It's Saturday Night Live...

Am I the only person who gets to Saturday night feeling like a steamroller has driven directly over her person?

Perhaps those halcyon days of youth when I had actual energy are a phantom memory, but I recall having the strength to party like there was no tomorrow and still get up in time to make myself look pretty for a 9 am church meeting.

These days, my energy level flatlines by about Friday and when we get through the typical activities of Saturday housework, errands and mayhem, there isn't any wave peak above that flatline at all. It's more like a study in energy deficits from way back in physical science.

I know that deficits have to be made up from somewhere, but I'm not sure where that 'reserve' is alleged to come from nor how I can tap into it so that I feel more like Superwoman and less like Slug-gal.

When I was in college, it wasn't a big deal to work all day, come home, shower, change and head out for a full night of dancing into the wee hours of the morning at a club where the men smelled nice and were warm and inviting.

Now, my Saturday night is filled with the homebody chores and choices that have come to define the double digits of my age as being someone 'over the hill'. That sucks lemons big time.

Where did the fun gal go?

More importantly, where did that energy go? I'd love a cup or two of that level of go, go, go from time to time. Most mornings, I am like a car battery that has to be coaxed into life by an alternator not quite up to snuff. Lots of 'rrrr' and not much 'roar'.

We occupy our time with laundry, baths for whomever needs them the most and trying to get last minute projects and chores done before the Sabbath actually begins. It's more like trying to push the boulder uphill. I've never felt more in kinship with Sysyphus than I do by the time Saturday night comes each week.

This week, I finished a secret project which will be revealed later.

I'm kinda proud of myself and extremely grateful to God that He made possible the project.

More on that later...

Right now, it's time to put my shoulder to the boulder and give it all I've got in hopes that if I can't push it uphill, at least I won't let it roll back down.

Live, from my living room.... it's Saturday Night!

Christmas Festival

The last three days have been flat out awesome!

Me, Thomas, Kari and Xan were in the Stake Christmas Festival for our stake choir and orchestra. It was excellent good fun! God even pitched in with SNOW for the event! A true rarity in our area.

For those who don't attend these events in your own area, you are missing a shot of Christmas cheer that can make the Christmas season last more than just one day.

Just chillin' while waiting on the orchestra to drop in and grace us with their presence...

A pretty large group to try and get into one shot...

The Merrill Family 2010 - (L to R) Row 1: Jared - center, Row 2: Thomas, Shelley, Rick

Kari, Xan and Shelley

Shelley & Thomas

Angels We Have Heard on High

Thomas pulled double duty this time playing both his trumpet and percussion on some pieces. The three of us girls cover three different parts. Kari is a soprano, Xan is alto 1 and I am an alto 2 singer.

The spirit was very nice.  Even though we were part of the choir, it was still a wonderful experience.

I'm just sorry everyone I invited declined the opportunity to attend. It truly was their loss...

We are blessed in our area where membership of the church is scattered across the northern part of the state that we can gather in enough people to flesh out a 70 voice choir and a 22 instrument orchestra.

I have friends out west who have TONS more people in their wards and stakes who cannot do that... not because they lack the personnel or the talent, but because people are filling their lives with 'busyness' and have no time left for something like this.

Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. If I can figure out how to attach sound files later.. I will.