Yup, Cincinnati OH. Want to know more about Cincinnati? They put chili on their spaghetti, on purpose, and they like it. :)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
let's bump into each other one day
At long last, we have a big, white envelope and a girl in the same place at the same time! Kaitlyn got her mission call and didn't read it like you expected her too, silly girl. She likes to bend the rules a bit I guess. It will be interesting to see how that plays out on her mission.
Yup, Cincinnati OH. Want to know more about Cincinnati? They put chili on their spaghetti, on purpose, and they like it. :)
Yup, Cincinnati OH. Want to know more about Cincinnati? They put chili on their spaghetti, on purpose, and they like it. :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
some comic relief from two thousand miles away
Oh, life right now is COMPLICATED!! Seriously....
There are many moving pieces and I have to rely on kind neighbors to help me move them in the right direction. Today is one such example of moving pieces that didn't move as planned but still got moved and provided some comic relief in the meantime. Here's the story.
1. One of my neighbors went to Brazil for a month. Her mother is in town watching her children part time until some time next week then will be watching them full time. Said neighbor asked if her mother could stay at my place at night to give her a break from the kids while her husband took care of things. No problem, I'm not there anyway. She locked the door to the garage, complicating the entire day.
2. Kaitlyn's mission call was assigned last week, which means there is a good chance it is in the mail right now! I am in Virginia and was going to go straight from the airport to Cedar City to support Kaitlyn in a couple of plays and have some Easter time via Cleveland to drop of some things at the storage unit. I'm getting to SLC late Thursday night and need to be in Cedar City by 6pm on Friday. Not much time to run to Logan, go back down to Cleveland and then get to Cedar City in time for the play. Enter neighbor #2 who has broken into my house and done little things for me before. I called her to ask if she was willing to check my mail to see if it was there. She has the garage code, but the inside garage door was locked. She decided to wait until tonight to try and get in.
3. Neighbor #3 decided to buy my piano and asked if they could come and get it today as they had movers lined up to help them. Of course, I said! Just go in through the garage. Problem again as the garage inside door was locked. So, they called neighbor #1 who has a key to house who freaked out because there was this random phone call asking for permission to move a piano. Said neighbor was just trying to watch out for me and decided to call me first but was having a hard time finding my number. In the meantime....
So, now I have two neighbors trying to get into my house and neighbor #1 with the key who is not willing to share. I called and asked that he (the husband) please go to my house and let everyone in, only to find out that one of the movers helping neighbor #3 jimmied open the door with a credit card. So, I quickly called neighbor #2 and told her the house was open and she could go in and get the mail key. So, she went over and grabbed the key, just as neighbor #3 was finished up the move, just as neighbor #1 showed up with the key thinking he was going to let everyone in only to find out that everyone had been in and was getting ready to leave!
And, still no mission call. :(
There are many moving pieces and I have to rely on kind neighbors to help me move them in the right direction. Today is one such example of moving pieces that didn't move as planned but still got moved and provided some comic relief in the meantime. Here's the story.
1. One of my neighbors went to Brazil for a month. Her mother is in town watching her children part time until some time next week then will be watching them full time. Said neighbor asked if her mother could stay at my place at night to give her a break from the kids while her husband took care of things. No problem, I'm not there anyway. She locked the door to the garage, complicating the entire day.
2. Kaitlyn's mission call was assigned last week, which means there is a good chance it is in the mail right now! I am in Virginia and was going to go straight from the airport to Cedar City to support Kaitlyn in a couple of plays and have some Easter time via Cleveland to drop of some things at the storage unit. I'm getting to SLC late Thursday night and need to be in Cedar City by 6pm on Friday. Not much time to run to Logan, go back down to Cleveland and then get to Cedar City in time for the play. Enter neighbor #2 who has broken into my house and done little things for me before. I called her to ask if she was willing to check my mail to see if it was there. She has the garage code, but the inside garage door was locked. She decided to wait until tonight to try and get in.
3. Neighbor #3 decided to buy my piano and asked if they could come and get it today as they had movers lined up to help them. Of course, I said! Just go in through the garage. Problem again as the garage inside door was locked. So, they called neighbor #1 who has a key to house who freaked out because there was this random phone call asking for permission to move a piano. Said neighbor was just trying to watch out for me and decided to call me first but was having a hard time finding my number. In the meantime....
So, now I have two neighbors trying to get into my house and neighbor #1 with the key who is not willing to share. I called and asked that he (the husband) please go to my house and let everyone in, only to find out that one of the movers helping neighbor #3 jimmied open the door with a credit card. So, I quickly called neighbor #2 and told her the house was open and she could go in and get the mail key. So, she went over and grabbed the key, just as neighbor #3 was finished up the move, just as neighbor #1 showed up with the key thinking he was going to let everyone in only to find out that everyone had been in and was getting ready to leave!
And, still no mission call. :(
Saturday, April 12, 2014
it ain't about how hard you hit
Today, I spent a beautiful sunny day in Philadelphia. This birthplace of the nation has been on my bucket list for almost 20 years. Seriously. I love it when I get to cross things off my list! Problem is, I really enjoyed my visit and am now making plans to go back. And, that is only a problem because it means other places will have to wait.
This was a shorter trip than I expected. I'm really struggling with fatigue right now for some, weird reason and suddenly just couldn't go on. Knowing I had a three-hour drive ahead of me, I decided not to push my luck and headed home. Philly, for those who don't know, in addition to being the birthplace of a nation is also the birthplace of Rocky Balboa. At the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the famous steps Rocky runs up in the movies, is a statue of Rocky in his famous pose, fists in the air. I didn't make it to the steps but a famous quote from Rocky came to mind as I was driving out of the city, saddened that I didn't get to do everything on my list.
Next time, I will keep moving forward. Of course, next time I plan to have company so the journey will be easier. :) It was still a beautiful day in a beautiful city.
This was a shorter trip than I expected. I'm really struggling with fatigue right now for some, weird reason and suddenly just couldn't go on. Knowing I had a three-hour drive ahead of me, I decided not to push my luck and headed home. Philly, for those who don't know, in addition to being the birthplace of a nation is also the birthplace of Rocky Balboa. At the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the famous steps Rocky runs up in the movies, is a statue of Rocky in his famous pose, fists in the air. I didn't make it to the steps but a famous quote from Rocky came to mind as I was driving out of the city, saddened that I didn't get to do everything on my list.
It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
Next time, I will keep moving forward. Of course, next time I plan to have company so the journey will be easier. :) It was still a beautiful day in a beautiful city.
There is this wonderful area of Philly called Fabric Row. All this? $14/yard. Seriously! I need to go back to Philly just for the great pricing on fabric. I also need to go back with a plan and a lot of money so I can stock up and make it worth the gas money and toll charges.
Rows of leather. Yes, leather! I want to pick the most unlikely color and commission a quiver. That's period, right? Colored leather?
Independence Hall in all its glory. What a stately building! I didn't get a ticket to go inside but will makes sure I do next time. Oh, I bet these walls could tell stories.
Congress Hall next to Independence Hall. Imagine those trees filled with leaves. Beauty personified.
And who doesn't get excited for the first signs of spring!!!??!!
Cobblestone streets.
I bet this alley is striking in the summer with all the leaves. I love how it is bordered by history, just to dump out in the modern world. Such a peaceful spot.
The railing around the courtyard of the Second National Bank (in full view next picture).
A recreation of an 18th Century Garden. Very English don't ya think? Everything is just starting to green and grow. It is small but will be lovely in the summer.
More spring! Yay for bulbs!
This is a "ghost" house and church in the middle of Franklin Square. The house is roughly where Benjamin Franklin's house would have been. Behind it is the printing office, book bindery, and post office...all businesses in which Mr. Franklin was heavily involved. I had studied Mr. Franklin before and knew of his works, so it was nice to walk to same paths as he did. And, if you have not studied his life, you really should. We owe libraries and fire stations and post offices to this great man. He started so many programs we take for granted today.
The next few pictures are from the Christ Church Cemetary. What is a visit to a historic city without visiting a cementary? I mean, seriously? I'm always amazed at the orderly but uneven rows of headstones and wonder how people were really buried there. Did they have head and foot stones? Or just buried on top of each other? There was actually one vault that had seven names on top, so I guess they are layered a bit. Such history in this cemetary. Five signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here including....
Benjamin Franklin himself. I love the plaque near his tomb. Not surprised that Mr. Franklin was as particular about his death as he was about his life.
All in all it was a great day. I can't wait to go back and see more of the City of Brotherly Love!
Monday, April 7, 2014
rejuvenating my spirit...with golf balls
Remember that story about the golf balls? Remember when I said my testimony is a golf ball?
This past week, I seriously considered driving to Philadelphia, PA for a day trip on Saturday. Phillie has been on my bucket list for close to 20 years. I have tried several times to get there, but it has never worked out. Now, it is only a short 2.5 hour drive from my new home. I was so excited to discover how close it was. Finally, I get to cross something new off my bucket list!! I made a list of all the places I wanted to go. I started to map out how to hit everything in just one day. I considered taking the train (just for the experience), but then discovered all the things I would miss, that can't happen. My excitement just grew and grew and grew. AND then, I remembered it was General Conference weekend. And my testimony is a golf ball and travel is gravel. So, I made the decision to stay home and watch General Conference. I am so very happy that I did. So many nuggets of hope and healing and growth and happiness. So many MEMES!! Phillie can wait. My testimony can't. Here are a few of my favorite thoughts from the weekend.
This past week, I seriously considered driving to Philadelphia, PA for a day trip on Saturday. Phillie has been on my bucket list for close to 20 years. I have tried several times to get there, but it has never worked out. Now, it is only a short 2.5 hour drive from my new home. I was so excited to discover how close it was. Finally, I get to cross something new off my bucket list!! I made a list of all the places I wanted to go. I started to map out how to hit everything in just one day. I considered taking the train (just for the experience), but then discovered all the things I would miss, that can't happen. My excitement just grew and grew and grew. AND then, I remembered it was General Conference weekend. And my testimony is a golf ball and travel is gravel. So, I made the decision to stay home and watch General Conference. I am so very happy that I did. So many nuggets of hope and healing and growth and happiness. So many MEMES!! Phillie can wait. My testimony can't. Here are a few of my favorite thoughts from the weekend.
And my favorite....
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
adventures in va - part three
No foolin' here... I have a couch! I am another step closer to having a complete home! My couch is a sofa sleeper so that I can have company (hint, hint). Here it is all tucked into its little spot in my little home. I love it. And, it doesn't take as much space as I thought would. I have tons of space to fill, which is coming... :)
At first it was facing the dormers but I felt like the entire ceiling was coming down on me, which it was, and felt claustrophobic. Now, tucked under the dormer, I get to look out three HUGE windows and watch the birds and squirrels chase each other. My view will soon be obstructed with leaves, but I don't think I will mind that either.
Next? The perfect kitchen table and the rest of my "stuff" (i.e. computer and desk, sewing machine and table, etc.). But that won't be until the end of June. I'll post more pics when I'm fully moved in!
At first it was facing the dormers but I felt like the entire ceiling was coming down on me, which it was, and felt claustrophobic. Now, tucked under the dormer, I get to look out three HUGE windows and watch the birds and squirrels chase each other. My view will soon be obstructed with leaves, but I don't think I will mind that either.
Next? The perfect kitchen table and the rest of my "stuff" (i.e. computer and desk, sewing machine and table, etc.). But that won't be until the end of June. I'll post more pics when I'm fully moved in!
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