Shoes

 I have a some shoes.  A woman needs shoes.  Shoes for everyday (different heights and styles depending on the pant length and dressy-ness of every day), for church, for walking, for winter weather.  I have the luxury of having shoes for every single occasion.  

I am picky about shoes, have picky feet - not in my control.  And I'm w-a-y past the point of wearing certain shoes just because they look good, my feet have to be happy.  No six inch heels for me.

I love the Altra brand of shoes for my morning walks - the zero (or near zero) drop, wide toe box and a certain level of cushioning.  I don't love the fact that shoes (and seems like a lot of the "athletic" type of shoes) wear out.  (I reiterate that I'm a "one and done" kind of person - buy them once they should last forever.)  

I got my latest pair of walking shoes in February.  Figure I've put roughly six to seven hundred miles on them.  Professor Google says 300-500 miles per pair of shoes on average. Mine are wearing out - soles, inside of heels, cushioning. There's a bit of mileage left on them still.  But I know they are going to need replacing soon.

Been trying to get to the outlet store for a couple weeks, have just had this nagging feeling that perhaps they'll have a new pair of the model I like.  Since they are an outlet, you can wear the shoes for up to 30 days and then return for exchange if you don't like them, so the shelves do have previously worn shoes which I totally avoid. 

Managed to finally get there yesterday.  They had a whole display of my model, new unworn shoes.  Two pair in my size.  One had been tried on, the other not.  Until I tried them on.  Then they became my shoes.  Walked this morning wearing them.  Just perfect!  

The whole reason for my post here is to remind myself that it's worth a fifteen minute drive round point of the mountain.  Those shoes were half the suggested retail price, half  what I paid for my old pair.  And brand new. Everyone once in a while the stars align just right and things work out the way you hope.  I'm grateful for whenever that happens, rare though it feels.  Yesterday was the that rarity for me.  Yay! 

Weather

 I've been absolutely loving the weather this October.  Generally, it seems that in October we've had to turn on the air again, turn the heat on and off before finally settling on leaving the heat on for the winter.  Not so this year.  It's been lovely.  We've had a bunch of rain (yay for the groundwater) and just right temps.  I've broken out my sweaters again and we've switched out the fleece blanket for the lightweight down blanket.  I have loved the October - which is a switch for me, I generally don't care for all the Halloween hoopla.

I've had a craving for a couple months for a candy bar.  We rarely, rarely buy them. But every once in a while I need a butterfinger.  The Husband kept asking me what kind of treat he could get me on a recent grocery store excursion.  Butterfinger it was.  Sat down with my book and water and just savored every bite.  Though I did have to make sure I chewed on my non temporary crown side.  It's going ok with that so far.

The other morning on our walk we came across a couple squirrels in the trees, chasing each other around and up and down and around again.  Managed to catch a snapshot of one of them, they are super quick.  They were so entertaining, cute and fun to see.  Made a nice start to the morning.

Today I'm grateful for another bit of rain coming down.  Grateful to have something to look forward to this week: a couple lunches out, a haircut and more morning walks.  This morning we dropped our voting ballots in the box over by city hall on our way to return a book at the library.  No school today so less traffic on the streets - even early in the day.  I'm grateful for prayer.  I keep saying my prayers.  Keep hoping for some answers / warm hug from heaven. 

I'm Already Thinking This Morning

...and hoping today is better than yesterday.  Not that yesterday was awful.  It wasn't at all.  Just frustrating / disappointing.

I'm a "one and done" kind of person. You should be able to buy things once and never have them wear out, need fixing, need replacing, go out of style, quit working - including all of the things (clothes, appliances, cars, houses, people).  Yes, totally ludicrous and impossible.  I realize that.  I still find my innate self thinking that way.  

Yesterday morning began with me folding the bed sheets.  Discovering the bottom sheet had holes worn clear through, in a couple spots.  Seriously?  How did I not know that? And I just spent what felt like a year's salary on a set to replace the previous ones that wore out.   Later on, discovered not one but several holes in my underwear. Sheesh.  (Thankfully those are easily replaced and not too awfully expensive.)

The final discouragement?  After dinner was flossing my teeth, as usual before brushing them.  My one tooth felt funny.  Sure enough - half of it fell out of my mouth.  It's a crown. Has had a crack for several years but seemed to be holding up fine.  Until it wasn't. Fortunately the dentist can fit me in this afternoon (at 2:30 which The Husband always finds funny about going to the dentist at "tooth-hurty") for which I'm grateful.  Half the remaining tooth is jagged and rough and I feel like the pain is just waiting to erupt.  Breakfast was challenging.  Lunch will likely be soup. Visit to the dentist will be welcome though I'm pretty certain our poor excuse for dental insurance will once again fail us.  Last week it was The Husband.  This week me.  I shudder to think what next week will bring.

But the good news was our sprinkler friend/helper came out first thing yesterday and winterized the sprinkler system.  It was like 31 degrees this morning when we left for our walk.  Nice to know we're assembling a small entourage of reliable people to follow (help) us from task to task as we try to maintain our home, we want to stay here as long as we are able - or as long as the funds hold out.  It's a toss up as to which will occur first.

Off this afternoon (depending on how I feel) to the ward chorister's house to practice.  She's following through on the Bishop's constant request to include the youth more in every aspect of our ward.  She's enlisted a couple teenage sisters to lead two of the hymns this Sunday.  Since I'm subbing on the organ we both thought it would be helpful to practice together.  Fingers crossed for both the tooth help and that I'll manage the organ again.  My hands are painful.

Looking for gratitude already.  Though I truly try to have a grateful heart always.  Sometimes I just have to be more focused on finding specific gratitude things. So very grateful to be able to pick up the phone and get in to see the dentist.  Grateful for a warm sweatshirt to put on. We're still adjusting to the new furnaces and it feels cold to me.  But then lately I'm always cold.  Was looking for another sweatshirt so I have plenty to choose from and was struck by the fact that I have lots of sweaters and sweatshirts to wear - a luxury for sure. I'm grateful for warm socks and good shoes.  Mostly today I'm grateful for the chance to try again to be better.  I might be sort of good.  Striving (always) for better and best; want my best self to be the best disciple of the Savior.

I Love Fall -

- and I wouldn't mind winter so much if I didn't worry so about all my loved ones driving on the icy streets.  The Husband finally said it was cold in the house, could we turn on the furnaces.  Yup, they work nicely.  It's getting colder and I'm of the mind that if the furnaces are on we are dressing for the season so it's long-sleeve time.  Managed to set up an appointment for the annual tune-up - didn't know that in order for the furnace warranties to be effective they are required to be annually serviced.  Fortunately we've a coupon she'll honor even though it'll be expired.

So Pretty.

Went to lunch with my friend.  They were on their 20th anniversary/retirement celebration cruise.  Had invited us to go but it didn't work out for us. I missed her a lot.  Anyway, our lunch was just delightful - I was gone for four hours.  And could have stayed longer.  They brought us the cutest little hand-painted espresso cups from Sorrento. No, we don't drink espresso, but they are just perfect for our after dinner chocolate chips.  I'm so grateful for those two friends.

Headed to Utah county for the birthday of our youngest grandchild.  He's ten today and requested that I make a german chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting.  He seemed appreciative, said the cake was good.  We gave him a card with a bit of money inside.  He was excited about the money.  Then read the words on the card, looked up at me and said,"I'm going to save this card.  I like what was written in there more than the money."  Melted my heart. 

The guy is coming either today or Monday to winterize the sprinkler system.  Haven't ever done that before in the 24 years we've lived here.  But it's time for some help, he offered and the cost isn't too awfully high.  All those years I pondered how we'd handle things when we got older and blithely said, oh, we'll just hire someone:  I was thinking in those long ago year's prices.  It's scary how much things cost.  Really.   The last couple years have been challenging with all the expenses of things that have been required to maintain our home.  I'm not ungrateful for our home, or for the ability to pay for all of this.  It just doesn't seem like any of it is fun stuff .  Still hoping for a bit of fun before I die.  :^)

I like this.

Was given a gift card to Etsy, labored long and hard over what to get with that generosity.  Eventually bought a set of three rings:  The Husband's initial, my initial and a little heart.  I got the wrong size (not on purpose)  but the rings fit on the index finger of my left hand just fine.  I often look at it as a reminder of the blessing of my best friend and how grateful I am for him.  

I'm deeply grateful today for grandchildren who act like you matter.  Grateful for a discount from one at the grocery, he's always helping us out there. Grateful for good furnaces, a good roof and all the comforts/luxuries/privileges that we have living in this home, in this area and even in this country, as flawed as it all seems.  I'm so grateful for the chance every day to be better - to try harder to control those annoyances that flare up and cause frustration.  Grateful for repentance, for the sacrifice of our Savior.  I'm often humbled by it all.