Holidays

This has been an amazing time of the year. I was able to help my friends the Smiths with the Sub for Santa they do each year for the migrant workers. What a humbling experience. I got my company and justins company to collect 77 brand new coats for the new children that have arrived this year. We also collected 400.oo and lots of food. We are so blessed to have so much and it feels good to let go of the material side of the holidays and grasp firm to the spiritual.

I'm the choir director in my ward. This is the first Christmas program i have put together. I think it turned out well. I used a talk by Jeffery R Holland http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=72ad226fecfdb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
as the naration and plugged in the songs. We sang some beautiful arrangements form Sally DeFords music. http://www.defordmusic.com/ I also taught the choir to play the hand chimes form my school. They played Nona nobis Pacem. I also played my Viola with one of the duets. It was not to bad considering i haven't played for 35 years.

Saturday night The Wasatch Choral but on our fund raiser concert at the UVU ballroom. I went very well. Sunday night I sang in the Singles Choir concert at the Provo Tabernacle. I had a solo which would have been better if the accompianist could have played the song. She tried very hard. I used her because she played the rest of the song the choir sang. I sang the air and aria form the Messiah, O thou That Tellest Good Tidings. It is a very hard piece but I love doing it.

I Love My Job!

I don't like bragging but...I was awarded the Spirit of Heritage award at work. It is given to the employee that exhibits the willingness to go the extra mile. i was so honored. You are nominated by your peers and selected by the board of directors. This is the second time I have received this award in the 7 years I have worked at heritage.

Life's Adventures Tag
What I've done is BOLD
1. Started your own blog-- with a lot of help
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band--Bass in a garage band in Jr High
4. Visited Hawaii Iwish
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland--fore th first time 2 yrs ago
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped I wish
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea Next on my bucket list
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty didn't have time maybe next trip
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David-- do pictures count
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa I have always wanted to
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain I wish
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie--Touched by an Angel
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Martial Arts
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies But I love eating them
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason I make them for other people though
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving Another bucket list item
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial No but we have the same birthday
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox--only one or two pox though
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

MAXIMUS

MAX

Well Max has moved home. And we have fun playing at 3:00am every night. He whistle whines for 2 hours and then I give in. I wish he would just go to sleep. He is a cute dog and I love him for all he has done for my family.

I have a friend at work who is interested in trying to see if her dog and Max would get along. She wants a friend for her dog. I think Max needs a friend too. He may have a play date on Thusday to see if it will work out.

I'll miss him but I know she will provide a great home for him. She cooks fresh meat for her dog. He loves meat. He also loves tomatoes, carrots, peppers, mashed potatoes, and many other healthy and not so healthy foods.

Check out this blog http://janenebaadsgaard.blogspot.com/ This lady is in the orchestra I play with. She wrote the article "Playing in the Orchestra of Life" about our orchestra as a Christmas gift to us. I get to associate with lots of really cool people. What a blessing.