CountDown - UpDate

We went and did proxy sealings at the temple last night. Just getting in a little practice before the big day! ;)

Things Are Looking Up

My mood this week has exactly paralleled the weather here in Utah -- cold, dark, and dreary. I have been incredibly stressed out between wedding plans, conference plans, and temple celebration plans. Way too much planning going on and only the wedding plans are fun -- though they too have given me many moments of stress.

I am happy to report that yesterday afternoon the sun began shining through the clouds outdoors as well as inside my head and now Spring is nearly here again.

It all began with a chance encounter in the tunnels under Temple Square of several men I love and respect. Just a simple "Hello" from many of them lifted my heavy heart.

Then a long lunch with my wonderful mother of all-you-can eat Olive Garden salad, breadsticks, and soup. That really does a body good.

A little retail therapy last night with Jill and a short but sweet phone conversation with my Dave.

Then I got a good night's sleep (an anomaly this week) and the sun was brightly shining outside my windows as I left for work.

The cherry on top was a phone call regarding a huge event I have coming up in May -- it looks like their 17 rehearsals may be whittled down to 4. And just like that whatever clouds lingered in my head completely disappeared.

Now it's a beautiful day!


Photo Credits

Art Exhibit Opening

The Conference Center has a brand new art exhibit!

What:
The 8th International Art Competition
"Remembering the Great Things of God"

Where:
LDS Conference Center
60 W. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City Utah

When:
Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Why:
Every three years the Church sponsors an art competition as a way to find new art for the Church History Museum as well as to see the works of member artists. Apparently, several artists found through the art competition have later been commissioned to do work in the temples. For the first time ever, selected works entered into the competition are on display at the Conference Center. Come check it out...but come with an hour or more to spare so that you can take in all the exhibit has to offer. It is AMAZING!

Click here to see it online.

Strange Encounter

This morning on TRAX a portly, sort of scruffy looking gentleman boarded the train at the Planetarium station. He was standing a few seats in front of me but then moved to the seat across the aisle from mine when it vacated at the next stop. Just before we reached the Temple Square station he advanced toward my seat and asked me if I was enjoying my magazine -- The Ensign. Somewhat startled, I replied that I was very much enjoying it.

Immediately thoughts and suspicions flashed through my mind. Was this guy going to attack me physically or verbally because I was reading a religious magazine on public transportation? I remained calm and told myself that he wouldn't dare in such a crowded train and that I needed to stand firm in my witness of this periodical.

He then asked me where he could get a copy. I replied that they are available for only $1.50 in the basement of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at the corner of South Temple and Main Street.

At this point his countenance softened a bit and his concluding question surprised me. "What does it talk about?"

I looked him in the eye and replied, "The gospel of Jesus Christ."

"The gospel of Jesus Christ," he repeated. "That's good."

The train stopped at the Temple Square station and he disembarked. I too got off at that stop only two people behind him. Out on the platform I looked to see where the man went to but he was no where to be found. I have no idea where he could have gone in the 8 seconds he was out of my sight. It's kind of eerie but I am grateful for the brief opportunity to bear my testimony of this marvelous gospel of Jesus Christ.

Click here to read more about the Ensign, a monthly publication from
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Favorite Commercials

Take a few minutes to watch my three new favorite commercials.

I'm a little late joining the bandwagon but I have finally discovered "Mormon Messages" on YouTube. Click here to check out their complete list of videos and then click here to see what Mormons are all about.

Daily Good Deeds

Truly, this life is all about doing good deeds for others. Our daily good deeds will make us happier, will lift others, will bless our life and theirs.

One Month

Yes, ladies and gentlemen,
we are only one (1) month away!

My Future Hubby

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVE
I LOVE YOU

Last week I was tagged on one of the many Facebook notes going around. This one is entitled, How well do you know your husband? Sadly, I don't know the answers to many of these questions and I'm only sort of certain that the rest are correct. But here it goes anyway--I'll have to ask him later how well I did.

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Football or an action/adventure movie

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Ranch

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Pickles

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Water, because that's all I ever order. If I weren't there to sway his decision he might order something else--I don't know for certain.

5. Where did he go to high school?
Viewmont High School

6. What size shoe does he wear?
10 1/2

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
I have no idea. Dental instruments?

8. What kind of sandwich does he like?
Grilled Cheese--I think

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
probably Scrambled Eggs or Omelets

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch--at least that's the only one I've ever seen him eat

11. What would he never wear?
anything advertising the U of U

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Steelers, at least when they're in fashion

13. Who did he vote for?
I'm pretty sure it was McCain

14. Who is his best friend?
Chelsea!

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Nothing - I'm practically perfect in every way :) (We're still wearing rose-colored glasses. Ask me this again in a couple of months and I'm sure I'll have a real answer.)

16. What is his favorite color?
I believe that would be Blue

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
No cake--Marie Calendar's Coconut Cream Pie

18. Did he play sports in high school?
No, I don't think he did.

19. What could he spend hours doing?
Watching NFL Football and playing with Amortization Charts--and he has

20. What is one unique talent he has?
Juggling

And The Winners Are

We have finally selected the photos for our wedding invitations and the winners are...

C.
These went on just a few select invitations sent out to my family and friends because they best matched the handful of different colored paper.

I.
This photo went out to the remainder of my friends and family.

J.
Dave chose this photo for his family and friends.

All we have left to do now is address, stamp, and seal the envelopes then send them on their way. Watch for yours to arrive soon!

Tax Season

I have just one question:

Why does the state of Utah
have to make it so difficult?

I spent more than an hour last night trying to figure out why I owed the state so much money before I realized that line 32 was wrong.

32 UTAH TAX WITHEHLD from TC-40W, Part 1

Why can't they make our lives easier and say,

32 UTAH TAX WITHEHLD from W-2, Box 17

I mean, really. It's all the same thing but my little accounting-challenged brain actually knows what "W-2" means.

The good news is that I have finished my taxes! They are signed, sealed, and in the mail and now I'm waiting to see the refunds show up in my bank account. That's a very good thing!

picture credits

Fiancé on the Loose

Dave took off earlier this week to visit his brother and family in Las Vegas. They have ended up in Anaheim and now he keeps taunting me with pictures he regularly sends from his phone.

I hope he's having a miserable time there without me.
But, I don't think he is.