Crisis

So, I've been having a rough time this winter with bronchitis. My wonderful Primary Care Physician and I decided allergy testing was in order. It had been 30 years ago that I'd had testing done so...off I went to a great doc in Provo.

He asked me all kinds of questions. I especially liked it when we talked about the fact that I sneeze terribly while at work. I'm pretty sure that if they could have a little test that somehow measured allergy to work that my arm would have had a very LARGE welt in that spot. Maybe I'm just allergic to the thought of work. Anyway...

So some of you may have noticed that my family picture on this blog has me holding a cat. I grew up in a family where we had pets. Pets that were part of the family - not just animals. So my family has had cats and dogs. Our pets have REALLY been a part of our family. We've all felt the same and enjoyed and loved our animals. Do we love them - well, if having the same number of photos of your animals as you do your children is proof, then yes! I was always amazed when I would get my film developed to find the kids had grabbed my camera and taken pictures. I've never seen so many pictures of animals asleep in weird positions. So that is why we have so many pictures.

Hence, the crisis moment that will forever be in my mind. You know the feeling. It's like life slows and you're in slow motion and every feeling is embedded in the memory of the moment. Yes, I have developed a severe allery to cat dander. Simon is doing me in.

I am heartbroken. Know anyone that would like a beautiful cat? Seriously, I have no options with this one.

A Little Time with Laurel...

There's nothing better than spending time with my kids. Laurel and I did a little shopping and then saw a movie yesterday. The new store we scoped is Dear Lizzie. What a fun store - check out the website: http://www.mydearlizzie.com/ Then we went to a movie entitled He's Just Not That In to You. It was okay. The theater was packed and Laurel dubbed the audience a "We're in Provo audience". Yes, they really got into it.

I also explored a new bakery that has opened in East bay. It was in a newspaper article and I've been waiting for the bakery to open: http://www.thesweettoothfairy.com/index.html I love the creativity - not to mention the cakes bites are out of this world!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I always say - what could be better than spreading a little love around. I felt like a first-grader as I addressed my valentines yesterday. I think Hallmark will always be around...I'm keeping them in business.

Anyway - to those reading this - Happy Valentine's Day. Make sure you tell the people closest to you that you love them!

Why do I keep getting lost in life?

1. Once a mother, always a mother.
2. I care deeply about people and am an official "chat box" not to be confused with chatterbox, although I do my share of that. Everywhere I go I run into people and we have to "chat" a few minutes to catch up. Some times I am overwhelmed with the many good people in my life and feel so blessed.
3. There is just so much. Last week was incredibly insane. I sat each night and went back over my day and asked myself where I could have done something differently. You know those quiet moments when you ponder and search deep and sing the song, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and realize you have fallen short but you are trying. I remember when my children were little and how crazy some of those days and nights were. We are silly if we think life gets easier.
4. Oh, that I were a sponge. I just want to read and learn. There is so much around us, so many opportunities. I was trying to read a book last night and realize I had reread a paragraph three times and my brain just wasn't functioning.
5. Sometimes it is just more fun to live and enjoy life than blog about what has happened!

A Poem I Read Today...

Buttprints in the Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, What have we here?
Those prints are large and round and neat,
But Lord, they are too big for feet.

My child, he said in somber tones,
For miles I carried you along.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait.
You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt.

Because in life there comes a time,
When men must fight and men must climb,
When men must rise and men must stand,
Or leave their buttprints in the sand.

I must admit it made me chuckle when I read the poem in a book I'm reading. For many years I have heard about and read, "Footprints in Sand" and have certainly felt that I have been "carried" many times - more than I am perhaps worthy of. As I face a New Year of 2009 and once again ask myself, where does all the time go?, my desire for this year is to leave NO "buttprints" in the sand!

Lost in Life...

Yes, I'm behind in blogging and there isn't much hope in sight. This blog is just to prove I am alive.

Silly Millie

Yes, I caved. Laurel has a new little dog, Millie. Millie is staying with "Grandma Cindy" while Laurel is in transition in her life and living in Salt Lake with her Aunt Kristine and working. My mother warned me I would get attached. Millie is very cute and playful. Simon, my cat, isn't too happy about the situation yet. Nothing like a little dog to curl up on your lap!

The fall of 2007 was the last time I was in the temple with my parents. I often think back to that time - it was the sealing of April to Mike Klegin. The was earlier this spring that Dad began dealing with residual polio. Since April Mom has been taking care of him. I'm grateful for memories such as this and knowing that this is just a piece in the eternal perspective. Families are forever. I am one of the most blessed of daughters.