Randomness

Before you go to a busy, crowded restaurant, please shower. Monday night we went to Cheesecake Factory for Travis's birthday. We shared three meals between the five of us and ate way too much warm bread and butter. It was delicious. We were "encouraged" to take our cheesecake home with us to eat because just as we were finishing up dinner, a group of people were seated right behind us. As they walked by our table, a cloud of reek enveloped us and only slightly dissipated once they sat down. It wasn't the scent of skiers just off the slopes or an athletic team who just won a hard-fought game. It was the smell of bodies and clothes that haven't come in contact with soap for weeks. Possibly months.

Lately I've read a few unflattering things about my book, Gifted. I expected some of that since now that it's been nominated for a Whitney, there would be people reading it because they have to and not because they want to. Some people who are reading it now would never choose it--it isn't their style of book. I'm okay with that. But I recently read a review that said I'd tried to make the book allegorical, with Anna being a substitute for the Savior. HELP ME! I had a dream that gave me an idea about a child with unusual gifts and sat down to write. In all my writing, not even one time did I think I was writing a parable and never would I presume to write something where I thought I could create a worthy substitute for the Savior. IT'S JUST A BOOK. I'm not deep enough or smart enough to do what he suggested I'd done and I don't want anyone to think that I think I am. Enough rambling, but please know--Gifted is just a story of a girl, her family and her friend. That's all.

In my reading for the Whitneys, I've come across some books I never would have read that I've really loved. I've also come across some I had to force myself to finish. When I finish them all, I'll post a list of my favorites. 

After a request from one of my Dad's cousins, I've created a blog to document my parent's mission. It will be updated when we get their letters in the same way that I update my son's mission blog. You can take a look if you want to follow the lives of an Elder and a senior couple.

It's Friday! That means the kids are out of school (YAY!), Joe has a basketball game (YAY!) and Shark Tank is on tonight. If you haven't watched Shark Tank, you should watch it and see what you think. It's one of my favorite shows.

In our training for the half marathon we're signed up for, Monday was the biggest run to date. The assignment was to run 1 hour 35 minutes. Could someone please shoot me? What crazy demon had taken over my brain when I suggested we do a half marathon? I so wish someone would have talked me off the ledge and insisted we try a 10K. We could do that and run the whole time. I just don't know what's going to happen with a half marathon. Monday night my left knee and right hip were giving me grief. And we've already paid the entrance fee. And this Monday we have to run 1 hour 55 minutes. SIGH!

Hey! Are they making fun of me? I promise that in the race I won't wear anything short or sparkly.

And finally, my friend highlighted these adorable things on her blog. Can you believe how cute?. Oh what a clever idea. Enjoy and have a great weekend.