When I had trouble with the television, I couldn't find something I needed and had broken a glass (it jumped out of the cupboard when I opened the door) and I hadn't yet been out of bed 45 minutes!
I also managed to spill soup on The Husband's leg and I won't go in to the other issues. Thank heavens it is now oh-dark-thirty and I can brush my teeth, get my jammies on and settle in for the duration.
Tomorrow should be a different story. I'm counting on it.
Shopping
Not fond of shopping: don't like to spend money, dislike crowds, and would rather do something else with my time. Consequently, we avoided the stores this weekend. Stayed far away from them, didn't want any part of Black Friday.
So it was with some surprise that I headed out this morning for some errand-running and Christmas gift gathering, i.e. shopping to find that I was nearly alone in my efforts. I managed to acquire some of what I needed, was only disappointed in one item, and didn't have to push, poke, or pummel anyone to do it.
Wasn't a bad 4 hours. (Although I came home physically tired and mentally frazzled.)
So it was with some surprise that I headed out this morning for some errand-running and Christmas gift gathering, i.e. shopping to find that I was nearly alone in my efforts. I managed to acquire some of what I needed, was only disappointed in one item, and didn't have to push, poke, or pummel anyone to do it.
Wasn't a bad 4 hours. (Although I came home physically tired and mentally frazzled.)
Heaven
Last night I was going to post this (but neglected my computer): I sure hope Heaven includes fresh, hot, buttered popcorn.
This morning I'm thinking I still hope that. But I'm also hoping the availability of fresh, hot, buttered popcorn is limited.
This morning I'm thinking I still hope that. But I'm also hoping the availability of fresh, hot, buttered popcorn is limited.
Holiday Magic
I noticed this phrase multiple times today when reading the newspaper. There was lots of advice being given about how to have Holiday Magic in our homes; how the purchase of just the right thing promotes that holiday magic; that holiday magic is a "must have".
I love that word "magic." Have felt it's presence in my life on numerous occasions. For instance: I'll never forget the magic of that first kiss from The Husband. wow.... And I still feel that magic when he holds my hand.
There is magic in a hug, especially from the grandchilluns. And in a smile - even from a complete stranger. There can be magic in music.
I've also found magic in words - like: "please come" or "sit here by me" or "I so enjoy when...." or "would you please...." or "I Love You".
What exactly is Holiday Magic and why is it so important? That idyllic, picture perfect feeling around the holidays is often elusive. People get sick, they're grumpy or unkind or tired, selfishness runs rampant.
I contend that "magic" can be a manifestation of care and concern for another. That it could - and should - permeate our actions every day of the year, not just around ThanksGiving and Christmas.
And if I could, I would wave my magic wand and spread magic sprinkles across the heart of all around me and then loan them my magic wand to sprinkle their own brand of magic through their circle (including family, friends and acquaintances) and so on.
What magic we could create.
I love that word "magic." Have felt it's presence in my life on numerous occasions. For instance: I'll never forget the magic of that first kiss from The Husband. wow.... And I still feel that magic when he holds my hand.
There is magic in a hug, especially from the grandchilluns. And in a smile - even from a complete stranger. There can be magic in music.
I've also found magic in words - like: "please come" or "sit here by me" or "I so enjoy when...." or "would you please...." or "I Love You".
What exactly is Holiday Magic and why is it so important? That idyllic, picture perfect feeling around the holidays is often elusive. People get sick, they're grumpy or unkind or tired, selfishness runs rampant.
I contend that "magic" can be a manifestation of care and concern for another. That it could - and should - permeate our actions every day of the year, not just around ThanksGiving and Christmas.
And if I could, I would wave my magic wand and spread magic sprinkles across the heart of all around me and then loan them my magic wand to sprinkle their own brand of magic through their circle (including family, friends and acquaintances) and so on.
What magic we could create.
Tuesday Into Wednesday
We were just heading out the door last night for Tithing Settlement and Home Teaching when my cell phone rang. It was The Granddaughter calling from the south - or is it east - or is it the south/east? Anyway, because of difficulties beyond her control, she had not made her flight connections coming home for the holiday. She had a new schedule: arriving here in the Salt Lake Valley @ midnight + 15 minutes. With the final leg of her journey leaving at 8:50 a.m.
We managed to content ourselves with our iPads until 11:30 (time to leave for the airport). What fun it was to see her and to share sleepy conversation on the drive home. To sleep (perchance to dream) at 1:30 this a.m., out of bed at 6:15 a.m., out the door at 6:45 a.m. arriving at the airport to a sense of dismay at the l-o-n-g line for security. She made it through in pretty quick time, we stopped for french toast at Kneaders on the way home; it is 9:30 a.m., we've been out and about, watched the sun rise (my absolute favorite time of the day!), eaten, showered and the day has barely begun.
Spending time with those we cherish: always the best way to begin anything.
Now it is on to the cooking, baking, cooking, cleaning, preparing, baking, cooking for the big day tomorrow. Hoping all goes well.
And if I'm lucky: a quick nap!
We managed to content ourselves with our iPads until 11:30 (time to leave for the airport). What fun it was to see her and to share sleepy conversation on the drive home. To sleep (perchance to dream) at 1:30 this a.m., out of bed at 6:15 a.m., out the door at 6:45 a.m. arriving at the airport to a sense of dismay at the l-o-n-g line for security. She made it through in pretty quick time, we stopped for french toast at Kneaders on the way home; it is 9:30 a.m., we've been out and about, watched the sun rise (my absolute favorite time of the day!), eaten, showered and the day has barely begun.
Spending time with those we cherish: always the best way to begin anything.
Now it is on to the cooking, baking, cooking, cleaning, preparing, baking, cooking for the big day tomorrow. Hoping all goes well.
And if I'm lucky: a quick nap!
Scary
Is it just because it is Monday, or is it because I'm old? Standing in the check-out line at the store, discovered my wallet was at home on the counter. Holding all the things necessary for checking out at the store. Required a wallet-retrieval-round-trip before I could bring The Husband home his things.
Sigh....
Sigh....
Where Am I?
Heading off to a wedding reception in a little burg we're not super familiar with. So we plug the destination in to the navigation system on The Charger. And we're doing fine until we get close. That gal who has been speaking directions keeps insisting that we turn right. So we turn right. And there's nothing, just a street full of houses - said houses with Halloween decorations, Christmas lights and some in complete darkness. Just an average street. With nary a reception center in sight.
We turn around and head back to the main thoroughfare and she continues to insist we turn around and go right.
But....there across the street is a little gravel lane with small fenceposts entwined with lights. Surely this must be the reception center. And it is.
The navigation lady, however, isn't convinced. So, we'll let her go down the street to wherever it is she's going, and we'll head in for some congratulating, some chatting and some cookies. I think we'll have the better time.
We turn around and head back to the main thoroughfare and she continues to insist we turn around and go right.
But....there across the street is a little gravel lane with small fenceposts entwined with lights. Surely this must be the reception center. And it is.
The navigation lady, however, isn't convinced. So, we'll let her go down the street to wherever it is she's going, and we'll head in for some congratulating, some chatting and some cookies. I think we'll have the better time.
Meister Eckhart
Came across a couple of his quotes today:
"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." I like this - it encourages me to be brave.
But the one I love and that is most appropriate for ThanksGiving Month:
"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is "thank you" that will be enough." Now I know that there are many prayers that need to be uttered (whether aloud or in your heart) but I do believe that the one of thanks is the very most important.
"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." I like this - it encourages me to be brave.
But the one I love and that is most appropriate for ThanksGiving Month:
"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is "thank you" that will be enough." Now I know that there are many prayers that need to be uttered (whether aloud or in your heart) but I do believe that the one of thanks is the very most important.
Grumbled
My heart grumbled - for the teensiest of moments today. Until my head arm-wrestled my heart into submission. Service wasn't meant to always be convenient. Or to be what we choose. (In fact, I'm guessing, that simply by virtue of being service there must be some sacrifice involved.) So, heart, get with the program and joyfully spend the time and effort required to let He Who Counts know you're serious about being a Follower.
Later today, I was grateful to be home and available when the 5-year-old (being tended daily by his Grandma across the street - she's an amazing, nurturing, caring woman) came home to an empty house. My heart just ached for his distress. He was accepting of my hugs, but they couldn't begin to compare to his Grandma's or his Mom's.
I came to adulthood in a "hug deficit". I have come to know there is great power in a sincere hug. In whatever form. And am consistently warmed and grateful to those who aren't hesitant about giving out hugs.
Later today, I was grateful to be home and available when the 5-year-old (being tended daily by his Grandma across the street - she's an amazing, nurturing, caring woman) came home to an empty house. My heart just ached for his distress. He was accepting of my hugs, but they couldn't begin to compare to his Grandma's or his Mom's.
I came to adulthood in a "hug deficit". I have come to know there is great power in a sincere hug. In whatever form. And am consistently warmed and grateful to those who aren't hesitant about giving out hugs.
Today's Downs and Ups
I'm the one who always wants the bad news first. I never did understand why the good first - then you get the bad news last and you're left down in the dumps instead of up with optimism!.
So...the down: Only finding one pair of jeans for The Husband. Still coughing. And being stunned by the lady behind me in line at Kohl's telling the checker she wants my 30% off instead of her own 20%. (I really found this pretty gutty!)
The Ups: Being taken to lunch by my Sweetie, and getting a couple of free meals at Cafe Rio. Finding a pair of jeans for The Husband and managing to get them for roughly 70% off. Finding just the right Christmas thing for the ladies I visit teach - and getting them for about 60% off. (I really hate spending money but love, love, love getting a good deal, which doesn't happen often enough.)
And the best UP of the day: coming home and getting into comfy clothes, having stuff for dinner that requires minimal preparation and getting a huge hug.
So...the down: Only finding one pair of jeans for The Husband. Still coughing. And being stunned by the lady behind me in line at Kohl's telling the checker she wants my 30% off instead of her own 20%. (I really found this pretty gutty!)
The Ups: Being taken to lunch by my Sweetie, and getting a couple of free meals at Cafe Rio. Finding a pair of jeans for The Husband and managing to get them for roughly 70% off. Finding just the right Christmas thing for the ladies I visit teach - and getting them for about 60% off. (I really hate spending money but love, love, love getting a good deal, which doesn't happen often enough.)
And the best UP of the day: coming home and getting into comfy clothes, having stuff for dinner that requires minimal preparation and getting a huge hug.
Elizabeth Bibesco
Hadn't heard of this woman before, but apparently I'm in the minority. Anyway, ran across this quote from her that struck a chord.
"Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting."
Wise woman.
"Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting."
Wise woman.
Girls Dinner
I looked forward all week to going to dinner with my two daughters (and one granddaughter). It is a rare treasure for just the three of us to spend some time together. (Thanks, My Love, for your encouragement and support of this.) Hoping that the daughters didn't mind me talking so much, monopolizing the conversation. Hoping that at some future time the daughters will forgive me for all the mistakes I've made as a mother. Hoping that they will always understand how grateful we are for them, that they were sent to us.
Hoping for more Girls' Dinners in the future. (There are lots more restaurants to try!)
Hoping for more Girls' Dinners in the future. (There are lots more restaurants to try!)
Pressure
I've been feeling some pressure. My stack of books from the library is growing faster than I'm able to keep up with them. And the majority of them are non-renewable. So I used my cold as today's excuse to stay inside with my feet up and I finished off one I'd previously started. And then read another, cover-to-cover. Amazing what a good read will do for my spirits.
Best quote of the day (from The Husband): Chocolate is good.
Off to fix some homemade chicken noodle soup for the kids who are passing through on their way to their out-of-state home. Hoping it'll be good for what ails me. It wouldn't hurt if they would like it, too.
Best quote of the day (from The Husband): Chocolate is good.
Off to fix some homemade chicken noodle soup for the kids who are passing through on their way to their out-of-state home. Hoping it'll be good for what ails me. It wouldn't hurt if they would like it, too.
Wise
Read this the other day: a wisdom rampage. Loved the phrase. Want one - a rampage of wisdom that is.
Mark Twain
The family has been here for a couple days - and what a hug to my heart it has been to see them. Thus, the posting on this blog has been set aside while we've chatted and eaten and chatted and eaten some more. (4 pizzas were just enough.)
However, the other day I read this quote by Mark Twain that I so love - and want to incorporate into my life, my mind and my heart:
"Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
However, the other day I read this quote by Mark Twain that I so love - and want to incorporate into my life, my mind and my heart:
"Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
Today's Theme: I'm An Idiot!
I'm laughing and shaking my head in humiliation at the same time. Thought I'd do a little stitching and catch up on some recorded tv at the same time.
Tried and tried to get the tv and dvr to work. Even complained about it to The Husband. Being the engineer he is, he finally says to me, "Do you have the right remote control?"
We have 3 remotes - all the same, but programmed for the specific tv's. I had carried the one from the family room into my sewing room and tried to use it on the wrong tv.
Where's my dunce hat?
Tried and tried to get the tv and dvr to work. Even complained about it to The Husband. Being the engineer he is, he finally says to me, "Do you have the right remote control?"
We have 3 remotes - all the same, but programmed for the specific tv's. I had carried the one from the family room into my sewing room and tried to use it on the wrong tv.
Where's my dunce hat?
Want
Been running up against something a lot lately - seems like it's more than usual. The Husband tells me this is one of the "challenges" that I was blessed with. Maybe....but it certainly can get aggravating.
People delight in telling me what to do. Generally, I think the intention is to help. But also, generally, the conversation begins, ends or consists of: "what you need to do..." From being rebuked for walking on some rocks in a parking lot median (you know - those curbs filled with plants and rocks) to being told what kind of countertops I must get, to being berated for not attending R.S. enrichment, to how I should interact with my adult children, to how I wear my hair. It runs the gamut and this list is by no means comprehensive.
Now, I have never really been a rebellious spirit. And I've done my best to accomodate people over the years. But somewhere in my 50's I decided that the only person I really needed to be obedient to was Heavenly Father. And I do my best in that arena. (And He is the only person I really need to answer to.)
So, why do I have to suffer with all this direction? One mother is fine. And I have one. I'm not in school so I don't need another teacher. I'm not currently working so don't need a "boss", and there's only one General Manager of The Universe and I fully acknowledge that it isn't any of the people living on this earth.
I managed to get to 60 years of age without killing myself (or anyone else), I'm fine with my choice in countertop, attending R. S. enrichment is NOT mandatory, it is not productive to try to discipline any one other than myself, and my hair is just fine. Somehow people have gotten the idea that if I don't adhere to their standards/requirements/wishes then I am failing and need their direction.
Our lives are about choice and personal accountability. Notice I said "personal" accountability.
That said, I remember yelling at other drivers when they are idiots (IMHO) on the road, being frustrated by another's refusal to come with me to Jamba Juice ("I don't drink my calories"), not liking the books chosen for the Reader's Choice at the library, being irritated at someone's ignoring my e-mail - and I could go on and on.
The point: I'm just like everyone else. I want what I want, when I want it, where I want it, and I want everyone else to toe my line. The only difference is I really try to keep my thoughts about what I think others should do to myself. I'm not good at most things in this world. But in this I am making progress.
Now if I could only make others do the same.....(irony intended.)
People delight in telling me what to do. Generally, I think the intention is to help. But also, generally, the conversation begins, ends or consists of: "what you need to do..." From being rebuked for walking on some rocks in a parking lot median (you know - those curbs filled with plants and rocks) to being told what kind of countertops I must get, to being berated for not attending R.S. enrichment, to how I should interact with my adult children, to how I wear my hair. It runs the gamut and this list is by no means comprehensive.
Now, I have never really been a rebellious spirit. And I've done my best to accomodate people over the years. But somewhere in my 50's I decided that the only person I really needed to be obedient to was Heavenly Father. And I do my best in that arena. (And He is the only person I really need to answer to.)
So, why do I have to suffer with all this direction? One mother is fine. And I have one. I'm not in school so I don't need another teacher. I'm not currently working so don't need a "boss", and there's only one General Manager of The Universe and I fully acknowledge that it isn't any of the people living on this earth.
I managed to get to 60 years of age without killing myself (or anyone else), I'm fine with my choice in countertop, attending R. S. enrichment is NOT mandatory, it is not productive to try to discipline any one other than myself, and my hair is just fine. Somehow people have gotten the idea that if I don't adhere to their standards/requirements/wishes then I am failing and need their direction.
Our lives are about choice and personal accountability. Notice I said "personal" accountability.
That said, I remember yelling at other drivers when they are idiots (IMHO) on the road, being frustrated by another's refusal to come with me to Jamba Juice ("I don't drink my calories"), not liking the books chosen for the Reader's Choice at the library, being irritated at someone's ignoring my e-mail - and I could go on and on.
The point: I'm just like everyone else. I want what I want, when I want it, where I want it, and I want everyone else to toe my line. The only difference is I really try to keep my thoughts about what I think others should do to myself. I'm not good at most things in this world. But in this I am making progress.
Now if I could only make others do the same.....(irony intended.)
I'm Between #4 and #5
Read this yesterday:
The Five Stages of a Woman's Life
1. To Grow Up
2. To Fill Out
3. To Slim Down
4. To Hold It In
5. To Hell With It
I think I did # 1 and 2 ok; managed to do #3 kinda-sorta-maybe-not-really and am halfway between the last two.
The Five Stages of a Woman's Life
1. To Grow Up
2. To Fill Out
3. To Slim Down
4. To Hold It In
5. To Hell With It
I think I did # 1 and 2 ok; managed to do #3 kinda-sorta-maybe-not-really and am halfway between the last two.
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