Celebration

In celebration of the last four weeks I want to share some highlights. For four lovely weeks I have not had the normal schedule of life. I'm excited to go back to school tomorrow, but happy for all that was accomplished as well. During those weeks I spent a significant amount of time in my home and I loved it! Here are some highlights:
Took 3 law finals. Don't know if I did well on them, but do know that I understand a lot better what's going on than I did a year ago.
Put up and thoroughly enjoyed a live Christmas tree. Had a fun Christmas party.
Wrote one English paper. Quite interesting...
Graded 20 English papers. Lots of interesting topics! Fun to read.
Was the impetus for a student-led symposium on Globalization! [Yes, it was their final, they had to do it (presented their papers); but they looked great, sounded great and I didn't do anything but feed them lunch.]
Completed final grades for 20 English students. Posted them.
Sort-of completed a 20-page case note in time for its Dec. 21 midnight deadline.
Played the piano for DeeDee's family party. [We often have music on Sundays - I play her beautiful piano, DeeDee (my landlady) and Mary sing. I guess that means I can play for 30 people. I've never been a concert pianist, and what skills I had have become very rusty, but they appreciated it, nonetheless. Wow.]
Helped cook LOTS of soup and sandwiches for a wedding reception. [Beth and Rachel were great co-cookers and was good to get so much done ahead of time!]
Enjoyed many, many days of snow. [It's amazing how beautiful it is when I don't have to drive in it.]
Conducted music in Sacrament Meeting [still as enjoyable as when it was my calling.]
Conducted Relief Society for the very first time. [I prefer teaching, but I'll learn...]
Felt happy to be very busy at church on Dec. 23.
Flew in a little propeller plane to Cody, Wyoming. [I'm still alive! That was one interesting trip (vvvvvibrationnnnnn) but nice and quick.
HOME!! Home to my family. I wasn't there very long but it was so, so nice. I love my family!!
Received many great gifts, including a princess crown from Santa Claus, salt and pepper shakers (at last!) from Asael, and a bathroom rug from Hyrum (my bathroom with tile floors has not heating vent to it and it is COLD in the mornings). [The only sad part was I had no time for stores for weeks and so had only one gift to give - the best part.]
Drove 10 hours from Lovell, WY to Heber City, UT. I made it alive! [more later on our great reading selection from the drive.]
Attended the sealing of my dear brother Whitney and my new, wonderful sister in-law Laura in the Salt Lake Temple on December 28. It was definitely the highlight of the holidays, the most wonderful Christmas gift this year. [Probably more on that later, too...]
Got to see Roland, Sofia and "grown-up" (10 1/2 months) Elisabeth! [Too short a time, but at least they got to come!]
Bought, arranged and enjoyed lots of flowers for W&L's reception. [They turned out quite well, I thought. Hopefully the bride did too. A few leftovers are here on my table, I'll try to take a picture. And by leftovers, I mean that - not arranged.]
Bought a new camera! [At Mother and Father's suggestion I finally gave up hope on the lost one and moved on. I'm sure you'll see evidence of it on posts to come.]
Watched the interesting procession of the flu move through a family. [Since I was first of that household I didn't have to dread it's coming as some did.]
Watched It's a Wonderful Life! [First time that I know of - though I think I've seen clips of some parts.]
Had several sleepovers with Mary Muhlestein and then Nancy.
Unpacked and semi-sorted "the messy room" - which is about to become "my office." [A huge pile of books remains to be situated.]
Rearranged my living room. I'm liking it!
Received many great cards, newsletters and gifts from loved ones far and near.
Mailed packages that I've had ready for months.
Went to the temple.
Arranged the shipping of an engine from Rigby, ID to Provo, then Orem, UT. [Many, many THANKS to all the Jensens, Boones and Crespins who helped me to make that happen.]
Sent my car to the shop for a heart replacement. [Praying it will work and I'll have a car this week. Thanks to Kathryn for her car.]
Found a possible summer job that will be perfect if it works...
Planned a trip to Tempe, AZ in February. Woohoo!
Joined many of you in rejoicing over the new church curriculum for the coming year - Book of Mormon in Sunday School; Joseph Smith's teachings in Relief Society/Priesthood [Look at those titles, "First vision" "God the Eternal Father" "Jesus Christ, Divine Redeemer of the World" "Obedience: When the Lord Commands, Do it!" OH, I'm so excited!]
And on, and on. It's been a wonderful time. And I am so excited for 2008. I've had some special experiences over the last few days (yea for Fast Sunday, etc...) and I'm happy about life.
To close let me tell you what I'm going to do this coming week:
Go "Christmas Shopping"
Sign up for piano lessons
Fill my bookshelf
Oh, and school.