Mama Said...

When I was a child, my mother had us memorize several poems, one came to my mind today as I was leaving work. As can be expected when trying to open a store during the busiest time of year, it's a bit hectic at work and a lot more to juggle than normal. With trying to buy a house and living in place temporarily with most of our stuff in storage, my brain seems to be on overdrive.

Today was a good day at work, not anything especially hectic, however I couldn't seem to remember to grab my jacket when leaving to go home from the day. Every time I would get to the door and step outside to a beautiful, but cool fall day I would head back in and end up grabbing something else, only to get outside and be reminded that I forgot the thing I intended to get. I think it took about five times before I finally remembered, and laughing as I left I couldn't help but recall this poem from my childhood.

Mama said I'd lose my head
If it wasn't fastened on.
Today I guess it wasn't
'Cause while playing with my cousin
It fell off and rolled away
And now it's gone.
And I can't look for it,
'cause my eyes are in it
And I can't call to it
'Cause my mouth is on it
(Couldn't hear me anyway
'Cause my ears are on it),
Can't even think about it
'Cause my brain is in it.
So I guess I'll sit down
On this rock
And rest for just a minute....

~Shel Silverstein



As I was typing this it also reminded me of another poem. (One of her favorites I think.) It's not that I needed my jacket to drive home, but I need it in the morning. It's a bit chilly and it takes a bit for the car to warm up. I'm enjoying the fall weather while it lasts and am not looking forward to snow all that much, but I guess I'll weather that weather when it comes.

Whether the weather be fine
Or whether the weather be not
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.

Who would have thought poems I memorized as a child would stick with me for so long and pop up at the strangest times to make me smile.

Que Sera Sera (Whatever will be, will be)

It’s been a crazy month, and the next few months promise to continue to be even crazier. Today was my last day at work, and dreading getting back to the task of boxing and cleaning, thought I would relax a bit and update my blog which I haven’t in ages but have been meaning to do for quite some time.

A year or so ago, Chris and I (as a good friend once described) began to see spiritual exit signs that led us to believe that God had other things in mind for us. Well, after a bit of a bumpy road that long awaited time has finally come. After living and loving life in St. George for the past five years, Chris and I are beginning a new chapter in our life. The decision to accept these upcoming changes, and the move that will result from them was difficult. I’ve struggled a bit with what to say, and today have been inspired with some quotes from others that seem to portray well what I’m feeling.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves.”
~Anatole France

The past five years in St. George have gone amazingly fast. In that time I’ve developed many friendships and grown through various trials. The employee’s and friends I’ve met along the way will be hard to leave behind. However, because of these experiences and friendships, I feel I am a better person, a better friend, a better manager, and a better wife. Another quote I found today, that really felt to fit how I’m feeling.

“We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.”
~Lynn Hall

I am not perfect and have a long way to go, however I’m more at peace with who I am, where I’ve come from and am excited about where I’m going.


So, what is this new chapter? Chris and I are moving this week. While it feels like the direction the Lord is leading us, it is a step into the darkness of unknown. We are relying on faith. Very little is certain. We do not know where we will be living, where Chris will be working, or if the risk we are taking with my work will pay off and be a wise move. It has already been a rough road, with many bumps and stubbed toes, but we have faith that the Lord has our best intentions in mind. When the house we were buying fell through a few weeks ago, a scripture came to mind and has been at the forefront of my mind ever since…

Ether 12:6 -“ ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith”

This certainly has been a trial, and promises to continue to be a test, but as with our other challenges I know we will look back years from now and be able to see even more clearly the hand of the Lord in our lives.

Moving back to Salt Lake is bitter sweet. I’m excited, sad, nervous, happy, stressed, uncertain, and hopefully optimistic.

It's been a Long, Long Time...

I know I haven't posted in a long time, but since Chris and I are on an 8 day Stay-cation I've had a bit of time on my hands and been doing something worth posting about. In addition to just staying home relaxing together, we've been to Zion's, Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks.
As well as a Renaissance Fair where we saw some full contact jousting. The lances are made of solid oak, and the sound they make when they splinter like toothpicks was simply amazing. We're glad we went the first day because the second day when we went, it was too windy to joust.

For my birthday I got a Cricut. I'm not much of a scrap booking type, but growing up with a very talented mother I did grow up with a love to craft. The Cricut combined with a computer program called Sure Cuts A Lot, the possibilities are endless. We've done a few smaller things, but I just finished my first actual project, although it's only a 6" tile. It's a gift for an employee who just got married, I hope she likes it. :) The silhouette is one from their engagement pictures, and with a little bit of work in Photoshop and Inkscape I got it to turn out just like I was imagining.