Sarah Anne Norr Grange

My mother is working on typing up a journal that belonged to my Great-grandmother, Phyllis Eliason Germer. She is my Mothers' Mothers' Mother. Phyllis kept a faithful record of dates and times, but very little about herself. She wrote mostly about what her husband was doing, and the weather. My mom says that she was very shy. From her journal I can learn about what she did, but not really who she was.

And so, with that on my brain I have decided to write about each member of my little family. As individuals. So that someday we might be known, not just as dates and times, but as souls. I begin with myself. (Just so you know, this took me a long time. I thought that I would be the easiest subject. I kept reconsidering what to put about myself, and if that thing was what I am really about. Finally settled on the truth - or most of it. )

MY STATS:

Birthday: March 21, 1985 - Tremonton Hospital, almost in the waiting room.

Height: 5'5" - just right next to DJ in heels.

Weight: 130 - give or take a few depending on the season.

Eyes: blue

Hair: blond - a little less so with each child, gets lighter in the sunshine.

Complexion: fair - burns easily, tans occasionally, very clear

MY FAVORITES:

Things to do: ski, run, decorate, sew, take long hot baths, climb into clean fresh sheets, sleep in, go on dates with my hubby, read to my babies, read to myself, (novels, magazines, scriptures) shop for new shoes, have bunco parties with my friends, shovel snow after a big blizzard, paint things, look at paint/ fabric samples. (You think I am joking? This is where I get my Zen!) be by myself for a while - with no noise, blast the radio when I drive, stay up late and watch chick flicks whilst DJ sleeps with his head on my lap, watch storms roll over the Wellsvilles, hang out with my Mom and sisters, give my girls things.

Food: pasta, pork of any kind, home-made marinara sauce, fresh bread, grapefruit, crispy tart apples, anything with pumpkin in it, anything with chocolate, real lemonade, Junior Mints, carrots, green beans, zucchini, Petite Bacon Wrapped Sirloin and mushrooms from The CopperMill, BREAKFAST FOOD, smoothies, whole milk, (but I mostly drink 1%, still love the thick rich milk of my dairy farm youth) tacos, Tillamock cheese, cold shrimp, raspberry jam. This list could go on and on . . .

I feel best when: I take time to be grateful. I am sitting in Relief Society. I get done with a workout. I have a tidy house (doesn't have to be perfect, just tidy). DJ gets home from work. I look at family photos. I talk with friends. I write about my day and then recognize that good was done, and I do make a difference. I say a real prayer (not just the practiced kind). I snuggle my face into my babies and smell them, feel their hearts beating and know that they are mine always and that I love them, and am loved by them. I know I am needed by someone. I can do something to serve another. I fit in my skinny jeans. I make a great meal. I am dressed up to meet a client. I figure out something that DJ can't. I am patient with my children.

DREAMS:

I want to go back to school and study Architecture, alongside a more thorough history of Interior Design. Then I want to design the most beautiful homes the world shall ever know. Not the mansion types, just modest, lovely, timeless homes that people love to be in. I want to create homes that have classic scale and proportions, ageless appeal, modern amenities, well planned spaces. I want to bring loveliness back to the masses. Make grace and charm not just about the money that was spent but about the way one feels inside. To create plans that average families can afford, but with extraordinary looks, and livable space.

That is my big dream right now. Maybe it will change. I know that it is a 'someday' dream. But I cling to it. Talk about sweet. This is what my sleepless nights are made of; imagining these homes. And yes, of course I decorate them when they're done.

I dream of traveling the world and seeing the places that I read about in history books.

I dream of adventure! I can't quite decided what kind, just adventure - challenge. I want to do something big with my life. Be someone who makes a difference. Be someone who really lives, not just watches others live. How to do this. . . I don't know. But I hope that my life will hold something wonderful. Something extraordinary.

Right now I am also dreaming of another baby. Please Lord, please send me one.

SOME OTHER STUFF:

I hate bad manners, I hate dust. I hate loosing my cell phone. Those might be the only things I really hate, I do dislike a lot of stuff, buy lets focus on the love. I love dupioni silk and velvet. I love cows. I have a weakness for ducks, but elephants have been my favorite animal since I was a little girl. I like a lamps. I like empty notebooks and new pens, especially the sharpie marker variety. I just got a set of 11 colors and I can't find enough things to write upon. I love furniture and real patina. I love diamonds and pearls.

Funny things I do: whenever a camera is in my face, I give a 'cheese". It can't be helped, it's genetic. My mother and grandmother before me have the same disease. I really am quiet normal, but in front of a camera my smile is not. Blah! The two photos of me above are rare gems, not just because I am alone but because I don't look like a total idiot.

I might have to have DJ do a little posting here. I am sure that I have several other quirks that should be documented but I can't think of any right now. Oh, except my tendency to ramble on.

Holy Crow - this is getting long. Quite enough about me.

Later.