A Time to Purge

Over the past 10 years or so I have collected a lot of pictures, games, stories about Mormon beliefs etc and cut, pasted, laminated and filed them away. They have occupied a large shelf in my living room for me to reach into for 'Family Home Evening'. (We have kept this tradition but now call it 'Family Night' and there's a lot more games and a lot less religion).

Last week I spent about 2 hours sorting through these materials. I was not prepared for the emotional battle which ensued. As I threw more and more pictures and stories into the bin I began to feel a sense of loss. Some of these pictures were just beautiful and I felt sad when I threw them away. I particularly felt conflicted when I came across pictures of Nephi and other Book of Mormon Prophets whom I had loved as close friends since childhood. I felt angry. It is not Nephis fault that such deception has been shamelessly used to blind millions of people. Then I decided that since Nephi is a fictional character... just like Margaret Hale, Jane Eyre and Mr Darcy, Nephi could continue to hold a dear place in my heart. I kept his pictures!

The next unexpected feeling was when I came across a picture of Joseph Smith and I had a 'flutter of feeling', not of the religious kind but of the womb kind. Ah! Quick, in the bin! I think I'll just file that feeling away and pull it out whenever I need a good chuckle.

Once I was finished and stepped away to look at the rather bare but neat, clean non-Mormon shelf I felt refreshed, purged even. The pictures of the Temple have been taken down. One small framed picture of Jesus still remains in the kitchen. I'm not sure what how long I'll keep it, he doesn't look too happy these days. I haven't made up my mind on Jesus yet. JS has been monopolising my time so far, I'll get to Jesus soon.

A Creative 7 Year Old

My daughter drew this about a year ago now and I just wanted to post it here because I am so proud of her. My husband pinned it up in our room and it really makes me feel so happy when I look at it. I see this picture and the time she spent on it and I feel that she is happy.

Felt Toys

Felt Toys

A link for those who would like to have a go...

French Martini and I

This may be a weird place to start but that is the whole point of this blog, it is one place for me (ever the purple flying people-pleaser) to please no-one but myself.

So... now I can indulge in the pleasures that life has to offer: alcohol, coffee, tea, bikinis, swearing!! etc.

I'll start with alcohol. It doesn't taste very nice does it? Over the last few months I've tried several brands of beer, so far I like Corona the best. I've tried red and white wine, that must be an acquired taste. I dooo like champagne though. Spirits were just as awful as I remembered from my teenage flirtation with them. However, on New Years Eve I had a Strawberry Daiquiri at the Grapeskin Cafe in Northbridge and I was pleasantly surprised (my purse was a little less enthusiastic!). A few weeks later we returned to this lovely establishment and I had a French Martini and I was in love! I guess since Pineapple Juice has always been my favourite drink it was natural that I would fall for this heavenly beverage. Enjoy!

Hello

So I tried to deal with my deconversion without a blog but my dear husband can't cope with being my main listening ear ALL of the time so I would like to chat to you dear cyber-space and see if that feels better. For now that is all I have to say. Just Hello, it's nice too meet you and I look forward to a long and fruitful friendship.