The Art Of...

Talking on the telephone.  Decided I'm not good at it.  My rhythm is all wrong.  Some people have a knack for speaking, then waiting for a second.  This allows the other person time to speak if they wish. (I'm still working - sometimes successfully - on not interrupting.)  Don't have that natural pacing that allows the other person to jump in.  Facial expressions can give verbal clues when the other person wishes to speak.  Our home phone doesn't have the capability to show faces when speaking on it.

Swallow quickly!

Therefore, my private (I guess public, now) goal is to learn to speak more considerately on the telephone.  Slow down my processes, both mental and verbal, so as to have a more enjoyable conversation.  (But I should mention, I'm not really fond of talking on the phone.  Have spent many many hours doing it, not my happy way of spending time.) I truly am a work in progress. (Lots of work, questionable progress.)

And tonight's gratitude:  For our home teacher/friend who suggested this (old-fashioned, time-tested) remedy for my nagging uncomfortable cough. Equal parts apple cider vinegar, honey and water. So grateful for the suggestion, for having the (fairly inexpensive)  ingredients, and for the ability to place it on the back of my tongue so I almost don't taste it.

Middle-of-the-Week Mind Meanderings

The setting moon / dawning day.  Lovely.

Felt good to be back on the trail this morning, even though it was only 10 degrees.  The days are getting longer; feels like the earth is getting ready to spring out of its winter bed. (Wish my phone camera could capture the stillness and peace of the sunrise / moonset.  It was the very best way to start my day.)

When you're not feeling good, you're home alone and a bit lonesome, it's a good day to watch a silly Lifetime Channel movie and have a bit of a cry.  Best done when feeling congested, lonesome and there's no one to see your silliness.

I've always been intrigued by names - the things people choose to name their children and those surnames that I always wonder where they originated.  Ran across this surname in the paper this morning:  Surprise.  What fun could be had with this as a last name.

It's been nearly 3 months since I was released as Emergency Preparedness Chair.  And even though it was never one of those callings I felt comfortable in, it surely is hard to get it out of my mind.  I keep thinking of things, seeing things, that I want to pass along to the members of the ward.  Weird to me how I still feel "ownership" of it.

And tonight's gratitude: for a DVR that enables me to record silly Lifetime Channel movies! (And I even know how to program it!!)

Body

It's no secret I'm discontent with my body.  I could enumerate the ways, but what fun is that?

I confess I'm a thigh-watcher.  I always look at women's (and on the rare occasion men's) thighs.  And there is some comparison there even though I know that's a bad, bad, bad thing to do.  I so wish I was one of those women who have thinner thighs; whose thighs don't rub together when they walk; who don't have to replace jeans because of specific worn out spots.  (Do men have this problem?)

Isn't it true the camera adds a minimum of 10 pounds?

I was doing pretty well until lately.  Something happened.  Don't know exactly what.  But about the time I discovered the bathroom scales were out of whack, I started noticing a strange swish, swish when I walk.  Yep, those thighs of mine are starting to reach out to each other.  I think they think they want to be best friends or something.

Wish I knew what to do to make them enemies and shrink away from each other.  It can't be that I eat too much.  Or that I like chocolate.  Or that I don't exercise enough.  Must be my age.  Or my slow metabolism.  Or my genes.  Whatever....I won't be able to have a career in anything that requires stealth.  They'll hear me coming.

Cold, Still

Am I the only one that talks to other drivers?  (When I'm driving my car, they are also driving their car and there is no possible way they can hear me!)  Today I noticed myself saying, "Seriously?" more than a couple times.  Also:  "Just where do you think you're going? It's my turn! and Really, you're really going to do that?"  (I'm lonesome - The Husband is 785 miles from me!)

I also wonder why they "lane closed ahead for roadwork" (with the requisite 2,000 cones blocking the lane, forcing merging)  six miles before there is any sign of roadwork, and then the only sign of roadwork is an empty truck blocking the road and no sign of any human being anywhere.

Headed into Rumbi Grill for a bowl of their fabulous Bahama Mama's Tortilla Soup.  Pulled out my frequent diner card  - only to find it full!!  Free bowl of soup for me.  Made it taste extra delicious.

I prefer Puffs over Kleenex.

And the reason for my foray out into the real world?  Tissues!  I have used all the tissues in several boxes, depleting my supply.  And I still have a need for sneezing-nose-blowing-cough-catching tissues.   I think I'm set now for the duration of this particular cold.  And perhaps for a while longer - six boxes ought to last for awhile.  

Today's gratitude:  For a gracious son-in-law who (I think) will forgive us for not calling him on his birthday. Happy Birthday - and Happy day every day until the next birthday comes around.

Saturday

Morning view toward Corner Canyon through snowfall.

Slept in - between coughing fits

Snowing.

Saw a movie - Snitch.  A much more serious movie than I expected.

Snowing more.

Sizzler for supper and salad bar (with coupon).

Snowing still.

Shoveling of snow.

Snow melt on steps.

Six-thirty p.m. and seriously... more snow.

If It's Thursday (And It Is) It Must Be Time For Fun

Skipped the morning exercise (no time, not feeling quite up to it yet) and headed out for our appointment with our friendly Tax Preparer.  Came away ready to celebrate.  Won't have to pay quite the large check that we anticipated.  Of course, it is only a preliminary estimate and we knew the severance was going to cause some pain - tax wise - still this was better news than expected.

So, of course we had to celebrate.  Stopped in at Bake 360 (a rarity for us) and got a little treat.  This baker bakes the best baked confections ever!  I adore his croissants.

More piano / flute practice and I think we've got the number nailed down.  She plays so lovely.

Then it was off to lunch at a favorite restaurant with a favorite person.  I'm so grateful for kind friends.

And yes, it is another tree picture.  Looked out the powder room window this morning at the sunshine on our pine with just a dusting of fresh snow.  This tree is probably 20 feet tall now (perhaps taller, it's hard to tell from my 5' perspective).  When we planted this little beauty, it was about 6 feet tall.  That first winter the winds howled and blew and by springtime there was not a single (nary a one!) needle left on it.  Never quick to give up on a plant, we just kept watering it and talking to it.  (The birdies love it!)  And look at it now...it really bestows beauty on our yard.

Today's gratitude:  (Other than having all the errands done so I can stay home all day tomorrow) for sunshine, and laughter and people who accept me warts and all....and also for cough lozenges.

Head Cold, Still

I decided yesterday's pile of frustrations gave me a bit of a setback - felt pretty crummy so I spent the day on the couch.

I did however manage to come across a quote that I think was meant just for me (I really do need to talk less and listen more.)   "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."  --Epictetus

This cute picture that I absolutely love was left for me on the fridge.  So true!

And tonight's gratitude:  For thoughtful people.

Too Much and It's Only Noon!

Tried for the very first time to send a picture to The Husband via text.  Didn't work.  (Decided later it was because I sent it to the wrong number.  Too many numbers, too many gadgets, too much technology!)

My iPod was acting up on my walk this morning - playing random songs not on the selected playlist.  When I came home I tried to charge it while I was on the computer.  It was "connected, eject before disconnecting."  But it didn't show up on iTunes and it wouldn't eject from the desktop.  Finally just unplugged it and it was frozen.  The Husband's favorite phrase about stuff like this when it happens is:  it just got confused.  Yeah, sure.

Then my computer "got confused" and wouldn't respond.  Thankfully nothing was running - browser, iTunes, whatever.  So I shut it down and restarted.  So far, so good.  I think.

Best quote for me today:  "Look on technology as a blessing.  It usually works and when it does it is wonderful.  When it doesn't it is frustrating.  But we are so far ahead of where we were 25 years ago."

Perhaps it is all just too much for my still cold-befuddled brain to ever get on top of.  Maybe the Luddites are on to something....

Poo that doesn't smell - YAY!

I decided to seize the day and walk on the trail (hoping the cold would clear my sinuses).  The trail goes past a horse boarding / school site.  This is a pile of horse poo that varies in size over the course of a year but right now is about 15 ft high by 20 feet wide by about 45 feet long (counted my steps).  So...today's gratitude (I needed to find something to be grateful for this morning):  for whatever reason, could be the weather or my cold or the wind - I actually couldn't smell that pile of poo this morning.  Sometimes it is enough to make my eyes water and my breath catch.  This morning I couldn't smell a thing.  Yes, that is reason enough to be grateful today.

Progress, VIP and stuff

I'm making progress with my cold.  My cough now sounds like a barking seal and my nose makes funny squeaking noises when blown.  All in all, I'm finding my way back to the living.  (I fear the cough will stick with me for the next year, but I'll cope, somehow.)

Most often in my life I've felt invisible, unimportant, of little value. Much less often do I feel a sense of worth.  But there are times....  Every single one of my grandchildren have learned to give the very-best-most-heartfelt-hugs there are.  I don't know where they learned this.  But I love it. And when they reach out, willingly, to dispense one of their (should be trademarked) hugs to me I feel - for a brief instant - the most very important person in the world.  I'm so glad Heavenly Father created hugs! (And granchilluns to give them!)

I've been invited to accompany the daughter when she plays a flute solo in church.  We sat together today to pick out something to play.  What fun to re-kindle my love for music, for playing the piano and to fill our home with those sweetest notes (at least they're mostly sweet, occasionally a sour one will creep in).

I haven't always been a fan of oranges.  Never really cared for the taste.  Several years ago I discovered this variety of oranges (Cara Cara) that I absolutely love!  I stock up on them whenever I find them for sale and we keep them in the garage where it is cool.  This is what happened this morning....an empty bag.  It's off to Costco this week to see if they still have some.  It's the perfect way to start my breakfast.

Today's gratitude:  for a lunch invitation!  What fun to share a meal, some conversation, a bit of laughter and hugs (some vitamins for the soul) with some of our favorite people!

Sick

I'm rarely sick.  I dislike being sick.  I avoid it at all costs.  I wash my hands - a lot.  I try to not touch things I think might be detrimental to my health.  I try to not be in the path of someone's cough.

But...I did it.  I caught a cold.  Haven't a clue where it came from, could be anywhere that I've been as I've traversed the valley doing errands, placing myself in the path of the cold virus that just had me targeted.

And I've been miserable.  (I generally try to go with the use of understatement to make my case.  Not this time...I really am miserable.  And yes, it's just a silly cold.)  Just walking through the house makes me weary.

I've been a slacker - haven't vacuumed or cleaned house or done much cooking.  I've worn gloves to prepare The Husband's food (and been careful to not cough on him - it would be awful if he got this cold!).

Today, after 2 1/2 days on the couch, moaning and whining and hacking and honking I needed to leave this house.  So off we went to Olive Garden (where we rejected several pieces of dirty silver) for some of their salad and Zupa Toscano.  This did more for my spirits than the actual food did for my body.  I loved being out in the 46 degree sunshine.

I came home exhausted, but gratefully so.  What a blessing to have the resources to get out and about and splurge on a meal someone else has fixed, have it served to you (with a smile) and eat your fill, waddling home with a bulging tummy.

Tonight's gratitude:  for the knowledge that in a few days I'll be over this!  And the reminder of how grateful I am for generally good health - a huge blessing!

Valentine's Day

The Husband and I haven't ever really done Valentine's Day.  We have a natural reluctance to buy into the marketing hype that demands obligatory (including monetary) expressions of care and concern.  (We have, rather, tried to make every day an expression of our deep abiding love and commitment to each other. And He's been rather successful at that!)

Paradoxically:  in the farthest, teeniest corner of my heart resides a wish / hope that surfaces every year -  that I would receive a valentine.  Silly, ridiculous, irrational and unimportant.  Yes, my head knows that.  Still....

Card, hearts and love:  perfect!

So I got up this morning (feeling crummy with a blossoming cold) to find this on my desk.  Not only a sweet, sincere, heartfelt card - but chocolate as well!  My wish came true! I received a valentine!

In addition, first thing this morning I received an email from our daughter thanking me for sending valentines to her chilluns (some of our grandchilluns).  And I received a smile from the grandson in response to the one I gave him.  So loved the transformation on his face. A Hug from The Husband for the valentine I gave him rounded out the morning.

Giver's Name Hidden :^)

The day has started out wonderfully in spite of my head's congestion.

This morning's gratitude: for someone opening up their heart to me, and not only accepting me, but welcoming me as well. Thanks, My Love, my life was bereft of joy before you.

Update:  I received another valentine and a hug!  Best Valentine's Day!

Observation on a Wednesday

Perusing a magazine in a waiting room I came across another new diet.  (This was a fitness magazine.)  The 8 hour diet.  The premise:  basically a semi-low-carb diet, but with the twist that you can eat as much as you like as often as you like as long as you only eat during an 8 hour window each day.  Not quite sure I get this one.  (The requisite waiting room TV had Dr. Oz on touting the benefits of the HCG diet.  Made me want to come home and stuff my face with chocolate. Diet information overload.)

Heading out of a building, running a gauntlet of 7 or 8 guys standing / blocking the exit, I notice one of the guys wearing (and I'm dead serious here) what appears to be a soft-pleated skirt.  Black.  With socks and sneakers.  And some kind of head gear - like a ball cap.  Stifled the impulse to ask him where he got the skirt.  Wasn't sure what kind of reception I'd get if I did.   ( I really, really wish I could go back and do over that particular couple of minutes to be sure I saw what I thought I saw.  Really do.)

Had a chance to drive The Husband's Charger today.  Forgot how much more fun it is to be the pilot rather than the passenger.  Restrained the itch to take it for a spin on the open road - (even though it has a full tank of gas) and just cruise along.  I love that power.  Wish I wasn't so practical - I'd have a much more fun car to drive.  I think I need some more fun.

Steps

The Husband's new employer has a health plan.  A free pedometer is available to track one's steps.  The information is downloaded to the computer software and somewhere along the line there are rewards for being active.

It is supposed to work with most any activity, but I discovered that it works much better at walking than on the elliptical.  (The elliptical workout registered about 1/3 of the "steps" taken.)  But, whatever, I'm happy to track my steps (do my part) if it will be of benefit to our little family.

After 3.25 miles and an hour on the treadmill I was pleased with the numbers.

Been thinking about steps a lot since I started wearing this little device.  Wondering where my steps take me, am I going good places, and am I having fun along the way.  All good things to think about as I meander through this life, on my way to a better place.  At least that's my hope - that my steps will always lead me to a better place.

Monday's Beauty

Today was the kind of Monday that all the other Mondays wish they could be.  I found myself productive, positive and pleasantly contented the entire day.

I have a sense I've shared this quote before, but I do really like it:  "The sun will not rise, or set, without my notice and thanks."  --Winslow Homer

And that reminds me of The Husband's life motto which we had done over the window that looks out over the back yard.

Makes me think of Louis Armstrong

Tomorrow might bring perplexities, problems and predicaments, but today, I felt gratitude.  This is a wonderful world.

Pictures

Haven't ever really been good at photography.  In the old days, it was w-a-y too expensive to have the pictures developed.  Consequently I never got in the habit of seeing a picture in the everyday.

Then, along came the smartphone.  (Thanks, former employer, for gifting The Husband a couple phones, one of which he gifted to me!)  Which included a camera.  Which is most always in the pocket of my jeans.  Which has encouraged me to keep an eye out for things to capture in picture form.

Until today....when I walked out of the house without my phone; without my camera.  On a day when I saw several things I wished to snap.

Obligingly, The Husband snapped a shot of the melted-snow-turned-to-water-that-froze around the base of this tree.  Very slick (as ice is wont to be)!!

We managed to get our errands done, run into a previous neighbor from years ago (and man, does he look old!) and yet another neighbor from not quite so many years ago (she hasn't changed a bit) and prompt numerous people to stop in and get an ice cream when we advertised the ice cream by sitting on the bench outside the cafe at Scheel's licking our $.79 cones.

Today's gratitude: listening to the older woman say to her husband as she handed him her cellphone -  "He's locked out of the house and the battery's dead" and being thankful this was their particular emergency, not ours.

Wish I Had A Picture

Walking along the sidewalk, stepped on a seam that was raised and practically fell on my keister (that's where it might have been good to have a picture).  I was so very graceful.  (And I'm wondering if I squealed - some old guy just rounding the corner ahead of us turned back to make sure I was ok.  Hate to make a scene!) Now....I have an extremely sore foot.  Wonder if I broke a bone in it?

Saw one of The Piano Guys - Steven Sharp Nelson - (I expected him to be taller.....) with some people today.  Watched a cute tween go up to him and tell him how much she loved his music videos, and mentioned her favorite, although since I was in eavesdropping mode, I missed which one she said.  It warmed my heart the way he greeted her and chatted with her for a minute.  As she walked off, I could tell she thought that was very cool, but that she had also been brave to go up and talk to a stranger - albeit a fairly famous one.

And tonight's gratitude:  a fabulous warm down comforter to sleep under while the wind and snow rage outside.

Oddity

Decided on a whim to visit The Corner Bakery for lunch.  Rarely do I look around to see who is there when I enter, but today I did.  Saw a couple friends who graciously invited me to share their table. What a delight it was to chat with them - lifted my spirits.

Then stopped at the grocery on my way home.  Used the self check-out.  In the coin / change return I found this pile of coins.  Mentioned the coins to the attendant.  He said,"Do you want them? I'll just turn them in to the office."  After saying that I doubted anyone would come back for $.83 he agreed, said it happens all the time and to just enjoy the money.  How much less like stealing it felt when I had "permission" to take it.  (Although it still somehow seemed just a teensy bit wrong.)

And...The Husband returns tonight and all will be well with the world again.  I've missed him.  Perhaps I should reward him with a home cooked meal tomorrow night.  I wonder where I can get one of those?

And I stumbled on this quote that has been today's favorite:  "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."  --Helen Keller

Compulsive

Went to lunch with a friend (so enjoyed it - fun!) at Five Guys.  Still full, hours later.  The fries were especially good today.

Anyway, walked in and waited in line to place our order when I noticed the gal in front of us.  Now, I try to ignore this fashion faux pas.  Most people do.  Since I didn't think I could actually do anything about it, I simply snapped this photo.  (Didn't want to embarrass my friend with my weird behavior.)

I have been known to walk up to complete strangers and ask them if I could fix their hood.  It seems that lots of people apparently enjoy wearing their hoods inside out.  It bothers that very small corner of my soul that likes things neat and tidy. (I do live with a fair amount of mess and confusion - doesn't mean I like it, just that I live with it.)

My family members all endure my hood-straightening impulses with good humor.  I try to ignore it, but I guess I'm a bit compulsive about hoods (and I'm a big fan of hoodies) that are "just right" right side out.  I suppose there are worse things to be compulsive about.  But, really, can I fix your hood for you?

Humbled / Puzzled

I'm often humbled (and puzzled) by things that happen in life.  Yes, they could often be coincidences.  I choose to believe, though, that occurrences are frequently a means of reminding me how I should behave, remember what my priorities are and that I should always be kind.  Because, you just never know.

First spot directly in front of the store.

Driving from the street into the parking lot of the store, I spied the perfect spot and headed right towards it.  Only to find someone had come out of nowhere and commandeered my chosen parking place.  Having learned that it doesn't really matter where I park (I just have preferences - like "endies"  the spots on the end where my chances of getting door-dinged are reduced by 50%) instead of bawling the guy out (from the safety of my car) I just said: aw, darn, and drove on.  

Only to find this primo spot right in front of the door - where I've never before found an empty spot at this particular store.  Things work out - and often for the better when I manage to rein in my base, selfish impulses.  Something I have the opportunity to work on every day. (Notice the murky air in the background of the picture. )

Not flowers, but frost.

And...it's back.  The inversion.  Although this one will be short lived.  Along with the inversion we've had some fog which causes some mighty lovely special effects on the plants.  I missed the best shot - the one of the trees in our amphitheater.  But these trees were still pretty all decorated in frost.

Tonight's gratitude:  For a snug, warm home that will feel more homey when The Husband returns.

Confession

Scales with my preferred weight.

I confess.  I envy.  I envy the "beautiful people":  those people who seem to effortlessly maintain slender physiques.  Now at 5' 1-1/2" (I usually just say 5'2") tall, I'm w-a-y too short for my weight.  I come from a family of plump people, so it is safe to say the genes are stacked against me.

I try really hard to eat healthy.  Including the good-for-everything-that-ails-you chocolate.   I exercise generally 5 out of every 7 days. Nevertheless, somewhere along the line I've plumped up like a fat chicken ready for the oven.

Haven't been super successful at weight loss efforts. I did lose 30 pounds, then broke my arm and promptly put 20 back on.  Thought I had safely stayed "down" those ten pounds.

Then, last week, our scales decided to have a melt-down.  Nothing for it but to replace them.  Which we did.  Stepped on them and w-h-a-t???  I gained 5 pounds just stepping on a different scale!?!  GAH!! I want my old scales back.

And then, to top off the reality of today being Monday, found a piece of button on the floor.  Yep...my favorite sweater (and they're mostly all my favorite - just like colors, can't pick one and only) somehow decided to pop it's top button.  (And it wasn't because I'm too fat for my sweater!)

So, today's gratitude:  that it's almost time for bed and tomorrow will be a better day; if I'm lucky.  (Insert smiley face here.)

And today's inspirational quote I stumbled on:  "Let your dreams be bigger than your fears, your actions louder than your words, and your faith stronger than your feelings."

February 1st!

Between the bitter cold temperatures and the nasty inversion, it has been at least a month since I was able to walk on the trail.  So it was a wonderful treat to be able to do my 5 1/4 miles on the trail this morning.

The leaves are clear to see!

I so love this time of year.  Generally speaking, the deep freeze of January is done, it most likely won't get that cold for that extended period of time again this winter.  The weeks-long inversions are history for the duration of this season.  The days are getting noticeably longer.

Should've used the flash to show these buds.

And I've been noticing for about the past week that the plants are starting the long process of budding out.  I always delight to see the plants decide that they've napped long enough and it's time to shrug off their dormancy and begin to enjoy life again.

The most loaded shelves.

I took a bit of time this week to tidy and rotate goods in the pantry and a few drawers.  It is amazing how much better I feel about things when they're clean.  In fact, the pantry mostly looks just bare.  Next up:  the freezer!