What's Been Going On?

I realized today that I haven't blogged in about 4 weeks.  Maybe it's been not having enough time to blog.  Maybe it's been that I just haven't wanted to.  Or...maybe it's been that I just don't feel like I have anything exciting to write about.  My life is just the same all the time, it seems, so it never feels like it's worth writing about.

But, then I remember that I use this as my journal, not as a show-and-tell for "my readers" like so many blogs out there in blogland and that I don't always have to write about "things" or trips or what-not.  I do need to figure out though how to write about some very private moments, and feelings, and memories without going private.  I don't really want to maintain two blogs, but that might be how I have to do it.

Thinking back about the last three weeks, there have been things to write about but since I've been so busy, I haven't so I will now - in very short paragraphs:

May 6th to 11th:  Another trip for work to Chicago - went to Chicago for another training trip.  It was a LONG week - 6 days.  They call it Boot Camp and I'd surely say it was.  By the end of the second day, my brain was on overload and I was exhausted by the end of the day to the point where I just wanted to go back to my room and crash and not even eat dinner.

The Chicago, Illinois LDS Temple - seen through the trees as I'm trying to cross the road to get to it.

The Chicago, Illinois LDS Temple from the entrance which is actually away from the street and in the back of the property.

May 9th:  Chicago Temple - Since I knew I'd be in Chicago for 6 days and I'd have at least one or two evenings for myself (eh?  What's that?  Time for me?  Unheard of lately - take it!), I decided to bring along my temple clothes and go to the Chicago temple.  It's only about 10 minutes away from my hotel/work, so that's what I did.  I had some things on my heart and mind and it was the perfect way to get away from the world and just contemplate about them.  As I was sitting in the Celestial Room at the end, I prayed about those things on my mind and I felt at peace about them.  I finished my prayer and was just looking up at the beautiful chandelier when a woman I didn't know at all came up to me, put her hand on my arm, and said, "You look like you might need a hug" and she bent down and gave me one.  I lost it.  I sobbed.  And she just held on to  me until I finally pulled away.  I didn't know her at all, but the Celestial Room and the temple are just that way - that's where our true brother and sisterhood come through.  I'm truly grateful to that unknown sister who listened to the spirit tell her I needed her comfort in my time and need.


May 13th:  Melon Man's talk on Mother's Day - Melon/Farmer Man spoke in Sacrament Meeting on Mother's Day.  Linda came and sat with me.  I was grateful to not have to sit alone.  He did a really nice job.  I was glad he looked at Mothers in the way he did.  I'm sure it made a few "non-mothers" out there feel a little better about the day.


Rumors - Learned there have been some rumors going around work lately about me and I have been devastated that people would think or say those things about me.  Don't want to go into it.  Don't want to talk about it.  Just want to say they aren't true.  And that's all there is to say about that.

The vinyl I made for the door to the room a few years ago.

ScrapOffice Update - Have slowly been making progress on the ScrapOffice here and there.  Every time I think I'm almost done, I find another box of something that has to find a home.  I have been able to craft/work in there a little bit though and that is phenomenal.  I love all the counter space.  I love all the drawers.  I've labeled all of the drawers due to the psychotic, anal, obsessed, methodical person that I am.

The drawers are all labeled with what is inside.  I can immediately see what is in each one without having to open the drawers.  LOVE it!

Love being able to have MY tools at an arms length and know exactly where they are at all times!

All the seed beads are lined up in rainbow order.  Is there nothing more awesome than rainbow order in organization?!?!

The scraps are even labeled and in somewhat of a rainbow order - although backwards - but I'm okay with that.

All the sticker packs, rub-ons, and special kits all have a labeled home too!

I even have a spot for my small pile of fabric that I've bought in years past to make some little quilts with.  Love having it out where I can see it so it will inspire me to finally use it!

This is the remaining pile of things to work through.  Not too bad really.  The wicker chest will go in the new guest room, the chipboard and paper need to be moved to the monster, the photo containers need a home, and the mesh crates...well, I'll probably sell those at a garage sale along with some other scrapbook room stuff.

Genealogy - I've found some of Melon Man's ancestors recently that we didn't already have.  I was really excited!  Cristobal Jalapeno and Tato went and did the baptisms for us for the couple of men and Dolly is planning on doing the baptisms for the women.  It was awesome knowing that our own family members are able to do the baptisms and now the person can choose for themself if they want to follow Christ.  I was so excited the day CJ and T went and did the baptisms.  I could barely contain myself!  I can't wait until Dolly does hers!


Crayon Art - I tried to teach the girls how to do crayon art which is all the rage right now.  Um, yeah, another failure.  Learned the hard way...ONLY USE CRAYOLA CRAYONS!


Christmas Tree - Yes, it's still up.  At least we're not still turning it on every night!  It WILL come down before the Laurel Shower mid-June.