really boring christmas list, part 1

so...you know you are getting older and less tolerant of allergens and pollutants when this is what you put on your christmas list first. the itchy ear feeling and stuffy nose plus having cats that shed way too much is really one of the reasons, but i think these are cool. so. what?

anyway, have one of these or something like these (air filter and roomba-robot vacuums)? i want some feedback, before i decide which one will be best. oh, and red is not a must. it was just pretty.

thanks for the stories

mo, veeda, and sarah: thanks for the comments you left on my last post about your families and your experience. it made my lesson in r.s. go much more smoothly being able to relate something that i know happens with other faithful members.

the sisters were really grateful for my "new, young" perspective. i think this will be a good calling for me. i can certainly learn a lot from all of them, all of you, and of myself to help strengthen my own family in the gospel. it definitely is a step up from teaching in a singles ward at byu, because the women were much more interested in what i had to say and actually commented. i used to hear the sounds of sleep-breathing when i taught, which was always so frustrating.

as for sister beck's talk last sunday in conference, i certainly can benefit from the concept of at least striving to be a better homemaker, mother, and wife. i just hope that we, as women and sisters in the gospel, must realize too is that there is hope in the challenges that come about if you are not able to accomplish the "ideal" homemaker, mother, and wife. we are here to be tested, and we are here to work. the most important part of it all is to do what is right always, and the blessings will come....we just have to be patient and know where to look.

i'm now a teacher

...for relief society, that is. i just got sustained this past sunday, and it's exciting and nerve-wracking for me. this is the first time i have had such a "hefty" calling in a family ward, and especially from someone who has not had children yet.

anyway, i will be teaching my first lesson this upcoming sunday. it will be on "strengthening family." i will be using the manual, plus talks from previous publications and such. but i wanted to try something a little different and use my friends and readers as examples and support for this. i think it will help strengthen me spiritually, as well as give me an opportunity to learn more about each of you on a different level.

does anyone have some good stories or references for "strengthening family?"

**ooh, btw, what did everyone think of sister beck's talk at conference today? my mother-in-law had one reaction. i had tuned out when she made one particular comment, so i wasn't as affected by it. plus, it seemed to focus on mothers and their role a bit more which took me out of the picture. (i guess i could have thought of my mother, though.) anyway, i just want to know. i'm not meaning to argue or anything, because i think it is important to support those called by our prophet. but...i also think it is important to lead and follow by the spirit, and i got a weird meaning out of the message.

this is what i saw.

so these were some of the pictures from the arcade fire show the other night. my friend, missy, and i were up in the balcony of this place that is normally used as a hockey rink. except...it was as hot as hades in there with all the dancing bodies. and the weather here has not made up its mind as to whether or not it wants to be hot or cold, so i dressed for the cold. stupid, stupid, stupid.

anyway, the pictures really don't do the show justice. there was so much action going on, and the crowd was going nuts. i'm so used to very few people dancing at shows out in salt lake (too cool? or too scared to dance at shows?), and it was cool to see so many people on their feet. even in the balcony area.

so, if you missed these guys or if they did not come to your city...check 'em out the next time around. $35+ is worth what you will experience.

it's true, they are fraggles playing instruments

i think i read on one of veeda's friend's pages that she saw arcade fire and they were like fraggles playing instruments. she is so right.

i got to see the wonderful arcade fire tonight in st. paul, and it was awesome. pete was not sure he wanted to go, and i'm tired of missing shows all the time. so, i took a friend from work who likes a lot of bands i hate. she ended up loving the show as much as i did. all the camera shots and production and all the songs they chose to play were just perfect.

lcd soundsystem opened up for them, and they were pretty awesome too. however, the arcade fire sort of came thru like the fraggles and started tearing it up (like they would have if the lcd soundsystem were "the dozers").

i forgot to charge my camera battery, so the actual pictures from the show will be forthcoming. stay tuned. oh...and if they come to your town, you have to go. you just have to!