Hearting Saturday

Worked on fulfilling two goals: golfing goal and personal history goal
Played Frisbee
Breakfast with my Favs!
Played Bunko
And....hit 28 posts for the month with 28 days!

Waffles + Chocolate Chips + Strawberries + Whipped Cream = BLISS on a Saturday Morning

KT made Roni, Noelle, and I breakfast this morning! Delightful to say the least! KT and Noelle thought that they weren't photogenic enough this morning so instead you get this photo. Where as Roni and I below are always ready for a photo when the opportunity comes. I just heart these girls and I especially heart that KT lives three nanoseconds away now!

Excerpt of "The Hollow Men" By T.S. Eliot

*A friend of mine shared this excerpt this week and tonight I believe it is worth sharing again.

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends

Not with a bang but a whimper.

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

It is important to know, when you feel depressed, that many others do also and that their circumstances are generally much worse than yours. And it’s important to know that when one of us is down, it becomes the obligation of his friends to give him a lift. I hope that each of us will cultivate a sensitivity toward the feelings of others, and when encouragement is needed, make an effort to extend it. Be a friend, and you will have a friend. God be thanked for wonderful friends.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Hot White Devils vs Stanford Saints

Is there a better smell than mud in cleats on a February Saturday morning? What was suppose to be a flag football "scrimmage" turned out to be a "semi-tackle" football game last Saturday but as President Brooke "Trout" says: "A Relief Society that tackles together stays together". This is true for both Stanford 1st and Stanford 2nd wards. :) Coming away from the game this year without a concussion I count my lucky stars and admire the bruises that are still gracing my left arm and legs. While we (The Hot White Devils) lost this particular Saturday I am confident that our next re-match we'll come off conquerors! Now is where I am suppose to say that the important part is that everyone had fun (which I am sure they did) and it doesn't matter who wins, my competitive nature won't allow for me to sincerely say that, sorry BUT thanks for all who played and we look forward to seeing you out on the field again soon.

My favorite of HC! Her most common stance of the day: "Here, would you like your flag back?" What a scrapper that one is!

Cecilie's pose speaks volumes!

Well done HC!

Brooke Trout

Mike always makes the best football faces.

Case in point, awesome face Mike!

Adam Findley was kind enough to take these great photos at the game. Please visit: http://permanentdaylight.org and click on SmugMug to view all the football photos (this is just a sampling of the day's awesome plays)!

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

-Lord Arthur Goring From An Ideal Husband

Inner Workings Of The Stanford Sophomore Mind

Welcome to a new mini-series on my blog with guest blogger: Stanford Sophomore. It is good to have variety in life, why not on my blog? Plus this particular guest blogger reminds me a lot of myself at her age, so it will be close to reading the inner workings of my mind when I was her age at times. Random as ever! Enjoy!

Yesterday I woke up to a phone call from my mother, my phone was on silent. I got dressed and ready and went down to breakfast. After breakfast I got redressed with a grapefruit juice free t-shirt. I had social dance yesterday so I needed to look somewhat decent.

I don't know what my Plan A is yet. People ask me why Mechanical Engineering and I honestly don't have a plan. I do have some backup plans though.

Potential Plan B's:
Advertisement Consultant - I usually pay more attention to the advertisements on TV than the TV show. I scrutinize billboards.
Columnist - I like to write personal views.
Author of historical fiction - yeah I started writing a book when I was about eight. I didn't get all the way through, but I still have the notes. Also I used to fall asleep each night to a story (usually a love story, I'm a romantic) I made up in my head.
Kayak Instructor - I don't like water, yet I love kayaking, strange combination.
High School Yearbook Adviser - Something I love that is growing a little obsolete with Facebook. I love yearbook. I could be a math or science teacher on the side.
Domestique - Every July I watch the Tour.
Tour Guide - I really like history, and I would love focusing on one specific place for a few years and then change to another. I don't think I have a loud enough voice.
Personal Assistant - I'd be good.
Event Organizer like a wedding planner - I would love arranging an entire room and decorating.

My mother told me not to run into a wall this morning. I haven't run into a wall for a long time... I don't know what she was referring to...

Jess Berry Quote of the Day!

I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by.
Douglas Adams

Flashback: Examples to Emulate

When I was a kid, I’d visit Dick and Alta Egbert (they lived across the road from Lindy’s and were sweet second Grandparents). My Dad’s best friend growing up, Brad was their grandson so naturally we were family by extension. Dick and Alta were sweethearts, not just some old married couple. Dick was a sheepherder and a Senator. Yes, he was both and yet when people asked him what he did he would always say a sheepherder. It is just one perfect example of the humility of Dick Egbert. As long as I can remember Dick and Alta sat in the same church pew every Sunday, middle section, second row, right side. Dick never missed bearing his testimony of the Savior in a fast and testimony meeting. He also ALWAYS carried cinnamon hearts in his pockets. Dick would always have me sing to him when I’d visit, and then he would sing to me. He always said he loved my voice and oh how I loved his, especially when he’d sing “How Great Thou Art”, probably because you could hear in his voice he knew those words were true. When Alta started to get really sick I would go and sit with her during the afternoons, even when she’d forget other things she always remembered me. They finally moved into an assisted living center in Rexburg and gradually aged but never did their love for one another waver nor their testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dick and Alta out lived all of their six children but remained steadfast in being happy and living their lives to the fullest. They both were amazing people, the ideal of how to grow old.
My Dad spoke at Dick’s funeral and told a story about my great Grandma Eleanor Berry that every time I hear it I am always touched with the lesson that Dick taught that day. William and Eleanor Berry hadn’t always been active members of the church but Dick was serving as Bishop of the Tetonia ward and they became active and Dick called Eleanor to be the RS president. While attending a stake meeting a sister made a comment to Dick regarding her shock of hearing that Eleanor Berry was the RS President: “My only memory of Eleanor Berry is a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other”. Dick’s short but profound response: “Well sister, your memory is too long”. From the standpoint of instruments of the Lord I have to be thankful for Dick Egbert is right up at the top. If it weren’t for an inspired Bishop inviting William and Eleanor back to church and losing his memory of past habits who knows where I’d be today. The Lord has divine forethought to bless many generations! I am sure that when Dick returned to our Heavenly Father he was met by Alta and their children and that the Lord said: Well done, thou good and faithful servant. What examples to emulate.

Suggested Strategies From A Master

"Wooing women with funny you tube videos is one of the strategies I recommend in my dating advice to men" KT

There are a few strategies
1. Make your intentions clear (includes a date)
2. Keep it light
3. Spend time with her and her friends (or plan a group thing with her)
4. Email her / send her funny things

*Note: This should all happen in parallel

What will you be giving up?

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Don't leave this page upset. Leave this page thankful the Lord blessed another individual with patience enough to save you from your inevitable self destruction. Be of good cheer!

Disclaimer on Why Mormon Girls Stay Single Blog

http://www.whymormongirlsstaysingle.com/

Sweetest Rainboots Since 2nd grade!

KT and Ash Tea Party

Not sure if words can describe how great my first ever Tea Party was (I mean I played tea party as a little girl....side note: playing kitchen/tea party/with play dishes may have been the only authentic "girly" activities I ever participated in as a child)! It was in two words: magically delicious. KT and Ash both have February birthdays and it was Valentine's Day so what better way to celebrate than a tea party (their teacup collections are something to behold). Thank you so much girls! You are both strong, beautiful, and straight-shooters (my favorite quality of all).

****Please note: This post is rather long but too many great pictures/women/food not to include a sampling of it all. So sit back and enjoy the ride!

Sam (almost Sister) Hall and I. Allow me the opportunity once again to state: I heart SH!

JB's shoes!! Smoking....

Brooke "Trout" Crosland! She and HH performed some Hip-Hop for the birthday girls.

The Matadero Women!

Fab Four (JB, HH, Jes Dep, Ash)! What amazing ladies!

Birthday girl Ash! You know I was completely elated when I learned that KT was moving to Matadero (Matadero is exactly a 1.7 minute drive or a 3.7 minute bike ride (if I am listening to fast music)) so that meant that I could have QT (quality time) with KT more often. What I failed to factor into my equation of elation was the fact that I now get to see Ash on a more frequent basis too! I admire Ash because not only is she intelligent, strong-willed, and kind but she's a girl jock that excels in ALL sports. While I trash talk about our upcoming football match-up with the 2nd ward, I truly bow down to the talent that Ashli possesses. When Ash recruited me to play softball with her I knew I had made it to the big leagues, now I am just waiting for the call to play football with her! ;)

KT and her sister, Allison.

KT and JB. Confession moment: When KT and I were first in the Relief Society presidency together we weren't really good friends. I equate that to us being SO much alike in our self-assured personalities and our "down to business" efficiencies BUT then with the passage of time we bonded in such a way that our "practically" alike personalities are our favorite things about us. KT would do just about anything for me (taking the raisins out of the rice pudding (thank you again!), bringing me good ole DP, or making over my blog (yes, KT is to thank for the new design)), showing me what real compassion is all about!
Allow me to quickly list 5 reasons I heart KT:
1. Pink tights
2. Gchats
3. The KT Method
4. Says it how it is
5. Her well justified ego

MH and KT (It was almost like having all of Melville there....almost).

Jes Dep!!! Words don't describe Jes Dep adequately! I get excited every time I even hear that Jes Dep might be attending the same function as me.

The complete spread! Yes these gals do know how to throw a party!

Lemon Custer! Yes, I am showing all this food to make you hungry! Is it working?

Of course....

These teacups beat any play teacup sets I ever had.

"Love is the greatest refreshment in life" Pablo Picasso

Mmmmmmm.....

Mouths should be watering at this point....

Now it is time you go eat something (it won't be half as tasty but after this post you are starving!).

T. Hammer Comes To The Bay!

Two weekends ago T. Hammer came to visit as she was moving to Washington from SoCal. It was a quick trip but we got the essentials in: FOOD, chatting, and Ghirardelli's Square for hot cookie bottom fudge sundaes. T. Hammer and I grew up together in The Valley, Tiff has always been such an amazing and consistent friend. As we've watched others we've grown up with take certain paths we always discuss how grateful we are we took the paths we did! I am very thankful for her example and wisdom. I am so excited for her to come back in March and for Seattle this summer!!! Yah Yah!

Mad Love To KT On Her Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KT!!! Thanks for being so GREAT! I heart your larger than life personality.
Sincerely,
Practically KT

Original Dr. Pepper Toast!

First, thanks Robscott for sharing the bliss of the Original DP recipe. That's right, the ORIGINAL recipe (cane sugar...oh so sweet)!! After holding out for a night when J. Monson could make it (yes I hide them under my bed otherwise they would never lasted) we held a Dr. Pepper toast! We do all heart The DP.

J.Monson, you look like you could be one of The Price Is Right's showcase models for DP. Bob, tell us what they've won! Classic!

TEAM HYDRO: NEW WEBSITE!!!

Team Hydro is running a new video and accepting donations! Please check it out and support the cause!

www.teamhydro.org

The Winner Really Gets The Short End of The Stick

CP: Should we tell what you doing in this photo?? Chris was the winner of Would You Rather but is he really? :)

AR with "Goof" written on his forehead with lipstick! I rather enjoyed doing that!

Jess Berry Quote of the Day!

"I haven't got the slightest idea how to change people, but I keep a long list of perspective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out."

Unknown

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith, “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”
[Rabbi Ben Ezra (1864), stanza 1]

Robert Browning

PS...If my future husband really wants to woo me he'll use these words when he proposes. ;)

The Medicine Balls

Friday late afternoon I walked into the gym for my daily meditation session or as some call it my “workout” (but for me my greatest thinking comes in the gym). Every visit to the gym consists of a similar routine (until it needs to be varied to see progress): free weights, wall squats, lunges, abs, (all the previously stated activities are always done in repetitions of 17, not 10, not 15, but 17), followed by 30-45 minutes of cardio (depending on the day’s meeting schedule). I began my routine that afternoon as any other day, after an adequate amount of wall squats (yes, where I admire my calves in the mirrors) I started towards the corner where the medicine balls are kept and to grab my yoga mat. To my shock the medicine balls weren’t in the corner and the yoga mats were rolled up instead of laying flat. Panic rose within me for a moment as I scanned the room for the medicine balls. The balls had been moved to the other side of the room. Less than 24 hours had passed since I was in that room and it had been changed and put a slight wrench in my routine (even if it was only a moment).

Now most at this point (including my own mother) are thinking: “Jess, we don’t need to hear about your OCD tendencies”, but I tell you this to preface my thoughts over the past couple of weeks regarding the word most of us either fear, avoid, or have happen so often that we don’t know what consistency would even look like: CHANGE.

This past week I had three of my closest friends make moves that were and will be life changing. Bobby and Sara moved their growing family from The Valley to the “Magic” Valley to start a new adventure. T. Hammer started a new chapter in her life by moving from sunny SoCal to central Washington. While the two situations are different in circumstances, they are rather familiar in feelings associated with such life-altering change. I could sense the nervousness in speaking with Sara and as Tiff visited last weekend I knew there were mixed emotions in the changes occurring. I thought back to my own experiences with moving to The Bay; the hesitation, the fear, the uncertainty of the change. It seems just when we are comfortable in a place or circumstance our lives change and we are forced to step out of our comfort zone in order to progress even further along the path of life. I had no real comforting or brilliant ideas for my friends facing these changes but I do know that change will always come, whether it is a move or the medicine balls being moved in the gym change comes. It is up to us to both embrace and run with the changes or to long for our Jerusalem in the past.

I have in the days since T. Hammer left been listening to a devotional speech by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland entitled: Remember Lot’s Wife. In this Elder Holland says: “Some of you were having thoughts such as these: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester or a new major or a new romance hold for me [or in the case of my sweet friends: a new move]? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to go home? To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come.””

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

The difficulty with marriage is that we fall in love with a personality, but must live with a character. ~Peter Devries

Extraverts vs Introverts

Extraversion is marked by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extraverts enjoy being with people, are full of energy, and often experience positive emotions. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented, individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves.

Introverts lack the exuberance, energy, and activity levels of extraverts. They tend to be quiet, low-key, deliberate, and disengaged from the social world. Their lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression; the introvert simply needs less stimulation than an extravert and prefers to be alone. The independence and reserve of the introvert is sometimes mistaken as unfriendliness or arrogance. In reality, an introvert who scores high on the agreeableness dimension will not seek others out but will be quite pleasant when approached.

Hmmmmmm.....which am I?

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experiences."

Gordon B. Hinckley

TEAM HYDRO: JOIN TODAY!!!

Hydrocephalus is a life threatening condition. 1 Million Americans suffer from it.

On August 15th, we will swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco to raise money and awareness for those who fight this deadly condition: the nonprofit Hydrocephalus Association.

Contact petefin@gmail.com for more information.

My friend, Pete's sister Kate suffers from the condition and inspires us all. We do love Kate!

For more information, to help, to join Team Hydro 2009, or to donate to our cause email me: petefin@gmail.com

Jess Berry Quote of The Day

"You have your own life. You owe it to yourself and everyone around you to develop your philosophy. To examine why you think the things you do, and to withstand the praise and scorn of the diverse communities around you that can neither accept you nor reject you."