Water, Basketball, and Walking

A few things have happen since my last post. First, Jon and I broke down and bought a water filter. The water we get here is better then the water we got in Provo, but it still tastes funny. I was amazed at how much better the water tasted after it had gone through a $10 filter.

Second, Jon and I watched some of the final game for the NCAA basketball championship. It was a good game. Sadly my team lost, but Kansas played better and deserved to win. Memphis's bad free throw average came back to haunt them and they choked. Kansas won in overtime. That is how Championship games should be. Close, not a stomping.

Finally, I was able to go back to walking group! The weather is nice enough that they are going back outside. No more walking by stores with smells that make me break out in hives. I am excited to be able to be outside and exercise twice a week. TaeBo is fun, but it got old really fast.

178th Annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I love General Conference! It is a time I anticipate twice every year. I watch as many sessions as I can and make any excuse I can to watch it. I used to take my lunch breaks at work to correspond with a session. Then it was great to later be employed at the temple, and get those days off because they were conference. It always fills my soul with peace and helps me find those things I need to work on to be better.

Watching conference strengthens my testimony. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know Joseph Smith restored this true church to the earth. He saw God, the Father, and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is true. It testifies of Christ. Joseph Smith translated it by the power of God. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today. He has been called of God to serve as His mouthpiece. I know that families can be forever. We can be with those we love forever. I know Heavenly Father loves me. He hears me when I pray and He answers me. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer for our sins and all our pains, so we could return to live with Heavenly Father again.

It was great to be a part of the Solemn Assembly and sustain a new prophet with the rest of the membership of the church. A few of the talks that stuck out to me were Elder Jeffery R. Holland when he spoke about one of the aspects that does make us Christian, Elder Ronald A. Rasband speaking of testimony, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin telling us to seek out the one, Elder Craig Zwick saying not to lower your standards just to keep your friends, .... I could go on and on.

Jon and I also enjoyed being able to spend some time together. We slept in since conference doesn't start until noon here in Ohio. Wonderful! Jon made me breakfast on Sunday Morning. We took a walk in the nice spring weather. We played the new game that I gave Jon for his birthday. It was a fabulous weekend and I am sad that it is now over.

Final Four

I enjoyed watching basketball last night after General Conference. Such great games! I love to see the "underdog" win. I call Memphis and Kansas underdogs because they were not the favorites to win by far. Not only did Memphis rise to this victory over all those who said they couldn't do it, they now hold a record in the NCAA. Never in the history of the NCAA basketball has a team won 38 games in their season. Memphis has now won 38 games this season. They can into the tournament with the record of 33-1, more wins and less losses then any other team this year. They were not a favorite to go very far, because they had a pretty bad free throw record. Yet with that bad free throw record they still managed to only loose one game. In the tournament they have improved their free throws a great deal, and are now in the championship game. They rose above a lot and I am glad to say that I believed they could do it. I chose Memphis to go all the way.

The Kansas vs. North Carolina game was also good. Kansas was up 20 points at half time. North Carolina was supposed to be the best team in the nation, with the wonder boy, Tyler Hansbrough. I think they did North Carolina a disservice by awarding Hansbrough the player of the year right before this game. I think it made him a little cocky for the game.

In the end, neither game was really close. I'm glad to see Memphis and Kansas conquer where they were not expected to conquer. Monday night's game should be a good one!

House For Sale

I know a lot of people looking for houses currently and it reminded me of an email I got a few months ago. I just thought I would share it. I don't know if this house is still for sale, but it is a fun little house.

Toronto's Smallest House is Up for Sale!

If....
a. You live alone or with one other person (or an extremely small dog!!!)
b. You don't have much stuff (barely more than a homeless person!!)
c. You miss that cute little apartment you lived in while teaching English in Japan,

then this is the place for you!

This house, located near the intersection of Dufferin Street and Rogers Road is believed to be Toronto 's smallest house. Occupying what used to be a driveway, it's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom house that sits on a parcel of Land 7.25 feet (2.2 metres) wide and 113.67 feet (34.6 metres) long and has an interior area of just under 300 square feet (under 28 square metres). The asking price is $179,900.!!!!Here's another look at the front. Here's the living room, looking towards the front of the house. Here's the living room again, looking towards the back of the house. Here's the kitchen looking towards the back of the house. Note that despite the small space, they've managed to fit a washer and dryer into the place. Here's the bedroom, looking towards the back of the house. It comes with a Murphy bed, which is a necessity in such a space. This is what it looks like with the Murphy bed down. ...and here's the bedroom (looking towards the front of the house) with the Murphy bed retracted. You also get some patio space out back. Here it is, looking towards the house. ...and here it is looking towards the back. Here are the house's listed features:

a. "Completely Re-Done Top-To-Bottom, Front-To-Back!"
b. Tumbled stone entrance walk
c. Renovated Bath (not sure where the bathroom is exactly)
d. Renovated kitchen with newer stove, new cabinets and new stacked washer/dryer
e. Bedroom with Murphy bed + "Built-Ins" - doubles as den!
f. Walk-out to fenced patio
g. 100-amp service
h. 2 satellite dishes and receiver
i. "Window A/C Available"

I think it looks bigger on the inside then on the outside. It's kind of cute, but I know most of the people currently looking for a house are hoping for something a little more spacious. Good luck to all you who are in the house buying market!

Pediatrics

Last night, Jon and I went to a Panel of Pediatricians at the school. It was very interesting. I decided that if I was to be a doctor, I would probably be a Pediatric Cardiologist. I really don't want to be a doctor, but that is the field that I think appeals to me the most. When I was little, I was very sick and I believe the doctor that had the biggest impact on trying to cheer me up was a Cardiologist. The doctor that was on the panel seemed to have the same attitude as that doctor from my past. Trying to keep children hopeful and happy while they are really sick, appealed to me as we were listening to the different specialties in Pediatrics.

April At Last

I don't know if anyone else felt this way, but for Jon and me, March was an extremely long month. I think for Jon, this new block of classes has been a little boring and time sure goes by slow when things are not interesting.

I just wanted to say, "Yeah for April!" I'm really glad that it is finally here. There are some great things in April. Both my parent's birthdays and their anniversary, General Conference, my little sister's anniversary, spring (I hope)...

Unexpected Visitor

Saturday morning, Jon and I had breakfast with my friend, Lacey Potter, and her husband, Troy. I grew up with her. She and I were often mistaken as twins. They were passing through on their way to Cleveland, where Troy has a construction job for the next few months. I am excited that we will be so close (Cleveland is only about an hour and a half from Toledo) and that I might get to see Lacey a little more often. That could be dangerous. Watch out world. We might be together again.

There was one funny thing that I noticed at breakfast. At the Cracker Barrel in Maumee, there is a picture of the Salt Lake Temple on the wall. Of all places, how did there end up that picture on a wall in a restaurant in Maumee, Ohio? It was a little crazy.

Michigan

Our trip to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan this month was rather uneventful. I did do a little research before hand and found out some very interesting things. There is this building at the interchange of US Highway 23 and Michigan Highway 14. It is huge, and when it is dark, there are tons of neon green lights on it. Weird. Well, I found out what that building was before we left for our temple trip this month.

I never would have guessed what the building really is. I still can't believe it myself. It is called the Prairie House, and is the headquarters of Domino's Pizza. In fact it is the World Resource Center for Domino's. It has a gift shop, hair salon, cafeteria, ATM, Montessori School, dry cleaners, post office, art gallery, and fitness center.

The Prairie House is based on the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. It has the world's largest copper roof. It is more than half a mile long! There are 26 US flags that lead up to the front of the building. The building is just part of a 300-acre farm part of which is a "petting farm." They have chickens, cows, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas, peacocks, pigs, rabbits, sheep, yaks, etc. They have a lot of rare breeds too. Did I mention the 50 buffalo (American Bison is what they really are called, but to most Americans who didn't grow up near Yellowstone Park, they are known as buffalo)?

There is a small sign on US 23 that tells you when to exit to go to Domino's Farm, if anyone is interested. I could not believe that the mysterious building with green lights was all that. Just a little interesting fact about the Ann Arbor area.

March Madness - Sweet Sixteen

This year's basketball championship has been rather exciting. There have been many upsets (not the ones I picked, but oh well). I really like to see the underdog win. It is fun to see a team, which the experts didn't think was all that good, beat higher ranked teams. Before the tournament started there were not many upset chosen by the experts. Al though all the number one ranked teams are still in, 2 of the number two teams and 3 of the number four. In one bracket there was a number 12 team playing a number13 team in the second round! Exciting! I'm excited to see how the "Sweet Sixteen" games will go tonight and tomorrow night. Who else will upset?

On a different note, Jon and I went to Monnette's Market yesterday to get a few things. Monnette's sales produce and meat and a few other things for a lower price than most other places. In the summer there produce is mostly locally grown, too. When you pay with plastic money (we never have cash), the cashier always asks for I.D. Well, yesterday, she told Jon she didn't need to see his I.D., because she recognizes him as a frequent customer. I guess we are locals of Toledo now. We are recognized at the local market. It was a turning point for our lives in Toledo.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY
by Judith Viorst

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"At breakfast Anthony found a Corvette Sting Ray car kit in his cereal box and Nick found a Junior Undercover Agent code ring in his cereal box but in my breakfast cereal box all I found was breakfast cereal. I think I'll move to Australia.

"In the car pool Mrs. Gibson let Becky have a seat by the window. Audrey and Elliott got seats by the window too. I said I was being scrunched. I said I was being smushed. I said, if I don't get a seat by the window I am going to be carsick. No one even answered. I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"At school Mrs. Dickens liked Paul's picture of the sailboat better than my picture of the invisible castle. At singing time she said I sang too loud. At counting time she said I left out sixteen. Who needs sixteen? I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"I could tell because Paul said I wasn't his best friend anymore. He said that Philip Parker was his best friend and that Albert Moyo was his next best friend and that I was only his third best friend. I hope you sit on a tack, I said to Paul. I hope the next time you get a double-decker strawberry ice-cream cone the ice cream part falls off the cone part and lands in Australia.

"There were two cupcakes in Philip Parker's lunch bag and Albert got a Hershey bar with almonds and Paul's mother gave him a piece of jelly roll that had little coconut sprinkles on the top. Guess whose mother forgot to put in dessert? It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"That's what it was, because after school my mom took us all to the dentist and Dr. Fields found a cavity just in me. Come back next week and I'll fix it, said Dr. Fields. Next week, I said, I'm going to Australia.

"On the way downstairs the elevator door closed on my foot and while we were waiting for my mom to go get the car Anthony made me fall where it was muddy and then when I started crying because of the mud Nick said I was a crybaby and while I was punching Nick for saying crybaby my mom came back with the car and scolded me for being muddy and fighting. I am having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, I told everybody. No one even answered.

"So then we went to the shoe store to buy some sneakers. Anthony chose white ones with blue stripes. Nick chose red ones with white stripes. I chose blue ones with red stripes but then the shoe man said, We're all sold out. They made me buy plain old white ones, but they can't make me wear them.

"When we picked up my dad at his office he said I couldn't play with his copying machine, but I forgot. He also said to watch out for the books on his desk, and I was careful as could be except for my elbow. He also said don't fool around with his phone, but I think I called Australia. My dad said please don't pick him up anymore. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"There were Lima beans for dinner and I hate Limas. There was kissing on TV and I hate kissing. My bath was too hot, I got soap in my eyes, my marble went down the drain, and I had to wear my railroad-train pajamas. I hate my railroad-train pajamas. When I went to bed Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse night light burned out and I bit my tongue. The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me. It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. My mom says some days are like that.

"Even in Australia."

Yesterday was a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." I'll just say that the high-light was our washing machine decided to have problems. After moving the washing machine back to where it should be, ringing out all the sopping clothes by hand, and cleaning the water off the floor, I tried running the water in the machine out of it, and it worked just fine. The moral of the story is don't over fill your washing machine. Yep, that was the problem. I put too many clothes in, which I wondered about when I was doing it, but didn't do anything about it. That caused the machine to be off balance and work its way up against the wall, kinking the hoses and causing some back pressure. Thus the water on the floor. The good news is that our washer is fine.

The day did get better, but only because I have such a wonderful husband. When he got home from classes, we went out to dinner. We used his birthday coupon for Applebee's to get one entree free. Then he continued to keep me laughing the rest on the night. He is the best! Thanks Jon!

Update on My Plants

Here is my garlic plant three weeks after planting. It is about 16 inches tall. To compare at one week, it was about 4 inches tall. I also planted beans (hydroponically) on Friday. They have not grown much, but they have germinated. When they grow a little, I will post pictures.

Happy Easter!

Just a few funnies for Easter. Thanks Kelli!

For Easter, Jon and I spent Saturday with the Zeimer family. We hunted Easter Eggs, ate candy, had a nice lunch of ham, rolls, potato salad, and fruit. Thanks for including us in your celebrations.

Later that night, we went to a baptism for a new member of our ward. It was an awesome way to start your weekend. Sunday was a little crazy. Nursery was wild. There was a higher child to adult ratio then normal, and one little girl left a puddle on the carpet. At least, she pulled her tights and panties down first so she didn't get those wet. After church, Jon and I enjoyed Sunday naps and a nice relaxed day. For dinner, we had pizza rolls, and so it would feel a little like Easter, I made a few deviled eggs.

I hope everyone else had a good Easter and that we can remember why we celebrate it. I know Christ lived, died and lives again. I am grateful he did what he did for me so I can live again with those I love.

Happy Birthday to the Relief Society!

Last night while Jon went out to help the Elders, I went to my wards celebration of the organization of the Relief Society.


"Female Church members ages 18 and older belong to the Relief Society. The Relief Society was founded by the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois. In the days of its founding, it had two main purposes: to provide relief for the poor and needy and to bring people to Christ. The organization continues today, staying true to those original guiding principles as women in the Relief Society meet together on Sunday and in other settings as needed" (taken from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website).


I know this organization is truly inspired. It is a great blessing to many lives. Even though I have been old enough to be a member of the Relief Society for more than 10 years, I haven't had much opportunity to attend the Sunday meetings. I was called into the nursery the Sunday after I turned 18, and have served in the Primary and Young Women's (I think I relate better to the younger people in the ward. They are so much more accepting and forgiving). Even though, this is the case, the Relief Society has blessed my life.


The biggest opportunity/blessing (and hardest) was the opportunity to serve in a student singles ward after Jon and I were married. Even though I was married and the rest of the women of the ward were single, they taught me so many things. They were always so willing to give of their time for others and were always helping those in need. Thanks you Sisters of the BYU 11th ward! You are all amazing women! This definition fits you all very well:


"Women in Relief Society are members of a worldwide sisterhood, united in devotion to Jesus Christ. They join with other daughters of God as a woman of faith, virtue, vision, and charity, with the sure knowledge that their life has meaning, purpose, and direction. Through their participation in Relief Society, they have opportunities to enjoy sisterhood and companionship, give meaningful service, develop and share their testimonies and talents, and grow spiritually" (taken from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website).

March Madness

I am so excited for the NCAA Basketball Tournament to start this afternoon. Jon and I filled out our brackets for Family Home Evening. I have been following the regular season play, but it is always fun to see who wins in the tournament. Who will upset this year? Who will win? It is rather unpredictable, but fun to see if your guesses pan out.