The Times in Which We Live

Be prepared, I'm in kind of a somber mood...in reality this is mostly for me to get what I'm thinking out of my mind for the time being...

Relatively speaking, I am a child. Perhaps not by earthly standards, but in my own mind I recognize a completely childish understanding of all things eternal. While we strive on a daily basis to force our minds into a spiritual frame, there are so many lessons that pass us by. The past couple days I've been reminded of some general themes that have presented themselves several times throughout the past eight years since I accepted to follow the gospel.

People are so complex...and it is really amazing when you think about the omniscience of God. That He is able to see us all for what we are, how we came to be that way, and what we will experience by the end of the instant of life we experience here.

I still keep in contact with people from my mission. I love them, as missionaries always do. Yet, I see them as I see myself: a convert to truth. Sometimes I wonder which one of them I will be...Their many examles that pass through my head...

...will I stay strong through the worst that life has to offer?
...will I fall away because of another person offending me?
...will I lose the feelings of the spirit?

I know that I've been given the knowledge and conviction that is in me, and if I were to ever withdraw myself from it, I know beyond doubt that I would be wrong. I am grateful for the Spirit of Truth.

I'll save the other theme in my mind for another time.

Product Placement

I went to JC Penny's today. Not a store that I frequent, but the one in the Cottonwood mall is going out of business (I noticed this on my way back from the gym. It wasn't difficult... they had BIG COLORFUL signs about every 25 feet along Highland Dr).

I was looking for a picture frame, and noticed something kind of interesting (or at least I thought was interesting). I noticed that the lingerie section was right next to the maternity section.

Foreshadowing???

Book Review

I finally finished it!! I know most of you might be thinking that I read slow, because most fans finished the book within 10 hours of receiving it at midnight.

But, not me. I wanted to enjoy the book and all of Harry's experiences. J.K. Rowling is quite a story teller... I was on the edge of my seat wondering if Harry would win the quidditch match and what Harry, Ron and Hermione would do with that 3 headed dog! I was so relieved when the dragon got away safely and quite surprised to find out that Snape wasn't trying to get the stone for he-who-shall-not-be-named.

Yep... I finished the 1st Harry Potter book this morning. I've heard there's a few more in the series. I'll have to look into that.

I'm not that dedicated

This morning Yvette (my old roommate -I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned her on my blog) and I were at spinning class. Yeah, I'm sure you're all a little surprised (as am I) that I've stuck with the class this long after my first post (6/12/07). But I have... and I'm there at least once or twice a week-never more than that.

Back to this morning... almost 50 minutes into the workout the power went out. Lights... Music... Microphone, and MOST important... the Fans! So, I'm thinking, 'YES! short workout, I'm about out of steam anyway'. Nope. We kept going. And going. In fact, we even finished late. By the time we managed to cool down, clean our machine, and feel our way out of the dark, dank, and by now REALLY smelly room, it was about 6:50. A full 5 minutes later than usual.

And for those of you who are thinking that 5 minutes isn't long... try spending those 5 minutes in a hot, dark, dank, and smelly room doing sprints on a torturous spinning bike.

So THIS is what a family reunion is like...

I attended my first family reunion over the weekend. Justin's step-mom Denise's family has a HUGE family reunion every year -it's a pretty big deal. His grandma is the youngest of 10 kids (nine girls and one boy) and they alternate who is in charge every year.

Justin and I got up there late Friday night (we set up our tent at midnight) but everyone else had been there since Thursday. Saturday they had games most of the morning at the camp sites -but I tagged along with Justin and his dad fishing at the lake nearby. Well... they fished, I sat on the shore and in a tube and read for a couple of hours. (I'm starting Harry Potter. Not the 7th book... I'm STARTING Harry Potter -the 1st one). I forgot my camera for that little outing -but I didn't miss much, neither of them came back with any fish. (That's right, Scott -there was NO PROOF).

Aside from the really long drive (I'm not very fond of road trips) it was a fun couple of days and it was nice to get to know more of Justin's family. There are, of course, more stories... but you'll have to ask us in person. Some things that take place at a family reunion, should STAY at the family reunion!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Last night April's little league baseball team enjoyed a bit of celebrity-ism.

The team got to hang out on the Bee's field with the players and they were all announced (along with the coaches -Justin's dad). And... April got to throw out the first pitch. Well... the first of a couple first pitches. Rulon Gardner also threw a first pitch (seriously??? Rulon, I think you're DONE) and Wendy -of Wendy's the fast food restaurants fame. Wendy. Hmmm...

April also was also on the radio during the first couple innings. We didn't hear much of it, but she DID mention Justin's name on the radio and she didn't know much else about the team's season.

Way to go April!

Michael Bublé - Call Me Irresponsible Album Preview

An evening with Canadians

Last night Bryon, Kathy, Justin and I went to the Michale Buble Concert (thanks Bryon!).

I tried really hard to 'people watch' and come up with funny stories to blog about today -I wasn't very successful. My favorite was the big-blondish-hair woman sitting in front of us who APPEARED to be giving us the stink-eye while the unnamed Canadian lady (I'm sure she announced who she was several times -we just didn't care) was singing and we were still talking rather loudly. Turns out I think she was waiting for what looked to be her blind date to arrive.

It was a REALLY good concert, and he was a pretty funny guy. I now have a new favorite swear word... dammittohellbastardhell. Very funny.

Where's a magic wand when you need it??

*81.4*

So... Justin, our friend Erin, and I went to see Harry Potter last night. No... we didn't dress up and wait in line for the midnight show, we had free tickets for 7:30. Justin and I did some work for a mayoral campaign (http://www.votejennywilson.com/) and they rewarded our hard work with 3 free tickets to the fundraising event.

*82.0*

I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, I've seen all the movies, but never read any of the books. However, it was very entertaining and I enjoyed myself.

*83.1*

I think our office needs a bit of Hogwarts magic of it's own. Our heat wave saga continues... and today's REALLY bad. I've managed to not be in my office after 3:30 (out on field visits and such), so I've been okay. But, today when I walked in about 8:30... it was already quite warm. I'm afraid there might be a mutiny if the air conditioning doesn't get fixed soon.

*83.6*

I commented on this problem a couple of weeks ago, and nothing's happened. Apparently Jeri (who had called 3 times already) told my supervisor that the company that should be fixing it said they were 'really busy'. We haven't had any hot air coming in for the past week, but today, we've got a heater on or something.

SERIOUSLY?? I don't type that slow... and it's now reached *84.7* degrees... make that *86.4*

I've GOT to get out of here!

*87.8*

Misery loves company?!?!

I'm never sure how personal I want to get on a blog. I can't imagine many people reading this, and most of you who do, are family or close friends... but I still don't know where to draw the line sometimes.

With that... I apologize for being a little cryptic with the details in the story, but I just had to share my evening with you.

So... Justin and I found ourselves outside the emergency room at Cottonwood Hospital last night for our sister-in-law. I found myself wondering, as her husband commented... Is this a drunk tank?

We saw VERY interesting people coming and going and lingering in front of the ER. Justin was allowed back to give a blessing and I didn't feel like waiting inside, so I stayed outside. I made ALOT of friends.

The first one who stayed around awhile was a women who came from the other end of the hospital, wheeling her IV stand with her. She needed a cigarette -or two. Let me tell you about what I know about this women...
1. She has cancer
2. Her daughter is 4 months along and she's had 3 previous miscarriages.
3. Another one of her daughters has no problem getting pregnant and will go with any 'Tom, Dick, and Harry'. She has 5 children from 4 different fathers.
4. Another daughter isn't ready for children yet.
5. Her son served our country overseas and lost his life.
6. She's been married twice.
7. She is LDS. "I really need to quit smoking."
8. Her roommate in the hospital is the most 'disgusting and unsanitary person [she's] ever met in [her] life.
9. Her roommate has a small incision and she wants pain meds every hour.
10. This women has a larger incision, packed with gauze, and she only gets her meds every 4 hours.
11. The roommate requested a catheter because she's sick of getting out of bed.
12. I learned a few more things about the roommate, but they're kind of gross... I'll spare you.
13. The women hasn't seen her grandchildren because her daughter 'holds them against her'
14. She used to weight 164lbs. She got down to 85 lbs because of her cancer, but now she's up to 105 and they took her g-tube out.
15. She and her husband have moved in with her pregnant daughter. Her husband is the daughters fiance's boss.

My other friend was shorter lived. She was waiting for a ride. She works for an airline and has a problem that the doctors can't explain. A few days ago she went to another hospitals ER and was told -after waiting 6 hours- the doctor didn't have time to see her, and if she walked herself in, she could walk herself out!!!!

Other than that... I was pleased to hear a conversation with a very drunk man laying on the grass talking into his cell phone with several people, trying to convince them he was at the hospital. Finally, a nurse walked by and he got her to yell into the phone that he was at Cottonwood. He was picked up in a car about 10 minutes after that. A couple who were definitely tweaking on something told me all about their problems and kept asking me questions about why I was there.

Somehow... I managed to keep my personal information personal.

I hope everyone at the Cottonwood ER is on the mend this morning.

Croquet anyone?

The Lafeen's LOVE croquet. Between you (whoever YOU are) and me, I think they've added about a hundred rules to the game, but that may be because I had never played croquet with ANY rules before I married Justin.

But, it's a pretty serious game (that and horseshoes -but I don't have any pictures of that) for the family, and we play just about everytime we get together. Saturday was no exception. Justin and I attended a Higley-Lafeen family reunion at a park in West Valley. When we got there (late) there was a game going that seriously lasted almost and hour and a half. And, after that they played a few more.

The kids played a couple of games with water balloons, which, of course, turned into a water fight later in the evening.

I'll be there for you...

I love FRIENDS. Not my actual friends (although I do love you guys). But FRIENDS -the TV show. I'm trying to share my fondness of the 10 seasons with Justin. We're still on the first season, and I forgot how much I like the show.

And... Justin's started singing along with the opening song. PLUS -I've caught him laughing a few times. He'll come around.

A Family of Climbers

I'm a little late, but here's my 4th of July post.

We had our annual Hardcastle-Petersen-Leatham-Howden-Lafeen-Binggeli (let's just call it Petersen) family BBQ. We started the day with a HOT 9-holes of golf. If we go by Petersen family rules, I think Paul won, but Wade came out ahead if of you follow the traditional rules.

Then, we all headed up to the scout office for lunch and a climb. The office is in the process of building a COPE course, and they have a climbing wall up right now. My dad spent most of the afternoon standing in the hot sun sending kids and adults up the wall.

The climbing wall wasn't exciting enough for some of us though... Justin decided to climb up a tree looking for a foam dart and we tried to send Kyle up on the roof to retrieve another one.

All in all it was a fun day (and very exhausting). Luckily, the city of Holladay is kind enough to have fireworks right across our street, so Justin and I headed home and stepped out our front door that night to see the show.

What is happening in the world?

http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

I found this site interesting, and think you might also.

Tag

Justin won't be very happy with this post... he hates it when I answer surveys. But... Laura tagged me (I read your blog too) so here it is...

4 Jobs You've had:

Caseworker
COPE Director for the Boy Scouts
Camp director for 3 other camps (do you see a theme here?)
Theater concessions (My first job)

4 Places I've lived:
Holladay
Logan
New Zealand
Roy

4 Favorite TV shows:
The Office
ER
Rescue Me
Ace of Cakes (my one reality show -thanks alot Bryon)

4 Favorite Foods:
Sandy's Jambalaya
Ice cream
My dad's goulosh
sushi rolls from The Bonsai

4 Websites you frequent:
My yahoo
Blockbuster Online
Google calender
A bunch of blogs

4 Places I'd rather be right now:
NOT at work
Swimming somewhere -I haven't been yet this year
Fenway
at home, still in bed

4 Movies you love:
Good Will Hunting
Crash
Love Actually
Life is Beatiful

4 Bloggers you tag to be next:
I'm not going to guilt any of you to be 'next'