So I started Licensing Class this morning. The first 1/2 hour session felt like it took about 17 hours. I was sure I was never going to finish, partly because the entire first half hour is irrelevant after the fed changed the way Loan Officers get paid on April 1. But it won't let you skip any portion, so twenty seconds at a time, I plodded through.
I am attempting to get licensed before the move and the kids come back from EFY and their trips.
I suspect this will be right about how it works, at the rate I am going. 40 hours of "class", 2 tests (state and federal), fingerprinting, background check, and listing the gazillion homes I've lived in during the past 10 years. I suspect the listing of all the addresses will be the hardest part, INCLUDING the tests!
Keep me in your prayers.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The answers...
As I descended from the canyon early this morning, I noticed small streams of light touching various parts of the valley floor. I knew that the portions still in the shadow of the majestic mountains surrounding my Salt Lake home would soon be aglow from the same light and quickly becoming warm - the faintest memory of the cold, dark night only lingering where trees create the slightest shadow.
It's like that.
Slowly the sun is beginning to send its revealing shards across my life. The snow is only there where I've piled it high enough I feared it would never melt - and only that in a small corner now. Soon all will be visible. I wonder if it will all make sense, or if there will still be great sections that are obscured - either by the enormity of the view or by my inability to process it all. I'm sure there will be things I still cannot understand.
But the answers are coming. I don't always like the answers, but they are coming. And having answers is better than being in the dark, even if the answers aren't pleasant. Not to mention that seeing most of them makes it much easier to work around the things that remain hidden, perhaps for the remainder of my life. But I can deal with the shadows knowing that there is light currently. So until the end of the current day, I will relish the answers; knowing there will be another dark night soon, but also knowing that when it seems least likely that the light will ever come, the sun will begin to crest the great Rockies again, and I will see another distinctly different picture.
It's like that.
Slowly the sun is beginning to send its revealing shards across my life. The snow is only there where I've piled it high enough I feared it would never melt - and only that in a small corner now. Soon all will be visible. I wonder if it will all make sense, or if there will still be great sections that are obscured - either by the enormity of the view or by my inability to process it all. I'm sure there will be things I still cannot understand.
But the answers are coming. I don't always like the answers, but they are coming. And having answers is better than being in the dark, even if the answers aren't pleasant. Not to mention that seeing most of them makes it much easier to work around the things that remain hidden, perhaps for the remainder of my life. But I can deal with the shadows knowing that there is light currently. So until the end of the current day, I will relish the answers; knowing there will be another dark night soon, but also knowing that when it seems least likely that the light will ever come, the sun will begin to crest the great Rockies again, and I will see another distinctly different picture.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thoughts on miracles and other such nonsense
I keep wanting to shout from the rooftops the multiple miracles I have been blessed to witness in the past 27 or so hours, and really, the past 30 days. Anyone reading may think that I am just wanting to see things as greater than they are - and you may have me pegged, at that, but the MIRACLES are unexplainable in any other way.
It was a miracle when David took down Goliath.
It was a miracle when Moses parted the water.
It was a miracle when Christ helped the blind man see.
It was a miracle when Ammon with boldness helped a mighty change occur in the hearts of his enemies.
In the past 30 days I have personally seen a giant fall at the slinging of a single stone; the water part to make a way for a change of venue; the blind man see; and with boldness a mighty change occur in what seemed to be the hardest of hearts.
And so I wonder...
Was I witnessing these miracles to remind me what has been wrought in my own life???
Have I not seen giants fall in order to make way for me when I was afraid?
Have I not been shown the way when I could not see?
Has someone not moved the immovable to make a clear path in order for me to cross at my most perilous hour?
Have I not experienced a mighty change in my own heart - from one that did not even WANT to believe to one who believes without doubt?
I have always known that miracles are real. They don't seem to happen very often - though it would sure be cool if they did! But if they did, then the commonplace of such things would take away their very nature of being miraculous. I just couldn't continue to go through my days without at least acknowledging that I have seen them. That they are real to me. That I see the Lord's hand in each of them. And that I am publicly and in all ways grateful for these amazing blessings in my life.
Thank you.
It was a miracle when David took down Goliath.
It was a miracle when Moses parted the water.
It was a miracle when Christ helped the blind man see.
It was a miracle when Ammon with boldness helped a mighty change occur in the hearts of his enemies.
In the past 30 days I have personally seen a giant fall at the slinging of a single stone; the water part to make a way for a change of venue; the blind man see; and with boldness a mighty change occur in what seemed to be the hardest of hearts.
And so I wonder...
Was I witnessing these miracles to remind me what has been wrought in my own life???
Have I not seen giants fall in order to make way for me when I was afraid?
Have I not been shown the way when I could not see?
Has someone not moved the immovable to make a clear path in order for me to cross at my most perilous hour?
Have I not experienced a mighty change in my own heart - from one that did not even WANT to believe to one who believes without doubt?
I have always known that miracles are real. They don't seem to happen very often - though it would sure be cool if they did! But if they did, then the commonplace of such things would take away their very nature of being miraculous. I just couldn't continue to go through my days without at least acknowledging that I have seen them. That they are real to me. That I see the Lord's hand in each of them. And that I am publicly and in all ways grateful for these amazing blessings in my life.
Thank you.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
New developments
Okay, I haven't blogged in several months. I am going to repent.
I have been working as Santa's helper at the mall for the past 5 weeks, and it has been an amazing experience. Santa this year is so sweet and caring. I greet the people, photograph them, run the register (and upsell packages), and even was made assistant manager in the third week. It should take care of Christmas for us, at least.
I also will be heading back to school in photography (getting my bachelor's) in January. I will get my Associates at SLCC first and then transfer to Weber in Ogden. This will probably take about 5 years to complete, especially if all goes the way we are planning. I am going to be starting a business - I believe - where I go to events and do the candid photos. The people who are normally NOT in photos then can be AT (and enjoying) the party/reunion/etc. I can do this during my "off" time, since usually people plan events in the evenings or on weekends so all can attend. This should supplement our income to the point that I would be able to finish school if I have planned appropriately.
Things are good. I don't like the snow, but there are certainly worse things. We may be headed up to Boise for New Year's weekend, as Chuck has acquired a piano and we may head up to pick it up. It will need tuning, but he says it works otherwise. Don't make any plans around us yet, though. We aren't definite.
I have been working as Santa's helper at the mall for the past 5 weeks, and it has been an amazing experience. Santa this year is so sweet and caring. I greet the people, photograph them, run the register (and upsell packages), and even was made assistant manager in the third week. It should take care of Christmas for us, at least.
I also will be heading back to school in photography (getting my bachelor's) in January. I will get my Associates at SLCC first and then transfer to Weber in Ogden. This will probably take about 5 years to complete, especially if all goes the way we are planning. I am going to be starting a business - I believe - where I go to events and do the candid photos. The people who are normally NOT in photos then can be AT (and enjoying) the party/reunion/etc. I can do this during my "off" time, since usually people plan events in the evenings or on weekends so all can attend. This should supplement our income to the point that I would be able to finish school if I have planned appropriately.
Things are good. I don't like the snow, but there are certainly worse things. We may be headed up to Boise for New Year's weekend, as Chuck has acquired a piano and we may head up to pick it up. It will need tuning, but he says it works otherwise. Don't make any plans around us yet, though. We aren't definite.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
PLEASE WATCH FOR ME!!!
And anybody else on a bike.
Today I got to make a split-second decision to lay my bike down (and me in the process) as opposed to being hit by a lady on a cell phone who wasn't paying attention to the bike lane, or really, traffic at all. My legs are dirty and a few small scratches, as I was going uphill and quite slowly. Certainly it could have been much, much worse. I am fine, the bike is fine (the seat has a little gouge in it), and the lady I suspect will be much more careful in the future, as she was pretty shaken up.
I (and most cyclists that I know) am watching for you when you are driving every minute that I am on my bike, but there is really only so much I can do to avoid you. PLEASE watch for me. If you are talking on your cell phone, PLEASE know that you will HAVE to be even MORE on alert and noticing where I am.
Overall still a great ride, and I am getting faster and more confident. I normally would have turned around and gone home after an incident like this, but had about a mile to go up the hill, so did that and THEN turned around and went home. I'm not afraid of being hit, I just really REALLY don't WANT to get hit.
Today I got to make a split-second decision to lay my bike down (and me in the process) as opposed to being hit by a lady on a cell phone who wasn't paying attention to the bike lane, or really, traffic at all. My legs are dirty and a few small scratches, as I was going uphill and quite slowly. Certainly it could have been much, much worse. I am fine, the bike is fine (the seat has a little gouge in it), and the lady I suspect will be much more careful in the future, as she was pretty shaken up.
I (and most cyclists that I know) am watching for you when you are driving every minute that I am on my bike, but there is really only so much I can do to avoid you. PLEASE watch for me. If you are talking on your cell phone, PLEASE know that you will HAVE to be even MORE on alert and noticing where I am.
Overall still a great ride, and I am getting faster and more confident. I normally would have turned around and gone home after an incident like this, but had about a mile to go up the hill, so did that and THEN turned around and went home. I'm not afraid of being hit, I just really REALLY don't WANT to get hit.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
let's try it again
Tried a couple of times to blog, but nothing saved - let's try it again.
Today I rode just over 11 miles. It wasn't too bad considering. My legs are tired and I am still a touch overweight to manage the uphills effectively, but as time goes on I know that will pass.
I have been manipulating the planned route for my ride, too - it's going to go through Salt Lake instead of through New Mexico & the tip of Texas. That way I can ride past Primary Children's Hospital and on through the canyon. It added a day of riding, but I think seeing people I know partway through will be a good shot in the arm for when I ride. I had a mini-fantasy this morning while riding that there was somebody about every half mile cheering me on & from about Lehi to the hospital, and that was fun. Not that I expect or anticipate it, but it would sure be a trip!
Anyway, the riding is getting more comfortable as I spend more time on the bike. I plan to get up earlier so I can be out riding before it gets hot in the future weeks & months. I can go much further if I'm not overheated.
Today I rode just over 11 miles. It wasn't too bad considering. My legs are tired and I am still a touch overweight to manage the uphills effectively, but as time goes on I know that will pass.
I have been manipulating the planned route for my ride, too - it's going to go through Salt Lake instead of through New Mexico & the tip of Texas. That way I can ride past Primary Children's Hospital and on through the canyon. It added a day of riding, but I think seeing people I know partway through will be a good shot in the arm for when I ride. I had a mini-fantasy this morning while riding that there was somebody about every half mile cheering me on & from about Lehi to the hospital, and that was fun. Not that I expect or anticipate it, but it would sure be a trip!
Anyway, the riding is getting more comfortable as I spend more time on the bike. I plan to get up earlier so I can be out riding before it gets hot in the future weeks & months. I can go much further if I'm not overheated.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
This morning's ride
Drove the bike down the hill to Randy's office and rode it for 6 miles on flat. I gathered a little bit of confidence with how the bike will handle with a little bit of speed and practiced manipulating the pedals with the clips attached. There was about a mile where I ONLY pulled instead of pushing on the pedals, which is retraining my feet and my mind that it's not going to lift the feet off the pedals to "pull" on them, and truly, pulling is so much easier than pushing. I am able to get pretty good speed when I pull only - now when I am actively pushing AND pulling, it's going to be amazing, because it will work the quads and the hamstrings equally instead of mostly just the quads.
Tomorrow I am thinking ride the bike down the hill to the office & have Randy meet me at the bottom. I can get 10 miles in on a mostly downhill stretch and not have to worry about the clips so much if I do it that way - the way I would go has a really good bike lane & few cars, so I wouldn't be so nervous about the ramifications if I WERE to slip on gravel or other hazards. There is a lot of construction around our house, so that makes me VERY nervous with my razor-thin tires. I'm afraid I got much too used to the wide tires of a mountain bike/hybrid.
Will write again tomorrow!
Tomorrow I am thinking ride the bike down the hill to the office & have Randy meet me at the bottom. I can get 10 miles in on a mostly downhill stretch and not have to worry about the clips so much if I do it that way - the way I would go has a really good bike lane & few cars, so I wouldn't be so nervous about the ramifications if I WERE to slip on gravel or other hazards. There is a lot of construction around our house, so that makes me VERY nervous with my razor-thin tires. I'm afraid I got much too used to the wide tires of a mountain bike/hybrid.
Will write again tomorrow!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Resting a couple of days
So I took a break yesterday and this morning... I will go riding again tomorrow morning. My wrist is healing from the allergic reaction I had with a bracelet I bought in Fiji on my layover, and when I wear the gloves to ride it makes it really tender, so I am focusing on healing that first instead of making it worse.
As well while I am taking the bike break I am making "Secret Sister Pockets" for Rachel's Girl's Camp. They are really cute. My new embroidery machine does a fantastic job, and I fortunately only have to clamp the hoop to the machine, press the button, change the names, clip the strings & iron them for each one to be ready to sew the side seams (I may have Rachel do that) and they are done. She'll be really proud that she brought them. I have long wanted an embroidery machine, and now that I have it working, it is totally amazing! Thanks, Randy!
As well while I am taking the bike break I am making "Secret Sister Pockets" for Rachel's Girl's Camp. They are really cute. My new embroidery machine does a fantastic job, and I fortunately only have to clamp the hoop to the machine, press the button, change the names, clip the strings & iron them for each one to be ready to sew the side seams (I may have Rachel do that) and they are done. She'll be really proud that she brought them. I have long wanted an embroidery machine, and now that I have it working, it is totally amazing! Thanks, Randy!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Short ride
I'm getting used to the bike. It was a short ride today, as planned, but only got off for the standing water & super-gravelled construction areas. I still fear those, as I don't really know how the bike is going to react to unstable ground and the slower speeds I am currently riding combination. As I get more confidence with the clips and speed I am certain the bike will teach me how it is going to work for these conditions. Currently more important: I am getting into the habit of blogging my ride, good or bad. I feel like getting into that habit will be a good thing - partly so that others can see what I am doing, if they want to, but also so that I can see how far I've come.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Better today
So I went 2.5 miles today. An auspicious start to a LOT of training, but anything is better than nothing. I was so focused on the clips & pedals & not dying that I thought I was in the easiest gear trying to go back up the mountain to home that I thought I was more out of shape than I actually am. So I had Randy come get me because the riding uphill with clips was freaking me out. I'll have to relearn both confidence & stamina along with the clips & pedals - but I suspect this will come relatively quickly. I'll keep blogging so anyone interested can stay posted.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Fail
Okay, day 2 on the bike was not what I had hoped/anticipated. The clips are going to take some serious getting used to. I had clipped in on the right side and was working on the left and forgot to pedal (the great thing about clips is you can push AND pull to pedal, making it possible to keep the bike moving while you find the other clip) and the bike stopped and I toppled over because I couldn't get unclipped on the right fast enough to catch myself. I got back up, straightened the brake, and clipped back in on the left (it seems that the right is easier to find, so why not start with the left clipped in first???) and jumped up on the seat, which I hadn't noticed was at a 30 degree angle or so as well. So that wouldn't do. I tried to pound it back into place, but it wouldn't budge. So then I went back to the house to try to adjust it with an alan wrench, but the sole alan wrench in our toolbox was way too big, so I can't adjust the seat until I buy tools. I had planned on a short ride, but that was a touch shorter than I had anticipated - I only made 44 meters. Tomorrow will be better. I'll take a picture of first blood, too - but not the bruise I'll have on my hip in the morning - some things will have to be left to the imagination.
Friday, June 18, 2010
New Beginning
Okay, so I got my new road bike yesterday. For anyone who doesn't know yet, my goal is to ride across the USA (Maine to CA) next year and then from Sicily to Milan in 2012 or 2013. Anyway, I got my new bike and I tested out the clip shoes/pedals this morning. They were a little weird at first, but I am anticipating having a quick adjustment and soon not being able to ride without them. The shoes feel tight at first, but they will break in quickly with the amount I will be riding for training.
I also worked out the training mileage and it should be doable. (increasing not more than 10% per week each week until I'm up to 600 miles per week) It's a lot of time on a bike, but what a goal, right???
Hope all is well with everyone, and y'all are happy. Oh, got a Wireless Bluetooth headset as well so that I can be listening to the Ipod/Iphone while I am riding & able to get calls.
I also worked out the training mileage and it should be doable. (increasing not more than 10% per week each week until I'm up to 600 miles per week) It's a lot of time on a bike, but what a goal, right???
Hope all is well with everyone, and y'all are happy. Oh, got a Wireless Bluetooth headset as well so that I can be listening to the Ipod/Iphone while I am riding & able to get calls.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Finished Eclipse
I am not sure which I like better - the waterfall or the eclipse, but so far I love them both!!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
waterfall revisted
This is the finished waterfall. I am hoping Pete likes it (friend from work) - I believe he will, but one can never be sure!!!
sunrise/sunset photo
This one I did at the request for a sunset - the phrase is adapted from a Debussy quote...
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
another painting
This one will be an eclipse, but the black has to dry before I can put the solar flares on the outside edge.
new paintings
I've been doing paintings for some of my friends here, & thought I would post a few of them. Some of them are still in progress... This one will be a waterfall.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Happy Friday!
So I am going to try 2 photos again and see how much closer I get today. These ones are beach photos taken at Kirra Beach, a world-famous surf beach, although there weren't surfers there that morning. We did watch some sky-divers land, and that was pretty cool. Sky diving costs $250 for a single jump, and let's say THAT is what is stopping me. ha ha.
Anyway, it looks like they both loaded, so those are my two beach flowers. Pretty, eh?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Photo of the day
This is at a place called Natural Arch (or Natural Bridge - I hear two different stories on that.) It is surrounded by a rain forest, and is absolutely fantastic. I forgot the camera the first time we went, or we would have pix of wallabies on here. As stated in an earlier post, they are very shy, and the second time we went was later in the day and there were a lot more people, so no wallaby sightings, so you will have to deal with the one pix.
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