edited to add

In the previous post, I failed to mention a couple things of importance.

A) The purpose of pressing salt into a canker sore is to cauterize the wound. It also compresses two weeks of pain into a few minutes. I think it's worth it.

B) Documenting the cauterization made it all better. Mentally composing a post helped to diminish the pain. I find that blogging can make many situations more enjoyable.

remedies

I currently have a horrible canker sore in the most painful place possible in my mouth. By Friday night, my capacity to chew, talk, and smile was inhibited by the stinging and throbbing right along my jawbone. I was to the point of taking Advil when Charlotte finally convinced me to use Grandma's treatment. I've always been too wimpy to try it, but I was getting desperate.

The treatment is as follows: Lick your finger and dip it in salt. (You see where this is going?) Take a deep breath and press your salty finger on the already throbbing and stinging wound in your mouth and hold it onto it for a second before releasing it. It really really hurts. The following minutes look something like this.

Note my fingers clenched in pain.

I have undergone this treatment three times, but my sore is definitely improving. Here's hoping for a pain-free tomorrow!

Set your pity for me aside and take note of the new hat I finished making yesterday! I learned how to make pom-poms and I'm hooked. Sarah and I spent all afternoon wrapping, tying, and trimming colorful, fluffy poms.

While I was on a self-treating kick this weekend, I invested $12 into a pair of Sea-Bands, which apply pressure to the Nei-Tuan acupressure point on the wrist to relieve motion sickness, which is something I suffer from in unreasonable doses.

I wore them in the backseat on the way back from the mountains and I give them a thumbs up so far, but the true test will be Tuesday's bus ride home from work, which has to this point left me in a state of serious, temporarily debilitating nausea. Fingers crossed that these aren't a hoax.

*What ailments have you treated lately?
*Have you tried either of these treatments?

sunday thoughts 5/2, expanded

A couple weeks ago, an anonymous commenter asked for more details regarding my Sunday notes about barriers to progress, so I'm here to elaborate.

Our teacher starting by referencing this YouTube video. It's a good image/metaphor for hitting ruts in our lives. Watch it, then proceed with reading this post. The man and woman "trapped" on the escalator just stand in place waiting for help when they could easily walk up themselves. If we hit a rut in life, we might be tempted to stand on our step and not move forward. The areas in which we sometime hit barriers that we discussed are (a) testimony, (b) financial, (c) cleanliness, (d) holding to the rod.

We discussed each of these as areas in our lives in which simple actions make a big difference. Also, everyone experiences periods when these things come easily, like when the escalator is smoothly and quickly moving forward. Sometimes, the stairs stop moving, but we can't. We have to make extra effort and take a few steps on our own.

The main message of this lesson is that when we hit ruts we can't stop working and doing. This brought to mind a couple powerful quotes:

President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"Work. Work. Work is the best antidote to anything that threatens to impede your progress."

C.S. Lewis
"Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own legs--to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be. Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best. [ . . . ] He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles."

We have to take steps when our escalator stops moving automatically.

drum roll, please!

I have a job! Yes, after just a few weeks home for the summer, I am employed. I spent last summer looking for a job, taking many random and temporary positions, but this summer is the complete opposite. I will be working downtown full-time for an oil and gas company. They are going to provide me with a bus pass and their fridge is fully stocked with beverages. My position is on the documents management team, which means I will spend a lot of time scanning, pulling staples, and filing. I'm really excited, though, because it pays very well, and I HAVE A JOB for the whole summer. Guaranteed income is such a relief.

How did I find such an awesome job, you might ask. I've had this company in the back of my mind ever since last summer when a man from church mentioned at the end of last summer that his company had been hiring college students. By the time I found out, it was too late in the summer to apply, but I sent in my resume during finals week, got a call two weeks ago, and interviewed last week. I start work Wednesday!

Being a blogger at heart, I of course documented my downtown driving/interviewing experience.

I successfully parallel parked downtown. Phew. I was really nervous, but I found a spot big enough to get into with my pathetic lack of parking ability.

I felt that a building reflection self portrait while walking to my interview would be appropriate, but apparently my multitasking abilities do not extend to walking, taking a picture, and making a normal face simultaneously. In choosing an interview-appropriate outfit, I harnessed the power of CJP (my Grandma, Charlotte Jane Petersen) by wearing the earrings and necklace she willed me. I also wore one the pairs of her trousers I inherited, along with a Susan cast-off sweater. (Thank goodness for the style and generosity of others, or I might not have this job.)

Here's a normal face, ecstatic to be employed. I seriously wanted to tell everyone I passed about my new, awesome job. I refrained, settling for taking a happy happy self portrait outside of hte building and blasting "Let the Good Times Roll" in the car.

marvelous monday evening

Last night after dinner we set to work to clean up our front walk and plant two new rose bushes. It was a little chilly, but we donned jackets and enjoyed our evening together outside. Grandpa, the constant people-watcher, stood by and observed the digging and composting.

We're all especially happy with the ground cover that has come back from last year. Our tulips were in bloom for a bit, but they're gone now, so Mom, Sarah, and I pulled the weeds and tulip remains.

I think that I prefer weeding in chilly weather to hot weather. I am able to endure the crouching and pulling longer when I am not sweating.

Sarah abandoned the task of weeding in lieu of clogging on the sidewalk. She's so good! I'm so amazed by how fast and rhythmically she moves her feet.

Inspired by her quick feet, I asked for a tutorial. As in all matters requiring coordination of limbs, I am hopeless. I quickly broke into improvised foot work.

After failing as a student, I settled on playing metronome to Sarah's practicing. (She has a competition coming up) Forgive the sideways angle. I don't know how to rotate it.

It was good to see Grandpa in his element, advising on plant care. He has such a wonderful green thumb. I definitely did not inherit that trait. Plants die in my care.

He even agreed to a self portrait! I'm so glad that he's felt like spending time with our family. He comes over for dinner most nights, and it's nice to have him around.

mother's day thoughts

My grandmother, Charlotte Jane Petersen lived her life in such a way that spread incalculable goodness and beauty into the world around her. I often marvel at how the life of one woman changed the lives of so many around her. Since her passing, my family has received correspondence from numerous friends and family sharing memories and experiences in which Grandma touched them in various ways. It is inspiring to me to hear of her as a friend, aunt, and mother. Grandma is inspirational in every way.

I wish that I could review instant replays of Grandma's life so that I could take notes and learn how to act as she did. In small, yet significant ways, however, I get to see these replays in the actions of those around me who knew her. My own mother emulates CJP in so many ways. Her industry, style, and unselfish service are just a few of the ways she fulfills Grandma's legacy. Mom is completely giving of herself, rarely stopping during the day to care for her personal needs. Mom is constantly sacrificing her energy, time, and often sanity, to complete acts of loving service for others. She teaches me that there is always more that can be done, even when exhaustion threatens to take over. Her example encourages me to press forward with something productive, even when I'm tired or feel I have done enough.

The women in my family have a knack for style. I have always lived surrounded by color and bright, beautiful things. I have inherited many pieces of clothing, jewelry, and accessories from Grandma (some vintage, some current) and am so grateful for her keen eye for style. I love that she filled her world with color and texture. Each day I don a skirt, shirt, or belt of Grandma's, I will be appreciative of her flair. Also just like Grandma, Mom always looks beautiful and put together. In a world so rapidly foregoing formality and class, I love that my Mom takes time each morning to do her hair and makeup and put together a wonderful outfit. She has taught me that a good day starts in the morning.

I love that every person who knew my Grandma carries her legacy forward. Grandma was a teacher and example in all she did. I am so grateful that I hold a spot in her family. My Mom is her daughter, and fulfills that role so beautifully. I did not know my other grandma, but I think of her often. I know that her life also influences my own through my Dad. I do not know her, but I know that she was a beautiful woman who raised a beautiful family. I am grateful for how she taught my father and shaped him into the exemplary, wonderful man he is.

So much stems from mother and grandmothers. I am blessed to have been born into a family shaped by two beautiful mothers, Charlotte Petersen and Carol Wood. My parents are carrying on their examples so well. I love both my grandmas and know that they are watching over me as I continue my life on earth. I hope that I too can live up to their legacies.

sunday thoughts

:: I resumed membership in my home ward today, which is always nice. Since it's just me back for the summer, many of the elderly members of the ward (which is most of the ward) do not know whether I am me or Charlotte. One lady grabbed my hand, looking for a ring. She said that my darker hair confused her. Maybe I'll wear a name tag next week. Many ward members have heard of Charlotte's exciting news, which meant that I made the clarification to several people that I am (a) far from graduating and (b) not engaged.

:: In Sacrament meeting, we enjoyed about 10 minutes of organ music while waiting for someone to bring Sacrament bread. Oops. I didn't mind the time for reflection, though. Our organist is quite talented and created a very nice atmosphere for thinking.

:: I really enjoyed Sunday School. Our recently appointed teacher, Pam, did an excellent job of teaching. She provided full-page handouts with quotes and other materials which I found very helpful. I came away motivated to be better at following the prophet and obeying the commandments.

:: Our Relief Society lesson discussed different aspects of our lives that sometimes lead to spiritual standstill. It was beneficial to go through these different areas and get ideas for improvement in my own life.

I'm over at Grandpa's now, helping Mom with Sunday dinner. It's hard to work in Grandma's kitchen without Grandma, but we're all looking forward to roast and mashed potatoes.

*What motivated you today?