The SLUDGGGGE!

MAYHEM!

I left yesterday for work, hearing Kj and Liza exclaiming something about the toilets... eh.. probably overflowing... no big.

I return home to hear that the upstairs toilet, when flushed, did something funky to the downstairs toilet. merh? something weird coming from the drain.... can't use toilets... cant use shower.

plumbers coming tomorrow....

next day: toilets are ok.. thinking that the shower would be ok, and that excess dirt in the tub would wash down the drain, i turn on the water.... fills up with more dirt and corn particles, and doesn't drain...

no shower for me...

must go to work. ewww.

I return home tonight to a surly looking kj.... go look at the tub, she says...

4 inches of black sludge and slime... ewww.. I return exclaiming my disgust and disbelief....

a continuous surly kj.. go look at the grand-daughters room.

floor is completely soaked... somehow the sink that I thought didn't work overflowed when the garbage disposal was run... and the tub full of sludge.

plumber doesn't know what's wrong...

i am convinced someone is going to chase me with a stick, shouting UNCLEAN UNCLEAN!

that is all.

And in case you think I am exaggerating... which I definitely have the tendency to do.... here is our tub.

it's going to come and eat me in the night.

Stone Tables: by Orson Scott Card

I finished this book today.. It's beautifully written. If you can find a copy, I would highly highly recommend it.

Here are some of my favorite bits....

"In the end, after all the arguing and quarreling, after all the loving and embracing in life, we're alone, each of us, alone without any true friend who really understands us. All strangers to each other. All we want is someone else to truly know us."

"At first I admired her, and then I desired her, and then I was in awe of her, and then I honored her, and then I longer for her good opinion of me, and then I wanted to have what she had, which is to have a heart perfect before the Lord... I passed through each of these stages, and every single one of them is a part of love. Better than i loved either of my mothers. Better than I loved any of my friends, better than I love even you, Jethro. I love your daughter."

"But do you love her as much as you love God?" asked Jethro.

"Sir," said Moses, "I don't know God that well yet. I really only know that part of him that shines from your life, and from Zeforah's. How can I love God more than you, when part of what I love about the two of you is God in you, and in your lives?"

"she exulted in the moment, for there she stood, the perfect symbol of her people- bound and silenced, but still defiant. Look at me now and see Israel, ready for the Lord to come and redeem us from captivity."

"As long as you're faithful to God, his power will be with you. But when you rely on your own strength, or when you fight in wickedness, your strength will be no different from any other man's.... Don't ever come to love war, you sons of God. Love your Lord, the God of heaven and earth, and fight only in his cause, when he fights beside you."

"But you did know that the bright cloud of the Lord's presence stands almost directly overhead."

"Well, if a person can't speak her mind...."

"Perhaps a person should clean up her mind before inviting others in to see it.."

"Why me?"...

"I don't know.. why not you?"

"I've sinned."...

Moses answered with laughter. "If the Lord used only perfect men as his servants, he would go unserved."

----

"Every sin is grief to the Lord," said Moses. "I laughed at your thought that your sin made it impossible for the Lord to choose you as his servant. Do you recognize that your sins were sins, or do you try to make them into virtues?"

"No, I name them for what they are."

"Your life has been shaped to be a shadow, a harbinger of the life my my Only Begotten Son. A child prophesied, a son under the sentence of death, born to be at once a king and a servant, who grew into manhood and went out into the wilderness to meet his God and accept the mantle of his authority. A man who returns to his people and brings the powers of God to bear against all the powers of the world, and delivers the children of God from the hands of the enemy by bringing them through the water to a safe place. A man who saved them from death by the blood of the lamb, a lawgiver, a just and merciful judge, a high priest, a prophet, at whose command water and bread are given to the people. Because of your work, there will be a people ready to recognize the Only Begotten of the Father when he comes, and obedient enough to receive the higher law that he will bring. For my Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior, full of grace and truth."

"I know who I am. A son of God, like the Only Begotten of the Father. Where is your glory, that I should worship you? For I could only see the face of God because his glory filled my body and sustained me, transfiguring my natural eyes. And this light that you scatter, it feels like darkness to me."

As if in an answer, the light that flashed from the man grew brighter and brighter, until Moses had to avert his gaze.

"I can judge between you and God... you blind me with your light, but God has enlightened me. I made my covenant with God that I would worship only him. Get away from here, Enemy, stop trying to fool me. I am here to learn from God and I have more questions i must ask him, and you're wasting my time when I need to be calling upon the Lord."

"The glory of God is on this mountain... so you have no need of food or drink."

"The Lord will carve new stone table, and write upon them, but what we'll have now is a lesser law, a law for schoolchildren."

"I will blot out the sinners from the book of life, but those who have chosen me, I choose forever."

'I tell you that the will of God was not thwarted by your mistakes."

"Yes your sin is grievous... Yes your heart will break. You have things to repent of, and by the gift of God you can be forgiven if you give yourself wholly to the service of God. Live to save his children! Live to teach his word! Every longing of your heart has been heard in heaven and even now the Lord holds out his hand to you and offers you the life you long for. You are already what you always longer to be. You already have the love of your God."

"I'm the man who didn't make the Lord my strength. I trusted in my arm and in my words. But now my ancient tree is fallen, now I'm a sapling branch that's green within your house. I root myself in you for ever and ever, I drink from you, for you have forgiven me."

Boredom makes a person do random things... or me do random things. Mostly something like write random things on my blog. Rants and raves... you know.

1st: Chris Heimerdinger. DUUDE! WTQ? The last Tennis Shoes book came out in 2005 and he really left us hanging. One of which (SPOILERish) was left at one of the characters getting stuck in nephiite times and his father finding him at least 5-10 years older. (i dont remember. i haven't read it since.) I nearly chucked this piece of crap book across the room. This was partially because of the ending and also because of the poorly executed book. SINCE he left us hanging in 2005, he has written Passage to Zarahemla, made a sad excuse of a movie with a shockingly scary soundtrack with songs written and sung by him. He has also re-written Eddie Fantastic and heaven only knows what else. It has been 4 years since the last Tennis Shoes book came out. Personally, I dont think any self respecting author would leave their fans SO COMPLETELY hanging, especially with no clue of when the next might come out.

And one might ask... if this was about a book that was written 4 years ago, why is she ranting about this NOW?? Well... I just happen to go to Mr. Heimerdingers blog/facebook where he spends a whole lotta time on whatever causes or speals he finds necessary. Hey jerk-wad... write your book.

2nd: I have been left till Sunday. Another missionary farewell.

"Is anybody out there?
Hello! Hello!
Is anybody out there?

Alone! Alone!"

3rd: I don't work today.. and have been doing a Heroes marathon. Has anyone been watching it? You should. (Although I am such a sucker for all things superhero-esque.) It has hit the point where "the government" has started rounding up people with "abilities" because they are OH SO different and are nothing like us. It's interesting to me that all these people that are supposedly so dangerous become exactly what is feared.. but really its against their nature.

And of course... the one leading the assault is one of "them" (has abilities.) There always seems to be some kind of hypocritical leader doing this for the good of mankind.

4th: I am in a weird funk. One of which I would like to escape... although I have no idea how. I can't even explain it fully but there it is. It could be all those millions of things all bundled up to make me explode. I have been listening to excessive amounts of Anberlin which is not helping my cause... (although they are a really fantastic band.. i suggest you check them out.)

5th: To add to my weird alone funk, I didn't eat all day... because of said Heroes marathon. I couldn't decide between pizza or thai... I got both. I think it'll last me till sunday. hahahaaa!

the end.

Bilbo Baggins:

In case the rest of you don't know, I have been up in Connecticut and Maine this week. I got to go and visit Jared & Megan and hang out with them. Jared and I had a Heroes marathon on wednesday, which was nice.. Because really, as much as I love being in this really cool place, I am just as okay hanging out with my brother, who I am rarely able to see. I also got to go to Boston/Cambridge... actually HARVARD! I had a Gilmore Girls moment, wandered Harvard yard with Megan and got a t-shirt to show I had been there.

Well.. I am currently in Maine with the Barkers. I love this town. I love this state. I always thought people were exaggerating when people would rave about the greatness that is Maine. Guess what.. I'm a believer. I think everyone should come here.

Saturday there was a Bilbo Baggins celebration. Maybe you will see my pictures. It was also a farewell shindig for Soren who's leaving on his mission this week. DUUUDE! Yay! It's all very exciting. And today was his farewell. I am glad to be here.

I'm leaving on Tuesday.. life will then proceed after such.

I realize that my sister already posted this to her blog and the family website, but I want everyone to see how absolutely stunning her daughters are..

I couldn't help but post it to my blog, because I am once again in awe. Oh these girls.. I love them so.

"On our way to church this morning, Cassidy said, "When I grow up I want to be a princess, get married and kiss on the yips."
Adam's response, " As long as she understands that's the order it's suppose to go...""

I am over the moon:

I am minding my own business visiting Jared and Megan. I get a friend request on facebook, from a friend of a friend.. you know the deal. Because I am nice I add them and say the standard, "hello, how have you been.." It turns into this crazy back and forth where he is OVERLY enthusiastic (everything in CAPS) and calls me "gorgeous, my dove, and babe/boo." I keep thinking to myself... no one ever has or will call me this. I find it irritating partially because I REALLY DONT KNOW YOU! I ignore it and continue to make the attempt to see whats up with him, but every post he makes, he calls me these names. Thankfully he isnt writing on my wall.. it would so be deleted. He starts doing facebook chat and once again with the "babe" and "boo." I request that he refrain from calling me as such, and move on to they "hey, hows it goin/hows life" kind of nonsense. It doesnt need to be dwelled on. He answers said questions, says "you're a feminist, aren't you." and gets offline. Ummm? WHAT? Ok... Is that supposed to be an insult? I have never thought I was, but.. um.. ok? I try to go to his wall- he has deleted me as a friend... SAY WHAT??? YOU ADDED ME?! So I send a message: "I'm actually not a feminist Tanner. I am a female that you have had about one conversation with in my life time.. I am not necessarily comfortable being called babe or boo. That is just me. But apparently I came off as feminist, which I find rather humorous.. and you opted to delete me as a friend for that fact. Whatever floats your boat." his response: "I cant help it your mad at men BABE! Maybe thats why u aint married =) TAH TAH" Ummm? I'm mad at men? Well that explains so MUCH! I scare them off with my feminist ways. I attempt to reply.. Nope. Can't. He has deleted all trace of himself from my view. I know he hasnt deleted his facebook, just blocked all access of himself to me.. umm. Ok. Who knew I made such an impact.

This last weekend was the storytelling festival in Orem!! It was AMAZING! 3 fantastic glorious days of national storytellers coming and telling us stories, singing songs, and sharing their talents with us. It became a community of friends and family as we got swept into the lives and stories of these people on the stage. I got lost in the music and the potential stories that could be told. I didn't know what it all entailed but if you ever get the chance to be in Utah around the beginning of september I would recommend going to this. And if you are already in Utah and have no idea what this is-- give me a call. You should really go next year.

Currently in Connecticut visiting Jared and Megan. YAY! We went to Groton and Mystic yesterday. (I replaced my Mystic Pizza beer glass... cause mine is totally MIA.) I am super stoked to see them, although they are currently at work..

ha

later kids.

Yes: i realize I am a harrible person.. and let me tell you why.

I went over to Rachel's house (Christine's sister) and hung out for a bit tonight. In the process I met her new roommate. Sadly enough I have a short attention span and apparently have a vindictive personality.

example: we were watching the Discovery Channel and their were commercials for some show that followed these fishermen out on sea. At the last bit it makes some comment about testing the brotherhood of the men, as one of the men slides off the boat into the freezing water. I saw it once and thought, wow.. that's no good... and on pondering it, why is it testing the brotherhood of these men? Man goes overboard, you try your darndest to save him. There is no brotherhood about it. So the second time the commercial came on, for some reason I was overcome with laughter as the man slid into the raging sea. Great Amanda. Good form. Well.. Rachel promptly asks why I am laughing, and her new roommate looks at me like I am a complete wackjob and starts telling me off for laughing especially because of how cold the water is and how dangerous... yadda yadda yadda. Thankfully she leaves so when the commercial comes on again, I laugh.. again... partially because of the episode that followed the last time.

example: We are getting to the movie theater to go see UP (which was great btw) and we are in front of ShopKo and I stop.. a little past the stop sign. Ms. Backseat Driver (the roomie) says: there's a stop sign back there... I reply with a yes, and see I am stopped. Although she didnt make any commentary when I didn't stop at it after the movie.. Not to mention she kept pointing out "prime" parking in the ShopKo parking lot for the movie theater... How about you let me drive.

example: on the way back there are a LOT of speedbumps. Yes, I hate speedbumps, but I didn't consider just going through the parking lot until Rachel suggested it. In response her roommate whines a YEA! and then starts whimpering about her head. Apparently when we went over a speed bump, her head hit the ceiling. Oh. Who knew? I didn't. Although my concern went further and further down as she continued to whimper, even though I avoided the rest of the speed bumps.

I have to consider that I am not living with this girl and can't really imagine a time that I might run into her. I am a crazy vindictive wacko... but I figure you should know my downfalls along with my wonderfully pleasant attributes. (this is part of the downfall bit.)

Thankfully I have relatively normal roommates that I like being around. I don't know what it is about Christine or her sister's, but they always get a really weird one.