I need to blog October like I need a hole in the head...

Hello, dear friends/family. I had a pretty crazy and unexpected month. I know my dad and others will kill me if I don't get this post up soon, so here it is. I'm just going to do one long post in calendar format because that's just how October was.  Each day was an adventure.  I'm sparing you a few gruesome photos, but if you want to see them, text me. :)  There are some humorous parts, but I know this is a ridiculously long/wordy post - so sorry if you get bored. If you only want to read a little, I recommend Oct. 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 30th, and the last paragraph.  I also want to publicly thank all my friends and family and those who do not even know me for their prayers in my behalf!  I felt them strongly this month! I felt the fasts and I loved the visitors I got to have. I had to be careful to let people in the house, but the few who came were appreciated!!

So, here I go:

1. I started my new job at Verisk!  Orientation, lunch at Thanksgiving Point, training. I was scared of so many things starting a new job at a company I was unsure about, but it turned out that every fear was squelched and I was on CLOUD NINE.  Little did I know how scary October would get!  And not just in the cutesy spooky Halloween way!  I received a call from my ENT Nurse Practitioner Liz, and I told Alyssa (training me) I had to take the call because I had sent in a sample to the lab at the Utah Valley Hospital the week before of the clear watery liquid coming out my nose in the mornings for the past month.  Liz told me she got the lab results - it is NOT Cerebral-Spinal Fluid (CSF), and that meant I wasn't in danger of anything - but just to try a few things to see if went away in the next few days. Amber (friend/roommate) and Meg (friend) took me to dinner to celebrate my first day and I was super grateful. 

   

   One of the first emails from my boss and he misspelled "Oops"

   
2. Day 2 training. My non-boyfriend-frequent-dinner-treater took me to dinner. I wondered yet again why I let this go on when we aren't interested in each other. Oh yeah - free food.
3. Day 3 training. My former roommate Becky met up with me for dinner to catch up and tell me she's PREGNANT! I was so elated and we hugged a lot. Then my phone rang - it was the ENT again. I told Becky I had to take the call.  Liz told me she had a feeling to check the results again and realized she read the report incorrectly.  It definitely IS CSF, and I need to come in for a CT scan ASAP (tomorrow).  Poor Becky - who was sharing her incredible news with me - had to then get up and hug me as I started to weep in fright right there in the American Fork Chilis.  I felt really bad that I ruined her moment, but she was super supportive and loving.  I went home and asked some friends from my last ward to give me a Priesthood Blessing. We still didn't know exactly what was going on, but I knew it was dangerous and would probably require surgery.  I wasn't the only one crying anymore, and the tears were hopeful/good ones. We truly TRULY felt that I was going to be okay. I felt it in my whole being. The Spirit was very strong. I will forever be grateful for that blessing!
4. Certainly not Day 4 training. HA!  More like - Heyyyyy bosses and HR, I need to get a CT scan and am leaking CSF and I might not see you again for a while, but thanks for hiring me byeeeeeeeee! I got to take my work computer home and Brad (new boss #1) told me I could work from home if I needed to, which was a violation of the regular policy. So grateful for him. I went in for the CT scan. Apparently, even though my medical benefits (which are now way better than before and the out-of-pocket max is $1500 - almost half what it was before - and I had over $1500 in my HSA from my last job - blessings blessings blessings) started Oct. 1, it takes several days for you to show up in the system. The ENT office wouldn't let me get the CT scan without my insurance card. I called SelectHealth and I wasn't in the system. I told the receptionists this was kind-of an emergency and I promised I was covered. They still wouldn't do it. One of them finally said she'd go talk to the nurses. She came back and said, "If you can pay cash today for your CT scan, we will do it." I was expecting it to be a few thousand, but I could just pay and get reimbursed later by insurance.  "How much is it?" "$368." I laughed. "Um yes no problem. Here you go - oh oh noooo I forgot my credit card info was stolen and they deactivated it and I'm waiting for the new one. Try this one - oh nooo it expired. Hmmm Oh duh. HSA card. Ladies, God is good. God is good." My ENT - Dr. Beus - did my ear surgery back in 2009 (see this post)  He is wonderful. So he looked at the scan, came in, and we had a chat.  "We found a hole in your skull." Ummmmmm okay..... Does that happen? Ever? "We need to know what is causing it. So I need you to get an MRI ASAP (tomorrow)."  I asked: "Are you saying... like...a brain... tumor?" I could barely get the words out. "Well yes. Maybe. It's possible. What you have is rare, but the causes vary.  It could just be a random defect in the tissues. It could be and usually is from trauma, but in your case, it isn't likely because of where it's at. It could be a brain tumor pushing out from the inside. We just need to go in and check.  The other problem is where the hole is situated. Right next to your carotid artery and your optic nerve. It's almost impossible to get to. So, hopefully the MRI will give us answers and then we can move forward." He saw the terror in my eyes and waved his hand in clarification: "It probably isn't a tumor. And if it is, it probably isn't cancerous. The majority aren't." OK. He said that we'd have to close the hole somehow, but if it's a tumor, we'll be having a "very different conversation." If he couldn't get to the hole through my nose/sinuses, he would have me work with Dr. Edwards the neurosurgeon and go in through the side of my head (including shaving my hair off on that side). My mom flew in ASAP and I sobbed to her over the phone while she took the train from the airport to my home. We hugged at the train station and she kept her cool as she needed to for me and my anxieties. She was so strong for me just like I needed her to be.
5. Mom and I went to the clinic for the MRI.  I was so nervous about my built-in retainer, I called/asked/googled at least FOUR different times if that was going to be okay. I also worried the little retainer from my upper teeth that I SWALLOWED IN AUGUST (see post) was still in there and would come ripping out of my abdomen. I even spent painstaking minutes trying to get all my glitter nail polish off my fingers. "Detail-oriented" doesn't just matter in the office, kiddos. I felt the prayers and fasts of my friends and family when I realized how much more nervous I really should have been, but felt calm that everything was going to be okay.  To get through the MRI claustrophobia possibility, I kept my eyes closed and sang hymns in my head. I also thought of my favorite Jason Mendoza EDM scenes from The Good Place (since the MRI sounded like EDM at moments) and the MRI episodes of The Office and Parks and Rec. All those things really helped me have a good experience. Then the tech had to inject something through an IV and he had a hard time getting a vein. After he had to stick me again and dig a little, he finally got it. I told him it could've happened to anyone because I'm nice. Then he almost left to continue the tests without putting me back in the MRI tube. He was so embarrassed that this was strike two for him and I yelled loud enough for everyone in the CLINIC to hear, "GET ME ANOTHER TECHNICIAN! JEEZ!" We both laughed, but I knew he felt awful. Mom and I went home and waited for the results. We knew they would be online within a few hours, but it would take until Monday for a doctor to call and go over the results with me.  When the report came, I squeezed my mom's hand and had her sit with me as I opened it, heart pounding. Since I don't know what the heck anyone could use for whatever purposes whatsoever whatever whatever, I redacted most of this, but the highlighted section was by far my favorite part of the report.  We both breathed sighs of relief and sent the report to Spencer to look over. He called and we chatted about it for a bit. He told me the high success rates of these surgeries on the first try and reassured me I'd be okay.

   

   I also have pics from the MRI if you want to see them. Text me.

6. General Conference! The messages were beautiful and yet again, I felt I would be okay. I know better now that sometimes God takes His Children to Himself to teach us something (as He has with some of my friends and family). And sometimes He heals His Children to teach us something (as He has with others of my friends and family). Everyone is different with a different schedule and plan. I can't compare my experience to anyone else. After listening to the new Saints book, I learned that in the Haun's Mill Massacre, little Alma was spared and the missing hip replaced and healed. But his siblings died. What made the difference? I don't know.  But I know his plan looked different than his siblings'.
7. General Conference! More amazing messages. TWELVE new temples announced. My dad couldn't bear it any longer and drove from California to be with us in Utah. Started my social media 10-day fast to follow the prophet Russell M. Nelson's counsel. I was glad to get rid of it for a while and just heal physically and mentally.  I also had to drop choir for the rest of the semester, but they will still let me perform with them in Carnegie in July and are praying for me.  Amber has the place decked out for Halloween, so I enjoyed watching conference in the comfort of our crows.
   
8. Worked from home again and waited and waited for the call from Dr. Beus. He was busy and didn't get around to it until the evening. We talked about the results of the MRI - "It's not a tumahhh!" (name the movie).  He explained my options. "My colleagues and I have been going over the results. We've been measuring and re-measuring. We think - THINK - we can get to it through your nose. It's just in the worst possible spot. It's right next to the carotid artery and optic nerve. It's just awful placement. But I think I can do it. Or, you can have Dr. Edwards do it through the side of your head. That would involve a skull saw and a brain "lift" to access the hole, and he still might not even be able to get to it because of where it is. Your third option is a lumbar shunt, which would drain the pressure from your head to see if the hole just closes itself, be just as invasive as brain surgery, and might not even work. Or we can put you on strict bed rest and see if it goes away on its own, which is probably not likely because parts of your brain tissue are actually sticking out through the hole into your sinus cavity, and we need to push them back inside. So, what do you think?" "So you're telling me that if I go the more aggressive route with the neurosurgeon - with WAY harder recovery and invasion, that it STILL might not work?" "Yes." "And if you try it, but can't get to it, and we have to try the neurosurgeon later, how long would I have to wait?" "Four weeks." "And it's right next to the carotid artery, so... basically pretty dangerous, right? Gads. Ok. Well, Dr. Beus, if it were YOU, or your daughter, what would you choose?" "I would let me do it. I think I can get to it, and your recovery will be exponentially better." "OK, that's what I'm thinking too. Let's do this." "Alright, I'll have someone call you tomorrow to set up surgery."
9. Worked from home. Was called in the morning to setup surgery for the very next day. Had to go back to Dr. Beus's office for pre-surgery paperwork. Went to billing to be reimbursed for the CT scan now that I was in the system for SelectHealth.  Got my money back. Then, I got a text from Tracy at Aquaveo.  When my company told me I could get a new cell phone (on Verizon!) for work, I had them port over my old number from the group account I was on with Tom and others at Aquaveo.  Tom is a VP at Aquaveo and was in charge of the T-Mobile group account. Tracy is the only designated representative to talk to T-Mobile about it. When I gave my new company IT guys my number my first day, it got lost in translation and several days later, another employee asked me for the number on the T-Mobile account (without me realizing he didn't have my number at all). I - assuming he meant the head number on the account - gave him Tom's number.  They ordered the phone, but it didn't come until later in this story. Tracy's text to my existing phone said, "Lindsey! I think Verizon pulled Tom's number over instead of yours!" Ohhhhhhh good. I finished up at the doc and headed over to Aquaveo to see if I could help sort it out because Tom - a VP - no longer had a working phone, and it was my fault. I told everyone not to hug me because if I get sick, germs can travel through the hole in my head and give me meningitis. And then, you know, death. Basically. Or getting close to it.  John was on the phone with T-Mobile (and a third person from Verizon) because Tracy had left for the day and Tom was on an all-day conference call. They told John he wasn't authorized on the account and he yelled at him and said "Lindsey is in the hospital, and the VP of our company doesn't have a phone. FIX IT." I got on with them and okayed it. It took an hour, but they finally sorted it out and I was on my way. I got in my car, and a text came through to my existing phone from T-Mobile. "Welcome to T-Mobile! Your new number is xxx-xxxx" It was TOM'S NUMBER!!! I groaned and threw my head back in disgust.  They now gave my phone Tom's number and he was STILL without a phone. I called John and told him to get back on the phone and yell some more. I was going to drive to my new office and pick up my new phone which had just come in. Maybe this would solve it.  On the way to my office, I had the thought, "This is my last day on earth, and I'm spending it on a cell phone problem." ................ Thankfully, it wasn't my last day. Obviously. But I wasn't too pleased. I think it was actually a blessing to keep my mind on trivial things instead of impending doom. Ha!  Then, my phone dinged "No service" and I was officially without a working cell phone one day before surgery.  The hospital had my number, the doc had my number, and nobody would be able to reach me. Once I arrived at Verisk, I went to get my phone, and it was so late in the day by then that the cell phone guy (Cory) had already left for the day.  I told the other IT guys, "Well, I don't want to be dramatic, but I'm getting surgery tomorrow and I kind-of need that phone today." They were all aghast and gave me Cory's cell phone number.  I went to my desk, remembering my computer was at my house, but at least I had a phone I could use. I called Cory, who was at his DAUGHTER'S SOCCER GAME, and told him the situation. He was so so kind to sit and help me through it. It went something like this, "Ok well the phone is on my desk. Just go get it and at least you'll have something that should work. NO KICK IT INTO THE NET, NOT OVER THERE! GO BACK AND GET THE BALL! OK, once you get the phone, call me back, and I'll walk you through setup. GET BACK IN THE GAME." I got the phone, opened it up, and called Cory again. "OK, you will need to switch out the SIM card because it's programmed with your old boss's number.  I'll get you another SIM card from another phone and I'll tell my guys to help.  Call me back once you've done that." Then Cameron from IT took my new phone back to his desk, and returned with it and a SIM card and a SIM card popper-outer-doohickey. He left. I called Cory. Cory told me how to switch the SIM card. As I used the doohickey, the SIM card popped UP OUT OF THE PHONE AND SOMEWHERE ONTO THE FLOOR.  I knew I didn't have time to search for it, so I just inserted the new one and reset the phone per Cory's instructions. Once I finished, he said, "Ok, great - now check your contact info and let me know the number it says." "IT'S TOM'S NUMBER!" "WHAT?! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!? WAIT... YOU SWITCHED THE SIM CARD, RIGHT?" "Yes!  Oh my gosh. Cameron must have already switched it by the time he handed it to me." Yes, that is what happened when we confirmed the numbers on the SIM matched the numbers on the box. So now - are you still with me here? - so now I had to get down on my hands and knees and search for the STUPID SIM CARD THAT POPPED OUT.  I finally found it after like five minutes, popped it in the phone, reset it again, and then it tried to make me go through the whole setup process for my Apple account. Cory kept yelling at me to skip it, but I didn't see that option and was getting more and more frustrated. Finallyyyyyyyyy I saw where I could skip it after resetting it again about three times. Finally got to the contact card. It was a random Utah phone number, not mine or Tom's. It was the old employee's. Cory said, "OK. I will talk to my guy in NYC at Verizon and get your new number worked out, but at least now you have a working phone." I thanked him. I will be forever grateful. I knew I needed to contact the hospital ASAP since they were supposed to call with my scheduled surgery time to the broken number. I didn't have my computer to search the number, so I asked a coworker if I could google on his machine. He was very bothered and confused and reluctant. It was awkward. Very awkward. I headed home finally - around 6pm.  And that was how I spent my possible last day on earth.

   

   Had to take a snap of this since I definitely thought it said something other than CPAP and I was like YES.

10. Brad gave me five PTO days against typical company policy. I will be forever grateful. This was PTO day one. Pre-surgery-required fasting, thirsty, and only a little nervous (again due to prayers and my name on Temple Prayer Rolls in multiple states across the country), I played games with my parents, played piano and sang in case I came out of this tone deaf or something, and just relaxed. At 2pm, we headed to the Utah Valley Hospital. I got checked in and in a pre-surg bed surprisingly quickly.  Then they told me Dr. Beus had an emergency surgery he had to do earlier that day and was running behind. So we waited for about four hours.  In that time I got more dehydrated, and by IV time, my veins were n.o.w.h.e.r.e. in sight. And I mean nowhere. They brought out a machine that can look inside you like an X-Ray and find veins. Nothin'. They brought in a second nurse. Then a third. A fourth. They contemplated doing an ultrasound. They poked, prodded, and examined for an HOUR. It was pretty funny - I promise. Finally, after a failed stick and dig in my inner forearm (which bruise is still healing and visible 23 days later), they got it in my outer forearm and we were finally set. Dr. Beus came in and talked with me. Told me he purposely saved me for last in the day so he could take his time. I told him to let God guide him. I was beyond any appropriate secular language and just told him I had faith and he could do it with God. He told my parents to expect about an hour and a half, giving a little wiggle room if he had to do some exploring. I made my parents each give me a kiss on the cheek and I said I'd see them later. They wheeled me into my OR, and the anesthesiologist and nurse tried to calm me down by puns and laughter. I laughed a little, but the fear had set in now. I knew that in a millisecond according to my time, I would be waking up blind or in heaven. Or neither. But they were real possibilities. As they placed the oxygen mask on me, I breathed and shook and panicked to the point of only responding with nodding or shaking my head in silence. "Do you know any good jokes?" the anesthesiologist asked. Nope. "Do you know any bad ones?" Nod. "Do you want to tell us any?" Nope. I shook my head. Then I woke up a millisecond later in recovery coughing twice, followed by a super lovely projectile vomiting.  The nurses were calm and collected. "That's good. Coughing is good! Let it out! OH oh oops. Ok. Ok. Here... let's just clean you up here a little." They wheeled me to my room for the night, and Dr. Beus was by my side. "Lindsey! Lindsey! Can you see?! Can you see out of both eyes?!" I slowly winked with each eye, reached over the rail to his arm, and said, "I CAN SEE, DR. BEUS! YOU DID IT!" Then, I caught a glimpse of the clock. 10pm. Four hours after we started. My thoughts immediately went to my poor parents. They were told 1.5 hours and had been waiting all that time. Turns out my mom called them finally at her wits end right as they finished. I later would find out that Dr. Beus did not sit, take a break, eat, or anything in those four hours at the end of a long day of surgeries. He is my hero. I truly mean that. He was doing so much cauterizing and exploring (and fixing my deviated septum [high-five]) and said I was, and I quote, "A bloody mess." Neat-o! I was the longest surgery he's ever done. I told him I was glad I could break the norm for him. My hero!  I had zero pain for the first 24 hours or so. I was still numb from so much anesthesia. The roof of my mouth on the entire left side + was completely without feeling. My lip had a cut/bump from the breathing tube that left it numb and sore for about two weeks. But I'm alive. I can see. I can sing. I was saved. ♥
11. Day two PTO. I am now on strict no-strain orders for at least six weeks (later he would change this to two months). No bending over. No lifting anything over 10 pounds. No pushing when I use the restroom. No exercising beyond normal walking. No lying flat (always inclined at least 30 degrees). Any of these things adds pressure to your head, and pressure could pop out the plug/patch Dr. Beus installed in my skull.  It is several layers thick, consisting of synthetic dura mater, glue, tissue from my nasal turbinates, etc. The tissues act as a graft and need to latch on to the local blood supply to make the patch permanent. The glue will help it get to that point. My left sphenoid sinus is packed with dissolving stuffing (will take about eight months to disappear entirely) to hold the patch in place so it can latch. Now we wait. If I start leaking CSF again, we go round two and include the lumbar puncture as well to help the pressure. If the hole is not closed and I get sick, I'm at risk for meningitis. So, time will tell. The morning of the 11th, I waited for my parents to return. Dr. Beus came by to check on me and said I looked great! I told him about not being able to feel the roof of my mouth, and he said that it should come back in time (who knows how long), but that part of it would always be dead from some of the nerves he had to hit. I understood and knew I'd adapt. Until then, yogurt, pudding, cream of wheat, and soup for me. Chewing was difficult and dangerous since I couldn't tell how big the pieces were before swallowing them. My parents came in and I was released to go home and rest. I ended up being awake most of the day, and we watched TV shows and held gauze under my nose with a sweet "mustache" for the blood. Cute, right?  My cousin gave us huge bags of his delicious soups - Butternut squash, corn chowder, mushroom, and chili. It was so so nice of him and all I could eat for a bit!
12. Day three PTO. Recovery. My dad really wanted to go to movies and get out of the house. I couldn't do any of that and felt bad. I was pretty boring for several days. 
13. My cell phone is STILL not working, and we have been texting Cory for days (including my dad doing it during my surgery) to try to get it up and running. I was not getting any of the messages my sweet friends were trying to send. Plus no Facebook messages since I wasn't checking it. I was basically off the grid for a while. I'm not complaining about anything except that my friends were being sweet and I was unwillingly ignoring them. Other than that? It was kind-of awesome.  My dad took us for a drive to get me out of the house and into some fresh air. It was beautiful with Fall colors and we got to go all around the area. We picked up a new humidifier to help me breathe.
    
14. My parents went to their old ward and I stayed home. They shared with me everyone's support from the Northridge 3rd ward where I grew up. I was so touched. We watched spiritually uplifting movies and I ate a grilled cheese sandwich, it being the first thing I chewed post-surgery. It was. Amazing. I was getting used to my new mouth. I also peeled off the layer of dried blood surrounding my nostril. It hurt and my skin was raw underneath, but I was sick of it. Started sending this pic around telling friends and family I was enjoying the piano as the new me post-surgery!
    
15. Day four PTO. My dad left for NYC for work, and my mom and I just got to hang out all day at home again. We watched more Parks and Rec. I got in a convo with Tracy where I told her we really just needed to get my phone working. She had told me a couple times in the days past that they promised her it would be 4-24 hours. It never ever was. I was also texting Cory for updates, and he said the fault was T-Mobile's, and we still had to wait on them. Suddenly - after they told Tracy it would be 24 hours, my phone wigged out. I tried calling my old number and the message said, "The Verizon customer you are trying to reach is not available" A GLIMMER OF HOPE! VERIZON HAD THE NUMBER FINALLY AND HAD TO ASSIGN IT TO ME! I told Cory. I told Tracy. Tracy called back T-Mobile and told them to STOP RIGHT THEN. They promised they would. Then she got off the phone with them, and my new phone suddenly said T-Mobile again instead of Verizon. If meningitis doesn't kill me, this will. After a few resets and what I assume is just plain Divine Intervention, suddenly my OLD phone stopped working and my new phone started working again with Verizon at the top. I had friends/family test it, and my old number was finally assigned to my new phone! HALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLELUUUUUUUUJAHHHHHHHHHHH! 
    
16. Day five PTO. First followup appointment with Dr. Beus AND Liz. We asked them all our questions and they gave us all their answers. Everything was on track with exactly how it should be. Liz said, "Did I ever tell you what I said when I went to check your lab report again? I never check it again, and just had a feeling to go do it. I saw that I read it wrong, and I said, "Wow, Jesus loves Lindsey." If she hadn't checked it again, we'd be in big trouble. It was one of many many miracles. Liz gave me a note to give to my office proving I wasn't just using this job for insurance or not working. Dr. Beus stuck a machine up my nose to suck out some of the buildup. It hurt like heck. That is all. My mom and I picked up a few more things. A reachy-stick (sweet, right?) to help me pick things off the floor, more yogurt, etc. I was up and walking around quite a bit, too.  That night, about an hour after doing more nasal rinses than usual per doctor's orders and adding an antibiotic to the solution, a clear watery substance poured out of my nose. Just like the CSF used to. I went into a panic and did not sleep. I prayed with my mom and begged God that I would be ok. I knew I would be, but maybe this meant I would be okay after another surgery.  I knew it was probably from the rinse, but how could I know for sure?
17. Worked from home. Called the doc first thing in the morning and left a message asking about the discharge and a weird smell. Prayed a lot. Read scriptures. Felt absolutely comforted and calm once again.  Liz called me back and explained that the draining was just from the rinse and that is super normal up to four hours after these rinses.  She told me to help me feel better, she'd prescribe another round of antibiotics for the smell. Everything calmed down and I felt at ease again.  I told her a statistic I heard that 98% of people with my condition who get meningitis DIE. She laughed, texted me (now we are text friends all the time because I'm high-maintenance) and emailed me the stats showing that if they know it's meningitis because of my condition, and I go to the ER right away, there is almost a ZERO percent chance of death.  Once again, calmed down. Saw a movie with my mom and my dad was super jealous he didn't get to do that with me when he was here.
18. Worked from home. More TV and fun with mom. We ate out a couple times, too. I was getting my energy back.
19. Worked from home. More movies with my mom.
20. My dad called and said he was coming back to town because of a schedule change at work, and asked if I'd be okay if he and my mom both went back to California the next day. I knew she needed to get back, but I selfishly did NOT want her to leave. She had been my nurse and caregiver! I knew I was feeling well enough to let her go, but it was tough. We decided I would drive us to the airport to pick up my dad since I hadn't driven in a while and I needed to be comfortable doing that if I didn't have my chauffeur anymore! All worked out, minus a 45-minute traffic jam and my poor dad sitting and waiting outside because his phone died and he didn't know we were stuck. We went to dinner and to a movie. My dad's favorite activity. And all of ours.
21. My parents left in the morning and saying goodbye was difficult. I went back to sleep, then got ready and actually put on makeup and went to church for a bit. Because germs are still a scary thing, I came late and left speedily right when Sacrament Meeting finished. I don't want to tell people not to touch or hug me when I look like nothing is wrong.  It was a huge blessing and miracle that Dr. Beus was able to access the hole from my nose instead of having a huge bloody incision and shaved head, but it does present an issue of convincing people I'm not at full capacity. If meningitis doesn't kill me, not being hugged for two months will. JK. I'm hugging some people now if they aren't sick and I love them. Haha.
22. Worked from home. Second followup appointment with Dr. Beus. He answered more questions and used the blessed suction machine again. This time they numbed me with a nasal spray that I almost projectile-vomited out. That stuff be nastyyyy. And it still hurt when he touched the incision where he fixed my septum. But I'm still grateful.
23. Worked from home. Watched a lot of Parks and Rec.
24. Actually went back to work in the office. Everyone was super concerned and I am so touched by their kindness. I had some new coworker friends come make my desk handi-capable. Everything brought up to my level so I don't have to bend down. Heavy things opened so I don't have to. Fridge moved onto a desk, etc. 
25. Oh my gosh are you still reading this? I'm pretty sure I've been sitting at my desk for over two hours just typing this up. It's so nice to get it all out, though. Worked in the office. Watched movies with Amber.  She has taken on the role of my caretaker and she is an absolute angel. She has to do my laundry, ALL the house cleaning (and I mean all - dishes, vacuuming, even mirrors), fill my humidifier, pick up things I can't get to, help me with food prep if I can't reach something, etc. She's an angel!  I went outside to bring in some packages and called for Amber to grab them since I couldn't bend down to get them. Then in a moment of sheer stupidity, while waiting for her to come get them, I BENT DOWN TO SEE WHO THEY WERE FOR. Amber yelled, "What are you doing?!" and I yelled, "What am I doing?!" and I'm just plain dumb. Blame it on the hole in my head. She said if that one instance causes me to need surgery again, she'll forever feel like it was her fault for not coming sooner. I told her if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Haha...
26. Worked my first Friday ever at Verisk. Ha. Learning more and more. Loving it. My cousin who owns a kitchen food supply business and his wife brought me the groceries I ordered online and put them away for me. They are saints!!!! I will be forever grateful. Watched movies with Amber.
27. Went for my first walk to get the mail. It was. Exhausting. Then, I joined up with girlfriends to go to dinner for Tanya's birthday and Halloween times. I was nervous of the germs all around me and sanitized my hands like every 20 minutes. It took everything out of me, and I couldn't join them for the second half of the evening's festivities. I stayed home and relaxed. 
28. Decided to go to all three hours of church and just tell people not to touch me. I sanitized my hands nearly constantly and a bunch of people hugged me anyway. Their kindness could kill. Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa.  One guy gave a talk about how hugs help cure illness and relieve depression and anxiety and how we need to do it more in our ward. I almost burst into tears. My friends and I laughed, "Or... it could kill you." But I decided to be more open to hugs from healthy people I loved. The Relief Society passed around a signup sheet to bring me meals twice a week through Dec. 20 while it's tough for me to cook.  I told them if they couldn't do it, I'd be fine. I can get takeout or make small things, but they would have none of that and really wanted to help. I was so touched.  By the time the signup sheet got to my row, it was completely filled. I have an amazing ward. I will be forever grateful. Watched movies with Amber.  She suggested I take Emergen-C with her to help stave off colds/flu while I'm susceptible. I took some for the first time ever and also had a bunch of orange juice earlier in the day.
29. Woke up with eczema ALL OVER MY LEGS. LIKE ALLLLLL OVER. I remembered that my mom told me she gets eczema if she has too much Vitamin C and I realized my mistake. Slathered on some really old expired prescription-strength corticosteroid cream and went to work. Worked. My neck started to hurt really really bad after sitting at my desk and a stiff neck is one of the warning signs of meningitis. If it was really bad mixed with a fever, straight to the ER. That stressed me out even more and the eczema got worse. I went home and took my temperature. No fever. Just stress and desk sitting. If you want eczema pics, text me. I've got 'em.
30. As I was leaving for work, my garage door got about a foot from the ground, and went back up. Over and over I tried it to no avail. Amber had already left. My computer was at work so I couldn't work from home. I tried messing with the sensor with my foot, only to kick it off its holder onto the garage floor. I can't bend down to pick it up, so I tried with my grabby-stick for an eternity also to no avail. Finally went to my neighbor's house, rang the doorbell, and asked if she could come help me. She put the sensor back and we worked on it for 45 minutes. Nothing seemed to fix it. The sensor lights told us everything was working. I googled it and finally found a post with the same problem and the guy said the tracks just needed to be lubricated.  I thought that was stupid for a two-year-old house, but then I saw his was only three years old. I found some WD-40, doused the tracks and wheels, prayed, and the garage door finally shut!  My eyes were swollen and puffy that morning from sinus pressure, so I also wasn't wearing makeup and was having a bit of a tough morning already. Ha. Got to work at like 11. Called the dermatologist to get some sort of med for my eczema that was driving me crazy. They told me he was in THE HOSPITAL WITH KIDNEY STONES and they had to reschedule all his appointments out several weeks and the next opening was after THANKSGIVING. I knew I'd probably be okay by then. Ha!  By this point, I was just laughing because this is my life now. I texted Liz and asked her to add a steroid to my list of new meds. Got my first meal brought in. Went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds before they closed. They said nothing was called in.  Turns out the nurse had called them into the wrong pharmacy, and I texted Liz again to switch it, but it was too late and my pharmacy closed. Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Watched movies with Amber. 
    
31. Picked up my new meds in the morning on the way to work. Enjoyed a great day, actually, and a work party. Some other girls wanted me to join in their group costume of superheroes. Since I am in post-surgery-mentality, I bought a big comfy tunic that had the Wonder Woman logo on it and a cheap headband. And that was as much as I could do.
    
    At the party, I ran into a few old friends I didn't know worked at Verisk! Went home to prepare my cornbread for Amber's Halloween dinner party. I forgot I can't make anything and just mixed it up, then waited for Amber to come home to get out the pan, pour the batter in it, and put it in the oven. Amber had all the halloween candy in her car, and trick-or-treaters were coming early! I had to pretend I wasn't home because I had NOTHING to give them. This continued for half an hour, and at one point, I even answered the door. They wouldn't stop ringing the bell. I answered it and said, "I'M SO SORRY WE ARE OUT OF CANDY HERE BUT MORE IS COMING PLEASE COME BACK LATER" and the children looked so sad and close to tears. It was awful.  Amber finally arrived, we (she) ran around like chickens trying to set up a candy station at the door that I could man (had to have a chair I could sit in because I couldn't bend to drop candy in their bags, had to have a basket of candy on my lap that I didn't have to lift, etc. It was a comedy of errors, but worked out in the end. We enjoyed dinner and games with friends, and went to bed. 

SO LONG, OCTOBER! Honestly, even though there were absolutely terrifying moments, I have never grown so close to God and my Savior Jesus Christ than in this crazy month. I know I was comforted deeply. I know I am watched over. I know I will be okay. His Love surrounds me and I feel it. Most of all, I know God and Jesus Christ live. They have a Plan for me. They are taking care of me. I will testify over and over of the miracles and blessings that came this month. I am so so so blessed, and I will be forever grateful.

A Series of Undigestible Events

I have a nice recap of the past several months at the bottom of this post if that's the kind of thing you're into.  If you're just here for the laughs, I've got some of that for you right here.

First of all, thank you for reading my blog through thick and thin, famine and feast.  I can keep a daily journal just fine, but updating my blog seems like an elaborate saga akin to getting a physical.

I should enjoy it more, and I bet I would if I stayed on top of it.  Don't hold me to that.

OK.  ON TO THE POST.

Over the past couple weeks, I have had a series of ingesting events which should have landed me in the hospital every time, but didn't.  I should probably be in textbooks.

Incident #1: Science takes a bad turn.

You know how people like to create impressive fountain shows involving dropping Mentos in Diet Coke?

I was NOT thinking about this when I purchased a pack of fruity Mentos and got Diet Coke from a soda fountain.

I then consumed these items at the same time.  After a few swallows, I remembered the reactions this can cause.  I prepared to die.

Give my regards to my future husband. I'll meet you in the next life!

I pictured my stomach erupting and pieces of me being strewn all over my desk. The true sadness would have been dying AT WORK. At my desk. At my computer.  What a world!

After some googling, it appears my panic was in vain.

You only get the volcanic reaction by dropping mint Mentos into a pressurized bottle of Diet Coke. Once you bite into a Mentos (Mento?) (Love memento?), the surface area is broken and will not produce the same results.

Phew.

Incident #2: OrthodonThai

While my folks were helping me into the new house (yep - I moved! See the update later in this post), Karl and Cherie visited, and we went to Thai Drift for dinner one evening.  Having been treated to the BEST Thai food of my life several weeks prior by my non-boyfriend-frequent-dinner-payer-partner-dater-thing Andrew (who served his mission in Thailand and ordered off the menu), I knew that the dish closest to what he ordered was Beef Waterfall, and I got that.  The spices were great, but a little sticky.

After one particular bite, my tongue ran along the back of my upper teeth and felt the remnant of the spices stuck to the enamel.  "Man, I can't get these rough remnants off my teeth." "Wait a second."  "Waitttttt. Those aren't remnants of spices. Those are remnants of bonding."  I turned to my mom and asked her to check if my permanent retainer was still installed.  She couldn't tell, so I ran to the restroom and checked in the mirror.  Retainer. Gone.  Swallowed. Whole.

Luckily, that retainer only held together two teeth, so it is small... but with sharp edges.

We went to a movie that night, and I started having a bit of a panic attack when I got indigestion. I almost had my mom take me to the hospital, but I remembered that in Spencer's doc training, patients who swallowed stuff were just watched until they passed it.  If complications arose, they'd do emergency surgery at that point. I wasn't sure I was an emergency yet because the pain wasn't constant.  We waited it out, and I was completely fine in the morning.

Phew.

Incident #3: McDON'Talds

A couple days later, my mom and I stopped at McDonalds to grab some quick dinner on our way home from shopping for the new house.  We both got large ice waters and a sandwich.  After finishing my water and playing games with my mom's siblings Chris and Tom, I realized my cup still sounded like it had blocks of ice in it when I shook it.  I knew there was no water left in the cup, so I opened it up to look inside.

GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is the fountain spout.  In my drink. That I completely finished.

I took it back to McDonald's two days later, and they were so happy to find their missing friend.  They offered me a free drink as compensation.  I wasn't pleased.  I called corporate and told them - they have yet to get back to me.

The good news is, I didn't get sick at all.  That I know of.

Phew. (?)


OKAY NOW FOR UPDATES!

I MOVED!  I fell in love with this house the second I saw it. Everything really worked smoothly and we all felt really good about it. I didn't even want to move a week before seeing it. Suddenly everything fell together and we got it.  It's even on Eden Way - and my parents especially were fond of my street sharing a name with one of their granddaughters.  I got a new house, new bed, new bedding, new spacious 4-car garage, new life!  Amber came with me, and we are loving it so far!

I feel so grown up with a headboard and a comforter that matches its pillows.  I know I've finally made it in this world.

I suffered through two - TWO!!!! - bouts of pinkeye this summer.  The first one was probably the worst thing anyone has ever seen.  Double infection, coupled with a sinus infection and head cold for three dang weeks.  I was quarantined and medicated and miserable.  I was so happy when it was over and I could leave my house with mascara on and my head held high.  After the swelling went down, some blood vessels burst and I was a cyborg for a good week or so.  I even traveled to San Jose to see my brother's ballroom concert and hang with the folks over Memorial Day during this time.  I didn't have to pack any makeup. It was terrifying.

Once it was finally gone and my house disinfected, I was on cloud nine.  Then a month later, I woke up with a crusty lid and cried.

This time, it was very mild and only in one eye, and you couldn't tell unless you were the doctor or myself.  I was so grateful.  I also wised up and invested in these puppies:

so I could wear makeup while healing. If you can't tell yet, makeup is very. VERY. important to me. Particularly mascara.  #ScandinaviansUnite! See-through Eyelash Disease (SED) is a very serious matter.

I do not take it lightly.

My brother Ryan came to town!!  We had an absolute blast together all through July.  Heather and the pups even joined us!  My parents came later. It was all wonderful.  We got to play a lot, have sleepovers, and enjoy time together.  Collin loved Tucanos. But only because he could have all the watermelon he could eat (drink).

Aren't they cute?

And one more thing to catch you up on - My parents both got to come to my choir concert on their anniversary, right after returning from Europe. It was so magical to have them there and knowing they were enjoying the music. I didn't see them until after the show, and while I was talking with them, I had a tap on my shoulder.  My dad said, "You have another visitor."  I turned around, expecting a member of my choir to say their goodbyes for the summer like we all were doing, and instead saw my SISTER!  She completely surprised me! I was elated, screamed, and we had a GREAT weekend all together!!  Thank you so much to my parents who made all of this happen. The house, the bed, the visits, Heather's surprise visit, the EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!  I love you guys so much and just am completely overcome with gratitude for you.  You are absolutely amazing.

The end.

The Bathroom Incident

This story is not terribly graphic, but it isn't male-friendly, so if you are one of my three male relatives who reads this blog, you've been warned... but it's still funny and needs to be shared, and I doubt you'll find it offensive because you've all been married.  I promise the ending will make you laugh.

I know the title makes it sound like *I* had a bathroom incident. As if I would share something like that on my blog. This story was luckily one for which I was only a supporting character.

I had the privilege of attending my friend Amanda's wedding reception in January. She and her husband are Polynesian, so it was a huge fancy dinner and party with hundreds of people and a hula program.  I absolutely loved it, and was really glad I got to go.  Polynesians know how to party.

Picture, if you will, yourself in my shoes as I relate the following experience.

My friend Kristin and I went to the restroom, leaving our purses with our table mates.

You can see how nice, classy, fancy, and beautiful this wedding was.  We told the couple sitting there that we would know it was them who stole our wallets if we came back and everything was gone. We're really good at making friends.

Side note - I was really excited that Amanda placed me next to this mystery guy "Alex Haws" - who didn't have a date listed.

He never showed up.

BUT I did find him on facebook! And he is actually a she. So... moving on with my life and this story...

We went to the restroom. As we walked in, I noticed that the girl in the big stall had an open suitcase on the floor and was obviously changing clothes and had come from out of town.

As we went about our business, I overheard the conversation from the girl in the big stall (Girl #1) and the one who walked in to speak with her shortly after we arrived (Girl #2).

Girl #2: "Hey how is everything going in there? You doing okay?"
Girl #1: "Yes, but I can't believe I bled out all over my rental car."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Girl #2: "I know, I'm so sorry. What can we do?"
Girl #1: "Well, could we maybe go to your place? Do you have a garage?"
Girl #2: "Yes, I have a garage."
Girl #1: "I just am so worried about the smell and the mess in the car.  Could I pull into your garage to clean it up so nobody sees?"
Girl #2: "Yes, no problem. We can head over there. I'm so sorry."

I came out of my stall and was just so sympathetic to their situation.  Women gotta help their sisters out!  I said, "Do you need supplies?  I have some in my purse back in the ballroom. I can run and grab it."

Girl #2: "No, we're okay."
Girl #1: "You DO? That would be amazing!"
Me: "No problem!  Stay right here! I'll run and grab my purse!"

I went back to the ballroom, but got caught behind the wedding party line making their grand entrance, so I knew it would be a while before I could get stuff to this poor girl who was just trying to come to this fancy wedding and not be a hot mess, but apparently bled out allllll over her rental car and I'm assuming her clothing.

I finally was able to grab my purse. I hurried back to the restroom.  On my way down the hall, I realized that they probably thought I meant I had CLEANING supplies in my purse - not LADY supplies.  I felt like an idiot.  Sure, I have industrial-strength car upholstery cleaner just chillin in the side pocket of my Michael Kors handbag.  Sure.

I walked in, Kristin realizing the miscommunication and not saying anything because she's nice and had a migraine and was confused...

Me: "Oh my gosh you guys, I'm a moron. I'm so sorry I just realized you probably thought I meant I had cleaning supplies.  I don't.  Just tampons." 
Girl #2: "Yeah I thought it was weird you were offering."
Girl #1, confused: "Huh... yeah... no problem."

I could feel the confusion growing, and felt the weird glances in my direction, which made me question what was going on. This is where the story takes a turn.

Girl #1, who had emerged from the stall looking totally fine and beautiful: "Yeah, I can't believe it. I picked up the beef for the wedding dinner, and it bled out all over my rental car."

The BEEF!

I yelled, "OHHH THE BEEF!" and burst into laughter.  They all realized what had just happened, and we all exchanged names, hugs, tears, and laughs. 

It was one of the better bathroom incidents of my life.

50% ain't bad, right?

I was going through my baby book and found a paper I filled out and sealed in an envelope in 1995 to be opened in my 20s.  It consisted of a list of goals I would like to have accomplished by the time I opened it and read it.  Though some of these can be pretty tender because I still very much want them and they have not been realized, I burst out laughing once I got to the end.  Hey, half of these have come to fruition - that should be worth something!!

1. Get Married and have 2 kids
2. Finished College ✔
3. Get a Music Scholarship
4. Gone to Hawaii or Bahamas ✔
5. Been through the temple ✔
6. Ackomplished Tennis (sic)

Number three is no longer a desire since school is no longer a desire.

Number one is still a huge goal for me. 

Number six can STILL HAPPEN, RIGHT???????!!!!

NO, WORLD, I HAVEN'T "ACCOMPLISHED" TENNIS - BUT MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T BE SO JUDGMENTAL ABOUT IT.  YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED? I EMCEED THE TALENT PORTION OF MY FAMILY REUNION EIGHT YEARS AGO. SO. THERE.

Some people even laughed.

Does anyone check this anymore?

I cannot believe I haven't blogged in 11 months.  It was a busy and incredible year with a lot of growing and improvement.  I doubt anyone even checks this, but if you do, drop a comment and say hi.  Maybe that'll motivate me to post more.  Ready for yet another big update post?  No? Me neither.  Here we go.

1. Roommate Changes

Becky got MARRIED!  She is stunning and was a beautiful bride.  We had her dress custom-made and it turned out wonderfully. 

My mom and I drove to Colorado for the second reception as well. It was a great road trip and we had a blast. 

The day Becky got married, Amber moved in!

Amber is so kind and clean and organized. She is a great roommate!  We have had many many deep conversations and get along great.  We even got to meet Lil' Sebastian at the Harvest Festival!!

2. Travel!!

I got to go on several awesome vacations in the past year.  I visited Heather Jolley in NJ to help her when they first moved there and Daniel had to take a work trip. Per usual, we laughed until we cried.  I fell in love with Morristown and the area.  So charming. I took the red-eye to NYC and had to snap a pic in front of Madison Square Garden for all my social media paparazzi. They are so annoying always wanting pics of my glorious face.  It's like... let me live my life in peace, people.

The next trip was back to NJ/NYC and Boston for a solid 10 days!  We got to see Ethan get his Eagle Scout and Laura get baptized.  I went on three dates that trip.  Never a dull moment.  I shall outline them for you here:

• The setup by Heather J. numbero uno: I had teased her that previous trip about a guy I saw in her ward who I would obviously need to date and marry. I said he looked like the kind of guy who's really into swords.  I was correct.  But... sweet Daniel decided to take it upon himself to inform said swordsman that Heather wanted to set us up.  We talked over dessert and he showed me his Star Wars tattoos.  And I learned all about Freemasonry.  And we aren't going to be getting married.
• The setup by Heather J. nummer zwei: When Heather told her friends in NJ about this plan to set me up with the sweet swordsman and how we knew it probably wouldn't go well, they begged her to let them set me up with their brother too because they wanted "more normal people" in their family.  This sweet boy called me and set up a whole Memorial Day date where we toured historic sites and walked for hours. He even printed me out a walking tour guidebook at Staples while I waited. It was so sweet and I had a good time!  He did put my straw wrapper in his pants pocket while we were eating breakfast, and I knew we probably weren't going to get married either.  I never heard from him again.
• The friend date in Boston: One of my best guy friends all growing up, Evan, lives in Boston now.  He took me on the most romantic non-date of my life.  We walked through a nature preserve, got caught under a giant tree in the rain, and he made me close my eyes until we got to the top of a Rapunzel tower where he could see my reaction to the view for the first time.  My knees buckled. It was astounding.  I made a joke about making out, but he wasn't into it. I was okay with that.  Friends forever.  We also will not be getting married.

The next trip was to Colorado for Becky's second reception.

The next trip was to San Jose for my bday and General Conference.  I hung out with my mom, my brother, my nephews, and my dad for a couple days and it was such a blast.  Just what I wanted for my birthday. We even go to tour the Winchester Mansion. That place is jacked up.

The next trip was to San Jose again for Thanksgiving!  We shopped, ate, saw movies, and played Jackbox Games.  My parents had a guest over from their ward who is in his 50s.  We all noticed he thought something could happen between me and him. We will NOT be getting married.  Period.

We completed a holiday puzzle, though, and that was great.

The next trip was to Boston again for CHRISTMAS!  It was so magical and wintry and snowy and frigid.  We had an absolute ball.  It was a lot of people in one house for 8 days, but we loved it.  I think Alexa is confused by how many voices yelled at her to turn on the Greatest Showman soundtrack, but she seemed to keep up well.  She was the 14th voice in the house.

 

3. Preparing for Marriage

Guys. I learned how to unclog my kitchen sink.  And I learned how to fold a fitted sheet.  I'm officially ready.  Now to find the man that WILL marry me.

4. CHOIR

In June, I went to a concert that basically changed my life. My friend Kayla is in a choir called Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. She invited me to the free concert at the Tabernacle in SLC. I flipping bawled through the entire thing and knew I needed to join it.  The music was so powerful, the Spirit was so strong, and the talent was unrivaled.  I was way impressed and touched.  I didn't want to audition because I hadn't auditioned for any choirs since college, and I didn't make the choir back then.  I don't want to stand under hot lights and force my voice into sounds I don't naturally sing.  But I couldn't shake the feeling to audition.  A little while later, Kayla sent me an email saying, "Just in case you want to audition, here's the info." I can take a hint. Sometimes.  So I auditioned, got a First Soprano spot, and have been singing my heart out since September.  Oh my gosh. I love it so much. It is so fulfilling.  I don't even mind forcing my voice into unnatural tones.  I absolutely am elated to be with MCO.  My mom and my brother both flew out for my Christmas concert! Several friends bought tickets, too. I am so grateful for all of them. It was seriously the bomb.

5. The Back-and-Forth Guy

I definitely have a thing for this guy. Or maybe I don't. Or maybe I do. It basically changes every day.  I think it does for him as well.  He sometimes acts very interested (he even asked me to dinner), and he sometimes literally gives me the cold shoulder and won't talk to me for weeks.  He's a conundrum.  Some days I just think I'd be the luckiest girl in the world if he were to be interested. Some days I can't stand him.  I guess time will tell.  He's pretty amazing.  Sometimes.

I'll keep you posted.

Changes upon Changes

I have let the ol' blog sit for several months, sorry!!  Here is one of those ridiculous epic update blogposts I never read, since there have been so many updates on my life in the past six months!

1. Oma.

Our dear German grandmother passed away in December.  If you've ever heard stories or talked to her, you know what a true gem Margot is.  We have been grieving her death for a year now, since we truly thought it was going to happen January 2016.  She sure showed us. We're glad she did.  This blog is usually for humor purposes, but I'll get real with you for a bit.

I got to be at her side several hours on her final night of mortality.  I sang her German Christmas carols while she fitfully slept and snored.  She hadn't been awake for a few days, and we knew she was departing soon.  I am so so grateful for that opportunity to be there.  It was tough to walk in the room and see the skinniest old woman I almost didn't recognize.  The previous time I saw her was right before Thanksgiving, and she was eating and happy to see me and Tabitha.  In just a few weeks, she had lost so much weight and life.  I was very emotional to see her in that state.  Aunt Chris came to spend the night so Oma wouldn't be alone, and I gathered my stuff and left after having been there from the moment I got off work.  Oma passed only 4 hours later, around 2:30am.  It was peaceful and she didn't fight it.  Around 5am, I woke up, checked my phone, and saw that it had happened.  I grabbed my car keys and headed up to Bel-Aire.  Oma and Chris were already gone, so I just took a few minutes and soaked up some final memories in her bedroom by myself.  The Spirit was very strong.  I knew the reunions with Opa/Bev, her parents, sister, and brother were very happy moments.  I knew it.  That meant a lot to me, since I witnessed some less-than-awesome moments of Bev and Oma together when Bev lived with us.  I know that they are happy to be reunited and full of love and respect.  I am truly grateful for that time I got to spend in her room feeling the Spirit.

Schlaf in Himmlischer Ruh.


2. Orem.

I moved!!  Late Spring 2016, I was thinking how happy I was in my place in Deer Haven in Provo.  I was so content.  I suddenly had a feeling - "What if God wanted me to move?" I brushed it off, thinking, nahhhhh.... I wouldn't be happy doing that. He knows that.  Then I thought, "What if that thought wasn't my own?" This was incredibly unsettling.  I asked God to help me figure out what was happening.  This was all in my car going 80 on the freeway.  I looked up at a billboard, which said, in block letters, kid you not, "MOVE".

I took that sign as a sign.

I still didn't feel great about it, so I told myself that if God wanted me to move, something would happen that would kind-of force my hand, and I stopped worrying.  However, over the next two or three months, I was able to really get used to the idea that it could be happening soon and that I'd actually be ok with it.  Then, in July, our landlord texted us that he was selling our condo, and we had about 30 days to get out.  Well, FINE.

The stress twitch in my eye started right away, and it hasn't stopped, even though I'm settled and it has been months.  Haha.... ha.

I looked for weeks for a place without any luck.  I needed to bring my piano and the roommate situation wasn't falling into place naturally.  My parents, BLESS THEM FOREVER I LOVE THEM OH MY WORD, called me and said, "Hey, we want a place to stay when we come to town. How about we buy a place and you live in it with a roommate."  Ding ding ding!!!!  Becky (my roommate at Deer Haven) agreed and we got to continue being roommates.  My parents came to town and we did a quick tour of the places I had picked out.  They both felt great about a condo in Pheasant Meadows by the golf course in Orem/Vineyard.  We purchased it and could move in September 15.  This gave us three weeks of being absolutely homeless since our landlord had already sold our place in Deer Haven.

I was so grateful to Andrea - bff all growing up - for letting me stay in her basement in Cedar Hills.  Gorgeous home, gorgeous family, gorgeous area.  I got to have my meals with the cutest kiddos and I loved being there.  Unfortunately, it was probably the toughest month of Andrea's life.  She lost her brother in an ice climbing accident in Pakistan.  I didn't know if I should stay to help around the house and help take care of things so she could be with her family more - or if I should leave so she wouldn't need to have a freaking squatter while she was grieving.  I was privileged to stay and help.  I played the piano at the funeral and it was a really really nice service.  Climb those heavenly peaks, Scott!

Yeah, that photo is pretty old...This was when we were wedding dress shopping for Andrea.

Becky and I got all moved in around the end of September.  Our place is nice and we are adjusting to the quieter atmosphere having only two of us!

With Becky at the Payson Temple Open House

3. New Ward

I joined the mid-singles ward (ages 31-45) in SW Orem.  I truly love it - though it's full of lots of characters.  That has been sooooo entertaining and so exhausting.  That (recent) sex offender who asked me out was the one I was most excited about - until that fun google search.  He never followed through on an actual date after asking me out, and I didn't bring it up again.  I have a good feeling about a few others... 

Oh, relax.  I haven't been asked out by anyone I want to go out with yet.

4. Electrolysis

My last post was about my life-changing electrolysis commencing.  I am still getting that done about every week or so and am loving it!!! Kim, my electrologist, is super fun to talk to, and I actually look forward to our sessions together, even though they hurt. A lot.  I even gave in and asked my doc for a Lidocaine prescription.  Don't judge.

5. Christmas and Thanksgiving and Jackbox Games

I got to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my brother Evan, sister Heather, mom, dad, and nephews Sam and Ben.  Thanksgiving was in San Jose, and Christmas was in Orem at my new condo!  We had everyone staying there (including Heather's dogs) for a couple weeks, and it ROCKED.  I love having family together in one space.  Ok, ok, so there are some drawbacks and a lot of crying, but then we move on and hug and sure love being together.  I was introduced to Jackbox games by my friends in Deer Haven.  They are multi-player, single-room, online games played on your phone/tablet and centralized on your computer, which I hooked up to my brand new awesome large TV.  You compete against each other to be the wittiest, the smartest, and the most artistic.  Love love love these games.  We laugh and laugh for HOURS.  We also played unprecedented amounts of Scum, Hearts, Golf, etc with playing cards.  And Farkle.  Lots of farkle.

This pic encapsulates a lot of what our Christmas looked like. ♥

Some others from the holiday:

You should all get Jackbox Games.  This is from Drawful. Hilarious game.  It was a booger with legs, by the way.  That was my pictionary-like clue.  This is what I drew.  The other word bubbles are what people thought it could be.