Family.

I was just absently scrolling through Facebook updates this morning, and one of my friends had shared a link to a video. It's about 10 minutes long, and I usually hesitate to watch something that long. Sometimes they get boring and redundant, but I started watching it just to see what it was about. I watched all 10 minutes of it. And I cried the entire time. It's 10 straight minutes of clips of American soldiers returning home and being reunited with their families. You watch dozens of men in uniform surprising their kids and spouses, siblings and parents. At first I teared up because it was so sweet, seeing little girls and boys grabbing their dads like they would never let go again. But what kept me bawling was what I realized like never before: if there's one thing in this world that everyone agrees on, regardless of religious or political views, it's that family is important. It's meaningful. Time and again, other things like school were getting interrupted so that these families could see one another, because no one can say that there's anything more pressing than a family reuniting.

Then I started to think about family in the context of eternity. These people had been separated for a matter of months or years. After passing from this life to the next, there's no knowing when families will see each other again. Separated by death, and without the blessings of the temple, many won't live together forever, as I know they wish to. How bitter the anguish must be of a family forever separated.

But it doesn't have to be. I thought of myself, alone. My family broken. What I wouldn't do to keep that from happening! Jake and are are going to be married soon. How desperate I am to be sure to have him with me always! I can't say how painful it feels just supposing that this life is it. That all we get is time. But I know that that's not true. Families can be. Forever.

I know that something that wonderful can't come easily. Something of such great worth has to be worked for. The blessings of the temple aren't to be taken lightly. Nothing is more important, more worthwhile, more desirable. I know it.

Military Reunions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr7DcJdbCS0

Our Costume Lady for "Annie"

I am amazed by the fact that someone with such an apparent passion and proclaimed obsession for clothes can dress so badly.

No sugar cane was harmed in the making of this dish

Ah, artificial sweeteners.

For those of us who still want flavor, but without all the flavor.

Sing a song

You know, when you think about it, spelling a word out as part of your song lyrics is only marginally more creative than using "na nas," "la las," or "doot doos."

This means you, Fergie.

Catch-22

So -

If one likes to indulge with comfort food when something bad has happened to one, and one also enjoys indulging as a reward when good things happen, I guess one's only prayer for a healthy diet is to hope nothing interesting ever happens to one.

Policeman Psych-out

I hate it when cops drive close to me on the road because whenever they do, I involuntarily but consistently do a quick systems check of everything I'm doing that they could possibly get me in trouble for.

Speed?

Headlights?

Seatbelt?

Turn signal?

Am I in my lane?

Am I talking on the phone?!

Am I texting?!

DO I HAVE MY HANDS AT 10 AND 2!?!

... They probably think it's hilarious ...

Aromapsychology

I don't know about you, but I love things that smell good. Smelly candles, good smelling lotion, tasteful perfumes and colognes, it's all good.

But, when it comes to using something that claims to be "aromatherapeutic," I just have one thing to say: It's a good thing that they include the effect that each scent is supposed to have in its name, or I would have no IDEA how to feel.

You get flavors like Stress Relief - Eucalyptus, Sleepy Lavender and Vanilla which is a scent of body wash I personally don't think I need that much first thing in the morning, or the classic Energizing Citrus. Don't get me wrong, I think they're delightful. But I can't count the number of times I've found myself in the shower with a bottle in my hand, looking at the label and realizing, "Ooh, so I'm feeling relaxed right now." *proceeds feeling relaxed*

Then there's this morning. I recently bought some "Tea Therapy" shampoo and conditioner just because they smelled good. I used the shampoo first (naturally), and I found myself calmed by the Chamomile Tea (with a little help from the label). Then I came to the conditioner, and what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a bottle containing Healthful Herbal Tea. I'll admit, I kind of skipped out on that one. Boy did it smell good, but I've never really tried fooling myself into feeling healthy thanks to a smell. It seems a wee more complicated.