Thanksgiving 2009

Sick.

I made it to mom and dad's just before 8:00 PM on November 25 and realized that I didn't feel so well. By Thanksgiving morning I was pretty stuffed up and didn't want to get out of bed. In fact, I didn't. But, that's the perk of having amazing parents. We still had turkey, and potatoes, and yummy veggies, and Thanksgiving at my house is never complete without the pickles and olives. There were even cranberries for dad and pumpkin pie for all. This, still prepared without my help and they let me partake. Wow! I have to say, I was raised in a home where love was freely given, agency was well taught, and everything was provided for. My parent’s take care of me in so many ways and I am very happy to be their daughter.

The rest of the time at home mom tried to talk me into letting her sew WAY TOO MUCH for me. She succeeded a little. She also talked me into playing Chinese Checkers with her and dad. We watched a lot of T.V. and just relaxed. It was so nice.

I got back to Provo today, November 28th. First I went to the library to complete my lesson for Sunday School tomorrow, then I called Margret. This woman is amazing, as is her ENTIRE family. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for this dear family. When I was serving a mission for my church I met them and had the opportunity to teach Margret's children, Keri and Daniel, most of the lessons before their baptism (she was a recent convert). First of all, God could not be more pleased with any people sharing the gospel than He must be with this family. It is just an exalting feeling for me to be a part of their lives. Anyway, Margret and her husband are in town visiting family, including Keri and her husband and there is no way I could resist an opportunity to spend time with them. And, I'm glad I didn't because their faith buoys me up consistently. I am crazy in awe at how amazing they are.

I am excited too because tomorrow I will get to see my Miranda friend and she is also one of those stellar examples in my life and she likes me too.

This world is full of good people. I am thankful that I am privileged to associate with some of them.

Don't be shocked! I am writing on my blog.

I have a million stories I could tell from the past few months, but I'm merely writing to bid my farewell to my Mike friend.

California better appreciate him!

Do I have "insult me" written on my forehead?

I mean that all in good humor, referring back to my sweet nephew's remarks about my single status and "unemployment", and now my next story of a comment from a dear friend who will remain nameless to protect the not so innocent.

I'm enjoying a beautiful Sunday evening with a small group of friends.  We are eating pie and having a grand old time when my friend leans across the counter and says to me, "You know what's strange about your features?"  

WHAT?  Now, I'm single, unemployed, and I look strange?  Great, I have a lot going for me these days.  I'm going to develop a complex.  :)  

I was told I have Northern European cheeks and Southern European eyes, which is apparently unique?  Hmm . . .  he still tells me I'm hot so I guess I don't have to worry too much.

Woah slacker slacker

It's been some time, and while I have good intentions of catching up we all know where the road paved with good intentions leads. :)

So, two quick stories from the Nielsen family reunion this past Saturday.

I rode back to Provo with my sister and her kids. I have taken up a new hobby of knitting, so while we were driving I was knitting a scarf. The conversation as follows:

AJ: Amber, what are you going to do with your scarves?
Me: Oh, I think I might give them as gifts.
AP: You should sell them to make money because you don't have a job or a husband.

*Now, in my mind I'm thinking WHAT?

Me: AP, I have a job.
AP: Well, you don't have a husband. And, you could still sell them so you can have more money to buy stuff.

AP is on this I like having money so I can buy "stuff" kick. It's fab!

That was conversation number one. Number two was pretty great too. Talk about a darling little girl putting me in my place. This one also occurred as we were just enjoying (or something like that) the ride.

Me: AJ, what's going on?
AJ: YOU SHOULD KNOW! We're just sitting in the car being bored.

Ha ha, she is a very observant child.

I left my camera in my sisters car so pictures will be coming (a pie crust promise from an inconsistent blogger).

Until next time.

I really was sick!

December 2008 I got sick. It was just a cold, I thought. But, come January I was still sick. Then February rolled around and I was tired of being sick. I had been around a lot of people with mono so I thought, "Hmm, I guess that is a possibility." I had told my mom some of my symptoms and she said a lot of them were symptoms of MS. Then I started doing research and came up with fibromyalgia, thyroid problems, etc. Every new disease I thought I had I advertised at work. So, of course, everyone thought I was a hypochondriac. But, I was still sick. I even went to the doctor and they did some blood work and neurological test, but everything was fine. I was reflecting on how much my muscles hurt and how I hated that I couldn't breathe when I remembered I had the same muscle pain on my mission. The doctor there told me it was allergies, gave me a prescription and the pain went away. DUH! If I have headaches, can't breathe because my nasal passages feel closed and hurt like I did on my mission then I probably have some sinus issues. I went straight back to the doctor. She looked in my ears and down my throat and prescribed a spray right away. I have been feeling lovely ever since! Anyhow, because of my "research" to find out my illness I received this award from my dear friends at work!

NCAA Bracket 2009

I beat my boss!!! And everyone else in my office, which at BYU means I got a candy bar based on the fact that I beat my boss. There was no gambling involved. :( I could have made bank!!!

Thanks goodness the Daily Universe is going to be vigilent in guarding against errors?

The Daily Universe issued this apology regarding their apostle/apostate error a few days earlier. Too bad they didn't pay very close attention to the caption, again on their front page.It looks like Cosmo has seen some scenes in his life of scenic scenes and cinematographic scenes.

If you can't read the caption it says, "Cosmo lies in the grass, pretending to be unconcious, for a scene in his new short film. Episodes of the film can be scene after each third quarter of BYU football's home games."

I really do love my dear BYU and the students and employees at the Daily Universe. I just have to give them a hard time!