!!

We are finishing the evening with a patriotic movie (the original Superman from 1978) and, if anyone cares to stay up perhaps we'll see the fireworks from Sugarhouse park...

Anyways, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY everyone!!!!!!!
Tomorrow we might go downtown to help some Peregrine Fledglings.

Gearing up for Reunion 2011

2011-06-30T21:09:00.000-06:00

I am therefore getting excited by putting together a little slideshow from some of the pictures I took last year... :)

Nelson Family Reunion 2010 - create free slideshows

Christmas 2010

2011-06-28T23:09:00.000-06:00

This is the posting that SHOULD have been this past Christmas..... unfortunately that didn't happen, but better late than never, right?! So here it is, Christmas in July! ;p

Birthday Bash

2011-06-28T22:38:00.000-06:00

In January there was a girl who had a birthday and this is a very very short blog about that day!

Falcon Babies Update....

2011-06-28T22:05:00.000-06:00

Earlier tonight, Mary, Livie and I went down to Temple Square to attend the falcon field trip and volunteer orientation meeting. We were able to hear a lot from the people who work with these wonderful creatures on a daily basis.

The fledgelings are now about four weeks old, and are showing signs of being ready for flight training. A week or two called “Hell-week” by the experts and volunteers, due to the speed and lack of control on the part of these youngsters. With them hatching on a building in Down-town Salt Lake City, there are many and varied dangers.. Including but not limited to shiny windows, cars/trucks and physical hurt due to falling. These birds are pretty high on the food chain as far as other animals go, no other animals really prey on them. But many times they can attract illnesses from the food they are fed (such as city birds/small rodents) Fortunately pesticide that put them on the endangered-list have been banned for years and the population is now healthily climbing.

So the meeting tonight was basically to petition for and inform volunteers to help keep an eye out for these four.

In our family we’ve named them of course, and they are in order of birth: Junior, Turkey Basting, Nameless (adapt. from “Toothless”) and bibi-bibi (aka. the baby or the runt).

Basically they need help with paying attention to these four when they start flight training, by watching them and following them, if they fall to the ground; to catch them for release on top of building, or if hurt, hand them over to the rehab. people. With four young it might be a little busy too keep track of them all, so they were asking for more volunteers this year.

Rob Walters of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, has worked with these birds for many many years (since the mid ‘80s I think) and is in charge down there on Temple Square. He is expecting “hell-week” to start around July 4th which I think is fitting for these majestic creatures. :D

Dinner Night...

2011-06-26T19:44:00.001-06:00

Tonight's been my dinner-night and I decided a few days ago I wanted Hawaiian Haystacks... So that's what I made... Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it before it got put away, so you'll all just have to deal with other people's pictures.... *giggle*

Haystacks (as we call them for short) are quickly becoming a family favorite here at our house. It's delicious, it's nutritious and everybody gets to build it to their taste.

There are a multitude of recipes, all as different as our personalities. BUT the basics are the same.
You start with your regular sticky rice... and shredded chicken in a white sauce, but here the variables and changes start.... I've found the easiest way is to just put pieces of chicken in the crock-pot and let them cook for a couple of hours. Right after they are cooked enough to cut easily, shred the pieces with two forks and put them back in the Crock Pot. Then make a white sauce, I season with salt, pepper, onion powder, ground ginger, a little oregano and a LOT of Basil. When your white sauce is thick add it to the chicken and let it simmer for a little while. In the meantime, cut up your onions, green onions, cashew nuts, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, pineapple, whatever you want and feel like... I also shred cheese, put out a bowl of craisins, open a can or two of canned mandarin oranges....

Basically from the white sauce out you're looking at a hodge-podge of whatever your taste buds desire. So you start by putting the rice on your plate, add the chicken "sauce", and then add the toppings as much or as little as you want. In the end dig in and enjoy!! :)
ALOHA!! :)

FANFICTION

2011-06-25T00:12:00.000-06:00

Normally I'm super super picky when it comes to my favorite stories/novels... and so fan-fiction is a delicate area for me. But my very very dear friend has written a fan-fiction of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice that is really good, and I highly recommend it to you all. If you're into this sort I would be delighted if you would check it out!!

One Thread Pulled Chapter 1: The Assembly Ball, a pride and prejudice fanfic - FanFiction.Net

Our new Pets....

2011-06-22T23:50:00.003-06:00

Okay so the title is a bit of a tease.... To clarify, we don't have any new pets at our house, (Hilda is very,VERY allergic and sensitive!!!!)... We get to enjoy them 24/7 (if we want to), and we don’t have to clean up after them or feed them or anything!!! In short they are the PERFECT PETS (for this household at least).... So wanna meet them???

Here they are... our babies.... Peregrine falcon cam It’s actually quite funny.... the kids crowd around the computers, we have the falcon cam running on at least ONE computer every hour... and we all watch mesmerized... Even the boy!!! :) We love these little tykes, AND their parents! The services provided by the state, with the cameras and all the info, not to mention all the hours of service that goes on in regards to these beautiful creatures, is quite amazing!! To be able to see these wild animals up close and personal... and the fact that they’re thriving in such an urban community is awesome.... A TRUE DELIGHT!!!! :)

For more see also this blog by Liz Schubert...

More Peregrine falcon facts

Scientific name: Falco peregrinus (In Latin, peregrinus means wandering.)
Distribution: Cosmopolitan, but mainly in arctic to temperate regions
Status: Formerly listed by the U.S. government as endangered, but recently delisted
Life span: 10 to 12 years; 20 years in captivity
Length: 10 to 20 inches (females are larger than the males)
Wingspan: 36 to 45 inches (females are larger than the males)
Weight: 1 pound 4 ounces to 2 pounds 12 ounces
Plumage: In most plumages, the dark head appears hooded; slate grey-backed (dark brown-backed as juvenile) with cream-colored underparts, thick dark "mustache" (malar) mark below eye
Eyesight: Up to eight times better than human vision
Song: In protest, a loud, rapidly-repeated "kak, kak, kak"
Flight speed: Clocked at 175 to 200 mph in vertical stoop or when diving from great heights upon prey
Appearance in flight: Active flight is with shallow, but stiff and powerful wingbeats; soaring is on flat wings and a widely fanned tail; gliding is with wings level or with writs below the body and the wingtips up
Abundance and seasonal status: Nests in Utah; occasionally seen during fall migration and sometimes is a winter resident
Nesting habits: Tall, sheer cliff faces, often within 14 miles of water; occasionally on bridges, buildings and towers
Number of eggs in clutch: Typically three to four
Wintering habits: Southern North America, Central America and South America
Food: Almost exclusively birds, nearly always caught in mid-flight; fledglings often chase after and catch flying insects, such as dragonflies
Factors responsible for decline: Pesticides, habitat loss, pollution, poisoning and shooting
Factors responsible for recovery: The ban in the use of the pesticide DDT in 1972 is believed to have contributed significantly to the recovery; in recent years, the outlook for the birds improved enough that they have been delisted from the federal endangered species list.

Desert Pyramidal Saxifrage

2011-06-22T22:35:00.001-06:00

As a Scandi-hoovian living in the desert, it is a good idea to be very friendly and generous with sunscreen and sunblock..

I seem to forget or miss this fact, as I get sunburned over and over and over again... and it's not good!!! And I know better, and I guess I'm just careless... to the point of stupidity... so what am i going to do about it? Well that's just it.... I don't know.... haven't figured that out yet... meanwhile it's another agonizing night ahead for me.... I'll probably have to sleep on my stomach, which is bad for my sunburned arms, but better than being on my back and suffocating my poor sunburned neck..... *sigh*......
Anywho, sorry for the pity-party... I'll just pour more Aloe on myself... and hope I get the message.... WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!!

by the way, the title is a reference to the Norwegian State Flower... and living in UT. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chondrosea_cotyledon

COOL WORDS!!! :)

2011-06-20T23:07:00.002-06:00

(yes, I’m such a geek)

What does one call a lover of words?
- A Logophile! The word comes from the Greek source “logo” which means speech and “phile” meaning friend/lover.

Some of my favorites are:

Nefarious
Defenestrate :P
Kerfuffle :)
Persnickety :)
Juxtapose
Discombobulate (yes it has become a “proper” word!)

ONE HOUR LIFE HISTORY part 2

2011-06-19T17:57:00.001-06:00

You might want to think about your Life History again. You can add more to your life history in one-hour increments. Try one of the following options. When you finish a project, make a clean copy and put it in your file/folder/binder.

Write a story about an event in your childhood. The story doesn't have to have earthshaking significance; it just has to mean something to you. Begin like this: "I remember when I was seven...." You will be amazed at what you remember!
Elaborate on any of the topics in the first history. Add the details you had to skip before.
Perhaps you have already written some stories about your life and your family. Locate them and add them to your files.
Add photographs to your history. Seeing the faces and places described in the text can help it come alive. You can purchase archival-quality pages to hold photographs; or copies of your photographs can be made on a copy machine and include in your documents.
Write down your testimony. Schedule a special time and seek the Spirit of the Lord.
How about a romance chapter? Write the story of your courtship, engagement, wedding and honeymoon.
Write some memories of your children. Reminisce on their babyhood and the cute things they said and did.
Write about yourself as you see yourself. How do you feel and what do you think? Describe yourself, not just physically, but with the other interesting details: that you cry over sentimental movies, love baseball and hate beets... ;p
Write about your best Christmas, summer vacation or annual family outing; write about any holiday or vacation for that matter.
Make lists, for example what are your favorite foods? What is your favorite TV show?
Write about items in your home that have a special meaning to you. If your son cut his teeth on the back of a chair, write about it. And mention any furniture handed down to you from a loved one.
Write a one page annual update of the highlights of the past year.
Make a fancy for for your documents, add index tabs, or think up more topics. (On a personal note, I would add getting letters and notes from other family members about the same times/details you are writing about... for example does your little sister remember you feeding the do your dinner also?)

Gradually, you will write a life history rich in detail. But don’t think about that. For now, have fun in just one hour :p

ONE HOUR LIFE HISTORY

2011-06-19T13:08:00.001-06:00

This is from an article I found in a magazine from 1994, by a woman named Carol Huber... That is all the reference I have I am sorry. It's great advice! :)

Writing a life history sounds like a monumental task but it can be done in an hour. It's easy, It's even fun. Here is one way to begin:

Set aside an hour - use a timer to ease your mind, and find a comfortable place to write.
Use a legal pad and a ballpoint pen, a typewriter or a computer. Or if writing is difficult for you, talk into a tape recorder and have someone else transcribe it.
Begin with your name. Simply write "My name is...." Tell how you got your name what it means, your nicknames etc. If you were named for Aunt Matilda or Grandpa George, write that down.
Now write everything you know about where you were born: the name of the hospital or the address of the house or the location of the farm. Add details about the weather, the time of day, and the day of the week.
List the names, birthplaces, and birth dates of your parents, brothers and sisters.
Name the schools you attended, including college. You may be tempted to begin a long story about the time you and your best friend got lost collecting for a paper drive. Resist the temptation. Straying from the assignment will run into overtime and make you reluctant to return to your history!
List the organizations you joined as a child - Primary, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy scouts. Did you play the tuba in a marching band?
List important Church dates, such as your baptism and other ordinances, and your Church callings.
List the date, location and other significant details of your marriage. Then list your children and their birth dates. Mention important changes in your family - - a child's marriage, deaths, divorces, moves and jobs. Remember, keep to the bare bones of your life. You only have one hour so stick to the facts.Describe how you have spent your adult life - at work, at home, and so forth.

You're done!
Make a clean copy of your work. Use page protectors and insert it into a folder or a binder. The binder will make it easy to add material later on. Keep this history with your baby book and journal. Continue to write in your journal. Your one-hour life history will be a fair representation of your life. You never have to worry about writing your life history again if you don't want to.

Picture from Rose Briar.

To GEEK or NOT to GEEK... that is the question.....

2011-06-19T00:45:00.002-06:00

When I first came back to UT. abt. a year and a half ago, I was in Twilight Mode with a bit of Regency Era thrown in, I am not ashamed to admit I was (and still in some was am) all about Edward and the immortal.... The kids here made fun, baited me and in general tried to harass it out of me, but unbeknownst to me the geek was deeply rooted and being as stubborn as I am they made no headway..... Then, in a sheer moment of brilliancy, (on their part) they introduced me to the Doctor.... Who might you ask.... (as well you should....) My first episode was "Blink" and boy was it it a whooper...

To make a long story short I was continually reluctant for about a couple of months and my attraction was at first to the Brilliant LOVELY "tall, lanky lad" from Scotland; Mr. David Tennant. I had watched him before and had sort of a "super-like"'ish crush on him, but after I'd watched a few episodes of Series 4 my fan-girl'dom (for the Doctor) was solid and irrevocable.... Since then the "damage" went from bad to worse, and the geek in me came waaaay out of the (Geek) Closet!!!! At that point we had caught up to the last season/series of Davids' and I was at my first regeneration.... (that's how the doctor changes and the actor can move on... I'll get back to the technical stuff later...) The new guy was an rather unknown actor named Matt Smith and I was scared an skeptical yet hopeful at the same time..... Well, as hard and emotional (YES, I cried!!!! Bawled like a baby!!!!! Complete mess and lost it at the end.....) as that experience was, the next year brought a new Doctor, a new companion (those who travel with the doctor) and new adventures, I grew in fondness and love for the 11th Doctor and the actor who portrayed him. It's now the middle of the second season for Doc. 11 and his comps, and I'm still going strong.... So why this long chronicle about my history with Doctor Who????

Because that is what started the whole madness of letting out the Geek inside me... it had been hidden and oppressed for so very many years, but after the Doctor came into my life, it was able to fight it's way out and proclaim itself... Am I still a fan of Twilight? YES!
Am I still a fan of Jane Austen et all?? HECK YEAH!!!!
But I am definitely also a GEEK!!!!!

My FANDOM index:

Doctor Who
Torchwood/Sarah Jane Chronicles
Superman/Smallville
Star WARS (NOT trek!!!!!!)
Lord of the Rings/Tolkien
Chronicles of Narnia
Iron Man
Other Comics (include Elf Quest, Astrix, the Phantom, SilverArrow, etc.)
Firefly/Serenity
Charmed
Jane Austen/Brontes/et all

The list is longer and more plentiful, and I'm sure I will continue to add to the catalog the rest of my life... but hey, this gives me more to blog about as well so it's all good... lol.

Granted, it depends largely on my surroundings and environment, and I'm sure the intensity for some things will come and go (as with everything in our lives) but the Doctor has forever a place in my heart, and so (though I won't admit it to them) do these kids for doing this to me! ;p

However, I have to affirm, Mr. Darcy is still number one for me!!!!

Look for yours truly in this:

Pias verden: Baby, vanlig mat, spising og grising.

2011-06-17T17:35:00.001-06:00

A fabulous piece (sorry that it is in Norwegian... but let google chrome translate it for you!!!! ) about children and eating!!! GOOD JOB PIA!! :)

Pias verden: Baby, vanlig mat, spising og grising.: "De fleste foreldre gjør sine egne erfaringer og kommer dermed med klare konklusjoner. Som de da tror gjelder for alle barn. Dere har vel a..."

The Fam... :D

2011-06-12T11:35:00.000-06:00

There's Grandma Verda and Grandpa Willard, they have 7 kids:

Nadine (Terry)
Steve (Tami)
Neil (Pat)
Diana (John)
Toni (Larry)
Susi (Seth)
Heidi (John)

and these guys all have children and grandchildren:) of which I am an "adopted grandchild" as I "belong" to Heidi's "gang" Heidi, however, is older than me but not old enough to be my mum... so (in my eyes) she's more like my older sister :) (by 15 yrs).

I consider myself very fortunate to be part of this large, crazy, wonderful clan of people.

Varied Tastes

2011-06-08T01:20:00.001-06:00

I'm a bit of an eclectic when it comes to taste of music, books, films and other such interests....

PARTICULARLY when it comes to music... for example, I LOOOOVED the 80's puffy rock, the nineties Hard (and somewhat alternative) Rock, but I am absolutely in LOVE with Classical music, and Opera in particular. I remember as a little girl I would watch the New Year Concert from Wien with my grandmother each New Years day and I would stand behind a chair, do little ballet poses, swing with the Waltz and practice my opera... you see I was going to be an opera singing ballerina!! Fortunately in my life, I've been able to surround myself with friends who actually managed to become Opera singers, and I enjoy their talents immensely! :) (needless to say that didn't happen for me... either of them...)

Last night I was able to attend a recital at one of our neighbors' of one of my dear friends singing with two of her co-students who are getting their Doctorates at the University of Utah in Vocal Performance (correct me if I'm wrong Erin!)

And boy was it a fantastic way to spend the evening! (Not to mention the yummy treats afterward!!!) These ladies are sooo talented and it was such a pleasure to see the relationship between the three singers and also with their accompanist. The program was magnificently put together with varied yet comparable songs, from a handful of composers. There was even a piece by George Gershwin and one by Stephen Sondheim!! :) (For those not in the "know", they are not generally considered Opera composers.. though there is certainly debates about it.. )

Anywho, I was going somewhere with this, but it's after one in the morning and the conclusion to this post has left me a long time ago... so here is the substitute ending...It was a fun evening, with wonderful Opera music, the end ;)

Marjorie Morgan Gray Wagstaff

2011-06-03T16:06:00.002-06:00

Today I said goodbye to an old friend.

Marge or Gramma Marge as she was also called was a cankerous, grumpy, outspoken, beautiful and kind generous woman.

She was born in Salt Lake City, UT. in April 1914 and was 97 when she died. She passed away in her sleep, in the wee morning hours, last sunday and it was not wholly unexpected as she'd been feeling a little "off" for a week.

She had a quick wit and a bright and winning personality and was loved by many. Me included. I was fortunate to be able to spend some time caring for her in her home and she could make me smile and laugh like no one else. Even when she was in pain or uncomfortable, her focus was elsewhere.

Marge was a great lady and a beautiful person (fitting, as she was a beautician). She took me in and loved me with open arms, and I am a better person for having known her.
The funeral today was lovely.. funny, sharp and a little sad. Not because Marge had died, but more because she has left us behind.

A great life lived and continues on elsewhere. Thanks for your love Marge!

GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

2011-06-02T20:24:00.001-06:00

Living with Autism is hard! Living with teenagers is hard... put the two together, and sometimes you want to scream and tear your hair out!!!!!

And, I'm not trying to lessen anyones burdens or make light of a difficult situation... but sometimes I can't help but wonder if living with High Functioning Autism is almost worse.... Why do I make this claim??? Well, because, with some "issues" it might be easier to acknowledge that there are issues and one remembers it better I think. With the HFA, people seem more capable and "normal" (for the lack of a better word or term...) and it's easier to forget about the things they just can't do..

The unfortunate problem, in my experience, is topping it off when there are simple ways of tricks or tools one can implement in order to lessen the burden for all involved, and not everyone involved are on board... That makes it REALLY REALLY HARD!!! Not to mention frustrating!!!

Now of course, everyones' experience is different and unique, and I only claim my personal experience with this disorder and living with it!

To start of with, let me tell you what Aspergers is:

Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.

Doctors group Asperger's syndrome with other conditions that are called autistic spectrum disorders or pervasive developmental disorders. These disorders all involve problems with social skills and communication. Asperger's syndrome is generally thought to be at the milder end of this spectrum.

Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:

Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.

Dislike any changes in routines.

Appear to lack empathy.

Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, they may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally.

While there's no cure for Asperger's syndrome, if your child has the condition treatment can help him or her learn how to interact more successfully in social situations.

Now, of course this is just in technical terms. And with each individual it reveals itself differently, and at different times/ages.

For me, living in a house with one definite and three possible Aspies, life can get pretty rocky.. and sometimes downright depressing! So I have to remind myself that this is a real proper issue and to be more patient... But BOY is it HARD!!!!

When it rains.....

2011-05-28T15:21:00.000-06:00

it pours... or so they say... is it that I have too much to say and no one to listen to me? is it because I am bored with other social media? (btw. we watched "the Social Network" a few weeks ago and it was a really good movie! Kudos to Aaron Sorkin!!!)

Whatever the reason I am back, paying attention to my blog. And my friends' blog!!! I do read yours alls blogs yes!!

Will it last?? Who knows! We'll see...

Digital Pack-Rat?

2011-05-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

A few years ago, when I had a job and money to spend, I bought many Real Simple Magazines. It is a magazine that had everything I liked, good advice on just about everything, Literature, where to find super deals, decorating tips, recipes, etc.

But now as I go through the contents of my storage unit, I've had a hard time letting go of them... However three boxes of magazines are not only heavy but cumbersome to pack as well..

So, the solution, Digital Copies. :D

I am scanning the articles I want to keep, so I have them digitally and it's also great because storage is virtually limitless. It's a win win!! :) So as the scanner next to me gently hums and whirs, the pile of paper on my other side grows larger, and I sigh with happiness..... Computers/Internet/Virtual Storage is AWESOME!!! I also have some O magazines and Everyday with Rachael Ray, that I will go through the same way. I've spent the money so I figure I get to keep the articles I like!

I only wish I would have thought of this many years ago...

The biggest problem for me is keeping track of what I'm doing. As always I try to multi task, and sometimes (like just now) I will scan the same page twice and/or forget to scan one page....... but I mostly have it down to a system so it's not too awful..

By the end of this I'm sure I'll be a big know it all, so be aware lest I spew forth unsolicited advice!! (wink wink, I'm kidding) However I WILL know where to go to find answers to almost anything!! :)

Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing. Cicero

2011-05-26T23:20:00.000-06:00

These last few days have been difficult to say the least here on Preston St. There have been high emotions, overflow of hormones, illnesses, aspieness, and business issues.. The "Text" company is coming up on a big deadline and have (had) printer issues for quite some time now... (among other things)

So, today after feeling crappy and crabby and down, I decided, to hell with the rest of the world, and I did something for ME! I found a planter box and some soil, and I planted some flowers!!! (Pic's to come)
However they turn out, it was nice for me to do some work with soil and water, outside and it lifted my spirit immensely. So the laundry didn't get folded and put away, the kitchen didn't get scrubbed and dishes done, Liv didn't make dinner, but I had some time for me. And I feel better equipped now to get on better tomorrow!

A garden is the best alternative therapy.
Germaine Greer

2011-05-26T18:05:00.000-06:00

I wish I could say I have learned these things, unfortunately I got them off an email (one of those annoying chain mails that get sent around) but hopefully one day, I can say I have learned them all. Until then, enjoy! And feel free to add to the list; what have YOU learned?

I've learned...that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned...that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned...that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned...that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned...that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned...that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned...that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned...that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned...that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned...that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned...that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned...that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned...that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned...that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned...that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned...that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned...that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned...that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned...that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned...that there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I've learned...that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned...that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned...that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned...that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned...that I wish I could have told my parents that I love them one more time before they passed away.

I've learned...that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned...that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned...that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned...that when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned...that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned...that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

I've learned...that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

I (can) HAS CUTE STUFF!!!!!!!!

2010-07-25T22:12:00.000-06:00

One of the hardest things I am doing these days, is going through my things to sort out what will get sold, thrown out, given away, and what (FEW) things will come with me... It is something that has to be done, and I am excited to "find" things again... but then having to part with them get's sooo sad and almost heartbreaking.

YES, I know, you're thinking I'm too attached to STUFF and you're right, I even think so myself... but then I look at my gorgeous blue glass plates, my funky kitchen mat, and my colourful throw pillows, and I cry really hard on the inside...

I HAS CUTE STUFF!!!!!

and having to part with them is sad...

BUT the item that will be the absolute hardest to part with, is my sewing machine.
It's not super fancy, or super expensive, but it was mine, and we made so many cute things together... I am going to try and keep as much of my fabrics as I can, and definitely all the patterns, but the sewing machine is too heavy and cumbersome so it will have to go.
*sniffle*
(Hopefully they have sewing-machines in England!)

Anne'ish musings...

2010-07-17T19:27:00.000-06:00

"Isn't a road an interesting thing?" said Anne dreamily. "Not a straight road, but one with ends and kinks around which anything of beauty and surprise may be lurking. I've always loved bends in roads."

Normally I do too, except when I am too afraid to take charge and choose a path. Waiting around for someone who knows better, is stronger, not afraid to take chances, someone maybe a little daring....

Then I get fed up with myself and think, girl, - take charge and just GO!!! Sometimes those roads end up fantastically exciting.. but most times, I chicken out and go back, only to find the paths have now changed and I am back where I started, with nothing to show for anything....

So here's to gathering courage to take the right steps, and picking a road! Maybe even the one "less traveled by" !!

July Musings....

2010-07-10T22:04:00.001-06:00

"The best things in life are free"

or so the saying goes... I'd like to add that the BEST things in life are SHARED. As I learned in Seattle, California and New York, I am pretty content with doing things on my own, but it is soooo many thousands times better when I do things with someone else. Today I watched Eclipse and afterwards I lunched and went "window-shopping" at the Mall (the Gateway here in SLC). It was nice to walk around, looking at people, finding cute clothes, lotion samples and so on, but it would have been so much more fun to have had any of my friends there with me. So, here are some warm thoughts sent out across the communication tapestry to all my dear friends, I miss you and love you all however different and far apart me might be, rest assured, I think of you often and wish you were with me!

Recently I've run out of stuff to read, all my favorite authors seem to be on hiatus' so I've gone back to the REALLY OLD SCHOOL. We're talking the Anne of Green Gable's Series, and it's struck me that I am quite a strange soul, a little like Anne in some ways.... I do not have her lovely red hair, and I might not live in a place as romantic and fit for imagining as the Prince Edward Island (I still dream of visiting there some day).... but I do have a lot of imagination. Reading these books again is like the visit of a dear friend or even a sister... I love my Anne, red hair, freckles and all!
(This is to explain some rather Anne'ish posts I am sure is to come!)

Onwards, the WORLD CUP (Football) has occupied my attention lately, and though I started out rooting for England, my favor has now shifted to the lovely Oranje, the Dutch! It looks like there will be a very exciting finale on Sunday and I will be plastered in front of the TV to watch..... Next World Cup would be fun to share with someone!

Another "past-time" activity (read:work) that has been done lately is garden work..... Heidi has had me work both in our backyard and at her rental property. We have been dirty, sweaty and some days rather sun burned, but there's also the hint of a tiny tan on my body.... I'm VERY excited!!! I don't tan easily, (thank's Norwegian ancestry!) Pictures will follow as soon as I can remember to bring my camera outside with me.... But we have dug out trees, transplanted grass (lawn parts), clipped bushes and trees, planted flowers, spread bark, dreamed of green and leafy bushes, planned redoing of sprinkler systems, watered, clipped, weeded, edged, dreamed of herb gardens (okay, that's been mostly me.....), laid stepping stones, dreamed of raised flowerbeds, shopped for flowers & plants, watered, brought the dead (grass) back to life and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.... (lol) but gardening we have! As I said.... pictures to follow....

Well the night has now fallen, I've worked on this post (off-and-on) for the better part of three hours and need to go to bed...

Goodnight moon, celestial diamonds and peaceful summer breeze...

crazy busy!

2010-05-27T14:19:00.002-06:00

This past month has been crazy!!!

I have been all over and everywhere, babysitting, and helping out friends and family. And this last weekend in May finds me in Boise, ID. where I am accompanying Mary to an Anime Convention. (Scary thought, I know!!!)

Twice I've been at Amy and Seth's watching their kids, as they've gone out of town. Their 5 kids are totally adorable and I love them to pieces, but man have they got energy!!! And I can appreciate more now, how hard it is to single parent. Co-parents have many benefits, that's for sure!

Then as I got back from their house, my aunt asked if I would help out her son's family, so I went and spent some days in Spanish Fork, babysitting for my cousin and his wife. They have three kids, all super cute, and it was fun to get to know Heather better. While I was there I got the first sunburn of the year. Always a fun event. This time it was my face, especially my nose!!

So that's what I've been doing lately... wish I had pictures to show for it, but for some reason I couldn't find them on my computer... There WILL be pictures on the blog from the Con in Idaho though!!!

the haircut result

2010-05-27T14:13:00.002-06:00

The results of the haircut!!

Haircut

2010-05-01T08:02:00.005-06:00

My hair has grown really really long, it has not been cut since last September ('09) so I am thinking of getting it cut... but how, and where, and do I get a style??? What would suit me?? OR should I just not care, just get the normal cut that I get??? I am torn, part of me wants to try something new... but I also know myself well enough to know that if I get it cut in a style that requires ANY fluffing or caring after a shower, it's not going to happen... It's nice to just get out of the shower and brush through the hair and then not care about it again.... I like that! Nice and easy. BUT I've also done the SAME THING for SOOOOO LONG that it's gotten boring... there are so many things to consider and I'm terribly confused... sigh... HELP, anyone??

New Book

2010-04-29T19:20:00.002-06:00

The kids I've tended this past week got me started reading another series... *sigh* like I needed something else to read.... lol...

Nah, it's actually been pretty cool, and I'm really enjoying these books. It's the Fablehaven Series, by Brandon Mull. And though it's mainly focused towards children/youth, I've come to appreciate the fantastic mystical world of Fablehaven, and in many ways it reminds me of the fairytales I used to hear as a child!

I would recommend this series to everyone!

still here

2010-04-29T16:12:00.000-06:00

It's been quiet on the blogger front from me lately, that is because I was a single "mom" for five kids for a week. A friend and her husband went out on town, and needed someone to look after the kiddles... :) It was awesome, tiring, cold, stressful, humorous, loving, all wrapped up in a ball... and I got a new appreciation for the familyUNIT.

The kids ranged in ages from 2 to almost 10, four girls and a boy, the youngest a set of twins... CUTE as all get-up, but man, did they have energy!!!!!!!!!
AND I get to do it all over again for about 4 days in two weeks... It's totally okay though, the kids really are lovely and the house is big and in a very nice area, so I get tons and tons of "fringe" benefits!!!! (can anyone say cable??? :D)

So, just to let anyone out there following know... I'm still here, and I'm still blogging!!!

Knutsen og Ludvigsen

2010-04-21T19:53:00.007-06:00

I just found out about the death of a childhood "friend", an entertainer and artist by the name of Gustav Lorentzen. He was one half of the duo Knutsen and Ludvigsen, with hits such as "Juba Juba", "Kanskje kommer Kongen", "Matpakkevise" and many others. This duo entertained, taught and inspired entire generations with their songs and shows. Many of which are still popular today.

Gustav Lorentzen released a total of 17 discs. Both as one half of Knutsen and Ludvigsen, and as a solo performer. He was an avid fighter and advocate for children, working with psychologists to help children of refugees traumatized by war and terror.

According to newsagents, the beloved comedian and entertainer died of cardiac arrest during an orienteering event outside Bergen Wednesday night.

From BergensAvisen: "Lorentzen was a vocalist, guitarist, composer, writer and presenter. He was best known as a musician, but was also an ambassador for UNICEF, the author of twelve books and a persistent proponent of culture to children."

- Gustav Lorentzen was one of the finest songwriters in popsjangeren. He did so much to raise the status of music for children, "said coordinator Audun Molde at the Nordic Institute for Stage and Studio, and author of Wow! Popular Music History, to Aftenposten.no.

music is alive and well.

Jeg velger meg April

2010-04-21T19:53:00.000-06:00

I LOVE APRIL!!!!!

so here's my ode to this lovely month... all of it "stolen" material... well except for the pictures... lolz

Drip, drip, drop
Little April shower
Beating a tune
As you fall all around

Drip, drip, drop
Little April shower
What can compare
To your beautiful sound

Drip, drip, drop
When the sky is cloudy
Your pretty music
Can brighten the day

Drip, drip, drop
When the sun says howdy
You say goodbye right away

Drip, drip drop
Little April shower
Beating a tune
Ev'rywhere that you fall

Drip, drip drop
Little April shower
I'm getting wet
And I don't care at all

Drip, drop, drip, drop
I'll never be afraid
Of a good little
Gay little
April serenade

Jeg velger meg april
I den det gamle faller,
i den det ny får feste;
det volder litt rabalder,-
dog fred er ei det beste,
men at man noe vil.

Jeg velger meg april,
fordi den stormer, feier,
fordi den smiler, smelter,
fordi den evner eier,
fordi den krefter velter,- i den blir somren til!
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson

April er den første måneden i sommerhalvåret! 14. april er selveste sommerdagen. Fra denne dagen starter sommerhalvåret. April er ikke en sommermåned, men markerer starten på sommerhalvåret. Derimot er april synonymt med vår og vårmåneden fremfor noen. Den er lys og full av liv over alt. På Svalbard er det midnattssol fra 20. april. Ikke rent få mennesker synes våren er den beste av alle årstider.

April was the second month in an early Roman calendar, but became the fourth when the ancient Romans started using January as the first month. The Romans called the month Aprilis. It may come from a word meanting 'to open', or it may come from Aphrodite, the Greek name for the goddess of love.

Small animals that hibernate are usually coming out of their burrows in April. The birds fly back northward or they settle down to have their families. The bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar from the first flowers of the season.

In some parts of the world, it's planting time. In other parts, it's the harvest season. Professional baseball begins in April. Then the amateur athletes begin to go outside in the warm weather. Spring cleaning starts and people start mowing their yards again.
Special days celebrated in April begin with the first day of April, when children and grown-ups play jokes on one another.

Arbor Day is a day for planting trees, and it is observed on various April days. The Jewish festival of Pescah (Passover) is celebrated early in April. Easter is almost always in April, and, with it comes other Christian celebrations such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday,and Good Friday.

April Fools' Day, or All Fools' Day, is the first day of April. No one knows where the custom began, but some historians believe it started in France. They had a New Year's festival that was celebrated from March 25 to April 1, and they would then exchange gifts. But, later, King James IV changed the holiday to January 1 for New Years. The people that still celebrated it April 1 were called 'April fish' and sent mock presents.
April Fools' Day may also be related to the ancient Roman spring festival Hilaria, which celebrates the resurrection of the god Attis. AND my favorite literary characters, well, almost, the Weasley Twins have their birthday on this day (at least according to JK Rowling!)

The Anglo-Saxons called April Oster-monath or Eostur-monath. The Venerable Bede says that this month is the root of the word Easter. He further speculates that the month was named after a goddess Eostre whose feast was in that month. St George's day is the twenty-third of the month; and St Mark's Eve, with its superstition that the ghosts of those who are doomed to die within the year will be seen to pass into the church, falls on the twenty-fourth. In China the symbolic ploughing of the earth by the emperor and princes of the blood takes place in their third month, which frequently corresponds to our April. The Finns called (and still call) this month Huhtikuu, or 'Burnwood Month', when the wood for beat and burn clearing of farmland was felled.
The "days of April" (journées d'avril) is a name appropriated in French history to a series of insurrections at Lyons, Paris and elsewhere, against the government of Louis Philippe in 1834, which led to violent repressive measures, and to a famous trial known as the procès d'avril.

The birthstone of April is the diamond, and the birth flower is typically listed as either the Daisy or the Sweet Pea.

April starts on the same day of the week as July in all years, and January in leap years.

And finally there's about a million holidays and events in April: 22nd - EARTH DAY!!!!!8th - Buddha's birthday23rd - Saint George's Day23rd - World Book Day,one of the UN days30th - KoninginneDag in the Netherlands15th - Tax day (in the US)16de - Magnusmesse – Dagen for Norges eneste offisielle helgen
Magnus Erlendsson (ca. 1076-1115) ble født på Orknøyene nord for Skottland og var av norsk ætt. Han er den eneste av de gamle norske helgenen som har blitt kanonisert av paven.30th - Valborgsaften – heksenatt og vårfest i Sverige
Valborgsaften er dagen før Valborgsmesse og en kveld for feiring av våren med bål og mye bråk for Valborgsaften er også den kvelden heksene flyr til heksesabbat på Blocksberg i Tyskland.

service project

2010-04-14T19:26:00.006-06:00

Mary and I have taken a class at the Institute at the U of U this winter, it's been great, and even funner has been to meet new people. We have become friends with the people in the Service Corner, and participating in the projects has been so much fun. Even Heidi got involved in making "Jingle-boxes". These boxes are sent to orphans around the world, who can become blind, living in institutions with stark white walls, white beds, etc.

We took the jingle boxes we've made to the LDS Humanitarian Center, who then sends them on with blankets, toys, clothes etc.

So, I am proud to present our babies, THE JINGLE-BOXES:

(The materials we've used for making these boxes are plastic canvas and yarn, plus a bell for the inside, super easy!!!!)

sooooo ready

2010-04-12T15:53:00.000-06:00

Tussilago Farfara

I am waiting for spring. I decided this weekend I was ready to be done with Winter and welcome Spring with open arms. Now I'm wondering if Spring got the message... with snow in the forecast, I'm not sure she did!

So, to help inspire and mollify me, I thought I'd give us all a little visual reminder. And what better than pictures of spring "signs" from Norway? And I have to admit I "borrowed" one of the pictures with a cute poem. No offence meant!!

Crokus

Påskelilje

Pusekatter :)

Public Enemy #1

2010-04-11T16:58:00.002-06:00

We have finally moved towards spring, and with the sun and light comes the surprises in the yard. This year it's a nasty little buggar called onion grass. And from what we can tell, the only way to get rid of it, is to dig them up and pull out the bulbs. Otherwise they will flower and spread until it overtakes the whole lawn. The only problem is that this is the FRONT yard we're talking about, and the "storefront" of Heidi's businesses.... So the digging it up has become my main job, and let me tell you, I am declaring WAR!!!! Onions are nice and may look pretty but they have no business invading our yard! Now, the biggest challenge will be to make sure the lawn survives, so I'm alternating patches of digging and make sure to water the patches that have been dug. But some of the places are already turning yellow... We are hopeful though, that we've started early enough that with the rain and sun alternating every few days, we'll be successful..

Easter

2010-04-07T10:48:00.000-06:00

The Saturday before easter I was invited to spend the afternoon with some friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was great, and it reminded me of how great Blogging and all these new social networks are, though I had not seen some of these my friends in 10 years, it felt to me like it had been only a few months. Even though I had not met my friends' kids I could pick them out and tell who they were because I have seen their pictures and read about them and their stories. I don't think the internet and it's social network will EVER take the place of human contact, I think it is a great way of staying connected and building the bonds to last for ever. And for me at least... Love is so strong that it can connect even through the "net". Feelings are just as strong to me reading someone's comment or blog as if we were speaking face to face. And I felt that love on Saturday as well.

Thank you Joyce and Wynn for raising such wonderful children! And thank you Matt and Jared for going on missions and touching peoples lives. I love you all so much and am so happy to be part of your lives even if it is through facebook or blogging or myspace or just plain emailing! ;)

BE AWARE!!!!

2010-04-04T23:40:00.000-06:00

I am in a foul mood, and have been all day. Well technically just since Saturday night.... Just really testy, and the smallest things have sent me into rages. I am quite surprised at myself, but there are too many emotions to worry about to figure it out. At times like this, I am thankful for a set of head phones and my computer with internet access.... nothing is quite like music when it comes to therapy... well, walking/hiking is close I suppose, for me at least.

So last night I was in a rage and played a lot of Metallica, Twisted Sisters (yes I am THAT old school) and some Linkin Park. Today was just more hip-hop'y, to get my temper in check, then this evening it calmed down a bit to the pop....
I'll tell you one thing though, it's hard to find songs to listen to when angry!! However I managed.

Now the root of it all, I think, is 90% hormones and 10% environment/circumstances.

Saturday as a whole was GREAT, with time spent with some of my best and dearest friends, some I hadn't seen for many many years. And GREAT FOOD (thanks Hemmerts')!!!!!!!!!!!

The real "event" is, I am embarrassed to admit, over a TV show. And misplaced expectations... sigh.... So anyways, I am keeping myself away from most social situations and the family this week.... hopefully it'll blow over and I will get a grip on myself.... (wishful thinking)

*SIGH*

more Jewelry

2010-03-25T22:30:00.002-06:00

I have been busy looking forward to the JEWELRY season (spring and summer) by making cute anklets. Well, I think they're cute! Look for yourself!

Too funny to pass by!!!

2010-03-23T21:23:00.003-06:00

MENTAL HOSPITAL PHONE MENU

Hello and thank you for calling The State Mental Hospital.

Please select from the following options menu:

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want,

stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and

your call will be forwarded to the Mother Ship.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully

and a little voice will tell You which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive, hang up.

It doesn't matter which number you press,

nothing will make you happy anyway.

If you are dyslexic, press 9-6-9-6.

If you are bipolar, please leave a message after the beep

or before the beep or after the beep.

But Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self-esteem, please hang up.

Our operators are too busy to talk with you.

If you are menopausal, put the gun down,

hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry.

You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blonde, don't press any buttons.

You'll just mess it up.

This coming week is

National Mental Health Care week.

You can do your part by remembering

to contact at least

one unstable person to show you care.

(Well, my job is done . Your turn!)

2010-03-23T21:23:00.001-06:00

dilemma....

2010-03-23T13:13:00.003-06:00

I don't know if it is because I am sick or if it is because I don't have all my wonderful beads and jewelry making things around, but lately I am finding I am wondering what the heck I am doing.... Do people even wear jewelry anymore? Are the things I like something other people like? Can I even make profit on things I make? Is this the hobby that took over my life and I just have to buck up and accept failure and move on? Or am I just moving through a phase that every artist face once or twice and I just have to believe in myself and my abilities and hang in here? (I do like most of the stuff I make, for instance I made a ankle bracelet the other night that I think is REALLY cute, it's in green with silver and white accents.... and my old orange one is a summer favorite...)

I DON'T KNOW!!!

So to remind myself I suppose, some of my works....

Planet Earth

2010-03-22T14:38:00.004-06:00

Mary and I have been watching the Planet Earth series lately, and it is affecting both of us. There is so much to learn yet about this wonderful Earth we live on, and there are so many amazing places and creatures!!!!! I also know that global warming is a "heated" subject, but here is some of my two cents... whether or not the warming part is created by us humans (I believe it is..) the fact is that we are ruining the habitats for so many animals with our destructive and selfish ways, and it will end up affecting us ALL in the end. It is such an intricate balance and I truly believe as humans we have responsibility to be the responsible ones who are the preservers of the balance not the destructors....

phew, well that was good to get off my chest.... now it's back on the couch for me (I'm sick again with a nasty throat infection!!!) and my date with David Attenborough! (He is the narrator of the show).

I also found out that Matt Damon (yum!!) is narrating another series about the planet, so I'm going to get that from the library as well.... hi hi hi...

Baby Book

2010-03-19T10:02:00.003-06:00

So, part of the reason I came back to Utah was to clean out my storage unit, so I didn't have to pay for it any longer.... Though the process seems to be slow, I've found some things I'd forgotten I had, and some things I knew I had and was happy to see again. One of the latter things is my baby-book. and in honor of my infant year, I present Baby Boken:

Memory Lane

2010-03-16T21:04:00.001-06:00

sigh

2010-03-15T16:24:00.002-06:00

I know... my blog has been awfully neglected of late..... it's been months.... I know! And if anyone care, I AM SO SORRY!!!!!!
I will try and be better.....
My excuse, and it's a bad one, but I got a little sidetracked, by family, falling down the stairs and hurting my back, with a consequent recovery period in which I discovered this new thing called WII games.... in particular.... Harvest Moon Tree of Tranquility.... *sigh*

NOT to mention that now I am back in Utah at the Jenkinses I am having too much fun playing with Heidi, making jewelry and running errands.... Again.... I AM SORRY!!!!!

Job Searching

2009-09-24T08:53:00.004-06:00

I HATE job searching.... with a passion..... it makes me depressed. Of course, being off my meds probably doesn't help, but still... some of these adds are quite INSANE in what they are asking in an employee.

Take for instance the Upper East Side family who "wants a College GRADUATE who is CPR certified, computer "savvy", who is willing to be able to assist with family "assistant" duties AND care for the family pets" ...... REALLY people?!?!?!? I thought slavery was abolished during the last century!!

Then there is the SoHo family who are "Seeking a kind, loving and responsible nanny to care for a baby, 3 year old and 5 year old (rarely all at once!) BOTH parents work so you are the sole care giver. $15 per hour AFTER taxes. Applicants must have the x-factor that makes you "get" kids. Experience and references a must and ability to commit to the job."

Then of course there is the New Jersey family who wants: Exceptional Every Other Weekend Nanny Needed (Allendale, NJ)

GRRRRRRRRRRR I just HAAATE this......

edit: ...and as I keep searching it just gets more and more ridiculous...

"Full time position with a family with two young children. Candidates must have a college degree (earned in the U.S.), and have three or more years of nanny experience working full-time with preschoolers/toddlers/infants. Competitive compensation tied to experience and background. If this sounds like you, please send your resume (including education and professional experience) and a brief note describing your approach to working with children. Please do not apply if you do not meet these requirements. Compensation: $750+ per week

YIKES!

2009-09-19T18:32:00.002-06:00

For heaven only knows WHAT reason, I have now joined Twitter.... Insanity?!?! Probably... at least that's the only reason I can come up with at the moment... sigh...

So I am following 47 people/groups, some are news agencies, some are stars/actors/musicians, and some are teams of one sort or another.... (SK Brann) the most exciting for me though is that there are 11 peeps following me..!!!!! I KNOW!!!!
Although I must admit I only know one of them personally... but hey... :)

Anywho, so that's the latest craziness going on here... well that, and I got downsized and am looking for a new job AGAIN...

Lastly, if anyone out there in the blogger universe wants to hook up on twitter, tweet me! ;)

NEED YOUR HELP!!

2009-09-15T15:17:00.002-06:00

I'm trying to find out which WalMart sells this mirror!!!

EXCITED!

2009-09-15T08:42:00.004-06:00

Just have to say I am soooooo excited... and here's why....

Another window....

2009-09-12T08:04:00.002-06:00

I have moved, thus the lagging in writing lately... I've been insanely busy packing, cleaning, sorting, packing, sorting, packing, working, packing, sorting, cleaning...... you get the idea.

AND Line is in Loopyland, which means simply she is off her meds.... BAD idea, but it will hopefully be rectified soon...
gotta find a doc in the new area....
note to self...

Now, there are no exsisting pictures of me packing, but that might be just as well.... lol... My new place will be seen as soon as I can get my butt down to the store and get proper batteries for my camera... 'cause it's not taking pictures now apparently... maybe it's on strike..?!?!?

The new family is nice, but it's weird dealing with a TWEENager.... I have no clue what goes on in that head of hers.... and I can't "read" her or anticipate what she'll think or like.... it's FRUSTRATING as all Hades!! But she is cute, quiet and hopefully we'll get along just fine... I'm just nervous, having not dealt with a 12 yr old for a long time...
Just Breathe Line!!

So there, that is the latest from Line's Loopyland...
for now...
OOOOOHHHHH
EXCEPT...
I almost forgot to mention the geniousness of Line.... *sigh*
I was cleaning up in my blog, playing with my design, outlay etc. when I managed to DELETE my Kindred Spirits list... (that is the name of the list with my friends' pages...)
so if there is anyone out there in the web world who reads my blog, who is my friend... please send me the link to your blog, so I can add it to my fave's list....
PLEASE :)
I love to catch up, and have a little glimps into your life... even if you haven't updated your blog for a YEAR or FIVE... please let me in?!?!?

Summers now and then

2009-08-27T15:12:00.002-06:00

This summer I've tried to remember the summers of my childhood... Happy memories, like playing with my cousins, crab fishing with my dad and uncle, visiting family, vacationing in our surrounding Scandinavian countries, and so forth.

It is somewhat of an experience of mine, to remember the joyous times and try to build a future on them instead of letting later, not so happy memories determine my life.

I wish I had more pictures from those times. However, I found one, we used to have these cows behind our house because my Uncle rented out the hill which our house sat on to other farmers who didn't have enough for their cows. (at least I think that's why...)

So here they are, in memory of Mormors house and the animals that surrounded us...

Another funny email attachement

2009-08-25T13:07:00.001-06:00

Jim's mom sent me this, and I had to agree, it's pretty fabulous!

Enjoy!

2009-08-24T16:09:00.002-06:00

Now, people... don't go all crazy here... this is a little story I got sent as an email. And in the interest of keeping with the "new" resolution of posting even when life is stressful and hectic and I'd rather curl up in a ball than post anything, I hereby give you this little funny "story"

SHOULD A CHILD WITNESS CHILDBIRTH?????

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call. The House was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born.
The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom;

Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr- old what she thought about what she had just witnessed.
Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place.......spank his butt again!

***

Rejoice!

2009-08-08T20:06:00.002-06:00

Turns out these last postings weren't a "spoof" after all.... part of me wants to yell: "I'm BACK BLOGGING", but for fear of jinxing it, I won't.... suffice to say, I have more to share with the world... and I got some inspiration from an unexpected source... so even if it is just for me.... here's some more scribblings...

I walked onto a film set in Central Park the other day, and got to be "background"... it was fun, and I definitely got bit by the acting bug, so a few days after, I went to a movie with a friend and got asked for my opinion afterwards, and was posted on Youtube. This has been the week for "acting" for me I guess... *giggle* and now I want more... below are the pictures I took with my phone on the set of the movie, starring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Cristina Applegate, among others.... I only got within ten feet of Drew, but hey... that's the closest I've been to someone famous since I almost got run down by Donald Jr. so I'm not complaining... *hee hee hee*

2009-08-05T22:23:00.002-06:00

I am currently reading this book called "Look me in the eye", by a man who grew up with parents who were seriously mentally ill, he himself has Aspergers Syndrome. His brother has written a book also, (as well as several blogs) and it was made into a big hollywood movie a few years ago, called "Running with Scissors".

But I regress, this is about living with Aspergers, from someone's point who is the one diagnosed with it, and seeing this world through Aspie eyes is very interesting. Having lived with Aspie peeps, and dealt with them on a very personal level, this book still brings new aspects and nuances to life both as an NT and Aspie. Though, I highly doubt that too many Aspies run into all the crazy situations that this guy does.... Hey, he went on tour with Kiss and Pink Floyd... among other things!!! He does very well with expressing how his highly brilliant mind works, and I enjoy the many funny stories and situations he finds himself in. Though it's heartbreaking to hear about his growing up with two parents who are off their rockers, each in their own way...

Anywho, good book. Well written and easy to follow. And very VERY interesting, I think!

For the record, I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND the movie "Adam". It is beautiful, moving, enlightening, worth every penny. Unfortunately it was only given a limited release, but these days, thanks to technology, hopefully we have it on DVD within a few short months....
For those who are into stats though, for a film that was only released to 4 theaters, and still managed to pull a gross of $96,888 over 5 days, that is quite an achievement!!! And that is how good this movie is!

Birthday Party

2009-08-03T12:59:00.002-06:00

Last Monday it was Lisa's birthday, Alicia and I went and had a great time. It's great because I'm finally starting to recognize people and getting to know some as well. Jilleen was at the party also, another friend from Inwood.

Visitor

2009-08-03T12:57:00.001-06:00

My dear friend and old roomie, Kerry-Anne came to visit while she was in the states. It was great to see her and hang out with her after such a long time, and we had lots of fun together.

Madame Tussaud's with Kerry-Anne

2009-08-03T12:55:00.000-06:00

New Friend

2009-05-28T11:53:00.005-06:00

I have a new friend.... His name is Gimli. (Yes, like the dwarf in Lord of the Rings). We spent all this past weekend together and it was FUN...
Now, I really REALLY want a dog.....

FYI

2009-05-11T10:44:00.003-06:00

Oh by the way, sorry to those who are interested and actually read this blog every now and then, my laptop is still at the shop (I hope...) so this posting does not mean I am back for full yet... Hopefully I'll be getting it back soon though, and then.... there will be updates and pictures!

YAY!!!

2009-05-11T10:02:00.004-06:00

SPRING

HAS

FINALLY

SPRUNG!!!!

And it's about time...

The city finally has little green "lungs", and though it's been a bit wet lately, I think we are all mostly happy about the weather...

FYI

2009-04-24T20:02:00.003-06:00

My computer has been troublesome and temperamental this past week, and now I have to send it off to get the "motherboard" replaced.... so all the fun updates and posts I've been planning and wanting will have to wait... Sorry, but I will come back I promise!
*giggle*
Line

Easter

2009-04-14T10:58:00.003-06:00

The fam. went to Acapulco, Mexico this week, which meant I had the apartement all to myself and it has been GREAT!!!! :)

I invited my friend Alicia over, and we've had a great few days with shopping, good food and just hanging out. Monday we went to Central Park since the weather was finally nice. It has been really cold this easter, in fact it was warmer at christmas than it has been this past week. Anywho, I digress, I will post some pics from the latest little while tonight or tomorrow. On Thursday morning I get to go on a Stake Youth Conference trip to Palmyra. I really look forward to that. And will blogg about it when I get back! I am going to take my camera too, so hopefully I'll have lots to document.
Anywho, that's it from me. For now.

2009-04-06T08:01:00.005-06:00

FAO Swartz is a big Toy Store here in the City, with Toys from all over the world and things one almost can't even imagine, it's a dream come true for any child, big or small...

Remember the movie Big? Tom Hanks dancing on a huge piano?? Here it is...

an update

2009-04-05T18:21:00.003-06:00

It's been long... too long, I know.. Thanks for the warm "fuzzies" and nice uplifting proddings to bring me back....(I am, I hope, back...)

General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints commenced this weekend. I had forgotten about the replacement of an apostle, so I was pleasantly surprised to read about the addition. I didn't see it happen, because I was out shopping Sat. Morning with a friend (Alicia), and in the afternoon I was babysitting Max. However, I was able to watch all of Sundays' Sessions... it's amazing how uplifting it was... like moisturizing-cream on dry skin... I felt a burden lifted and a brighter outlook on the future.

Saturday Evening, my friend Gayle had a few of us "gals" over for a movie night, we watched Twilight, eat yummy treats (among other things there were a plethora of fruits and veggies... yay) and just talked and hung out. It was nice to be doing something fun with adults for a change. And it was interesting to get others views on Twilight the movie vs. Twilight the book... A few of us had read the books AND seen the movie, one gal had seen the movie only, and two had not read or seen anything before. It was great to get their "side" and input.

One thing I am pondering these days are about the "what-if's" in life... "what if I didn't have a chemical imbalance", "what if I move", "what if the "right guy" isn't coming any time soon", "what if I could see the future road for me the next six months".... and along with the "what if's" come the "might have been"'s but hindsight is 20/20 and it does no good to wallow in the past...

Well, that's it for me tonight.
Thank you again Anette og Toril! Good to know someone's interested...
HUGS to all my PEEPS out there!
Line

The Bucket List Tag

2009-02-12T09:13:00.003-07:00

Again, I haven't really had anything to blog about lately.. I've been tagged on facebook several times with this "25 random things about you" list, but since I don't have 25 interesting or otherwise things about me to tell, I haven't responded... then I got tagged with this one, and I didn't think it was too bad. Now this is not MY Bucket List by any means, but for fun, I'll play along.... so here it is.....

Things you have done during your lifetime:
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(X) Been lost
( ) Walked on the National Mall in DC
(X) Swam in the ocean (Both the pacific AND the atlantic!)
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't. (I've held a snake... yuck...)
(X) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone special
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies by yourself

( ) Been deep sea fishing
(/) Driven across the United States, this I haven't done but I've taken the train from Utah to New York... that's almost across the country... it was AWESOME!!!
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(X) Lived in more than one country
(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of the Grand Canyon
( ) Seen the Statue of Liberty, NOT YET.... but I am going to... very soon, when my friend Emily comes to see me for a week, we are going to the Statue of Liberty among other places...
(X) Gone to the top of the Space Needle, I did this when I was in Seattle a year and a half ago... (yikes I can't believe it's been that long ago...)
( ) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding, not for very long though, and it was in a corral...so not so "romantic" as it sounds...

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(X) Been to Disneyland
( ) Been to Disney World
(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Been in a rain forest
(X) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on a camel
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing
(X) Been snow-skiing

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef
( ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game

a-bleh

2009-01-30T08:03:00.003-07:00

Sorry, I couldn't come up with a fancy title, so that's all you get....

I am not in a blogging mood... and I don't really think I have much to say or anything fun to tell...

So here is my boring week.... I'm just finally getting over this nasty "cold" I've had for two weeks now. YAY.. it's tireing though, being sick takes a lot out of ya!
Well, since I've been so miserable for two weeks, I decided to have some Line Pampering this week, and I will admit, I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself, having had to been sick on my birthday and all....

So I went to my favorite place, Barnes and Noble, bought myself a BOOK!!!!! :) Happiness indeed! It's one I've read before, but I like it.

Wednesday I tended little Max. He is such a sweet, funny little guy, and we're becoming fast friends. I had dinner with them afterwards, and Gayle taught me how to make little rosettes, called yo-yo's. By the way that is the craft project I was talking about earlier this month.. and I will post pictures soon, I promise. They are fun and easy to do, the fabrics I've got are beautiful, I am very excited!

And then yesterday I went and hung out in the Fashion District.. well... "hung out" meaning shopping... I got some AWESOME deals, and I am excited to be back into the sewing again.. Still miss all my stuff that is in storage, but I'll get over it I am sure.

So there it is, now I am going to finish watching Rachael Ray, then I am off to Barnes and Noble and their Starbucks Cafe for some yummy hot chocolate...
Ohhh it's going to be nice when this stupid winter is over...

I WANT SUN!!!!!!

quickie update

2009-01-22T20:06:00.003-07:00

Just a quickie update, I am SICK!!!

AGAIN!!!!!

Life is not fair!
It hurts when I walk, it hurts when cough, and I have to cough alot because my lungs also hurt... it even hurts when I breathe... can someone shoot me now, please!
My head aches from all the shaking (due to all the coughing)... and I swear I might get a whiplash from all this violent shaking..... okay, so that might be a slight exhaguration but still...

At least I am not alone.... Dyl has "walking pneumonia" or so the doctors say (who at first told me they couldn't hear anything in his lungs...), Z is coughing up half his lungs, and so am I.

Bunch of sicko's!!! *sigh*

did I mention it hurts??

oh, and don't get me started on my sinuses....

Craftiness....

2009-01-17T13:33:00.002-07:00

Now, I remember vaguely that I posted a blog like this a while ago... the sad part is that since then nothing much (iow. NOTHING else) has happened in the craft department.... Sure I've started projects, but not finished any... I'm part of a lovely craft group that meets around town a few times a week, and I haven't attended one of them yet!! (Sorry Diana!)

So with the danger of Jinxing myself, I hereby declare another start on another project!

Pictures to come..... :)

Amazing

2009-01-14T09:55:00.002-07:00

Thanks to BT.no I found this fantastic picture of the FishMarket in Bergen (Fisketorget).. Taken by an american tourist sometime in the 1890's
There are quite a few of these taken from all over Scandinavia, and it was a great treat for me to go through them and see... This is the Bergen my great Grandparents knew... Here my great-great grandmother brought the vegetables and the milk to trade for things they needed at the farm.

Shortly after this, my granddads' brother took off on a ship perhaps like the ones we see in the distance of this picture....never to return to Norway again.

I LOVE history, and Geneology! Thanks to the us government for putting these pictures online for us all to watch!

Jazz

2009-01-14T08:15:00.003-07:00

Last Saturday (the 10th) I attended an "Urban Folk/Jazz" Jam at my favorite BN. It was an evening long music festival with artists from the area as well as surrounding cities. Musicians such as Thomas Doncker, Richie Goods, Allan Harris, Jana Herzen, Bujo Kevin Jones, Charnett Moffett and Kuku with "[his] cousin from the irish part of Nigeria: John Smith".

It was AMAZING!!!
The music was fantastic, each artist brought their own "flavor" and humor to the scene. There was clearly camradery between everyone, and though it was labeled a "performance" it felt relaxed and down to earth like no other concert I've been to. Artists wandering around talking to us in the audience, listening and cheering for each other, helping out with instruments and stuff... truly a special special event. I was very impressed. And the music? FANTASTIC!!!!

The only spot on the otherwise perfect evening was that the concert was cut short, because B&N was closing early due to a "winter storm"..... (which wasn't all that horrible at all!!!!)

Normalcy

2009-01-07T13:00:00.002-07:00

School has started, SwimTeam has started, Religious Class starts on Saturday and today, I got a call from the school nurse about D's cough.... Yep, we're back to normal... oh and did I mention they've had headlice over the holidays?!?!?!?! YUCK!!!! and yes, I am ITCHING all over everywhere..... first bed bugs, now lice.... AND cocroaches in the kitchen....
I'd definitely say we're out of the fog that can be the holidays!!!

TIGER!!!!

2009-01-05T20:18:00.003-07:00

My friends.. I am a Tiger! And a Wood one at that!!! At least according to the Chinese Zodiac... So in the beginning of this new year, when everything is still new and fresh... I thought I'd just might find out exactly what lies ahead, as such I turned to the stars (naturally) and those who profess to know them.. Well, in the "western" zodiac I am an Aquarious.. and that's all fine and dandy.. but it doesn't really tell me much... so I turned to the Eastern "shores" and found this:

People who befriend the personable Tiger will never need to look for excitement anywhere else. This striped rascal lives for adventure and his reckless nature helps him find it.

The third sign of the Zodiac is a handful of contradictions. Calm but quick tempered, warm-hearted yet fearlessly aggressive, Tigers are independent loners who desperately need attention. (..ahem....)

Hardworking and altruistic, the Tiger becomes completely wrapped up in projects and causes. This noble and powerful sign is said to protect homes from fire, thieves and ghosts. The same characteristics that make the Tiger so endearing are often the most annoying. He is intense and moody, but never dull.

Horses, Dogs and Pigs frequently make good companions for the Tiger; but Oxen, Rabbits and Snakes tend to rub his fur the wrong way.

Compatible: Horses, Dogs, Pigs

Incompatible: Oxen, Rabbits, Snakes

So there you have it people! Anyone else who wants to share some insight feel free! ;) but be aware... I might bite if I don't like what you say...lol....

Belated Christmas "list" thingy...

2009-01-05T08:42:00.004-07:00

This is one of those emails that get sendt around every so often... you know the drill.. copy, paste, delete and fill in your own answers...

Well, since the holidays are now behind us, and I am not so scrooge'ish anymore, I thought I'd post it!

Christmas checklist
Welcome to the 2008 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know You!You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree? Wrap
3. Colored or white lights on tree and house? White maybe colored on other decorations (tables, etc.)
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? Start the day after Thanksgiving, putting out a little at a time... tree shouldn't be decorated until the night between the 23rd and 24th though.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish not including dessert? Pinnekjøtt m. tilbehør
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Presents and the smell of the cooking... and church christmas eve.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I still believe in Santa, nobody told me differently.....
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up I did.
10. How do you decorate? RED everywhere, christmas curtains, lights, lots of good smells...
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT
12. Can you ice skate? yup... not anything fancy though..
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first real baby doll... yes I think I was 3 almost 4yrs
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? My family/Loved ones
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Riskrem og Pumpkin Pie the best of both worlds..

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Being together with those I love.
17. What tops your tree? a STAR
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? a Norwegian one called "det Lyser i Stille Grender"
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? YUCK... don't like em!

...and back towards normal...

2009-01-03T10:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, Barry, Annie and Zed left for Upstate New York and Kevin, Barrie and Shane came back from Ireland... The cats got a bit restless in the morning, as BAZ were packing their suitcases.... Apparently bags and suitcases are terrifying.. lol...

Fabio took out his nerves by chasing waterdrops in the sink. Jolie, was mewing and wandering restless around the place...
Then a few hours later when KBS came, there was rejoicing like no tomorrow... It's amazing how comunicative animals can be...without being able to speak... and fluffy Jolie, who hates human touch was snuggling with her dad as if her life depended on it.. I wish I'd taken pictures, because it was quite something to behold.

So tired, sick and jetlagged but happy to be home, there was happiness still around!
And with only two days left of the holiday vacation for the kids, things are slowly coming around and getting back to normal... Annie, Barry and Zed are leaving to go back to California later tonight. And my crew is coming back from their vacation at some point today as well.

Last night I could almost hear the collective sigh that settled around the city, as parents and children settled this last weekend before the normalcy picks up again....

Insanity or stupidity on a stick!!!

2009-01-01T15:53:00.004-07:00

Today I witnessed something truly CRAZY!!!!! Last night, Barry was looking on the internet and came across this web-site about the Polar Bear Club he exclaimed "hey, hey that's what I want to do tomorrow....." So today after eating some Norskie Pannekaker (made by yours truly) we set out, to Coney Island....

Now you might think, okay? So what? There's a bunch of crazy people jumping in the water... so what..... Let me tell you... we had nice sunny skies, but the temperature (air) was 11 degrees F!!!!!! and in the water 34 degrees!!!!!!! And people were running into the water, dipping under, of their OWN FREE WILL!!!!! (I will post pics later to prove it!) Some even stayed in for a few minuets, playing and splashing around... it was the craziest scene I have witnessed in a looooong while!!!!!

And Barry... yup... he got in....submerged himself and came back out a few inches taller and with some more (possibly frozen) chest-hair..... TRUE STORY!!!

this was taken before....

.... and justice for all........

2008-12-31T14:37:00.003-07:00

There is this guy I know. He is a conman.... the lowest piece of vermin on gods green earth... and unfortunately he has been getting away with stuff for many many years... Without going into too many details, (to protect his child[ren]) just imagine the worst kind of man, in an unfortunate "good looking package".... and there you go... that is N*****

Well, for a long time now, he has hurt someone I love more than anything in the world, and there were those around who just wondered if the courts had gone mad... and were disgusted at the justice system... but finally a judge has ruled and stripped this man of all his rights in this case. And it is a glorious day... for all who fight for the best interest of children and good people, Justice has WON and a great "evil" have been avoided.....

The child in the middle of this, is safe, will have a wonderful upbringing, feel loved, respected and put first. There will be no more hurt on his precious soul from his dad messing up his life...
And for once, I go into the new year, with hope, faith, and a little stronger belief in Justice for ALL....

Jewish Missionaries?

2008-12-30T19:20:00.006-07:00

Now before anyone gets their panties all twisted up in pretzels... let me just acknowledge, I am a white, naive girl who doesn't know many things, but in my defense I am not trying to offend... I am just saying it as I see it. I am sorry if I step on anyone's toes!! And please feel free to enlighten me, but do so nicely and respectfully! (as I also try to be!!)

I have come to think that being a Norwegian LDS chick in New York, is possibly comparable to a black catholic living in Salt Lake City.... By that I mean to say, it is a strange new world out here in NYC. Strange customs, strange holidays, (but LOVELY people!!!!), and a huge mish-mash of everything in between...

Now to my point... throughout these four months I've come to understand that NYC largely follows the Jewish Holidays... back in September/October the kids' school was out during the time of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and most businesses were closed or shut down early... Then during Sukkot there were little square "huts" all over the place... in the parks, etc. And this is when I saw the most peculiar thing.... One night as I was making my way home I passed through a park area to the Subway, when I was approached by a nice Jewish man who asked me if I was Jewish, I told him no and that I had to run to catch my subway... and that was the end of that... I forgot the episode until this past Sunday night...when as I was leaving Barnes and Noble, I was again approached by a nice looking young man. He asked me if I were Jewish, to which I replied no, he then asked if I knew that tonight [Sunday] was the last day of Hanukkah, I said I did know that... and he asked me if I had any Jewish friends and then encouraged me to tell them happy Hanukkah...

I was strangely brought back in time to a cold day in Norway, when I was the one, approaching strangers to share my church belief and customs.... Street Meetings... As I thanked the nice young man and wished him a happy Hanukkah, and ran for the bus, I looked back towards the square and the huge Menorah and saw others, walking around talking to people, I thought to myself, maybe we're not so different after all.....

The Power of Books

2008-12-30T08:27:00.002-07:00

I know I've done postings about this before, but yesterday I had another fun experience at the bookstore! (Besides reading a pretty good book)

I'm sitting in the window at Barnes and Noble, and this very cute guy comes and sits down next to me on a huge, movable staircase.... We made eye contact, nodded at each other, smiled and then he said "the best seat in the house!" I smiled at him and said, "you might be right about that" then turned to look out the window... A few times over the next little while our eyes would meet again, we would smile at each other and then turn back to our books or look out the window.

The square down below was beautiful. It bathed in the twiligh and people scurried to and fro'. The christmas lights wrapped around the trees along the street shone as if the very lives of those passing by depended on them... and the lights of the cars made it nice and colourful. There was a big Menorah down in the little park as well, made out of some kind of wood, but the lights from around it bounced off it and gave it a strange, but beautiful, glow...

It was magical!!
Until one of the Barnes and Noble workers came to yell at me for sitting in the window....
My newfound friend got upset on my behalf, because noone told him to get off the latter, and he didn't think that was fair. He also didn't see the danger of anyone sitting in the windows and made a thorough "search" for reasons it wouldn't be safe to sit there. It was sweet, and funny, and nice... to think someone cared enough about a stranger to do that, or get invested in that way.

A little while later his phone beeped, and he was off... with a lovely smile, a nodd and a "Happy New Year" to me, he disappeared from my life as quickly and quietly as he had come. Not knowing the enchantment he had left me with...
it was beautiful...

A, B, Z

2008-12-29T11:53:00.004-07:00

For Christmas this year I got three new friends! One of the best gifts ever.... Barry, Annie and Zed blew in with the winds from California, and we've become fast friends. Bonded over Cats! Who knew?!?!?!
lol

Barry is a professional Juggler, and after having youtubed him I became a big fan and am thoroughly amazed at his skills.

Annie is a writer and a teacher, and a mom... Though I haven't read anything of hers as of yet, I am sure it will be great when I do... :)

Zed is fantastic! He is truly an artist and has amazing drawing skills. My feeling is he is going to do great things growing up... Loving, accepting, open and lovable, I could just hug and squeeze him all day long. he is 6 going on 36!

So welcome friends, and I look forward to hanging out lots more! :)

Christmas 2008

2008-12-27T14:27:00.014-07:00

Arrrrgh...

I just lost the fun and cute text that goes with this post......

GRRRRRRRRR

Unfortunately my moment of pure inspiration have passed and I can not recreate it, therefore you all will not read the totally amazing stuff I had written...

(lol, I AM kidding about the amazement, of course!)

So, in short, here is the movies I watched this Christmas....

This is who I spent Christmas with I guess... not such a bad bunch I must say!

lol

Scrooge had a point.....

2008-12-24T19:49:00.004-07:00

It is Christmas Eve 2008. I sit by myself, listening to Christmas music online, and feeling just a tad sentimental and Scrooge'ish. One thing I've come to accept is that Christmas is a time for family and loved ones, and if one can't have that, at least for me, it becomes a bit pointless... However, I repress my inner Scrooge, and go on, a little melancholy but not to the point of ruining it for others (I hope....)

A Life Lesson I am learning (over and over and over it seems) is that life is so many times better when it is shared. Life lived alone sucks, and no wonder Scrooge became the bitter nasty old bugger he was! However I am also taking lessons from another favorite "story", (thanks Jimmy Stewart!!) that of George Bailey. Before one sinks to deep in the woe of being alone, it is important to remember one is here for a reason and other peoples' lives would be dramatically changed if one wasn't around. AND it's important to help the angels get their wings! ; )

So for now, Happy Holidays!
Enjoy your loved ones while you can.
I know I will!

Christmas Card/Letter/Thingey

2008-12-17T10:27:00.008-07:00

I am, for some unknown reason, having terrible problems with my christmas card/letter/thingey this year... and it's weird, because more things happened in 2008 than the previous three years, so I don't get it... I'm just not finding the "groove" and it's annoying.

So if anyone have suggestions, solutions or inspiration of any sorts, please feel free to advice me... If not, I will repost the one from last year without changes... ha ha ha

Well, I am off to do some more house cleaning (oh joy) and then I am heading out.... to see if I can take some more pictures of the beautiful christmasy city.

update'ish

2008-12-11T22:21:00.002-07:00

oh my poor neglected little blog...

it's been so long since we've got together... and even now, it won't be long... but know that I am fine... I've had a bit of a rough time, and with that anxiety, and you know when that happens... I withdraw, and shut out the world at large... even you my little blog.

However, there is light at the end of the tunel, it comes in the shape of a christmas letter, pictures I've taken over the last month, and maybe even a funny tidbit. So don't fret. I will be back, and soon. So reassure those others who stumble across your pages and might in any way shape or form feel they'd like to come back, we will once again have stories to tell!

2008-11-28T18:28:00.005-07:00

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree (yes literally... and yes I am that kind of a person..)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (College football counts right?)

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable laughing fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight (still wishing and waiting for this one...)
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb (not done that but I HAVE wrestled a sheep!!! and that was fun!!)
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign

46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing (outdoors, but not with ropes and harnesses and I didn't get very far...)
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach (alone, not as romantic as it sounds..)
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football

61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted/Canoed the Snake River
82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark (no but I have eaten whale)
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication

106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

5 days left...

2008-11-17T13:07:00.002-07:00

I am so nervous and giddy, excited, scared, just a bundle of emotions... what has caused this?

TWILIGHT

of course

I am going to see the movie Friday morning, and I can hardly wait.... I know it's not going to be the magic the book has been, but I hope it will be it's own magical "beeing"... And that it will be good... :)

Shoes

2008-11-06T21:53:00.002-07:00

Over the past weekend I had a visit from one of my dearest and oldest friends. (She is not old, I've just known her for a long time now.) Emily came and hung out here in the city with some of her students, and it was great to see her again. One thing I discovered we have in common is problems with the feet. Though hers are much more serious than mine, it was a wakeup call for me. I am learning that if I don't take care of my feet, my whole body will suffer.

So, I am taking steps to make sure I can be better about "foot-health" and dreaming about cool shoes like the ones Emily have... the Z-Coil shoes.... sigh....