The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

So, Danny and I didn't send out Christmas cards this year, again.  We did get pictures taken though!  One step closer right?  Is it cheating if I use these pictures for next year's Christmas cards?  That's a rhetorical question, by the way. Wishing you all a very merry and happy Christmas!  Love to you all!

This past week has definitely had it's ups and downs and a few tears have been shed on my behalf. However, I don't want to ignore some instances that really put a smile on face over the past week or two. First, I received the following text from my sister-in-law with the attached picture.  "We just read your blog.  R saw all your foot pics and asked if they were his feet.  So we thought we'd send you a pic of R's feet." How adorable is that?  That little text and picture just made my day.  And I also loved that JanaRae put the pic on facebook as well, because my "smart" phone was being dumb and not allowing me to get the picture off my phone. Thanks JanaRae and Super R! . . . My dear, wonderful friend Eliza has been in town.  We were able to get together one evening to enjoy the Christmas tunes from the band her dad plays in, eat multiple sugary treats, play with her cute daughter and discuss all topics that crossed our minds un...

It's been a rough day amiss the tragedy both in our country and in China.  Nothing hurts my heart more than hearing about violence against young, innocent children.  My heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones today.  Out of all the quotes and thoughts I've heard today, the one that brought me the most comfort was posted by a friend on facebook... "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.'  To this day especially in times of 'disaster', I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world." -Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) To all the helpers, to those who risked their own lives to save the young lives in their care and to those who rushed to the scene to help and rescue, you are heroes to me in every way.  Let us each find ways in our daily ...

Ok, I realize 12/12/12 is more than halfway over, but there is still time to celebrate!  I wanted to do something really spectacular at 12:12pm, but that is hard to do at work.  So my work friend Sarah and I grabbed some Thai food for lunch while we were out running errands.  It was scrumptious.  To commemorate this beautiful, once in a lifetime day Brittany (my wonderfully creative friend) and I have come up with a few ideas. Buy a dozen doughnuts and share with a dozen people.  Krispy Kreme even has a coupon just for today for buy a dozen get a free dozen of doughnuts, yum! You could also follow the above suggestion, but replace the doughnuts with cookies or eggs or anything else that comes in a dozen.  Roses, perhaps? Do 12 random acts of kindness. Eat 12 pieces of candy in 12 seconds.   (Don't choke!) Climb 12 flights of stairs. Call 12 friends or family members and talk to each of them for 12 minutes. Sleep for 12 hours tonig...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in these parts, especially since we got a big snowstorm this weekend.  I don't like being cold, but I do think the landscape looks much prettier with snow, so it's a fair trade off.  During the past couple of weeks Danny and I have been part of quite the holiday festivities.  There is more to come, but here is what we have done so far. Temple Square Lights We went down among the masses to enjoy the Christmas lights on Temple Square along with my fabulous past roommates Rachel and Melissa plus their families.  It was so great to spend some time with them and their spouses. I just love these girls.  Me, Rachel and Melissa. Me and the husband. First Presidency Christmas Devotional Danny and I didn't actually attended the devotional, but instead we sat at home and watched the broadcast.   (This way I can sit on my couch in my pajama pants and munch on quesadillas while enjoying the great ...

If this doesn't put you in the Christmas spirit, I'm not sure what will.  I'm slightly jealous of my friend Lisa who got to be part of this production, so cool! . . . As many of you know, my latest calling at church is working with the young women (teen girls ages 12-18) .  I've spent a lot of time pondering the different things I want these girls to know.  Things that perhaps I was insecure about and didn't know at their age.  In a world that is ever increasing obsessed with looks, I saw the following quote on a blog this morning and I loved it.  Along with the wonderful doctrine from the Young Women theme , I also want these girls to understand this.  (You can find the whole article this quote came from here .) You Don't Have to Be Pretty. You don't  owe  prettiness to anyone. Not to your boyfriend/spouse/partner, not to your co-workers, especially not to random men on the street. You don't owe it to your mother, you don't ...

Nov. 2 - Attending to my civic duties, early might I add. Nov. 2- Date night with Danny and a reward for attending to my civic duties.  I was really brave and tried the pumpkin smoothie. It tasted like pumpkin pie, how heavenly. Nov. 5 - The correct way to celebrate Bon Fire Night aka Guy Fawkes Day.  PS My sister and I held a Cadbury chocolate tasting test that evening.  Fruit & Nut came out the winner for me. Nov. 5 - Oh remember, remember the 5th of November.  Fire burn and cauldron bubble.  Errr, that's not how that poem ends, but it is also British, so it works, right? Nov. 7 - Sister Lunch!  Noelle had an appointment in SLC, so she came and hung out with me afterwards.  Also a little shout out to Kneaders, since our lunch was delicious. Nov. 7 - I work with photographers; therefore, I get to go to very picturesque places. Nov. 8 - U of U Sculpture Club Open House.  I liked the sculpture of the little blobs ...

I haven't blogged for awhile.  Last week was crazy busy with appointments and plans every evening and work throughout the day.  Some plans were more fun than others.  One particularly enjoyable evening I kicked off the Christmas season the correct way by volunteering at Festival of Trees .  Talena and I have volunteered for a few years now.  I feel it is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. This year we staked claim in the wreath section.  Last year we watched over the quilts.  We tend to gravitate to the low foot traffic areas so we can chat while guarding the displays from those passing by.  We also answered questions like, "Does the door come with the wreath?" "No." "How much are the wreaths?"  "Go ask the Information Desk."  "Can I buy this particular wreath?"  "Go ask the Information Desk."  "What time is it?"  "Go ask the Information Desk."  (Ha, kidding, I told people what time it was.) ...