Girls Weekend

Last weekend was wonderful. I enjoyed even the drive to and from Orlando. The girls and I went to Time Out for Women. We have done this together for about 3 or 4 years. The whole TOFW was amazing and I was able to renew my desires to be a woman of God. I haven't always been active in doing that. I know shocking isn't it. ;-) HA!

We were able to listen to Sheri Dew and Wendy Nelson on Friday night. Saturday was just as enjoyable as Friday night was. Sheri Dew shared with us that she is trying to read/listen to a General Conference talk each day. That instead of having the tv on she puts on a conference talk. I thought that was a great idea. I have tried this these past 3 mornings and I will say it makes my days much better. This morning I listened to Elder Scott's talk and finding nuggets within his talk that were for me to hear again. Like this one-

"As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life."

That is how I felt this past weekend. So much information was coming quickly that I needed to know and hear that my hand would cramp up as I tried to write down what I was being taught. Sometimes they were direct quotes from the speakers and sometimes they were general thoughts with key words so I could go back and fill in what I couldn't manage to get written down the first time. Just like Elder Scott talked about the information I received was much like a patriarchal blessing, it was for my individual benefit.

Kristen, Alyse and I talked at dinner Saturday evening about what we enjoyed most. What speakers we really enjoyed and any thoughts we had during the conference. What a wonderful way to end an amazing day. I am sure those are the times that each mother tucks into her heart to recall at will. I know I will.

I will try to put on here my notes so that I can go over what I learned. Not so much for everyone to read but to write them again so they will sink deeper into my heart. The theme of the conference was "Infinite Hope".

While I was listening to Mercy River sing on Saturday I had many thoughts come to me and one was to purchase one of their CD's for my co-worker Connie. Since the passing of Jimmy I have seen her struggle and mourn. It brings back the memories of my Mom grieving when my Dad passed away. As I heard them sing the song "We all Need Saving" I had a clear and distinct voice tell me that she needed this CD. The Lord always seem makes things happen so we can accomplish His work, they finished the song and there was a 15 minute break. I knew this was a prompting since it came out of no where so I jumped up and bought it for her.

Now came the next part. Giving it to her. I went to work Monday and with the CD in my purse I put everything down on my desk removed the CD and walked directly to her office. I asked if I could come in and I proceeded to tell her about my weekend and how marvelous it was. Then I told her about my prompting and gave her the CD.

I did tell her I didn't know if she even like this kind of music but I was told she needed it. She about cried. We talked about the conference and I shared some of the different stories. We talked about hope and faith. We talked for a good 45 mins. It was a wonderful experience. I told her I hoped the music might give her some peace. She has since stopped by twice and shared with me how much she has enjoyed the music. I have no idea what will happen and even if nothing does it was a marvelous experience.

So I am deeply grateful for the rush of spiritual thoughts that have come to my mind since this weekend. Sis. Nelson talked about becoming a holier woman each day. How would a holy women react to this or that. I am going to try to really apply this to my life and especially to my daily commutes in the car. I KNOW I am not a holy woman in the car. :-)

I am thankful for the push to get back on track again. My sails are filled and I am ready to soar to new heights!

Lost socks

So I quickly put on my sweats this morning only to find something inside the pant leg by my knee. I reached in and pulled out a sock. I have had this happen before but it made me wonder this morning how many other lost socks are hiding in pants and other assorted places. And how long do they hide out in these place if they are never felt. Could this be the whereabouts of where the lost socks go? I have found a sock in my pant leg at work. Nothing like pulling a sock out of your pant leg with coworkers watching. Gee that's where that sock was. :-\

When the kids were younger I use to have a bag of socks I would try to match each time I did laundry, cleaned out drawers, looked under beds and in toy boxes. Sometimes they were found but most of the time they were gone. I did get to know these lost socks pretty well after looking for their mates for so long. When I found a match I got quite excited until I realized my victory was to be short lived since this was a never ending vicious cycle.

Now that it is just Mike and I at home I have noticed that this doesn't happen too often anymore. More times than not we come out even in the sock venue. Now we just miss parts of our memory and wonder where it has gone too. Maybe I should look in the legs of our pants. I just want to go on record as saying... give me lost socks over memory loss any day!

Golden Oldies

So age has never really bothered me until maybe now. Mike and I turn 50 this year. Yes that is half way to 100!

I went to the dentist today and while they were working on my teeth they were talking (it was kind of hard to hear them but that is another matter for older people I guess) about the music they love to listen too. How "those" songs were ones you could really sing too. Not like the music today. I was thinking well there are a few good song out today but ya not many. I love the songs we grew up with. They are classics. I was asked today if I went to Woodstock. I said in a garbled sound... um NO! Me at Woodstock?? That was way before my time. I was a mere child of 8 or 9 when that took place.

So after leaving the dental office I thought about our conversation and decided that my music is not of the "Golden Oldies" era! That is my parents era and it surely must have Lawrence Welk involved to be a "Golden Oldie." But I found myself watching the good old Mr. Welk show this past weekend and liking that music. Mike was even whistling to it as well. Now come on does that qualify us for being old? I think not!

Yet we have gone to the Dr.'s office for physicals and are now booked to have that famous test called Colonoscopy. Wow really? That was always meant for old-er people. Those who have lived a long time not us. This must not surely mean that we have now ventured into the "Golden Oldie" era age ourselves. If so, when did this happen? UGH!!!!

Come on education!

So on Tuesday I left work a bit early and drove over to TCC (Tallahassee Community College) and talked to a great counselor. She was wonderful. She mapped out a schedule of classes that I would need in order to graduate. If I wanted to just get another AA I needed certain classes and if I wanted to get my AS in nursing I would take need other classes.

Wow- I felt so pumped in finally finding someone who could give me some direction. As it turns out TCC nursing program (which is actually better then FSU's I hear) only looks at the pre-recs for entry into their program. It will take me about 6 semesters to get myself back on track and GPA friendly again. So I should be finished with an AS degree in Nursing or my BS in something else in about 4 years. If I choose nursing I would transition over to what is called a Bridging program to get my BS in nursing (one more year). At this point I will hope I can find a school that is close by that offers a masters in OT or Nurse Practitioner. I know pretty lofty goals but it feels great to have these types of goals.

Nancy did suggest some other areas of work such as Speech Therapy, Child life specialist (ya I'm still checking into that one), Guidance counselor for students with disabilities. And so forth. She did tell me that I didn't have to choose that day what it would be but I had about 2 semesters or before the semester of my Anatomy and Physiology class. She said that class is my investment in nursing.

So I reapplied to TCC last night. I had to declare what major I wanted and I choose nursing for right now. So I have started on my journey. I am going to seek for my passion and "calling" if you will. I am a bit scared but very excited. Okay, I must go and study up for a College Placement Test for Math. Could be fun!

New favorite song.

Heavy Heart tonight

So I am down in Tampa as I type this. Bryan dropped me off at the airport where I meet with two co-workers who had a car ready for me to rent. One of my co-workers told me that another co-worker wouldn't be coming because of a personal family loss. I didn't take in the loss part. I said well I know Connie told me her boyfriend was having back surgery on Friday. Harley said ya he passed away during the surgery. I couldn't believe it. My heart sank. The day has not been the same since. I have thought so much about her and this new horrible situation she has been thrust into. Oh how my heart ached the whole drive down.

Losing a loved one is hard enough with gospel knowledge but what horror it must be like to not have that assurance. I just wanted to hug her and tell her it will be okay. I promise! The only thing for her that will make it better is time. The hurt isn't so sharp after a few years.

So hug your family extra tight tonight. Life is just to short!

Murphy vs. Roomba

So I have been thinking about getting a Roomba for many years. When they came out with the model that untangles itself I knew I needed one for sure. We have wood floors and with a dog we always have hair everywhere. If I swept once a day I might keep on top of it but lets face it who is going to sweep a whole house once a day while working full time. Ya not me. It was amazing when I had Erin come and clean my floors once a week. I wanted to cry when she left. I have gone to Costco and had that darn machine in my cart a 1000 times but I always put it back after talking myself out of it for one reason or other.

Yesterday I text Mike and said... I NEED A ROOMBA. He brought one home last night. So far I love it. I watched it go and it is pretty amazing. It went into all our rooms it could find it's way into. Including my bedroom. Murphy about had a fit following it and barking over and over again. Funny dog. I took a video of him.



Needless to say even thought I spent hours vacuuming/sweeping the floor YESTERDAY Roomba picked up even more. I think I am in LOVE!