So, what's new?

General Conference weekend was family and faith filled. Twice a year I combined the two things that mean the most to me. In between sessions we inducted the children into the world of the put-as-much-sweetness-on-a-crepe world that the rest of us know and love. After the sessions we ate raclette and just laughed and talked and played. 

I look forward every month to our Ladies Dinner Club where, in addition to a delicious Italian meal, we made our own vanilla. It was my first time ever buying alcohol - let's hope we didn't screw it up. 

Stake Women's Conference, Organ Loft for a silent film with Lisa, a walk in the park, babysitting Eve, and more walking with Jennica. I reflect often on the great and good people who just keep coming into my life. 

Enjoyed so much time with my family. When I am with them I am myself and I am happiest then. 

Did a little road-trippin' to the Happiest Place on Earth with Freddie. This is where I learned that caffeine actually does affect me (I didn't sleep but one hour one of the nights), that the character breakfast is totally worth it, and that you can see everything in two parks if you have people you can rely on to have stamina. I've only been on Small World once in my life because it is always out of commission when I go.. as it was during this trip. Some people really dug my Doctor Who shirt (it says "I heart heart DW") which was basically a test of who's in and who's not. 

Little Bitty Pretty One

Kate and Steve became the proud parents of this little one, 13 days later than expected. Kate was a total champ and look at this product of all their work. I'm also especially tickled because she has my name. That's a thing. For an honor where you actually aren't required to do anything, this is the big one and I feel happily responsible.

Eve Megan with just regular Megan

Weekend Update 6.1564

There have been many weekend since I last updated and here are photos of some.

Kate's baby shower

Ballet West's Sleeping Beauty with Meredith. We sat behind to two ladies in the upper left and they were hilarious and way dressed up. 

Midway Ice Castles with Steph

Chasing Cupid 5 K with the Natalies.

Spent a fun-filled evening with these sweethearts. We played and played and got the first introductions to the wonderful world of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers while mom and dad attended the temple in Logan.

Cross country skiing with friends and family - even Mom joined in the fun. Let's go again!

Days of Love

It is not secret that Valentines is my absolute favorite holiday (see this post or this one or this one). This year's card making tea was the biggest and best so far. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it is a day of love - not just romantic love - but a time to love everyone.

“Since love is a magic, Valentine’s Day is the day of magicians! Whoever loves creates a magic; whoever is loved, a magic is created!” 

― Mehmet Murat ildan

Ending the Era

In 2007 I started at XYZ company* and on Friday I had my last day. It's a little bit surreal to leave one's first real job. Previous jobs I had to leave for some reason - I was attending school, it was the end of an internship, I was moving. This time there was no reason except that I wanted to quit and I had a new job. It was just time to move on.
I thought my leaving would be devastating to others, because apparently I'm that necessary (at least in my own head). I'm glad to report that it was not devastating, though enough upsetting to stroke my ego just a bit. I'm glad it wasn't too devastating because I know that when I decide to leave another job things with everyone will carry on.
On Friday I spent the day with clients and doing paperwork. It was the first and only time I've ever really left the office with all my paperwork done and knowing no more would show up. I like wrapping things up nicely. That's what's nice about cleaning.

A panoramic of my final office. I had four. 

 I went out to lunch with my cotherapists. It was really nice and kind of uncomfortable because it was a lot of attention on me, which is also odd because being shy isn't really me. My cotherapist Susan returned this book "Fascinating Womanhood" which she'd ended up with from me a few years ago at our annual white elephant exchange (which, interestingly, has nothing to do with white elephants). The book is a 1963 version of womanhood which is rather horrific and hilarious ("Chapter III: Accept a Man at Face Value" and "Chapter XV Feminine Dependency") but I didn't want it back. "Open it," she urged me. There she'd collected messages from many of my coworkers. Finally, something worth reading in that book. I thought it was rather sweet and meaningful.

The ending meant a lot to me too because working at XYZ we don't get most of the perks of other companies (lots of my friends work for those companies and I get a little envious). We don't get bonuses, we don't get swag, no one rents out the movie theater, we usually don't get our continuing education paid for, we even pay for our own meals when we have "parties." Mostly we get to be a teenager's emotional punching bag... and to do a lot of the previously mentioned paperwork. So I felt like the day was a thank you, and that's not something any of us in the field and at such places get/got a lot.
It also made me feel like the years of really mucky work that were much more intense and unpredictable and chaotic than anyone could know unless you are in it were worthwhile. I learned so so so much in six years. More than I think I'll probably learn in the next six, if we're being honest. When you work with people who can't live at home because their emotional state is so extreme you pick up some things. Along with learning about mental illness, the human condition, and all the crazy things that can go wrong and all the weird things that really happen in life, I learned to be less afraid in some ways (in some ways I'm more afraid because I know what gross teenage boys are thinking). I'm not afraid to stand up to people, even clients. I'm not afraid to tell people how to parent. I'm not afraid to talk about awkward things - in fact, I kind of relish it. Awkward is my comfort zone. I'm not afraid to ask for what I need from someone. I'm not afraid to have someone mad at me. I'm not afraid to try something that might blow up in my face. And now, I'm not afraid to leave it.



*This is apparently the name of a real company but in context of this post, it's just a pseudonym.

Ty and Janie Tie the Knot!

I may have slept poorly because I was so excited. My brother Ty and new sis-in-law Janie got married. No one deserves this more than Ty. And the day was perfect.

The ceremony was short, meaningful, and effective in this life and the next. While waiting for the lovers, it was an excuse to mess around - what my family is great at. 

Between the ceremony and the luncheon we had to primp and refresh ourselves. We're ready for our close ups. 

My family is probably the most fun I have. Getting us to be still and shut up is a task and the photog was amazing. Mostly I love how much I love these people. 

Between the luncheon and reception we put the teens to work on the car. 

The reception gave us another amazing meal, a hot chocolate bar, and dancing. I enjoyed seeing lots of people I knew and wondering where Ty got all the friends, cuz there were A LOT of people there. 

And even with all the new and exciting changes Janie has brought and will bring, it's good to know that some things never change. 

Weekend Update 5.0

This is last weekend, but a worthy one none-the-less. Erin had a birthday brunch at the yummy (but slow) Faustina's and there were a lot more people there that who are pictured, and presumably some of them were taller. Natalie and I had Christmas with our mom (not pictured because she is the photographer). And I had a little brunch at my house on Sunday with some lovely friends.

Alterations by Peaches

My brother is getting married next weekend. My mom and I ordered dresses from a website that makes the dress in whatever color you need - perfect for weddings. We got the dresses and needed some alterations, namely a bust insert gave me what God had apparently forgotten and I looked ridiculous. My mom did some research and found a place that could do the job. I went in this morning.
I arrived just after opening (I have a job after all!) and was followed in by a woman with bleach blonde hair in her fifties, who I'd heard roughly talking to her husband outside in a voice like a smoke and an accent that told me she was not a Utah girl. Inside a slight woman said hello as I walked it. I wasn't sure if she worked there or was just friendly. She apologized for the stink (so she worked there). She'd been vacuuming and something had gone amiss. That's when the blonde woman, in a rather harsh tone, said "You blew out the motor!" The slight woman asked how she could help me so I explained the issue. She listened and then said, "Oh, that's for Peaches to do." (And why have I been explaining it to you?) Peaches was the harsh blonde. I explained things to Peaches.
She said, "Was your mother in here the other day?"
Yes.
"I was thinking about you."
I smiled.
"I was hoping you wouldn't come in."
And drop smile.
While I tried on the dress to show her the issue a man came in and again diagnosed the vacuum motor problem, justifying the problem because it was from "Costcos." (Yes, that "s" is intentional. Apparently Costco is either a plural or it possesses something, perhaps the store?) And he kept saying it.
While I tried on the dress and took it off for some adjustment and tried it on again, the slight woman was apparently having a rough day. As I stood with them all, the silent witness to what I felt was a personal conversation, Peaches suggested to the woman, "You're really emotional. Why don't you just go home today?" She didn't seem particularly emotional to me. The man added, "Yeah, why don't you go home?"
We got the alterations planned and Peaches told me to come back on Monday for another fitting.
Should I come in the morning or after work?
"I'll call you when I want you."
The man gave his two bits. "Yeah, we'll call when we want to see you."
I was told to fill out a ticket with spaces for my name, address, number. The man said, "Fill this out with your name, number, address."
Like it says? (but I said that silently) And why did they need my address?
The man said, "We like to get paid up front."
Ok.
"Should I run it debit or credit?"
Credit.
Peaches squawked, "Credit! I don't run debit!'
Then she pointed out a stain. "You have a make up stain. If I touch it, it'll smudge all over. You have to take it to the dry cleaners. Ask for Paul."
The man had something to say about that too. "Yeah, go in there and they can get it out. If Paul's there say Peaches sent you. If they need to keep it we can get it for you. Actually, just asked for Paul. Those girls in the front don't know anything. Ask for Paul. And don't park on the street. People'll run you over. There's a parking lot."
Seriously? The make up stain was smaller than a dime and on the back of the dress near the neck line. I'm thinking, if it's smudge-able then why don't we just get a washcloth and do this old school? But I went to Paul.
I entered the establishment.
"Can I help you?"
Peaches told me to ask for Paul, I said.
What am I doing? I sound like I making a drug deal. Or I'm getting a tip on a racehorse. Or someone is selling me a kidney.
Paul was a big guy, cut from the same fabric (pun intended) as Peaches and her man. He was gruff and annoyed.
Peaches said you could get this out.
"It's really big."
Are you serious? (also silently)
"How long has it been in there?" It was like he'd was wondering how long the bullet had been festering or how long Beth had been running a fever before the girls called Marmie home.
Minutes.
He took it back and was gone for a rather long time. He returned dejected, but I couldn't see anything wrong.
"When I applied the cleaning it expanded and it left a ring. I'll have to send it through the machine to get it out."
A ring? You mean the barely perceptible hint of slightly darker material in kind of a ring-like formation? No problem. Peaches won't know you gave me another option. And Peaches didn't.
I had to run to the post office as well and, wouldn't you know it, her man came walking in a few minutes after me.
"I should have had you do this," he quipped loudly from across the room.
I gave a courtesy laugh.
"I'm the gopher," he yelled. "I'm retired. I don't even get paid but she's my wife so.... But I still make more money than she does!"
This is not my life. Where did these people come from? And how did I end up near them?
I guess I see Peaches Monday. Or whenever Peaches wants to see me.

Addendum: Here is probably the best photo of the dress so now you have a visual.

*Peaches is not her real name. But her name gives off the same odd vibe as Peaches. It's just such a unique name that I didn't feel I could write it. But I really did go to Paul.

"New Year's Eve. Almost midnight. You're not here for me to hold." -Truman

That's what the band said and I love that song.

Miss J and Steph and I rang in the New Year at my soon-to-be sister-in-law Janie's house, with my brother - obviously - and some other friends. 

New Year's day brought nostaglia as I got together with high school friends for our annual soiree. It is a great beginning. 

I adore goal setting. In fact, goal setting is probably the best thing for me when I am feeling blue. It gives a sense of control and direction. I set goals twice a year - once at New Years and once around my birthday, which happens to be perfectly placed in July (another of my perfections).

From July, I've already made good progress. I ate seafood (only twice but that's progress), I'm definitely better at owning mistakes and dissenting, I'm more financially generous, and I joined the bone marrow registry. I'm still working on the others.

Bravery and courage are still my overall focus and I'm finding that I relish the difficult and stretching.

Milla gave me this for Christmas. I wear it often as a sort of talisman and as a reminder to be brave. Usually though, I hear Dan Radcliffe/Harry Potter's voice from the fourth movie saying, "Be brave, professor! Be brave like my mother!"

I want to talk with people I know, even slightly, in public places like the grocery store. Usually, like most people, I pretend I don't know someone because I can be a wimp. 

I will create the book of my father's mission finally. It's been years in the making. 

I'll quit my job. And start a new one. 

I will call people more instead of texting. Let's make more human contacts. 

I'll eat at least two fruits or veggies a day. It's brave to admit that the goal is required. And to offer myself to the judgment of others who might consider two a number that should not be so difficult, but it is. 

In NYC we wrote our hopes and dreams on a bit of confetti to be dropped over Times Square. Here's hoping.

Christmas 2013 in NYC

We rebelled for Christmas and ran away for a while. It would seem we were not alone because apparently the entire world converges on NYC during Christmas. For a city I've only been to a few times it is amazing how much of my everyday cultural life comes from it. I was shocked as we drove around that I could come up with song after quote after story that takes place within an hour of the city, much to my sister's dismay. For example, every time we passed a sign that said White Plains I broke out into "New Rochelle... or maybe White Plains... no, New Rochelle! New Rochelle! That's the place that the mansion will be!" (It's from How to Succeed... in cases you did not know.) We started at West Point for Christmas Eve and Day and spent the rest of the week in the city, seeing five shows, numerous sites, and making decisions on a whim.

Never were two people more excited to stay up all night, thanks to the lovely sickos who coughed the entire flight, in order to start out on the great adventure. 

We made a few stops on the way to West Point. We saw the mansion at Lyndhurst and roamed the little town of Peekskill, the setting for The Facts of Life. 

We stayed at Thayer, a wonderful hotel on Post. One of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in and, for its beauty, one of the most reasonably priced. 

Freddie got us Christmas jammies. This might have made me very, very happy.

Christmas Eve we attended a service at the Cadet Chapel. Beautiful, Christ-centered, and fun. Restaurants were largely closed but we found a Hacienda to get some great Mexican food, and they let us take a photo behind their bar so that was rad. 

In the morning, which was very cold, we took photos around the Post. It was West Point that was the center of the Benedict Arnold issue - as commandant he offered it to the British.

We were focused on seeing shows! Peter and the Starcatcher, Newsies, After Midnight, Once, and Jersey Boys. My fav was prolly Once, but Jersey Boys comes in a close second. We got to meet Dule Hill (The West Wing, Psych) who is in After Midnight. 

We walked the High Line - a very long "park" built over former train tracks. 

We went off the beaten path to enjoy the Russian and Turkish baths... basically a variety of saunas (stone and wood and steam) and I love me a sauna. This alone made me envious of all who live in New York. Dear Everyone, go to this place. 

We ate at Fraunces Tavern, which -among other important events - was where Washington dismissed the troops after the Revolutionary Way. Great ambiance, good food, and a museum - it's like they knew I was coming. 

We visited Wall Street, the site of Washington's inauguration, and the World Trade Center memorial. 

We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on a very rainy day. Since my knowledge of art is basically maxed out with Impressionists we stuck to that section. They had a very nice collection with a sufficient amount of Degas. Oh, look, there we are with Degas himself. 

We enjoyed the city as a whole. We climbed on the [dry] Bethesda fountain, walked in (and directly out of) the Plaza, pushed passed people on the Brooklyn Bridge, and relaxed at my friend Bonnie's apartment (shout out and thanks to her for letting us crash there). 

Until next time.