Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I love the snow, but I really don't like being cold. Sigh. Take it from a girl who grew up in Michigan: it IS possible to stay warm in the winter, even if you're dressed up! The key is to layer, layer, LAYER.

I've found that there are a few things that, especially when combined, make it much easier to stay warm!

Sweater Tights: These will help keep your legs warm. I absolutely love mine. Sometimes I'll even wear them under pants if I need a little extra coziness (can you say snowy football games?) These are also great because you can get away with wearing socks underneath them, since they're not see-through. I've also heard that they have this magical new invention of fleece-lined leggings. Normal leggings would work well, too.
(Another tip, skirts sometimes stick to tights and stockings and definitely to leggings and this will make your skirt ride up and get bunchy when you walk. A slip will fix this.)

Gloves: Even the stretchy, knit kind will help immensely. If your hands and feet are warm, the rest of you will deal with the cold much more happily.

Boots: Dressy boots that can be water-proofed (they sell cans of water-proofing spray at lots of shoe stores) will keep your feet dry, which is hugely important. Wet feet means cold feet. Boots will also help keep your ankles warm!

Coat: Invest in a good coat that is warm as well as cute. I have a coat that I've used since high school that is thin and tailored, but is as warm as the puffy marshmallow coat I used to have with down-feather filling. I also have a couple other coats that are a bit more dressy, but not as warm or waterproof. I usually wear these with a sweater underneath if I need to be outside for a long time to keep the wind and cold out more effectively.

Hat: You lose a lot of body heat from your head. If you keep it covered, you'll be warmer! Your ears will thank you as well.

Scarf: They're cute, they keep your neck warm, if it's bitterly cold and windy you can pull it up over your face, or use it to cover the top of your head. Use it to add a little color or pattern that your coat might otherwise be covering in your outfit.

Here are some of my favorite winter outfits (just make sure you add a coat!)

Knee-length button up dress with sweater tights, scarf, and boots

Pleated maxi skirt, drape neck blouse, leggings (worn under the skirt for warmth,) and shiny black wedges

maxi skirt, t-shirt, chunky-knit sweater, wedges, and adorable vintage-style hat!

knee-length sweater dress, teeny belt, knee-length fuzzy socks, and zip up boots (tall enough to hide the socks)

General Conference

This was probably my favorite conference weekend to date. Saturday morning my roommates and I had some of our friends over and made breakfast to eat while we watched the first session, which was a lot of fun, and really spiritual. After the second session, Rachel and I took Ashley's very large Jeep Wrangler (with her permission) and went to Spoon It Up (frozen yogurt) while Ashley was at a mocktail bar. When we all got back we drove up to Brianna's house and had a sleepover there.

The next morning we woke up way too early for my liking, had breakfast, and drove up to the conference center in Salt Lake City to go to Music and the Spoken Word, and General Conference. It was an amazing experience. Not only did we get to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live, but we were able to hear the word of God preached to us by his holy prophet and apostles, while in the same room. My favorite part was singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" while looking straight at Thomas S Monson. The spirit was so strong, and I was so overwhelmed by how blessed I am to live in this time when the Lord's church is on the Earth, and we have the technology to hear his word from almost anywhere in the world, and then have access to the records of what they said.

We also got to walk around Temple Square, go to the visitors center and see the Christus statue, and enjoy the spirit and the beautiful weather. After that we went to Alissa's house and had lunch with her family, which was amazing, and then watched conference with them.

Over all I had so much fun in between sessions, and the best time spiritually as I was uplifted, edified, and taught by those wonderful men and women called of God to lead his church. I amso grateful to the Lord for this opportunity, and to those who took my roommates and me into their homes and took care of us.

As long as we live, there is never enough singing

This past week I was a counselor at my high school's choir camp, and, oh my goodness, I had so much fun. We sang for about 6 hours a day, which I loved. In fact, I loved almost everything about it. I loved the square dance, the beautiful lake and woods, the people I was with, the music we sang, the girls in my cabin, my co-counselor and all the other counselors, spending all my time with friends, helping with the dance class, riding in the golf cart, making new friends, having all my siblings there, and did I mention singing? The only thing I did not like was the food. It was not very good at all.

One thing I really liked, but that most people didn't, was the presence of mice and chipmunks in the cabins. I have this odd fantasy thing where I'm Snow White and friends with all the woodland animals, and they sing with me and we have lots of fun. I thought they were adorable, but everyone else was kind of scared of them, which I thought was sad.

The weather was beautiful while we were there, which was a pleasant surprise as it is usually quite cold. At night the moon was always super bright which was fun, and you could see the stars very well. The lake looked beautiful in the moonlight, once you got out of the mildly creepy woods and on to the open path.

I was really grateful for this opportunity, and regardless of whether or not I get to do it again, I'll always be happy that I got to go this year.

I love rain, and Harry Potter

Last night I got to go to Harry Potter and the deathly hallows pt2 for the second time with my new friend Dan. We have a crazy lot in common, and he's super fun. We went to the movie and it was awesome, although I didn't cry nearly half as hard or as much as I did the first time, which is a very good thing. I was seriously sobbing the first time, although it probably had something to do with the incredibly late hour and my caffein consumption that day. ( I know, naughty, naughty Dana. How dare I drink a vanilla coke. Shame on me.)

When the movie was done we went to the door and it was POURING. Plus there was lightning every 5 to 10 seconds so that made it even cooler. I pulled out my umbrella like a boringly responsible adult but Dan just ran right out into the rain. pretty soon I closed my umbrella and followed suit. I love playing in the rain J It was pretty bad driving weather, and I'm glad that he drove instead of me because when it rains that hard my windshield leaks on the passenger seat, not to mention rear wheel drive is never good on slippery roads.

I was really excited that it was raining because we haven't had a proper storm in weeks and the grass is all sad looking. Plus, as previously mentioned, I love rain, and lightning, and thunder. Lightning is so cool at night. I don't particularly care for it when I'm trying to fall asleep, but I do like watching it light everything up for a split second.

Memorial Day Weekend: I'm walkin' on sunshine!

This weekend was wonderful :) I'm starting to feel more acclimated to the singles ward and even made a few friends! I am grateful for friends: both old and new. Today I got up at seven thirty to help an older woman in my ward with her garden. I admit I was not incredibly enthusiastic until I got there at 8 and forced myself to smile and be pleasant. Immediately after that I felt so great! Not only was I helping her plant beautiful flowers, but I got to teach my little sister how to help too. By the time we left it was really hot and humid (90º and at least 80% humidity) but I still felt great. Then about 2 hours later we went swimming as a family and it was fabulous! I got a little bit sunburned on my cheeks, but other than that I was just so happy to be in the sun! Then tonight we had a BBQ with our good friends and neighbors and everything was so delicious. I had a great day.

Just a disclaimer: my life is far from perfect. There were definitely some parts of the day where I wanted to yell at someone, or push, or scream, or be really unhelpful, but I am trying right now to be a "Wise Optimist" (Henry B. Eyring) and acknowledge and address the bad things, but not to focus on them. This blog has now become the place for me to focus on gratitude so that I can be more happy and service oriented. So far it's turning out great! I've been a lot more patient and forgiving than usual, and I genuinely smile a lot more. I'd invite anyone who is looking to be a little more happy to try it.

Gratitude

In women's conference last weekend I went to a class about gratitude taught by Bob Quinn, who I am so privileged to know. In his class we talked about gratitude and how important it is, and how we can incorporate it into our lives. He encouraged us to write in our journals every morning, beginning with "I am grateful for..." or keep a special journal just about gratitude. He also suggested we share it with those we love in the hopes that it will help those who read them find greater joy and appreciation for life. So, as of now, I am going to try to keep my gratitude journal on my blog, and actually post them. :)

Today I am grateful for the safety of my family and friends. Many people I know, including my dad, have been traveling in the southern mid-west in the past week, and although they have been close to the destruction caused by the tornadoes in that area, they have been kept safe. The weather here in my hometown has also been less than ideal, but we have been spared any real danger, and I am grateful for that as well.

I am also grateful for my family. No matter how I feel or act, my family is always there for me to help me and lift me up. I am so blessed to have such a supportive family who loves me and each other despite our differences of personality and temperament. I am so thankful for the love that I share with my family and that it can last through eternity through the saving grace of our Lord.