Weekend Bliss

This past weekend was the last three-day weekend of the school year and it was just what the doctor ordered (besides a Dr. Pepper). I have had no, absolutely zero, motivation these past two weeks since Easter weekend. Going to work was such a chore and a bore. This weekend was relaxing, motivating and quite productive.

Friday was spent going to different banks trying to turn in fraud affidavits from the dee,dee,dees that stole my car and checks. Then it was off to Kinko's (sorry FEDEX OFFICE) to send out some other fraud claims. After that, it was lunch with the Hubs at Rome's Pizzeria and an afternoon of nothing else. I could have cleaned that afternoon, but I decided to wait until Saturday so I would have something to do. Then it was off to my indoor game, which we won 6-4. To me, that's exactly what a Friday should be. If it came down to the four day work week I would be a huge fan (yes, even if that means extending the school year). Actually. I am all for the year round school plan, but that's a different topic for a different day.

Saturday while Leland was out reffing football all day long, I stayed home and cleaned. I can now see the top of my dining room table and my kitchen sink is almost sparkling. It felt great to get all of that done in one day. Then it was Wii-laxation (relaxation playing the Wii, get it, get it?). That evening was the adult session of stake conference. I love the adult session. It is way more interesting and intriguing than the Sunday session, I must admit. The topic was all about Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16, bringing and feeling joy. Most of us that know that scripture usually think about it in terms of missionary work. This time it was about converting yourself and your family and finding the joy in that. It was very refreshing. To be quite honest when I heard that was the theme I went into the whole teenage thing, "Do I really have to hear this stuff on missionary work again. I might just have to shut-down if I have to listen to another two hours of missionary work." In the end, it was very uplifting and really helped me focus on what I need to be doing to bring joy to not only my life but others as well.

Sunday was a great day! Stake Conference didn't start until 1pm so I was able to sleep-in and make breakfast, well, brunch really. I was so excited that I had the time that I made homemade waffles. No pre-packaged, boxed stuff for me. I was having fun getting all the ingredients together and pretending that I am a great cook. Plus, I was able to use my Kitchenaid. I really do love that thing, it's so pretty and most of all useful. After brunch it was off to the couch to read a little "Lectures on Faith" then get ready for the conference. After conference the night seemed to go by sooooo slowly, which is a good thing when it comes to Sunday nights. We watched the Spurs beat up on the Mavs (GO SPURS GO!). Okay, so we didn't watch because every time I watch a Spurs game they lose (I'm like their bad luck charm or something) so it was more of a "let's just check the score" kind of watching the game. The Spurs only need one more win and they will get it. It would have been nice for them to have swept the series and won at home, but winning in Dallas will have to do, ;)

That's my nice relaxing weekend in a nutshell. Oh, before I forget, my middle school soccer team won it's second game of the season 2-1. That's probably going to be the last win of the season, but it's great to ask the kids what they have learned after the game and hear their responses. That's what it's really all about, the learning and the fun they are having, even if they do get trounced every other game.

Great Day!

Today is the 40th celebration of Earth Day, it is also my mom's birthday. I always tell my mom the whole US celebrates her birthday. If you are looking for ways to make you life a little greener now is the time to look it up while on the Internet. There are so many articles out there on what to do and how to make your carbon footprint a little smaller and you life a little greener. I am not a big "green" person, but I like to do my part. I use the re-usable totes when I go grocery shopping (when I remember them), I recycle things at work since there is no recycling program in the apartments, I turn off the lights and try not to use so much electricity, I even turn off the water when brushing my teeth. I am not an extremist in any way even though my brother and my dad call me the hippy of the family. They only do that because of my love of healthy foods and making foods healthier and my hybrid car. When I bought the car it was all selfish reasons, to save money. Even with a car payment I am saving money. Anyway, Happy Birthday to my mom and Happy Earth Day to everyone else!

15 Years Ago Today

at 9:02am the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed. It's so weird how I can look back on that day and remember where I was and what I was doing, but I can't remember what happened ten minutes ago. 15 years ago doesn't seem all that long ago. I still remember going to see the site after a soccer tournament. It was heart-breaking and anger-filling at the same time. My heart broke for all those who were killed and all the innocent little children that were injured and killed. I was filled with anger thinking that two people, American citizens, could have done something like that because they were mad at the government. Everyone is mad at the government at some point in time, but not everyone scopes out a building, parks a giant U-Haul truck full of explosives in front of the building and walks away without caring about what happens next. Seriously? These little boys, and I won't even use their names or call them men and give them that respect, had no remorse, no feelings, just flat affects. I know they will receive their consequences, but I still am so angered by the thought of all those people just trying to do their jobs one minute and the next they are gone and their families are without their loved one(s).

This is what really makes me mad. On Friday I was watching the news and this story about Bill Clinton came on and some things he said. He basically said that all these people that are protesting the government are the ones that are going incite someone to do something like the OKC Bombing. Then he goes on say he is deeply grieved by those events. Here's the kicker - he said it at a remembrance for those victims of the OKC bombing! Can you believe that! Another reason to not like the Clintons. Grrrrrrr!

But the city has rebuilt after that terrible tragedy and built and amazing memorial that my friend, Chrissy, has blogged about. I was never able to see the memorial after it was finished since I moved to Texas a couple years later and have not been back since. Even though I no longer live in Oklahoma, I was still affected by that day and will always remember those men, women, and children whose lives changed forever on that day.

78-0

The UCONN women's basketball team is the NCAA national champion. This team has not lost a game in the past 78 games. The team amazes me. They are one of the most disciplined teams I have ever seen play the game of basketball. They execute beautifully, they all work hard on and off the ball, they help each other and motivate and encourage. When one player falls another sprints to help her up. Every time there is a dead ball situation they huddle together, undoubtedly giving words of encouragement and support. It is refreshing to see a team that does that and is about the team rather than themselves. Congratulations Huskies on a remarkable championship and many successes!

The game in Tuesday night was great. Leland and I actually went to try to sell our tickets, but nobody was looking for any tickets so we decided to watch the game instead. We are walking up to the Alamodome when we notice that just about the whole entire crowd is standing outside the dome. The only thing we could think was that there was some sort of threat on the building and everyone had to be evacuated and they were checking things out. The real reason, Joe Biden (the Vice President of the good ole U.S. of A) had decided to attend. I have to tell you that we thought something strange was going on when we were driving from 410 to 281 to get to the dome when we saw police all over the roads at every intersection around 281. Leland thought it would be cool if it were some type of "24" thing and the police were setting up an ambush of some sort (we are big fans of "24"). As we walk up and see the crowds we overhear someone say that Biden was there. Ah-ha! Now we know why everyone was going to miss the tip-off. Homeland Security, more seasoned police, and Secret Service were crawling all over the place and we had to enter through metal detectors and all that jazz. I don't understand why we would have to do that if no one knew he was coming. Who, in their right mind, would think that the Vice President would be there and plan something. I mean, c'mon, that's crazy. My whole thing is if the everyday public has to wait and stand in line so does the VIP. If we miss the tip so do you. Anyway, I digress. The last team UCONN lost to was Stanford who just so happened to be the opponent. UCONN was up by five for about a quarter of the game. Then Stanford went on a role and UCONN went ice cold. At halftime the score was something like 15-27 Stanford leading. It was a very low scoring game. But, man, once the second half started it was UCONN all the way. They overcame the deficit and won. Stanford, a worthy foe, did have a couple of good opportunities to turn the game around, but UCONN was just too much for them and won 52-47.

The coolest part about the whole evening was seeing some military folks from one of the local bases/posts walk into the dome and the cheers and clapping were louder for these brave men and women than the teams playing. That's one of the great things about living in SA, the patriotism in many of the people. SA has something like two Army posts and two Air Force bases. You can't be anything but patriotic to live here or you run the chance of getting your butt kicked. And yes, Biden paid all the men and women a visit at halftime. As much as I do not agree with his politics, I do respect the office he holds and still have a feeling of awe when the veep enters the room of any event I am at. Leland and I both took some pictures, but you can't even tell it's him, except the pic I took of the big screen. But, unfortunately for you, I still have not found my cord so no pics yet.

Easter, General Conference, Final Four - What More Could a Girl Ask For?

This weekend was great. It all started on Friday when my good friend Ash came into town and we had lunch at Alamo Cafe (I love that place) and she invited Leland and me to her family's that afternoon for a BBQ and family Easter Egg Hunt. It was a blast! I loved watching all the little ones run around trying to find eggs. And the bluebonnets on their property are gorgeous. We even picked a couple and I made little bookmarks out of them. Hopefully they stay that beautiful blue color. While at the BBQ I ran into some people I haven't seen in ten years. They lived in Waco when I lived in Killeen and the brother dated my best friend at the time. Neither of them remember me and I didn't remember them until I made the connection with the names. Little did I know that two of the girls in the family were in my singles ward. I never knew the family had that many kids when I was in high school. Anyway, this girl comes up to Leland and says hi to him. I look at her and think I should know her for some reason. He introduced her to me as his wife (it was a little funny to watch her deflate a little and have that "oh, you're married now" look on her face) and it didn't dawn on me until a few minutes later who she was. I then started asking some questions about an older brother she had and where she was from and all that. Turns out the guy that came with them is her brother, they grew up in Waco, their dad was the stake president of my stake, and they are cousins to my friend Ash. She really doesn't know them all that much, but she thinks they are a little weird and what I know of them, they are. When I tried to say something to them they just ignored me, but oh, well.
Saturday was the beginning of General Conference. I don't think I stress how much I love General Conference and learning from the leaders of the church. I loved that everything was focused around the family. It was a hard-hitting conference as well. Everyone that got up really had the Spirit with them. There were so many things related specifically to the women (mothers) and fathers of the church. The family is being attacked wherever we go these days. The family isn't important to the world and we are seeing that so clearly. Co-habitation, children born into single-parent homes, grandparents as the main caretaker and provider for grandchildren, fathers and mothers working more than teaching their children, parents not teaching their children, and so forth. It really was an inspiring conference. Everyone that spoke hit the nail on the head with what they had to say. I am grateful for them and what they had to say. Now, if only the rest of the world could watch and actually listen to what is being said and place into practice then we wouldn't have the problems we are having today. I already know, that if I am able, when Leland and I have kids I want to stay home and raise them. I just hope I am able to do that.
We also went to the Women's Final Four here in SA this year. It was a fun experience. Things like that don't come around all that often so we took the opportunity to do so. We were a little perturbed though when we had to change seats. We had great seats up high behind the basket (a perfect spot to me) and they ended up closing our section. The group we ordered the tickets from were suppose to send us new tickets and they never did. We had to go exchange them and thought if we got better seats then it would be worth it. The lady at the ticket counter told us the seat we were getting more expensive seats, up high, on the sideline and they were better. She obviously didn't know what she was talking about and has never been in any of those seats, because they were craptastic (yes, I said craptastic) the whole time I had to be turned sideways in my chair. I could even relax to watch the game. The games were fun to watch. OU vs. Stanford was a little disappointing because OU lost. Had OU actually played they way they know how to play they would have won the game. They played the entire time like they were scared and nervous. Then the last two minutes they start playing real basketball. Now why could they not do that the whole game? Then it was UCONN vs. Baylor. UCONN has not lost in the past 76 games, now 77. I can see why. They are very disciplined in their execution and running the plays. They work hard on and off the ball and play like a team. You can tell by the chemistry they have on the court they are like a family off the court. There is not one player ever that walks on or off the court and they bust their butts for one another. Baylor really only had the one player, Brittney Griner, that was really working. This kid is going to be really good if she gets some good coaching. She is 6'8, a freshman, and can dunk. She is a good player that needs some work. She will be a star in the next couple of years if she stays in school and gets the coaching she needs. UCONN won the game so it is now UCONN vs Stanford for the final. We have tickets, but if we can sell them off we will. Any takers? On the men's side, it's Butler vs Duke for the championship. Butler? Really? Who are they? Cinderella teams always make the games to watch. Good luck to all the athletes!
It was a busy weekend, but it was a ton of fun! Pictures will be posted when I can find the cord to my camera. I don't remember what I did with it. I promise, as soon as I find it, I will post pics.