My Life According to Def Leppard

Def Leppard is my all-time favorite band. Ever. But, somehow our paths never managed to cross, so I have waited over three decades to see a live performance. Still, I continued as a loyal fan, hopeful that one day we would meet. A while back, I posted a fun note on Facebook about My Life According to Def Leppard. I share here:

1. Are you male or female?
"21st Century Sha La La La Girl"

2. Describe yourself:
"Two Steps Behind"

3. How do you feel?
"Excitable"

4. Describe where you currently live:
"Hello America"

5. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
"Back in Your Face"

6. Your favorite form of transportation:
"Rocket"

7. Your best friend:
"Miss You in a Heartbeat"

8. Your favorite color is:
"White Lightning"

9. What's the weather like?
"High 'N' Dry"

10.  Favorite time of day:
"Only After Dark"

11. If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
"Hysteria"

12. What is life to you?
"Unbelievable"

13. Your current relationship:
"Love and Affection"

14. Looking for:
"Truth?"

15. Wouldn't mind:
"All I Want is Everything"

16. Your fear:
"Billy's Got a Gun"

17. What is the best advice you have to give?
"Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion)

18. If you could change your name, you would change it to:
"Lady Strange"

19. Thought for the day:
"Rock, Rock ('Til You Drop)

20. How I would like to die:
"Turn to Dust"

21. My motto:
"Action! Not Words"

The answers remain the same, but one question still begs: Do you wanna get ROCKED...?!?
"Yeah!"

And I FINALLY did!!!

Thank you, Def Leppard, for performing an AMAZING concert (opened first by Tesla, then REO Speedwagon)!  The repercussions of immobility, nerve twitching, and full-body muscle throbbing today were worth EVERY moment I shared dancing and singing with you at Taco Bell Arena in Boise on Wednesday night!

Consider my Bucket List checked.

One Stitch at a Time

Sister Rose, an elderly lady I visit teach, recently inspired me with an altar cloth she hand-made for the Boise Temple. It was a cloth crocheted of delicate lace and fine workmanship. Her skill impulsively motivated me to challenge myself.

Years ago, while casted from knee to toes after reconstructive foot surgery, I was taught to crochet afghans with yarn to stave boredom of being confined to a velvet-upholstered recliner. I learned a few basic stitches and have since made several blankets from simple patterns, but never have I attempted anything as beautiful as the cloth Sister Rose created. As we sat in her living room, admiring the details of her masterpiece and discussing the Meridian Temple opening next year, I boldly exclaimed, "I want to make one!"

Wait. What did I say...?!? With excited conviction, I brought home a white skein of fine 20 thread--a weight I have never used before--and determined to make a sacred cloth for the House of the Lord.

Seriously. What was I thinking...?!?

I have humbly come to realize my crochet skills went unnoticed for too long and are extremely subpar. But, I also remember my patriarchal blessing mentions my hands being blessed; that they will do what they are told to do. This is especially interesting, considering my dwindling fine motor abilities due to Multiple Sclerosis. The Lord's promises are sure, and with Him all things are possible. He blessed me with a basic knowledge of the crochet realm, and I know through my consistent effort (armed with various sizes of steel needles, some You Tube instruction, and extreme patience), the Lord will bless my hands to sustain their ability.

For a righteous purpose, I practiced a beginning granny square. Now I am tackling my "forward chain-pull apart-forward chain" process of the unfamiliar and intricate lace pattern, taking it one stitch at a time...so, in time, I will be able to exclaim, "I made one!"