Aha:
Had a nice visit from the Relief Society presidency tonight. They stopped by for a bit to get to know me better and I must say, they were really easy to chat with! I think I like them already! :)
Haha:
Right before they came I enlisted Clinton's help to finally get our living room in order. There wasn't much to be done but what was done made a real difference.
Anyway, when the presidency got here they commented on how "finished" our house looks even though we just moved in.
Me: Oh, well, there was a big pile of stuff over here, and another over there and I just took it all upstairs before you got here.
They: (laughing) That's awesome. That's totally something we would do!
Aha:
Mother's Day. Two words, when put together, that typically make me cringe.
However, today I have found myself smiling thinking of all the children I've had the chance to mother: my nieces and nephews, my friends' kids, some of the young women I taught, and the random kids I've sat with at church when their mom's just looked desperate for help.
Sometimes I think this holiday should just be called "Women's Day". It would make it a lot easier to enjoy for those like me who have yet to be, but desperately want to be, mothers. But being a woman--I've got that covered! It is part of my nature to nurture and love; to teach and to play; to comfort and to soothe. I'm inherently a mom.
I wanted to give a shout-out to my mom for raising me to be who I am. I know you don't feel like you "measure up" but you do. You are the perfect mom for me!
I also want to thank my sisters (SIL's included) for letting me help "raise" your kids. You have no idea how special your kids are to me and how much being their aunt has blessed my life.
To my friends, thanks for calling me the "Baby Whisperer". I love snuggling your little ones and lulling them to sleep. Doing this makes me feel special and needed.
To the women who have handed me their kids without saying a word, thank you letting me help.
For those with kids I know this day can be hard as well and I hope you can find joy in it. We have a sacred work to do and we cannot do it alone. Thankfully we are surrounded by other women (moms, sisters, friends, aunts, and even the occasional stranger) who can lend us help when we need it.
May we all find a reason to celebrate who we are, cause being a woman is pretty amazing.
To all women I wish you a Happy Women's/Mother's Day.
Haha:
If you'll excuse the swear word in the title, here are two videos that make me laugh cause they're totally true! To all women, enjoy "'Crap' Girls Say: Episodes 1 and 2".
Again, I have been amazed at the love and support I receive from the people around me. Today was a stressful day but it ended up being a happier day because of the kind words of encouragement shared.
Thank you to those of you who reached out to me to make me feel better. And thank you to those of you who are always there. I love you all!
Haha:
Why is it that when we girls get together all privacy goes out the window? I swear, there's hardly a body part or function that is left to the imagination once the chatting starts (and it's usually me who starts it)! Part of me feels like I should be slightly disturbed by the lack of boundaries, but another part of me is grateful to know I'm not the only one experiencing XYZ.
Aha:
I've had a few people ask me about my new job so I thought I might as well talk about it on my blog.
My official title is "Marketing Administrative Assistant". I work for a company that specializes in improving hospital survey scores through catered training programs for leadership and frontline staff. My job duties are kind of all over the place, but it includes making phone calls to prospective clients, updating the company blog on a weekly basis and other admin jobs I have yet to learn.
As I said before, I'm not sure I like it, but I LOVE the people there. I've talked with a couple girls there about my concerns and people have been really reassuring and understanding. I love that! I am still keeping an open mind and for now I am really enjoying the regular paycheck. :)
Haha:
Clinton called me to tell me he was on his way home. I asked him if he could either pick up a treat for after supper or if he'd be willing to go get some ice cream or something later.
He: Ice cream? I'm kind of over ice cream.
Me: What? How can you be sick of ice cream?
Well, when he came in the door I noticed he was carrying to drinks from A&W.
Me: What are those for? (Thinking he maybe had a work party or something.)
He: They're milkshakes for us.
Me: Oh! Thanks!
I guess he doesn't dislike ice cream so much after all. ;)
Aha:
Got to talk with my friend, Chels, for a good long while today. Warmed the cockles of my heart.
Thanks, Chels, for contacting me! You have no idea how natural "adorbs", "totes" and "I know, right?" felt today. ;) You are such a sweet friend!
Thank you, God, for sending such wonderful friends and people into my life.
Haha:
Guess who was craving a frozen yogurt swirl cone for lunch while shopping at Costco today?
Guess who discovered she didn't have any lactase enzyme pills with her?
Guess who paid $19 for a new bottle of lactase enzyme pills even though she already had a new bottle at home cause she didn't want to have to go all the way home to get it and then drive all the way back to Costco?
Guess who relished her "$21.00" frozen yogurt swirl cone from Costco?
Yep. That was all me.
Aha:
I had a really good day today. Nothing special happened, in fact quite the opposite, but despite all of it I had a happy day (more details to follow on a new blog I'll be starting called "You Might Work for a Micromanager If..." workingwithamicromanager.blogspot.com)! I feel in control and kinda can't stop smiling. This too shall pass I'm sure, but I'm enjoying the happiness while it lasts.
Thanks for any prayers said on my behalf! I could still use them if you're willing to spot me a couple moments' time in your prayers. :)
Ha ha:
We ran into our friends, Matt & Kim, at Subway again tonight. I think this is twice in a row. When we walked in and saw them, Matt called out and said, "Hey, we were just about to text you guys to see if you were on your way."
Ha ha! Nothing says "exciting young lives" like a night out at Subway.
Aha:
There's just something so soul-satisfying about making a baby belly laugh.
Thanks Chels for having me over, feeding me, and letting me play with your adorable little boy! What a great night!
Ha ha:
Hello. My name is Danielle and I am a breakfast food junkie.
Some people say they love breakfast food, but I--I LOVE breakfast food! I could be happy eating eggs, pancakes and hashbrowns three square meals a day (with a couple sausage patty snacks in between). I love everything about breakfast food: the smells, the taste, the...the...OK, I guess that's all there is, but I LOVE it!
So, last night my friend had me over to try peanut butter waffles with syrup. With my rather refined breakfast-food-palate, I couldn't possibly imagine how that could even taste good; I mean, why "fix" somethin' that ain't broke? So, with a bit of curiosity and trepidation, I decided to partake.
HOLY CROW! It's like a waffle candy bar! My tastebuds sung the whole Hallelujah chorus! I was filled with joy!
If you have not tried this breakfast food delicacy, I urge you to put down your computer, whip up some batter (waffles or pancakes would do) and get ready to sing the song of redeeming love!
Aha:
I was feeling a bit blue on Sunday (probably due to Clinton being on call and also knowing I'd be returning to work the next day) and wasn't my usual, social self. I was a bit of a wallflower, but fortunately for me, there are some great girls in the ward. Two in particular took the extra step to make me feel noticed and loved.
First shout out goes to Chels. Thanks for inviting me to dinner and for helping fill the void while Clinton was on call. You're a great buddy!
Second shout out goes to Emily. Thanks for seeing me sitting alone in RS and for filling the vacant chair next to me. Your smiling face and care-free chatting helped me snap out of my slump and feel better.
Ha ha:
One of my friends posted on FB that she was finally able to watch the 3rd season of Downton Abbey online. Whaaaaaa??!!! I didn't even know it was online yet! Naturally, I was most intrigued and had to get in on the whereabouts of the website that was streaming one of my favorite shows. After about a half hour of searching (and bombardments of Asian-persuasion half-naked pop-ups), I FOUND IT!!
It was already getting close to bedtime, but I'm proud to say I persevered and completed the first episode!
What a fantastic show! And I love Matthew Crowley even more than before (didn't know that was possible)! :)
Aha:
Friday was my coworker's last day. She and I have worked together for 2.5 years and during that time built a wonderful friendship. I was her yin and she, my yang. We've been through a lot together, especially recently with some changes in management, so I'm sad to know I won't get to see her as often. I'm so thankful for her example of generosity and compassion and hope that some of those attributes have rubbed off on me over our time working together. What a blessing she's been to me--I miss you already Lissa!
(P.S. I know the above sounds like a eulogy, but trust me, she's still alive and kickin'. So happy for her and that's she's moved on to a better place...at the Oconomowoc Library!) :)
Ha ha:
Friday was also one of our fellows last day. When she came to give me a hug goodbye I thought she was tearing up a bit, so I started to tear up too (I was already sad about Lissa leaving, but I am also such a boob!). When we pulled out of our hug, she looked up at me, with no tears in her eyes, and said, "Are you OK?"
Realizing I was alone in my emotions, I cleared my throat and with a look of *of course* on my face, said, "Uh-huh."
I have really got to get this crying-so-easily thing under control!
Aha:
My friend Jess and I got invited over to my friend Chels' house for supper and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES premiere on Thursday! We had a great time and I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with them. I think they're the only other two girls out here who are as involved in this show as I am! Good to know I'm not totally alone in my "guilty" pleasure. :)
Ha ha:
Only the occasional gasp or "oh man he's hot" escaped from our lips during the show. Otherwise we were silent and totally engrossed in the show.
That's a true sign of comfort among friends! How's that saying go? "Friendship means never having to say anything"?....maybe not quite right, but nonetheless fitting for this group of gals.
Aha:
I tell ya, I love President Uchtdorf! He seems to write his talks specifically for me. His talk hasn't yet been printed online, so this is from watching and pausing the video online, but as soon as it's published I'll get more of these wonderfully uplifting spiritual nuggets put on my blog. Here is quick quote from yesterday's talk titled "Of Regrets and Resolutions".
"Another regret of those who knew they were dying: they wished they had let themselves been happier. So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness. A better family situation. A better financial situation. Or the end of a challenging trial. The older we get the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don't really matter or determine our happiness--WE do matter. WE do determine our own happiness. You and I are ultimately in charge of our happiness."
Ha ha:
Clinton and I stopped at Subway for dinner last night and ran into our friends, Matt & Kim. We walked up to them and said hello. Kim turned to us and said, "I was just saying to Matt, 'I wonder if we'll see the Logans here tonight'. And look, here you are!"
Yah, we're that much of regulars.
Aha:
I had a chance to volunteer at a family dinner at the local Ronald McDonald House. I'm sad to say that I typically don't enjoy spending my free time (especially on a Friday night) doing a service activity, but I LOVED/NEEDED this tonight.
This last week has not been great and I really needed to let all of that go and focus on helping someone else. Though my situation hasn't changed, I feel uplifted and encouraged knowing that I had the chance to help others in worse situations than I. I may hate my job, but I'm thankful I have one. I'm thankful I'm healthy. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband, pup, family and friends.
I'm very blessed...I'm very blessed...I'm very blessed.
Ha ha:
Random thought/question: Am I the only one who sorta gets grossed out at the sight of food wrappers in a bathroom garbage? Or worse yet, smells of hot food in a public bathroom? (shudder)
Aha:
Another brief word of wisdom from another one of my coworkers: "I know that things happen for a reason. I firmly believe that. I also believe in Karma; and one day all this crap is going to come back and kick people in the [butt]." Thanks Jackie! :)
Ha ha:
Had the chance to babysit for my friend tonight so she and her hubs could go out to a residency dinner and I got to spend a couple hours with one of the cutest little boys. Here's one of the highlights of our time together.
I don't know which one of us was enjoying this more. :)
Aha:
Yesterday a friend of mine at work came over to my desk and we chatted for a bit. She and I talked about trials and keeping our faith regardless of whether or not we understand what's going on; sort of the essence of enduring to the end. She told me that even though I may not have the light to see through the dark right now, to remember that God knows me better than I know myself. I need to trust in Him and know that things will be as He would have them.
What a refreshing and welcome part of my day. Thanks Marilyn!
Ha ha:
Peter has picked up the art of growling to show distaste. For example, when I'm holding him and Clinton tries to pick him up, Peter growls. We think it's fairly humorous. All we have to do is have me say, "No, Honey, leave him alone" as Clinton puts his hands around Peter--like he's about to lift him up--and Peter lets out a low growl. He'll do it over and over. If I don't say "leave him alone" he usually won't growl. It's like he's responding to Clinton on my behalf.
So funny!
I know. It's no longer fall, let alone 2011 but I just got these pictures from my friend the other day and now I'm finally posting these. Last Fall, some of my gals pals and I got together for a photo sess and had a great time. I just can't tell you how thankful I am for such wonderful friends!
So, without further ado, enjoy!
Our attempt at VOGUE
LOVE these girls!! I'll cherish these pics for forever!
Clinton left for a Family Medicine Conference in Kansas on Thursday and got back yesterday afternoon. I generally do OK while he's gone, but this time I felt a little lonely, I had to keep myself busy. Fortunately for me, I had dinner with a friend Thursday night, dinner with another friend Friday night and ice cream with that same friend on Saturday! These outings broke up the solitude and solidified some friendships too. Anyway, yesterday I decided to clean my house. I washed laundry, folded laundry and put away laundry. I scrubbed my bathroom, made my bed, did some dishes, wiped down my kitchen, refilled the bird-feeder, straightened up my living room and went grocery shopping. I was feeling pretty accomplished. I noticed however that our bathroom sink was still totally plugged (has been for quite a while but I keep forgetting to contact our landlord). I thought to myself, That's it. You fix it yourself. So, I went onto Youtube and found how to remove the stopper and pull out all of the goo. It was probably the grossest thing I've done in a while, but after I stopped gagging and had my sink put back together and the drain clear, I felt awesome! Go me!
Aha:
Right as I was leaving work yesterday I got a call from Clinton saying he was on his way to get me. And when he suggested that we go to Subway for dinner I didn't put up a fight (it was over 100 degrees last night and I didn't exactly feel like cooking).
What a nice surprise!
Ha ha:
I'd love to say this was a surprise, but with the number of times that we've run into Richard and Jenna Thorsted at Subway, I can't really say it was when we saw them strolling in. I laughed when I saw them and Jenna said, "We pulled into the parking lot, saw your car and thought, 'You've got to be kidding me'."
I think we both have an addiction to Subway. Is there a support group for that?
Aha:
Being the accident-prone person that I am, when my friend Julia came up to me on Sunday clutching her right hand I knew instantly I could empathize with her--and then when I found out she'd burnt herself that morning and was really in pain, I knew just the solution. We hopped in the car and drove to the nearest pharmacy where I helped her pick out the right first aid treatment (ya know, cause I've been there before and knew first "hand" what to get). We drove back to the church, used some scissors from the library (though I'm sure a wooden butter knife would have worked just as well...gotta love church library supplies :) and I fixed up her burns. She said she felt instant relief.
We don't always recognize, in the moment, that our trials can be a blessing in the future. I'm so thankful for perspective, for experience and for the good, healthy times in my life.
Ha ha:
As mentioned in my previous post, I bought an adorable pair of shoes on Saturday and, no surprise here, I wore them to church the next day. They are adorable but they are mostly worn for the "ooo"s and "ahh"s of onlookers. If I had known I'd end up walking through two different pharmacy's and back-and-forth from my car I'd never have worn them. Oh yes, I still got lots of "ooo"s and "ahh"s, but they were intermixed with my ooo-that-hurts's and ahh-can't-wait-to-take-these-off's.
Yes, I limped instead of strut, but I still looked amazing!
Aha:
We went out with some friends to celebrate my friend Kim's 25th birthday (yes, I'm the oldest of my friends here) on Friday. We met at a local restaurant/bar and at like 9pm (her choice). The music was super loud and my throat hurt after a while from having to yell to converse, but I still had a great time! Happy Birthday Kim!
As I've mentioned many times before and as I will continue to do, I am so thankful for great friends here. Living far away from family is hard, but knowing that I have a great support system here makes it that much easier. Love you girls!
Ha ha:
When Clinton told me it was time to leave (at about 8:50pm), I looked up at him like, "Seriously? It's so late!" I'm so old.
When we got to the bar I couldn't believe how loud it was in there. I wish'd I brought some ear plugs or something. I'm so old!
Right around 10 o'clock I started to feel really tired and was ready to head home and go to bed. I knew it was a bit too early so I stuck it out another 45 minutes before tugging on Clinton's arm. He turned to me, looked at his watch and said, "It's not even 11 on a Friday night. I don't want to go home yet." I'm so old (and Clinton's older than me).
When we wrapped up the night and sent the birthday girl on her way back home, I got into our car and instantly closed my eyes. I'm soo old.
When we got home I promptly fell asleep and slept till almost 10am the next morning. I'm old AND pathetic!
Aha:
For the first time in my life I got canned...peaches that is! My friend Mel came over and helped me figure out what the heck I was supposed to do and in about two hours I had 12 pint jars and about 8 smaller freezer bags full of fresh peaches. Helloooo food storage (that is if I can avoid eating them right away)!
Ha ha:
You know you've lived in the hot and humid Midwest long enough when you see this and think, "Ah, it's finally nice and cool outside!"
After all of the 100+ degree days and high humidity, mid 80s to mid 90s feels so amazing I've had to pull out my cardigans again! Ha!
Clinton is a 1st year Family Medicine resident and I am a stay-at-home wife while awaiting my permanent residency in Canada. We have a little boy named Peter...and he's the cutest little pup you'll ever see!
