Dessert, fires and braces

1. Dessert - went to Phillip's European with doula friends last night. Oh my. I had a half slice of the Viennese Strawberry Torte and a half slice of the Austrian Chocolate Torte. The half slices are the way to go. That way you get to taste TWO luscious desserts for the price of one! Such a deal.

2. Fires - had to do a damage assessment yesterday for an apartment fire. Once again, it's the candles that can do you in. It's true when they say NEVER leave a candle unattended. Anyway, the leader filled out an evaluation on me and wrote that I kept the fire client "calm and focused." That's exactly what we do as doulas - we help keep the mom in labor calm and focused!!!! It is so amazing to me to see how sometimes the skills we learn can be beneficial in other areas of life. Very cool.

3. Braces - good grief these things are poking holes in my cheeks. I went back to the orthodontist so they could use the wire cutters to save me. But on the bright side, after only one month I see how my teeth are shifting already. I should quit complaining though. They really aren't THAT bad. Just a little bad.

Books and gratitude

Nothing earth shaking to write about. I just want to say how much I love to read and how grateful I am for my eyesight that allows me to read. One of my favorite things to do is curl up on the couch or in bed, with a page turner, (and Larry!) It is just such a gift to be able to read.

Many, MANY years ago there was TV show called "The Twilight Zone." It was pretty creepy sometimes. I so vividly remember an episode called "Time Enough at Last."It starred an actor named Burgess Meredith who played a man with really thick glasses, basically blind without them. All he ever wanted to do was read, but never had enough time. He disliked people because they kept him from his books. He just wanted to be left alone to read. Anyway, when a bomb devastates his city, he is at first filled with despair because he is the only one left. But when he finds the library and realizes that he now has all the time in the world to read and no one to bother him, he is overjoyed! Then he breaks his glasses and cannot see to read. He falls to the steps of the library, weeping.

An ending like that never leaves you. It made me want to be always grateful for my blessings.

Worldwide Sisterhood and new stake boundaries

As some of you may know, I am part of the birth doula certification committee for DONA International. Because of that, I get to talk with doulas from around the world as they work towards becoming certified. The other day I was working on an application from a doula in Wyoming and just felt she was a member of the church. So in talking with the references she provided, I took the plunge and asked " are you guys LDS?" Sure enough, they are (!) and we had an instant bond. As we talked about labor and birth and the power of the priesthood, as well the Spirit being involved, we just felt love for each other and a beautiful spirit over the phone lines. What a lovely experience and now I have two new sisters in my heart! Love to you both, Melanie and Amy!

AND, our stake boundaries were reorganized this month. Larry is no longer branch president because there is no longer a branch! Yep, now the stake consists of the Rochester 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wards, Brockport and Geneseo Wards, and the Batavia, Warsaw and Genesee Valley Branches. Brighton Ward was dissolved. So we are back in our home ward in Roch 2nd and wondering what new and exciting calls await us. I was happy to "go home." It was good serving in the branch for two years but I missed home. Larry's last duty was to conduct a funeral service today for an 8 day old baby who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It was very sad but he did an excellent job of explaining the Plan of Salvation to folks who don't know or understand it. That little baby was pure, without sin, and accomplished his earthly tasks in just 8 days. It was a humbling experience.

Prevent kitchen fires

One of the common causes of kitchen fires is oil in a frying pan. You turn it on, the oil gets too hot and a fire starts. But this video shows that a wet dish towel can be a one size fits all lid to cover a fire in a pan. This link shows a 34 second dramatic video of a kitchen oil fire handled the right way and the wrong way.

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?ei=UTF-8&gid=202218&vid=468906&b=0
If the link doesn't work, just Google "Kitchen oil fire"

I am confident that you all know NOT to put water on a grease fire. The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. A fireball can hit the ceiling and fill the entire room. Instead, turn off the heat under the pan, grab a dish towel, wet it, wring it out and then carefully place the towel over the pan as you would a lid. The fire goes out immediately.

Also, DO NOT throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.

You may want to spread the word about this!! Another reminder from your friendly neighborhood Red Cross volunteer, me!