Word Regurgitation

I just want to have a direction.
I have nothing to channel my juices right now. First it was dance. It became apparent after awhile that THAT was not my path. It taught me so many things. Discipline, passion, emotion, expression. I still love it. Next came dental assisting. I learned that my hands are key to happiness. If they are busy, my mind in engaged. Equaling happiness. That is still apart of life. Thankfully, it has become a vehicle in funding my life. After that came interior design. I love design. It has changed the way I view the world. A few years later; in the 'here and now', it has became apparent that THAT is not my path.

I have a few great examples. Take my friend Ashley Sargent. Many of my design friends will know her. Her parents live here in my home stake. She's a BYU Idaho Design graduate. She's completely talented and brilliant. She's currently living in Seattle, designing, working her tail off and living an awesome single life.

Another great example is Melissa Nickle. View her success here. She's the same way. She's made a name for herself as well. She's completely talented and doing great things with the talents she's been handed.

Can't I be like them?! This is what I want!

Will the rest of my life be this search to find something to suffice my creative juices?! Will the 'beginning again' phase ever really end? Is there something out there that will settle my creative soul? I guess I need to pull it together.

What I've Been Taught

I've been thinking about how interesting it is that time changes so many things.
Something that floated around FB this last week:

My curfew was the yard light at my house, my mom didn't call my cell, she called my name, I played outside w/ friends, not online. If I didn't eat what mom cooked, I didn't eat. Sanitizer didn't exist, but you COULD get your mouth washed out w/ soap. I rode a bike w/o helmet, getting dirty was OK, & neighbors cared as much as your parents. Re- post if you drank water from a garden hose & survived!

I got this next one from my sweet friend Leslie Nelson (she posted on FB some time ago.) Her beautiful daughter is one of my dearest friends Paige who've I mentioned in previous blogs. This appeared in a news article. I don't know who wrote it or what newspaper, but I love it.

Different Drug Problem
Editors Note: The following letter has appeared on the Internet and viewed by many readers. Many felt it would be appropriate for the readers of Avoyelles Parish.

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth the best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower bed and cockleburs out of dada's fields. I was drug to homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some fire wood, and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroine; and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a much better place. God bless the parents that drugged us.

Credit where Credit is Due...

Much love to Kirsten for teaching me and taking the time to teach the rest of us. I now have a better blog thanks to her :)

Birthday Boy. Are you really 17?!

On Cinco de Mayo, most people celebrate Mexico; or simply look for an excuse to party. Well, WE celebrate THIS kid. He's one of my BEST friends and biggest comforts in life. And I simply wouldn't know what to do without him. I love you Puma.

History

I sat flipping through channels because I was trying to find my favorite TV show on at 9pm Sunday night. I was in Mom & Dad's room chatting with them when we decided to turn the TV on. THIS is what we sat and watched. My two youngest brothers came running out of interest. And together, we watched history be made.


No one can argue that the American people are blessed. It was so good to hear our President "In God we Trust" at the end of his speech because that's who it's all about. The only reason we are kept safe and out of harms way is because of the design of God's plan and our trust IN that plan. I won't ever forget walking to school ten years ago as a fourteen year old to hear two of my best friends Chantel {Goodman} Burgquist and Tricia {Terry} Bunderson tell me about the attack on the WTC. My response was: What's that?! Only to get to school and sit around the TV and watch as thousands of people's lives were drastically changed throughout the events of that day. I didn't understand the significance. But, that too was part of God's plan and we continued to trust in Him. Let's home we can continue to trust Him. God Bless America.

1st Day Back, Dear Jiffy Edition 2 & Culinary Skills

1st Day Back-
I'm so blessed that I have a part time job. I'm back and working with Dr. Scott Healey. Of course, I'm still looking to fill the rest of my days, but it's been SO NICE to simply walk into the office and know EXACTLY what I'm doing. It's just been like ridin a bike. Dr. Healey has been very complementary to me as well. He said it's been helpful to not have to go through the whole training process of having someone new. He told me how impressed he was that I could just sit down and work.

Dear Jiffy Edition2 -
This last week mom and dad go to WA for tulip festival. they had such a blast and took hundreds of photos. the colors were beautiful. you knew it was coming, but didn't know when. Little did we all know we'd have this dilemma BEFORE you got your call. you went biking this last pday and that made you SOOOO happy, I think. you are so macho sometimes too. i think the adjustment is still a little bit of an issue for you. but i know you LOOOOVE Washington. i just wish you were here these last few weeks. Over the Delta break (Spring Break for the boys) we took Sassy to the kennel to be boarded and sure enough ---- she has a tumor. LUCKILY - it's called a fatty tumor and they are benign. Dr. DeGering said he sees it in older large breed dogs that are common to labs. SO rest assured that she is fine. The BUMMER thing is, she got sick. and I've been feeding her medicine every day. ($100 + later -- yep, just like one of the kids.) You'll be happy to know that she is doing MUCH better and still as happy as ever :)

Improving One's Culinary Skills -
Dear Folks,
I'm preparing to be a better wife and mother. I made my FIRST roast today. The only disappointment was that photos do not capture SMELLS. I figure that if I got captured by an evil villian and his plan was to torture info out of me. ALL he would have to do is cook a roast and simply let me SMELL it.
Mom's receipe: Compliments of "Daddy Dave" Parchman. Our friendly neighborhood (no really, our neighbor) meat man from Macey's. Also compliments to my mother's crock pot :)

--salt & pepper (both sides) one cross cut roast (it tenderizes better than anything else)
--add 1/3 c of worsteshire sauce pouring all over meat (makes my mouth water)
--add 1 c of good ole H20 (don't pour on top of seasoned meat)
--add 1 pkg of Lipton Onion Soup mix
Turn it to High for a few hours (2)
Continue cooking on a lower setting for another 6 hours.
And WA-LA!
You get this:



please don't mind the photos, they look awful