Wrapped Around Her Finger

I wear a ring on my right-hand ring finger. I've worn it for 10 years. It used to be on my left-hand ring finger, but at the airport on my way to attend BYU for the very first time, my wise older sister advised me to switch it to my right-hand. "You wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea." So, I did. And it's been on my right-hand ever since.

It's a blue star sapphire and it once belonged to mom. She gave it to me when I was a young teenager. I wore it every so often, but it didn't become a permanent fixture on my hand until I was 16. I was visiting Utah for the first time, there to see a friend, see my sister (& her new fiance) and attend the ever popular EFY. I was gone for an entire month, which was the longest I had ever been away from home, ever. Those who know me should not be surprised when I say that I was extremely homesick.

One day I pulled out the ring - classic, simple and beautiful, just like my mother. I put it on and each time I looked at my hand, I was reminded of her and I was comforted. I have worn it ever since. I've come to love this ring. I love the hidden star that shines clearly in bright light. I love the simplistic setting of the stone. I love the rich blue color that never fades. I love that it reminds me of my mother.

So, imagine my horror when the other night I lost this ring which has become so dear to me. We were playing a game, a somewhat silly game, where the knocking of my ring on the table was an interference. So, I took it off and stuck it in my pocket. Right before I was about to leave, I reached in my pocket to find that the ring was no longer there. I searched every pocket on my person...three times. I searched the floor, and then frantically enlisted others for their help. I was almost in tears as our search proved futile. But, I wouldn't stop looking. And finally, Victoria saved the day when she found it hiding behind the stand-up poster of Steve Young. I was very happy.

I wear a ring that reminds me of my mother because every day I try to be like her. I don't know if she knows that. I don't think I've ever told her the story of why I first put her ring on so many years ago as a shy and unsure 16 year old, feeling scared and alone. The past 10 years I've had many similar moments, and each time it's my mother who helps me through. And though it's a simple piece of jewelry, it paints a beautiful image in my mind of the wonderful woman who has shaped my life, and the kind of woman I want to be.

A true Mormon mis-"conception."

Today at work a client asked me the following question:

"So, how do Mormons believe that babies are conceived?"

I'm sure I gave a confused look as I explained that Mormons believe that babies are conceived exactly the way babies are conceived. Then to make sure he understood, but without being too graphic, I added, "Physically there is only one way. We know that just like the rest of the world."

"Oh, okay."

He walked away content.

I walked away giggling. Really?

Li La Li (Pshhh) Li La Li Li Li La Li

Step 1: Fight for the song book
Step 2: Pick the perfect song
Step 3: Belt it out
Step 4: Add a few dance moves
Step 5: Repeat

I had a great birthday party this year ... a karaoke party, an "April-oke" party as my dear friends dubbed it. Kristy and Brittany were kind enough to host it at their Georgetown crib and it was a really great party. There was a good showing of friends and a fair amount of karaoke going on. They sang HB to me, I made a perfect wish and blew out the candle on my personal cheesecake (which I didn't eat due to goal #2 on the 26 things to do this year). I was then urged to karaoke the next song on cue, which happened to be "Takin' Care of Business," but I happen to hardly know that song, so it was not my finest hour. After the main party died down, we kept rockin' into the night...literally we didn't stop til 2 am. I'm talking show tunes, S&G and kick lines to New York, NY. It was absolutely a riot and I had a blast!

A big thanks to everyone who came and especially B & K for throwing such a fab affair!

This is How We Do It

I had the most fun this year with our Halloween costumes. Perhaps you remember our Christmas greeting from last year. Pure inspiration and one week of intense paper mache-ing and a Halloween miracle took place. We debuted our costumes at the annual barn dance. I danced the night away as best I could with no arms in a big, giant ball. I had myself a Halloween to remember.

October...but you go on

I love October. It is my favorite month. And sadly, it is now over. But it was just as good as it always is. That's why I love October.

I also love Halloween, at least most things about Halloween. I don't like haunted houses with people running after me with chain saws or 7 foot gorillas ready to pounce. You gotta wonder about people who CHOOSE to work there.

But here are the things I do love about Halloween, October, and the beginning of Fall.

pumpkins

costumes

picking apples

crisp air

football season

homemade cider

festive parties

colorful leaves

I got a headstart on celebrations at the Brick House halloween party. I used to live at the Brick House for a year and half when I first moved to DC. I loved that house so it was fun to be there remembering exact memories.

The party was fantastic. Emme and I dressed up in her old tu-tus from when she was 14. I never was a dancer, though secretly I always did want to prance around in those little outfits. The Brick House is a perfect setting and was decorated with spider webs in all the right places. They even had a photographer doing photo shoots of everyone's costume. It quickly turned into a dance party and since I love to shake it, I spent the rest of the night on the dance floor. I even played DJ for a bit (Africa and Buddy Holly...too classic to pass up).

Here are the photo highlights:

At the gas station - of all the rotten times for the credit card machine to say "see attendant." Lucky for me, he loved the tu-tu. 

My favorite stop light

The amazing hosts at the Brick House.

The photo shoot

Shakin' it

Emme is a real dancer. I am a fake dancer.

This might be my favorite picture of all time. So much for looking tough.