HA

it's my blog and I can rant if I want to

(Warning: church rant ahead, heavy with LDS terminology. Those of you of non-LDS background probably will wanna skip this one): I've been feeling very grumpy about church stuff lately. I'm getting tired of being the YSA rep mostly because accepting that calling obligates me to attend all of the YSA stuff, which is sort of a lot. Plus, I'm supposed to invite others and really encourage them to go and it's like, could I be any more of a hypocrite? It is pretty off-putting to be nearly 30 and still be obligated to go to chaperoned "activities" like I did when I was 13. Not to mention, the only other person who regularly comes to any of the activities is a guy is on the autism spectrum and is moderately impaired. I'm just going to come out and say it: I don't want to give up a Monday night to go play boardgames with someone who is, essentially, very annoying. I know this is cold and I'm probably going straight to hell, but.... sometimes I have it in me to be patient and inclusive and advocating for acceptance of people with differing abilities, and sometimes, I just don't. On the other hand, the YSA thing is about the only niche I have in my current ward. At least the people assigned to oversee the program and teach the YSA SS class actually know who I am and have taken a marginal interest in me and provide some kind of connection on sundays. Relief Society is a sea of power wheelchairs and walkers and the activities are all luncheons that are held on a weekday afternoons. With no nursery of course. And I know what you all are thinking! On the one hand I'm complaining that the ward doesn't acknowledge any other types of women beyond "ladies who lunch", but on the other hand, I'm asked to help build up a program for people who don't fit into a mold of a "typical LDS twenty-somthings" and I'm complaining about that too. I told you, I'm grumpy about church lately. Plus, I don't want to turn into someone who is a total flake about callings. And I was a total flake about the last one I had: Relief Society chorister which was a total nightmare. What I know about leading music can be written on the head of a pin. I gave it a few attempts but I would break out in a cold sweat when I had to stand up there in front of them. I just felt so clumsy and stupid. So I just started not coming to RS until after the opening hymn was done. After about a month of that I just finally told them it wasn't working out and I was happy to keep selecting the hymns, but I didn't want to conduct them. Since conducting hymns is pretty much the main part of being the chorister, they agreed to release me. I was also asked to speak in sacrament meeting after nearly two years of flying unnoticed under the radar. I was also feeling fairly grumpy about that, but the talk I am assigned to speak on is actually pretty decent, so I am warming up to the idea more. Anyways, church rant over.

e-harmony typo of the week

"I am passionate about life! I appreciate everything i have been given! Sometimes you take for granite the things you have!" That one made me laugh out loud.

before there was Airborne...

Haven't felt my best the past week or so. Coughing, scratchy tickling throat, just general sick feeling. I used to take Wellness Formula religiously during cold and flu season. It's got tons of good stuff like echinacea, goldenseal, zinc, garlic. I found some in my medicine cabinet and have been loading up on it. Hopefully it will help me get back in balance soon. Here's a link to a podcast that discusses it. I highly recommend it! http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/11/wellness-formula/

Easy Christmas Craft

I meant to blog about this a while ago. I went to a Stamping Up demonstration a while back and made these candles. They are so cute and so easy! To make them you need:

• Tea lights
• Tissue paper
• A circle punch
• A small hole punch (like on the cropadile)
• Small stamps/markers. The ones I used of course were from Stampin Up.
• Embossing heat gun.

Cut your tissue paper into strips. Fold your strip over so it is four layers thick. This is important, otherwise you won't be able to punch anything out, the paper will be too thin.

Use your circle punch to punch out as many circles as you have for candles.

Use the cropadile to punch a hole in the center of each circle.

Stamp the design on each circle. You will see the tissue paper has a dull side and a shiny side. Stamp on the dull side.

Slide the wick through the hole of each circle.

Use the heat tool to melt the wax of the candle. The circles will look like they are disappearing into the candle leaving behind only the design.

You can burn these candles. They are supercute and easy! At the demonstration we made little paper boxes to put them in (you can see mine got a little crushed on the car ride home. I gave mine to my Secret Santa at work.

Old School

Found on my photobucket. A video we made for my sister while she was in Italy on her mission. Sorry, I don't know how to flip it.

too cold for interesting outfits

So I skipped WIWW last week. And it's been a challenge to get any pictures taken this week. It's cold. It's dark before I leave for work and it's dark when I come home. My winter clothes are boring and my work outfits are repetitive. I have been spending weekends in my pajamas. It's always fun to participate though, so here is what little I do have from the past few weeks. As usual, I don't claim to have particularly interesting outfits. I know a lot of my blog buddies are style mavens. Link up one of these days! Running around... Jeans/Sweater - Old Navy Church Party/Out With Friends This outfit was supposed to be based around some cute new earrings my sister gave me for my birthday. But I ended up losing one before I went out and couldn't find it anywhere, so I had to change them out. (Don't worry Jen, I found the other earring eventually). Sweater - Target Tanks - Old Navy (red) H and M (white) Jeans - Target Shoes - Nine West via Ross Purse - Dress Barn

Sunday/Church Sheath dress - TJMaxx Sweater - Old Navy (I think) Belt - came with the dress Necklace - Target Earrings - Old Navy Shoes - Steve Madden (rescued from my mom's giveaway pile!!) Shoes - Converse Jeans - GAP Shirt/Scarf/earrings - Old Navy Sunglasses - Target