Memorial Day

Mom gave the FHE yesterday and told my family about Robyn.  She shared Robyn's life story and show artifacts of her life including her little pink shoes, her feeding equipment, and a book that Jan had written.  I don't remember ever seeing  Jan's book, so I scanned it and wanted to share it with you all.

 If you'd like the pdf version, email me.

The curse of dating.

Get this.

So our stake has devotionals each Sunday night to encourage spirituality and socializing with the opposite gender. ('Devotional' is a fancy word for 'fireside'.) There are devotionals for the general body of single saints, and then there are separate devotionals specifically for the 25 and older saints, i.e., the pathetic saints, the awkward saints, the hopeless saints...call them what you will. Wait....I'm part of that crowd. I suppose the reasoning behind these gatherings is to get all of us misfits together and hopefully we'll settle on a mate. 

Anyway, last Sunday my friend encouraged me to go to the 25 and older devotional because, he said, "When have you ever regretted going to a devotional?" I should have seen the foreshadowing.

So I went to the devotional, sat through it, and was pleased when it was over so I could get the heck out of there. I stood up to leave and apparently didn't run fast enough to the doors because i got TRAPPED by this guy:

Meet Brian Beames. Because I sure did. He came over to me, asked my name, made weird chit chat, then didn't get the hint when I used the ol' "it was nice to meet you" line and walked away. Nope, didn't catch that one. Nor did he notice my abrupt answers or lack of interest in the conversation. He followed me to my car and asked, "Is it okay if I get your number?"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

"No. It is not okay. Absolutely not. Never in a million years would I want you to call me. You are old and yikes."
That's what my brain said.
My mouth said, "Oh!



Sure."

He got out his phone and my mind was racing but frozen at the same time. I couldn't even eek out anything like "I'm not really interested." or "I'm dating someone." or "I don't have a phone." or "I'm allergic to giving out my number."

So here's what happened:
Me: Okay here it is. 801...
Brian: 801
Me: 318...
Brian: 308?
Me: Yup. 1049.
Brian: Okay great.
Me: Mmhmm. Bye!

So, that was the end of that and what a hilarious/awful story I had to share. 

But that wasn't the end!

A few days later, I get a facebook message from the guy. Did I mention he was yikes? Because I didn't tell him my last name or anything about me except for what ward I was in and BAM there he is, hunting me on facebook. Yikes, mister.

"I am the guy that asked for your phone number this last Sunday after the 25+ fireside. I have to admit that I am a little confused and I am seeking clarification on a matter. The telephone number that I got from you was 801.308.1049. When I called the number it went to a voicemail of an individual that definitely did not sound like you. My question to you is was this miscommunication of some sort in which I inadvertently and unintentionally got the incorrect phone number (I hope that this was the case)? I do have to admit that it is hard for me to rule out the possibility that giving out the incorrect phone number was intentional. If this is (and I hope not) the case then I would like to ask a favor of you. That favor is that the next time you find yourself in the situation where a guy that you are not interested in is asking for your phone number that you would take the more honorable and braver path of being honest with him in a kind way. Thank you. Brian"

My point in sharing this is not to mock him or put him down. My point is this: 1. Take a look at my dating pool now. Old, weird, overweight, weird, socially unaware, weird guys. And this place is swarming with them. 2. Take a look at how dating is these days. She doesn't answer your call? Creep her on facebook. And 3. Just yikes.

After Nauvoo, Then What?

We made an impromptu stop in Nauvoo as we drove home from Utah in July of 2009.

After driving so far to Nauvoo, want to hang around the midwest a little longer before heading home? Want to spend the Holiday (i.e. Independence Day) with family? Want to see where we live?

Our home is a mere 6 hours away, and we invite any and all to come and stay! We're also a convenient stop on the way to Steph's house (less than 3 hours away), and have you heard that Praise is getting baptized on Saturday, 5 July? (And it's Isaac's birthday!) 

We're excited to see all of you, and don't forget: The fun doesn't have to end on July 3rd. We can party on in Indiana!

Photobook Mania

Here's one more photobook I finished using the primary gospel standards.
Have a look here.

A is for Ann, B is for Bruce

Shellie gifted me a coupon for a photobook, so I've been working on a little book called A is for Ann, B is for Bruce.  It's an ABC book of our family.  I thought I'd share it with you.  I just ordered it.  I hope it turns out ok.  I know I could spend more time on it making it better, but good's good enough for now.

Click here to view this photo book larger