Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'T is mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, I
t is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's,
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.

William Shakespeare, "The Merchant of Venice", Act 4 scene 1

unconnected thoughts

My 20 year high school reunion is this weekend and I have no desire at all to go. I might have if I hadn't had the chance to see almost all of my old friends earlier this summer, but truthfully, the thought of trying to mingle and reminisce with people that I could barely stand 20 years ago makes my blood run cold. And this brought me to the conclusion that although there were many things about high school that I still look back on fondly, for the most part I think I hated it.

I had breakfast with Crystal and Teresa this morning, instead of lunch yesterday, due to unavoidable delays. Ella was sad that she didn't get to see Grant, which makes me happy, because the next to last time she saw him, she could have cared less if he had walked off the edge of a cliff. After all, he had taken her favorite doll from her and was teasing her with it, so she hit him with a broom, and then Crystal and I had to separate them, and punish them, and well...you get the idea. Back to breakfast, these are two women that just make me smile and laugh. It might have been better if I had actually woken up on time, and not when Crystal knocked on my front door, waking Ella up, who in turn came and woke me up to tell me that someone was knocking. I must be more tired than I thought.

I made a small batch of salsa this week (thank you, Rachael!) and it's really yummy! But, because there's not that much of it, I won't be sharing like I did the last time I made salsa. Anyway, I love the smell of salsa simmering in my kitchen. It's such a fall time smell. The next thing you know, I'll be simmering apple cider, or baking snickerdoodles (cinnamon, yum!). It's fall!

Speaking of fall, the kids are back in school! Yippee! I kind of thought that my life would settle down once the kids were gone, but to my surprise (not!) it hasn't. I've been just as busy, and in some ways busier since school started. Why do I let that happen?

The Talk

As Sarah and I were walking into the library, we had to have a talk about when it is and isn't appropriate to break into song with or without your ipod.

Grocery store? Good
Library? Bad
Walmart? Good
Church? Bad

Parking lot of Wendy's?

TGIF

...means...

No lessons.
No rehearsal.
No kids (still a school day).

...also means...

Reading books.
Playing piano.
Lunch with Crystal and Teresa.

...and maybe...

At-home date.
Games with the kids.
Early to bed.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Sarah is officially 13 years old this morning!

Augh! When did I get old enough to have a teenager?

It's 6:10 am, and she has already checked her email, registered for facebook, and given me a small measure of grief.

Yep.

I've got a teenager.

Until I can think of something else to blog about:

I'm going to assign you a number, and by number I mean letter from A to D.

Uncomfortable

Friday night I was back at Hale Centre Theatre to see "Big". David and I had gone out to dinner beforehand to Famous Dave's (a really yummy barbecue place). I, being me, drank three big cups of whatever liquid I was drinking (I think it was two pepsis and a water) and had to use the restroom when we got to the theatre.

I entered the restroom, sat down, and saw this staring at me.

Now, Kelly and I are good friends, and have been for a long time, but having him stare at me while I used the restroom was more than a little weird.

*many MANY shudders*

1st day of school conversation:

"Do we go off the digital clock or the analog clock?"
"Why?"
"Well, one of them is about five minutes faster."
"Which one?"
"The analog clock."
"Which one do you want to go off of?"
"The analog clock."
"Okay then."
"Bye, Mom!"

School Starts Today!

Sorry...

Sarah had her birthday party last night.

I'm so glad she has such lovely, well-behaved friends. Otherwise, I would think they were responsible for the chalking and doorbell ditching that was happening around the neighborhood last night.

My profoundest apologies.

calmer

I fully and completely acknowledge that as the director, it is Joel's right to change rehearsal from a dance to music if he thinks it is necessary to do so.

That being said, I think it more than a little inconsiderate to not tell the music director about it.

Perhaps his assistant director forgot to call. However, the choreographer didn't show up so I must assume that she knew about the change.

Did they just think I would, once again, pick up the dropped ball?

Frustration

I swore at Joel this morning.

prepared

I dreamt my Relief Society lesson last night. Does that mean I'm ready for Sunday?

Probably not.

I'm going to spend some time today putting my lesson together. After pondering it for a couple of weeks now, and it seems to be falling into place. Hence, the dream. Still, there is obviously more work to be done. I don't think spending 20 minutes trying to find "I Pray in Faith" in the Children's Songbook counts as a lesson.

I feel ick...

ick.

Uncle Walt

I Hear America Singing

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear;
Those of mechanics--each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;
The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work;
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat--the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench--the hatter singing as he stands;
The wood-cutter's song--the ploughboy's, on his way in the morning,or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;
The delicious singing of the mother--or of the young wife at work--or of the girl sewing or washing--Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else;
The day what belongs to the day--At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.

Walt Whitman

Waiting

I'm wondering what the appropriate amount of time is to wait before calling a recently returned friend. Family has first priority...boyfriend is next (unless he was first)...where do I fit in?

various

We had an actor have to quit the play (no, not in a huff) and so I'm now playing Grace. Thank goodness it's a smaller role. The funny thing about teaching the music to everyone else is that I don't really learn it myself. I know every one's entrances and cut offs, but I couldn't sing the alto part for you. And now I have lines to memorize, too, and I don't have a script. This is going to be interesting.

I'm excited to start sewing for Hale. I really like the idea of doing something besides teaching lessons. Don't get me wrong, I still love teaching, it's just that expanding my repertoire sounds great.

I made Joshua cry yesterday. Esther and I have been planning this trip to New York next summer, and the boys caught me looking at the New York Yankees web page. When they found out I was going to a Yankees game without them, well, you would think I'd cut off their right hands. And then I told Joshua about the Museum of Natural History, with one of the best dinosaur exhibits in the world, and he started crying. Tough way to learn that life isn't fair.

I'm still fighting these headaches. Just when I think I've got them licked, they come back with a vengeance. At least I've still been able to function. That's my way of saying, "it could be worse".

On the best note ever, Cat comes home today! I've missed her way more than the amount of mail I've sent her would seem to indicate...

Strength

Mosiah 4:27 And see that all things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

Maybe I've been running to fast, trying to do too many things at once, feeling like a failure when I haven't got the strength.

Maybe it's time to step back and reassess.

History

It was one of those moments.

David remembers Mark Spitz.

We wanted our children to remember this, or, in Ella's case, at least see it. So, we called them all in (they were downstairs watching anyway) and watched the relay together. We all cheered, jumped, chanted, pounded, and cheered again. And when the US won, we laughed and cheered together.

For me, the best part of this moment was Phelps acknowledging that he couldn't have done it alone.

History making and humble.

Irritated

The paycheck has been electronically deposited.

The rest of the bills indicated on the spreadsheet have been paid.

I know darn well the billing cycle closes on the 16th.

But Qwest is having technical difficulties and won't let me pay my bill.

Stupid company won't take my money.

Extremely Exclusive and Sadly Silly Quote of the Day:

"I went cow tipping!"

What David put in my head this morning

Me, this morning

six reasons I love this cast

1. There's a crazy amount of flirting going on, but it's hilarious to watch.

2. Two words: Smashing Moo-sician.

3. We had four birthdays and three people brought treats: two cakes and donuts.

4. Even the little kids sing with gusto!

5. Keatley Smith is a great little actor.

6. Everyone loves me, too!

Chad Taylor is one of my favorite people right now...

He brought me Honk! tracks, and they are beautiful!

THANK YOU!!!

What a Moment!

Did you see the 4X100 mens freestyle last night?

When the United States touched the wall .08 seconds before France, David and I jumped up and down and cheered...in spite of the fact that the kids were already in bed asleep.

Some Emotions just can't be contained.

Get Happy!

In my opinion, this is one of Judy Garland's best performances ever.

GET HAPPY!

Cycle

I rode nine miles yesterday with Crystal and my new BFF Teresa (she knits, too!). After our ride we hopped in a car and drove to the Farmer's Market downtown. I highly recommend fresh vegetables, especially in the summer!

Rehearsal is going well. I can't believe that we had a run-through of the music after only three rehearsals. There's still a lot of work to do, but I am so impressed with this cast...they work so hard and still keep the humor flowing. If only I could get "Joy of Motherhood" and "Poultry Tale" out of my head.






We celebrated Joshua's ninth birthday yesterday with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers. Barbecue, corn on the cob, potato salad, watermelon, cheetos, pineapple (and some great stories from Grandpa Rogers)...and of course birthday cake were all on the menu. It's hard for me to believe that my kids are getting so old. When did that happen?









I woke up with a headache again this morning. Nothing like I had on Wednesday, but annoying nonetheless. I've got to break this!

something

Weren't the Opening Ceremonies amazing?

randomness

das how it iiiiisss!

We're Off!

stems up, stems down, stems up, stems down

You're egging them on!

Honk! ya'll.

and the ever popular:

Millions of little kids do it every day!

the best medicine

Sleep is the best thing for a headache, and I did plenty of that yesterday.

The next best thing is ice cream (when my stomach settles), and I did that, too.

Of course, the old adage "laughter is the best medicine" comes firmly to mind, and I had more than my fair share of that at rehearsal last night (I love this cast!!!).

In other words, I received the best possible care, followed by the best food, and finished off with the best company.

I feel alot better today.

I'm Seeing Auras

That means one of two things:

Either I'm suddenly psychic...

Or I have a migraine.

ow, pain.

Amazing

After piecing my way through it since January, I finished reading Les Miserables yesterday afternoon. It was truly one of the most amazing books I've ever read and I'm so grateful that I took the time to do it. Every so often, I read a book that has a profound influence on the way I think and feel about life itself. In spite of the seeming depression of this story, it was incredibly uplifting; gently leading the reading along, teaching truths.

I don't know if I'll ever read this book again. I'd like to think that I will. But for now, I'm letting it in to my life, hopefully to change me for the better.

Be it true or false, what is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do.

It is a mistake to imagine that man can exhaust his destiny, or can reach the bottom of anything whatever. Alas! what are all these destinies thus driven pell-mell? whither go they? why are they so? He who knows that, sees all the shadow. He is alone. His name is God.

Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.

Happy, even in anguish, is he to whom God has given a soul worthy of love and of grief! He who has not seen the things of this world, and the hearts of men by this double light, has seen nothing, and knows nothing of the truth.

It is nothing to die; it is horrible not to live.

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves.—Victor Hugo

Ooo baby, baby

Rachael had her baby!



Sabrina Mei Carpenter

(for more pictures, link to Rachael or Esther)

August 1

excerpts from my journal

We're in Coalville and it is cold!!! I just got back from riding my bike to the bathroom (*love* flush toilets) and my fingers are stiff.

I stared at the stars for a long time last night. There's very little in the way of ambient light, so there are billions of stars.

On the other hand, the freeway is so close that the noise level seems at odds with the peaceful scenery. I live right by a highway, and it's not this noisy. How distressing.

Trying to get everything packed was a very frustrating experience. Sarah and Ben were gone, David was at work, I had to clean the house and teach lessons. I forgot many things like: propane, pillows and shirts for me. Not to mention stuff for lunches. But I remembered my bike gloves *grin*. Strange...I know. At least we made it here.

Timelessness

Too many demands...

Not enough time.

Home

We're home, I'm whooped.

I love camping, but the cleaning up afterwards really gets me down.

I'll start catching up tomorrow.