misery

i was just told that i will be losing my job september one.

i don't love it when the rug is pulled out from underneath me. i just don't.

and i know that i should look at this as an opportunity for growth. and someday soon, i know i will see it like that. i will get off my bum and fix my resume and find a kick bum, paid internship that provides me with great supervision and enough moola to live on. and i will look back to today as a great blessing.

but for now, i just want to cry. so in 45 minutes when i walk out of the office today and down to my car and drive to the center to say good-bye to another client and have a couple of second-to-last sessions with other clients, i will probably cry my eyes out.

*update: i did not cry. it's amazing what a couple Journey songs can do for the soul. "believin'....street lights...." sing it with me...."up and down the boulevard..."

and coming home to a bunch of these helped a lot too :). thanks, Aubs!!

Happy Birthday, Yinsky!

Dear Collin,

Thanks for being my best friend and playing Barbies with me when we were kids and thinking it was cool and for letting me play G.I. Joes with you.

Thanks for sending me the letter that said, "I guess you can call this, "our younger brother who thinks he rules over us Laman and Lemuel type advice [thanks for referring to me as Laman :)]...My mission saved me. Man, it's literally saving my soul. You are gonna feel things you never thought possible. You are gonna see things you never thought possible. You will see the finger of the Lord, the touch of the Master's hand...No matter what anyone tells you no matter what you hear, your mission will be the most incredible 18 months of your life...you can make it the most incredible time of your life if you let the Lord do it! He can make you more than you ever imagined. You are a daughter of the Most High God, the Most High King! You can be brilliant!! He expects you to..."

and the letter that said, "The Lord's work will get done, the stone will roll forward. It's funny how it never says 'the field's a mess, and lo, he that pulleth out the weeds, fertilizes the ground, digs about, and plants seeds, in 50 years will be white already to harvest,' C'MON!! Go Reap, Baby! ...Don't waste time...Charity, I love that we're on opposite sides of the globe in two totally different cultures, but spreading the same gospel of peace to the same lost people. Isn't this work amazing?"
and the email that said, "I get nervous when I think about how much God trusts me to send me one of His precious little angels....When I start hyperventilating and feel the oxygen leaving my brain, it helps me to remember what I've learned from the Gospel: #1-Heavenly Father is perfect, so that means He is a perfect father, and He is my perfect Father and He can't make mistakes so making me a father isn't a mistake no matter what I think, #2-Knowing Heavenly Father is a perfect father gives me some peace, because I know I can always go to Him to get perfect advice on how to be the best father I can be."

I may be 14 months older than you, but I look up to you in so many more ways than just because you out grew me. You will probably never know how much you have influenced my life.

All my love and respect, little brother!

Flickr Mosaic

1) My first name is Charity 2) I like coconut anything 3) Timpview High School 4) Robin Egg Blue is my favorite color today 5) Michael Buble pulls on my green heart strings 6) I like to drink Water 7) take me away to the medi 8) the best ice cream is not in my tummy 9) i always wanted to be a mommy when I grow up 10) I love my family 11) one word: loyal 12) Beloved

My current secret to happiness

I got a very sweet email last night from a dear friend:

i just wanted to tell you how happy i am to see how happy you seem right now. it shows in everything. you have always deserved to be this happy!

random email, i know, but i was just really impressed by your happiness today and wanted to let you know how happy i am for you.

I am posting this, because I think it's important for me to recognize. For the first time in quite a while, I am not allowing my mood to be determined by a member of the opposite sex. Difficult to do, but so rewarding.

My life is far from perfect. However, living the commandments of the Lord brings more happiness and peace than I could ever dream. Even just the thought of the hope that I have in a God who keeps His promises is enough for me right now.

There is a law irrevocable decreed in heaven upon which all blessings are predicated... to me this means that there are blessings that cannot be altered when the laws of God are followed. It's just impossible. God keeps His promises!

Any Handwriting Analyzors out there?

The OC Fair boasts of many pleasurable and entertaining activities…photos to come later…including the personality analysis based totally on your signature (and astro sign). Best $3 I’ve ever spent! The italics are mine.

(Note* For Your Fun and Entertainment Only*)

The report starts with my personality analysis:
- You need a pat on the back occasionally. I do appreciate when someone notices my efforts
- You are sometimes jealous and possessive. What? Me? Never!
- You have a tendency to misplace things. I’ll give the computer room for 5% error—I’m actually pretty organized most of the time
- You like to be busy in some useful work. Yes, please!
- You have difficulty in expressing your true feelings. If there is anything that could sum me up in one sentence…
- You have a talent for making the best of any situation. Check
- You are very romantic under the right circumstances. Check - You have a practical look on life. Check, Check
- You have a tendency to worry needlessly. Check, check, check
- There is a corner of your heart that no one will ever see. Check, check, check, check, check, check...hope this isn't always true.
- You like to set your own pace and limits in life. I really don’t like it when someone else tries to tell me what I want or who I am…totally gets on my nerves
- You never hesitate, even when the going is rough. Bring it!

Next up—Weird facts about the past Millennium that I will not waste my time to include here.

My horoscope:
Gemini (The Twins—yes we are). All things are fresh and fascinating for The Twins. They often possess the enthusiasm and optimism of a child. Routine is boring and boring in not allowed. With a restless imagination and keen intellect, life must be lived to the fullest. The Gemini game of life is best played with entertaining teammates and swift moves. A Twin wants to know the motivation and cause behind everyone and everything they encounter. Geminis are expressive folk and are often gifted with their hands. Great storytellers, they make life a little more interesting for the rest of us. Geminis are usually affectionate, kind, generous, and thoughtful. They are attractive and interesting people who know how to get their own needs met. They are known to be honest, straight forward and without guile. They are what they are and usually have no problem admitting their failings (unfortunately). Geminis are quick witted, charming and imaginative companions. If you can fulfill a Gemini’s needs on a mental, emotional and romantic level, you’ll find a solid, enduring person beneath the charm. Gemini parents allow their children to express who they are and nurture intellectual interests.

Gemini in the New Millennium:
During the first decade of the Millennium (still have two years left!) any changes you make that have no real purpose will leave you feeling empty. The millennium will be about prioritizing, focusing and empowering yourself. With your quick wit and communication skills, you are a natural for taking advantage of the booming telecommunication and media industries. Be careful not to take on too much and don’t procrastinate where health is concerned (maybe it's time I purchased some heatlth insurance?).

Lucky Day: Wednesday
Lucky Numbers: 5, 9, 11 (what are “lucko” numbers? 4, 30, 44, 16, 32, 12)
Color: Yellow
Gemini Plants: Yarrow, Lavendar
Gemini Attractions: to Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius

So...?

waxing political

I don't know where this came from beyond my grandfather, but if it's true, it's very interesting...

---State of Sonora ( Mexican State ) is angry at Influx of Mexicans into Mexico Nine state legislators from the Mexican state of Sonora traveled to Tucson, Arizona, USA, to complain about Arizona 's newemployer crackdown on illegals from Mexico.

It seems that many Mexican illegals are now returning to their hometowns and the officials in the Sonora state government are ticked off about it.

The delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to say Arizona 's new employer sanctions law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state. At a news conference, the legislators said Sonora--Arizona 's southern neighbor, made up of mostly small towns--cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools it will face as illegal Mexican worker here return to their hometowns without jobs or money.

The law, which took effect January 1, 2008, punishes employers who knowingly hire individuals who don't have valid legal documents to work in the United States. Penalties include suspension of, or loss of, their business license.

The Mexican legislators are angry because their own citizens are returning to their hometowns, placing a burden on their state government. "How can they pass a law like this?" asked Mexican Rep. Leticia Amparano-Gamez, who represents Nogales. "There is not one person living in Sonora who does not have a friend or relative working in Arizona," she said, speaking only in Spanish. Mexico is not prepared for this, for the tremendous problems it will face as more and more Mexicans working in Arizona and sending money to their families return to home towns in Sonora without jobs," she said. "We are one family, socially and economically," she said of the people of Sonora and Arizona. Wrong! The United States is a sovereign nation, not a subsidiary of Mexico, and United States TAXPAYERS are not responsible for the welfare of Mexico's citizens.

It's time for the Mexican government, and its citizens, to stop parasitically feeding off of the United States and to start taking care of its/their own needs. Too bad all the United States don't pass a law just like it. Maybe that's the answer, since our own Congress will not do anything!

I Bleed American

I stole my title from myself...so what? Yeah, and those other guys...


Here's the deal. I love the 4th of July. I love my family. I really love my family on the 4th of July. We are so fun.



Here's the evidence.

My uncle Josh calls in the donut order the night before: "Can we have 2 dozen red, white & blue sprinkled pastries of fatty goodness boxed up for us by 7 am torrow? Thanks!"

Can it get more ghetto fabulous than this?

Yes it can!

The pre-parade...It's a tradition! The whole Star Wars crew comes out to make an appearance. This year, Obi 1 waved me out of the way, "We can't slow down!" Chill Kanobe, we just want a photo!

How about this...the Kartchner-Brown-Rowely-Grant-Hawley-Smith-Frame (where were you on this one?) -Miles block...where we all gather to soak it in.

Yes, that's a BYU basketball player in the background. We're kind of related which kind of makes me famous.

These little kids are the loves of my life. Adam looking at a flag laying on the ground near my feet: "Charity, I don't have a flag." Me: "Do you want this one?" Adam: "Okay, Thanks!"

That's some serious sugar on the asphalt!

Then there's the lake. Which lake? The only lake worth frequently in the UV. I am a watersnob, it's not my fault, my parents created me that way. Whether it's for drinking or for boarding. This lake is warm and big enough to fit all of Utah County. Except, when all of Utah County is there, all we do is swim, tube & surf...

Follow that up with some Rio (not pictured) and a family-style BBQ!

"Show me your tat, Brin! Flex those muscles!"

& some sparklers& some Northgate neighborhood fun...


Makes for a really great 4th of July! Let's do this again next year...and the next and the next and the next...

Feeding Frenzy - Part Two

Read part one here.



This is the story I won't tell on the official blog, because the food was fabulous and the service more than satisfactory...


Parking: I drove around in circles through the flower streets, nearly lost a tire going off a curb I didn't see, finally found a spot on 2nd Street and walked up a small hill in heels. I love being a girl. Lesson learned--park at April's and walk with her or vallet.

Restrooms: Through the kitchen and out the back door, I promptly forgot the "watch your step" sign and stumbled up a rickety flight of stairs to a one-seater in a barely better than pubic beach comode. Lesson learned--go at home.


Departure: Walking back to my car, I passed Ruby's and was flooded by the heady aroma of burgers and fries, along with unexpected memories of Ruby Chick Burgers and spit wad fights. Only one person will get that. Lesson learned--maybe I should blow this popsicle stand and move out of town.




I tried really hard to not look so tired...I'd post the other takes, but they're just embarrassing.

News...

Chad, Keira, Adam, & Brin are moving to the midwest!!! They will be so far away, but I guess I'll have to be okay with it, since Chad will be attending a prestigious business schoolio.

I am so excited to see them and everyone else and to meet cute little Q this weekend. It will be a happy 4th.