Observant

I've received a bit of teasing lately at how unobservant I am.  Discouraging.  Particularly since I've thought I was generally fairly observant.  I guess I've missed a few things.

However, I have seen some things.

Like the toddler bouncing out of the library with her Mom and siblings.  Dressed in a red and white horizontally striped t-shirt, pants.  And a sparkly, sparkly net skirt over the top.  With brown and yellow patterned galoshes on her feet.  Too cute.

Only a small corner of the field of yellow.
And this partial view (phone cameras have limits) of a yard around the corner.  A large field of grass covered in yellow.  So pretty.  (Yes, they're dandelions.  Yes, a weed.  Still:  yellow is a happy color - enough for me to notice anyway.)

And the guy I saw yesterday walking down the street; playing his guitar while he walked.  (I think I especially noticed this since I have such a hard time walking and doing much of anything else while I walk - I'm totally challenged that way.)  Unfortunately he was across the busy street so I couldn't hear the beautiful music I'm sure he was playing.

Which reminds me of a quote I read that I really like:  "Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart. --Pablo Casals

Perenial or Annual

I'm one of those "get the job done once and for all and don't think about it again" kind of people.  Just generally speaking.  (Yes, I'm lazy.)  And when it comes to yardwork I've always been the,"I'll just stay inside and iron, or read" kind of person. Don't care for the dirt, spiders, worms, slugs, and other nasties that come with working outside.  (And yes, I'm still lazy.)

So I'm sort of pro-perennial plants for the yard.  I have learned through experience though, that that doesn't mean plant once and they'll look beautiful forever.  Perennial plants can get rangy or sparse or they just "age out".  Another downside is that you don't get that punch of color that comes with the annuals.

I just cringe every time we look at annuals.  It seems such a monetary investment in such a short-term project.  But I'm getting better at just going along with the crowd on this one and plunging into the spring planting.

So Saturday we stopped in at Home Depot.  I love the spring/summer flowers!  It's like eye candy that truly lifts my soul.  (I'll never forget taking a toddler grandson in a cart through the garden center and listening to him just ooh and aah over all the pretty colors.  What a fun memory that is.)
44 small plants will hopefully beautify our small corner.

This morning was the time.  The Husband so graciously offered to do all the planting, and after all, he likes that gardening thing.  (I just like the results.)  But he is so very busy and works so hard to provide for us.  This is my personal sacrifice to indicate in a small way how grateful I am for him.

It only took about an hour or so.  I planted, fed, pruned some roses, and gave the thirsty little things a drink.  You'd think I wouldn't dread such a small investment of time quite so much.

Last year's results pleased our eyes the entire summer.  I was astonished that something I planted actually worked out.  (I never professed to be a gardener, just bumble my way through - like I seem to bumble my way through life.)  I'm a teensy apprehensive about whether or not today's efforts will flourish.

And to The Husband's credit:  I only received praise for my work, not a speck of criticism.  How kind he is, and gracious even when I know that often I don't quite measure up.

(And that brings to mind words from church yesterday.  She spoke about how people can disappoint us and we should love them anyway.  The corollary - in my mind - is that we (all of us) disappoint others.  Hopefully they will love us anyway.  Often they don't: friendships dissolve, marriages disintegrate.  Love should remain constant.)

Now I'm off to curl my hair, get lunch for The Husband, run to see a friend in the hospital, stop at the grocery - I feel such a sense of accomplishment and it isn't even noon.

Today's gratitude:  for the beauties of this astonishing world we enjoy.

Attaboy!

The Husband deserves a couple Attaboys!! tonight.  Not only did I drag him off to look at purses (so not his type of activity) but he acted interested, supportive and anxious to go.  Seriously, just when I'm in one of those moods, He does his utmost to make me feel like a princess.  (And if one "aw shucks" wipes out a thousand Attaboys, I think these Attaboys ought to wipe out at least several hundred "aw shucks.")
Would This Dogwood really grow in Utah?

He treated me to dinner at a tepanyaki - one of my favorite (and rarely eaten) kinds of meals!  At our table was a young couple:  covered fairly completely with tattoos and the young man had those discs in his earlobes.  They were most anxious to treat us to sake bombs (which we declined but were happy to applaud when they downed theirs).  They were quite pleasant (even-to-these-people-old-enough-to-be-their-grandparents) - a reminder to not "judge a book by its cover."

Stopped at Home Depot for some annuals for the garden in front of the porch.  (I actually did the planting last year and everything not only survived, it seemed to thrive, so I think I'll be the one doing the planting on Monday.)  The Husband ushered me over to the corner where he'd spied this stunning dogwood tree.  If we'd had the funds and a spot, I think he'd have brought it home with us.  Truly a feast for the eyes - even amongst all the other showy plants.

Not only does the earth come alive in the spring, but there is a vibrancy and buoyancy alive in the air.  It is as if people have also been hibernating and the minute there is some sun and warmth everyone emerges from their cocoons and radiates joy.  Fun.

And tonight's gratitude:  for a purse on sale!  Thanks My Love, even though I don't need or deserve it.



 

Yay! Friday!

A couple good things about today:

Today's fastest speed 21mph (going downhill...)
• The first bike ride of the season!  My trusty bike took me for 10 1/4 miles without having to stop except for one drink of water.  Thanks, My Love, for filling my tires and cleaning the winter dust off.

• Being invited to lunch with my sweetie.  Even though it was quick it was delightful.

• Hearing that the Grandson is beginning to make small steps in his progress to recovery from his surgery.

• Finding some fabric for a baby blanket for one of the ladies I visit teach.  And it was on sale!

• Shopping at several stores (looking for a specific something & not finding it) and being ok not spending any money.  (I really, really, really, dislike spending money.)

• Learning anew each day that it's ok for me to be who I am.  We are each equally important. (I hope Heavenly Father can see into my heart, past my shortcomings and find the good that's buried deep inside.)

• Sharing a small (leftover) bag of M&M's and being delighted with just the right amount of chocolate.

• Anticipating some sparkly toenail polish.

• Knowing what I'm fixing for dinner without agonizing over it, and also knowing that I have everything I need to fix dinner here without having to make a mad dash to the grocery.

• Loving being here at home.

Thursday Again Already?

One of today's highlights was going to lunch with a friend.  An even better memory:  pulling out of the driveway I glanced in the rearview mirror to see The Husband out on the pavement doing a little happy sunshine dance.  Not quite with wild abandon, but his joy was evident through his big smile.  Someone has a touch of spring fever.
Hawthorne budsalmostflowers.

Our little hawthorne tree will be bursting into bloom in a day or so.  And then....it will almost be time for our area-wide lilac bush tour.  The Husband very patiently drives around, stopping at each lilac that I spy (or remember) allowing me time to jump out -  bury my nose in the fragrant flowers - then steering directly  to the next bush.  Such a lovely treat.

And:  the bike tires are pumped full of fresh air, ready for me to hit the trail in the morning, if the weather cooperates.

Wednesday's Wishes

Wish there was no such thing as Crohn's disease.  Wish I could snap my fingers and heal others.

Wish that I could eat whatever I wanted, as much as I wanted and I would just be healthy, slender and beautiful.  (Wishing tonight's indigestion from overindulging would disappear.)

Wish I knew what's up with people.  Went to the grocery this morning.  Was in the store for maybe an hour.  Had no less than 10 people greet me / ask me how I'm doing.  Even other customers just walking past me looked at me and smiled.  Wasn't feeling particularly social, so I don't think I invited that.

Where is that star that I can wish upon and all my wishes will come true?

And today I think I did something that might qualify as a good deed:  I thought to purchase a lime for The Husband's soda that he also was not expecting.  Surprise goodies are good deeds aren't they?

Today's photo brought to you by the interesting little community of Draper.  Where the cows range in a field across the creek from the city park, and the cow field is next to the city senior center which is next to the city/county library, in basically the center of the city.
Good Morning Cows and Cow-ettes


Decided

She's a speed shoelace tie-er.
Decided that I wasn't successful in my efforts to do a good deed today.

Decided that I love the newly-turned-7-years-old-granddaughter's new Converses.

Love to tumble.
Decided that the 10 year old granddaughter's shirt we spent her Christmas gift card on is still very very cute (and fits her personality just right!)

My Owee.
Decided that I'm hoping the 17 year old grandson gets better and home from the hospital very very soon.  Our prayers are with him.

Decided I'm grateful for a 12 year old grandson who never forgets to follow through on his promise to me.

Decided once again, and often, how grateful I am for all our grandchilluns that we love so very much. (The Chilluns, too!)

Decided I actually did learn something today:  that it is quite painful when your fingernail rips way down where it isn't supposed to tear.

Today's gratitude:  for bandaids.

And I so like this quote from Katherine Hepburn,

"But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude.  In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh."

Learning and Good Deeds

Primroses
Bleeding Hearts / Labrador Viola



















The Husband asked me at dinner what I learned today.  I had to confess I didn't learn anything at all.  Nor did I do a good deed for anyone today (sort of hard to do when I've stayed inside the house virtually the entire day with no interaction with anyone except for The Husband and a brief "drive safe" to The Daughter).

So, tomorrow I shall endeavor to learn something and to also do a kind something for someone else.  (I admit his question left me feeling a bit selfish and lacking. )

I did manage to capture some spring:

More Primroses

                               

Mountains and Flip Flops

Heard tonight at Stake Conference this observation:  The view from the tops of the mountains are broad ranging and beautiful.  But nothing grows on the tops of the mountains.  It is in the valleys where the rivers flow that growing things flourish.  It is likewise in the valleys of our lives that the growth happens, that we can be nurtured and learn.  Painful at times, but true.  An interesting comparison, I thought.

It has only been in the last couple years that I've been able to tolerate flip flops.  Haven't ever cared for (more like abhorred) that nasty part between my two biggest toes.  Decided to take a page from The Husband's book this morning and try out the flip flops with my socks.  (I detest wearing shoes in the house - more of a sock person - but the arthritis pain in my feet has been annoyingly increasing and the arch support really helps.)

Not quite comfy.
Looked like this - like The Husband in his flip flops with socks, only smaller.  Lasted for about 10 minutes, then couldn't stand it and off the flip flops came.  Looking forward to warmer weather when I can comfortably wear flip flops without socks.

Tonight's gratitude:  for the ability to hold hands with my sweetie.  Don't think I could ever express the comfort, strength, warmth and even hope that I feel when I reach out my hand and it is readily accepted.  Thanks, My Love.


Affliction

I have an affliction.  Actually, I have several, but one is at the forefront today.  I am clumsy.  I have always been this way.  I can read a book and walk at the same time (even outside).  But I cannot drink and walk at the same time.

I've been known to trip over carpet moguls (like the ones on ski slopes) that no one can see.  I've done face plants (yes, as an adult) on our front (cement) porch.  I have scars from stitches in several fingers and on my chin.  I am a klutz.

Today started out so well.  It was a play day - a day off work given by the bosses as a reward for the hard work on the project that shipped today.  We stopped at Bake 360 (The Husband's new favorite bakery here in town) on our way to the movie.  Had a free IMax movie ticket.  Saw Oblivion.  The Husband thought it was great.  I liked it pretty well.  Treated ourselves to steaks from Costco which The Husband grilled to perfection.

Front of the blooming beauty.
Pot Damage - what a travesty!
Then....it happened.  Reaching over the orchids (on which we have lavished much time, money and concern) to close the window blinds, my elbow caught the support stick and toppled the orchid, pot and all, onto the tile floor.  I could almost hear my precious flowering plant whimpering in pain from the trauma.

I feel like such an idiot.  Sure, it was an accident.  Could I have avoided it?  Perhaps, perhaps not.  Too late for second guessing but I'm an expert at self recrimination.  I've swept up the pot shards and planting medium, we've shored up the plant as best we could.  Nothing now to do but wait for the blooming cycle to be over and we can re-pot the beauty.  Undoubtedly the months-long blooms will be shorter lived.

I surely hope the plant angel-guardians were looking elsewhere and missed the mishap.  And tomorrow evening:  I'm leaving the blinds open.

It Seems...

Sweet Blooms
It seems early, but the magnolia alongside the trail where I walked this morning is blooming.  So lovely.

Who knew I'd like felt-tip eyeliner?
It seems I've always used liquid eyeliner.  Which has become increasingly difficult to find.  Particularly since I don't want stark black, but prefer a softer brown/black.  Ever since I first stumbled across Boots No. 7, I've been a huge fan.  (Haven't tried all of their vast number of products, just some.)  My local purveyor of all things No.7 recently expanded their line.  I picked up this little felt-tip eyeliner and absotively love it.

It seems pretty obvious things have been pretty slow around here today.  Still loving the spring.  Still fighting the grumpies.  Still craving sweets.

And it seems if things were hopping around here, I'd most likely be complaining about it being too busy, or wanting less excitement / problems / issues.  Just can't please some people!

Peaked

Still thinking about my recent hesitant incursion into Sephora (the lovely store at City Creek Center).  I've discovered I'm increasingly bashful about entering places like this.  (As is often the case, it is easier in the company of another.)

When entering places such as this, I tend to be hyper-aware of several things:
 - my grey hair
 - my elbows where you can see faces in the wrinkles + my saggy upper arms
 - my excessive weight
 - my age
 - my conservative dress, hair and makeup
 - also other unnamed things

I'd like to think I've got at least a couple decades of life left.  That's more than a year or two. Somewhere along the way, though, I seem to have peaked.  I hit my best in terms of health, looks and societal acceptance.  And I wasn't even aware. (And I'm guessing no one else was looking, either.)

How did that happen? How did I let all the good years pass while I was busy - being Mom / Wife? Hopefully in the time I have left I'll manage to find some high points:  some fun, some awareness of the beauty of this world, some joy in the everyday and some unexpected delight in the mundane.

In the meantime, I'm glad I'm still alive to greet each day with a measure of gratitude in my heart for the abundance of blessings that have come my way.


Flo and Friends by Jenny Campbell

Flo and Friends

 (With my salute Jenny Campbell for her Comic Strip Flo and Friends - one of my favorites.)

Today is definitely a good day.

Discussions

I've been having a discussion with myself all morning long.  Several things that keep popping into my mind that I really don't want to think about.  Almost like one of those songs that get stuck in your head that you can't get out.  I keep thinking of hymns to push aside the bleakness.

Must be spring in the Rockies - those mountains behind the clouds.
Ever wake up just plain grumpy?  Anything and everything just plain irritates / annoys you?  That's me today.  It must be Monday.  I so dislike when this kind of mood descends on me.  Working hard to give it the boot.  (Also working hard to be extra kind - The Husband doesn't deserve this kind of mood from me. Nor does anyone else.)

Woke up this morning to snow.  Good thing we haven't planted any tomatoes yet (although everyone around here knows not to plant fragile stuff like that until well after Mother's Day).

Regular as clockwork a couple times a year, The Husband and I start the "moving" discussion.  Again. We love our home and it's general location.  At the same time we wish we had a much smaller home (frees up some cash for travel or a mission) in an area where all the homes are a bit more modest.  We've had a real estate agent / friend looking at lots - almost plunked down an offer on one last summer.  But it's strange, we just keep going in circles.  Which one would take to mean we aren't supposed to be moving / building again.  Why then, does it keep cropping up?  And with such insistence?  I get weary of the talk / hope / disappointment.  But, sure as the sun comes up each day, the subject comes up each so-often.  Wishing for a once-and-for-all solution.  We really thought this would be our forever (earthly) home.  Things change, and now I'm not so sure.

We hear stories of people who weren't even planning to sell and someone rings their doorbell with an offer on their house - the friends across the street had that very thing happen to them.  If that would happen to us it would make things so much easier. But then we're not living on Easy Street.

I think I'll start looking for a place - one on a street named Easy.

Update - 12 hours later:  I found a dime in the parking lot.  If you find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck.  Does a found dime mean 10 times the good luck?

Fun Saturday

It seems we rarely have a Saturday with fewer things on the schedule - Saturdays when the pace is slower.  Today was one of those.  How fun and how refreshing.  (At least that's my take on the day - have to ask The Husband about his perspective.)

The lawn mowing was done yesterday afternoon so after putting out some bait for the gopher/vole/whatevertheheckitis we headed over to spend our life's savings (not quite, just felt like it) at Costco.  It was super busy there (nothing new in that fact) so we didn't linger - didn't rush either, just took it sort of easy.

After a not-quite-long-enough-nap-for-The-Husband we picked up our friends and headed downtown to City Creek Center.  They hadn't been there before.  We all had gift cards for Cheesecake Factory (I ate my whole piece of pineapple upside down cake cheesecake) and enjoyed some fun conversation, wandered through some stores we don't often get to, made a couple small purchases - even tried on a lovely ring at Tiffany & Co.

Delightful day.

Somehow it seems like my blog seems blah without a picture of some kind. Through the window at the Godiva store.  Didn't sample any chocolate, just inhaled the sweet aroma.  Still too full from dinner.

F-R-I-D-A-Y

F - Fresh air was in scarce supply this morning on my walk.  I thought it was too early for skunks.

R - Robins in abundance!  Many with strings of all sorts hanging from their beaks.  Must be nest building season.

I - Invited to lunch by my Visiting Teacher.  Such a delightful time.  (She's roughly the same age as our youngest daughter.  Oh well, our souls are pretty much the same age, aren't they?) Lunch out with dear people two days in a row indicates a very fun week.
Caution When Approaching.

D - Decided on someone to mow the lawn this year.  The Husband might have to compromise a teensy on the manner of edging, but we won't have the issues we had last year.  Hooray for people who like to do yard work!  (The Husband doesn't mind it, he just really doesn't have the time.)

A - Arthritis flare up in my foot.  The other foot!  S- o - o much fun (not)!

Y - Yelled without meaning to when I tried to cross through the room without flipping the light switch.  This cute little stool (left out in the middle) is just the right height to wallop my shins. Same shin is now sporting a lovely bruise.

Today's gratitude:  For kind, thoughtful people.

Thanks For The Laugh

Happy Birthday today to our oldest daughter.  The Husband asked her if she actually felt 41.  She said the funny thing was her students at school asked her how old she was and she told them 44.  Then they all teased her because, "who doesn't know how old they are?"

Today's gratitude:  For daughters! (And especially for daughters who make me laugh!)

Spring

Smell Fabulous!
This time of year finds me wandering the yard, the block, the city and wherever I roam looking for signs that the plants are awakening from their winter's sleep.  I fuss and bother over trees and shrubs that aren't yet showing any "greening."
Made It Through The Winter

The forsythia bushes have been in full bloom for a couple weeks, and the many globe willows that line the trail where I walk are now crowned with green.

These fun little daffodils (so wishing I could remember what kind they are) are the fragrant ones that were hiding under all those leaves I labored to remove.  So happy that we didn't miss their bloom. (How do you smell a daffodil that you don't want to cut?  You get down on your hands and knees and poke your nose in them.  Quite the mental picture!)

We planted this hawthorne tree a few days before my Mom passed away.  I always associate it with her.  So happy to see the teensy leaves opening their little faces to the sun.  Can't wait for the flowers. (Won't be long before I  head to Thanksgiving Point for the Tulip Festival.  Want to come with me?)

I've heard it said that the earth laughs in flowers.   I only  know flowers make me happy.

You Know You're Getting Old...

When you decide to stay in the whole day because you're not interested in going out in the weather (rain, wind, heat, whatever).

When you decide to run out for some egg foo young and everyone else in the restaurant qualifies for the Senior - Senior discount. (In other words - w-a-y older than you.)

I'm old, no one expects me to be fashionable.
When you're attending more and more visitations / viewings.  Those are so bittersweet.  Especially when that person has been suffering, and suffering for too long.

When you watch the Hallmark channel on tv all afternoon - just for the company while you stitch.

When you decide to run out for some food and decide it isn't worth it to change from your run-around-the-house socks into something more appropriate for the general public.  After all, your jeans are long enough to cover those white ones, aren't they?

When it's 7:30 p.m. and not yet dark but you still changed into your jammies.

It's Raining, It's Pouring....

This keeps me dry!
Today's gratitude:  for my waterproof, breathable jacket.  This jacket has traveled with me to Hawaii, across the country and around our valley.  (It has seen me through weight gain, loss and gain again as well.)

This picture doesn't begin to capture it's color (a lovely deep, dark purple) and sheen.  It made my foray out into the storm today tolerable.

Just A Couple Things

General Conference is a highlight of our year.  The Grandson (as one of the newest members of the Church / Deacon's Quorum) was offered two tickets to the Priesthood session.  The Husband took him downtown.  What a rare treat to be able to attend Conference in person.  (This was the first time for The Husband to be able to attend in the Conference Center. Tickets are a rarity.)

826 MPG - Seriously?
Stopped and filled the gas tank.  Just love my little display on the dash that tells me the instant mileage I'm getting.  Take a gander at the middle of the bottom row where it says CONS (meaning consumption). Just boggles my mind.  The car's computer has a little quirk:  it always reads really high on my MPG right after I fill the tank.  Then it drops back to the real mileage.  Haven't ever seen it read this high before.  By the time I got home (about 10 miles later) it still was showing 63 MPG.  This pleases me.

Tonight's gratitude:  That I had the foresight to hard-cook a couple extra eggs yesterday.  Deviled eggs are a good late-evening snack.

Randomness

I was walking the south end of the trail yesterday morning.  It encompasses a lot of wide open spaces, doesn't pass by any houses or subdivisions.  As is my custom I had only one ear-bud in so I can be more aware of what is around me.  I was enjoying the morning serenades of the meadowlarks and robins.  All of a sudden I was hearing the most delightful bird song.  Stopping, I peered all around trying to detect what bird it was.

Only to laugh at myself.  It was my phone.  The Husband has his very own custom ring-tone:  birds.  (Chosen because he loves those creatures so much - feeds them, watches out for them - he just loves them!)  It took me so long to discover where the birdsong was coming from I completely missed the call!

So taken with this quote:

"Wouldn't life be perfect if: sweat pants were sexy, Mondays were fun, junk food didn't make you fat, girls didn't cause so much drama, guys weren't so confusing, nothing was regrettable, and goodbyes only meant until tomorrow."

- Unknown


Crunches like an apple, tastes like a grape?
And at the grocery stumbled on this fruit.  Not sure how I feel about it.  I think apples should taste like apples.  Has anyone actually tasted these?


T-H-U-R-S-D-A-Y

T - Thinking Thursday is still my favorite day of the week:  The Husband is on his way home!!

H - Happy as always to receive an email from one of the Grandchilluns.

U - Unhappy that the cable went out today.  Strange that the cable tv went out, but not the internet (same provider).

R - Reading a book this afternoon - pure delight.  (Although it would have been more delightful with a better book...still not a bad way to spend an hour or so.)

Stunning sunrise!
S - Sunrise across the valley:  my favorite time of day.

D - Disappointed that I'm going to miss both a wedding shower and reception.

A - Anticipating General Conference this weekend with great expectations of spiritual enrichment.  So ready for it!

Y - Yanked open the electric bill this morning and YAY!!  Our solar panels produced nearly half of the power we consumed last month!

Out Of Step

I believe I'm a fairly independent thinker.  I'm not so much a trend follower - in much of anything.  I don't color my hair, have artificially lengthened fingernails, enhanced bosoms or eyelash extensions.

My house is decorated (I use this term very loosely) with things that are meaningful to us, in colors that we like.  Not something chosen by someone else, although people have offered to decorate for me ("it would be so much fun, I'd love to do your house!")

I dislike spending money.  So shopping isn't usually much fun.

Facebook and Pinterest aren't for me.  I don't enjoy them.

I don't criticize anyone else for their involvement in any of these things.  They just aren't for me. Thus...I usually feel a bit out of step with the rest of the world.  Conflicted would be the right description.  I like to have friends and feel involved.  But since I'm usually the lone voice in the crowd - the one that thinks differently, I'm often uncomfortable.

Purple lilac buds forming!
(Note to self:  don't lunch out alone at Corner Bakery when I'm having a "feeling uncomfortable" day.)

And then the question: am I really out of step with everyone else?  Or are they out of step with me?

The Husband needs to come home quick, I'm living too much inside my head while he's gone.  (Nearly talked the ears off The Daughter last night.  Sorry!)

And today's gratitude:  for springtime and the flowers it brings.  These lilacs a ways down the trail are much further ahead in their development than the ones by my front porch.  I hope we have blooms this year!

Prayers

I've often wondered:  if I could see a prayer, what would it look like?

There are as many different prayers as there are people and situations that people find themselves in that lead them to pray.  And I imagine each prayer would look different.

Rain all morning makes lovely colors!
Some prayers might be dark, when someone is crying out to Heavenly Father in despair or is in pain.  Prayers for comfort might be lighter, but perhaps softer.

I think we've all seen what kindness looks like, so a prayer for kindness (both for the receiving and the dispensing of kindness) might be easier to picture in our minds.

A prayer of gratitude might look like a sweet child, or someone we love or even....maybe...flowers.

And most likely this silly wondering is pointless.  Still, I have wondered.  When I've sat in church, or the Temple and I know there are numerous prayers wafting heavenward,  I've wondered what they would look like if I could see them.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know....

Why are those paper cupcake liners accordion pleated?  What purpose does that serve?

Why do I like the fresh fallen leaves in the fall, but not so much when I'm cleaning them up in the spring?

Why would a guy in his late 40's or early 50's with a set of perfectly fine eyebrows use heavy eyebrow pencil?
Sparkly Stilletos

Why did I waste my youth and slender body on conservative fashion?  I could have been wearing something fabulous like these sparkly shoes!  (That's an easy answer:  finances!)

Why, every time The Husband leaves town for a trip, do I determine I'm going to be down at least 5 pounds (pining for him should make me lose my appetite) by the time he gets home - only to find I've eaten out of sheer misery the entire time he's away and I've not shed an ounce?

And on that topic:  what's up with Paradise Bakery?  Found a gift card I'd forgotten about.  Headed off to Paradise Bakery.  Ordered a sandwich and salad (half size of each) combo.  Had my tastebuds set on the Tuscan chicken sandwich. Received the turkey cranberry sandwich.  They haven't gotten my order right once in the last couple years.  Will I be returning?  Once the gift card is done, it isn't likely. (And for the record, the turkey cranberry sandwich is mediocre.)
Can't believe how grey my hair is!

Why do I find peanut butter perfectly acceptable but dislike peanuts?

Did that portly older dude I saw today match the cast on his wrist to his shoes?  Both were that currently trendy (and very fun) florescent, blinding bright green.  (He won't be going stealth-mode with that color!)

Considering that I've been using a curling iron for most of our marriage (multiple decades) how is it possible that I still manage on occasion to burn myself?  My forehead is healing s-l-o-w-l-y.

And now (but not the last question - I always have them running through my brain) how many hours till The Husband returns?  I'm counting them down!