My hair is currently the longest it has ever been. I am learning that there are drawbacks to long hair that I never thought of before. In my mind, I call them "Long Hair Problems" - in the same tone of voice that my mind reads "First World Problems."
Things I expected:
1. Longer hair takes longer to dry or style
2. Longer hair falls in my face
3. Longer hair has worse tangles
4. Longer hair makes my head warmer
Things I never thought of:
1. When your neck is immobilized in an awkward position because your hair is trapped by someone's arm when they give you a hug
2. When your hair gets stuck under backpack straps or a bag slung across the shoulder
3. When your braids cause sore spots under your bike helmet
4. When the ends of your hair dry first and you have to re-wet them to style your hair or else you have a weird frizzy bush effect
5. When you can't tell where the lone hair across your face is coming from - so you keep dragging your finger across your face trying to find it - and it ends up being a wispy little hair that somehow floated up from behind your ear and back across your nose
6. When you wake up and it looks dark because your hair is all across your face
29 April 2016
27 November 2014
Thanksgiving
Family
Friends
Home
Sunshine
Puzzles
Books
Scriptures
Gospel
Priesthood Blessings
Seahawks
Cooking
Legos
Art
Music
Food
Bicycles
Mountains
Trees
Ocean
Libraries
Hugs
Warmth
Fireplace
Car
Bike Rack on the Car
Padded Bike Shorts
Photographs
Clothing
Phones
Internet
General Conference
Wood Floors Warmed by Sunshine
Sunscreen
Health
Doctors
Modern Medicine
Flowers
Hiking
Cameras
Learning
Trials (ok, I'm trying)
Job (feeling sad that this job is ending, I'm grateful to have had it)
America
Voting
Armed Forces
Recorded History
Tender Mercies
Memories
GPS Maps and Directions
Airplanes
Christmas
Clocks
Views of Mt. Rainier
Sight
Hearing
Taste
Touch
Smell
Sleep
Microwaves
Dishwashers
Birthdays
Bookstores
Shopping
Grocery Stores
Friends
Home
Sunshine
Puzzles
Books
Scriptures
Gospel
Priesthood Blessings
Seahawks
Cooking
Legos
Art
Music
Food
Bicycles
Mountains
Trees
Ocean
Libraries
Hugs
Warmth
Fireplace
Car
Bike Rack on the Car
Padded Bike Shorts
Photographs
Clothing
Phones
Internet
General Conference
Wood Floors Warmed by Sunshine
Sunscreen
Health
Doctors
Modern Medicine
Flowers
Hiking
Cameras
Learning
Trials (ok, I'm trying)
Job (feeling sad that this job is ending, I'm grateful to have had it)
America
Voting
Armed Forces
Recorded History
Tender Mercies
Memories
GPS Maps and Directions
Airplanes
Christmas
Clocks
Views of Mt. Rainier
Sight
Hearing
Taste
Touch
Smell
Sleep
Microwaves
Dishwashers
Birthdays
Bookstores
Shopping
Grocery Stores
07 September 2014
Thank you
I know I haven't posted for a long time. And I probably won't keep posting - I have lost the habit. But I have some thoughts running around in my head. I want to try to sort them out and see what they're saying.
I lost a dear friend recently. And I guess this post is really what I would say to her.
Dear Kirsten,
There are so many things I could say. Many friends and family have echoed my own feelings by writing on facebook, by speaking at your memorial service and funeral, and in our many conversations as we came together to try to find comfort in our love for each other.
There's no doubt that we hurt. Knowing that you chose to leave us, that you chose to leave your family and your dear children - of course that hurts. But more than that, it hurts to know that you were in so much pain. I wish so much for you to not have had to feel that pain. And I know that you are in better hands and better care than we could give you here.
Missing you hurts too - I look at the magnet you gave me the last time we hung out for a day (you know, when I took a day off work and texted you as I was driving to the ferry, asking if I could come hang out - and of course you said yes!) - and I remember how you explained the right way to hug - one arm over, one arm under, in a symmetrical hug. And of course, you demonstrated. I miss you so much, and wish I could have another hug right now.
And then my thoughts start running through the rest of that day - brunch at the Hardware store, where we splurged and got the homemade donut hole thingeys that were surprisingly good. And how even there, you were thinking about your kids and telling me what their favorite foods were, and how much food they could pack away. And then we ran errands and visited Granny's Attic and almost got to ride together on the ferry back until your plans changed at the last minute.
And we talked about some of the challenges we were each going through - especially divorce. We shared thoughts and feelings that are too private to post on a blog. We talked about happiness and heartache and Heavenly Father's love for us. It seemed like a role reversal a little bit - where I had already been through some of the hardships you were going through. So many times I had leaned on your experience and faith and example to show me that there was a light at the end of the trials I was in, and this time it was the other way around.
But you know all that.
Beyond the memories, beyond the hurt, there's a part of me that wants to tell you thank you. In a way that is perhaps odd, and perhaps completely normal. Thank you, Kirsten! Thank you for loving me, in whatever shape I was in. Thank you for making the time to show that love. Thank you for expressing it. And thank you for teaching me, even in your absence, that I have learned a bit about how to love as well. You see, through all the hurt and confusion, there is no doubt that I love you. No matter what choice you made, no matter what you did or didn't tell or share with me or anyone else, no matter anything. I love you. And that love feels a little bit like what I think our Heavenly Father feels for us too. Thank you for teaching me that I know how to love like that, and that I feel that love for you and for our dear circle of friends.
I was talking about these friends with my mom this week, and I called them my "real life friends" - somehow we made ourselves into something beautiful. Friends who are a strength and a safe harbor, no matter what we are going through. Friends who fit into the messy realities of life. Without judgement, I know that these friends love me. I know that I love them too. We are all different - married, single, with kids, without, fashionable, comfy, crafty, nerdy, etc. These are the friends I could talk with during my divorce and know that they were not going to judge me or second-guess me. These are the friends I can see only once in a while, especially when I'm busy with other parts of my life, and we are joyful every time we see each other instead of feeling guilty for not getting together more. These are the friends with whom I can talk about laser hair removal, surgeries, dating, biking, heartache, excitement, hairstyles - whatever I need or want. These friends for my real life. Like you, they love all of me, and I love all of them. And to me, this is a celestial friendship.
So, thank you for the chance to think about this. To realize this. I love you. No reservations. And I know with complete confidence that when I see you again, it will be a joyous reunion.
~julie
I lost a dear friend recently. And I guess this post is really what I would say to her.
Dear Kirsten,
There are so many things I could say. Many friends and family have echoed my own feelings by writing on facebook, by speaking at your memorial service and funeral, and in our many conversations as we came together to try to find comfort in our love for each other.
There's no doubt that we hurt. Knowing that you chose to leave us, that you chose to leave your family and your dear children - of course that hurts. But more than that, it hurts to know that you were in so much pain. I wish so much for you to not have had to feel that pain. And I know that you are in better hands and better care than we could give you here.
Missing you hurts too - I look at the magnet you gave me the last time we hung out for a day (you know, when I took a day off work and texted you as I was driving to the ferry, asking if I could come hang out - and of course you said yes!) - and I remember how you explained the right way to hug - one arm over, one arm under, in a symmetrical hug. And of course, you demonstrated. I miss you so much, and wish I could have another hug right now.
And then my thoughts start running through the rest of that day - brunch at the Hardware store, where we splurged and got the homemade donut hole thingeys that were surprisingly good. And how even there, you were thinking about your kids and telling me what their favorite foods were, and how much food they could pack away. And then we ran errands and visited Granny's Attic and almost got to ride together on the ferry back until your plans changed at the last minute.
And we talked about some of the challenges we were each going through - especially divorce. We shared thoughts and feelings that are too private to post on a blog. We talked about happiness and heartache and Heavenly Father's love for us. It seemed like a role reversal a little bit - where I had already been through some of the hardships you were going through. So many times I had leaned on your experience and faith and example to show me that there was a light at the end of the trials I was in, and this time it was the other way around.
But you know all that.
Beyond the memories, beyond the hurt, there's a part of me that wants to tell you thank you. In a way that is perhaps odd, and perhaps completely normal. Thank you, Kirsten! Thank you for loving me, in whatever shape I was in. Thank you for making the time to show that love. Thank you for expressing it. And thank you for teaching me, even in your absence, that I have learned a bit about how to love as well. You see, through all the hurt and confusion, there is no doubt that I love you. No matter what choice you made, no matter what you did or didn't tell or share with me or anyone else, no matter anything. I love you. And that love feels a little bit like what I think our Heavenly Father feels for us too. Thank you for teaching me that I know how to love like that, and that I feel that love for you and for our dear circle of friends.
I was talking about these friends with my mom this week, and I called them my "real life friends" - somehow we made ourselves into something beautiful. Friends who are a strength and a safe harbor, no matter what we are going through. Friends who fit into the messy realities of life. Without judgement, I know that these friends love me. I know that I love them too. We are all different - married, single, with kids, without, fashionable, comfy, crafty, nerdy, etc. These are the friends I could talk with during my divorce and know that they were not going to judge me or second-guess me. These are the friends I can see only once in a while, especially when I'm busy with other parts of my life, and we are joyful every time we see each other instead of feeling guilty for not getting together more. These are the friends with whom I can talk about laser hair removal, surgeries, dating, biking, heartache, excitement, hairstyles - whatever I need or want. These friends for my real life. Like you, they love all of me, and I love all of them. And to me, this is a celestial friendship.
So, thank you for the chance to think about this. To realize this. I love you. No reservations. And I know with complete confidence that when I see you again, it will be a joyous reunion.
~julie
12 April 2012
Feeling Fantastic
The last month has been insane. Really, truly insane. I heard that a study showed that sleep deprivation can drive you a bit nuts. But I feel fantastic! I got through my kidney stone laser surgery (and the solid week of feeling yucky afterwards followed by fevers and infections...), and then I got to work. Work was building up to a huge milestone, and I kept finding more ways that I could help work towards it. This included working some third shift hours (starting really early in the morning) and it included staying late a lot too. And the work paid off. The big event went fantastic, and I'm enjoying a few days of having everyone at work really happy with the part I played. I know a lot of people played equally huge roles in the week's success, and several people worked longer and harder and had more to do than I did, but it sure feels nice when your team works so hard on something and then it goes well! I'm proud of our work, I'm happy with the nice attention we've received, and I am really happy that I have been able to make and keep good friends at work even through all this craziness.
It got me thinking a little bit that perhaps some of the less happy stuff that's happened in my life has helped me to really enjoy the good stuff. This is definitely the good stuff!
And a big thank you to my mom for hemming the new pants I needed in order to look professional for the big week! I love you, Mom!
It got me thinking a little bit that perhaps some of the less happy stuff that's happened in my life has helped me to really enjoy the good stuff. This is definitely the good stuff!
And a big thank you to my mom for hemming the new pants I needed in order to look professional for the big week! I love you, Mom!
16 February 2012
5 in 4 years
I feel like I've already written this post before. Hmmm...let me think. Was it this one, or was it this one, or was it this one, or maybe it was this past summer when I guess I forgot to even post about my last summons?
Yep, I'm summoned AGAIN. And yes, that is me shouting as I type. At least, I'm shouting in my head - it would probably cause a problem if I shouted at the office.
But I digress.
They keep alternating between city jury summons and county jury summons - this is my third county one. This time I am going to use the opportunity they give you to postpone it once for up to a year. Because if I don't, I'll just get one next April.
Yep, I'm summoned AGAIN. And yes, that is me shouting as I type. At least, I'm shouting in my head - it would probably cause a problem if I shouted at the office.
But I digress.
They keep alternating between city jury summons and county jury summons - this is my third county one. This time I am going to use the opportunity they give you to postpone it once for up to a year. Because if I don't, I'll just get one next April.
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