The Tabernacle Experience

Last November, a friend in church invited me to join a community chorus. She said, "We'll be singing in the Tabernacle in March."
I said, "Whaaa?"
"The women's chorus is called We Also Sing. There's also a men's chorus called Because We Sing."
No audition necessary. Just come and sing. They were hoping for 364 women. What an invitation. I took her up on it.
Ten rehearsals. That was all that was necessary. Ten rehearsals and an amazing choir director, Merrilee Webb, apparently well-known in and around the Salt Lake area and beyond.
My first evening at a ward building in Taylorsville was not what I expected. It was filled--packed-- with women of all walks of life: mothers, grandmothers, teenagers, widows, divorcees, from 18 to 95 years old.
The warm-ups were hysterical. Sing fifths up three octaves, stay on the top fifth for three counts, then glide back down three octaves by fifths. It was FUN!
The director was funny, like a stand-up comedienne, yet spiritual, and posed many profound ideas. She would explain the songs, why they written, what they meant. I left spiritually fed every time. And she was stern enough to request and expect our best, which we delivered.
I persuaded Jewely to join. She loves to sing as much as I do. I knew she would like this. It was something we could do together.

Jewely and I ready to leave for the performance.
We had to wear all black with a solid-colored scarf.

After surviving the winter's flu season and snow season, the time for the dress rehearsal was upon us.
On Wednesday, February 27, all day at work I was anxious. I couldn't think. Distracted. Jewely and I and our friend, Linda Shirley, headed for Salt Lake City and arrived at 7:15.
Ready or not.
We found our seats. We sang. We paused for technical adjustments. We sang again.
Because I couldn't stand the whole time, I sat in the front row with the other "sitters." I sat next to a blind woman who had a Braille machine to help her. I never was able to talk to her long enough to have her explain it to me. On the other side was Merrilee's sister, Michelle Walker, who had a solo part in the first song.


That's me, behind the organ, in the blue scarf.

I was smack-dab behind the organ and it fascinated me, along with the organist and his techy machines. He didn't use sheet music, but an ipad. He said he had been coveting one for ages, so decided to splurge. I prayed the battery wouldn't run down. There was a small monitor on top of the organ that pointed directly at Merrilee and he could watch her without turning his head, but by glancing up at her on the monitor.

A picture of organist, Eric McKirdy, during dress rehearsal.

 

Jewely ended up sitting at the very top on the left side.

A blurry Jewely at the very top on the left.
These pictures were taken with Nick's phone before the performance.

Merrilee told us, due to the acoustics in the hall, we would only be able to hear ourselves sing and possibly the people next to us and behind us. She was right. I mostly just heard myself and occasionally I heard Michelle next to me. Never from behind, though. I sang solos on all songs, it seemed, and I sang with gusto.
I was concerned because I have been having trouble with my voice for more than a year. I wondered if it was from anesthesia from my surgery last year, or some other unknown trouble. I determined to sing in the choir, even if I had to move my mouth with no sound coming out.
During the course of rehearsing, my voice came back. I was overjoyed. I felt like I had lost part of my identity when my voice didn't always show up to the task. Now I can sing again!
When I left the Tabernacle Wednesday night, I felt I could stop there and be perfectly happy. Little did I know how much more awesome it would sound on performance night!
Again, all day Friday I was farklempt. Distracted. Anxious. Nervous. The songs kept invading my mind and I sang in my head all day long. I left work early and got home to relax a little before we had to leave and not be rushed. Jewely got off early, too.
We got there in time to hear the whole men's chorus performance. Awesome! The last song they sang was a rendition of "Nearer, My God, To Thee" that sounded like a Celtic chant. I can't explain how wonderful it was.
In the program was written: "We are 120 men who come from cities from Spanish Fork to Syracuse. Some of us go to jobs we love, and others go to our jobs anyway. Some of us are still in school, and our families wonder what our jobs will be. We try to be good sons, dads, and grandpas. We can forget you're in the room if there's a game on TV, and sometimes we don't throw our dirty cothes where you think they should go. But we know you love us . . . because we sing!"
Next up . . . the women.
The women's program stated: "We are 300 women who come from cities from Spanish Fork to Syracuse. Many of us are wives and mothers. Some of us are divorced, widowed, or single. We are housewives, employers, employees, and students. Some of us are rich and struggling, and others are poor and struggling. We laugh, we cry, and we try to make a difference. Oh, and . . . we also sing!"
Fitting.

The pink spotlights reflected onto us and we were all pink.
This shot is of the alto sections.

Merrilee started from out in the audience singing a Hawaiin chant which we joined in on as she proceeded up the steps to her post at the podium. It was a warm-up we did at the beginning of every practice.
The first song, "This is One of those Moments," from "Yentl," was a fitting herald to my feelings of singing in that venue. There are moments that no man can take away, no wave can wash away, no wind can blow away . . . There are moments you wait for and dream of all your life . . . I felt like standing up and shouting "THIS is one of THOSE moments!"
Merrilee, years ago, had arranged a medley of three Primary songs for her Hawaiin primary students when she taught at BYU-Hawaii. "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," "My Light is But a Little One," and "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing."
Next came "Praise to the Lord," which I had sung in Catholic church growing up, but there are different words here. I loved the harmonies in this rendition.
My very favorite song we sang was "Psalm 23" aranged by Z. Randall Stroope. The flutists were superb. When we ended the song, the sound reverberated and ricocheted off the ceiling and walls. Stupendous! Tears filled my eyes. Michelle, sitting next to me, had to wipe the tears from her face. I hope the echo is audible on the CD recorded that night.
Another one of Stroope's pieces, "Revelation," was powerful. Scary. Conveyed the message. Locusts, scorpions, hail and fire. The percussionists had fun with the drums on that one. Even though I knew it was coming, the sound made me jump.
Orson F. Whitney's "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" is one I've been singing in my head ever since. It's the same rendition from "17 Miracles." A flute accompanied this song as well.
I have loved "The Mom Song" ever since my sister Kathy shared the YouTube of Anita Renfroe's stand-up a few years ago. I was delighted we would sing it. It went so fast I could hardly get all the words out. But it was effective. Everyone loved it and applauded their arms off.
The next song we sang was not a favorite of mine. Very depressing. "My Love's in Germany," a Scottish Folk Song. I believe it was written during WWI. However, singing it in the Tabernacle made all the difference. That "you can hear a pin drop" mantra came to life as the reverb resounded and caught in my throat. I guess I like that song now.
Merrilee told the audience she chose her 10 favorite songs that the chorus has sung in the years past. There was nothing new, except for me and Jewely and whoever else was singing for the first time.
"The Pilgrim Song," an American folk hymn, next on the program, was also one of my favorites. I loved, loved, loved the solists. Brought a tear to my eye. Do you know how hard it is to sing when you cry?
As the applause died down and Merrilee prepped for the next song, I heard the Spirit speak to me; yell to me, "Look around! Take note! You don't ever want to forget this feeling or this experience!"
I heeded the prompting and looked at the women across the way, then out into the lights blurring the audience. I looked at Merrilee, so beautiful, looking back at all of us. I didn't realize it was time for the last song. I'm so glad the Spirit was audible through the haze of my emotions.
"Mo Ghile Mear," an Irish folk song, was last on the agenda. It was one of the two songs we had to memorize. I can see now why she picked it for last. I thought "The Mom Song" would garner a standing ovation in itself and we even took a bow after that song, but the one phrase from the soloist's words to this Celtic song said it best. "Now the time has come to leave . . ." I never really heard those words until that moment. Ah-ha, thought I, that's why we're singing this last. It also ended with a loud drum to match our loud shout. The echo rush was priceless!
I can't wait for the CD!
Afterward, Jewely met me with my coat. She confided she enjoyed it so much more that night than the dress rehearsal.
Yes, my dear, so did I. One hundred times more!

Thank you to all our friends and ward members who made the trek to SLC to attend the performance.

LDStorymakers 2013 Show Your Love Contest

I just sent in my first chapter of "The Year of My Divorce" to the First Chapter Contest for the LDStorymakers 2013 Conference. I can't wait for the conference. I always learn so much.

The keynote speaker this year is international best-selling author Anne Perry. You don't have to register for the conference to come to hear her. If you follow the link above , you will be able to find out about admission to "Keynote Only" to hear her speak on Friday night, May 10.

I'm writing about this through the "Show Your Love" contest so I can possibly win a seat at the VIP table with Anne Perry and other authors. I might even win a Query Critique or Manuscript Critique.

Wish me luck on my first chapter--and the contest! Check out the links!

Not In Your Face

 I have "face blindness," also called prosopagnosia. It's interesting I only found out about this since I moved to Utah.

A few years ago, I was at a writer's conference boot camp. The mentor at my table apologized if she didn't recognize us if she ran into us during the conference. I didn't think anything of it. I knew I wouldn't recognize anyone either. I thought, "Isn't everyone like that?"

She went on to say she had "face blindness." This intrigued me. I spoke with her after our meeting and learned that she had to interact with people many times before she would recognize them again.

I said, "Me, too!" She told me she always apologizes ahead of time so people wouldn't think she was snubbing them.

What a revelation that was to me.

Though my “face blindness” is not extreme, I have a problem unless I have many interactions or have known someone a long time. And if a woman changes her hairdo or hair color, I’m doomed.

I mentioned to my daughter Jewely on Sunday how much easier it was back east to be in a ward where I knew everyone. When someone new came to church it was only one person or family to remember. I told her I have trouble recognizing faces.

There are hundreds of new people to meet in a new ward. That is a challenge for me. When I had been at my job in Utah for four months, I told my friend Bonnie I finally got a handle on who everyone was. That was with seeing my co-workers every day.

I always wondered how people could identify actors so readily in movies. I had an argument with my son Alex about an actor in a TV show. I said, "Look, it's the sidekick from 'National Treasure'."

He said, "No, it's not."

I said, "Yes, it is." Back and forth we went.

He got out his smartphone, tapped on it a few times, and showed me the actor I thought I was talking about. I looked at the TV. I looked at the phone. It looked like him.

"But I recognized his voice, too," I told my son, daunted. Alex said they did sound similar, but it wasn't who I thought. I guess it wasn't facial, but audio recognition that made me think it was the actor in "National Treasure." He had the same hair style, hair color and voice. The face was very different, I had to admit.

Describing eyes, a nose, a mouth or chin to a police sketch artist on TV detective shows always baffled me. And picking someone from a lineup? They all look alike! For me, there’s no way. I would never be able to describe someone. I would say the hair color, hair style, body shape and that would be it. The face would be a blur.

At work, I saw someone familiar in the lobby. I thought it was the cute caterer for Wingers and told her I was just getting ready to call her to place an order for an event. The woman, squinting, graciously said, "Well, let me know how I can help you with that," and gave me a funny, tentative look.

All of a sudden, I realized who she was--the cute young woman in marketing that I have worked with many times, but hadn't seen for awhile. I apologized profusely about my mistake. She must have thought I was losing it. No, lost it!

Today I attended my second meeting of the Employee Advisory Council. At the last meeting I was introduced to the marketing representative in the group who would help me make digital fliers for announcements. I worked with him via about a dozen emails over the last month. I remember thinking to myself today, "Oh, I'll get to see what Mike looks like," even though I had already met him.

Right now, I remember he’s thin, has strawberry blond hair and a beard--and glasses. I don't know if that's enough to recognize him if I see him in the elevator. I wonder now if I've been on an elevator ride with him over the last month. Yikes!

Also, at that first EAC meeting last month, a young brunette woman sat across from me. She smiled at me like she knew me. I had no idea who she was and only vaguely smiled back. We went around the table to introduce ourselves. It turns out, the week before the meeting, I had spent a whole hour, one-on-one, with her in a small, intimate conference room as she went over the nuances of the payroll time clock. (!!!) Only the week before.

Her hair was different; not like I remember.

Now, when I see her, in her cubicle, in her accounting setting and recognize her in that context, I make a big fuss over her in some way--cute shoes, pretty jewelry. I've got to make up for not recognizing her.

At one ANWA chapter meeting, I erroneously introduced one sister as another when she came to my door for her first meeting. She was gracious and politely corrected her name. I thought she was the presenter. (Insert blushing smiley face here.) Thank goodness for Facebook. I am determined now to study our chapter’s page and pictures before the meetings. Please forgive me, new members!

In my ward, I can’t distinguish people unless I’m their visiting teacher or they’re mine. I need to see the bishopric sitting up front each week or Relief Society presidency, or do something together with someone many times.

A thought came to me Sunday morning during Relief Society. I got up and bore my testimony and announced that I have Face Blindness and to “please forgive me if I don't recognize you.”

I compared it to being familiar with Deity. How will we know our Savior if we don’t make him part of our everyday lives through prayer and fasting, reading our scriptures or attending the temple? We won’t be able to distinguish when the Holy Ghost is near unless we have “met” more than once or twice and know His still, small voice.

Through trials I have developed a relationship with the Holy Ghost. His presence is palpable to me. He walks beside me, guiding me, coaching me. And, through trials, I know the Savior loves me and has carried me as I looked back to see one set of footprints. I have a testimony that my Heavenly Father loves me. He knows who I am--by name.

Trials aren’t necessary to know Deity, but we must interact every day in order to be acquainted with the countenances of divine beings.

Perhaps most people are more perceptive at discerning facial features than I am, but I’m sure, without a doubt, I will know the face of Christ when I finally see Him.

Yes, I’m sure of it.

The Next Big Thing

 

I have been tagged to answer ten questions about my WIP (work in progress) by Cindy Christiansen. This challenge is through the Jane Austin Fan Fiction group.

Ten Interview questions for The Next Big Thing:

Question #1: What is the working title for your book?

"Connected in Love"

Question #2: Where did the idea come from?

About 25 years ago, when my friend, the new Relief Society president, called me to take a meal to someone and my car was in the shop. I thought about writing a short story for the then contest in the "Ensign," but, alas, that never came to be. Then someone in my Book Borrowers club challenged me to write a novel, so I used this idea.

Question #3: What genre does your book fall under?

I would say Women's Fiction/Romance

 

Question #4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

I have no idea who would fit the descriptions. I don't visualize my characters as actors that are around. I make them up in my head and put the pieces of their appearance together. It's fun. I hope my readers (one day) will also envision them in their own way, so I don't want to give them any preconceived notions.

Question #5: What is the one-sentence synopsis for your book?

Mary Margaret O’Brien Gallagher is a new Relief Society president for a small branch in southeastern Pennsylvania who thinks she has a lazy day ahead of her, until a telephone call from a sick young mother spurs her into compassionate service mode, only to find out that another sister is in desperate need of help and counsel due to the secret life she leads. (That's the Core Conflict)

 

BTW, I want everyone to know that my MC was given her name in 2009 and is not a rip-off from "Once Upon a Time," whose main character is also named Mary Margaret. My MC goes by just Mary.

 

Question #6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I pitched the idea to an editor and she wants to see the first three chapters and a query letter. I'm hoping it will be published by a publishing house.

Question #7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I got three-quarters of it written in about two months, then life happened for a year or so.  I finally got back to it and have been polishing it ever since, but it just doesn't seem to end. I give the excuse that I'm a reporter, not a novelist. I've got a lot to learn--and am learning a lot.

Question #8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

"Twelve Sisters" by Leslie Beaton Hedley. When I read that book I put my idea away because she pretty much wrote it. Then my friends in book club said I needed to write my own story, regardless. So I am. I love that book. I have bought it and given it away at least three times.

Question #9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My Book Borrowers Club in PA.

Question #10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Mary's car is in the shop, so she can't help her sisters. She makes frantic phone calls all morning. As she hangs up from each phone conversation, the Point of View switches to the sister she just spoke with, and that new sister’s life is shown, including her family life, conversion story, love story, and spiritual uplifting elements of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The setting is in present day southeastern Pennsylvania. The love stories and conversion stories of this handful of converts in the mission field are sub-plots, shown via flashbacks, which introduce the reader to the way converts in the mission field live with the difficulties of the vast geography of their congregation. Not many books are set outside of Utah, Idaho or Arizona.

Also, not very many books have focused on the woman’s point of view as a victim of verbal abuse, addiction and pornography, as happens in the life of one or two of the characters. This book will show that even the most seemingly perfect family has flaws and troubles unimagined.

Luckily, Mary is the comic relief as she battles with attention challenges and we see a part of her personality through dialogue that goes on in her head during each scene. Even when she is in the scene of another POV, we can imagine what she is thinking.

I wanted to write about the challenges many sisters in the church face and how they are overcoming them. Mary isn't sure if she can handle her new calling, but by the end of the book, we see her strength and know she is perfect for the job.

 

It Can't Be True!?

After all my blogs about St. Cecilia's and going to Catholic School, I just got word that the church had its last Mass last Sunday.

I was totally shocked. I had no idea. I'm still flabbergasted. My brother John emailed me. He said parishoners are to go to Holy Rosary now.

I am a member of the "You Might Be From Coatesville If" Facebook page and I posted it on there and got several comments. I guess it's money and politics. There are a lot of eighty-year-olds who are mad about it, I'm sure. It's the only Catholic Church right in the heart of town. There are two or more on the West End and Holy Rosary is on the East End. I don't know what those poor old people are going to do now.

My mom said it's in a bad part of town and it's not safe to go there. She also said the school moved to Route 82 outside of town and isn't a functioning school anymore.

Before I left for Utah, I drove all around Coatesville and made picture stops at St. Cecilia's, both church and school. I hope they don't tear it down. It was built with some native green stone.

Oh, Coatesville...you were once a wonderful town to live in...to grow up in. St. Cecilia's...it's where I was baptized, received my First Holy Communion, was confirmed. I was married there, and so were my parents. My grandparents' and my father's funerals were there.

My dad was Treasurer of the Holy Name Society and used to count the money from the collection baskets after church. I used to go over to the rectory afterward to get a ride home with him. I used to fold the church bulletins for Theresa Pahira in the rectory with Mona Trace and Nancy Antol after school on Fridays.

*sigh*

I'm glad I took those photos.

St. Cecilia's Church in background and rectory in foreground. 2010

This is the only one I can find. I'm going to have to do some digging in other places.

My Mish

Tim got off his mission June 20th. YAYYY!!!!
He went back to PA first and got released and gave his homecoming talk, which I heard through the grapevine was very good.
He's coming here July 12th.  I can't wait to see him. We are all abuzz with fussing and fretting and waiting and gnashing of teeth. He's going to give a talk in my ward July 15th after he gets here.

♫♪Anticipation ♫♪

That's the  Home Alone house in the Chicago suburbs, by the way.

FEATURED BLOGGER!

Guess what!
A call from my writer's group went out for a new bi-weekly blogger and my fingers typed, "I'll do it!"
Yikes!
What have I done?
It's a commitment!
There's a deadline!

I'm writing every other Thursday, starting July 5th. I already wrote it. It's on schedule pending.

Check it out:
http://anwafounder.blogspot.com/

What have I done?

It's been so long since I blogged. It's really a good thing. I've been working on my book. I went to the LDStorymakers conference at the beginning of May, pitched to Lisa Mangum of Deseret Book and she wants three chapters and a query letter.  I have to work on that!
I'm not saying Deseret Book will publish it, but it's an LDS fiction, so some LDS publisher will have to pick it up, if any.  Better to pitch to the best, right?

After my last PT session my back went out. I did some therapy that had me pulling something from side to side. I totally forgot I can't do anything side to side because of my bulging disk problem. Yeah, it was a problem. I even missed a day of work.

So, today, on this glorious Memorial Day, sun shining, 76 degree, perfect day, I decided to do some gardening. I planted three plants and as I stretched to do something, the disk bulged again. Yuck. I'm spending this day on ice, whoozy from pain killers and muscle relaxer. I did go outside, trepidly, and sat in my anti-gravity chair and just let the sun shine on me.

I said to my son, "Why do I always have to be in pain?  What is this curse?"  Then I realized, "Hmm...I'm experiencing something that hurts more than my foot!"  Revelation!

So, before I was able to do a little planting and the side garden looks nice and the front garden reseeded itself. I have pansies and Johnny-Jump-Ups all in a row as if they were planted that way.

It actually looks better now. I don't know if I have an updated picture.

I hope all my followers don't get impatient with me for posting pictures of my garden again this year. I can't help it. I love flowers and they make me happy--and I'm all about being happy :)

I must have been in a pink/purple mood when I planted these gardens. I found that almost everything that's blooming this year is pink or purple. The miniature lilac bush is a little different from a normal lilac. The flowers are very lacy--and the perfume!!! I only had three stems in a vase and I had to move it out into the garage. The fragrance was so overwhelming. That never happens to me with a normal lilac. But I put it in the guest bathroom and that seemed to downplay the scent in the rest of the house.  But aren't they lovely?

Gotta get back on the heating pad now. I hope I can write later.

Thanks to HF for all my blessings. I am not forgetting.



General Conference

This morning when I woke up, I prayed that the prophet and general authorities would give talks that I needed to hear. Not only that, but I prayed that, if they did, I would hear them.
It was funny to hear Elder Uchtdorf start out by telling about a letter he received from a sister who asked him to talk about something specific. Are we allowed to do that?! I'll have to try it.
However, his talk hit home with me. Let those that have ears to hear...
I just love Elder Nelson. He is one of my favorites. I love how he talked about the body and all its organs and parts. It really made me realizee how my life--my body--is a miracle. I am thankful for all my working parts.

And our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is just so precious to me. I love his stories and that he does all the gestures. I caught his eye at one point and he seemed to be peering directly into my soul. I have choices I can make that will steer my life.
I am grateful for all the talks that were given. I wish we could have General Conference every week...or at least every month. I so look forward to it.
And when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang, "Oh, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," my absolute favorite hymn, tears couldn't be restrained from falling down my cheeks. I was so moved.
I look forward to the last session in a few hours.
I know I will be uplifted. I will also be sad to see it end.

Spring is Here!

Being up on a fourth floor in Murray during spring is a treat. I can look down on the west side of the valley and see ‘popcorn popping’ in all different colors on the trees in the area.


I can’t believe they are blooming this early. I started to notice all the colors coming to work on Monday.

My drive to and from work provides me time to see all the trees that bloom in Utah. Mostly everywhere are flowering pear trees with their white blossoms. Flowering plums are also prevalent with small pale pink blossoms. I’ve seen quite a few redbuds, too. That’s one of my favorites.

I haven’t seen any Japanese cherry trees around here. Maybe they don’t do well. I think I spied one weeping cherry. I think I saw a flowering crabapple tree, too, with dark pink blooms.

Until my unfortunate accident, I had big plans for my yard. There were no trees and so far I only planted one pear tree. It’s not quite blooming yet. Real estate is scarce in my small yard, so I will have to be judicious in what I choose.

I think I would like a Redbud. I love how the neon purple buds turn into big heart-shaped leaves. And they grow too tall.

I would also like to have a hydrangea tree. They grow small and compact, but I’ve seen them twenty feet in circumference in Perkasie. Beautiful. It turns from white with green tint to brownish-beige-ish in the fall. I tried to grow one in Perkasie, but there was a drought that year I planted it and it died—I thought! Apparently the roots were saved and I had lots of limbs come up and it turned into a weeping hydrangea ‘bush’ that bloomed profusely and hung over the picket fence. I loved it! I measured time by it the year I left. I said to myself, I will have to leave before my hydrangea blooms or I will want to stay. It started blooming in August, right before I left. *sigh* I can still picture it in my mind, and, thankfully, I took lots of pictures. It’s probably not even there anymore.

I also want to put a lot of butterfly bushes in my yard to attract, not only butterflies, but humming birds. They are prevalent here in the Salt Lake Valley. I can’t wait.

Unfortunately, things might have to wait this year. I don’t have a working foot to bear down on a shovel. I have scads of doctor and physical therapy bills to pay. I’d also like to get some kind of island into the kitchen. I don’t know what ‘they’ were thinking when they designed my kitchen. Everything’s in a straight line and the oven/stove and frig are far away from the sink. Having an island might help transport things, if I get one on castors.

There are still buku repairs to make. I need new doors, front and back. That will be in the $1,000’s.

I am so blessed to have my job. God is good to me. I know he watches out for me in all I do. I am his daughter and He loves me like a Father should love His children. I have seen so many tender mercies in my life since 2010. Yes, it was the worst year of my life, but out of the ashes of tragedy came the conquering phoenix.

I love Utah. I’m glad I live here. I’m having fun making friends and seeing old friends—and renewing old friendships.

I am blessed. I know it. I am thankful. I am happy. I am healthy.

Rachel Harrie's First Campaigner Challenge

Rachel Harrie's blog had a challenge to write a short story/flash fiction in 200 words or less, excluding the title. We had to begin with the words "Shadows crept across the wall."

As an additional challenge, we could do one or more of the following:

• end the story with the words "everything faded."
• include the word 'orange' in the story
• write in the same genre I normally write
• make the story 200 words exactly

I tried to do all four, but I don't have a 'usual' genre. I don't even know what genre I used. It just flowed out of me. I didn't know where I was going to go.

If you like it, please go there and see how I'm doing. I'll be in the 150 numbers, I think. That is, if I posted correctly.  If not, oh well...it was a challenge.

 

It Just Happened

Shadows crept across the wall of my back yard this evening as the sun retreated slowly to the west.

I considered the day, a beautiful one to garden, with low humidity and dense white clouds to veil the bright sunshine; so unlike my former home in the east.
I had forgotten how much I loved to get my hands in loamy earth.
It had been years since I endeavored to wield a shovel.
I didn’t want the night’s coming darkness to end my gaze on climbing climatis, yellow-orange rudbeckias and crimson roses.

The move to Utah, land of towering mountains and arid climate, was perfect for me.

I rediscovered myself here after my unfortunate divorce and realized I actually like myself, I like spending time with my inner child, and, oh, I love my gardens.
I carved out a few in my small plot of land.
My land.
My house.
These things are now of one.
There is no twain; no more vows or sharing.
The more I ventured toward my new horizons, the more I acquired a semblance of place and present.
I discovered my life is new.
What was is past.
I hardly noticed when everything faded.

New Years Eve

I already did a look-back for the year 2011 and I am really looking forward to 2012, which starts for me in about 11-12 hours.  So right now I'm looking back on my 2011 Christmas celebration to round out the year.

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas was wonderful--the whole weekend!  Jewely and James surprised me by coming a day early!!!!!  I was expecting them late Saturday night and the others played along fantastically.  They kept asking me, "Do you know when Jamely's coming on Friday?"

"No, I don't know."

Zannah said, "Well, Nick and I don't want to be too late watching the movie." ("It's a Wonderful Life--our Christmas Eve tradition)

"Why don't you call them and see when they're coming?"

I was in shock when I saw Jewely's face peak around the couch Friday evening around 7:00.  I thought Zannah and Nick had walked in the door.  They were planning to come and 'hang out' for the evening. I always sit with my back to the kitchen/doors, so I never know who's coming and going.  I think I'm going to have to re-think my sitting spot!  I can't even remember what we did Friday night, I was still in shock!

On Christmas Eve day, the boys (James and Sandy) did their Christmas shopping (???)  Jewely and I watched "The Help" and prepared all the food for Christmas brunch and dinner.  She had made a French Silk pie before she came, so that was taken care of. (it was soooooo gooood!)
Christmas Eve night we all gathered and watched "It's a Wonderful Life."  We laughed, we cried, we quoted passages along with the movie.  It was a wonderful night--one of my favorite traditions.

Christmas Day began with Skyping with James' family in Pinetown, South Africa.  They are nine hours ahead of us, so their day was winding down at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.  Since it's summer in Africa, they said it was hot and they had gone swimming to cool off.  It was so nice to see/hear them.  The little kids, Logan and Morgan, are so darling.
Then we all went to church at 10:00 a.m. at my ward.  We took up 3/4 of the back pew.  s.m.i.l.e.
Then we came home and started to bake our Christmas brunch.  Jewely and I had cooked and pre-assembled everything the day before, so all we had to do was bake everything--egg casserole and French toast casserole, and Zannah brought some cinnamon buns to bake.

Zannah putting the icing on the cinnamon buns

Meanwhile, our missionary, Elder Tim Knight, called from Chicago--specifically, Cary, IL in the Crystal Lake area.  We all took turns talking to him.  I got the phone after I was done eating and ambled (hobbled) into my bedroom so I could hear him over the chatter coming from the dining area.  He's doing well, I'm glad to say.  He said the blessing on our meal before we ate, so he was part of our gathering.
After my turn on the phone, we went into the living room and opened our stockings, all the while taking turns to speak to Tim.  It was very hard to hang up, I'll tell ya'.

Nick talking to Tim while Zannah empties their stocking.

Sandy talking to Tim while the boys (men) chat

The kids got me a beautiful large picture from Hobby Lobby to hang over my piano.  Here's a picture of it:

My kids got me this for over the piano.  It's perfect!

They also got me a birdhouse and I received some gift cards, too.

Me and the birdhouse--and crutches, of course.

Even though the boys wanted to play with their new video games, I made them pause for awhile so we could have a spiritual program.  I researched and focused on Mary this year and shared from the Apocrypha and the Protevangelion--lost books of the Bible.  It's the only thing we have on Mary and her family, except in Luke Chapter 2.  It gave us insight as to what all the things were that she pondered in her heart, one of my favorite scripture verses.  Then we watched a short video made by our church on the birth of Christ.  "A Gift to the World."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yWcxw6YeF8&feature=relmfu
It was very spiritual.  Very much needed to bring us around to the reason why we celebrate.
Zannah and Nick had to leave about 4:00 to go to his grandma's for dinner, so the boys got to play and Jewely and I watched one of her (two) new Josh Groban DVDs (that I got for her).
We had a late dinner--Honey Baked Ham, macaroni and cheese, and a salad (that nobody ate).  Later we had pie--it was the most delicious French Silk pie I've ever tasted!!!  Good job, Jewely!  She loves to cook and bake.
Then...to end the day...we played Rock Band. I know, not very spiritual.

Monday we all had off.  The kids all slept in and then went out to a late breakfast at the Belgian Waffle House, then they all went shopping to spend their gift cards.  I stayed home and spent some quiet time.  I am still not very mobile, especially to go shopping.
About 3:00 ZanNick picked me up and we all met at The District in South Jordan to see the movie "Sherlock Holmes."  It was fantastic!  Then we came back here and had some more ham dinner and then Zannah went home to bed because she had to go to work early the next day. Nick joined the rest and went to Outback Steakhouse to sample some appetizers. James had never been to one, so he really wanted to go.  I stayed home again for some quiet time.
When they came back, they all ended up in the basement doing who knows what (haha).

Tuesday, Sandy was bummed because he couldn't flex his schedule to spend a little more time with Jamely.  I took this whole week off, so I was able to spend time with them.  Jewely and I watched the other Josh Groban DVD and we talked and talked. 
After work, Zannah and Nick came over and we all Skyped with the Tobelmann Family at Warren's house.  It was so great to see the (almost) whole family.  The kids are getting so big!!!  The twins were so cute.  Trudie and Trixie are the youngest of the Tobelmann cousins.  Jeff was hilarious to talk to.  He is the comedian of the family.  His comic timing is ingenious.  He had us all laughing.
ZanNick had to go to Nick's family for dinner and Jamely and I had a little something, too.  They didn't leave until about 7-7:30.  I missed them before they pulled out of the driveway.

*sigh*  another Christmas come and gone.  It was Wonderful!

Here are some pictures:

Nick wearing a hat I made him.  He gave Zannah a book.

Sandy got coal--again!

I made Jewely a Harry Potter scarf

James got an electric car scraper from ZanNick

Alex all decked out in an Eagles ensemble

Jamely

I got ZanNick a Santa

THE END

2011--Oh, What a Year!

So, 2010 was a horrendous year for me--finding out about husband's shenanigans; deciding to leave him (good riddance!).  I consider it the longest year of my life.  I didn't realize how much I would miss my friends and family in Pennsylvania.  I figured, there's only one way to go--UP-- right?  2011 can only be better.
And it was...until September 3rd.
So, let's see what has happened this year...

January, 2011--still living with Meyersons (bless them abundantly, Lord) * found a house * thankful for my job

February, 2011--bought my house February 10th * moved in February 19th * was greeted by the many good people of the Midvale East 2nd Ward

March, 2011--Zannah's wedding on March 11th, my birthday * got my divorce notice (YAY!)

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Trujillo
Sealed in the Salt Lake Temple March 11, 2011

April, 2011--Alex moved in with me to live in my basement apartment

This is a terrible picture of Alex, but the only one I have at the moment

May, 2011--started planning and planting my garden--total bliss! * called as Sunbeam teacher at church * joined the Old Glory Vintage Dance group (it's so much fun!)

My back garden in May

June, 2011--helped with the Tour de Cure bike ride sponsored by SelectHealth * fell in love with Brigham City * went to the Utah Arts Festival in SLC with Zannah and Nick (so fun!). There was a whole display of a Knit-a-thon (crochet, too) where everything was covered in knitted or crocheted yarn--trees, parking meters, bicycles--even a whole car!  We also saw a performance by Ballet West, which is why Zannah wanted to go.  We rode Trax and had a great time.

Tour de Cure riders getting ready to ride. Beautiful backdrop.

I didn't realize I got the temple in the background. It was several blocks down the road.
The Wild Bird Refuge was closed due to flooding.  Maybe next year!

The new Brigham City temple, under construction

They knitted everything--even a car!  That's me standing next to the car.

UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL

Zannah and Nick waiting for the ballet performance.  It was wonderful.



They knitted and crocheted trees...



...and even bicycles--poles--parking meters--everything! 
It was so fun to discover all the places and things
that had been knitted and crocheted

July, 2011--visited Jewely and James in Rexburg * visited the Campbells in Idaho Falls * stopped in at Brigham City again (why am I drawn to that place?) and saw the angel Moroni on top of the almost completed temple * went to a couple of rodeos with Bonnie (who knew I would love rodeos?)

July 4th rodeo in West Jordan. 
There were fireworks after.  That made my day complete.

Brigham City temple with Angel Moroni

August, 2011--had a Divorce Party--I mean, a "First Anniversary of My Flight to Freedom" party with my PA Pals * had visits from Theresa Sneed and Betsy Love from Arizona;  hosted a book signing for them at my house! What fun! I also went to a book signing/reception for them and rubbed shoulders with authors and editors and publishers (bliss!) * Carla and Ellen Campbell visited from Idaho (so great!); we went to This is the Place Park and to Joe's Crab Shack (YUM!); we attended Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday before they left to go home * Jewely visited for a day or two and we went to Hogle Zoo * (I can't believe I didn't take any pictures. I have to be better with bringing my camera)

September--da.da.daaahhh * while painting a tiny cut-out wall over my fireplace, the ladder I was standing on collapsed and I ended up in the ER. No break was seen on the X-rays, so it was assumed to be a bad sprain.

This was the little wall I was painting when the ladder collapsed.

This looks like a very bad sprain, doesn't it?

This is me, the day before surgery, standing and kneeling on my knee walker
in front of the little wall that Sandy painted in 15 minutes.

 October--finally got an MRI October 11th which disclosed a displaced fracture in the talus bone; surgery needed immediately; surgery on October 17th disclosed dislocated tendons and ligaments; out of work for 3 weeks * my mom flew in from Florida for a week (nice!)

November--follow-up doctor appointment November 1st; stitches out * back to work on November 7th * one-year anniversary at SelectHealth November 22nd (so grateful for my job and understanding boss)
December--started Physical Therapy December 7th; was told I am in the very beginning stages of recovery.  I may not walk without a boot until May.  I may not fully recover for 12 months.

So, I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with three out of four of my kids (and their spouses).  I can't wait to talk to my missionary on Christmas Day, so we will all technically be together that day, via technology.

The year 2011 was mostly wonderful, until Labor Day weekend.  I worked on gaining my freedom and learning who I am, forging a new identity in a new state, new city, new job.   I hope to be able to finish my book, take some creative writing classes and maybe some art classes.  I'm also thinking about taking voice lessons from my friend, Jane Kessler, if she'll teach me. 

So, I'll say again, there's only one way to go--UP--right?  Yes, I choose to believe that.

Merry Christmas 2011

One Year Anniversary at my job

I don't usually post about my job. I don't think it's appropriate. And, people have been fired for doing it. But, this is a milestone in my life, so I'm posting.

On November 22, I celebrated one year at my job at SelectHealth.
Well, I mean, there was no celebration or anything, but I was asked to post what I liked about my job.
While the people celebrating seven years and 11 years and nine years all wrote a sentence or a paragraph, I, of course, had to write my life story.

I told the person in charge to edit the verbosity (is that a word?) and I had some bullets at the end, she said, um, no, I'm sending everything (a mass email went out in my department).

This is what I wrote.

One Year Ago:
Last year was my Leap of Faith year when I left Pennsylvania with no job, no home and not knowing what was going to happen to me.
When I arrived in Utah in September, I went to work right away on the Internet finding a job.  Sometimes I would wake up and not even brush my teeth and just hit the computer and stay there until midnight.
It took about 10 weeks before I started getting prospects and interviews.  Luckily I had some temp jobs.
On the day I interviewed with Eric and Matt, I had 3 other places that I interviewed as well.  I wrote off SelectHealth.  They didn’t really appear too interested in me so I decided not to get my hopes up.

Irony:
Right after that interview, I started temping at Merit Medical in South Jordan, helping the HR department with open enrollment.  Their insurance—SelectHealth!
During that time, I got a call from Marissa Johnson in HR at SH offering me the job of office coordinator for the pharmacy department.  I was flabbergasted! I didn’t think I had a chance.  I asked for time to think about it and she gave me 48 hours.  In that time, I talked to all the SelectHealth people at Merit, asking them how they liked working there.  All I received were positive reviews.
After doing my investigation and finding out how great SelectHealth’s reputation is—#1 place to work in Utah voted upon by the employees—I realized how lucky I was to get the offer.  Benefits would kick in after a month (a real plus) and I could earn a pension on top of a 401k plan (who gets a pension anymore?).  So I called Marissa back and told her, “I accept!”

This whole year I have learned why SelectHealth is the best place to work in Utah. 
When I first arrived, I would ask people in the elevator and the parking lot, “So, you can tell me, do you really like working here?”  Everyone always replied, “YES!”  I thought it was too good to be true. Or I thought the elevators and parking lots were bugged…
There is so much employee appreciation, it couldn’t go unnoticed—free pie; a luau; Christmas presents; raffles and drawings; ice cream; community service; lunch and learn; massages...and a gym!  I joined the gym, I joined the Book Club, I get two massages a month, and I’m making new friends all the time as I take every opportunity that is offered.
I am so lucky to work in an environment that is caring and friendly.  Everyone around me always has a smile and a kind word. And I have the best boss in the whole company!! (True! I’m not just saying that!)
These last few months have been hard and I have to fight feeling sorry for my poor little self, but coming back to work actually brightened my days.  It was so refreshing to know that my co-workers care about me.  I have a little bell and flashy handlebars on my scooter and someone anonymously taped a business card to my wheel (that recently broke off) so I could be even more annoying.  These things tell me that people are thinking about me and caring about me.  It makes me feel good.
I’m so grateful to work here.

So, what do I like best?  Succinctly:
1.       The people.  They’re all good people.
2.       The environment. It’s very caring and friendly.
3.       The employee appreciation.  I don’t feel like a number here, but like a valued contributor.
4.       The opportunity to better myself through educational presentations.