Rainbow Alert

I attended an intermediate Excel seminar yesterday, and I probably should have skipped straight to advanced. Nothing was covered that I hadn't already done, but more than that...one of the attendees was shockingly inexperienced.

Seriously, she didn't know about sort or filter; she didn't know about formulas, or linking worksheets and workbooks. She was completely lost. Every time, we would cover something she'd end up lost, "Could you go over that one more time, please?"

The most annoying part of the whole situation, was that she introduced herself be saying, "I'm Terra, and I, um, actually have taught the Excel basic course."

That my friends, would be one scary-ass, meaningless course. One the bright side, the instructor was fairly knowledgeable and scattered some very usefule tips and shortcuts throughout the day. That plus a nice, shiny certificate made it all worthwhile.

Unfortunately, I also ate lunch at a *questionable* Mexican restaurant and was most definitely experiencing some regret later that evening. They did, however, have a lovely water feature adjacent to the patio dining.

50 Books Update

I just finished reading The Finishing School by Muriel Spark. It took me a very long time to read measly 181 page book. Enough said.

30/50 10919/15000

O! Pioneer!

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
‘Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hears will swell—
All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
‘Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—
All is well! All is well!

We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the Saints will be blessed.
We’ll make the air wit music ring,
Shout praises to out God and King;
Above the rest these words we’ll tell—
All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—
All is well! All is well!

--William Clayton, LDS Hymns #326

“It is enough. This is the right place...”

--Brigham Young upon entering the valley July 24, 1847



I am eternally humbled and grateful to those who suffered great persecution and sacrificed everything to make the 3 month trek across the country to make this desert bloom. They married, gave birth, and buried loved ones along the trail. Their strength, their faith, will always be remembered and appreciated.

p.s. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Quote of the Day

The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time.
- W.J. Davison

5 Things

1-I'm with Erin. I got my (pre-ordered from Amazon) copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Saturday afternoon and was all finished by Sunday night. I enjoyed it far more that Order of the Phoenix and currently don't think I'll be able to wait for the conclusion to this story! I am still in disbelief at the ending, surely Ms. Rowling will figure out how to bring a certain someone back from the dead?! Please?! 672 pages

2-Speaking of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I re-read it last week, finishing mere moments before Half Blood Prince arrived in my mailbox. I found the second complete reading much more enjoyable than the first. I made the mistake of reading a review that ruined the whole book. Now knowing the complete story I wasn't so concentrated on what Dumbledore was going to tell Harry about his future. 870 pages

3-Alias: Season 4



is now available for pre-order on Amazon

4-Also, now available for pre-order is my favorite reality (and winner of several Emmy's) The Amazing Race.
Now there are no excuses not to watch it!

5-My getting-married-in-August-roommate had a bridal shower on Saturday. I bought a 5-game lawn set (badminton, booce, horseshoes, flying disk, something else). She loved it! She told me later that of everything on her registry she was really hoping to get that. So, I'm feeling prett good about choosing to buck the "crockpot trend".


29/50 10738/15000

B-I-N-G-O!

More BINGO last night. To add some humor (at least, I thought it was funny)every time 69 was called I would mutter "Dirty!" just loud enough for those sitting next to me to here.

Because I was playing with an ultra-LDS crowd, not very many people got the joke, but you could see the ones who did choke back a laugh.

5 Things

1- Porkfest 2005 was an astonishing success again this year. Although, some people *Nate* still have scars from jumping through fountain fireworks. It was a nice, peaceful day with a lot of sitting around on the new porch sing watching the cat be sick repeatedly. Even the sister-in-law who is generally not-so-fun to be around was lovely and friendly.

2-Steel Days--the American Fork city celebration was last weekend. Although the City Elders have repeatedly tried to change the name (especially since a large portion of the Geneva Steel Mill was razed last week--everyone still refers to Steel Days. The fireworks were spectacular, and the carnival was enjoyable. We were able to determine that one of the - year-old nieces is definitely more "spectator" material than "participant" as she would loudly proclaim she was scared and she wanted to get off every ride she attempted (including the train and carousel). While the other 3-year-old niece is definitely a roller coaster kind of gal. My best little nephew was just thrilled that I bought him cotton candy.

3-My folks (along with my Mom's brother & sister and their families) are up camping at "The Dell" this week...and while I'm not so much of a camping kind of girl I do go up and spend the evenings. The evenings, you see, are filled with ultra-competitive games of BINGO...complete with prizes.

4-I just caught bits and pieces of Average Joe and I am literally sick about the behavior of the "jocks". Guys, a tip especially for you. Being a bully is not attractive to anyone who counts. Being a jackass is not attractive to anyone who counts. Thinking you are "better-than-ezra" (an old family phrase) is not attractive to anyone who counts. In fact, displaying these characteristics will, in general, lead people who spend time with you to view you as less attractive, regardless of how drop-dead gorgeous you actually are.

5-I finished In the Shadow of the Ark by Anne Provoost. A very provocative view of Noah in the days before, during and after the flood. Was he really a prophet or just a nut case? Were they any more righteous than the others? I know what I believe, but it is interesting to have a different view presented. 368 pages

I started Finishing School, but have abandoned it in favor of hurriedly re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix before book 6 gets here on Saturday.

27/50 9196/15000