Ebay Parody Song - Weird Al Yankovic

Four Beautiful Words: You're the Highest Bidder

I got on ebay a few weeks ago to find these little treasures, and my vigil in front of the computer at the end of various bidding wars was accompanied by the dulcet tones of Weird Al running through my brain. I love ebay! Where else could I find Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plates in the birth year of each family member for under $25.00 each (including shipping!)?

The Masters Touch

Steve and I took our kids to the beautifully presented art exhibit of Carl Bloch alter pieces and other art work. Carl Bloch is the Handel of the art world, with his heaven inspired depictions of the life and mission of Jesus Christ. The MOA at BYU has spent nine years preparing and negotiating for the opportunity to show these pieces at the university. The museum had rental Ipads available which contained wonderful presentations and narrations that provided the perfect supplement to these masterpieces. The most moving experience for me was listening to Elder Neal A. Maxwell's eloquent testimony of the atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane, while gazing at the Carl Bloch painting of an angel gently embracing the Savior and sustaining him during his intense hour of need.

The Nose Tap

I came out of RS yesterday and headed for the "gathering place"--you know, the designated place your family meets up at after church to facilitate a quick get-away. I hooked up with Madi and Ashley as I worked my way towards the foyer, and I could see Steve up ahead talking with an, ahem, elderly gentleman. As I approached, I could hear Steve bragging on how "yes, indeed sir, my wife shovels snow right alongside me." The gentleman turned his eyes to me and asked if that was really true, and I replied, "Of Course!" (as in, "Doesn't every wife help their husband run the snow blower and dig out of 12 inches plus snow??") The newly made acquaintance must have been sufficiently impressed because he leaned towards me and, with his index finger outstretched, TOUCHED THE TIP OF MY NOSE while saying, "Gold Star!"

That just made my day!

A New Look

We still have a few minor fixes, but I love how this kitchen turned out! It feels so much warmer and richer, and you can't go wrong on beautiful counter tops when God is the artist!

My favorite features? Hands down, the granite. Do you see all of that movement? Breath-taking! I am also in love with my faucet. The oven and cooktop? Not so much. I miss my Wolf cooktop...sigh. It will definitely take some experimentation to figure out the oven...it seems to bake too hot. But all in all, I think it turned out fabulous! I am very happy with it.

The Calm Before the Storm

In the midst of the havoc and chaos that is a huge part of this worldly experience, I find that I need to carve out a place of calmness in my life. I function better when the immediate world around me is quiet and at ease. I do many things to bring that calmness and peace into my life: time set aside to read out of a good book, a daily soak in a warm tub, quiet music--or no music--in the background, mood lighting, fresh smells, a cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa in the winter or a glass of chipped ice with diet Coke (or lemonade, or water) in the summer.

A few weeks ago, Steve and I attended an art showing for this wonderful artist, and we fell in love with his color palette and thematic art subjects. A lot of his paintings have a "point of light" paired with a sun arc, quotes of calmness and reflection, a compass rose, trees, maps, and musical notes. They really give off a feeling a peace and introspection. He first treats his canvas with plaster and "crackles" it, and then paints from photographs that he has taken and manipulated until the composition has the right "feel" to it, and then he starts to paint.

We expressed interest in some of his pieces, and he very generously invited us to come to his home and choose whatever we wanted to take home to see how they worked in our space.

It was hard to choose, but we narrowed it down to these three pieces:

I love them!

Now I can view a beautiful sunset over the ocean or peaking through the trees even on the dreariest of days.

A Silent Rebellion

One of the things I have told my girls, is that you are allowed your little silent rebellions..this allows us to express our individuality. Markelle hasn't quite figured out the silent part of her own little rebellions, but mine this next week is the following: I will go to the Sunday School class that I am NOT assigned to! What? Adults have assigned classes? Well, in our new ward, apparently the Gospel Doctrine class is assigned by last name. A-K go to the class in room # such and such, and L-Z go to overflow #3. We tried overflow #3 and this coming week I am going to try the other class, just for fun.

Did the earth just move?

Couples Therapy

The last 8 weeks has been such a roller coaster ride for Steve and I, with things really heating up in the last few weeks before our move, that we were feeling wrung dry. Looking at a house on a whim, making an offer and putting our house up for sale while heading out of town on vacation, getting our house ready to show, showing our house, getting offers and making counter offers, getting bids to re-do driveway, sifting through 15 years of junk collecting, packing, garage sale, multiple DI runs, etc., etc. Two long days of moving, cleaning the old house, putting things away at the new house, chaotic messes at both. I really didn't think we would make the annual Halloween party at the Passey's, but I knew that we both needed this break more than anything. We needed to get away from all things connected to moving. So, we rustled up costumes from what we could find around the house, or borrow, and we headed out to the Hollywood Halloween party. We had such a great time, talking and laughing with our good friends. We couldn't totally escape things connected to selling our house, however, because our realtor was at the party. Good thing he is such an awesome guy in general, and as a realtor in particular (a nod and shout out to you, Danny. Thank you for taking such good care of us!) Steve and I came home rejuvenated and ready to tackle the last 10% of unpacked boxes. Thank you, Passeys, for a WONDERFUL evening. You are both gracious hosts (especially you, Julia Child!)

Home is where your story begins...

We are all moved in to our new place (pictures coming soon) and I have to admit that it is still a little surreal that we no longer live at 3528 South 900 East. After a few days of heavy lifting and moving things in, it was so nice to take a long, hot relaxing soak in our new tub. I had to remind myself that this was okay, that it was my tub now. So weird. But, I am slowly finding places for our stuff: pictures, dishes, furniture, books, etc. It feels more comfortable everyday, and I am feeling more at home. Time to make new memories. Time to add to our story of who we are. Time to find a wall to put my favorite quote on: Home is where your story begins...