Lessons Learned (Maybe Re-Learned)

My mind has been swirling with myriads of thoughts from the last few days.  I'll likely forget most of them before I'm through but I'll give it a shot - in no particular order.

Kindness (Nice) matters.  Still and always.  I have often wondered this week how people can turn the nice on and off so quickly.  Does that mean it's less sincere?

I've learned that if you're in a courtroom / hearing setting you basically have no friends.  It would be well to remember the situation is akin to paddling furiously amongst the piranhas.  Piranhas are not friends.

If you're not an attorney in a room filled with attorneys you're basically just fluff floating around.

I unexpectedly liked the food at the Himalayan.  (I think they tone it down for non-Indian eaters.)

$15 / day for parking for 9 hours was barely tolerable.  $15 for the day comprised of 14 hours was more acceptable.  Tax deductible?  Doubtful.

Haven't yet figured out why anyone would go into a profession that's so fraught with tensions and adversarial behavior.

Was gifted (as a thank you) this lovely red velvet cupcake.  Almost too pretty to eat.  Almost.

Knowing a meeting might go into the wee hours would have prompted me to make sure the air conditioning was working and ON.

Patience is a virtue in extremely short supply.  Wondered if the supreme example of patience I witnessed was natural or if he worked on it.  He was amazingly patient.  Tactful as well.

It is always interesting to me how much one can learn by just sitting still.  I guess somehow I must have been even more invisible than usual.  I could almost repeat one story verbatim I heard it so many times. Also witnessed behavior more appropriate to teens than professional adults.  Mocking, derision, and condescension have no place in interaction with others. But that's just my thoughts.

My favorite first grader was anxious to show me his new lunchbox and new gray/turquoise shoes for school.  The immediate and welcome hugs we received from those grandchilluns were heartwarming after a tedious and difficult day.  We needed that uplift.

Picture book shared also lifted my spirits.

Missing several mornings on the trail led to increased enjoyment of today's outing.  5 miles of peace watching the day wake was balm not only to my soul but also to my body.

Meeting My Love on the last leg of my walk:  pure joy.

Today I'm feeling  gratitude for several things:  for being able to text - across the hearing room, with kids at home, with kids far away, with people who just want to keep in touch - I love that connection. I'm also grateful for a (rare for me) bottle of cold, cold chocolate milk, for being able to pour out in prayer my concerns, for people who don't forget how to be kind, for our local grocery that waited to suspend the $.05 cent credit on bringing your own bags to the grocery until I'd made enough on that credit to pay for the bags, and that tomorrow is August.  (My almost least favorite month is ending and with it the knowledge that cooler weather is more than a distant hope.)  And I'm grateful for hope.

Monday At The Hearings

My new and revised opinion of lawyers:  lower than before.  Didn't think it was possible.  But yep, I now esteem them (in general) less than ever.

I also have a new respect for the meaning of the word smug.  Watched it in action.  Never really thought of it as an action word until today.

Tomorrow is going to be a l-o-n-g day.

Food

It felt like today was all about food.

Whipped mascarpone is w-a-y better than whipped cream.

The Husband had a hankering to try breakfast at our favorite bakery - one that just expanded into a bakery/cafe.  No time to do my hair or slap on some make-up, just headed over there straight from the shower.  We both had the brioche french toast with whipped mascarpone and fresh berries. Lovelovelove it.  It was a rare treat. (And they are so hospitable there - after I whined a bit about how I looked she kindly said it must be because we all feel like family.  We stop there once a month on our way home from haircuts for a kouign amann. It's a heavenly treat!  But that means they've only seen me with un-done hair and face.)

Much later, after finally getting my hair done and dabbing on some mascara we ran out to do some errands. Errands done it was time for food.  A gift card to Outback provided us with some yummy tummy fillers.

Followed by treats at Rita's Ice-Custard-Happiness since we had a coupon worth up to $10 in treats. (Personally I think the place is over-priced, over-rated, and over-sugared. But we had to use our free treat coupon before it expired!)

All that food left me full until after 8 p.m. when I knew The Husband was ready for something. Quickly I put together a pineapple/banana smoothie (with greek yogurt and walnuts) and have to admit was pretty tasty.  Just enough for the two of us to split and not get over-full.

Food all day long that wasn't trauma for our wallets?  Pretty wonderful.  A day without cooking: priceless!

The Husband is working hard on his presentation for the PSC (Public Service Commission) regarding the additional fee the power company is requesting.  Didn't know until yesterday he'd have to do a presentation as well.  He's mildly sweating it.  And I know we aren't supposed to "wait" our life away, but I'm pretty sure he can't wait until this is all over.

I'm grateful tonight for good food.  For its abundance in my life (so much so that my body is a bit more abundant than it should be) and that we not only have enough, but food that is healthy as well.

(And I just received an accidental Face-Time Visit from a couple grandkids.  What fun!  Although, next time, please make it on purpose and when it isn't dinner-time so we can chat with everyone!)

Five Friday Facts

(And perhaps a couple more depending on how verbose I get.)

• Earlier is better when it comes to the trail and my morning walks. (Six was w-a-y better than 6:30)

• Mamas and babies are pretty much always heartwarming.  (Saw mama and baby dear, mama and baby ducks and mama and baby muskrats - at least I choose to assume the muskrats were mama and babies.)

• Phones with cameras are a fabulous invention.

• I'm pretty certain this particular water fountain for dogs is the only one I've seen.  Noticed it about a month ago.  Haven't investigated how it operates - wasn't getting down on my hands and knees to figure it out.

• July is still my second least favorite month.

• This friday was great for hanging out at home: stitching, reading, bill-paying, laundry-ing, getting impromptu hugs from The Husband.  By Monday I'll be ready to spend the week with The Husband at the PSC hearings.

• Today finds me grateful for comfy shoes, good health and (if I'm lucky) some chocolate.

24th Of July

Which is a holiday here in the state of Utah.  Since The Husband doesn't work for a Utah company it's been a regular day for him.  I don't mind.  I'm not into self-punishment by attending things outdoors in the 98 degree weather. (And I'm so grateful for his job and the opportunity it allows for him to work at home.) It was 85 degrees out at 3 this morning - and I know, I was up at that time!  :^)

The rainbow looks like fire on the hills.

Headed out this morning to walk and spied this phenomenal rainbow over the south mountains. Pictures never (yeah, I know:  never say never) do justice to rainbows.  Headed over to walk a place I haven't ever walked before.  Thoroughly enjoyed taking a different path. It was still quite busy but had fewer hard-core bikers on their quest for an adrenaline rush speeding along.  More casual bikers in regular clothes on comfort bikes.  So a bit less stressful.

YUM!

The Husband was given a mini-subscription to Graze.  Every week or two he receives a box from Graze filled with 4 small packaged treats - ordered according to his tastes.  What fun it has been for him.  This particular one is being shared with me (we'll both eat it). How gracious he is to share, and how generous (and thoughtful) his "gifter".

Read this quote the other day - and think there is merit in it.  "Just remember that sometimes the way you think about a person isn't the way they actually are."  --John Green.  I would do well to remember that everyone is different with their own challenges/gifts/talents/faults/personalities.  Was talking to The Husband just this morning and mentioning a person that I initially was negative about because of an opinion expressed by someone else. I've since done a total about-face in my feeling toward this person, I quite like him and indeed have some measure of respect for him.  I wonder if my brain / heart will ever retain all the lessons I need to learn.  (Some of which I seem to learn, forget, then learn again.)

Today's gratitude is for those incredible men and women who forged a path to a new place to live and settled this desert area and made it bloom with life and beauty.  They are an example.

97 Degrees Out

And to my mind, that means it's time to be inside.  Just walking from the car to the store, then back to the car I almost couldn't breathe it felt so hot to me.  Blissful relief to feel the air conditioning.

I never tire seeing the deer.

Missed a shot of the trio of cows all huddled under the tree's shade - also hoping I imagine for some heat relief.  But the deer was still under her tree when I returned so I pulled over to snap her picture. She's w-a-y off in the middle under the tree.  I didn't dare go any closer, didn't want to spook her.  I felt sad for all those walking just a few feet from her along the trail that didn't even notice her.

Got the giggles last night.  We were tucked back in an aisle at Home Depot.  I noticed The Husband's hair was a bit mussed.  He wasn't quite satisfied with my finger-combing it back into place and pulled his comb from his back pocket.  As I applied said comb to his soft hair I noticed (in my peripheral vision) someone coming up the aisle toward us.  Thinking perhaps it was someone we know, as often happens around here, I looked up at him expecting a greeting.

Instead I heard, "True Love.  That's true love when you comb his hair.  True Love."  At first I wasn't sure if I was being mocked or complimented or teased.  In retrospect, I'm pretty certain he was dead serious. He made sure we heard him repeat something about true love before turning the corner out of our sight.

I managed to hold it together until I figured he was long enough gone and then just dissolved against the shelf in giggles.  It struck me as so absurd:  a couple pudgy, graying 60-somethings and he still thought he could see true love.  Now that I think about it a bit more, I'm grateful.  That he could see past our aging into our hearts.  Hopefully I'll remember how important it is to show my love.

Small Things

The last little while has had me noticing small things - that seem like large things when I think about it.

• Our 42nd anniversary of being sealed in the Temple was Saturday.  That is a huge thing for which I can never be grateful enough.  It is almost unbelievable to me that we managed to find and hold on to each other.  (In spite of those who said, "they'll never make it".  In our hearts we knew otherwise.)

• Were having a quick bite in a sandwich shop the other evening when we were unexpectedly joined by someone we care about.  What fun!

Only 'bout 1 1/2 x 2"

• (Stupid) Movie and dinner with friends the other night was lovely.  Probably won't be visiting that particular restaurant again (w-a-y too expensive!) but the food was good.  (I'm ready for another Pizza Limone or a shake from Habit Burger or german pancake from The Original Pancake House.  Funny how those cravings stick till they're satisfied.)

•Was recently gifted this darling little music box.  Makes me smile each time I notice it.  And really - I love the sentiment.  I need to act more as though I'm someone's sunshine.

• Sent a text that was answered.  Love that there are those who care enough about you to answer your texts.  That's an important one.

• Have been working hard to find just the right gift (not too expensive) for a couple ladies that mean much to me.  Finally managed to have some success.  Was all excited about my purchase.  Was then asked if I was going to decorate the gift.  What?  I'm supposed to be creative, too?  And ended up being pleased at the question - it spurred me to ponder what I can do to dress these up and I think I've come up with just the right thing.  Small question: better results.

• Love the trees that provide shade.  Makes a big difference when parking out in the July heat.  (Thanks, My Love for always cleaning the tree-sap-kisses off my car!)

• Piano/computer glasses that are left on the counter for tightening that magically get tightened...yup, that is a big thing.  Difficult for me to play the panano (as my Mom used to call it) without them.

• A spontaneous hug from a friend yesterday, a sincere compliment on the musical number I accompanied, a genuine "how are you doing" - those all took mere seconds but had lasting impact on my state of mind.  Mostly I just feel useless and unimportant.  Didn't feel that way quite so much for a bit after the attention of those kind souls.

• Loved that The Husband actually had an opportunity to nap on the couch the other day.  Puttering around accomplishing chores large and small were completed in enough time that he luxuriated in a rare nap.  He deserved it.

• Love that a granddaughter took some time to say hi via text, let me know she was thinking of me.  I don't get enough of that.

And today my heart feels gratitude for the winds that I often complain about.  They've scoured our area of the smoke from the fires in Washington state.  We can see clear across the valley once again.  It feels good to breathe deep.  (It's better to be able to breathe than have well-groomed hair.)

I Must Have Missed Wednesday and Thursday

Because it's Friday again already.  And I don't know if I can make any cohesive sense out of my mixed up thoughts.

Had to run downtown SLC yesterday afternoon.  Left the house at four and were so grateful we were headed north and not in the southbound traffic - it was ugly looking.  Notwithstanding we were minding the road rules as we cruised in the carpool lane, we still ended up being "flipped off" by a guy drifting too close to us (he was paying attention to his phone and not the road as he drove).  The Husband's tap on the horn was so brief I didn't even hear it.  But clearly it annoyed the non-attentive driver.  It was disheartening.

Over the course of our attending "Mary Poppins" at Hale last night I observed a woman and three of her grandchildren.  It seemed obvious to me she desperately wants a great close relationship with them. Also obvious that it isn't there yet - she was struggling to find some common ground.  Based on the conversations I heard she doesn't see them near as much as she'd like.  I felt for her. That's a really hard one.

And Mary Poppins was great.  We saw it on Broadway in NYC a couple years back.  It didn't resemble any of my memories.  Better head back to NYC to see it again.  :^) (Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious was the very best number of the evening!  Don't remember seeing it spelled out like that before - loved it!)

Meant to take a picture yesterday as I traversed the trail.  A pair of black bedroom slippers with duct-taped soles discarded along the edge of the trail as though someone had just stepped out of them and walked on the pavement bare-footed.  Another of those stories I'll never know.

This morning's walk provided some entertainment in the form a woman singing along to her iPod.  Heard a couple "hallelujah's" in her lovely rich voice.  Don't know if she was practicing her gospel hymns or just enjoying the songs.  I often hear humming while I'm on the trail.  I often move my hands in time to the music. Can't say that I've ever heard actual singing like that before.

Was gifted these little peeps.  They're kind of funny looking.  But perfect to satisfy that inner child's tastebuds that sometimes demand attention.  They'll last me for a number of days, enough to silence that inner child for some time to come.  I'm grateful that I'm thought of enough for someone to present me a gift.

Word came this week about (what are in my opinion) massive lay-offs at The Husband's work.  Morale situation:  miserable.  I think the both of us are anxiously awaiting / over-ready for our beach trip later in the year.  We both need to decompress.

Been thinking about forgiveness lately.  Some things are easy for me to forgive.  Others, not so much. Considering the extraordinary power of the Atonement, it should always be easy for me to forgive.  How to fully embrace that power in my life is an ongoing process.  It is an immeasurable gift.  One I can never adequately thank Heavenly Father for.

Too Tuesday

And I guess that means it's a typical one.

I probably should find something else to take a picture of besides the sky.  Still, though, I love how different it is each morning and it's my joy each morning to see how the day will greet me.

Almost sunrise.

And I read this earlier, by a very wise 20 year old.  "The trials are definitely amusing because I know that I get to choose how I am going to react."  Good example for us all.

Another Day, Another Monday

The weekend's Supermoon at sunrise today. Still pretty.

I remember not liking July much when I was a kid.  August either.  Too hot.  Seemed (and still does) like too much sun beating mercilessly down.  Now the best thing about July is celebrating the birth of our youngest daughter.  So happy she's part of our family.

It's easy to get discouraged. To compare.  To feel invisible, unwelcome.  I know that feeling doesn't come from Heavenly Father.  But when I don't hear from someone I want to hear from, when I am excluded from events (never mind that I'm not a social person - I like to be invited anyway) when my inferior social status is obvious, when I'm judged and found wanting, when I feel like all I do is accommodate...all those and more....it's easy to feel "down".

The opening song in church yesterday provoked some thought.  "Jesus said, Be meek and lowly, for 'tis high to be a judge; If I would be pure and holy, I must love without a grudge.  It requires a constant labor all his precepts to obey.  If I truly love my neighbor, I am in the narrow way."

The difference:  when I'm discouraged, all my focus is on me.  (A view I decry when I see too much of it.)  When I'm loving another, finding the strength to forgive, obeying those higher laws:  the focus is on others.  Will I ever accomplish this?

I witnessed an act of kind thoughtfulness today toward another.  It warmed my heart.  It was a good antidote to pain.  I'm grateful for kind thoughtful people that bless our family.

(And if I'm lucky, I just might enjoy a rare sno-cone this evening.  I'm grateful for treats.)

A Couple Best Things

The best thing about Friday:  there were several best things!

• The Husband is Home.  I was able to sleep.  We were able to spend most of the day together at home - my favorite place with my favorite person!

• Ran down to Utah County to meet some friends for dinner.  I've know her for as long as I can remember - truly that long.  I don't remember ever not knowing her.  I've been so grateful for our friendship and connection.  She mentioned that she has a picture of us taken on the grounds of the Provo Temple.  So, naturally we had to re-create the picture 40+ years later.  Such a delightful evening.

We wish them well as they head to Europe for their second-tour-18month mission.  What a privilege/opportunity/adventure.  It will be fabulous for them.  And how great it was that we were able to see them one more time before they left.

• Decided last minute to do our annual (I think this is the 6th year) Draper-By-Moonlight bike ride (the one we do each summer on a full moon - sometimes it's better organized.  We've had as many as 10-12 people).  The temperature was almost perfect.  We had the trail pretty much to ourselves.  The new lights for our bikes worked great.  And even though The Husband was a bit ambivalent about whether or not to humor me on this little tradition I started, I think he was eventually glad that he went.

Especially beneficial was the fact that we knew we could sleep in this morning.  And I'm thinking we both slept exceptionally well.  (Probably enhanced by the fact that we eliminated our usual post-ride treat, just went straight to bed.)

• I ended up with over 23,000 steps on my FitBit.  And my feet are just fine.

• The day started and ended well, with peace and hugs (and air conditioning) in the middle.  I call that a successful day.

Odd Thoughts Randomly Occurring On A Thursday

Was out and about this week. Pulled over to the side of the road as I spied a fire truck - lights and siren warning all of us drivers - coming toward me.  Noticed the truck's quick deceleration.  The fireman piloting the truck was peering all around, clearly searching for the address.  (Writing with my tongue firmly in cheek) I wondered if my faith in firemen was faltering.  I have always thought they always knew the addresses.  GPS has removed our ability to find things on our own.  :^)

And that was the second time in as many days that I heard of fireman not being able to find an address.

Paid for dinner with a largish denomination bill.  Was brought w-a-y too much change.  He was embarrassed about it.  I just didn't want anyone in trouble for the register coming up short $5 at the end of the night.

Have gone a whole week without FaceBook.  Haven't missed it one iota.

"Wicked" is still my very favorite play.  Just the other day was asked what my favorite movie was - or even my top couple favorite.  I totally blanked, couldn't think of even one that was a stand out.  And rarely do I enjoy seeing a movie more than once.  Wicked:  I've seen it 4 times.  Could see it another four without hesitation.  Lovelovelove it.

Stopped at IN-N-Out Burger for a highly recommended (multiple times) chocolate shake.  Was underwhelmed.  Not that it wasn't good, it had just been oversold to me.  Stopped on the way home at Papa Murphy's for a thin crust pizza.  It'll go in the oven fairly soon.  My life is pretty mundane when the day's highlight is the food.

Don't often read this cartoon in the paper.  Thought today's was more of an editorial.

 

And today I'm grateful that it's Thursday, The Husband is on his way to the airport to begin winging his way home.  I'm grateful for just enough:  sufficient for the necessities without the driving need to acquire more. No, that isn't lack of ambition, it is awareness of all the extra I see around me.

And those odd random thoughts - I had a bunch more, but oddly, they decided to randomly depart my mind.  Must be getting old.

Tuesday That's Better Than Monday Was

And I've done my best to not annoy others.  I may have failed in one instance, it's hard to know.  But, I expended great effort in that regard.

Spent an hour and a half at a funeral.  Wasn't as enriching (for me) as so many of them are.  Still, though, it was good for the family and that is the most important part.

Treated myself to a BBLT at Corner Bakery.  And treat it was.  Sat there with my book and my water and just enjoyed myself.

Dessert, a rarity for me, came from the grocery.  I lovelovelove brownies.  Decided to try this one with peanut butter creme filling - since it came in single serving size.  It didn't disappoint.  My only disappointment is that I scarfed it so fast!

Listened to the music at the funeral - a couple favorites of mine.  I so love these words:

"Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee..."

Vowed then and there to do my best to not let my heart wander from the goodness that is intrinsically our Heavenly Father's. Being fettered / bound to Him:  an immeasurable blessing.

This Day...

Just keeps getting more and more strange.

Was woken around midnight and then again around 3 a.m. by noisy teens on the trail behind our house.  We now have our back gate decorated with foul words that I have been unable to remove in spite of great effort in the 98 degree weather.

Thought I'd be kind and let our neighbor know she's got the same kind of thing on her back fence. Don't think I'll be doing that again.  Don't care for the barrage of words and volume and directions to follow that I received about stuff I have no control over.  Via text and in person when I ran into her at the store.

Was asked to lead the music for a funeral tomorrow.  Called to find out the songs so I could take a gander at them.  The sister I called (the organist) shared that she'd received an e-mail (in answer to one she sent) from the Bishop that the family has arranged for other music.  The organist won't be needed. Will I be needed?  At this moment I'm not sure who knows.  Certainly not me.  Am waiting for a call or text from the Bishop.

Stopped at the post office to mail in my passport for renewal.  The exact same size envelope with the exact same papers in it as two weeks ago when I mailed in The Husband's passport for renewal.  It cost me $1 more.  And no matter what I said to the postal worker...I was wrong.  She told me I must not have the same amount of papers, I must have done something different, I must be wrong-wrong-wrong. At least that's what I think she said.  Our local post office seems to only employ people who speak English as a second or third language.  I also suspect her of having mush in her mouth.  And chewing gum at the same time.  And directing her words downward so I couldn't even remotely see her lips in an effort to read them.  I grumbled about how it seemed odd I'd be charged $1 more for the exact same thing.  She was more than happy to send it expedited mail for me for $19.99.  And I was thinking where on earth did that come from?  I'm quibbling about spending $1 more and she wants me to spring for an additional $20?

And there is nowhere in the valley I can go without encountering road construction.  No. where.

I think it's safe to say that I've had better Mondays.

This 20 foot by 40 foot flag has been suspended on climbing rope at the mouth of a nearby canyon by some patriotic citizens.  I think it's pretty cool.
Puts some of my selfish grousing to shame when I think about all the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms.

One Of Those Days

Yeah, I get that.

It was one of those days I wished I was still a youngster who definitely believed that throwing myself on the floor, kicking my heels, yelling and crying would change things. That I would get my way.

I'm a teensy more mature now and I knew that wasn't going to work.  Still...I felt like doing it anyway.

I was bestowed with an obedient spirit.  Most of the time I'm ok with that.  I even have come to rely on that obedience, secure in knowing that's how Heavenly Father wants me to be.  Things are often easier when I don't feel the need to question everything, or "kick against the pricks".

In some reading this afternoon I came across this line:  "People who didn't play by the rules often won the games..."  It immediately crystalized in my mind: that's why I was so upset. Others often don't play by the rules - or they make up their own - or they totally disregard any rules in regard to their own behavior, but expect to be treated the same as those who do follow the rules.

To expect or demand otherwise would be to take away their agency - their God-given and endowed right to choose for themselves.  And I would never want that.  But the snarky human side of me sometimes wishes that those who don't play by the rules wouldn't seem to "win" so much of the time.

And yes, if I were to be completely objective...I'd guess there are times when I don't play by the rules either.  When I expect allowances to be made.  I hope I realize  (when I'm breaking the rules) that if I seem to "win" then the "victory" is hollow.  I truly never want to win at someone else's expense.  At the cost of hurting their hearts.  I know too well how that feels.

Today will find me remembering to be grateful for people who can put into words what I need to read / hear.  I benefit from the wisdom of others.

This morning I was at the DMV - where I was the morning before yesterday.  This time renewing the plates on one of our cars.  Relieved and grateful that the car passed inspection, that someone else had time to take it in for inspection and that we have enough money to take care of all the legal nonsense so we can have transportation.  And, that it only took 20 minutes to renew the tags. Blessings are all around.

Sometimes Things Just Work

Only 10:30 this morning and it has already been a whirlwind of a day.

Set my mental alarm for 5:45 - woke up at 5, knew I had 45 more minutes of sleep, so I slept that 45 minutes then was wide awake and ready to roll.  Hit the trail for a bike ride.  That meant a bit over an hour of mostly solitary thinking / praying / waking up.  After only 10 minutes of riding came up on a couple male deer (antlers and all!) just standing watching the parade of people pass by.

However did I manage to catch this picture?

Further on, I spied movement up on the RR track that parallels most of that particular trail.  Sure enough, more wildlife.  This coyote was careful to keep his distance from me, although I was amazingly lucky to catch this shot of him trotting along.  Especially considering I had to stop my bike, dismount, fumble with the zipper on the little bag suspended from under the bike seat, pull out my phone, launch the camera and then find the coyote.  Love, love, love seeing the beautiful creatures.

Having observed The Husband's herculean struggles to renew his driver's license a few weeks ago, I decided to be proactive in my own quest for driver's license renewal.  Visits to the DMV can be frustrating and wearing.  I went online, made an appointment and filled out the application.  Entering the building built my apprehension - it was crazy busy.  The large room was filled with people, only a small handful of chairs were empty, all the windows were busy. Thinking I should have brought my book I took my place in line prepared to be there for...ever.

Once I was processed I was fast-tracked (because of my appointment).  Didn't ever even darken the seat of a chair with my backside.  Having the proper documentation was also key.  I walked out of the building one minute before my appointment time.  Whew!  I love it when a plan comes together.

Now I can renew my soon to expire passport.

The rest of the day will be rather mundane after the exciting morning:  laundry, stitching, reading, keeping an eye on the news for the hurricanes in the Atlantic (yes, it's early but we're already enthusiastically anticipating our post-Labor Day trip to the beach).  But it will be the kind of ordinary that I will enjoy.

Today's gratitude:  for my ability to drive - to get where I want, mostly when I want, and pretty much how I want whenever the whim strikes.  Not looking forward to when I'm told I can't drive anymore. I love that independence.