Financial Security 101

For my friend, Mr. Mooney

I read my friend's post on the disgusting habit of not washing hands, then went to my Microbiology lab to study the bacteria present on our hands before and after. Twist of fate?

The Phenomenon That is You

I have a new hobby! YAY! And I love it.

INDEXING

This is a great way for me to be involved with the Family History movement going on right now. Since I was a little girl I have been intrigued by the stories of my ancestors. I love to read old family biographies and histories and letters (it is so fun to see their personalities and how similar I am to them!) We should not be so selfish nor naive to think that who we are is purely a result of us, but we have been shaped by faces long passed that we will never know but who surely paved the path we continue on today. Even with this interest I have in them though, the term FAMILY HISTORY always seemed so obtuse and heavy and like so much to take on all at once. But I have found that indexing is the perfect way to get started.

In a talk given awhile ago by Elder Faust (The Phenomenon That is You, I know, I totally stole his title but I really don't think he minds) he encourages youth to "begin somewhere". In so many instances in life, you just have start, just put your best foot forward, and MOVE. It reminds me of some of the words from the hymn Lead Kindly Light

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene- one step enough for me.

If you want to try it out for yourself just click on the word INDEXING above (because I hyperlinked it!) and click on Volunteer and you can download the program and begin working on a batch (which is just a record- census, birth certificate, etc that you convert from a hard to an electronic copy--SO EASY) and become part of a WORLDWIDE effort to make these records available FOR FREE!

2 Months = Diploma

With graduation being 2 months from TODAY, I was glad to find these tips on the student alumni page

I think I'll wear a skirt so none of you need worry about being embarrassed by my high-waters.

Graduation is really just 2 months away!? I thought it might be a hard thing to say goodbye but I don't think so. Yes, I will miss it but I am hopeful for where my life is headed. I am so excited about my future. I recently reread a talk by Elder Holland and felt confirmed by hope with his words "faith is for the future" How perfect.

No, I do not know everything that awaits, and I'm sure it's going to be really hard sometimes and I'll call my mom crying, "Why did you let me do this???" But that is why we need faith and so I'll keep on and I know that I will continue to achieve happiness.

Mystery Food

I'm nuking myself a yummy sweet potato 1) because I love them and 2) it's something mushy to go down my throat & not hurt.

My roommate looked over at me and said, "Addie, I thought that was a corndog and that it was exploding!"

hahahaha I can see how that could be alarming

Maybe you had to be there?

Mr. Streptococcus Aureus, my old friend

When I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat and feeling that I may have just been hit by a Mack truck, I was optimistic that some vitamin C and a couple movies would cure me.

Wednesday though, I had the feeling that a more intrusive visitor had come to say hello after a prolonged absence, but I wasn't ready to throw out the welcome mat and welcome him with open arms.

Thursday morning, it was no use, he demanded my attention and care. So needy. We made a visit to the health clinic and the doc confirmed...strep throat. This is the real deal.

So, I've admitted his presence and we have been getting along fine. Movies, smoothies, and a good dose of antibiotics and I think we're doing quite well, though he's getting the hint that he's beginning to overstay his welcome. Should be out soon!

Happy Birthday, Grandma

Today should be my Grandma Griggs' 77th birthday. 3 months have gone by since her passing, and I feel today appropriate to honor her.

Grandma didn't speak any language but love. She was warm and kind, and really knew what mattered most in life.

I miss our late night chats. If I was staying at her place she would keep me up til 3 am telling stories and giggling. And it was never too late for me to call her after a date, she LOVED to talk and inquire about my social life!

She taught me how to cook, sew, and how to REALLY enjoy a piece of homemade apple pie.

I miss watching Hallmark movies with her and swooning over John Wayne. I miss reading her favorite novels aloud, miss watching America's Test Kitchen, and miss my stifled laughs at yet another present purchased from QVC. I'll miss her rose garden and homegrown veggies, and her smiles of complete joy when her flowers were in bloom. I even miss her trying to marry me off to every "beau" I told her about, and her antics to get me more (like the sunless tanning products she bought me because "boys like tan girls"!!)

Her example of steadfast faith and the beauty of a loving mother will be with me forever. She taught me forgiveness and hope, and to always act a lady...then I'd have no regrets.

I miss walking into her kitchen and seeing her at work in her apron and watching her face light up and arms reach out for me, to pull me into one of her encompassing hugs. I miss her incomprehensible love for me.

Grandma, I want you to know how much I love you, how much I'll miss you. You'll always be in my heart. I will never forget you.

Happy Valentine's Day

Pet Hunting

I am in the market for a pet. I've done a lot of research and think I've found what I want. I am a definite dog person, though I can see how some might be in into cats, birds, or even a guinea pig...

However, I cannot understand bringing a 6+ ft, scheming, menacing, predator into your home.

I am talking about the boa constrictor, though any snake in general as a pet is troubling.

I recently heard this story. Caution: it's disturbing.

A woman had the said beast as a pet for a couple years. One day she went to feed it, and it didn't eat. The next day, the same...and the next. The next morning she woke up to find her snake stretched out to his full length lying beside her in her bed. (FYI: my reaction here would be to FREAK!) She, being very concerned for the health and physical state of the vile creature (at which point I'm questioning her mental state, but hey, that's me) she wraps the thing in her arms and drives immediately to the vet. After inspection, the vet looks at the woman gravely and says, "You are a very lucky woman. This monster has been cleaning himself out in preparation of eating you." I'm pretty sure those were his exact words.

Moral of the story? DON'T HAVE A KILLER AS A PET!!

Magnetic Spice Racks

Personally, I think these things are INGENIOUS- functional and they look good to boot. I am planning on creating one for myself when I move to Ohio.

Which is better though? The sheet or the strips? I can't decide...I think I'm leaning toward the strips, but am open to opinions and suggestions.

Women of Faith

Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.

Margaret D. Nadauld

I wish I was capable of expressing my immense gratitude for the beautiful, faithful, and courageous women in my life. I feel I have been abundantly blessed to learn closely from some of the choicest of women, and tonight I am feeling the weight of that blessing. It's beautiful. I regret missed opportunities, and hope to be prepared to take all that lie ahead to observe, learn, and grow. I am grateful for women who teach by example, who have loved me unconditionally, and who have always believed in me. There are too many to name; my mother, grandmothers, aunts, and friends (of ALL ages!!) Those I am thinking of inspire me in such unique ways that I am convinced I could never be whole without each one.

THANK YOU to the women in my life. The loving, the independent, the faithful, the hopeful...

I love you all.

Sword Swallowing

What if you have to sneeze?

Who knew?

I want to be a Nephi. Who doesn't? Especially when given the alternative...a Laman or a Lemuel. Nephi is righteous, steadfast, faithful, courageous, humble, and lives so closely to the Spirit. He loves the Lord and tries his hardest to live as He has taught. Laman, on the other hand, is proud, rebellious, headstrong, doubting, and faith-less. Where Nephi shows hope and optimism, Laman shows fear and disbelief.

In many a Church lesson, we have learned about these 2 men, and have asked ourselves which one we most resemble. I have always sided with Nephi. He was obviously the clear choice. No way was I a Laman.

During my morning scripture study the other day I read these verses, and had to laugh at myself

1 Nephi 6: 18-20

Whoa. Guess there is some Laman in me.

I am the 1st to admit- I am not a happy person when I am hungry. I completely shut-down. Some people can function without food, not me. I am way better suffering from a bout of insomnia (whether stress or socially induced!) than I am from an instance of low-blood sugar. I become easily irritated, a little more snappy, or just stare at the world as if I couldn't be more bored. It's become the joke among my closest friends as they'll often quip, "Time to feed Addie" when I get a bit ornery.

Laman. Darn.

Senioritis

From the word senior plus the suffix -itis (meaning inflammation, but in today's terms refers more generally to illness).

I thought this was a myth. Nope. I have been infected. Apparently, this particular ailment has quite a long incubation period, remaining dormant for years. Once the symptoms surface, it is too late, there is no treatment, it must run its course. And it will, after all, graduation is only 2 months 2 weeks and 5 days away.

Symptoms include: chronic procrastination, lack of motivation, coasting, slowness, apathy regarding school work, existing in a lame duck situation, increased social & extra-curricular activity, preference to enjoy oneself over academic work

C'est la vie.

Interestingly enough, not all opinions on Senioritis are bad, with many researchers and deans of colleges feeling it a healthy balance for a student to engage in non-academic activities. I found this article on high school senioritis, and rather enjoyed it. Hope you do too.

Capraesque

This is one of my new favorite words, as I cannot think of it (let alone say it) without a smile showing up right there across my face. I was reminded of it while watching one of my favorite movies The American President. Annette Benning's character, Sydney Ellen Wade, uses it to capture her feelings of her 1st visit to the White House.

Capraesque connotes wholesome, feel-good themes (i.e. hard work, unselfishness, morality, and basic human goodness).

That above line is how I want to live. It's what I want to look for in everyday...both in my personal life and in the views I get of others. I want to believe in basic human goodness. I want to believe that we are all trying to be good, and to give people the benefit-of-the-doubt, and that we act out of charity, dignity, and human decency. I want to feel a mutual respect for everyone I am near. I want to see the sunshine through the storm, the silver lining on each cloud, the rainbow through the water.

So here's a toast to a Capraesque life!

Crafty

I found these adorable accessories online the other day (@ bebecha.etsy.com) and was this close to purchasing a headband just because.

But Breanne came in and as I was showing them off she, being infinitely wise, said, "Oh. We could so make those." REALLY?? This concept is so foreign to me...but I'm learning. So we went the next day on our adventure. Our first stop was the fabric store, which that place alone deserves its own post. Suffice it to say, I have learned that choosing and purchasing fabric is not for the feint-of-heart! We then headed to Bre's home and created our masterpieces while enjoying some Celine Dion, despite the mockings of her sister.

Pretty cute, right? I must admit, I'm pretty impressed with us.