Lyndsey Jo Norr

Sickem Sam

2011-01-13T12:27:00.001-07:00

Well, there’s a mouse in my house. He’s a tiny little guy. Heather affectionately named him Sickem Sam. Although he’s kinda cute, we would like him to go back outside where he belongs. Every once in awhile he ventures out into the living room while we’re watching tv. We grab the broom or a cardboard tube dubbed the ‘mouse killer’ and take a few whacks at him. We don’t ever really expect to hit him, but maybe, just maybe, we can literally scare him to death as he scurries back into the storage room. Mostly we just ignore him and try to forget he’s there.

One fateful night, Heather and I had gone to bed. It was about one in the morning and I still hadn’t fallen asleep. I was right on the verge of going to dreamland, when BAM BAM BAM “Lyndsey!”

“Yes?”

“Come to my room, quick!”

I pulled myself out of bed and went to see what in the world Heather could need from me at such a ridiculous hour. She pointed at the valance above her bed and asked me if I could see anything. Nope, nothing. She swore up and down there was a mouse there, which is a creepy thought because it would have had to scamper up her bed to get clear up there. We investigated further and Heather started shaking the curtains a bit. Suddenly, there was the mouse, flying through the air and crash landing onto the carpet in the corner. Heather let out a squeal, jumped up and grabbed her pull up bar and swung outta there in a red hot second. I followed behind her laughing my head off.

There we were, both of us in shorts and a sports bra, me clutching Heathers pink cowboy boot and Heather cowering behind me wielding her camera tripod. We waited at the entrance to her doorway. The next thing I know, Heather is squealing and all the way down the hall at the opposite end of the house before I have time to blink. Apparently Sam ‘charged’ her. I didn’t see this. I think the tears of laughter must have obscured my vision. The sight of ‘rough and tough’ Heather acting like a big sissy was just too much. I loved it and don’t think I have laughed so hard in ages.

We tried one more tactic to get him out of her room. Heather found some courage, put on her cowgirl boots, and walked into her room and jumped around trying to scare him out of hiding. I lay in wait at the doorway, hoping to smash him as he ran out. We came to the mutual decision that waiting at the door to smash him was obviously not going to work. Going out right then and finding a cat also wasn’t really a feasible option. So, we came to the next ‘logical’ conclusion. (Since all mouse removal ideas hatched at 1 am are brilliant.) We swung the door shut and stuffed a towel under it to trap him in until the morning. We sat there for a second when we heard Sam scratching at the door. Yuck. Heather decided it was time for a movie to get her mind off the nasty mouse that had invaded her space. So we plopped on the couch and started some silly flick starring Cary Grant. And that is where Heather spent the rest of the night.

Heather's Version of the Sam Story

2011-01-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

I love irony and the fact that I have been extremely jumpy the last couple of weeks coupled with the fact that I could not sleep/ did not sleep last night, makes having a mouse in my house totally awesome. So back to the beginning, tonight I could not get myself to fall to sleep even though I hardly slept last night. Lucky for me Lyndsey was having the same problem. So what do you do when you cant sleep... well I lay there listening to sounds until I can finally convince myself that it is time for me to go to bed. You know that point when you finally get to the place where you know you are about to sleep.. well that is where I heard this funny noise coming from my window. Well being jumpy like I have been lately, I jumped out of my bed flipped on the light and investigated my window. After coming to the conclusion it was nothing I turned on my bed side light flipped off the over head light and went back to trying to force sleep upon myself. Well I finally made it back to that wonderful place where you feel yourself falling...... and damn it all to hell there was that noise again. I opened my eyes and looked up at the celling and there sitting on the top of my valence looking down at me was a mouse. Now like I said before I have been jumpy all week... so what did i do i jump up on my bed jumped over to my pull up bar swung out into the hall way ran to Lyndsey door and made her come make sure I was not seeing things. Well being a good sport she followed me the two steps to my room and looked in.... Nothing. I knew there had to be something there so I started banging on my curtains. All of the sudden a mouse fell of the top and landed in between my bed and the wall well i was off again swinging into the hall where i hide behind Lyndsey who was holding on of my pink cowboy boots in defense. We grabbed our flash lights and started looking all over my room from the safety of the door frame. Believe it or not that stupid mouse came at me and i took off like a jack rabbit down the hallway. Lyndsey was so busy laughing at the sight she did not even see the mouse. I sheepishly walked back to the door frame realizing that i was lucky that i had decided to wear shorts to bed but i was wishing i had a shirt because the creepy crawlies had just started to set in. Well like the brave little soldiers we are we sat in the door way for thirty minutes waiting for that mouse to attack she Lyndsey could hit him with a boot and i could hit him with a tri-pod. We had a couple of near misses then i decided to cowgirl up get some boots on and walk in there jump on my bed and scare him out of his hiding. I tried for at least one minute then my nerves got the best of me and i swung out of the bedroom again. And we unanimously decided to close the door and lock the mouse in my room with a towel under the door. Well we locked him in there and sat door and did some deep breathing trying to calm ourselves when all of the sudden we heard that mouse scratching at the door. Well that was it I decided we were going to watch a sappy movie and i was going to sleep on the couch.

Bored Bored Bored

2010-11-01T23:17:00.005-06:00

Sometimes you are bored. And sometimes it's too cold to go outside. :)

Lessons Learned

2010-07-17T23:10:00.000-06:00

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never the same."

Throughout my life, I have had quite a few amazing people come into my presence that have left a lasting impression on me. I have learned so much from them and they have helped me to become the person that I am today. Below are just a few (although there could be many, many more) of the incredible individuals in my life that I am so grateful for.

Jennifer Lauren Vance (Hoover)

Well, where to start with this amazing girl? I suppose the beginning is appropriate. The very first time I met Jenn, she was under her bed in our room crying. For those that know me, I rarely cry and I'm terrible at the whole consoling thing. I simply don't know what to do. Plus, I am pretty shy at first, so I was at a complete loss on how to approach the situation. In the end, I just crawled under that bed with her, put my arm on her shoulder, and introduced myself. We've been best friends ever since.

I've never met someone so much like me and yet so opposite at the same time. One of the things I love best about Jennifer is I can just be me. She accepts me exactly the way I am. She has seen the best in me, the worst in me, and everything in between, yet she still loves me. She is the best example of a Christian I have ever met. Her faith and testimony just blow me away. She has been in the LDS church for just a few short years, but her insight and wisdom are astounding. Her life has definitely not been easy, reminiscent of Job sometimes, but she pulls out of every trial stronger, wiser, and a better person. I have a lot to learn from this incredible girl.

Also, I need to mention her Southern accent is absolutely endearing. I could listen to her talk for hours. Thanks to her, I have been able to experience the magic of the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, AR. If you've never been to Ozark country, you're sure missing out! It's breathtaking and the ranch is just awesome! Horseback riding, rockclimbing, ziplines, shooting, canoe rides, and amazing Southern cookin'.

Jennifer is my best friend. We have been through thick and thin together and gone on countless phenomenal adventures. What an absolute blessing this Southern gal has been in my life. Don't know where I'd be without her!

Allison Henrie (Fry)

What started out as me trying to be a 'good Samaritan' and befriend the girl that had just moved in from Lehi, turned into me getting the better end of the deal by far! As if she even needed my help. Allison is a vivacious, out-going, talented, and just all-around incredible girl. And boy, can that girl sing! What an amazing voice. I could listen to her sing for hours and never tire of it. Wow.

Allison is my best friend and a constant inspiration to me. She always challenged me to be better and try new things. Madrigals, for instance, comes to mind. Who ever would have thought I would be in a choir?? Not me, that's for sure. Although I still maintain I can't sing, I must admit Mads was one of my favorite high school experiences. Also, she is the one that gave a start to my 'distance' running career. She had her work cut out for her too! I may have complained just a little about those early morning runs. ;) However, due to her...encouragement...I ran my very first official 5k. And now look at me-two marathons under my belt and a whole bunch of triathlons that do indeed involve a lot of running. Thanks Al!

Ooh! Also definitely worth mentioning is that Al was the inspiration behind the famous 'birthday week.' One of my absolute favorite things to do ever. You see, why celebrate just one day, when you can have an entire week dedicated for fun and merriment? Planning those things was entirely too much fun. In addition, I had some pretty amazing Lyndsey Weeks thanks to her.

Allison's house was essentially an extension of my house and I loved being there. Every once in awhile I would get to participate in their Family Home Evenings and to me, it was the best thing ever. I never had that growing up and it was so great to be able to feel the spirit. It defnitely served as a model of what I want when I finally have a family of my own.

Allison has saved me in numerous ways and I am so grateful to have her as a friend. She's there for me whenever I need her. She has taught and is continuing to teach me so many great things. She is such a great mom! Not to mention she has two of the most adorable little girls I have ever seen!

Melissa Andersen (Coates)

Hahaha, the Tickle Me Elmo twins strike again! Melissa definitely taught me how to laugh. And act ridiculous. And downright crazy. I learned that life is for laughing and not to take myself so seriously.

We first became great friends at a ridiculously early hour while practicing basketball. We got to know each other better and better through soccer and track as well. I was always in awe at how FAST that girl was. Speedy Gonzales doesn't even cover it. :) Not to mention, she was the state CHAMP in the long jump. So talented! She also helped bring out the talent in others. During soccer, we did a timed 2 mile run. I've never been good at 'distance' running and I have asthma to further complicate things, so I was always one of the last ones to finish. One day, she decided she was going to help me and she challenged me to stick with her for the run. I just laughed, but she fell in stride with me and all but grabbed my jersey and pulled me around that track. By the end, I thought I was gonna die, but I improved my time by almost 10 minutes! Boy did that feel great! (After I could get oxygen again.) ;) She has always pushed me to be my best. What a wonderful blessing to have her as a friend.

I am so glad Melis and I have kept in touch through the years. I love catching up and talking to her about everything and nothing all at the same time. Serious discussions, Pinky and the Brain world domination type discussions...anything goes. Also, it is so refreshing to see a positive example of marriage and family. She is always telling me the cute things Curt does for her and the crazy antics of Matthew. And little Hailey is just adorable. I love it!

Laurel Petersen (Vance)

Well, Laurel is just about the coolest person I have ever met. She's also the reason I am a soccer chick. :) When I needed a friend and an example she was there for me.

My freshman year was a pretty rough one for me and she showed me that living the gospel and sticking up for your beliefs is what makes you truly happy. I don't think she knows how profound of an impact she had on me, but she is a big reason behind me gaining a testimony of my own. When I was drowning, she was the hand that pulled me out of the water.

I just love this girl! She is a rockstar.

Grandma Geneal

Despite this woman's best efforts, I never did come to love ruffles, lace, and dolls as she had so fervently hoped for. I was always the t-shirt, mud pie, Tonka truck kind of girl. Just like my mom. :) However, not all of her lessons were lost on me. Any touch of refinement I possess is most likely attributable to her. Thanks to my Grandma Geneal, I can properly set a table, dress well (when I have to ;) and entertain guests. I also know that it is NOT ok to put the bottle of ranch, ketchup, or any other condiment directly on the table. All of that should go in its own pretty dish. Also, pots or pans never go on the table either. They have serving dishes for that. Instant death comes to any who tries to put the ranch bottle right on the table. :)

My grandma is the very definition of a lady, but she also knows how to have fun! Interesting fact: My grandma used to drag race! How awesome is that!? Her house is always spotless, but if floury handprints get all over the counter while making cookies or a few blankets get thrown over the furniture to make a fort, it's all just part of the fun. I have so many incredible memories with her that it would be impossible to list them all. Burying the needle on the speedometer of her red Mustang, going to the circus, making popcorn and watching old movies, Easter egg hunts...along with about a thousand other adventures. My grandma always says yes when she can and she made sure I was exposed to some of the finer things in life. And all the fun things too. Just a few weeks ago she took me to Lagoon...and yes, she rode the rollercoaster and other rides with me! What a blast!!

Mom

Wonder woman. Those are the two words I would use to describe my mom. She's my hero and the best compliment I ever get is when people tell me I am just like her. She's my best bud and my biggest fan and most of the things I have accomplished in life are directly because of her encouragement and faith in me.

She has always trusted me and let me go out there and try anything I wanted. If I accomplished something, she was there cheering me on; if I came up a little short, she was there to pick up the pieces and tell me I'd get it the next time around.

Tenacity, ambition, hard work, spunk, athletic, beautiful...the list of adjectives could go on for miles. My mama has taught me so many things. Everything from how to change a tire, to how to play basketball, to how to make the most delicious cheesecake on the planet, to...well, just about everything. Although, don't have her help you with your poetry homework. On second thought...do. It's highly entertaining. And sometimes slightly inappropriate. :)

My mom has always let me tag along on fun expeditions and some of my favorite memories are road trips with my mama to see Reba. We have been everywhere from Atlanta, Georgia to Merritt, Canada to see her. She took me to my first Reba concert when I was three and I've been hooked ever since. I also love getting to do triathlons with her. And dang it! She kicks my butt every time. One of these days I'll catch her. I can't wait for July 31 when I will get to watch her do an Ironman! 140.6 miles in under 17 hours. Just incredible! Whenever she sets her mind to something, she goes out and does it. No questions asked. What an amazing example I have to follow.

My mom has had some huge trials in her life and she always comes out of them with faith and determination. What an amazing woman!! If I turn out to be half as great as she is, I will count myself extremely lucky.

Dad

Hunting, fishing, camping, how to shoot a gun, snowmobiling...all awesome things my dad has taught me about. One of my great childhood memories is camping up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. I always felt special when I got to go hiking/hunting with my dad and Grandpa Reed. We would hike around for what seemed like hundreds of miles to my short little legs, but I would never complain because I wanted to be able to go again. I remember thinking my dad was the smartest guy ever when he would tell me how to find deer or elk and sure enough, we always seemed to see some.

I remember the first time my dad let me shoot a gun. I felt so big and important! Hahaha. I hit the target and he called me 'little Lyndsey Oakley.' I remember practicing for hours with that BB gun, all tin cans and anything that looked like a good target fell victim, just so he would call me Lyndsey Oakley again. Even though I was 'just a girl,' I wanted to make him proud.

2010-04-27T22:06:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time, gale force winds were rattling the windows, the lights started flickering and...

Free hammocks and free food. Sweet!

2010-04-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

A few days ago we had a stake activity. Well, it isn't technically my stake anymore, but Sofi was in charge and she said I had to come, so I did. Plus, there was free food. No need to say anymore than that. :)

Jennifer, Scott, Cullen, and I all went and ate our free dinner and candy. The activity was a 'jam session' so after eating we sat down to watch the 'bands' compete. Some of them were pretty darn good. During the activity there were raffle drawings and.....I won the first drawing! It was great and only mildly embarassing what with Sofi telling everyone there about the time I wore my birthday suit for my birthday. (No, I was NOT naked. Pics are on Facebook. ;)
At any rate, I got a hammock! I can't wait to test it out. I think its maiden voyage needs to be out in the woods somewhere.

Lady Luck was really with us that night. Cullen won...although he got jipped. He had to pick a date for another guy. Then Jennifer won. And of course she got the dartboard because she thought Scott would like that best. Then Scott won! He grabbed a journal, because he knew that was what Jennifer really wanted. Those two are so cute it makes me sick sometimes! ;) One of these days I'll find me a guy that picks out his raffle prize based on what I would like. One of these days...

We made out like bandits that night! Free stuff all around. I'm so grateful for church activities. Definitely a blessing for a poor kid like me. haha. Despite what this post may sound like, it's not just the free stuff though. It's being spiritually uplifted. It's being around great friends and great company. And it's about coming closer to Christ. I love the church! :D

Tender Mercies

2010-03-29T22:05:00.000-06:00

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Ne. 1:20)

In my life, I have been privileged to experience many tender mercies. Last Friday, I got to see yet another one. My friend's husband was driving in the canyon when he hit a patch of black ice. The CRV spun out of control and ended up flipping into the river. He was wet and cold, but otherwise just fine. As you can see from the pictures above, it was pretty smashed up...except for where he was. Some might call this a coincidence or a lucky break, but I know otherwise. It's like the George Strait song; God's fingerprints are everywhere if we will just slow down and take the time to look.

I am so grateful that although the car was totalled, everything turned out alright. It certainly could have been a lot worse than it was. God definitely watches over all His children and blessings can always be found, even in situations that appear to be negative.

Truly, "the Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." (Ps. 145:9)

Birthday Bash

2010-01-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday and boy was it smashing....literally. My birthday officially began at 3AM when Jennifer steamrolled me all while singing "Happy Birthday." Haha, I have never been so happy to be awake at that hour in my life. She then went to work and I promptly went back to sleep. :)

After Jennifer got off of work we headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some party supplies. Jennifer was adamant that I couldn't see anything she was getting, so she made me sit in the cart and close my eyes. It was only slightly humiliating. ;) About halfway through our shopping adventure I hear (because my eyes are still closed) a man ask Jennifer how old she is. Then he asks her how old I am. Finally, he proceeded to tell Jennifer and I that carts weren't meant to handle that kind of weight. I was very mature and refrained from asking him if that was some sort of fat joke. I also didn't mention that I have seen shoppers with carts so laden with groceries that a mountain the size of Everest is burgeoning out of it. If that is ok for the cart, certainly little (although maybe I'm not little ;) old me won't hurt it. Jennifer and I thought the whole thing was pretty funny. Some people are just fun-haters.

When we returned from Wal-Mart it was time to eat! One of my favorite things to do. I ate the lunch Jennifer so kindly bought for me and then it was time for cake and ice cream!! But before I could eat the ice cream I had to put on my cowgirl gear. Seeing as how it was made for a 7 year old and not a 23 year old, the belt was modified and made into a thigh holster...which in my opinion is way cooler anyway. Jennifer and Sheralyn put on their deputy badges and the festivities began. :)

Of course, my birthday wouldn't be complete without Rory and Lorelai in it, so we sat down and watched a bit of Gilmore Girls while eating our cake and ice cream. Love it!

Later on in the evening, it was off to Texas Roadhouse for some amazing food! My mom and Jennifer were there to enjoy it with me. Birthdays should always come with a little bit of embarrassment, so at the end of the meal, I got to jump in the saddle while everyone sang to me and yelled out a hearty "YEEHAW!" So much fun.

After dinner, the evening wasn't quite finished. We had one more stop to make on the birthday train. Sheralyn and Scott joined Jennifer and I for some cosmic bowling! I don't think we'll mention any of our scores here, but the point is, we had fun! A lot of it. :)

That's me modeling one of the presents I got for my birthday. I love rock climbing!!

My 23rd birthday was an absolute blast!! A BIG thanks to Jennifer for making it happen and of course to my amazing mom for buying dinner and my presents. And thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes in one form or another. :)

A Different Kind of Christmas Story (Thank You!)

2009-12-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

(My good buddy Bing! Someday maybe I'll be as cool as she is and get to put on an Air Force uniform)

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "It’s really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue.. an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

(Jill Stephens Shepherd-Nurse in the Army and former Miss Utah)

The List

2009-10-13T09:37:00.000-06:00

October 7, 2009 was a very eventful day. I accomplished quite a bit and I am blaming the lateness of this follow-up on the exhaustion induced coma I fell into on the 8th.

THE REPORT

-Go running
Check. (That's all I'm saying about that. How far and long it took me is not important.)
-Clean the house
*Do dishes
Check.
*Laundry
Two loads.
*Clean room
The enormity of this task was almost overwhelming. However, it is at least organized chaos now.
*Tidy up the living room
Check. The whole house (minus my room...and Jenn's...not even going to go there!) is spotless. I did a lot more than just tidy the living room, which was the redeeming factor for my room. ;)
-Browbeat my landlord into giving me my dang deposit back
One menacing glare and he fell like a house of cards. Check.
-Organize bookshelf and photos
So organized Danny from Full House would approve.
-Read something inspiring
Finished Tolstoy's War and Peace. Ok, not really, but I did read a couple conference talks, which is infinitely better anyway.
-Check Facebook (Hey, I had to list something I know I will accomplish)
Check. Check. Check.
-Write a follow-up post to this one
Done, baby! I know you were all on the edge of your seats waiting.
-Save the world
I'm halfway there now. Until I can get that Obama character out of the way, things will be considerably rough. However, I see no reason why I won't be able to finish this task.

I am actually quite impressed with how much I got done. Apparently I need to let the whole world know what I am supposed to be getting done more often. Good motivation. Thanks for helping me be productive.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a world to save.

Tomorrow

2009-10-07T20:58:00.000-06:00

So, Melissa brought to my attention the fact that it has been a very long time since I have posted anything. She also so kindly provided me with a topic to write about. Her first suggestion was to write about my day today. However, I quickly discarded the idea since accompanying my friend to the chiropractor and getting the oil in my truck changed hardly seemed like something I could make even remotely interesting, despite my prowess in prose. ;)

We mutually agreed that I could write about tomorrow. Yes, I know that seems rather tricky, seeing as how it hasn't happened yet. However, my take on the subject goes as follows: I will write a to-do list of what will be accomplished tomorrow...and then report on how I did. While not particularly enthralling, it will provide much needed motivation to accomplish said items.

Without further ado, my list goes like this:
-Go running
-Clean the house
*Do dishes
*Laundry
*Clean room
*Tidy up the living room
-Browbeat my landlord into giving me my dang deposit back
-Organize bookshelf and photos
-Read something inspiring
-Check Facebook (Hey, I had to list something I know I will accomplish)
-Write a follow-up post to this one
-Save the world

And now, I shall go to bed. I have a big day coming up, I'll need all the energy I can get.
Wish me luck!

4th of July

2009-07-30T08:41:00.000-06:00

So, I'm a wee bit behind, but here we go:

This 4th of July I embarked on a two hour journey through the Dingle Swamp to a tiny little place called Montpelier to watch some fireworks. Quite the drive to watch a few sparkly lights in the sky! Of course, there was a better reason to make the trek: Melissa was going to be there!!! YAY!!

I hadn't seen Melissa in two years, which is WAY too long to be separated from your twin, so I used the fireworks as an excuse to finally see her. Curt
and Melissa were as cute and photogenic as ever!
I really think they're quite perfect for each other. :)

I also was finally able to meet the ever adorable Matthew. He was a little tired and not too talkative, but still super cute. Jexten and Adessa were quite the opposite; little whirlwinds of energy entertaining anyone within earshot. I was laughing so hard at all their antics! If you've ever met Vicky then you know where they get it from.

I had a wonderful time catching up with Melissa and watching the fireworks go off. The 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays. I feel so blessed, grateful, and proud to live in this great country! In my various travels to China, Mexico, and Europe I have grown even more appreciative of the freedoms I enjoy. We have clean drinking water, sturdy houses not constructed with rusted scrap metal and various bits of garbage, and we can move freely anywhere we want within our own country. I never would have been able to recognize this seemingly small (but in reality huge) blessings if it weren't for my travels to places where they don't have these luxuries. We
truly are blessed to live in America.

I LOVE my country! :)

"The stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation; the great peaks of honour we had forgotten - duty and patriotism, clad in glittering white; the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to heaven." ~David Lloyd George

Ode to Nursing

2009-06-23T19:07:00.000-06:00

Many people have asked me, “What’s it like being a student of nursing?”

As a response, there’s usually a little laughing, crying, and cursing,

But as I really thought about this often asked question,

I realized there was much more to these last 2 years than just nursing as a profession.

Of course we’ll remember the needles, catheters, and all the hands on skills,

And the many, many steps we must take when administering pills.

We have to remember everything we learned in med/surg, women’s health, and psychology,

But most of us still struggle a little with pharmacology,

These subjects are all very important to remember,

Every day that we are working from January to December,

But there are many other things that I will also recall,

Like the fact that we’re done with the Hesi and ATI once and for all!

During our clinicals while we walked the halls, I think it was quite a sight,

Since we all looked so good in our purple and white,

But don’t get me wrong, looking good was quite hard,

Since 5 AM came rather quickly, and our internal clocks are now scarred.

Sometimes in the winter it was a bit of a fight,

To hear what was being said in class, I don’t think we heard everything quite right!

Because when we’d turn on the heater, the pipes would bang and squeal,

The pipes seemed to be our classroom’s one and only Achilles heel.

Do you remember practicing starting IV’s on each other?

All I can remember about that day is summed up in two words…SWEET MOTHER!

Most of us only walked away with two or three battle scars,

But some weren’t so lucky and by the end were seeing stars.

Another few things about this program that I will never forget,

Is our preceptorship, the SIM man, and of course our debt!

The faculty members will stay fresh in our mind,

They probably won’t miss us though, because we may have had a tendency to whine.

But classes, lectures, clinicals, and IV’s, aren’t the only things I will recall,

When I think of the nursing program, I will mostly think of you all.

I will remember each person because we were all distinct,

But since going through this experience together, we are forever interlinked.

So here’s to Jamie, Erin, Brooke, Jen, and Mary,

Kira, JoAnn, Chandra, and Kari,

Megan, Marci, Jenny, and Misty,

Melissa, Linda, Elise, and Kristy,

We can’t forget Kayla, Mandy, Sarah, or Kristina,

Nor Heather, Shellie, Courtney, or Teana,

Chris was the only man to make it to the end,

Who had to put up with a classroom full of estrogen.

Here’s to the Lyndsey’s and Amy’s, we had 3 of each,

That’s okay though, each one was a peach!

We also had Rachel’s and Holly’s times two,

Everyone became great friends, who knew?

So thanks for the memories, and thanks for the fun,

We had a lot of laughs, I’m a little sad it’s done.

But I’ll get over it, because it’s about time we graduate,

So look out world, here comes the nursing class of 2008!

Ahh, nursing school! I think the first paragraph of the poem truly sums it up...laughing, crying, and cursing! It was definitely one of those experiences where it isn't so much fun during it, but looking back it was a wonderful experience and I even miss it a little. (But not too much!)

I'll never forget the first day of class. First of all, we had an assignment due! (What happened to just going over the syllabus and getting out 30 minutes early!?) We jumped right into a lecture and at the end of class the professor announced we had an exam next week. It covered the first 25 (yes, I said 25) chapters of the book. And just a cursory glance through the chapters wasn't going to cut it either, we had to know that stuff. Whew! Talk about a reality check!! They knocked us on our back the first day and it took me the entire year to get back on my feet again. I was just glad to survive. The most nerve-wracking of all was the pharmacology test we had to pass with 100%. If you didn't....well, sorry, but you're out of the program. You can apply again in the Fall. Eek! Math gives me anxiety, but fortunately somebody upstairs was watching over me and I managed to pass with flying colors. I do believe that was the first time I had ever received a 100 on a math test.

A's and 4.0's had always come quite easily for me in high school...and even my freshman year of college. I am blessed to be able to memorize well and so I had always excelled in school. Unfortunately, since it all came so easily, I didn't have the best of study habits, and I was also pretty versed in the 'learn-and-dump' method of getting through classes. That all came to a screeching halt once nursing classes started. First of all, I was committed to actually learning this stuff. Lives were on the line! I had a bit of a rough start gaining good study habits. Also, I got my first 'B.' At first, I was devastated, no matter what I did I couldn't seem to do as well as I previously had.

Nursing exams are different from anything I had ever done. Instead of one straight-forward answer, there were usually three right answers. You had to pick the 'most' right one. Also, to correctly answer a question you had to have a lot of prior knowledge. Nearly all of us struggled with this new testing format. To add insult to injury, not only were we not getting the grades we were accustomed to, anything below an 80 is failing in nursing school. If you don't maintain an 80% average, you get the boot. So, not only were we not getting A's, but according to nursing standards, we were almost failing! We had to learn to incorporate a little Type B into us pretty quickly. After my first couple of B's, I got to the point where it didn't really matter. I still tried for the A, but a B was good enough for me. As long as I was actually gaining the knowledge I needed, a letter on a piece of paper wasn't as important anymore. The Patch Adams quote "Always live in awe of the glorious mechanism of the human body. Let that be the focus of your studies and not a quest for grades," became my motto.

With a system designed to weed out as many as possible, all the girls (and Chris) bonded very quickly. There were only 30 of us and we all were in the exact same classes, so we got to know everyone really well. I was amazed that with all of the Type A personalities in the classroom and the stress of studying we didn't kill somebody. But we all got along really great for the most part. And oh the fun we had! Since we all basically lived in the library, we learned to have fun while we were there. I swear I have never laughed so hard in all of my life as I did in some of those study groups. Nurses are famous for their quirky sense of humor and we were no exception. We all made at least one or two semi-inappropriate jokes at one point or another. Given our subject matter and the crazy things people do, it was almost impossible not to. Plus, in an odd way, it is what keeps us sane. I guess it's one of those things you never fully understand unless you are in a medical profession.

One quick story to illustrate is the time I was working at the Bear River hospital. Since there was no cafeteria and nurses don't get real breaks anyway, the nurses would make and bring food from home for everybody to share. One night, someone brought a crock pot full of chili. Well, we had spoons, but no bowls. Since nurses are great at critical thinking and quick problems solvers, we found a solution pretty easily. A pink emesis basin (aka barf bucket) is the perfect size for a hearty helping of chili. (Sidenote: Because people have asked before, I will clarify that these had never been used and were perfectly clean.) As nurses, we scooped it on in and ate while we had two seconds between call lights. However, it doesn't take much imagination to know what it looked like we were eating. Haha, we were just eating away not thinking anything of it when a clerk came in to ask us a question. The look on her face was priceless! We thought for a second she was going to need an emesis basin too (and not for eating out of, either).

As you can see from the picture below, sometimes you've just got to take a break from studying. And hijacking Mandy's husband's gear and playing "Army" is the perfect way to do it!

Or, if there was work that absolutely needed to get done, we just incorporated the fun right into the assignment. (Thanks to Jon, who was kind enough to let us be creative with our work) The pic is of the "Clotbusters." We did a spoof on Ghostbusters and taught everyone about the clot-dissolving drug tPA. I wish I had the movie to post. Good times!

I am SO glad to be done with nursing classes, but the memories I made will last a lifetime. I made a slideshow for our graduation dinner and Teana did a write-up that I think is the perfect conclusion for this post. It goes as follows:

Joy in the Journey! These four simple words greeted us in the beginning, pushed us through the tough times in the middle, and are now welcoming us at the end. Our journey was filled with sleepless nights, frustration, and most likely an impending fear of doom. We lost tears, sweat, sleep, and at times probably our sanity. But in the process of losing ourselves…. we actually found ourselves; or at least the person that each and every one of us has been striving to become. And while this may seem to be the end, in reality it is only our beginning. Life is nothing but one long journey waiting for us to lose ourselves in. This journey that we are about to embark on will be long and I’m sure difficult at times, many things may be hard for us to understand or cope with. We were never promised that this journey would be easy, only that it would be worth it. And what is more worth it than being able to touch a life, to heal a life, and possibly even save a life.
Thank you to all the friends, family, and faculty members who helped make our dreams a reality!

Another Hill

2009-06-22T13:34:00.000-06:00

Another story to be told,
another verse to rhyme,

another truth to ponder,

another hill to climb.

Sometimes when I feel restless,

I grab my hiking pack.

I stuff inside my tent and gear

and strap it on my back.

I search my map for some new path

that leads to higher ground,

to somewhere I’ve not been before

where I can hear the sound

of water as it falls past rocks

to pools in canyon streams,

and fill my mind with images

for future poems and dreams:

a field of summer blossoms,

a sun-drenched mountain peak,

a stand of noble conifers,

fish swimming in a creek.

A feast awaits my senses

high in the alpine air,

but it requires effort;

it’s work to get them there.

Sometimes my route is level

and shaded by the trees,

but most the time the way is steep

and hurts my back and knees.

Sometimes the trail is yielding,

made soft by leaves or peat,

but often it is strewn with rocks

that pound and bruise my feet.

The toil and strain of hiking

is not the only way

to view an alpine sunrise

or canyons on display.

Roads lead to other landscapes

as wondrous, fine, and fair;

but half my source of pleasure

is the toil that gets me there.

For if my destinations

I reach without some pain,

the end without the journey

would hardly be the same.

I prize the satisfaction

from each challenge faced and met.

The feeling on each summit

is worth the price, and yet

no matter how fulfilling,

no matter how sublime,

there always looms before me

another hill to climb:

another lesson to be learned,

another one to teach;

a youngster to inspire,

another one to reach;

another error to make right,

a fault to overcome;

another chance to recommence

a labor left undone;

a weakness yet to conquer;

a talent to improve;

another sin to cast away;

a sorrow yet to sooth;

another gift to offer;

another cause for prayer;

another hour on my knees;

another cross to bear;

another glimpse of beauty;

another friend to make;

a chance to prove obedient;

a sacred vow to take.

Ascending makes me stronger.

I cherish every time

my God imparts His blessing of

another hill to climb.

Another story to be told,

another verse to rhyme,

another truth to ponder,

another hill to climb.

--Kevin Krogh

*This is one of my very favorite poems by Bro. Krogh. I love hiking and being outdoors, so this one really hit home for me. As with hiking, it is true in life that there will always be another 'hill' to climb. After each trial or accomplishment something else will inevitably be there waiting. That is why I try to find 'joy in the journey' and live in the present.

Running the Trail

2009-06-22T13:09:00.000-06:00

Why does life contain heartache and sorrows?
Why does God permit suffering and pain?
What is there from uncertain tomorrows
that mankind stands to gain?

I’ll not quote you a lesson from scripture;
a theologian, indeed, I am not.
Sometimes lessons from life help us picture
what hard doctrine cannot.

Years ago, I discovered that running
on a track, thrice each week, in the morn,
caused a change in my life. It was stunning,
much like being reborn.

Though it took me a while to get used to,
to reach optimum distance and time,
once I’d realized my goal—I can tell you—
I was feeling just fine.

The track was inside a large building,
a grand complex of concrete and steel.
Its surface was even and yielding:
the conditions ideal,

the temperature: comfort, perfection.
It was safe, not a chance I would fall.
Those who ran faced the self-same direction:
no distractions at all.

And yet, once I had reached my objective,
when my quota for fitness was full,
what before had been novel and festive
now became rather dull.

As time passed, given any good reason,
I would skip a day’s workout or two.
And if not for a change in the season,
my conditioning was through.

With the spring and a break in the weather,
on the side of the road, oft I’d see
people running, alone or together;
it just might work for me.

But the road held one obvious danger.
The solution, good luck would avail:
in the canyon I spotted a stranger
running safe on a trail.

Though its course ran the self-same direction
as the road, it was nearer the stream.
Trees concealed it from sight and attention;
it could hardly be seen.

I discovered its origin and distance
and determined to give it a try.
It refurbished my fitness persistence.
I’ll explain to you why.

From the trail, I can see God’s creations,
from the cliffs to the rocks in the creek.
Sights and smells, sounds, and other sensations
are diverse and unique.

Each new day brings a different adventure,
something new for my soul to be taught;
and there’s no one around who can censor
any feeling or thought.

And few details escape my reflection;
God has blessed us with so much to see.
Every object from nature’s collection
holds a lesson for me:

the new colors that autumn delivers,
the first butterfly hatch in the spring,
the soft snowfalls and ice on the river
that the wintertime brings.

Running trails brings joy if one chooses,
but the privilege exacts its own price.
There are blisters, sore muscles, and bruises,
and you fall once or twice.

The trail’s surface is bumpy and jagged,
often treacherous in rain or in snow,
and its course runs uneven and ragged;
often progress is slow.

But I’ve never once missed the convenience
I’ve forsaken by leaving the track,
and in spite of its promise of lenience,
I could never go back.

For by doing what’s hard, I grow stronger;
and in light of the chance I might fail,
I run slower, but farther and longer,
when I run on the trail.

And I sense a rapport, a strange kinship,
with the runners I meet on my way;
and a curious unspoken friendship
tempers each running day.

In the struggle in heaven, two brothers
waged a war to determine life’s course.
Our two-thirds chose a trail, while the others
found a track to endorse.

Why does life contain heartache and sorrows?
Why does God permit suffering and pain?
What is there from uncertain tomorrows
that we all stand to gain?

It’s from doing what’s hard that we’re stronger;
and in light of the chance we might fail,
we run slower, but much farther and much, much longer
when we run on the trail.
--Kevin Krogh

*Brother Krogh was in the stake high council in one of my student wards. He is an incredible guy and has written some amazing stuff. (For more of his poems visit www.kevinkrogh.com)

More often than not, others have put into words my own thoughts and feelings. Since they say it a hundred times better than I ever could, I will be sharing a lot of things from various authors. Even though others may have penned it, I hope you'll still get to know 'Lyndsey' by reading them.

First Post (Thanks to Melissa) ;)

2009-06-22T11:53:00.000-06:00

Well, I have had this blog for over a year now and have yet to post anything. Melissa told me today that I absolutely had to, so here it goes. The very first one will be some random facts about me. I have it posted on my facebook page, but it will be good to have it on here as well.

1. My favorite book is Little Women. Jo is my hero. haha

2. I am an RN and I just got a job working at the GI Lab at Logan Regional. I think I am gonna love being a nurse. Eventually, I want to work in the ER and ultimately become a Life Flight nurse. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

3. I really really want to join the Air Force. I think it would be an incredible experience. I nearly joined once, but it didn't feel like the right thing to do. I am hoping that at some point it will.

4. I have visited seven different countries. Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, China, Canada, and Mexico. I think my favorite one was Norway, but China was an amazing experience as well. The food was....interesting. Eel, gelled pigs blood, whole fish, probably dog...and mystery things I don't wanna know about. :)

5. When I was little I wanted to be a marine biologist. I could name just about every sea creature imaginable. I am still fascinated by sharks and one of my dreams is to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.

6. I am always up for an adventure and love trying new and crazy things. Skydiving is next on my list of things to try.

7. I love sports!! In high school I played soccer, basketball, and ran track. The 200m race was my absolute favorite. Since then, I have taken up rockclimbing (which I love), running marathons (which I hate), and triathlons (which I wish I was better at). I like to push myself to new limits and see what I can accomplish.

8. I HATE it when people chew with their mouth open or make loud smacking noises. It drives me up the wall.

9. I am one of the biggest bookworms I know. I read voraciously and I take a book with me almost everywhere I go. When I was little, I would get into trouble because I would stay up way past my bedtime reading and try to hide the book under the covers.

10. I love a good hard days work. One of my very favorite jobs was working with the Utah Conservation Corps because I love manual labor. At the end of the day I liked to be able to see that I had accomplished something. Plus, it was an outdoor job in the beautiful wilderness, my office was a mountain. It doesn't get any better than that.

11. I loathe tomatoes. No food on earth is worse than a fresh tomato. Even all the crazy things from China were better. I got made fun of because we ate squid one day and the top was stuffed with tomatoes. I ate the squid and picked out all the tomatoes.

12. I love country music and Reba McEntire will always be my favorite. Some of my best memories are roadtrippin' it with my mom to go see Reba.

13. I have learned to hide it well, but I generally have a pretty low self-esteem.

14. Rain is one of my favorite types of weather. It doesn't rain nearly enough here. I inherited my mom's love of Seattle and I would love to live in Washington.

15. The only bones I have ever broken have been in my face. I broke my jaw once and my nose twice. Eating soft foods gets old fast.

16. I love camping, hiking, backpacking, rockclimbing, and basically anything that can be done in the great outdoors. I would love to live in a cabin out in the middle of nowhere.

17. My favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls. It is stinking funny and I wish I was as witty as Lorelai. My roommates have also recently gotten me addicted to Alias. If I could be anyone, it would definitely be Sydney Bristow!

18. In high school, I was in Madrigals. Mr. P let me in without even trying out. ( I have no musical ability. The story behind it is amusing.) Even though I can't sing, I loved it and actually miss singing in a choir.

19. I have always wished that I could play the guitar.

20. Whenever I get really mad or upset I tend to do one of three things: Go shoot hoops by myself, go on a deep-cleaning streak, or sprint my guts out.

21. I competed in the state drama competition. I thought for sure I would never get past Region, but Brianna pulled us through.

22. When I was little I was pretty shy and to this day I am still really introverted. The bigger the group, the more quiet I get. *This appears to contradict #21, but I actually took a drama class to help me be a little more outgoing.

23. 23 was my soccer number.

24. I wish I was as tough and amazing as my mom. People say we are a lot alike and I love it when I hear that. (Yeah, yeah, I know that sounds super cheesy, but it's true.) Her work ethic is incredible and when I "grow up" I want to be just like she is.

25. Yesterday in class my professor asked me what I would do if I had a billion dollars. In my mom's note she wrote: "I like to drive fast! If I had more money than I knew what to do with I would spend a lot of it on fast cars! I would also have a log cabin house with at least 5 acres of ground. I would have a gorgeous yard and a fun little tractor to ride around on and work on. I would live close to or by a lake so that I could swim and jet-ski." So first, I would make sure all that happened. Not only would she live by a lake, she would own it. Then, I would buy me a truck, a cabin, and all the outdoor gear I could imagine