Nerd for Life – Toes in the sand!

27 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Family, Happy Things

Tonight we watched the final episode of “Chuck.” It’s been five wonderful seasons. What a wonderful story. I wore my Nerd Herd shirt to work today.

We’ll definitely miss it. No telling how many times we’ll go through the DVDs, partially because we’ve lost track of how many times we’ve already watched them. The perfect ending though. Team Bartowski is going to be just fine.

One of these days Brett and I will sit on a beach and tell each other our story and laugh. Our story starts six years ago tomorrow. Toes in the sand!

6 Shared thoughts

Museum of You

27 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Folks, Life, Questions

The American History Museum this week asked online, “If there was a museum of you, what would be in it?”

Which is a very interesting question. Do I get a whole museum or just a display in the larger museum of humanity?

When you walk into someone’s home you get an instant feel for who the person is, or at least you should. Someone once said, upon walking into my parents’ home, “You are museum people.” And we aren’t really sure what that meant. We do love museums in our family, but we can’t figure out what it is about the house that indicated as much. Right now when you walk into our home you see we love books. You see our wedding pictures. You see my quilts. You see the piano, the computer. You see things indicating our faith. You see a few things we’ve picked up in our travels. All these things tell you about who we are. They are physical artifacts that show what our personalities are. The easiest way to make a museum of me would be to turn our home into a museum.

If I just get a display though in the larger museum of humanity, I’d have to pick a few items. Having been to many museums I imagine you’d include one of my journals with it open to a specific page so you could read it and see my handwriting. I’d like my wedding dress, the one I got married in, to be on display. And one of my quilts, the spool one, whether I finish it or not. My diplomas would be there, and some of the notes my students have written me over the years. I’d want some running shoes and my scriptures as well. And photos. You could do a collage in the background of some of the photos I’ve taken.

And maybe there are a few things I’d like to be able to display that I still need to do with my life. I should probably get working on those.

But why would there be a display about me? What have I contributed to the world? How could you show the difference my life made in the world? That aspect of my life I’m not sure how to display.

What would your display in the museum of humanity have in it?

6 Shared thoughts

Be Still

26 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Gospel, Life, Musings

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.
Doctrine & Covenants 101:16

Being still is harder than you’d think. And not just for small children. Last week I set a goal to be more still. If I didn’t specifically say, “I’m going to be still right now” then life kept rushing past and dragging me along with it.

Yesterday I found myself with a case of the hiccups. And I realized that it was because I was going too fast. I’d eaten lunch and it gave me the hiccups. I hadn’t even eaten that fast. Anyone watching would’ve thought it was a nice leisurely pace. But inside I was racing (and getting a lot of research done).

So I paused. I became aware of my breathing. I slowed it down. I thought of the air moving in and out. And the hiccups disappeared.

Sometimes I think I believe I get more done when I’m rushing around like crazy. But do I appreciate it? Is it my best work? Is it, in all honesty, what I’m actually supposed to be doing? Slowing down allows me to determine the difference between the good and the best. Slowing down means I might not actually get to everything, but if I got to the best things, the good will take care of themselves.

And slowing down, being still, is when I recognize the ever present hand of God in my life.

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, b. 1697; trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

I will be still and know God.

4 Shared thoughts

Stressed, frantic, frazzled, flustered

16 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Gospel

Sunday I was teaching the 16-17 year-old young women about following the example of Jesus. At one point we listed many of the attributes of Jesus and then we talked about specific ways at church, home, and school that we could follow His example. Our list of attributes included such things as a good brother, humble, patient, a good listener, loving, charitable.

I also read this quote:

If we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings.
Elder Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ,” April 2011 General Conference

And we talked about if Jesus ever did just that. Did He ever slow down and take time to ponder and pray? Often. He started his ministry by withdrawing for 40 days to the wilderness to prepare and be strengthened for what was to come (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). He went to private places by ship (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:32) and into the mountains (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46). He withdrew a ways and prayed before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22: 39-46, John 18:1-2).

Which brought us back to our list of attributes. Nobody ever lists “stressed” or “frantic” or “frazzled” or “flustered” when they list the attributes of Christ. He certainly felt tired, sorrow, thirst, and everything else, but he was never stressed.

As our lesson ended I invited each of them to think of one way this week that they could do better at following the example of Christ. This week I am going to take more time to slow down, ponder, and pray. I’m going to work on developing the attribute of “not stressed” in my life.

For Christmas I actually got two yoga mats. I think that means the world is telling me I need to be more calm and flexible in my life. I’m going to listen. I’m going to make time to sit quietly, to calm my thoughts and listen to my heart. Then I will be in a better place to know how I can follow the example of Jesus in other areas of my life.

6 Shared thoughts

Not as the world giveth

11 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Gospel, Musings

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

I have thought a lot about this scripture over the last month. I realized one key to understanding it would be to define how the world gives things. If I want to know how God gives peace, it might be helpful to define how He doesn’t give it.

So how does the world give?

The world gives in exchange or expectation of receiving. I give you work in expectation of you paying me. I pay you in exchange for you working for me. I invite you over for a dinner party expecting you to do the same in the future, or because you invited me in the past. I give a present in exchange for being considered thoughtful. The world gives always thinking “what’s in it for me?”

The world gives what is convenient for them at the time. Rather than asking “what do you need?” the question is “what can I give?” You need a ride or a listening ear but it’s easier for me to drop off a plate of cookies. And then I feel good because I served. But is it really service if it makes the person’s life harder, or at the very least doesn’t make it easier?

So if that’s how the world gives, how does God give blessings? Especially the blessing of peace?

He gives us what we need, when we need it. He gives because he is thinking about us, not what we will give Him in return. He doesn’t say, “hmm, you need peace but all I’ve got in the fridge right now is joy, so that’s what you get.” Before we even ask, He knows what we need and has it ready for us. He gives because he loves us not because of what others will think of Him as a result.

Maybe we should try to give more like God does. There have been times in my life when mortal angels have done just that.

There is still more for me to understand on this topic. But I know that with everything else I’ve felt lately, the peace my loving Heavenly Father has given me has allowed for my heart to not be troubled and kept me from being afraid.

7 Shared thoughts

Blog Numbers in 2011

5 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Science & Tech

Last year I put up the statistics for the first five years of the blog. There were 179 posts and 682 comments this year. Here’s how the sixth year breaks down: (You can see the Ooh Shemo statistics as well over there.) Keep reading →

3 Shared thoughts

2011 by Photos and a Summary

4 January 2012 by Giggles
Categories: Family, Life

As 2011 kept going I found myself at more of a loss of how to explain it to others. It was one of those years where you kind of had to be there. I did manage to put together a photo summary, one photo per month, again though. Here you go:

Click the photo for a larger version.
  • January – Trip to the Quilt Fiesta, Beyond Bread, and Bookmans.
  • February – Warm inside while it froze and snowed outside.
  • March – Celebrating five years since our first date.
  • April – Kind of a boring month actually, although Mom and Dad Giles came for a visit.
  • May – Memorial Day BBQ and a trip to Utah
  • June – There were fires on the mountain but we still managed to get up to our spot for the solstice.
  • July – Trip to Snowflake, AZ for the temple on Lisa’s birthday.
  • August – Fulfilling one of Lisa’s dreams to work chains at a football game.
  • September – Making good use of our couch. It’s perfect for a nap.
  • October – In which we reveal just how much we’re into the TV show Chuck (and if you aren’t, what is wrong with you?)
  • November – Celebrating life and being thankful for all of its miracles.
  • December – Holding each other close and celebrating the life of our Savior.

And how about a list of things I did in 2011 (if I remember them):

  1. Taught 301 to 14 students and added belly dancing for breaks because it was a 3 hours class and that’s just long.
  2. Went to the Tucson Quilt Show with Brett.
  3. Froze.
  4. Built a snowman in our backyard.
  5. Took advantage of the great health insurance we have through Brett’s work and got frustrated with the crappy insurance I have through mine (and incompetent insurance people at doctor’s offices)
  6. “Coached” the young women in volleyball (I’m actually really awful at volleyball, so my job was to stand on the side and cheer).
  7. Submitted an outcome assessment to the IRB, got approved, and did surveys at an elementary school.
  8. Submitted my dissertation to the IRB (this year I’ll submit it to my committee and get their formal approval), got approved in 6 working days (all time record) and completed round one of a tutoring program and data collection.
  9. Had my parents come visit.
  10. Went to Utah to spend time with the Dennis women.
  11. Took two classes at the community college.
  12. Got a three year teaching certificate in Arizona (probably my last teaching certificate)
  13. Took a test to prove I’m a highly qualified teacher (as if that was ever in doubt, would’ve been a lot cheaper if they’d just taken my word for it).
  14. Helped paint a friend’s house (Brett volunteered me).
  15. Taught 301 during the summer (no belly dancing).
  16. Got a new niece (and made her a quilt).
  17. Mom visited again for Independence Day.
  18. BBQ-ed for Memorial Day, Independence Day, day before Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Eve.
  19. Saw the last Harry Potter movie in the theater, twice.
  20. Got called to be the Young Women president.
  21. Went to the Snowflake, Arizona temple. That’s all three in Arizona for now.
  22. Worked chains for the Palo Verde home football games with Brett.
  23. Taught 310 to a class of future drama, music, and theatre teachers. Now that’s a class with personality.
  24. Dressed up as Chuck and Sarah for Halloween.
  25. Celebrated our second anniversary.
  26. Got really into knitting small things.
  27. Cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
  28. Was quoted in a book.
  29. Watched Brett recaulk our bath tub (I love our bath tub).
  30. Went to Utah for Christmas.
  31. Got closer to making our grass a lawn than I did last year.
  32. Finished the Old Testament. Read the New Testament (again) and The Book of Mormon with Brett.
  33. Read 8 books.
  34. Ran/walked over 600 miles.
  35. And, most important of all, loved Brett with everything I’ve got.
4 Shared thoughts