Finally!

I finally figured out how to post a video from YouTube, with some help from my friend Elise. I feel elated. Please enjoy the following from Coldplay. It's odd, fun, a little bit bizarre, and very British.

Who are you talking to?

About a year and a half ago, I discovered my good friend Tiffany's blog, and thought it was brilliant! Not just because she does a good job with it, but because it was my first experience with a blog, and I thought that she had created something original and amazing.

Then other friends told me about their blogs, namely Nicole and Kelli, and I loved those blogs because I felt like I was still in touch with friends who I didn't see much anymore, and I liked knowing what was going on with them (of course, Tiff, you're still original and amazing, just not the only one blogging anymore :).

When I decided to do this myself, it was for that same reason - so that friends and family could know what's up with me. It's been fun, really fun. I honestly don't know that my family reads my blog, I'd like them to, but I have very little evidence that they're paying attention. But I do get regular comments from Tiffany, Nicole and Kelli. I consider them my audience, and always have them in mind when I'm writing. Sure there are others who read, and sometime I'll think, "Sierra will laugh at this." or "My mom might like this." Marla has told me that she checks in now and then. But still, I know for sure that those three friends are constant, and so they, in my brain, are who I'm talking to.

Lately I've learned that others are looking at my blog. Some are folks I know, others are people I've never met. The blog world reaches far, and yet is so small (kind of like the real world), and all it takes is hitting a link on a friend's blog to find something from a total stranger that you like to read and then start checking regularly. It feels a little strange to know that these people are reading what's here, and it makes me wonder if I should be more careful or thoughtful about what I write, but then I think no, I'll still just write to Tiff, Nicole and Kelli. They're my friends, and have always brought out good things in me, and I'm comfortable with them.

(Clarification - What I've written here in no way means that I don't want others reading my blog. All are welcome. Please keep checking in.)

So who are you talking to? Do you have anyone specific in mind when you write, or are you just writing? It would be interesting to know.

I don't think it's the real God

I was reading from one of my new favorites, My Religious Blog, today and decided to look through his list of followed blogs. Among the names I found God, and "God's Blog". I laughed out loud. I know it's risky to laugh at this, and I might have to answer for it later, and sharing it might get me into even deeper trouble, but I can't help myself. Here it is - a post from God's blog.

Let your conscience be your guide.

A Week in Review

Hello All. It’s time for another spellbinding episode of “A Week in Review”. I haven’t done any other posts this week, so I might actually have something to say this time.

Irresponsible
I’m at work right now, and have work to do, and am avoiding it to write a post instead. My boss doesn’t know.

Martin Luther King Day
Monday was a holiday for us office working types, and I celebrated my human rights by sleeping in. You know how some people say that when you have a schedule, your body adjusts and will naturally wake up at a certain time? That has never happened to me. I get up about 6:15ish on week days, but on a day when the alarm doesn’t go off I sleep like the dead for hours past 6:15. It’s my own special talent.

After getting up, I called Marla to see what they were doing. Luckily for me she had nothing going on, so we got together for some errand running. William and Jonah came with us. I know I’ve gone on and on about how cute William is, but honestly, I have a hard time taking my eyes off of him. When that baby is in the room, he’s all I want to look at. Good thing that he’s in a car seat in the back of the car when I’m driving. We went to the bookstore so that I could check the schedule, and then to Target. Wonderful, beautiful Target.

Jonah has lately had a special interest in seeing my apartment, so we went there after Target. I don’t know how he got it into his head, but lately he’s been saying things like, “Why don’t I ever get to see your apartment?” And “We never go to your house.” It surprised me that he wanted to go there so much, but I was happy to give him a tour. He did seem to like all of the family pictures that are up in my room, especially the ones of him and his brothers.

After shopping, Marla and I dropped the boys off with their dad at home and went to Chili’s. We love, love, love the chips and queso. Delicious. I love a good day with Marla. She’s a nice one to have around.

There was a Verizon Wireless store next to the Chili’s, and I needed a new phone, so we decided to stop in. My phone is years old and was dying. The battery wouldn’t last for more than two conversations. I don’t do much with my phone, other than talk to people, so I was looking at the simplest things they had. The sales person came up to help, and asked if I wanted internet and email? “No.” Did I need a keyboard for texting? “No.” What I needed was to be able to make and receive a phone call. They had a good looking LG on sale for $50 with a $50 rebate. Sold. It’s a much nicer phone than I had before, with a couple of new features (well, new to me). I can now download good ringtones rather than using the cheesy tunes that are already loaded in – I got some Coldplay songs! And I now have a camera, which will be very cool. A techo geek I am not, but the phone is fun. It’s ok if you are rolling your eyes and thinking, “Ang, you’re about 5 years behind the times” (Sierra). I know I am. I know.

Gilead
I finished the book “Gilead” this week. I can’t tell you how good it is, and wish that I could give you all a copy and then make you read it. What a great story. Marilynne Robison worked some of the most beautiful paragraphs I’ve ever read, and there’s a depth to it that a person rarely finds in a novel. If you read it, please tell me what you think. I’d love to know.

What have I done?
December is a month for spending money, and some of that carries over into the first part of January. I find myself just buying stuff all Christmas season without giving enough thought to where the money is coming from and what might be left in my account. And then it’s hard to put the brakes on it when the holidays are over – especially with all of the sales going on. I think that everyone has a hard time putting their wallets away. The bookstore stays very busy for a few weeks after New Year’s. One Saturday earlier this month I was working the cash register, and had a long line, and kept thinking, “What is going on! Christmas is over. Why are you shopping? Go home. All of you. Right now!” Then later that day I was at the mall standing in a long line and had to laugh at myself.

This week I finally took a good look at my finances and almost cried. I am BROKE. Time to rein myself in – nothing new for me for a very long time (glad I had already bought the phone). I hate this so much, but it’ll me good for me right? A little self discipline. Sure. My eyes are starting to tear up again.

I think that’s it for today. Have I told you all how much I love reading your blogs, and feeling like we’re keeping in touch in this webbed up world? It’s the best.

Thanks, as always, for your absolute greatness.
You are loved.

So Cute

William and Jonah

A Week in Review

Hello All. It's time once again for the beloved post, "A Week in Review". Brought to you by Crisco - good for all of your baking needs.

Again
I called in sick to work today. I have chronic sinusitis. I have it, but don't know how to spell it, that might not be right. Anyway, sinusitis is a fancy word for being stuffed up all of the time, and then every 6 weeks or so developing a sinus infection. I hate it. My own doctor is at a loss as to what to do, and I've been to allergists and ENTs, had a C-scan done - nothing. The allergist said that I don't have an allergy that causes the problem, but instead have non-allergic rhinitis (nothing to do with rhinoceroses, it's a nose term) and will just be stuffy all of the time.

I'm sorry. I've just realized that this is boring. Let's move on.

So this week the stuffiness built into full-on sinus pain and exhaustion, and so I decided to stay home today. It's very difficult to decide to call in sick. I suppose I also have, along with the over active nose, an over active sense of guilt. Sometimes it's easy - when I'm so sick that I really can't function, then the decision is clear. But then there are those times when I'm miserable, but can still go to work if I have to, but really don't want to, and feel like I'll never get better if I don't take a day off, and then think that it's lame to stay home when I really can go... the inner debate goes on for about 30 minutes. Today the "stay home" voice won. I'm glad. My head really does hurt.

You know, when I'm sick I often think of all of you who have kids and really can't call in sick. That would suck. Marla's cute baby, little William, doesn't sleep at night, so she doesn't sleep at night. I honestly don't know how she does it. Of course, I'd love to have kids. It's still my biggest dream, but I sure would miss sleeping all day when I don't feel well.

Still there
I've noticed this week again that the people are still lined up at the Church Family History Library at 7:30 am. Even in January, when it's kind of chilly out before the sun comes up, those folks will not be kept from being the first ones through the door. They've got to be crazy. I mentioned before having them fill out a questionnaire to try to gain some understanding. The first question was:

1. What is wrong with you?

And then I think I'd follow up with something like:

2. Are you lost?

3. Have you mistaken the Family History Library for an IHOP or the Denny's?

This is an important question. If these poor souls think that they are going to get some delicious pancakes with a side of bacon and sausages as soon as those doors open, they are in for a terrible shock. It could make them shout obscenities, and we can't have that on Church property.

French
I've decided to start up French classes again. Some years ago, I signed up for French through the Continuing Education program at the U. They offered two classes, and when those were done, my teacher told us (kind of secretly so that she wouldn't get into trouble with the U) that she taught private classes in her home. So I started to study with her, every Monday evening from 6-7:30. It was fun. Her name is Catherine Thorpe, and she grew up in Paris. Along with working for the U, she does translation for the Church. Her language skills really are incredible. Her husband is a professional photographer, in fact, that's how they met. He was in Paris taking pictures. He does beautiful work, and their living room, where we have class, is full of pictures of Paris and France. It's gorgeous.

I have been studying with her for a few years. My French isn't great, not at all, but when Melody and I were in Paris last May I did speak some French with the Parisians, and it was really cool. I felt so good about that.

Last fall I felt like I had too much going on, so I took a break from classes. But now I'm really missing it. I called Catherine yesterday. My class is now on Wednesdays, and I think that I'll go ahead with it. I'm actually really excited about going back.

I think that's it. Thanks, as always, for your kind attention.
You are loved.

Honoring my Father and Mother

I've been reading about the terrible cold snap in the Northern Midwest (Grand Forks North Dakota hit a new record low of 37 degrees below zero this week), so this morning I called home to see how my parents are doing.

Me, “Hi Dad. I heard it’s cold there.”

Dad, very cheerfully, “Yeah, this morning it was 20 below! But it’s going to warm up. It should be 30 degrees by Saturday.”

Me, “That’s 50 degrees warmer than it is right now.”

Some friendly chatting.

Me, “Well, put on something warm and go back to bed until it’s over.”

Dad, “Oh no. Mom is already up and at work (she substitutes in the elementary schools), and I’m going over to a meeting, and then am going to check out a new part time job.”

That’s my dad, out running errands when it’s -20 degrees. He and mom are both in their 70s now, and still not even arctic winds can stop them. It’s either incredible stamina, or they're senile. Either way, I can't help shaking my head and laughing.

I know that people think that I’m very obnoxious when I tell them that Utah winters are nothing, that 30 degrees isn’t cold, and that they have no idea what cold is. I suppose it is obnoxious, but until these people have withstood a week of subzero temperatures, until they get up and go to work when it’s 20 below, they really can’t talk about cold.

Mom and Dad, you really are remarkable.