They Bring Ice Cream.....

We were talking the other day in seminary about how people can comfort us when we are experiencing trials. One of my students called out, "they bring ice cream". How true. It wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for but who can argue with a little counseling session with Ben & Jerry?

Chasing away the blues. . .

When I was in junior high, my older sister Anne’s piano teacher gave her a piece of music to learn over her summer break and to perform at the high school’s concerto night the following school year. All summer long and into the school year, my sister practiced and practiced this piece of music. On sunny days, my mom would open all the windows in the house (lack of central air conditioning) and let my sister’s music mix with the sun, the wind, and the blue skies. I was and still am amazed at the beauty of the piece and its complexity. I have probably heard the piece hundreds and hundreds of times as it became the soundtrack to my family’s life for that year.

I have this memory of being in the high school auditorium watching Anne performed her piece. When it was over I heard her piano teacher yelling, “BRAVO! BRAVO!” I still get choked-up over the memory. I can’t express my sense of awe and admiration I had for my sister that day.

Last night I went to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s last summer concert at the Strathmore Center. I went with three friends that I had met through the mix n’ mingle at church (all girls). After the few weeks I have had at work, the music felt like it was healing my soul. I know that sounds trite but I needed something to give me a little lift and the concert hall, my friends, and the music did it. The Strathmore Concert Center is only 30 minutes from my house and I can’t believe it has taken me this long to go.

When I received the email asking me if I wanted to go to the concert, I jumped at the chance because the concert was entitled, “A Tribute to Gershwin & Bernstein” and I was thrilled to hear my sister’s piece performed.

The conductor was Bramwell Trovey. He was extremely funny and he explained each piece in a way that allowed you to envision the music. The highlight of the evening was when Bramwell Trovey played and conducted the piece of music that is so ingrained into my head, Rhapsody in Blue. He started by standing and conducting the clarinet solo that is so famous and then went and sat down at the piano to do his part. It was so engaging to watch him masterfully conduct and play and sometimes conduct with his head as he played. I wish you could have all been there because it was magical and I still get choke-up thinking about the performance and the night. And all I can say is, BRAVO! BRAVO!

Yes, another post about my trip.

Highlights of Day 3 on VACATION!

1. I took my nephew Ben with me to see my Grandmother. He was so cute when he found the ewukalaylee (as he called it). Hey Ben's parents: He said he wants one. Maybe Santa should bring him an ewukalaylee. (hint, hint) Doesn't he look so cute?! He also loved the chickens and playing shoot the moon.

Ben & his Great-Grandmother Todd
Ben did not want to pose for the picture. I think the $1 bribe was money well spent!
(Hey, I can bribe other people's kids, right??:)

2. Sometimes I feel that I only get to see my friends for a few minutes when I am on vacation. Here are some quick shots of us before everyone had to run their separate ways.


3. I loved staying up really late with Liz, Lynnette, Anne, and Brad! It was such a great beautiful evening to just sit outside and talk.

All in all- a great day!

A Pretty, Great State

Travel Log- Day 1 & 2:

Tuesday evening, I flew into Salt Lake. For dinner, my brother John and I went for sushi at Ginza in downtown. If you like sushi, they have yummy unique rolls and great miso soup.

Wednesday, I dropped by Evergreen Park to see some of my old high school friends and their children. I only had a few minutes but it was great catching up with everyone and seeing how their kids have grown. It was so fun to reconnect and play the game, "Oh, guess who I ran into?" For the record, I never just "run" into anyone from high school in D.C. so I always lose the game but it is fun to play anyway.

After the park, I meet up with my friend Catherine. Catherine and I were running partners in college and we are very comfortable just talking for hours. (When you are on a long run, you just talk about anything and everything.) Catherine is fabulous (even though she reads my blog and never comments:)). We would be happy doing anything but here is how we spent our day.

My brother John told me of a cafe named Toasters in downtown Salt Lake which made the best sandwiches so we decided to try it out. I needed change for the meter so I walked in to Toasters and I heard, "Chris?!" I turned around to find my brother Mike and my cousin Rich. What a crazy coincidence and a great way for me to get change for the meter, I mean come on, what are brothers for?! (Thanks Mike!!)

Here is our yummy lunch. A turkey and avocado toaster. They put balsamic vinegar on the sandwich which gives it a nice sweet and tangy taste. The cafe has an European flare to it that is very quaint. I would definitely go back!

Last year when I was in Utah I saw a museum exhibit of black and white photographs of historical Utah buildings. I thought that it would be really fun to get some of those photographs framed for my house. When I asked at the museum about the exhibit, they said that they were photographs from the Utah State Historical Society Archives. I have been waiting 7 months to pick out pictures so after lunch, Catherine and I headed to the Rio Grande building (one of my favorite buildings) to go to the archives.

They archives were awesome. They probably had 100 file cabinet drawers filled with old pictures. You can purchase copies of the photographs in any size you want or you can have them burn you a CD ($8 a photo). I opted for the CD because I wanted to have the ability to make different sizes of the photographs. Catherine and I picked out some fabulous pictures and we had a great time looking at all the old photos. When my CD comes, I will put them on the blog. If you cannot make it to Utah, you can always go to the archives online.
Honestly, it was a great afternoon.

What would a hot day in Utah be without a Sno Cone
and you know how I like Sno Cones.
At Bob's Brainfreeze, you can get cream on the top of your cone.

SO GOOD!

What a great day but wait it isn't over! It was so hot that we decided to go up the canyon for dinner. . . . more to come.

FOR SALE BY OWNER

My cute Dutch colonial did not sell with a realtor so now I am trying to sell it on my own. I love my house but it is time for it to sell. I can't tell you the amount of work that has go into this house. My incredible friends Blaine & Cindy flew out on their own dime to spend a weekend helping me get my house ready. Blaine put up closet doors, built a mantle, and did most the heavy lifting. Cindy helped decorate and paint 5 rooms. Besides Blaine & Cindy, I have had friends come to paint, clean, organize, put up doors, change locks, make repairs, decorated, moved boxes, and basically supported me through this process. I have AMAZING friends!!! Keep praying that the house sells so I can move in with Jill (just kidding, Jill). The realtor called it, "Pottery Barn Perfect" and I have to agree.

Who wants to buy my house?

Emma's 23rd Birthday!

My friend Emma deserves a post- even if this is late and now on her unbirthday. Emma is 10 years younger than me but it really doesn't matter because we have a great time together. I got invited to dinner with her family to celebrate her birthday and her family is great. I always have a great time just hanging out with them. Here are some pictures from the evening.

I walked from my office to the restaurant and walked past the White House....

Walked past the protesters...they are always there.

Hannah and Molly (Emma's sisters) drinking a hibiscus drink.
The color was beautiful but the flavor was really strong.

Molly and Emma (the birthday girl). Sorry for the fuzzy picture.

The Rents! Two of my favorite people.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Back in the saddle again. . .

. . .or at least getting closer to the horse.

In the last 6 months or so, many well meaning friends and family members have tried to urge, push, and persuade my rebirth into the single scene. Even though I drag my feet, I really do appreciate everyone’s encouragement.

I think my Bishop even picked up on the vibe because he asked me if I would be the liaison between my ward and the mid 30’s single’s group. (We only have 3 mid 30's singles in my ward counting me!) There have been a couple of meetings and activities that I could not attend but I finally ran out of excuses. So today I went to church in the designated ward for mid 30’s singles. To explain they took a family ward (Chevy Chase Ward) and they designated it the mid 30’s single’s ward too. Everyone meets together for Sacrament Meeting and then they split off- one Sunday school for the singles and one for the marrieds and then everyone meets back together for Elder’s Quorum or Relief Society.

It is a bit nerve racking to meet new people (seriously!). It is also very early. My family ward is about 1 mile away and starts at 1 p.m. The Chevy Chase Ward is 16 miles away and starts at 9 a.m. This really should be a no brainer.

Accomplishments:
1. I saw Senator Harry Reid (it is his ward) and his buzz-cut secret service agents. I also sat next to his wife in Relief Society.
2. I reconnected with some old friends.
3. I sat in a Sunday School class just for single people. (I haven’t done that since I was in college)
4. Signed up to go to a Nationals Baseball game with the singles this coming Saturday.
5. I met a lot of nice people.
6. Stayed for the Linger Longer/Mix n’ Mingle (my peanut butter bars were a huge success!)
7. Got home in enough time to take a Sunday nap

Yes, you should all be proud.

My Basement Flooded..AGAIN!

I usually am very happy with my single girl life but I have to say that there are a few things that would be easier with a man around the house. Every Spring, the rain comes and my basement floods. It is annoying and a bit stressful. For some reason I only discover the flooding late at night or on my way to work. I have a shop vac so I start to suck up the water but I can only do so much at a time because I have to lift the shop vac full of water to dump in the sink (and it is HEAVY). I usually get very wet and wishing that one of my friends or their husbands will knock on my door and say, "It is raining which means your basement must be flooding, can I help clean up the mess?" and then the water will quickly disappear.

I may not have friends that have a sixth sense for basement flooding but I do have wonderful friends that when I call, they will come and help me clean up the mess.

Moral to the story...a husband would clean up the flooded basement but so will your friend's husbands:)