Steven and Anna got off to a bit of a rocky start. We tried it again later and although she wasn't so sure about him at first, they soon got along swimmingly!

(Click on the picture to see it better)

Joe Biden's Dating Advice for Girls

At the Congressional Swearing-in day for Congressmen earlier this month, there was a photo op with VP Joe Biden. ABC News compiled clips of Joe Biden's dating advice to young girls. The same dating advice to each and every young girl he came across that day.

Shoe Therapy

Have you ever noticed that when you're going through something difficult, you tend to be super focused on something else to get you through difficult times? When a cousin came off her mission, she all of a sudden got really into the Jazz. So much so, that I had to follow the playoffs just to communicate with her. Although she likes sports, she never was a die-hard fan except for the playoffs that one year. My best friend? Super baseball fan, so much so during one playoffs that again, I had to follow every team (not just mine) in both leagues just to talk to her. She hasn't watched the baseball playoffs since, and it's been three years.

I've done this too. The Yanks were originally an obsession to deal with September 11 (I was a fan previously, but not as obsessive as I've been the past 9.5 years), but I kept that going since then. This time though, I've noticed that I'm really into shoe shopping. Yes, shoes. I like shoes, but as most shoes give me blisters, I don't shop for them much. I've also never spent much time pouring over shoe websites online. Now, when I'm feeling blue, online shoe window shopping does the trick. The past week? I've spent a lot of free time looking at shoes online. I even bought two pairs of shoes (that I scouted online) yesterday. So, if you see me drooling at shoes the next week or so, just pat me on the back. It's therapy! I'll snap out of it before long, I'm sure.

* The pictured boots are Troopa's by Steve Madden. Although they are somewhat trendy, I know I'll wear them several years, I just haven't purchased them yet. Aren't they lovely?

Happy MLK Day!

Solace Amidst the Chaos or Simply, Peace.

I've been trying to write more often here, but my blog has gone quiet again for personal reasons. One of my first cousins on my dad's side passed away last weekend on the eve of our grandmother's death(which is still a contemplative time of year for me). Although I didn't know my cousin well (she's quite a bit older than I am and lived in a different time zone), I still find myself searching for peace and more importantly, hoping that my aunt, uncle and cousins are comforted now and in the coming months. I won't be able to attend the funeral, but at least one of my brothers will be, and that makes me happy.

Wordless Wednesday: The Soothing Dawn edition

Happy Birthday!

Today would be Elvis Presley's 76th birthday. I thought about writing a schmoopy tribute to "The King" but really, that's been done a million times. Instead, let me share a karaoke version of "Can't Help Falling In Love." The absurdity of this video cracked me up, and hopefully will make you smile a bit too. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Elvis Aaron wherever you may be!

Catch-up, not Ketchup

Whoa, the last couple of months have been a little wild. Since September I've been to Europe, had a surgery, had a cold, bronchitis, a cold/sinus infection and another cold and was on three rounds of antibiotics (not at the same time)*, did a Secretarial Event at work, went to Washington and Oregon for Christmas and am now back in DC. Excuse me if I don't catch my breath before I continue.

Anyway, life really has been good. Being sick has given me time to stop, think about where my life is going and what I need to do to improve. For 2011, my theme is "focus". I've picked five areas that I feel I need to focus on, and I'm trying to spend my time working on those areas.

Those areas are:

spiritual/physical health

finances

writing

relationships

hobbies

I've also come up with a list of things I want to do this year. I'll probably share that list later (to keep myself accountable.

Last year, my theme really was submission. The year was full. There were a lot of great things that happened as well as tough things too. I've gained a greater appreciation (if that's the right word) of the lessons asthma has taught me, and the lessons I believe I need to learn. I'm more resolute in the conviction that I have to control the disease and not the other way around. Getting the asthma controlled has been a lifelong battle, but I know I can do it. There's people around me who have had to deal with much worse trials than mine, and I know I can turn my trials into assets.

I'm also so grateful for my life and for the people in my life. There's been so many people who have helped me, whether they realize they've assisted me or not. I've had so many instances in the past several months where friends, family or even strangers have done something to make things easier for me whether they realize it or not. Those experiences have really humbled me and made me more resolute in trying to assist others whenever I can-small or big.

So anyway, thanks for reading this if you got this far. Here's to 2011!

Wordless: Strange Joy Edition:

My Great-Uncle Russell

I didn't really know my great Uncle Russell who passed away last month. He and his wife lived in Michigan and I know I met them and saw them a little growing up when they were out visiting, but I don't recall any solid memories of Russell. Unfortunately, He wasn't as impressionable to a young kid like his pirate treasure hunter brother, Fay.

However, his daughter Marla lives on the Wasatch Front so we saw Marla here and there. She was always really nice and very cool.

Last summer, my parents picked me up from the Denver Airport so we spent a few days in Denver before going home to dinner. While we were there, we stopped in to see Russell's son, Brad in the hospital.

Brad suffered a major stroke the year before (I can't remember when) and lost virtually all control of his body. Brad wasn't old-early fifties and was very active-skied etc.

Anyway, His girlfriend was there at the hospital taking care of him-and planned to continue being there for Brad even though she was going to be laid off within the month as her office was closing and relocating to PA. Seeing her love for him-and Brad in the condition he was affected all three of us deeply.

Anyway, below is my great uncle's obituary.

To my uncle: "Uncle Russell, wherever you are, I hope you are well and happy-Say hello and give your brother Keith a hug for me. I still miss him. We all do."

Russell Wardahl Feild 1926-2010

Russell Wardahl Feild, age 84, passed away December 3, 2010 at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.Born April 19, 1926 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Ruben Thomas and Ester Elmina Jensen. He volunteered for the Wyoming State Guard in 1943 at age 17.

In 1944 he graduated from Rock Springs High School in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Following graduation he began active duty in the Army Air Force. Following World War II he attended the University of Wyoming for a time. Upon leaving college he worked for Carter Oil Company and then Standard Oil of Indiana which later became Amoco Oil Company. After 41 years working in the oil industry he retired from Amoco to a quiet life living in Traverse City, Michigan with the love of his life Betty Katherine Balkie.

Though they had a typing class together in high school they did not begin dating until three years after graduating. They married June 6, 1950 and have been married 60 years. A milestone he was so proud of. He loved fishing on the Grand Traverse Bay and spending time working in the yard around his home in Michigan. His greatest joy in life was his children and he cherished spending time with them.

Russell will be remembered for his quiet strength and caring nature, his love and dedication to friends and family. Dad, you have been my rock these past 18 months and I am going to miss you dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, two children, Brad Feild and Marla Feild. Preceded in death by his parents and five brothers. The family expresses deepest thanks to all of dad's loving care givers at Munson Medical Center and Boardman Lake Glens in Traverse City and Sunrise Senior Living at Holladay, St. Marks Hospital and Life Path Home Health in Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 11, at 12:00 noon at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah with a viewing beginning at 10:45 a.m. also at Larkin Mortuary. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association(alz.org) P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or The Agape Healthcare Foundation; 6041 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 220, Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111 (The Hospice Agency caring for Russell's son Brad).

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=russell-feild&pid=147073621&fhid=13417