Eric's birthday

Eric turned 17 this week. Wow. So hard to believe. I had a killer headache and wasn't functioning my best, so there are no pictures to share. :(

I asked what he wanted for his birthday dinner, and his only reply was "soft pretzels." So I bought some frozen ones from Walmart as well as jalapeño poppers (one of his favorite snacks). So nutritional. He wanted angel food cake with blueberries for dessert...it was so good I might just have the same thing when it's my birthday in 2 weeks.

Happy Birthday Eric!!! We love you!!!

my daughter, the actress

Well, this past weekend was the Jr High Musical "Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek" and my daughter had a part in it. When she was cast she told me she was cast as "girl, age 10" so I thought she was just part of the ensemble. Turns out she actually had several lines throughout the play and sang a song with 3 other girls (during which they each had a solo). She was wonderful, even if I do say so myself. Others shared my opinion.

It's just amazing to me that 4 of my 5 children (and my husband, of course) like being on stage. I don't know that I'd even want to be a part of the ensemble, much less have lines or sing a solo. Boggles my mind. Ryan is the only one of my children who takes after me in this. He had NO desire for the stage...well, for acting purposes anyway. He would want to perform his Rubik's cube solving talent in front of a large audience.

That's one of the fascinating parts of being a parent...the mix of personality traits that you discover in your children.

Anyway, Bravo Hannah!!! Oh, and thanks Hannah for helping me to get a playlist up!

youtube videos

Well, I did something new recently...I started surfing YouTube one day. I found a few videos with music that I loved and looked into the songs more. I've wound up with a string of open YouTube windows, and while I'm working on the computer I click one right after the other and can listen to some really beautiful songs.

There is one song I found that almost haunted me, so I figured out what it was and googled it...only to be surprised to find out that it was a heavy metal song from Metallica from 1992. I have never liked heavy metal, but this other group (Apocalyptica) has 4 cellists and though there's a part in the middle I don't enjoy as much, on the whole I think it's great. "Nothing Else Matters" and "River Flows in You" are now on my playlist.

"Nothing Else Matters" by Apocalyptica:

"River Flows in You" by Yurima

And here's the URL to a very funny clip Andrew sent us. It's called "Algorithm March"

I love beautiful music...wish I could play better.

Accident up ahead

I have to post this now, before I forget. You'll see why in a minute.

This morning Glen and I are getting ready for the day...I'm drying my hair and he's shaving. I was going to tell him something, but a few moments after the thought formed in my head, I couldn't retrieve it.

So I say to him that my thoughts had derailed again. He replies that my tracks are old.

Sad thing is...I reply with confusion. Tracks? What is he talking about. Duh. The tracks the train of my thoughts run on...I had already forgotten about my comment just moments before. Sigh.

A few weeks ago at Church an announcement was made and I thought that I'd better write it down before I forgot. I bent over and got the paper and pencil out of my bag, sat up...and then had nothing to write down as I'd already forgotten what it was that I was supposed write. Sigh again.

It's a good thing my head is attached...for all the good my head does.

Some Ironic (is that the right word?) Things

#1 Last winter/spring there was a Saturday where I was traveling in my car singing along to the CD of my favorite songs. I had an epiphany: I realized I was a terrible singer. I said to myself right then that singing wasn't one of my talents. I do sing alto in the ward choir, but at least I have plenty of other voices to cover mine up.

So what happened the day after I realize I'm a terrible singer?! I was asked by a friend to sing in a small group for a church meeting. I said yes because I don't believe in saying no to things like that, but I gave a warning that they might want to kick me out. They didn't. The audience survived. I survived.

A month or two ago I was approached to get this group back together to sing for another meeting. That meeting happened Saturday. Once again, all involved survived...and once again I was the weakest link. Oh, well.

#2 This past Saturday I commented to Glen that my eyes were getting so bad that it was now difficult for me to read without my glasses.

Now, I always bring my glasses with me to Church, but somehow I managed to forget them on Sunday. And the choir was singing (remember, I'm in the alto section). Then I was filling in as ward chorister. Then I was asked to fill in and play the piano in Primary during the Sunday School time slot (as the regular pianist was in the High Council room while one of his sons was being set apart as a member of our new Bishopric). I then had to teach the Young Women's lesson...oh, how I wish I hadn't forgotten my glasses (or that I didn't need them in the first place).

Getting Started

I think I'm nuts. Why would I want to add one more thing for me to do...especially when it involves more time sitting in the computer chair? But I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog...there are aspects of it that intrigue me, so here goes.

This morning I was feeling very negative about myself. It was very strange. I really felt that my life is a waste lately...I don't do anything important. Everything is just routine. I don't make any real contributions...I don't serve enough. I don't know how to explain those feelings.

I'm glad to say that I'm feeling much more positive now. I associate the improved mood with attending church. I guess the spirit there was enough to override my negative thoughts. I'm so grateful for that.

So, I'm feeling "lighter" and hope to have a good week.