September 11th.

I remember what I was doing this day in 2001. I was just waking up to get ready to go to UNLV. My Mom had came into my room to tell me to turn on the news. It was around 550 am . I was looking at the news and they were reporting a fire at the World Trade Center. I saw people that were waving out of the upper windows for rescue. I remember feeling horrible and that this isn't real. I was remebering when I was 16 and was lucky enough to take a tour of World Trade Center and getting to stand on top of the roof where the antennas where. I sat there glued to the television and thinking this is out of a movie. Then as I heard commentaries I saw the unthinkable...

I was thinking..'OH NO!' My heart just sank. I rememebered that day that me and my mom were sharing my car, because hers was under repairs. She had dropped me off at the Institute..and I was in Brother Rowberry's class. Brother Rowberry was a Chaplain for the Air Force. And it was such comfort for all of my classmates to sing patriotic songs, and to talk about what was going on this day. It was like the world had stopped. And it truly did. Strangers were friendly.  I remember there was alot of chatter on the campus about what was going to be hit next, because by then, the Pentagon had been hit and so had another plane gone down in a field in Pensylvannia. We felt like we were being under attack. UNLV rumors were flying, we heard...they were planning to attack the Stratosphere, and the strip because this is the city of sin.

Something else that was really odd before the attacks and during was in my World Literature Class. The week before we had started reading this...

The Quran

The terrorists were muslim. And the Quran was the scriptures for the Muslim people. There were alot of prejudices during this time towards Muslim people, but I respected Muslims and there beliefs,  and they were not responsible. It helped me to understand the muslim religion, not the attack itself. I also remember going to my Anthropologie of Aging class and I remember my professor said that this was our defining moment for our generation. And it would become a different time too.

I remember leaving campus early that day, I couldn't stand to be there. I wanted to be home. And when I got home I felt like I needed to do something other than watching replays of the Towers being hit and collapsing. So I stood in line...

At least I could do something. But for me, I was so sad. It was so healing to be standing with my neighbors and trying to do some good for someone. We felt united. During that time, for almost a week there were no aircrafts of any kind. It was very strange for the skies to be so quiet. Patriotism was everywhere. I miss that today.

But today on the anniversary of 9/11 we have images of these...

A piece of the beam from the WTC. On display at Freemont Street.

I hope someday to visit.

~September llth is also my Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary. They would have been married 40 yrs today. Happy Anniversary, not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I love and miss you so much.~





Dear Mom.

Hi Mom,
I wanted to write you a note. I wanted to say Happy Birthday, I can't believe you would have been 70! I miss you. The hardest part would have to be leaving work and not being able to call you and say it actually. I even miss going through the aisles at Hallmark and getting you a cute card. I really miss that. But I guess its kind of redundant to send a card to someone who isn't here. But I think its a nice idea. I am just doing things today that make me think of you....somethings that you would do. Although I played the sympathy card today, I truly didn't want to work today, however I had a lovely night last night. I even made it to Boulder City today. I know you are not there, but its nice to reflect there...its so peaceful.

I think you would approve of my weekend. We're going to have a girls trip to St.George. I made my plans with you in mind...but I loved SG every bit as much as you. I made a big mistake in my planning. I had a lot on my mind. But I just love to go up there to goof off. Not for a reason or anything, you know how we did spur of the moment trips? Kinda like that. But I am not trying  to sit here in a corner and boo hoo. You got to live life and move forward, but sometimes I reflect on the should haves and what ifs.  Life's been good...and sometimes its hard.  I try to take it day by day.

But I will have fun with my friends and we will celebrate. I miss you and dad , there have been so many times I wanted to ask your opinons on this and that. I'm doing my best to make you both proud. I admit though, September is just rough.  I don't know what the future has in store, but I know you and dad are keeping an eye on me. I will continue on :)...and I'm ok.

                    ~ I love you and miss you much~

                        Someday, I will get a scanner. Until then....Graduation night at PF Chang's.

Dear Blog....

Its been a crazy week. A stressful week! Can I just say that?! But the week is almost over. Thank goodness. And I am so grateful to have friends that I can just spew and vent with. I will call them my double-checkers in life....like the times I wish I could talk to my Mom and Dad. I am sure glad to have these wonderful people in my corner! :) I know that i'm not given anything that I can't handle, but it doesn't always look like sunshine and roses...although sometimes I wish that it did. But isn't that what chocolate is for? Oh anyway. If any of my friends or fans :) are reading this looking for some inpiration..i'm tapped out. But I did like the last post, so go to that. I'm off tonight, i'm going to attempt those canning skillz once again...because I need to stay awake. I'm so tired. I hate having a day off in between my night schedule! It throws me off.  Anyways. Off to the showers, and to my kitchen table to pit my cherries...

Livin' the goodlife. Or Provident life.

Be back to report on the success or failure of my latest adventure. Until then, TTFN. Ta Ta For Now!

Monday Inspirations...

When I woke up this morning, I asked myself, "What is life all about?" I found the answer in my room...the fan said, "Be cool." The roof said, "Aim high." The window said, "See the world!" The clock said, "Every minute is precious." The mirror said, "Relect before you act." The calendar said, "Be up to date." The door said, "Push hard for your goals." The floor said, "Kneel down and pray."

~Thanks Kathy

Sugarland!!!

I should be napping now. But here I am...again. My weekend was fun, but I am super pooped. I worked my usual Thurs night, no big deal. Then for some reason I couldn't sleep at all! I mean go figure. I usually have no problem. But we are having our heat wave I guess...but in Las Vegas, thats our normal. I I find it amusing they have heat warnings now, I mean where were they when I was growing up? Its called you live in the desert, you goof. Deal with it! So, I didn't go to sleep until noon..and I overslept big time, till like 730pm. I had so much to do when I got up...and it kind of went down the toilet. So..I ran to the post office, after eating my dinner after 10. And then I didn't go to sleep till 3am. I tell you, I felt so backwards....and then...got up at 730 am, again. I was  waiting for banks to open, and i'm so glad mine are on satudays :). Went to breakfast..and then got my banking stuff done...then off to get Jessie up.  Phew!

I was home like for an hour. Then I get a call from my grandma, who wants to stay somewhere cooler than her home which is a swamp cooler...house was hotter than haiti, I ran over a key, invited her over...she went to a church mtg. Went to a mexican store...

Seriously....a party in a store. Aye Caramba! :)

  Unfortunately..when I go into these mexican stores, sometimes I land myself into trouble. I had the pleasure of holding up a line for what seemed like forever because they couldn't run a check that I wrote. My debit card had been tampered, and I was awaiting the new, so for now...checks it is.  I must admit...I would much rather use my card. Don't realize how much I miss it until its gone. :(

After I loaded the groceries...I saw the skies above, and the rain smell in the air....     
To Henderson. Of course! Time to pick up Joeleene. To Sugarland we go!!!

But first...back to my house to get ready, and put groceries away. And I get a call from my grandma, who tells me she fell again.  I'm freaking out a little...I have somenone go look in on her cause i'm on my way out the door...she is doing ok. NOW....off to dinner, i've been waiting for this...:)

Texas de Brazil at Town Square. Do you see the windows there?

Oh dear. Joeleene, didn't get the full shot, LOL. But here I am. :) See the guy opening the door?

After we took pictures...we walked around the ENTIRE restaurant trying to find the front door.  ;)

                                   "Where's the door?"  :)

I didn't know how much influence I had...because I turn around to see a big group of people following us. Hahaha! The first picture I took of the restaurant, the window was the door. I amuse easy!

Texas de Brazil is a Churrascaria. Churrascario is Portugese for grilled meat.

First go grab your grub from the salad bar...

                                         Then when you are ready...flip your card, Green means go, Red means stop.
                                                   Stop what? You ask.....

Waiters come...one by one and keep offering you cuts of meat. I think I might go vegetarian this week, LOL. I do love steak!

My tiny diet coke. When offered refills...I asked "Do you charge per bottle?" Waiter: "yes."  Me "Then I will drink water." :P

It was so good! I ate here at the reccomendation of friends that have been here multiple times. But, its pricey...it maybe a one time thing for me. But you can get coupons on their website. But come hungry!!

 Next, time for the concert.....

Our seats were high in the sky high....rafters high. But it was still great!

                                              But at least I was the top row against the wall...its a party. ;)
                                                     First up....Sarah Barrelis

I love this song.

Next up was the main act....Sugarland!!  :D

I can see them now....

Our view....

It was such a good concert.  Thanks Joeleene, had a great time!

Great service comes from the heart. Will you be a Johnny today?

A Heart to Heart.

In Relief Society, we were given the opportunity and challenge to read this book

As we do our visiting teaching each month, we are reminded to have a  "Heart to Heart" moment.
This book is about taking time out to make room for God's love in your life. If you have an inspiring list, I encourage you to add this to your list.

The Experiment is this: One thing that the book stresses is not to do anything out of the ordinary in your day. I.E baking a loaf of bread, or a plate of cookies, in order to succeed in this experiment.
From the book  it says this-

1. I will become more aware of the condition of my heart, and with that awareness, seek to keep it more open toward others
2. I will do this in the normal course of my life, in other words, not feel pressured to put any extra activities into my day-no extra visits, casseroles,etc.
3. I will notice the Spirit and be willing to honestly report what happened or didn't happen. In doing so,  I will try to understand my personal stumbling blocks and strengths.

We were given these cute little journals to write down our thoughts...but I am just gonna post what I have noticed this first week into my experiment, having read the book...and just living my day to day. First, at work..I am in the service industry, ahem...nursing! And, the hospital is trying to improve their service excellence...in particular the HCAP scores...which are based around the customer's perception of our staff. One of the things they are having us write down on the little board in the patient's room is "We are here to listen and meet Your needs." I do my part, and with every patient I now write this down on the board. I think its a nice idea, and personally I have always strived to treat the patient how I would like to be treated, professional, caring, listening, etc. But, I think it takes more than writing down on the plastic board to carry this out. Maybe its supposed to serve as a reminder...then how about this one: Remember Who You Are.  I had two patients yesterday just thanked me for all that I had done, which wasn't out of the ordinary for me, but to them it was huge. Because according to them, the day nurse that took care of them, never made the time for the little things, like passing towels out, or juice. Sometimes, in our lives we get "too busy" to notice these little things.

I went visiting teaching with my new partner, can I just say how nice it is to have a vt partner? And we visited with 2 out of the 3 sisters. I'm going to be honest...I wasn't prepared. But I went out and visited with them, asked them what they were interested in, and we just had a nice time visiting. Fast forward today, I REALLY overslept..like waking up at 6 o'clock at night to a knock at my door, which was my vt teacher, who was exceptionally ready with a lesson..and a treat, to myself, who is in my modest pj's...I told her I was usually up after 4, but not today. And I told her, if she didn't mind if i'm in my pajama's to come on in. It was a very real moment. But that was one of the heart to heart's for me today. It made me realise that our vt's are here for us, no matter if we have an immaculate home, or we just rolled out of bed. ;) I promise to be more presentable next month.

And just in my day to day...somethings I'm just trying to practice, I guess are just to observe people around me, and to realise how I come across with my patients, coworkers, friends, church family...person walking down the street. No matter where you are from , no matter what you practice, or if you don't practice anything at all...its a good experiment.