Sail

Once in a blue moon I'll feel a bit of an angst regarding something.  It's usually something that is easily cured with with a trip to the White House on the Hill or a weekend of sunshine.  Earlier this week, during a card game of War, J and I were discussing his own moment of angst ... as I do not stake claim to being the only person to sometimes feel this.  We spoke for a bit about his current situation and then about his 'cure'.  Like most of our faith he listed a trip to the White House on the Hill but then, much to my own wonderment, he began talking about the water ... common ground, smart J. 

We came to our mutual love of boats and he laughed and reminded me of my favorite phrase as of late, "Get on a boat!" He then inquired why I chose this, he likes to know the rhyme to my reason ~ even if it is my illogical reason and funky rhyme. I spent a few minutes trying to explain, getting my words caught between mind and mouth.  Unintentionally I tested his patience as I tried to figure this out in words he understood rather than looks and whines.  He's a smart man, very smart, it's not that he doesn't understand the mantra, that's not it at all.  I believe he was trying to get me to understand it a bit more.  And so tonight as homework is being done beside me after some 'cure' time for both of us with Syd, I have found this and have committed it to memory, Holmes words better sum up the reasoning for my mantra.

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, 

as in what direction we are moving: 

To reach the port of heaven, 

we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - 

but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.

 

So J, there you have it.  Or as your intention, I believe, was for me to better understand and perhaps lecture less and act more ... there I have it.  Get on a boat! Not only 'Get on a boat!' but SAIL!

Rose ...

Some girls look for red smelly things around this time of St. Valentine, I am numbered among them.  I prefer my red on the jersey though and the smelly scent of a ball player.  So after a few days of conversation, lots of conversation, I was rewarded, with a consecutive 'on' night watching this guy.  I sure do like him a lot  ~ D. Rose, I sure do like D. Rose a lot. 

I'm fairly certain my company was not prepared for my cheers, nor the entirety of section 21 for that matter {the cheering voice from the couch as Jay throws the ball down field is mild in comparison to my 'in person' cheering voice}.  But he kept a smile on his face as he watched D. Rose keep a smile on mine.

Feb 09 @ Jazz		Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4									TOTAL
	Bulls	21	23	22	25									91
	Jazz	23	18	19	26									86

Island of Misfits

Alright, so friends of mine have nicknames.  They stretch the scope of ridiculousness and applicability but they exist and I am grateful for them as it give me that extra edge in ‘I know them better because I created a fun and LASTING nickname for them, you did not’ ~ yes, I’m a slightly possessive friend and competitive human.

People in my ward have nicknames as well.  These nicknames are quick, first time judgments that I created in my mind to sort through the masses who I did not know.  Ace and I were able to refer to folks that we had never spoken with by using these catchy, clever and what seems founded names. These past few weeks have proven hilarious, if only in my mind as I’m trying to curb my ‘speak first, apologize later’ method, as I’ve attempted to make friends with new people ~ namely the ones who have been dubbed with a cheeky nickname.  As I’ve made these new friends we’ve discovered that our labels or nicknames match! DELIGHTFUL! These nicknames are now oober helpful as we have covert conversations in the backseat or on the back row.

Basically the ward, as is any single’s ward, is an Island of Misfit Toys.  We’ve all been ‘rejected’ in one way or another and are thrown to this island to meet someone to help us get back to the mainland.  The characters span the scope of uniqueness.  

We’ve got Cute Glasses ~ he sat with me my first Sunday in church as Ace was somewhere other than next to me and I was attempting to be brave.  He made conversation but I was so focused on watching the clock get to 10:05 {as I was doing vacation Church with Ace being absent} that I paid little attention to him.  All I remember is that he had cute glasses.  So upon Ace’s arrival at home that night I brought up Cute Glasses … it stuck.

We’ve got Black Dress ~ she comes to Church, that is what matters.  What doesn’t matter is the length of her dress … more power to her!  She’s got some rockin’ legs!

We’ve got Voice of Big Guy ~ when he prays I’m more reverent and focused.  His voice is one of the most soothing and articulate I’ve ever heard.  When he is sitting in the front of the room, I get a little bit giddy as I know that I will listen a bit closer and take things a bit more seriously.

We’ve got Cousin Weasly ~ it’s true.  He’s the cousin that you love but you’re never certain how to interact with.  He’s the one with the interesting and conversation provoking wardrobe and accessories.  Thinking of him now just makes me smile.

We’ve got Cute Boy ~ who has, in recent days been dubbed, Cute Man.  That’s fairly self explanatory I think.  But just to stop thoughts of “Boy, this girl is only focused on looks” … he’s got a cute personality as well, it’s a double edged-sword with this one.

We’ve got Smiles ~ I need a pocket version of Smiles, she is ALWAYS smiling.  She loses her job, she smiles.  She has a run in her tights, she smiles.  She sings, she smiles. She gets up to share what she knows to be true, she glows.  She is a constant reminder that there is nothing in this life that should make us forget how truly blessed we are. 

We’ve got Seminary Man ~ He may or may not be going into neurosurgery but this guy bleeds the Good Word.  As Ace and I sat in his class for the first time we both came to the conclusion that he was working through the CES program, he’s just a John Bytheway in training.  Does he sometimes drive you bonkers as he can tell you what page a specific thought is on in the manual?  Yes!  And don’t worry that he doesn’t have a photogenic memory.  I’m just glad to have learned in recent moments that he’s taking girls to dinner.

We’ve got Return Sister Missionary ~ She’s delightful.  She hits all the marks for return sisters.  The wardrobe, check.  She’s got the click down and the necessary pauses to make you feel something between ‘she’s made a very poignant point’ and downright awkward.  Speaking with her makes you want to be a better person as her ambition and drive spill over to you.

We’ve got Tall One ~ I have yet to figure him out.  But Tall not only describes his actual person but his personality as well.

We’ve got Rugged Pete ~  He’s got that unquestionable attractive factor that Pete holds claim to but  he’s somehow added this rugged element that is … can I say it? I'm pretty sure I could have babysat him, he's like Landon's age … downright HOT!

We’ve got Garcia ~ Seriously folks, do you watch Criminal Minds?  No, too scary? I get that.  I can only watch it in the company of others as on my own my mind jumps to the conclusion that the ‘unsub’ is right outside and the minute I turn off the lights, he’s coming for me.  But if you have a minute, go ahead and IMDB the show and find Penelope Garcia.  Her twin is in my ward.  She’s got the sassy shoes and funky glasses to boot!

Oh sweet island of Misfits!  How you make me smile!!

Passion and Other Stuff

Elton John.  Adam in his happy place.  Wednesday was a good day and an even better night.  As I watched my friend walk around, finishing last minute plans, I saw a man on mission.  I saw a man who not only believed in what he does but acts each day to make the changes he knows are necessary in the world.  There was a passion in his eyes that night, a passion that is rare in the eyes of people today.  Certainly there are moments when he gets frustrated or days when all of his efforts are not acknowledged but he continues onward in his efforts to change the world.  He has a passion I seek to find each day.

After my time in California, I had a some thoughts about life and where I saw mine going.  I spent some time with the Good Word and in my thoughts. As it would turn out, I've found {again, I keep forgetting} a good path.  It's not what I would have initially picked nor what might look like the most fun.  But it is a path that I can be passionate about walking on.

In other news, I found myself saying to the Big Guy late on Sunday night that I would take the girls if another friend could have the boys ~ she doesn't need girls as much as I want only boys.  After I crawled into bed my mind stuck with this thought of girls in my life.  {One step at a time, I know} But as I laughed at the fact that after 10 years ~ it's been that long since my pleading began for a house of boys ~ I remembered one of my favorite memories with no-longer-future-Mr-Kasi.  We were with his sister and her family, her newest female addition less than two weeks old.  As n-l-f-M-K held the little one and spoke with the eldest child, also female, I had a moment ~ although brief ~ where I thought, "Every guy needs at least one little girl to be adorable with and to adore him."   I loved n-l-f-M-K a little bit more after seeing him with those girls, incredibly sincere and tender he was.  So world, angels taking note, future children finally being acknowledged ... I won't ship the girls to Ace, at least not initially ~ perhaps when they are spasing out from 11-17 they'll take an extended trip but we'll discuss that as it comes and see where my patience level is.  For now, the new plan that I am getting a bit passionate about, is to keep them.

Around the world ...  After countless years of debate there has been some motion forward, albeit leaked and now causing outrage, in terms of Palestinian refugees returning to Israel.  1000 a year for the next ten years.  One step at a time.

And to conclude, there are a few of you wondering when your nickname will be finalized.  Folks, have some patience.  It has taken anywhere from four minutes to four months to come up with an adequate name for others.  They do not just drop out of thin air ~ they are founded {well, most of them} and fitting.  Patience, Grasshoppers.

4th South and 3rd West

That is the intersection where Bleu stopped, ceased to work, died.  We were cruising right along after a therapeutic evening with Em and she, Bleu, just gave up.  I turned to A and was shocked, so I laughed {I laugh at inappropriate moments}.  Then my brain went at about a mile and a half a minute ... let me share the thoughts of that minute. Sidenote: this is not Bleu below but she is the same make.

Oh-goodness {no censoring folks, that's truly what my mind thought, yep!}-those-lights-have-never-been-on-before-what-do-they-mean?-Singer-took-Bleu-for-an-oil-change-and-checkup-before-I-headed-back-to-Utah-and-everything-checked-out-okay- {A asked who I was going to call my response was internal as outwardly I just laughed}-Singer-is-not-close-so-calling-him-would-be-fruitless-and-frustrating-and-cause-him-to-worry-Dang-Ace-for-not-being-home-would-Ace-know-what-to-do?-Papa-is-sleeping-although-he-would-not-care-if-I-woke-him-but-he-would-think-someone-had-died-if-I-call-at-this-hour-Ashely-is-handy-with-car-but-she-is-far-where-is-a-Muraski-when-I-need-one?-the-gas-light-isn't-on-is-Pretty-boy-from-the-ward-handy-with-cars?-doubtful-Pete-should-be-sleeping-Ogre-would-be-ornery-Bitzy-is-home-or-on-her-way-she-could-come-get-me-but-do-I-just-leave-Bleu-here-overnight-that-makes-me-oober-nervous-oh-I-have-that-thing-with-State-Farm-that-says-do-what-needs-to-done-and-send-us-the-bill.  Oh, okay, I'll just do what needs to be done, likely a tow.  I did not cry, I laughed a little bit more and turned to A.  She had already called Em and she was on her way back.  A nice police officer, with no car knowledge {which I think is RIDICULOUS}, helped push Bleu into the gas station.  Em arrived and handed me the phone, her husband Richard was on the other end.  He is magical and within 57 seconds of hearing his voice Bleu came back to life, without complaint or explanation.  He was kind {although he had full reason to think I was an imbecile}, Em was kind {she had reason to be frustrated, she's a mom with kids to get to school tomorrow!} and all was well in the world.

As I drove home, Em following to be certain that Bleu was not going to relapse, CA called {not handy with cars} and I told him the story, he laughed that guttural laugh as I shared my thoughts during that initial minute or so. As we continued our conversation, a random collection of topics, he made this comment, "Get married, you'll have husband to call.  He may have no knowledge of cars Kas but he'll at least be legally bound to come and get you and keep you out of the front cab of a tow-truck." He then proceeded to tell me a CREEPY story of a girl getting into that front cab, it could have been a Criminal Minds episode, it was that scary. I love that this was his thought though... LOVE IT!  Why?  Well, because this is the man that has not ONCE encouraged me towards that particular adventure, he's the man that has given me EVERY excuse to not do it.  Oh, how time changes everything. He was proud when I reminded him that already last week, twice this week and once next week I would be making efforts {in spite of my slightly jaded attitude regarding the reasoning behind a few of their requests for time with Kasi} in this regard.

YAY for a working Bleu! YAY for State Farm-do-what-you-need-to-do-plan that gives me a sense of safety! YAY for magical Richard! YAY for change! YAY for efforts!