this is me

this is me

Journal Jar - Books

Q:  What is your favorite book? Tell about your favorite books as a child, teen and adult.

A:  When I was a little girl, my favorite book was Charlotte's Web because I knew Wendy liked it.  So I decided I liked it, too.  As a pre-teen, I loved Goosebumps and the Babysitter Teen Whatever books.  I can't remember its name.  As an adult, I loved The Work and the Glory series, and I love just about everything else I read.  If I don't love then I stop reading it.

Q:  What is your favorite movie, book, poem and song?

A:  My favorite movie is Pride & Prejudice with a close runner-up of Nacho Libre.  My favorite book .... I'm not sure how you could compare books and choose a favorite.  They all mean different things at different times.  Especially if you love the characters in more than one book.  You can't choose one of them over another :)

Q:  What do books mean to you?

A:  Books mean that real life and chaos can take a break.  If you're running around too crazy to have any time to read, then you don't

Q:  Describe the role of reading in your life.

A:  There's always things to read ... books, magazines, the news, blogs, things to research (like how to help Abbi with her homework).  Reading isn't a hobby, it's how you put information in your brain so you're up to date, learning, and enjoying life.

Q:  When was the first time you realized that you could read?

A:  I can't remember.  It must have been some time in Kindergarten.

Q:  Do you have a favorite author? Who? Why?

A:  I love the books by the twelve apostles.  They give life to the principles I'm trying to learn and work on.  I have favorite fictional authors but nothing I religiously seek out.

isn't fall the best?

Little best friend cousins - they have to be reminded that they aren't allowed to kiss on the lips.

We colored some pumpkins together tonight.  I wish Noah wouldn't have thrown his away - he colored in the lines and cut it out all by himself.  It was his best work yet.

It was Abbi's idea to make some decorations.  I think we'll have to do more tomorrow.

Beautiful Abbi - I was messing around in Picasa and found a pencil sketch design.  Kinda cool.

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Maybe I'm a little prideful?  Arrogant?  Just fill in an adjective, but I love this pin board of mine and I could look at it 4 times a day and laugh every time.  In fact, I try and con anyone near a computer to look at it with me.

Just tell me why you wouldn't pin this?

Or this?


Who can pass up pinning things like this?

my 'BER' month confessions

Here's the deal ... the 'BER' months are upon us (you know, SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, and DecemBER) and that means I feel free to do what I want when I want.  I guess I feel like that year 'round but allow me to share a few of my end of year favorite things.  It's never too early to start thinking, planning, and doing 'BER' month things.

September - decorations come out.  Sometimes I wait until General Conference weekend to bring them out but this year, I felt like the weekend after Labor Day was sufficient.  Noah and I hauled the boxes out and talked all about Halloween.  He had decided to be the Hulk but after consulting with his bestie, E, Noah has changed his mind and wants to be Woody.  You see, E is going as Jessie so of course, Noah must be Woody, apparently.  Abbi wants to be a black cat.  To make sure we have Halloween going strong, the kids and I looked at all of the Halloween aisles at Target and Wal-Mart.  Furthermore, we (you believe that, right?) just finished off our 2nd (count them, 2) package of Halloween Oreos.  What could be better than double stuffed, orange filling in a perfect chocolate cookie sandwich stamped with some Halloween picture?  I dare say, nothing.  I don't know whether or not to buy more.  Pros and Cons both ways, for sure.

Furthermore, I've already listened to Christmas music.  How can you not love the voice of the old-time crooners, like Sinatra, Crosby, and Cole?  Plus, there are the goodies like Jordan Bluth, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, mixed with the Mo Tab and some country favs.  Even a little Thurl Bailey can hit the spot.  Oh, I'm getting all giddy just thinking of some favorites like "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Josh Groban or "Fum Fum" by the Tabernacle Choir.

 October - There's the wonderful beginning of the month with General Conference.  That's one of my two favorite weekends of the year.  It relaxing, enriching, and feels like the official beginning of autumn.  General Conference is like the Mormon New Year.  If you go to the temple right before or right after conference, it's just like going during the first few weeks of the year.  That place is packed, which, you can't really say is a bad thing.  One of the best conversations I've had was in the Ogden Temple Chapel.  I sat with Bishop Valletta and Brother Butler for hours.  It was both enlightening and humorous.

After Conference, you've gotta do things like make Halloween treats and grave yard cakes.  It's time to plant bulbs for beautiful spring tulips.  Early in the month, you've got to make a drive through Weber Canyon or Sardine Canyon to see the beautiful fall colors.  Plus, you get to make yummy warm dinners, wear longsleeves and jackets, wear boots, oh I love the fall!!!  Late in the month, you just have to go to a pumpkin patch, maybe even a cornmaze, and have hot chocolate.  If you're lucky, Jake's friend will make more caramel corn popcorn balls!  I love October.

November - This beautiful fall month starts off with Abbi's birthday, which this year is her #8!  Because she's not an avid blog reader, I'll tell you how excited I am to be putting together a science experiment kit for her.  She's gonna love it!  November is the time you can start listening to Christmas music openly.  No more secret carols while Jake's asleep!  Then, on Thanksgiving, you eat yummy rolls and drink sparkling cider.  We may even join the indians (haha, funny because it's Thanksgiving), join Jimmy's family on their Weber River Trail Walk.  I love when November gets chilly but snow free ... that makes for the best ending of the season.

 December - This December is going to be a memory for the rest of our lives.  On December 1, Abbi is going to be baptized by Jake.  We're going to have a BIG family lunch for her before the baptism.  I hope that day will be a happy memory in her mind, forever.

The first Sunday of December is a fav.  The First Presidency Christmas Devotional is the best way to kick off the Christmas season.  The talks they give plus the carols/hymns that are sung are like the fireworks of the 4th of July.  My favorite Christmas memory was the devotional plus the Nativity Activity the Riverdale Stake used to have.  Anyone who wanted to could set up their nativity in the gym, then after the devotional you could look at all the different kinds there are.  It was really cool.

A new favorite thing it the Hoopernacle Christmas Program.  I like to wear my cowboy boots when I go out there because the Hoopernacle is actually a barn that has been turned into a pipe organ.  Two years ago, I was listening to such an impressive piece that the air from the pipes blew some of the wall hangings right down.  It was awesome.  Last year, Brother Fowers went with  me and my kids.  Loved it.

The 'BER' months only get better with things like the Tea Party, the kids getting excited, preparing a fun Christmas surprise for them, Christmas movies and stories, and the music.  I think Christmas would be three-quarter less exciting if there was no music.  Oh, and to think we're just beginning.  I'm gonna enjoy every minute of my 'BER' months this year!

this is me

this is me

Journal Jar - Birthday

Q:  Do you remember a special birthday party you've had, given or attended?

A:  I've had a lot of great birthdays.  My parents always gave me a special day when I was young.  When I was in elementary school, my dad would pick me up from school and take me out to lunch.  After school, my mom would take me to pick out a birthday cake.  On your birthday, you automatically got the front seat without having to battle for it.  And then, the Folkmans and Jones' and my grandparents would come over for cake and ice cream.  Since then, my most memorable was in New Jersey when strangers gathered to give me a surprise party at Applebee's.  I met most of them for the first time that day.

Q:  Describe favorite birthday present.

A:  Am I horrible?  I can't remember a lot of them.  I got some dolls I loved when I was young.  Probably my favorite is the Tiffany's ring Anne bought me for my 23rd birthday.  I was just out of college and I've worn it everyday since.

Q:  If you could have your favorite dinner for your birthday, what would it be?

A:  I have enjoyed lots of birthday dinners out ... El Matador, Tony's, Macaroni Grill, Noodles and Co., Spaetzle, etc.  I don't really care what is for dinner, I just like to have company.

Q:  Tell about family traditions: Christmas, birthdays, graduations, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, weddings.

A:  Christmas - Christmas Eve Party, Tea Party, happiness in general; birthdays - cake and ice cream; graduations - nothing specific but we're always proud of whoever did it; Fourth of July - sunrise ceremony, parade, park, resting and fun, BBQ, fireworks; Halloween - when I was young we traveled to a few homes to visit and raked in a lot more than traditional trick or treating; Thanksgiving - Weber River Trail walk, appetizers, a great dinner, and a pile of pies; Weddings - celebrations, in our family they only come every seven years so it's hard to say it's a uniform type celebration.

Q:  Tell about anniversaries, celebrations, trips, and gifts that you remember.

A:  I've had one anniversary so far and I got my best little pup, Daisy.  Jake got a tent.  We celebrate whatever we can, whenever we can.  By we, I mean me and whoever I can get to join my crazy train.  The best trips I've had are my honeymoon, the Caribbean cruise, Bear Lake, New York, and San Antonio.

Q:  What was the best birthday you ever had? Why?

A:  I don't have a favorite.  I love birthdays, mine or anyone else's as long as we get to celebrate.

why clothes suck

Is that too strong of language?  Sorry.  But it's just how I'm feeling right now.  Recently, I've had what you might call a 'complicated' relationship with clothes.  Now, if you don't like TMI posts ...Brian... this one may not be for you.  Sorry if you already scrolled through the pictures.  My bad.

I read this long old blog post I found on Pinterest about mom butts.  So, I asked Jake, "Do I have a mom butt?"  He said yes.  Then he asked what that means.  But it was too late.  Whether or not he is ignorant about mom butts he had already said I had one.  Jake said he answered yes because he thought about how much I like to be a mom and so any mom question must be answered in the affirmative.  I talked to my sister and cousins about it and decided to go on a hunt for new, and cute, jeans. 

Lo and behold, shopping sucks.  I decided to give several examples of why bedazzled jeans don't work on short, butt-less, girls.  Don't worry.  Even after my disappointment, I have a plan of action and there is another "butt post" coming.  Poor Noah has to endure more shopping and he's going to grow up thinking you have to take pictures in the dressing room.  

maybe these ones are okay, maybe

Here's where I think these go wrong ... I am short and I don't have a lot to show off back there so bedazzeled pockets are no good.  Plus, do you think any of these brand every heard of mom jeans?  Because if there is anything I can get away with, fashion-wise, it's low rise.  Midrise jeans just don't work.  What are you supposed to do with buttons and pockets on your belly button?

Here's my question .... I'm a month shy of 29 years old.  Can I shop in the juniors for jeans?  Will I have more success over there?  What kind of clothes am I supposed to buy?

Going on ... that's right ... there's more....

An anonymous friend was recently measured at Victoria's Secret and learned she is 2-3 sizes larger than she thought.  Here's the deal.  Another anonymous friend and I disagree.  Although they fitted her with a wonderful and comfortable item (you know what I'm talking about), I just can't believe that she is really double size anything.

My theory is that their theory is this: if you get measured and buy a comfortable bra from them, then any bra you buy elsewhere is going to fit poorly when you buy the same size.  Therefore, you will believe V.S. has the only bra for you.

I tested my theory.  I went to V.S. too, poor Noah, and was measured.  Here comes the TMI.  If you think you've already seen what you believe is a lot of information, here comes the icing on the cake.  The professional tape measurer said I am a 'C.'  A 'C?'  I wish!  There's no way.  I've been wearing and A for a few years and although I may have gained some weight in that area, it hasn't been that significant of a change.  I explained that to the woman so she said, "Then we'll compromise on a B."  Compromise?  Isn't measurements sort of black and white?  Isn't that the purpose of being measured?

I'm headed to Dillards for a second opinion.  More to come.

I've made my visit to Dillards and my suspicions have been confirmed.  Dillards measured me at the size I believe I am.  Unfortunately, they don't really keep my size stocked.  Awesome.  I decided to quiz the measuring sales woman, named Jo, about why V.S. measured so differently.  Jo guesses that it's easier to sell the size they told me than the size I actually am.  I shared my sales theory with Jo and she didn't dare laugh or anything.  She just politely said I may be right and that she has had several customers mention that V.S. sizes are different.

Going on, that's right, bear with me.  I've done some internet research now.  It seems like the consistent comments about V.S. is that they measure above your bust line, rather than across the bust line which is common in most stores (Dillards, Nordstroms, Fredericks).  Apparently, this particular websites is full of comments from women and the doctors involved with implants 700 cc +, which they consider a large size.  Large?  I'd say.

That reminds me ... at Dillards, I tried on a lovely lace item, which was a size larger than Jo said I was, but she asked me to try it and then show her.  I can't believe it, but I did.  When I invited her back into the room, I estimated that I seemed almost 2 tablespoons short, on each side, for this particular item.  Jo ignored my comment but I feel pretty confident in my estimation.

Here is a validating post I've discovered.  Apparently, this bride agrees, while her MOH (which after some time, I've decided must mean maid of honor) does not.  But if you read why, you'll understand.  The MOH just needs to accept her A-self.

Furthermore, you may be interested in this post.  Maybe you wouldn't be interested.

Why did I write this post?  I don't know.  I guess I just needed something to do that seemed like work.  You know ... research, thinking, ridiculousness, etc.  At least I tried to refrain from words like boobs or bra, and I never outed the anonymous contributors.  I'm sure my parents (who know this post is in progress) will be proud.

I need something to do.

a new favorite

This little bug loves to have her hair done.  It would be helpful if I knew how to do hair, right?  I saw these old school sponge curlers at Target and thought they would be a fun thing to try with Abbi.  She was so excited and could hardly wait until it was time for a bath Saturday night.  Her hair is so thick that I think next time I will double up on the number or curlers.  Or, maybe I should wrap the hair on differently.  Either way, I really enjoy the time when it's just Abbi and me.  Sometimes, after we put Noah to bed, we paint our fingernails, blow dry her hair, or braid it, you know ... girl stuff that Noah can't do because he's a boy.  I'm a pretty lucky girl to have this little bug, Abbi.

fruitloop necklace day

 

 

 

 

 

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Pizza Monkey Bread

We really liked this.  I don't have a good picture because I dumped it out of the pan.  But, as you can see, it cooked perfectly.  It was very yummy dipped in spaghetti sauce.

Noah the Photographer

 

he didn't take this one, obviously

 

Here is a sampling of Noah's photography skills.  He's not too bad.  Unfortunately, I had to delete a bunch of his pictures.  Sorry, Preschool Moms, but he may have taken pictures of all of you walking out of our house the other day.

this is me

this is me

Journal Jar - About

Q:  When you were a child, what games did you play in your house or neighborhood?

A:  When I was young we liked to play Monopoly with my dad.  I liked to play pretty much every any game that anyone would play with me but I never liked Clue.  During the summer, the neighborhood would come alive after dark with night games.

Q:  What is your full name? Who were you named for? How do you feel about your name? 

A:  Joey LaVaun.  My parents had thought about naming me Shari if I was a girl and Joseph if I was a boy.  Joseph LaVarr, after my grandpa.  But I was a girl, and my dad said I wasn't a Shari.  So here I am, Joey LaVaun, after my grandma.  I love my name, even when it has to be explained to every 3rd person.  It's unique.  I can't imagine sharing a popular name with a host of other girls.  It's too good to share.  Even better, I am named for my Grandma Hansen who loves and works hard for the comfort of her family.  She loves, remembers, and appreciates her heritage.  I like that about her.

Q:  What activities do you enjoy doing today that you also enjoyed as a child? Describe them.

A: I love and loved playing games.  I love and loved organizing things and counting money.  I would pretend to do all the things that I grew up to do.  I love and loved being around my family.

Q:  What special skills did you learn as a child? Who taught you?

A:  I learned how to pour a bowl of cereal and make macaroni and cheese at a young age.  It was sort of a survival skill.  My mom probably taught me ... she knew I would need it for survival.

Q:  What were your best and worst subjects in elementary school? In middle school? In high school?

A:  I was really good at math in elementary school.  In junior high, I did well in English.  And in high school, I barely pulled out of there at all so it's hard to claim one subject as my best.  Maybe English.  My worst subject has maybe always been science and P.E., and once I got into high school I'd add math and business class to unfavorites.

Q:  Do you have special childhood memories of playing with cousins? Talk about them.

A:  I was very lucky as a child to be raised across the street from one family of cousins.  I was the youngest of all 11 of us.  That turned out pretty awesome for me.  In addition to that greatness, I have a load of great cousins, each one better than the last.

postal pinterest

best envelope EVER!

my guesses of what might be inside before I opened it

it is an explosion!  i was right!

i glued them all to a board, you know, like a Pinterest board

this dress has cats on it.  awesome!

i knew this would be in here

"I'm a dangerous quack."

i LOVE this so much

 Wendy sent me a surprise in the mail!  It's the best thing I've gotten in the mail, pretty much ever.  Jake didn't understand it.  I really like how much my sisters know me and I'm so happy we're friends.  I'm certain I have to recreate that last photo or find that paper somewhere!

our Halloween Cauldron List

We can't wait for October!

blast from the past, part 2

You may remember me from other blog posts, such as A Blast from the Past and Someone Was an Ox and it Wasn't Me.  We're here for another installment of stories from the 80's, preschool style.

As I read a lot and retyped a few of these stories, I started to hear Adam Sandler's voice in my head due to the, periodically, ridiculous rhymes.  I'm sure he had a hand in some of them.

Do We Live At Your House?
A simple story about what manners look like to others.

Goldie Lox & The Golden Rule
A little sister gets into her brother's things without asking.

The Difference
Using pictures of the 7 Dwarfs, the story reminds us that it's okay that everyone looks different as long as everyone smiles.

Your Wonderful Body
A guessing game.  That's right.  A guessing game about the body.  Don't worry, preschoolers will like it and it won't turn awkward.  Except some of the rhyming does (enter Adam Sandler, I predict).  P.S. Let me know if you need the answers.  There are a couple of tricky ones, like disease and gangrene. 

i'm not much of a story teller

The other night, when Abbi was going to bed she begged for me to tell her a story.  And after one, she asked for another, and then just ONE more.  I don't really know fictional stories out of the top of my head due to the size of my inch-long memory.  So, I pulled some odd memories out of my head to tell her about.

1.  When I was young, maybe twelve or so, my family traveled to Zion's National Park for a camping trip with a selection of the Stone family.  Back then, I had to wear glasses ALL the time.  I didn't have contacts and I couldn't see well enough to ever take a break from my glasses.  There was a river near our campsite, the Virgin River.  It was flowing pretty fast, which made a fun game for my cousins and me.  There was a large boulder in the middle of the river and if you sat on it, the river would spin you around and push you off into the water.  It made for a lot of fun in the hot, southern Utah heat.  I have one cousin, who matches another cousin or two, with her long legs.  She took her turn to spin and drop off the rock, but I was standing too close.  Those long legs came flying around and by accident, my glasses were kicked off into the river.  Oh, no!  Our game stopped and we searched and searched the rocky bottom of the river for my glasses.  My parents hadn't bought them too long ago and I was so scared to tell them they were gone.  I knew they had to stretch to buy them and it would be terrible to have to buy another pair.  We scoured the bottom of the river until dark storm clouds made it too difficult to try any longer.  Slowly, I made my way back to the campsite.  Immediately, everyone knew my glasses were gone.  They were usually a fixture on my face and there I was, wet, cold, and blind.  I can't remember if my parents were mad or not.  I know they were upset but it felt like it was more because there was no way to replace the glasses.  The summer rain began to fall which drew out the tarantulas, running into unsuspecting campers dry hiding places.  And while the rain fell, the river banks were flooded.  There was SO much water.  That night, like every night, we had family prayer, and, I'm sure my parents prayed on their own for the glasses to turn up.  The campsite flooded overnight but the rain slowed down and maybe even stopped in the morning.  Before we headed back towards I-15 North, my dad and I went to the riverbank where I had played.  That morning, we had prayed again for the glasses to be found.  It was now or never.  I pointed out the boulder to my dad where my cousin and I had played so recklessly the night before.  Dad told me to take a certain number of steps out into the river.  I did.  Then, he told me to take a certain number of steps to the side.  I did.  Then, Dad said to reach down and feel the river bottom by my feet.  I did.  And, after just a second or two, my fingers felt the metal frames and I pulled the glasses out of the river and waved them above my head!  Our prayers were answered.  My parents had faith and prayed and their prayers were answered.  As a young girl, I got to witness the power of prayer and the blessing of faith because of my good parents.  What a happy ending!

Abbi:  Please!  Another one!

I'm not sure why I told her this next one.  I guess I wanted her to know there isn't just one story about having prayers answered.  And, I wanted her to know that parents (especially moms) love and pray for their daughters' happiness.  I think it turned out well.  She laughed and gasped at all the appropriate times.  Shall I use real names on my blog, you know, for personal record keeping sake?  No.  I guess I know how it feels to read my name in a blog post that was less than positive about how great I am.  Maybe Abbi will remember them :)

2.   A long time before I was married, I went to church with lots of people my own age, no kids, who were all unmarried.  There was one person there, who for a time, I thought I might like.  Then again, sometimes I didn't, and all the time I questioned my judgment.  But, for at least some of the time, he liked me, too.  Boys (not all of them, I guess) aren't always very bright or brave when they like girls.  And, they aren't very good at taking girls on dates either.  This boy was not bright, brave, or good at those things.  When I thought maybe we were going to be friends, he played a trick on me.  But the trick didn't go how he was planning.  Instead of automatically knowing it was a trick, I thought something was wrong with my car, and my two car experts told me not to drive it.  So, my roommate got me to an important work meeting, barely on time.  Then, we went back home so I could take my car to the dealership.  My boss was not happy.  I was worried about how much the dealership was going to charge me and I was worried about what my boss was thinking.  When I dropped my car off, the mechanic asked, "Could anyone have played a prank?"  I assured him there was NO way because, "I'm an adult.  I'm friends with adults.  No prank."  Then, I walked to my dad's work to borrow his car so I could get to work.  As I entered the freeway, the dealership called.  "Remember when I asked if it was a prank?"  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  A PRANK!?!?  A prank is the reason I was having a HORRIBLE day!?!?  Immediately, I knew who it must have been.  I hung up and called this guy, who I thought was mature and was my friend.  I didn't ask any questions.  I just started yelling.  And all he did was laugh.  He had no remorse, not even for what it had done to my day.  To him, it just made it all the more funny.  After I yelled a little more he asked, "Can we talk about this later?"  That's when I heard someone must have been in his office and heard the whole conversation.  "NO!  We can't!  We can never talk again!"  Then I went to work and cried my eyes out, which got me a lunch break three minutes after I walked in.  A fire of texts spread across my singles ward because this guy thought he was so funny he thought he'd tell everyone to ask me about it.  One girl, in particular, decided to get into my business.  The next few days were miserable.  Sunday arrived and I was anxious about the marathon of meetings that the aforementioned single-adults would be at, too.  But I went anyway.  And, nothing happened.  I ignored the boy and the girl kept her mouth shut.  I made it all the way through the Sunday meetings with no problems!  After church, I drove straight to my parents house to tell my mom that I was okay!  And, my mom was happy for me.  She told me she had prayed for me.  She prayed for that girl's mouth to be shut.  I couldn't believe it ... it worked!  My mom cared so much that she knew and remembered my feelings were hurt when she said her prayers.  And, her mom faith blessed me.  That's what mom's do.  They love, they remember, and they pray.  Then, Heavenly Father sends the blessings.

Abbi:  Tell me ONE more!  Please!  From when you were a little girl!

I couldn't think of one.  I tried to think of another prayer one.  I couldn't think of anything of the top of my head until I remembered this little number.  I may not have all the ages right, but I know I am not far off.

3.  When I was exactly Abbi's age my dad was released from being the bishop of our ward.  He had been the bishop for five years and was released before my eighth birthday.  In our ward, there were a lot of elderly folks, including a lot of widows.  My dad had a special relationship with them that he maintained until each of them passed away.  I think he spoke at most of their funerals.  There was one widow, who we visited a lot.  After she couldn't live alone any longer she was moved into a nursing home.  I've never known anyone as old as this woman was.  Pearl Child was more than 100 years old and had lost her husband many, many years before.  Pearl had a strong mind well after her 100th birthday but a few birthdays after that, and her mind and body got a little more weak.  (Abbi asked, "Now, how wrinkly were her hands?  Very wrinkly?"  I assured her that Pearl's hand were, in fact, very wrinkly.)  My dad visited Pearl regularly long after he was released from being the 7th Ward bishop.  One visit, he came in and Pearl's eyes lit up.  She thought Grandpa Hansen was her husband (who had actually died a long time ago) and was returning from a mission!  And because she had missed him so much, and because she was so happy to see him (the husband/Grandpa) she kissed him!  And boy, did she kiss him!  She was so happy and told Grandpa how glad she was he had come.  Pearl even wanted to give him another kiss!  Can you believe that?  105 year old, wrinkly woman thought Grandpa was her husband and kissed him!  

Abbi laughed and kept asking questions about how small and wrinkly that woman was.  She asked for another story but I'm pretty sure I didn't do well choosing memories on the spot.  I better stop writing and start think about more appropriate stories for tomorrow night.

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I will always remember the morning of September 11th.  I was watching the news, live, when the second plane came into the picture of the broadcast of the smoking WTC tower.  I went to school that day, and then to file at the clinic, before I decided I really just wanted to go home and watch the news.

I will always remember the first anniversary, as well.  During September of the year after 9/11, I was living in New Jersey and during my lonely free time, I would listen to books on tape/CD of fireman, policeman, and civilians who survived the attacks.  9/11 ties my generation together like Vietnam of the generation before us and WW2 of our grandparents.

I am grateful for the brave heroes from all of these generations and appreciate the safety and freedoms they protect for me.