Blossoms!

Welcome Spring!

Is it just me or has it been a looooooong winter?  In celebration of sun, flowers, blue skies, rain and green, I have taken some pictures.

Smelling, watching, listening, and drinking in the beauty!  After a long winter... hope does arise :)

Life is SO different...

I once worked full time for the Department of Health in Salt Lake City, lived in my own little studio in downtown, went on random dates with random guys, dinner with friends, hit and miss parties, singles wards with 500+ mid singles, shopping almost on a daily basis...

Who would have guessed that 6 months later I would be living with my parents in rural Idaho, working in mental health, spending quantities of time with my nieces and nephews, gardening with mom, driving a new car, dating (no comment... yet...), reuniting with old friends, teaching primary in a family ward..

I have truly enjoyed the change.  And I owe it partly to two of the best roommates I could ask for.

My Dad and Mom

There have been alot of wonderful things about living with them.  One of my favorites is reading books together.  We take turns reading out loud.  We try to first read the scriptures and then dive into a novel.  We have read 3 so far.

                                     

I also make my mom and dad dinner once a week.  I mainly make them Veggie Lasagna (at my dad's request) .  My dad thinks I have given him gold ---a way to a man's heart really is through his stomach!--  It is fun to have daily meals with my parents and have the comfort of their presence and support in my life.

I guess as a single person for so long, I have forgotten what it is like to live in a home with a family.  Don't get me wrong, I have had a lot of fun in my single years and don't regret one minute.  I have had roommates  friends, and cousins that have helped fill that gap,

but really, there is nothing like a family to provide companionship, fill the emptiness in your heart, heal your soul, cushion blows as they come and provide a soft landing spot to fall on.

Three months ago, when I was told in the temple that I needed to move home, I had no idea what a blessing it would be.  What a tender mercy to be back with my famLee, just for a little while.  To become reacquainted with them, enjoy the companionship of my best friends.  I have rediscovered hometown and have found some wonderful treasures here.  It has also helped me pull myself together financially.

I was fighting moving back home tooth and nail, before I received the prompting from the Holy Ghost.  But more then anything, I was fighting my pride.  It is hard to come back, and in a way... admit defeat. 

I had always prided myself on being independent, successful, adventurous ... coming home put a squash on all that pride.

and that is probably the purpose :)

So yep.  I am a happy camper here... but UPDATE:  yes, I am eventually coming  back to Utah, to get another master's degree.  I dont want to lose my Utah residency because the tuition triples for out-a-staters, and the program I want is at the University of Utah and Utah State.

Starting this fall, I will begin to migrate south...

New Hobby

Two months ago I got a free upgrade on my phone:  And I have fallen in love...

Apple Iphone 4 

(love the apps, the user friendliness, 

the maps, stopwatch, calendar...love this phone)

AND I have discovered a new hobby.  I love to take pictures.  And my lovely assistant, Instagram, helps me look like I know what I am doing.

Instagram: this free program  to post your pictures, share them with friends, and makes you feel artsy because you can shade, recolor, focus, to make your picture look more amazing than it really is :)

I find myself taking pictures of random things.  Things that catch my eye when I am not expecting it.  And two things seem to be the theme of my photography.

Barns and Sunset.

Let me share...

Each of these buildings holds stories and secrets.

 Old, decaying, caving, leaning,
precious, preserved, beautiful

Mysterious

                                     

A tangible piece of history...

And yes,  I keep finding more of these i want to capture.  

Am I weird that I find them so fascinating?

Well them call me weird, because I stare at them and think about the people that built them, the lives they lived, and the care and skill that went into creating this piece of their livelihood.

My other love is the Idaho sunset.

Idaho sunsets are gorgeous simply because of this:

They are given freedom to express themselves.

No mountains to hid the glory.  Just miles and miles of flat space, farms and open sky.

The sun paints a glorious, unique and creative picture almost on a "dusk-ly" basis.

 Distracting when you are driving down the 

freeway at 75 MPH to take this.

But so worth the risk!

The clouds make this one.  Almost looks like a storm is brewing.

 I imagine heaven has these kind of skies.

 I liked this one because I like the contrast of the dark clouds
against that gorgeous illuminating sun.

And the sprinklers going off into the distance.

 Romantic :)

Thanks for letting me share my newest interest!

I hope you enjoyed...

Hmmmm...

With my goal to blog something once a week, I better get crackin!

So... this week,  I bought a new car.  .... you know, the usual :)

I sold my old car, for a pretty good deal and my brilliant brother, Lloyd help me by a new one, 2008 Toyota Camry.  All with in a 2 day period.  

Boy, life moves fast!

by the way: I am LOVING this gorgeous new ride.  It is pretty much exactly what I wanted.  And driving is just a joy.  I feel like hollywood... haha.

How's the Job?

A common question I am asked lately is my satisfaction level with my new job.  Thanks for inquiring!  It lets me know you care.  And let's face it.  A full-time job is an estimated 1/3 of your waking hours, so its a pretty big deal to start a new one.

I was hired as a social worker for J&M mental health one month ago.  My hours are spent in Psycho-Social Rehabilitation for people with mental Illness.  I spend a large quantity of time with these individuals one on one.  I deal with mental illnesses such as skizophrenia, psychotic disorders, depression etc.  I try to help them reintegrate into the community, how to properly communicate in family relationships, how to be financially responsible, etc.

These individuals have had incredibly difficult lives.  Abuse, abandonment  homelessness, starvation, drug use, etc.  You name it and they have lived it.

And I am constantly humbled by their circumstances.

Me, who has been bless in abundance.  Who has a stable loving family, financial security, opportunities for education, a knowledge of God's plan for me.  Material blessings, spiritual blessings, physical blessings.

Life isn't fair.  And my job makes that very clear.

It makes an impression when you see your boss drop everything to go and rescue a homeless man, who has had nothing to eat and no place to stay in days.

It humbles you to see some of the poorest and neediest people you have ever met, gather eagerly for a free meal at the mental health center once a week.

It makes an impression when one of your clients asks if you can be his roommate because his current roommate beat him up last night.

It makes your heart ache to spend a day of work running to food banks to gather food for people whose shelves are bare.

It breaks your heart to hear stories of abuse, see children without adequate clothing, women who are at the mercy of an abusive spouse, hear stories of imprisonment, fear of law enforcement, financial crisis, and isolation.

So do I like my job?  Yes, I do.

And this is why:

I feel like I can help.

Don't get me wrong.  I am not superwoman.  The need is far greater then my ability.  But I do have something to offer.

 I care.

The thought of one of Heavenly Father's children -one of my brothers and sisters- suffering to this level, bothers me greatly.

So... in my meager, inadequate way... I enter each of their homes, unsure of what I will find, what crisis I might be battling with them today, and try to help.  I try to calm them.  I try to listen to them, and make them feel okay, and then we tackle the problem.

And I pray.

I pray each morning that I can know how to help these suffering, precious people.

Yep.  I have found my field of work.  In my own suffering in the loss of my last job, I have found a greater blessing.   Heavenly Father has led me to field of work that capitalizes on my abilities, fulfills me, and allows me to directly help others that I feel are on the brink of despair, and that in a round-about-way, in need of rescue.

Yet another blessing from above.

PS: Another interesting thing about my job:  I have also been given the responsibility of Case Manager, which is a wonderful opportunity... AND more school to be licensed in social work is in the long term goals.

Liebster Award Nominations

My Megan nominated me for a Liebster Award.  Click Here to read her beautiful blog and learn more about it.  Basically its just a way to get more recognition and readers for blogs that deserve it.  AND I get to answer fun interesting questions, ask fun interesting question and give my own nominations.

First things first:

I nominate these blogs for recognition (in no particular order).

True Aggies
Dibbles in Oz
Life as Abbielone
Ericka's Designs

Blogger Nominees, go to Megan's blog (link above) to follow the simple rules.

Now I am following the rules:

11 random facts about me:

1)  I don't have a gall bladder.  Removed when I was 19 due to gall stones (ouch!).  My digestive system has never been the same since.

2)  I am a neat freak.  I like things deodorized, sanitized and organized... probably to a fault.  But living with famLee has helped me to relax more about it.

3)  I love picnics and bike rides.  Probably what I would choose if given an hour or two of free time.

4)  I also love the beach.... and I am a fairly decent body and body board surfer.  Comes from my summer spent in California doing an internship.

5)  Speaking of that internship.  My job for 4 months was to teach safe sex to high risk teens.  This virgin trying to teach others about safe sex... my famLee still laughs about it :)

6)  I watch an episode of the Office every day (the old ones with Michael Scott). I dont know what it is about that show, but it gives me much needed comic relief!I need my daily dose.

7)  Never been to Europe.  Really want to go.

8)  I eat alot of eggs.  Probably 4-5 every day.

9)  I like to sleep with a window open.  Even in the dead of winter.  Its my claustrophobia.

10)  I am dead set against having plastic surgery... ever.  Such a waste of money.  I will be dead in 50 years anyway.  I would rather go on a bike ride... or the beach :)

11)  I really love the combination of brown eyes and blonde hair.  Which is why it would be great to reproduce with someone with brown eyes so my kids can have that combo!

Answers to Megan's questions:

1) What was my favorite toy as a child?  It was during the cabbage patch kids days.  However, my mom made me a home-made cabbage patch kid doll because we didn't have the money for the store-bought one. It became such a treasure.  Mine had blonde hair and blue eyes just like me.

2)  What do I do when I am sad?  I try to resist sadness.  I don't like it!  so I listen to music, exercise, watch the Office :), talk to a friend.

3)  What did I want to be when I grew up?  A travel agent, I thought it seemed like such an exotic job...

4) Beavers or Ducks?  Oh ducks... quack!

5)  What was the last book your read and what did you think of it?  The Hiding Place.  Just read it with my parents.  Life changing.  Seriously!  It is at the top of my fav book list now.

6)  What sports do you follow if any?  I try so hard to follow sports to keep up with my jock brothers, but I can't.  However, Steelers, baby! for NFL.  Utes for college football.  Jazz for Basketball.   Even if I don't follow sports I can still have favorite teams.

7)  What is my favorite food to pig out on?  Cream cheese frosting.  yum yum yum.  I also love nutella and peanut butter.  Can I have more than one? :)

8) If I could be in a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?  Joan of Arc.  Seriously.  I read about her recently and was fascinated with her leadership, spirituality, strength, dedication, patriotism.  I want to bask in her presence and hope it rubs off.

9)  What is one talent you wish you had?  Math.  I would really like to be good at math, then I could get a really high paying engineer or tech job.  

10)  What is the most exotic place you've ever been?  Oh the Carribean.  The multi-cultural islands.  White sand, islander men...  

11)  Why did you start blogging?  My sister told me I was a good writer and should have a blog.  She had a very active blog at the time.  Funny thing... as soon as I started blogging, she stopped.  I miss it, Ambs!

Okay my nominees, here are your questions;

1) Cat or Dog and why?

2)  With unlimited time and money, what would you do?

3)  What is a dream that has come true for you?

4)  How do you like to relax?

5)  If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

6) One of your heroes?

7)  What is your dream job?

8)  Sunrises or sunsets?

9)  What (or who) makes you laugh the most?

10)  Favorite Movie?

11)  Why did you start blogging?

Can't wait to hear more!

Sylinda

Beautiful Bread

This is Mom.  She is pretty much perfect in my eyes in every way.

This includes her domestic ability.

She is particularly good with her dinner rolls.
So much in fact, that she is always asked to bring them to family and social events.

You will often find her in the kitchen making them.
I have yet to see her fail.  They are always yummy.
Never flat.  Always raised just right, always golden brown delicious.

This day I document.

I want to make my own Lynda Lee rolls.
With her special touch.  With her love and care.
Their deliciousness radiates her warmth and goodness.

And so we begin...

First she grinds wheat to have fresh whole wheat flour.
(I love this wheat grinder--I may have to fight my sister to inherit it someday)
Grind about 5 cups of flour.

While grinding, warm 2 quarts of water.
She let me feel the water.  It is warmer than luke warm, but def not hot.
Closer to warm than hot.
(This is important as to make sure the yeast works correctly)

Next add 2 rounded Tbsp of yeast. 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 c of oil to the water.

Add the whole wheat flour to the mixture
Notice: The Bosch.  My mom loves, loves, loves, loves hers.
(I think this may be one of the secrets to her perfect rolls)


Mix for 10 minutes.

Add 3 eggs.

Mix for another 10 minutes
(mix well between ingredients... another important step)

Add this much salt.  No measuring spoons needed. :)
Also add 1/3 c of powdered milk
and 3 cups of white flour. (these are half white... sort of like Obama :)

Mix again

Then add two more cups of white flour.

Now mix for 30 minutes

Until the dough begins to "climb" up the center of the bowl.

Let raise in the bowl while you prepare two buttered cookie sheets.

Shape into rolls.  About the size of a golf ball.

Another secret is that good roles come out of dough that is slightly sticky.

I always help on this part. :)

Let them raise 30 minutes in the pan.

Another important step: eat Doritos while they are raising.

Now bake for 30 minutes on 400.

Key: 30 minutes mixing, 30 minutes raising and 30 minutes baking.

She said to plan 2 hours total from start to finish.

and VOILA!  Beautiful rolls.  (mom said she cooked these a little too much,
but I thought they were DEE-LISH.)

Use real butter to brush on the hot rolls.

And eat.

They are good with homemade jam, honey...
what the heck, they are good not matter how you devour them.

Thanks for letting me stalk your roll making, Mom.

Love you!

Bless Aunt Sylinda

Last night I stopped my bro, Russell's house.  His sweet wife, Marsha and their 4 daughters are some of my dearest friends.  I have talked about his girls before.  How they are all sweet and gorgeous and wonderful.  And how we have a special connection.

(Last year at City Creek Mall)

Well... Ashlyn, the littlest one on the right (supposedly looks alot like me) had some significant things to say on her blessing on the food.

"Please bless Aunt Sylinda that she will get married in the Temple."

I look up after the blessing (trying not to smile) and Marsh and Russ look at me apologetically.  "Sorry, Syl, we were going to tell you some day, just not right now.  They pray for you every prayer."

"They prayed for you to get a job and for you to get married in the temple."

I was so honored and didn't accept any apologies.  After all, their girls prayers got me my job, why wouldn't it get me married?  And that is exactly what I said to them.  

Pure simple faith.  And nothing is more powerful then this in the eyes of God.  

Thank you my sweet, little friends.  I LOVE YOU! I hope to be like you someday and have your faith.

Their prayers, and those of all my loved ones, are surely heard by our loving Heavenly Father, I have no doubt that this important prayer will be answered.