6 September 2004, Monday

Good thing I have today off. I have a million and one things to do today. I have a million and one things to do every day this week. It's "hell" week for Alias Smedley Pewtree because we open Friday night. We have three shows Saturday, so I'll be doing that all day. Next week is my fundraiser for my computer lab, so I need to put together 800 packets for that this week. And then last week I was called to be the Relief Society president in my ward. That is something I never expected, and so I've got to figure out how that works this week too.

Saturday I took three of my photos up to Salt Lake to enter them in the State Fair. I probably won't be able to get up there till next week to see how they did. It was so neat seeing my pictures professionally printed and mounted though, almost a high. I'm going to take some more and have them blown up poster size and use them to decorate my house.

I've been real busy, but everything else is all just ordinary work stuff. I'm so glad I know what I'm doing this year at school and I almost just have to show up to work every day.

11 September 2004, Saturday

Where were you on this day three years ago?

I was in Mexico student teaching. The morning had been completely normal, listening to the guy on the Mexican radio station talk about weather and stuff. I got to school and as I was walking towards my room the principal said something about an attack and planes and crashes. He didn't have a lot of details. My supervising teacher came in next and told me that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. We tried explaining to the kids, fourth graders, what had happened without upsetting them. It was hard because I was starting to get upset myself. I knew my parents were safe, they were in nowheres-ville Kentucky. But my brother was in Houston, and that was a big city. I took the class outside so we could show them just how big a million is, and while we were there, the wife of the high school principal called some more updates over the fence to us.

We all went home for lunch, and by then it was being reported in Mexico, so my host family knew about it. Her kids all lived in the United States, so she was very concerned. The elders I'd gone through the MTC with were supposed to come home that day. They came home the following week. The borders were closed, so I was a bit concerned about getting mail and news from home, but figured they'd open them again before I had to go back.

After school all of the student teachers went to a house that had tv and watched CNN for a while. Some stayed longer than others. I stayed watching the planes hit and the towers fall for hours, till they started reporting bombs going off in Afganistan. My first thought with that was I hoped we knew what we were doing and that they really were the ones responsible and we weren't making rash conclusions, because otherwise it could start an awful chain of events and possibly start another world war.

I will always hold a special reverence for this day and the people who lived through it, and those who didn't.

19 September 2004, Sunday

Alias Smedley Pewtree was a whole lot of fun last weekend. While my mustache was the higher quality one, the villian's stole the show almost every night. We had the hardest time keeping that thing on. Saturday night Josh had a glue stick in his pocket, and that didn't work. So the one time I could possibly get off stage, I ran off and got an eye liner pencil and we drew one on. Monday night we ended up using duct tape. The cast was great, the script was fun, and we had wonderful audiences every time, three of the five times we had to bring in extra chairs. It was slightly spooky how natural my mustache looked, and I always got our fake snow (shredded paper) down my shirt too. I learned a few things in this show: if you ever get a chance to be in a melodrama, do it; it is hard to put lipstick on with a mustache; and, if spirit gum won't hold on a mustache, chewing gum won't either.

I am really enjoying my calling as Relief Society President. Yes, it keeps me busy, and yes I'm having odd dreams because of my concerns about it. But I'm feeling very good about it.

Yesterday I went up to the State Fair to see how my pictures had done. I didn't win, but after seeing the ones that did win, and all the other ones that were there, I don't feel bad. I'm real glad I tried though, and I'll try again next year.

24 September 2004, Friday

I'm a tropical storm! Or, yesterday I was. Now I'm a tropical depression, with no threat to land. But it's still neat. There are some fun maps and satellite images on a Tropics 2004 Hurricane News site.

28 September 2004, Tuesday

My car broke. I went outside Friday morning to go into work, and it wouldn't start. I'm so grateful for my visiting teachers. I went back inside and called one, and she put her baby in her car and came and got me. When I got home from work I had the car expert in the ward come look at it, and he says the engine isn't getting any gas. So now I've got to figure out how to get it down to the mechanic so he can fix it. Before I got a car, I was just fine getting around without it. But now that I've got one, I've started doing a lot of things I need a car for. So now I'm slightly stranded. I'm managing though, thanks to some help from great friends.

Sunday I finished reading Ella Enchanted. I bought it several months ago to read, and ended up reading several other books first. It was one of the sweetest books I've read in a long time. I loved it.

Last night Brian and I went to see Seussical at the SCERA theater. It is a musical based on Dr. Seuss's books. It was amazing. The costumes and set looked like they'd jumped out of the books. Some of the singing was amazing. It is so fun going to all the shows, and being in a few, I know so many people now, it's like a big disfunctional overly-dramatic family.

30 September 2004, Thursday

3 October 2004, Sunday

I love General Conference. I especially love that I can just roll out of bed and go sit on my couch and watch it. Yesterday I was able to watch as two new apostles were sustained. I shouldn’t be amazed how many of the talks I can and am applying to myself either. I look forward to Conference Weekend every six months. I’m hoping I can remember everything I am learning and apply it in my life till the next counsel in April. Good thing I’m taking a lot of notes.

I got my car fixed. The fuel pump had gone out. It made me feel secure when I called the mechanic I take the car to, mentioned the make and model of the car, and he knew exactly which one I was talking about. The tow company I used to get it there was also very familiar with him. And when I picked up the car, he recognized me when I walked in. Of course that doesn't mean it cost me any less. But I have my car back now, and that's a good thing.

Friday morning was picture day for me. We had pictures at school. For the faculty picture, we always do a normal one, and then we do a silly one. I wore my mustache for the silly one. I'd spent just over an hour putting hot rollers in my hair and letting them do their thing in the morning, and the curls lasted for just over an hour. If the curls are only going to last that long, I'm not going to do them every day, even though everyone, including two classes of fifth graders, thought my hair looked great. A lot of people noticed the color I put in it a month ago however.

After doing pictures at school, I went to Miriam Latour's home because she was going to take portraits of me up in the canyon with the fall colors. We drove up Provo Canyon, looking at the trees and trying to figure out where we could stop. We pulled off the side of the road and went up a little hill where there were a few beautiful trees. After a few problems with the camera, we got started. It was so much fun. Brian came with us and helped out a lot. We took pictures for about an hour or so, I blinked for about half the pictures. I was able to pick up the CD she made for me with the best pictures. I’m amazed at them, they are absolutely gorgeous.

5 October 2004, Tuesday

Note to self - don't worry about shaving my legs before going to a show. I'll only get goose bumps and come home all prickly anyways. I really enjoyed Jekyll and Hyde last night. It wasn't the best show I've ever seen, and I don't know that I need to see it again, but I'm glad I saw it once. I know I'll never listen to the song "This is the Moment" the same again. It's interesting how many songs I've known for years and am now finding out they are in musicals. Unfortunately, learning the story behind the songs, where they are in the musical, ruins several of them for me. This time, this is the song that Jekyll sings just before injecting himself with the stuff and becoming Hyde. I was brought to tears a few times, but I think part of that is just how on edge I already am from stress and life. It really doesn't take much to push me over that edge right now. What I really want is some chocolate.

14 October 2004, Thursday

The fundraiser for my computer lab was a great success. After totaling it all up and paying the fees to the company, I have more than $2,700 to spend on software. I'm so excited. First thing I'm going to buy is a color ink cartridge. And then I'm going to go to town with the weekly catalogues I get from some places.

Yesterday and today are parent teacher conferences, or as the current jargan calls them - SEPs. We are up to three parents so far. I was here for an hour yesterday before running off to the two other things I had to do last night. And I'll be here till about 7pm tonight. So far I've had three parents, only one with a real question though. And I missed my garaunteed parent yesterday because I had to leave. I think the most I've ever had was 12. I'm not going to break that record this time.

I'm trying to think if there is anything else going on in my life. That sounds so boring. I work a lot. I'm doing math tutoring in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday at school. I do church work a lot. That keeps me out of the house when I'm not at work. But that's about it. It's a busy, crazy, hectic life, but I'm getting through it.

19 October 2004, Tuesday

I am a complete geek. Let me explain the proof.

I lettered in Computer Science in high school. How geeky is that? I spent lunch hour my senior year in the computer lab working on a program that would let a person play Battle Ship against a computer. It works too.

In 1991, my mom and I made up a song about palindromes to celebrate that year. I am completely obsessed with palindromes. Not so much the word ones, but the number ones yes. They are so beautiful and balanced. I love seeing them.

I do math games and logic puzzles for fun.

I was talking with two other teachers at my school two weeks ago, and one asked how old I was. I told them I'm 26, but last year was real cool because I was 25 - 5*5, and my mom was 49 - 7*7. We were both squares together. You would've thought I'd grown a second head the look they gave me. And I didn't help matters any when I told them that this year I'm 13*2 and that's cool because 13 is prime.

I design web sites to relax. I'd rather spend time at the library than anywhere else. I have more books than I have book shelves at home, hence the nine shelves at school with the books that wouldn't fit there.

I've also been told that I don't look as geeky and nerdy as I used to. So I might not look the part, but I'm definitely a geek.

20 October 2004, Wednesday

It was one year ago today that Miss Giggles.com went live on the net. It's grown so much and so many people visit it (probably a majority of the hits are my mom though ). This has been a great outlet, both writing and creative, for me. I hope it has been well appreciated on your end as well.

Also, a happy early birthday to Scott, the man who hosts this site.

24 October 2004, Sunday

Look! I'm so festive. I love these colors. Fall is so great because it matches me so well and I look so good in it. This week it has been raining, a lot. It seems like almost every time I've gone out to get in my car it's been raining. It's great though, because we need the rain. It's made me very glad I'm not doing Sweeney Todd this year as well. I'm so glad I don't have to be out in this weather if I don't want to. Instead I made a black fleece coat this week that looks simply smashing. I even had enough left over to make a hat to go with it. Sewing is such therapy for me. It helps me concentrate on being calm and keeping my shoulders out of my ears. I need to go get my shoulder looked at anyway, but that has to wait till I pay off the car repairs.

29 October 2004, Friday

I love having a few days off. I've had yesterday and today off from work because of UEA (Utah Educator's Association). It's been so nice to sleep as much as I like. Since I'm suddenly relaxing, it seems my immune system relaxes as well, and I've got a slight cold. I always get a cold when we have a break.

I took the opportunity to go to the doctor for something else though. I finally decided (with the help of friends) that the constant pain in my neck and shoulders is probably more than just stress. Looks like I might be right. The doctor realized he didn't know what is wrong and referred me to a neurologist. I have a consultation with one on the 8th. Right now they are thinking either a herniated disk in my neck, or thoracic output compression syndrome. I should know more in a few weeks. Silly me, dealing with pain for over two years before going to get it checked. That's a new record for me.

This year for Halloween, I haven't been able to decide what to wear. I've had several different parties and such, so I'm going to end up with three different costumes. Tuesday we had a faculty Halloween party, so I wore my mustache and was a man for that one. For school on Wednesday, and tonight for my ward's Harvest Party I wore my Princess Eilonwy dress. And tomorrow night for the Players Anonymous party, I'm going to wear my Holes costume. It's so fun to dress up. I'll have pictures of all three eventually.

For the ward party tonight, they had a pumpkin carving contest. I haven't carved a pumpkin for many years, but I did enter. I just did it in a slightly creative, less perishable way. I won second place!

1 November 2004, Monday

I had to scrape frost off my car this morning. I wasn't expecting that, but I probably should have. The news said the current temperature was in the 20's this morning. And yesterday it was snowing a bit at my place too. I guess winter is here.

I've done a sewing project for each of the last two Saturdays. On the 23rd I made myself a fleece black coat and hat. They look so good. And on the 30th I made myself a new scripture bag. I needed a bag that fit all the little books and notebooks. So I stacked them up and measured to see how big a bag I would need. I wanted to try a landscape quilt I've been thinking about too. So I made a smaller version for the front of the bag. It looks so good. I'm so proud of myself.

Today is meetings all day at school. At least I'm getting paid for it.

6 November 2004, Saturday

Tuesday I had to turn in my lap top because the screen is giving out on me. I'm lost without a good computer whenever I need one. I still have my old lap top at home, but at seven years old, the poor thing is really too old to do much of anything any more. I tried to pull everything I could off the lap top and store it elsewhere in case they wipe the memory (which I don't understand why they would do that since it is a problem with the screen, but they are most likely going to do it anyway), but I'm still afraid I'm going to loose some important things. In fact, if they do wipe the memory, I know there are a lot of things I'm going to loose. I just need my own computer at home, then I wouldn't have to take the school one home so much. Hopefully next year will finally be the year I can use my tax return to get a computer.

Wednesday I ate elk jerky. It was very tender for jerky. One of the first grade teachers likes to go hunting each year. A year or two ago she got a buffalo and brought it to show everyone. This year she got a 5 point elk (that means there are 5 points on its antlers). She brought one of the antlers in to show everyone, and then this week brought the jerky around to share. It's interesting to see what teachers do in their own time.

The tops of the mountains are covered in snow. I think they look so pretty, and I've been trying to figure out why. I think it might be that it is almost monocrome, and with the stark white against the blue skies, and the way it can pick up the colors of the sunset, it's just so pretty. I love the mountains.

8 November 2004, Monday

The doctor asked me a whole bunch of questions, including the date and who the president is. There is nothing wrong with my brain. She was incredibly surprised just how tight my neck and shoulders are though. Next week they are going to do an EMG and something else with electrodes to see if the nerves are okay or damaged. Her thoughts right now are sprain strain, pinched nerves, or thoracic output syndrome. So next week is the test, and the following week I can get the results. I won't know anything till then.

Two radio stations are already playing Christmas music all the time. That annoys me. Wait till after Thanksgiving! And even then I don't like it all that much because the songs on the radio are usually pretty dumb. Thank goodness I've got some good Christmas CDs. I need to find a Christmas music box soon.

11 November 2004, Thursday

Today is special for two reasons. First, it is Veteran's Day. I wish there was a way I could express my gratitude to all of them. At the beginning of school today we said the pledge and listened to the National Anthem as a school. That always brings me close to tears when I do that.

Also, today is 11/11!! And that's a pretty cool palindrome. So Happy Fun Number Date Mom!

16 November 2004, Tuesday

Thursday afternoon a friend of mine, Dave Walker, offered me two complimentary tickets to see him in Joyful Noise at the SCERA, produced by UVSC. It is the story of how Handel was inspired to write The Messiah, and the story itself is very inspiring. It was how several different people were dealing with different causes of grief and pain in their life, and how the Savior helped them find peace and healing. The set was a little odd, and the acting of the bishop was stiff to the point of annoying, but the rest of the leads were absolutely incredible, and the story was amazing. Friday I listened to The Messiah while I was in my car, and all of the songs had so much more meaning to me, not just the two we are normally familiar with.

Sunday I was asked to share an experience about prayer in Relief Society for the lesson. I figured I could just look in my journal and find one there. That was a very interesting experience. I couldn’t find a single time I’d written down anything about prayer, and I’ve had many experiences with that. I’ll need to start writing those down. I also reread a couple of things I’d forgotten, small details of different events I was very glad I’d written down. And of course there were the silly things that are embarrassing to read, but it’s still fun to know they are there.

And now for the latest doctor stuff.

The receptionist was sick yesterday at the doctor’s, so the sign up sheet in the front is just for looks. But I didn't find that out till I'd read a whole magazine waiting for them to call me. After 45 minutes I went up to the desk, took a very offensive stance, and stood there glaring till someone said a word to me (first word anyone said the whole time I was there). That got me back for the tests real quick.

They did the first test, nerve conduction study, where they see how long it takes my nerves to carry electrical stimuli to a certain point. Lots of jerking around on my part for that. The tech was impressed though when I created a 130 mV wave. It was a great wave.

Then the doctor came in and stuck a tiny needle in my muscles so they could record the electrical activity in them. All normal as she went up my arms. Then she put the needle in the muscle at the base of my neck, and the thing went wacky. Guess what folks? I have an irritated nerve in my neck! I'm so glad I went to the doctor to find that out. I could've told them that. In fact, that's what I have been telling them.

This evening I get to have an MRI to see if they can figure out what is causing the irritation. I think I know what it is though. It’s kindergartners, first graders, second graders, third graders . . . and a few parents.

To be continued . . .

18 November 2004, Thursday

MRI's are loud. I had to wear ear plugs, and even then I could tell how loud it would've been without them. Also, since it was evening and there isn't anything to look at, I kept my eyes closed, which meant I started drifting off, which probably isn't good because then my foot would jerk. The technician didn't say anything about that though, so I guess it wasn't a big deal. I go talk with the doctor again on Monday to see what she says about all the tests this week.

Wednesday I had to see Fiddler on the Roof at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. When I bought my ticket, I told them I don't go see shows any more, I go see friends. I knew three people who were in it, Katey Lynn Lowder, DeShawn Smith, and Cheri Walker. Because it is a small theater in the round, you are almost always close to the performers. This time my seat was front row right on a corner where the actors were quite a bit of the time. I was sitting right with the men during the wedding.

There is something about live theater that can never be captured with any other media. Maybe it is because there is nothing separating you from the actors other than the imaginary fourth wall. With movies and TV, they are just pictures on a screen, but with theater, you have to know they are real people. Live theater often transports me to where they are, and I become a fly on the wall for the duration of their lives on the stage, living, laughing, crying with them. It was an incredible experience for me to see this show right now. It touched me in many ways, touching on experiences I have had in my life and showing them in a new light. It was the same as what happened within me when I saw Joyful Noise last week.

I learned a poem when I was in high school called "Terrance this is stupid stuff." It's a great poem about getting drunk and telling stories and poisoning kings. In the end though, it says that poetry will mean nothing to you unless you have an experience to relate it to. I've always loved Fiddler on the Roof, ever since I was little. The song "If I Were A Rich Man" has always been one of my favorites as I tried to picture the staircases it talks about. But now, with a little more life behind me, the story means more to me, has a different meaning. And I can only imagine what it will mean to me, how it will touch me, as life gives me even more experiences.

The mornings have been very hazy this week. I'm not even sure I saw the sun on Tuesday because of going to school so early and the sun setting so early. Wednesday the haze blended the mountains and the sky into a solid color of grayish blue as a bright red sun sank behind the mountains. It was gorgeous. And this morning the fog cut visibility down to less than a block as I drove to work. It made the drive more fun. Normally I can see the stop lights for a mile or so before I get to them, so I stress about getting through on a green or having to stop while it is red. This morning I had no idea what color the light was till I was almost there. Fog is a magical creature.

22 November 2004, Monday

Medical update: I have a bulging disk between vertebrates C1 and C2. The bulge is compressing the nerves leaving my spinal cord. I also have an herniated disk between vertebrates C5 and C6 which is compressing my spinal cord. So now I have to take anti-inflammatories to see if that will get rid of that problem. They also want me to call a orthopedic doctor to check for thoracic output still. And I have to have another MRI on Wednesday to check the nerves on the side of my hand. The doctor asked how bad the car accident was to mess me up this bad. There was no car accident.

28 November 2004, Sunday

I had the MRI on my wrist Wednesday around noon-ish. First they'd told me the wrong place to go. When I got to the write place, they taped two saline bags around my wrist to give them some contrast as they looked at it. Then I had to lie on my right side with my hand above my head, putting all kinds of not good pressure on my shoulder and arm - not fun at all. There has to be some other position they can do that in. And then they keep me there for an hour and say I moved a bit on the last one so it was a bit blurry. I don't remember moving, must have been involuntary movement because nerves and blood hadn't gotten to my hand in so long. Oh well. I'll have the results of that one probably next week.

I went to Uncle Brad's and Aunt Janet's for Thanksgiving again this year. I love being able to get out of town for at least a night (two this time) and spend it with family that is so much fun. It feels so comfortable there with them. It's great. And the food was delicious. For some reason this year I'd been craving mash potatoes. Maybe I should make those for myself one of these days. Uncle Brad wasn't there this time though, because Grandpa Giles had his gall bladder removed early Tuesday morning, and was still in the hospital with a bad infection. Tiffany, Briant, and I stopped at the hospital Friday afternoon. The physical therapist came in to walk Grandpa around the halls while we were there, and he lapped this little old lady who was walking around too. Go Grandpa!

Ryan called from Portugal on Thursday to wish me a happy Thanksgiving. I wasn't home though, so he left a message on my answering machine. I think I'll leave it there for a while. It isn't every day you get a message from Portugal on your machine.

Over the break I finally finished some more books, two to be exact, one children's book, Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy, and one adult book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Each year, our principal gives us a book for Christmas, and we are expected to have it read before our professional development day in January. They are good books though, not boring educational philosophy ones.

I've wanted to put up my Christmas decorations for some time now, but feel it is inappropriate to do so before Thanksgiving. So I cleaned out my storage closet instead and found and organized all my Christmas decorations. But since it is after Thanksgiving now, I finally put them up. I listened to the past music boxes while decorating my tree - wrapping paper origami ornaments, red ribbon bows, and of course, "throwing" popcorn on the branches. I love the way my tree looks. And now I'm all festive. Even the web site is decorated as well (at least this page anyway). Happy Holidays!