Lessons from the Diva

Happy Birthday to the Diva...September 7...no current pictures from recent celebration as the floozies are being slackers and have not sent them to me! Love Ya'll anyway! We celebrated the Diva's birthday at Travinia's in true floozie fashion. A fun time was had by all. I have known Paula, aka as "The Diva" aka as my evil twin (some days I am the evil twin) The evil twin misnomer came by way of the Diva's students thinking we were sisters...we are sisters in spirit! I have known Paula approximately fifteen years...our daughters are the same age and quite frequently could be seen together. We have experienced grief, tragedy, divorces, joy, laughter, a series of adventures, workouts and everything in between! Paula came by the nickname Diva for a number of reasons, the main one being a mutual friend had a sign made for Paula referring to the Diva and the rest as they say is history or herstory! Paula has always been a swan, it took her a few years to totally embrace her beautiful persona. This is the woman my husband would leave me for if she were to have him, just kidding. Carl loves being around Paula but so do alot of other men, sorry Tom! In honor of this zany, crazy beautiful friend I have compiled a list of lessons learned from the Diva:

• You don't have to have a beautiful solo voice to sing in a choir, it's fun and it takes many voices to create a beautiful sound.
• Birthdays are too special to celebrate for just one day.
• Feathers and sparkles are a good thing.
• You can never have enough feathers, sparkles, black pants and tops.
• A little jewelry is great, more jewelry is better
• More is more!
• The joy of jacuzzi ownership
• Shopping is a good thing... it stimulates the economy
• Sometimes you have to let go of "friends" that drag you down or require more than you are willing or able to give or "cost" your well being in some way
• To enjoy excellent meals with good friends
• How to be a great hostess
• You can never have too many flamingos (that is a story for another day, while Kendall is responsible for the Diva thing alas I am responsible for the beginning of the Flamingo epidemic
• It's okay to be forked (not what you think, again a story for another post)
• Be Yourself and true to yourself, if someone doesn't like it...they are missing out
• Everyone is a potential friend
• The higher the hair the better

I could mention a few more things however the Diva is already very comfortable being fabulous...we wouldn't want her to get a "big head" The best lesson of all LIVE BIG OR GO HOME!!! So, again wishing the Diva a wonderful Birthday Month and then some. Much love from all your floozie friends!

One Wrong Turn

"Small errors can have a larger impact on our lives. The longer we delay corrective action the larger the needed changes become" as taught in a lesson by Karen Connell.

I was supremely lost. One initial wrong turn and then another...where in the world was I? So close to home, so close to my destination! No GPS to guide me. A cell phone left at home. Friends expecting me 45 minutes ago. Attack of the full fledged hissy fit. As I drove and drove in the middle of seemingly nowhere I became more and more frustrated and aggravated. I was angry with myself and ready to go home except I had no idea which way was home. I was continuously circling, so close yet so far. If I wanted to attend church there were dozens of churches, one on each corner! Yet, I continued to drive and rage at the world. I finally saw a church with a sign that said " When in crisis, turn to the Lord and Move On" Hmm...I finally saw a road that looked remotely familiar, however, I was on the "wrong" end. I pulled into the quaint church driveway pictured above and sat for a minute and gathered my wits (what was left) said a prayer, took a few pictures and drove on. Finally, I was making progress and reached my friend's house one hour later than originally planned. Upon arrival I launched into a diatribe of my whereabouts complete with unladylike language, amidst much laughter I was welcomed and given refreshments! A fun time was had by all. Yet underneath all the fun I felt a sense of unease. As dusk settled upon the land, I arrived home without incident. Reflecting on the days events I was able to pinpoint the reason for my unease. I had relied on myself and in frustration behaved badly. No one was there to witness my outburst, however, I knew it was not my best self. I have been relying on the "world" lately and less on the "spirit". I know that before a situation turns to a crisis to call on a higher power. In my case, my Heavenly Father who knows what I need often before I do. As I expressed gratitude for my day and my blessings I felt at peace. On Sunday, the talks and lessons were very much directed towards relying on Heavenly Father and believing in Him. One part of the Sunday School lesson mentioned that Korihor (Book of Mormon) was speaking out of both sides of his mouth. In effect he was saying I believe there is a God, but I can't see him, so unless I see some signs I don't believe in God. So which is it, you either believe or you don't. For me, I know God lives I just don't always listen and always regret that decision. We are given a great gift of the Holy Spirit and if we will listen to the still, small voice, we won't have to resort to outrageous behavior. The lesson from our Relief Society meeting was based on making errors and taking corrective actions quickly. On my way home I gave a great deal of thought to the messages I received and went home to ponder them further. The thought that kept coming to me is that if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. I have been reading a lot of diverse material lately, some good, some questionable. I have been enjoying a non fiction book by a well known author and midway through this book, the author refers to religion and church in a very negative manner particularly the religion of her birth. As I continued reading, the stories and characters in the book resembled the very things the author would have been taught as a result of her religion. For all of her bravado, her bitterness shines through. I am unable to finish the book (which for me is highly unusual) I pick it up only to put it back down. I feel that sense of unease and so choosing to listen to that still, small voice I think I'll pass on finishing this particular book.

As for me, I am not ashamed to stand for God, the Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.