I fell off the roof!

My superstar visiting teaching companion said the funniest thing recently. We were talking on the phone and she didn't sound like her normal peppy self. I asked her how she was feeling and she said "well, I fell off the roof today." I said, "you WHAT?" She said "oh that's how I say I started my period."

I laughed hysterically.

Today, I was talking to my sister Jen in Hawaii (where I will be in 13 days) and she said "I fell off the roof today." Since I am Gullible Gertie, I said "you WHAT?" And then we both laughed hysterically.

It really is kind of enjoyable to describe "that time of the month" by saying you fell off the roof. Here are some fun examples:

• I was doing sharing time in Primary and I fell off the roof.
• I fell off the roof at work today - it was awful!
• I woke up in the middle of the night and I fell off the roof.

Feel free to comment with some other possible scenarios -- it's really very fun.

Visiting Teaching

I'm a rotten visiting teacher - truly. I'm not just saying that for the people who know me to say "oh Jeanelle, that's not true." Because really, I sort of stink at it. A few years ago, I was given a really fantastic companion who makes me better. She makes the appointments, I teach the lessons and occasionally bake treats. It's a perfect mix.

About six months ago, this woman I knew as a youth moved into my ward. She's no longer attending church regularly, which is sad because she is an amazing person with many talents and spiritual gifts. I told my partner that I wanted to request her for our route. She concurred so I called the RS President, made the suggestion and waited. Finally, her records showed up and we got her on our list.

On our first visit, the three of us talked for nearly two hours. We heard her reasons for not attending church and told her that our ward was different than the one she moved from, the one where she felt invisible. Her birthday is this week so my stupendous partner called this morning and said the sister was free for lunch and could I meet them. Of course, I ditched work and did just that. We had so much fun! The sister said during the visit "I haven't had visiting teachers in so long - this is so nice." It made me feel really good to know that the gesture of lunch meant so much to her (and I take zero credit -- all of the glory goes to my partner.) I'm hoping and praying that she will let go of the hurt and anger that is keeping her from regular church attendance. I'm not expecting to "save" her but I really love the idea that our visits might matter a little bit.

Exhausted

I've been home from church for 15 minutes. I'm in my pajamas already and eating some leftover Key Lime cheese ball from the Tastefully Simple party the other night, while my dinner begins to cook.

Why am I comfy and stress eating so soon after church, you ask?

Well, today was our first Primary Program rehearsal. I'm sort of "in charge" of this year's program. It went well but, holy cow, I'm wiped. I have to find seats for 3 or 4 more kids and to write parts for those same children. It can be done but it's still more work. Not yet ready to even attempt it though today -- tomorrow will be here soon enough. It's going to be an early to bed night. I can hardly wait.

By the way, have you even tried the Tastefully Simple Key Lime cheese ball? Seriously fantastic.

Happy

This morning, I had to pick up a cake at Albertson's for a bridal shower I co-hosted at work today. As I was leaving, I noticed the guy behind me because he was buying some sort of canned beverage that he needed ID for. (It was 8:30 AM!!!) Anyway, I would describe him as Snoop Dogg Jr: same cheekbones, same oversized parka & saggy jeans, early 20s.

I walked outside to put the cake in my car and Snoop Jr walked to his car a couple of spaces beyond mine. Then he turned and said (and I quote) "Yo, your perfume smells real good. I could smell it in there" as he pointed toward Albertson's. I smiled, said a sincere thank you and drove off, laughing.

I've gotten other compliments on my perfume before, also at Albertsons. Maybe the store smells so bad that my lovely scent just freshens everything up? I wear Happy by Clinique and have worn it for probably 10 years. I love it and I think it really does make you happy so you should probably try wearing it.

Or maybe just tell me what perfume you wear?

Numbers

My week, so far...in numbers:

26 thank you cards made for whomever I decide to give them to.

2 in person visits by my boyfriend (he's still so dang dreamy but for about 36 hours, I thought I might be ready to move on. Then he came over this morning and, well, the crush is intact.)

71 dollars spent at Target on nothing of substance

2 miles walked today! First time I've walked in way too long and it felt great. Except when it didn't.

3 compliments from coworkers about how happy they are to have me in this new office area (I am basically a joy to be around, if you weren't yet aware. LOL)

2 hours spent watching TV (not nearly enough! My TiVo is stacking up.)

13 food & drink items to be made tonight/tomorrow for my upcoming Tastefully Simple party.

And it's late - better get busy!

What I Loved About Conference Weekend

1. Watching all four sessions with my mom from the comfy confines of my living room. I love technology!
2. Getting a Priesthood Session debrief from both Barry & Tyler (who will be guest blogging again soon -- watch for it!) So grateful that Boni & Jeni married such fantastic men.
3. Elder Perry's talk about living a more simplified life was just perfect.
4. Eating this for breakfast yesterday! Yum! Thanks, Mom!
   
5. That incredible Primary choir -- I cried during every one of their songs. I loved feeling the power of their testimonies as they sang. Almost as much as I loved watching the one boy correct the other boy for not standing the right way during their last song. Ha!
6. I didn't take notes yet but I loved the talk by the Sunday School presidency guy who talked about knowing the people you teach by name. That has been a priority for our Primary presidency and something I've always strived to do in all of my callings. A little validation now and again is a good thing!
7. Having my 77 year old neighbor over to watch the Sunday afternoon session was a treat. She knows lots of fun MoTab facts and pointed out at least 7 times that one of the men looks (to her) exactly like Niles Crane from Frasier.
   
8. Elder Oaks' talk about reverence -- it gave me SO much to think about. I've never really thought about how I should be going into Sacrament meeting and sitting down and just pondering or preparing to partake of the Sacrament itself. Something I'm going to work on!
9. Sister Dalton's talk was one I can't wait to listen to again. I loved the pictures of her and her counselors and the little hike they took into the mountains for their first presidency meeting.
10. I loved being reminded of things that I know are true and feeling the love of my Heavenly Father.

Three Items of Business

#1
It was a normal Wednesday morning at work, about 8:30 AM. I was answering email, listening to the new Jennifer Hudson CD I downloaded last night (jury's still out but I like most of it) when I look up and see the most amazing sight coming down the hall toward me. I'll bet you're wondering who or what that could be...hmm...

If you guessed, Mr. Crushworthy, AKA my boyfriend, then you would be absolutely, 100% correct.

He said "I knew I'd find you." (Please recall I moved to a different area of the office last week.) He brought with him the guy he works with whom I hadn't met yet.

They just came over to say hi. (Please recall he works in a different building about 2 miles away.)

They didn't come for a meeting or anything - they just had some free time and came over.

I KNOW! (Say it in your best Monica Geller voice!)

We chatted for awhile and then they left. I looked & felt much cuter today too, which was great except for one item, which I will address next.

#2
I woke up with a huge pimple on my jawline on Monday. I used to have bad skin. I don't have bad skin anymore because several years ago I went on Accutane. It was icky medicine but I have great skin now and I love it. This thing growing on my face is so huge and disgusting. Thankfully, my hair covers it most of the time. I'm beyond ready for it to be gone.

#3
Let's talk TV! (And if you're wondering, no I don't sleep enough.)

• Pushing Daisies tonight!
• CSI Miami is probably the stupidest show on TV. This week's episode where the human trafficking girls are all locked in a cage, all dressed in pristine white sundresses, about to get in a big dirty freight truck but then Horatio Caine is hiding behind them and comes out to arrest the bad guy? SO STUPID! I'm done with that one.
• Biggest Loser - I still don't have a favorite team but I'm enjoying this season. I think I like the two mother/daughter teams the best.
• Amazing Race! I love it! I like Starr and her brother and the divorced women so far. My mom came over and watched it with me on Monday, which was very fun.
• Desperate Housewives - I really liked the 5 year flash forward!
• Survivor - something I keep thinking about is how kind the hottie resident was when he was talking about the gay guy having such an obvious crush on him. Hottie resident could have been mean and homophobic but instead he said the gay guy was his friend. That made hottie resident even hotter (hottier?) in my eyes.