Can't Do It All

Today, I went right to FHE at an assisted living facility (ALF) after leaving a work meeting. I got home at 8:30, when I ate and talked with my parents. Here's the deal, I have so many good things that need to happen, I feel a little frazzled right now.

I'm trying to exercise for improved health. Didn't happen today.
I brought work home with me that NEEDS to get done. Didn't happen today.
I needed to catch up with a friend. That did happen today and I'm glad.
I need to send an email for my calling. That is in the process of happening, but not until I've cleared my brain a little.
My ward is reading the Book of Mormon together. I'm already behind.

How do people fit all this stuff in? It is critical for me to sleep enough. I can't give that up without getting really sick. I have to work full-time and I have to give 100% to my patients while I'm there, even though that often means my days don't turn out as planned.

So, seriously, what do people do?

BIG Decisions

I've spent the past few years wondering how to make being an adult stop. No luck, but I still refer to "when I grow up..." Anyway, I don't like making big decisions, which is sort of important being a sort-of grown-up and all. Well, I'm currently faced with another. The thing is, I know what I want to do, but I'm not sure how to do it. This is one of those being single things that gets annoying; it would be nice for something to be "our decision" rather than "my decision." Just saying. One of my favorite people in Meridian, Cindy, and I had a talk about this a few weeks ago. She is a tender mercy in my life. From the day I met her, I've felt comfortable talking with her and she's opened up to me. It's nice to have a friend who understands what it's like. I am thankful for Cindy and so many others over the years I've been able to talk with about things that I can't process on my own.

Well, expect an announcement soon. :)

Looking Back

2009 was kind of a big year for me. Here are some of the headlines.

I completed my Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology, with pretty darn good grades, I might add. This was rather bittersweet for me. I've been on the University of Utah campus in some capacity since August 2001. I love it there. I have favorite spots to sit and eat, read, think, talk, freak in, and freak out. I know which drinking fountains are okay and which should be avoided like locust. I've witnessed the change of two bathrooms in the Union from women's to men's and discovered one of those in quite the wrong way. In my time both on campus and at the world's best Institute (old building and new, thank you) I've formed lasting and treasured friendships. I think back on every class, meeting, and concert with fondness.

I got to go to two Temple Open Houses, twice to Draper and once to Oquirrh Mountain. In addition to sharing those experiences with my family (including my future bro-in-law), I was able to go with some of my favorite girlfriends and share some of my beliefs with friends of other faiths. I love learning about others' beliefs and discovering how much we truly have in common.

I was able to do two really great externships with amazing supervisors, who have forever shaped me as a clinician. Hooray for Cara and Verna!!

I sang in General Conference, which I've always wanted to do. What an awe-inspiring experience!!

I danced in parking lots and parking terraces and laughed with wonderful girls.

I learned that the shin splints I've had since high school weren't shin splints at all. One surgery and nearly a month in boots that Cossacks would envy later, I was finally able to walk fast without my ankles randomly not working right.

I interviewed for several different positions and ended up in Idaho. I'm blessed to have Katie, Jarom, and their boys up here. I've really missed seeing them more than once or twice a year. I also have a great apartment.

I learned how much I love my family. I thought I knew, but I didn't until I had the pains of missing them. Most important part of this lesson: I'd never want to spend eternity without them. I can't imagine an existence without them.

I bought my first car. Totally not the car I was dreaming of, but it's a step up in most ways from what I've been driving. I have a black 2005 Jetta. My next car, though, will have heated seats. I hate having a cold bum and back.

My mom got some mixed news on her health, but basically good. Heidi finally got an answer, now we're just waiting for a solution. We keep praying.

My nephews continue to be an extraordinary blessing in my life. Jon was baptized. Mark loves first grade and is a fast reader. Eric sang "Wosty the Noman" to me on the phone. (Consonant Cluster Reduction strikes again.)

I'm grateful for all I learned in 2009, even the difficult lessons. I'm excited to see what 2010 has in store.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson (emphasis added)

What did I get myself into?

I came home from work tonight and listened to my messages while looking at the caller ID. There was a call with a hang-up message from the education counselor (aka the only counselor) in my RS presidency. Following my typical protocol, I didn't return her call. No message, no returned call. But I started wondering and, since she hasn't called me before and we had a branch activity tonight, I made an exception and called her back.

She asked me to teach in RS. THIS Sunday. My response? "Um, well, sure."

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow. It'll be good for me. I just have to keep reminding myself of that until it's over.

Calling for Ideas!

I'm the choir director in my branch. Until I got this calling, there had been no choir since last Christmas, so I'm starting from scratch.

What ideas have worked for you? I mostly need ideas for getting people there, but I'm open to any suggestions for making it work better.

Thanks!

The Maytag Man

A little over three weeks ago, in preparation for my move, I bought a washing machine. I wasn't going to buy a washer or dryer until I had a few paychecks under my belt, but then I was generously given a dryer. I wasn't going to hand-wash my clothes and then machine dry them, so I bought a washer. When we got to Idaho and my dad and substitute-brother-in-law took the washer out of the box, they discovered it was leaking oil. Great.

So, my dad called Maytag and we set up an appointment. Of course, it was on a day I had to be at work and the appointment was for between noon and 5:00. Katie kindly brought her boys over and they sat her and sat until the guy came at 4:45. Washer fixed. Good. Washer still in garage. Bad.

The next day I came home from work and the washer was in my house. Hooray! Katie and Jarom came back and Jarom moved it in for me. Thanks!!

That Saturday I worked up my pioneer, do-it-myself spirit, carefully read the directions for installing my washer, and pulled out my tools. I followed those directions meticulously. Drain hose in: check. Hot water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Cold water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Hot water hose on input valve: check, WATER EVERYWHERE. For the next 2 hours, I tried and retried, called my dad for ideas and tried some more. No luck. So, I called Maytag again. We scheduled for the following Saturday (yesterday). I took my wet towels and my dirty clothes and whisked them away to use appliances and internet at Katie and Jarom's. Because, after spending hundreds of dollars on a washer, of course I want to use someone else's.

Well, the week passed and I set my alarm to get up early on Saturday so I could be dressed for the Maytag man by 8:00. He came at noon. Helpful. He looked and told me my valve was stripped. (This happens to be what I told the customer service agent over the phone. Huh.) Fortunately, the Maytag man had the piece on his truck. Apparently, had he not, I would have had the pleasure of waiting until Sept. 29. Washer fixed. Again.

I can wash my clothes at my own house again!! And the peasants rejoiced.

Moving Tomorrow

I am just so tired of packing