This and that and another book review

First off....a big shout out to my friend Alexes over at One Cluttered Brain! I helped her redesign her blog and although I required nothing in return she sent me a huge box of goodies! It definitely made my day! Yummy yummy! Thank you!

Also, I am floored that I got 25 comments on my post about depression after getting only 6 for my giveaway.....I think I'm starting to realize that the giveaways aren't the reason people come back and read. Your comments brought happy tears and a smile. So thank you. I've always known I wasn't alone, but it still feels good to be reminded. And it also feels good to know that you won't all just unsubscribe and hightail it outta here when I bring out my dirty laundry. (ha ha, you just have to come to my house to be assaulted with that!)

Okay, now as you all know I do the occasional review. And I love reading so books are one of my favorite things to review! But I still have mixed feelings about this book. I was sent Once in A Blue Moon to review as part of the One2One network and while I enjoyed it, I have to be completely honest in saying I probably wouldn't buy it. (Although that doesn't really say much since I am so poor I can't buy books. That's what the library is for!)
It was an interesting story, two sisters with a messed up Mom sent out to foster families only to be reunited years later. Add in a court battle over a piece of property and another over the custody of a child, romance, God, and a change of heart and you have an interesting story. Just not one I will be likely to pick up again. (Although I would be willing to read more by Eileen Goudge). But don't take my word for it....check it out for yourself! Here are the links:

Eileen Goudge's Website: http://www.eileengoudge.com
Her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&

And don't forget to leave a comment with the number 20 to be entered in my October giveaway of $20!

Where did this week go?

I just wanted to say hi and that I have no time to write. I had my preschool graduation tonight and I've spent every waking moment getting ready for that this week. And a lot of moments that should have been sleeping moments too.

We have an interview in the morning and then will be at my in-laws for the weekend but I have a lot of posts in the works (even if just in my head) so bear with me! And don't forget to enter my contests!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Why didn't anyone tell me before I became a mother?

I've been writing a serious Mother's Day post in my head all day.

But what it comes down to is that the words escape me.

So just know, I have the sweetest husband and kids anyone could ever ask for.

Oh, that husband of mine. *sigh* How is it possible to be so much in love?


Just one question....why didn't anyone show this to me before I had kids? It would have saved me a lot of trouble. (click to see it up close!)


I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Am I the Mother of All Bloggers?

Nope. But I am the third Mother of all bloggers which is more than good enough for me!!
Thank you to everyone who voted for me! I got third place and I still can't believe I made it that far. The party on Momlogic was sooo fun last night, I met great people and learned some great information! Yes, I do really need a laptop, especially since my computer is on the fritz and if it dies I die too. Well, at least my blog does. But in third place I will still get a blog makeover and get featured on Momlogic! Sooo cool!

Except I have a problem and I need your help. You see, I kind of like my blog. I just redid it and I like that it doesn't look like most of the other blogs out there. But how do I say...um, no thanks? Because I know they will do a better job than my amateur design, but I like that it is my own. Any advice or suggestions? Should I ask if I can give the free makeover away on my blog? Is that rude? Help!!!!


Anyway, last night my Star Trek Gelskin giveaway ended. The response on that was staggering, thank goodness I've got my comments numbered. So, out of 4 comments, one of which wasn't even an entry, #2 was randomly chosen!

mormonhermitmom said... 2

I'm a recovering Trekkie. The last series (Enterprise) lost me after the first season.
I would choose the Mobile Entertainment laptop because it had the most Gigs. The rest of the tech info I was totally lost on. Time to go back to school huh?

Congrats, mormonhermitmom! I'm sure that this will be just as exciting as winning a laptop! No seriously, I hope you do like it and can use it!

Don't forget to enter my other giveaways there on the right!

Oh my heck I'm in the top 10! Please vote for me!!

So, remember when I wrote this post for the Momlogic Mother of all bloggers contest? Well, guess what??!!! I just found out I'm in the top 10 and now I will be begging everyone I know to go vote for me so I can win a laptop and be featured on Momlogic for their big Mother's Day shindig!!!
Do a little dance, shake a little booty, my cruddy day just turned happy smiley groovy!

Okay, here's the deal you guys. You have to go vote for me. If you love me, or like me, or tolerate me, or have heard of me, or have pity on me, please go vote!

(okay, okay, enough begging yet?)

So, to vote go HERE and click on the little circle by The Mom Nerd (that's me!) and then click on vote. It's so easy I could do it in my sleep!
Please tell all your friends and family and on twitter and facebook and wherever else and get them helping me out too! Thanks so much!!

Ready for a change

First of all, I can't believe I haven't posted since Thursday! The sad part is that I just barely noticed. I really had no idea it had been that long.

Second, I couldn't stand the pink anymore and needed a change. Same graphic at the top, different everything else. It's a work in progress so bear with me.

Third, still no luck with jobs, I spent probably 4 hours today filling out applications for Eldon. I am pretending that I am not going out of my mind. Well, trying anyway.

Fourth, my Grandma's funeral was not sad for me. I know she is in a better place and that she's no longer in pain. I still don't really know how to explain my mixed feelings, it's pretty personal and I don't want to put anything in a bad light. So I am going to send you over to my sister's blog here where you can read more about her and her funeral if you'd like.

Fifth, I don't blame you if you are yawning to death reading this post. Booooring. But I am completely uninspired in the writing front lately. I know there are things I'm forgetting, awards I've gotten that I need to post about and other "business" that I know I didn't write down and have forgotten. So if you know of anything, please remind me!

And please, please, pray that we can find a job. And pray that I can find my brain. ;)

A cause I can get behind!

I have something I'm really excited about that I want to share with you. But first, here are the reasons I am sharing:

• I have been trying to find ways that I can help others and stop thinking about, well, you know......stressful stuff.
  
• I need to get off my lazy bum, out of this computer chair once in a while and get moving!

And this wonderful opportunity is going to help motivate me! (I hope)

All I have to do is....WALK. Yep, that's right. Every day that I walk or run I then sign in to BeeWell Miles and log how many miles I walk.

Now why would I want to do that? Because for every mile, Bumble Bee Foods will donate $0.15 for every mile logged at BeeWell Miles (up to $200,000) to help Breast Cancer Network of Strength provide emotional support to those who can't wait for tomorrow's cure.

How much do you think I can help raise for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength utilizing BeeWell Miles ?

And if you can, will you help me? Because right now I need to do something for someone else....and it's a bonus that it helps me too!

In a funk.....

So maybe you have noticed that it's Thursday and I haven't posted since Monday? Or maybe not..... I don't know how anyone has time to read this, I can't seem to find the time to brush my teeth lately. (so gross.....of course I still brush them.....but you know what I mean.)

I am in such a funk. I don't want to do anything, I can't get excited about anything, I just feel so.....blah. I wish spring would just come for real already and I wish we'd just get a job so I know what the heck we're doing. I think I told you we had three interviews. We've only heard back from one so far and they told him he was their #2 choice and that he did everything right. And then we found out today that a retired college professor got that job, so not big shocker there that we didn't. Plus that one was in a place that I didn't want to move so I'm not too sad about it. But still...

I know that things will work out. But this waiting game is a pain. And I feel so guilty because I have no passion or motivation for anything in my life. I'm ready to be done with preschool and piano and my calling and all the other responsibilities I have here. But that's lame too because for one I need the money, and two, I can't fink out just because I'm in a funk. So lame.

My twins are turning 2 on Monday and I haven't planned a single thing. I guess we'll have a cake or something that night but do you see what a slacker I am right now?

So I need some advice. What can I do to get out of my funk? Any suggestions for last minute birthday ideas?

Because I obviously need help.

I know I'm tired when I'm not writing blog posts in my head all day

I would love to write something witty

or profound

or touching.

I'd love to say that I am up on all the issues of the day

and that I have something interesting or even controversial to say about it.

I'd love to have a great story to share

to make you laugh

or cry.

Maybe tomorrow.

Spring is in the air....... and begging.

I can remember exactly one week ago. How I felt. Warm, sunshine, budding, blossoming green. A light heart, plans for my very first garden. Excitement for a summer of lazy warm days, the real possibility of buying a house, finally. Plans for next year, preschool, piano, activities with the young women that I work with. A light step, a cheerful heart, excitement for the future even though things are not so great in our country right now. Things were so, so good in my life. I couldn't be blessed more.

Now I'm looking at a spring and summer of trying to find my husband a job, packing, finding a house, yard sales, cleaning, organizing, moving. I know we will find a job, we may even finally buy a house! Organizing and cleaning is always a good goal, and the move will be fine. It's not the spring and summer I anticipated, and I know there will be a lot of tears to leave the wonderful people here behind, but I guess I'm realizing that like the fresh changes of spring, we are embarking on our own fresh changes. And the Lord is looking out for us so it will be the right thing, whatever happens.

But there is one thing that I think would really cheer us up. I normally don't talk about other contests much here, I usually post them on S.C.A.G, but this was one I wanted to share because although I'd love to win it I'd be excited to have one of my readers win it as well! With all the heartache of losing our job wouldn't it be amazing if we found a great job, a house, and then won this??!! Okay, best to not get ahead of myself......even if we were still renting it would be fantastic to put it in Grandma and Grandpa's yard! I was so impressed with what I learned about this Three Ring Adventure play set and Kids Creations, the company that makes them. And that's not all!! You can also win a Canon PowerShot SD1100 Digital Elph (Elph just means the camera is part of the compact digital camera line from Canon)!! That way you can take great pictures of your new playground set!! Is this not the sweetest giveaway ever!!??

If you want to find out more about these fabulous products and the giveaway go to Dad Blogs and check it out! And if you win make sure you share the great news with me!! Good luck!!

By the way, if you sign up on Dad Blogs I can get extra entries!! If you do can you please email me or leave a comment with your username on Dad Blogs so I can get extra entries??? I guess I'm not above begging....
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Betcha Didn't know........

That I don't look around too closely when I'm in a bathroom somewhere else after the time that I looked over and there was a mirror right next to where I was.....*ahem*...... sitting.

*shudder*

And I would equally bet that this bit of information is something that you would have been perfectly happy to not know. So sorry about that.

Auds at Barking Mad made me do it. I'm kinda in the mood to win something and a very cool Twilight package seemed like just the thing. (I don't own any of the books and I want to)

Can you blame me?

Interview with.....well, not Barbara Walters

I know I talk about Jane at What About Mom way waaaay too much. I think I've single- handedly given her an oversize ego... almost. So I like to read her blog, think she's funny, and also a pretty incredible person. Big whoop. She hasn't even put my button on her blog. (you know I love ya! ;) Well, this time she wants to hear from me. Okay, so maybe it's only because I asked her to interview me in reply to this post but still. Here are my answers to her deep and philisophical questions......

5 Questions for You

1. Which of your kids do you worry about most? Why?

My kids? Worry? Pshaw! My kids are perfect. That should be obvious. *cough* Okay, okay, fine. I suppose I worry about them all but at this point in my life I definitely worry most about my oldest. He is like a little roller coaster with his emotions. I honestly can't figure him out half the time. One minute he is the sweetest little boy you ever did see, and the next it's like this little swamp monster comes out to play. I think what I worry about most is that he doesn't like church, doesn't like to pray or read his scriptures, and he's only 8. I just can't imagine what we have in store..... But we love him, he knows we love him, he knows his Father in Heaven loves him, and we're teaching him, so I know it will turn out okay.

2. How did you know your husband was the right man for you? Have you ever seriously doubted that in the years since getting married, and if so, how did you work it out?

Aaaah. I love talking about my man. He is my hunkahunka burnin love! To answer this question I have to give a bit of history. When I graduated H.S. I had my life all mapped out. College, mission, then marriage and kids. Instead I did marriage, kids, finish college, and someday go on a mission. So when I met Eldon I was so NOT looking to get married. I just wanted to date and have fun, finish school then get out there serving the Lord. Problem was, for the first time ever out of all the guys I had dated I found that I didn't want to date anyone else. I was like, weird.

Our dating and courtship is a long funny story but you probably want the short version. So we met in Sept, first date in Oct, he came to my house in Cali after Christmas, proposed, I said yes, and we were married July 31 of the next year. Now, the question is, why did I say yes? Because I knew I couldn't let him go. And when he got down and proposed, unexpectedly, I had this warm peaceful feeling wash over me from head to toe. And I knew. In the coming months of engagement I doubted and thought whattheheckamIdoing Idon'twanttogetmarriedyet!!??? But over and over again I went back to that feeling, and I still knew. There was no denying it. And when I knelt with him across that alter I knew, and to be honest I've never doubted since. Not once.

3. Have you ever practiced your acceptance speech for an award that’s pretty out of your league? Which award? How does your speech start?

*Ahem* Thank you so much to all of my adoring fans who are here with me today to celebrate this auspicious occasion. I know that I would not be here today if it were not for you. I'd most of all like to thank my very special cat, who has stayed by my side through all of the trials that any person of greatness inevitably finds themselves faced with. Pookie has been my hero and champion, cheering me on. So as I accept this award today I want to say thank you. Thank you for choosing me as the most wonderful blogger in the world.

No, really. I can't even think of a single award I want. And I'm allergic to cats.

4. Has this recession affected you yet? How? Are you afraid of what’s to come?

I can't say that it has really affected us personally. Except to just freak me out. To be perfectly honest I don't pay that much attention to it. I pretty much never watch the news. I have the hide your head under a blanket and pretend everything is good philosophy.

But I can't say I'm afraid of what's to come. I know what's going to come. I'm scared for my children, but I also know that whatever happens it will all come out right in the end. Some things I have been doing that are partly in response to the recession is get more serious about my food storage, start learning more survival skills, be more frugal, and we have taken a good look at our budget and debt and we now have a plan of action. I still don't know what we'd do if we lost our job. I doubt we could make it even a month without a paycheck at this point. We just found out yesterday about one teacher at my husband's school getting laid off for next year so that is scary. But we just keep our lives full of prayer and hope.

5. Underwire or not?

LOL, I love this question. Recession to bras....only Jane. I hope no creepy guys are reading this. I tend to not wear one as often as I can because I hate 'em. But it's pretty necessary that I do and when I do only underwire does the job.


Okay, now to my readers. If you would like ME to ask YOU some interview questions let me know in the comments. First five win!!

I guess I'm not a Cali girl anymore......

Last week I went back to my home town where my brother and sister-in-law live. It was where I lived from ages 8 to 18. When people ask me where I'm from I still say Southern California, but I realized this past week that I don't feel like a California girl anymore. Although maybe I never really did.......

My Mom has always been a fan of the Beach Boys and I grew up hearing "I wish they all could be California girls...." What do you think of when you hear California girl? Long blonde hair, deep brown tan, 5'7", about 110 pounds, trim and fit. And maybe like a bit of like, I don't know, like a valley girl accent, like totally for sure? I'm sure that you readers, as smart as you are, have no such misconceptions. And I'm living proof. When I lived there I went to the beach probably about once a year, I rarely had a tan, I'm only 5'6", my hair is blah brown, and I think I was 110 pounds in about the 4th grade, but I don't remember because I wasn't paying attention then.

But really, none of that matters. I lived in California and I was a girl, so I was a California girl. So what if I lived in the High Desert where the only trees were these hideous joshua trees that were no good for climbing, lived on a horrible dirt road, had lizards on my pillow, scorpions in the silverware drawer and rattlesnakes in the garage? We really did live in a neat place. We were 30 minutes from the mountains and a ski slope, 1 1/2 hours from the beach and disneyland, and pretty much about 2 hours or less from anything else you could ever want to do, if you could see through the smog and survive the horrible freeways with very rude drivers. (I know, not everyone there is, but holy cow there were a lot of rude drivers this last week.) And we had amazing sunsets and storms.

But going back I realized something. There's no pull for me there anymore. I don't belong. I have fun and I enjoy it but I also can't wait to get home. I so wish I could be close to my brother but even that isn't enough draw for me. I remembered the beautiful sunsets from my childhood but when we were there all I saw was this yellowish glow. The smog has moved up over the mountains and over my home town. The town has grown, but at the same time it hasn't. Things have changed, but they haven't, and the thing that has changed the most, is, well.....me.

There was this moment last week when it all came back to me so strong. The feelings, smells, sounds, sights, emotions, everything came back and I felt as if I was that girl again. And that moment was really enlightening. I have this tendency to look back on that girl and wish so much that I could be her again. Full of faith that came so easily, the future wide open before me, excited, energetic, active, hopeful. So often I look back and that's what I see and fear I've lost it.

But I realized I haven't. It was an amazing realization. I'm still that girl. Only better. Oh, thank heavens I finally had an epiphany, better! Hallelujah! And I also realized that I am so glad that life has taken me where it has. In this little Utah town that I hated so much at first and now love. With this little family that came quicker than I originally planned but that I love fiercely, and tenderly. And here is where I belong.

For now........


*That last picture is ironically of me with some gals on our choir trip to Disney World in Florida. I'm in the white shirt with sleeves in the back. It's the closest I could find to show that "me" I was talking about.

You miss me?

Hello friends! Just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive! I'm enjoying my stay in California today watching 7 kids with my sister in law while my hubby, oldest son, brother, SIL, and their two older kids go to Disneyland. Woopeee!!! Tomorrow we are going to the beach though so that should be fun. As long as it's not too cold. Hope you are all having a great week! I will post pictures of my brother's art show soon. Talk to you later!

My fabulous Five Faves on Fri....I mean Wednesday

Boy, the fact that it's Wednesday sure kills the heck out of my sweet alliteration. Oh, wait a sec! It's Tuesday! Ha Ha! I am so brain dead. I just wrote all that and then realized it's not even Wednesday. Oh well, I'm leaving the title as evidence of my lack of brain waveage. (yes,I know,not a word)

Anyhoo, you all know how much I love giving you stuff! I even love giving you secret stuff! (and one day I will finish those CD's and send them out, I'm so sorry! You will get one if you asked for one, I promise!) But....I actually love winning stuff too. I know, weird. Well, Auds over at Barking Mad is doing one sweet awesome giveaway of a $250 Target card. And I love me the stuff at Target and I think it's a fun one so I'm joining in! Here's the dealio. I have to link here to my FIVE FAVORITE posts. Of mine. At first I thought it was your five posts on other blogs which would be easy but it's mine. So after much (a minute or two) deliberation, here they are in no particular order:

That's why I say Thanks Everyday
Official Thanksgiving poem by yours truly. I know, I'm so talented it's beyond belief.

The Big Bad Blog
This is a good example of the crazy me. I mean I'm always crazy but it doesn't always come out on these little black keys, ya know?

If Only They Knew
A little glimpse into the deep deeper deeperest part of me. The part that makes me who I am. The part that I want to share with everyone and shout from the rooftops but without scaring anyone away. Yeah, it's that important to me.

My Heart is Full to Bursting
I know I've shared this post and the big bad blog before, guess I need to get some new good writing on here. If they're even good. In this one I share an AMAZING story of one family who took a time of grief and turned it into a time of love.

You are going to Die Tomorrow
Not really, silly. It's just the title of my post. A post about the last thing I want to smell before I die. Hoping it's my great grandbabies though. Oh, and btw, didn't win the guitar hero.

Okie dokie-o! Those are my five faves! Kinda hoping you'll visit them. You can always comment on them and leave a magic word for more entries in my secret giveaway.

Oh! And if you want a chance to win a $250 Target card blog your five faves and link back to Barking Mad!

P.S. I will post a tutorial tomorrow about how to make yerself a really cool button like mine. You ask, I deliver. And so glad that the numbering comments is working for so many of you!

I, Sharla, solemnly swear.....

that I will NEVER let my house get this messy again.

I will NEVER let my laundry build up like this again.

I did wake up late, at 9, but I have been working all day with a quick break to the store and I have only gotten the 3 bedrooms upstairs done and some laundry. Of course, they were pretty (disgustingly) bad, but you know.

Gone are the days when I could clean the entire house (or apartment) in one day. At least not with it this dirty.

My back is killing me. I am disgusting and sweaty. I am exhausted and was hoping by now I could hang out on the computer for the rest of the night, take a bath, give myself a pedicure and watch a chick flick....something.

Nope. No can do. But I just wanted to say hi, and sit down if even for only 5 minutes.

I was going to take before and after pictures but the camera is in the diaper bag with hubby and the kids. Sorry. I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend. Off I go back to the kitchen.....ugh.

By the way, you have three hours to enter my Which Watch giveaway......enter while you can. Wish I could win this one myself.

I must have been tired since I gave this no title.

I'm sitting here...... (what? you thought I blogged standing up? Maybe while doing some sit ups?)

Nope.

Not me. Just sitting. Wondering what to write. There are so many different topics, ramblings, rants, happydayalliswells running through my head, but the buzzing won't stay still long enough for me to catch one of those little boogers and make it

sit. stay. good blog.

Nope.

So guess what? I am alone right now. (Doesn't that sound like the beginning of murdermysterykillerstalkerthriller?) But no, really, I am alone.

Until Sunday.

It's been all of, I don't know, three hours. I had it all planned out. Bath, pedicure, a night of net surfing, actually whatever I want. But know what it is?

Lonely. Quiet. (my playlist keeps playing the dumbest songs) Messy. And the lamest part of all....I'm tired. Like ready to go to bed and fall asleep for a week tired.

But you know why I stayed home instead of going with the boys up to visit the in laws? No, it's not because it's my in laws, they're pretty great. It's because I have to clean. Uninterrupted. And do about a million loads of laundry. Starting tomorrow. I was giving myself tonight to veg. But I'm tired. And if I go to bed it will be tommorrow. And I have to clean tommorrow. Really truly. No putting it off any longer. So I don't want to go to bed.

So I'm going to go chat on Twitter instead.

But if you see me online tomorrow before 2 you tell me to get right off and get back to the mess!

One of those days.....

Wish it was the weekend Wednesday

Remember my "memes"? Boy, have they all come true. And I do wish it was Friday. This is already one of those days......

I'm tired. We even had a three day weekend last weekend but today I just feel down to the bone, can't do another thing, tired. I just want to go back to bed, ya know?

I've got a fever, I'm hot and cold at the same time, and my hands are shaking. I have preschool today, then piano, and I'm trying to decide if I should reschedule or just muck through it. I hate rescheduling, I can't stand letting people down. I despise being sick. I don't have time for it, ya know?

A while ago on the news they had a little "tester" where they switched over to digital tv so you'd know if you were ready or not. According to the test we were fine, we still had tv. So why did all of our channels go blank yesterday if we were supposedly fine? Luckily we don't watch much TV but now I'm definitely going to miss Lost tonight. It's just annoying, ya know?

My house is a disgrace. If you saw it you would cringe. I need to clean, I hate to clean but I've just got to do it. But I'm just so tired. And my laundry....well, we won't even go there. I like blogging, and reading blogs, and I love my new job at The Giveaway. But it's so easy to do those things instead of laundry or cleaning. So..... so.... incredibly, mind numbingly easy, ya know?

My life is amazing. Do I really have a single thing to complain about? No. Am I blessed beyond belief? Yes. Are there things I should be doing that should be so so easy? Yes. But do I do them? No. Do I feel like there is this weight bearing down on me that I can't get off of me? Yes. But do I also know of One who can help bear my burden, as imagined as it may be? Yes. And I know it's time to turn to Him.

Fail to shower Friday (already failed)

How many of you have seen or do "memes" I think they're being called? They are weekly/daily posts with a theme. For example, Not me Monday, Tell all Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Thankful Thursday....you get the idea. Maybe you do them yourself and that is fantastic, really, I admire you.

I did the Not Me Monday thing once on my family blog. Once. It looked fun, the ones I had read were funny and I wanted to hop on board.

So what's my problem? I can't commit. I can't promise that I will want to do those things on those days and that I will then want to post about it. Sorry, no go. I know it would be great and I'd be getting more done if I did Tackle it Tuesday or Works for me Wednesday.

But it aint gonna happen. Sorry, guys. So here is my week of memes. I promise you that I will commit to doing these things every week on these days. I don't promise I'll blog about it though......

Sing a hymn Sunday

Maybe make it out of bed Monday

Trip on a toy Tuesday

Wish it was the weekend Wednesday

Throw away a diaper Thursday

Fail to Shower (Clean) Friday
(this is the only day I don't teach preschool, piano or voice lessons)

Sleep in Saturday

So there you have it. I'm commited. And I promise I won't let you down (uhhh, maybe). Care to join me?

*Edited to add* My dear readers...I promised you and I already failed. I could no longer stand my own smell in the late afternoon and I took a shower. So now my friday is edited to be Failed to _______. Because I guarantee I'll always be so tired that I'll fail to do something I should.

The problem with vacation.....

is that it ends too soon. Even my vacation that wasn't exactly a vacation ended too soon. Friday was fantastic. We drove to Provo, visited a music store, checked in to our hotel, visited some stores, went swimming in the big warm pool for more than an hour, had a late dinner and slept in a huge ultra comfy bed. It was the nicest room we've ever stayed in and it was in a Hotel. That means you have to go inside to get to your room and even take an elevator.

Oh yeah baby, high class, that's what we were. (Disregard the fact that the only reason we got to stay there is because we had won a $100 gift certificate). I took a picture of the view from our window.

We woke up Saturday, too early but refreshed and went out to the fascinating Conducting Conference. I left Eldon to weather the Orchestra section that morning alone and then met him again for lunch.

After lunch he was the third one to conduct and in the 10 years since I've known him I have never, and I mean never seen him so nervous. I still can't figure out why he was so nervous. He did the hardest movement (which nobody else did), and he did a great job and was also the only one who got spontaneous applause.

Overall a great weekend. Just wish it wasn't over..................