Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Don't Tell My Mom

My sun-touched hiatus is over, it's back to reality.
Now that I'm here in MT, there's much to share. New house, new routine, new life.
There's been something haunting me for about 6 days now. Something of a close-call, one might say...
It's a two-day drive from NV to MT. While our furniture was being driven to MT, we took a two-night "lay-over" in UT to spend time with my aunt and her family. Fully aware that a storm was brewing, my husband and uncle studied maps for an hour or more to pick the safest route. We couldn't wait out the storm, we had to be on time to MT. They determined that going through WY was the best choice. Even though it would take longer, there were less high-elevation passes than if we were to go through ID.
As predicted, there was snow. Lots of it. Ice too. By the end of our morning-till-night trek, most of our day was spent using every ounce of caution, but not chains.
Mid-day, when weather was horrendous and roads were treacherous, we came to a pass. Our car maneuvered well and my husband was doing a great job of protecting the precious cargo: our family. The kids, complete with their head-phones, were tuned in to a movie (thank goodness for portable DVDs) and unaware of our tension. As we climbed the steep hill, a semi came around the corner, headed down-hill at a speed way out of his league in good conditions, let alone snow and ice. His front end somehow managed to stay on track in-spite of his speed. But as the back end rounded the corner, it was sliding. The next few seconds seemed to go in slow-motion. I braced myself and even held my breath, but miraculously the trailer righted itself. My little family had been right in its path, and for the remainder of the day the image replayed in my mind, especially when it was my turn to drive late in the day with yet even more snow and ice and then dark, and eventually no yellow or white lines on the snow-covered road.
I cautiously mentioned the out-of-control-semi to my husband once we were safe at our hotel. He too had been shaken by our close-call.
Though I am not all the way thrilled to be in this new town, I was so, so thankful to be here at the end of our nail-biting day.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Bahamas Bound

I am on Hiatus. Aren't I lucky? I'm thinking of spending my hiatus in the Bahamas or Hawaii. I've never been to either, it's time I check it out. We'll see what all the fuss is about.
And while I'm on hiatus, I will be 40 pounds lighter. My tan will be the envy of any 20 year old girl. I will look adorable in my boy-cut swimsuit. Thankgoodness my chest filled in just in time for my hiatus.
My hiatus will be keep my tummy full (but flat) from all the dinners at Chevy's. Afterall, I only recently took a break from chicken flautas to discover the shrimp & crab enchiladas. Each afternoon, while on my hiatus, I will eat my weight in Twix bars.
While on my hiatus, I will receive daily back and foot rubs. I will lay side by side along with my favorite celebrities while beautiful men work all the stress from my muscles. Jenn and I are meeting at 10am tomorrow.
Lucky me, to have this beautiful hiatus to rescue me from this reality of spending the next week moving my little family 1100 miles away.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Nephi 3:7

In June 1994 I (at the ripe old age of 19) bought a brand-new red Mustang. It was a great car!
At the time I was teaching a primary class and the theme for the year was Nephi 3:7..."I will go and do what the Lord hath commanded..." As a result I chose Nephi3 7 for my license plate on the new car.
I had a couple of fun experiences as a result. One of them I will never forget: I was at Little League tryouts with my brother on a Saturday afternoon. I kept noticing this man with a baby watching me. I was a little uncomfortable. Some time later he approached me, saying "I see that your car says Nephi 3 7." I smiled and nodded my head. He continued, "my family and I are learning about him".
Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of his family being baptized and the nine year anniversary of them going to the temple to be sealed together for eternity. How exciting it is to see their progress in the church, the various callings they've held, and to have their oldest son on a mission.
I had absolutely nothing to do with their conversion to the gospel, but it has always been a reminder that as members we are always being watched and must always strive to be an example to others.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

My Friend in Nevada

I have a friend here in small-town, Nevada that I admire very much. She’s much older than me, and we have very little in common. She’s petite and sweet and very calculated in her words and actions. She has experienced some things in recent years that are pretty devastating, but holds her head high and never shows any outward emotion. Two years ago she lost her husband/business partner to cancer. We didn’t meet until a few months after his death, but I have heard her bravely tell several old business acquaintances of his passing without even the slightest waver in her voice. The year before that she lost her father, also to cancer. This past summer her home burned to the ground as a result of a forest fire. Once again she was outwardly poised and in control. She missed very little work and bravely picked up the pieces, even though the home was a total loss. But after these many months of knowing her, I recently learned of another trial she went through many, many years ago. Something that happens to families, but something I can’t imagine trying to recover from. She had a sister who, in her adult years, took her own life. When my friend told me of this sister, she was less poised, but only slightly. It was as if it were a long-buried secret. I think I masked my shock. I tried to take on her poise as I mumbled a comment or two. But later on as I reflected on past conversations that her and I shared, I realized the great lengths she had taken to leave her sister out of stories and memories. I also remembered countless conversations of me jabbering about my own sisters, whether good or bad, but always missing them due to miles between us. How clumsy I felt, knowing that each of these conversations must have stung. Through her example and through her trials, I am inspired to strive to be poised and calculated and in control. For anyone who knows me, this gives me a lot to work towards.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Work Woes

This Thursday is my last day of work. While many people would be doing cartwheels, I am quite sad. I liked my job. It wasn't anything earthshaking or life-saving, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed my co-workers and their kindness. I enjoyed the hours I worked, beginning last August I strolled in at 9:15 each morning, sometimes 9:30, after taking the kids to school.
It is a great little company, with lots of character and charm, but more importantly lots of integrity.
So yesterday I was really feeling sorry for myself upon learning that my sweet boss will be retiring this year and I will be missing out on the opportunity to fill those shoes.
Why do I care? I don't even want to have a job! I want to sit around watching Ellen and Regis & Kelly and the View and re-runs of The Creek and whatever classic movie comes my way.
But I do care. I know I was appreciated. I know that I did a good job. I know that I will be missed.
While I know the previous doesn't make me look like the most humble person in Nevada, I know I've worked hard these last 18 months.
I hope to not work for the next few months, if finances allow. But when the time comes I hope that I find a work-family as wonderful as the one I'm leaving behind in Nevada.