Getting sick.

At the beginning of the week I felt tired and the beginnings of a scratchy throat. Terrified I would get too sick to function, I took a day to kick it in the pants. The second day was better, and half-way through I felt pretty good. The third day I felt absolutely fine. The fourth day, the cold hit me in the face. My first thought was "EXCUSE ME - I took care of you two days ago." There's not a whole lot I can do about it really, besides stuff myself with vitamins and fluids, then go to bed early.

A few weeks ago, my sorority did an activity titled "Arrange the pieces you are given." There are so many things in our lives we don't have control over, but we have control of what we do with those things.

There is nothing I could have done to foresee or prevent the cold. This is so with most events that take place in our lives. We must simply take life a day at a time, learn a day at a time, and make time worth living.

At least a cold is good enough to inspire one more blog post ;) .

Today I ...

• Aided one sister in rescuing and returning to proper owner, two very, very small and lost dogs within 5 minutes.
  
• Almost blinded the other sister by poking her eye quite hard. Don't swing your arm with a pointer finger out if you don't know who is behind you. Just sayin'.
  

A Tale of a Dress.

$20 for bustles and hoop skirt.
$100 for dress.
$15 for crown.
$17 for shoes.
$30 for hair.
$20 for jewelry.
Best costume I've ever worn...you know the word.

I had to have help lacing up the back of the dress. It took my dear lady in waiting almost 10 minutes, thank goodness for her. I took up 2.5 chairs worth of space. Walking down the street required a carrier for the back. Though I began to understand how women who had to wear these dresses on a daily basis felt. You don't have much use but to be an ornament. We played charades at this party, and my Halloween object to act out was a witch hat. I was grateful for something I didn't have to move around much for. I raised my arms to mime a pointed hat, and they stopped half-way up. Thankfully someone got it anyway, with some pointing at someone else's hat. Sitting required a straight back (the dress was a corset on its own). Someone came up to me at the end of the party, and the farewell was "I hope you shrink." Entertained by my own size, people were submitted to being "skirtified" if they sat next to me. What I do want to know, is how men danced with these women with huge skirts. My partner was forced to slide his feet, and even then he caught the hem. After 4 hours my torso had submitted to the dress and I merely sat in it. Another hour it came off; my whole body bent over and could BREATHE! Undoing the hairstyle, I discovered over 40 bobby-pins (a normal hairstyle takes from 2-5), rollers to plump the hair, and two small hair pieces. Many hilarious improv photos (yet to be posted), sore body waking the next morning, and lots of conditioning hair product to remove the hair spray later, the price of wearing an awesome costume is truly - immeasurable.

I am grateful for. . .

Honest people. I was getting ready to leave the house this morning and discovered my wallet was missing. Just an ounce of a problem...I dug through my backpack several times (I am awesome at losing things in obvious places), checked my account to see if money had been taken out by someone else, searched my car, etc. I prayed for some help, and felt confident about heading to school anyway. I asked at the Institute with no luck. Mentally I searched through my wallet to figure out what I was going to have to replace. I remembered I had bought something at a cafe, so went straight there. The lady at the cafe told me to go to the student union. There was an office along the way that I ducked into, and they directed me to the floor below. I didn't think they would have it, but went anyway. Lo and behold she opens a drawer and there was no mistaking the duct tape. Apparently they had called my house, and I distinctly remember seeing a message on the phone but never bothered to listen to it. Everything is still in the wallet, down to the single dollar bill. Thank you, to whoever turned it in. Many, many thanks.

More than a Sparrow

My task at work is helping manage photos and sound clips of various animals for an internet database. Most of the files lately have been of birds. Life has a way of sometimes feeling stagnate, as if we are not progressing or growing. We can feel stuck and lost, so full of questions.

As I was staring at a photo of a Violet-Green Swallow, a scripture popped into my mind. Matthew 10:29-31:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

It is quite incredible to think that the Lord is aware of all that we experience. Not only aware of the situations that are troubling to us, but what needs to follow to get to that which will make us MOST happy. He knows us better than is seems we know ourselves. He knows the outcome of our lives, while He lets us fight and wrestle for our own understanding of our life's purpose.

I testify to you that Heavenly Father has made ample provision for you to succeed in this life and to continue in exaltation in the next. He has sent a Guide and a Rescuer, even Jesus Christ. He has provided a Comforter, even the Holy Ghost. Three distinct beings, one in purpose; To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. This means you. Their purpose is to make sure you succeed, if you only let Them aid you. Darn right they are aware of what you are going through. Your thoughts and confusion, joy and agony. Fear ye not. You'll not simply get to the resurrection and go through a simple inspection, "Yep, you have all your hair. NEXT!" Heavenly Father will know you as you have been, as you are, and as you can be. He is so intimately aware, and will heal you of all your grief, sorrow and pain.

How the day was improved.

Got a ride on a golf cart across campus, and when arrived at destination, a random man stopped and opened the door.

That's my girl! Part 3.

My niece was chatting with her mother and said "Mom, what's my room's name?"
"I dunno Ava, what is it?"
"Betsy."

----

On our way to dinner last night we were talking about who was married to who. This is a conversation between my niece and I:
"Who is married to Emily?"
"Joel"
"Who is married to Nina?"
"(w)Ross"
"Who is Erin married to?"
"uh...who is you married to?"
"I'm not married yet. I'll get married later."
"That's good."

Thanks...

----

While we are eating in the restaurant my niece looks at me and says, "Good eating Erin."

Thanks...

Another Letter Recieved

I received this letter this week also, and would like to share it's contents with you.

Um...Sister Gibson,

I'm not sure how to say this, but I just can't wait. You see I've met a handsome young duck, and now I have a new pet. At the pet store. . . I do believe you have a good heart but our love will never be. I met someone new, they're way better. No forwarding address for you. I really have to end it I've decided to become a clown. I wanted to wait, but her eyes were so beautiful, I had to put her down. I would have been sad to let her continue on her present course. Find a new love with a mustache...that curls into your eyes that really are far too red. Whatever I have had a horrible time trying to love you but I can't.

Regretfully,
me

Good thing I have the former letter in exchange for this poor mishap.

A Romance Letter

I received this letter, and would like to share it with you.

Dear Erin,

I am writing to tell you I love your pants because how earnestly I admire and love you. If you when we were lost and you would ask for directions and then to make it better, I believed you to be the most weirdly fascinating person as diamonds. If your hair grown. I hope that one day I can find like a butterfly and my heart I love the way you smell like the dessert in mid-day. Pick me up-take me anywhere. What more can I say? How can I express the please always always always be mine to be with you even though we had just met. Every year when the come to the mountain cabin, nothing's in your ear, you seem to

Your ever-affectionate and passionately in love,
-Boo

I shall treasure this piece of love in my heart, always and forever.