Mosquito Treat

Stepped out this morning to go for a walk.  Stopped after three steps to look at the beautiful moon. The result:  these two crazy-itchy bites.  I hadn't been outside for 30 seconds - if that long. Mosquitoes like me.  :(  (Ignore the less-than-glamorous leg, focus on the two red bites.)

The moon was my companion through my walk.  I must have taken at least ten different pictures. This one was the best.

I ran across this man on the internet - I like a lot of what he says (at least in my quick perusal).  He's a big fan of kindness.

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” — Charles Glassman

Today I'm grateful for allergy medication.  For children's picture books that rarely fail to delight me. For friends who graciously help us out.

Monday With Lots To Do

No more bike.

So I decided to start it right with my greet-the-day-walk.  The full super-moon of last night was completely obscured by the clouds.  So I kept looking eastward to find the sun.  It feels great to be back on the trail, though my pace is slow and my distance shorter than before.  I'll get there eventually.  Patience is required.

Was interested to see the bike has disappeared from the tree.  Wonder how it all happened?  And why?  I'll likely never know.

Almost dawn

I'm still thinking about the General Women's Meeting on Saturday night.  I so love how words can impact our hearts - especially those of encouragement and hope.  Pres. Uchtdorf always uplifts.  I liked this:

 Through discovering faith she was able to have hope, which led to confidence in the Lord that “one day everything would make sense.”

20 minutes and a mile later.

Broken.  :( 

Since we are so close to the mountains we had to drive a bit to see last night's super-moon-lunar-eclipse.  We sat on the slope of a local park and enjoyed the view for a bit.  Later viewing was from our backyard with binoculars.  What a beautiful environment we have!

Unfortunately, a side-effect of last night's jaunt to the park:  The Husband's phone fell out of his pocket.  The screen is history.  Adding to his frustration was the difficulty in figuring out how to get it fixed - and quickly.  Several phone calls, website searching, online chats and finally I think he's on his way to getting the phone fixed.

Friday afternoon one of our sons helped fix the car for our other son.  How grateful my heart is for willingness to serve.  Hopefully Son #1 and his wife can now get the car inspected so it can be registered. They'll have some reliable transportation until they can decide what to do.  Heavenly Father watched over us - helping to find something affordable enough to solve (albeit temporarily) the issue.

I'm grateful today for The Husband's diligent work that provides us with enough - to fix broken things, acquire the necessities and enjoy a few luxuries.  I'm grateful for walks in the morning, grocery stores stocked with plenty of food, birthdays to celebrate and something to look forward to.  I hope at some future point Heavenly Father will be ok with how we carried out the stewardship he entrusted to us.

General Women's Meeting

We watched it on TV from the comfort of our home.  How lucky we are to have convenient access to the leaders of our church.

A couple of the thoughts that stuck with me:

No matter whether we are at work, at school, in the community or at home, we are agents of Heavenly Father.

I loved Elder Uchtdorf's imagery - puddle of pessimism and mess of melancholy and how counterproductive that is in our lives.  He posits that happiness is a matter of our choice.

Repentance is a valuable tool that leads us back toward heaven.

And while I don't really ever expect to hear anything "new" at this meeting, I love the spiritual shot-in-the-arm that I receive.  I always come away vowing to try harder, do better, be more of what Heavenly Father hopes from me.  This time was no exception.

Food, Quotes and Books

There's no secret about the fact that I love to read.  Been that way all my life.  I'm always on the prowl for something new - especially by favorite authors.  At our library, each card can have up to 20 books requested, so whenever I see a book I want to read and maybe it isn't quite out yet, I always request it.  I frequently have all 20 spots on my card filled (plus a few on The Husband's card).

Books at the library check out for 3 weeks - with 3 week renewals up to 3 times.  That's conceivably 12 weeks I can have a book in my possession.  Unless it's a new release book with multiple requests on it.  Those only check out for 3 weeks.

This overlong explanation covers why I'm feeling a bit pressured.  I've had 4 requested non-renewable books come in on my card this week.  Plus I already had about 6 books checked out and there is still a book or two in transit.  I keep reminding myself I can always re-check them out if I don't get them finished.  Or pay what I call rent but the library calls the fine.

In spite of the "pressure" (something I enjoy should not feel like stress/pressure) it's been a great week for books!

Loved it!

Around here, it often seems like it's all about food. Treated myself (with a gift card I had) to a rare Jamba Juice.  The flavor:  pumpkin smash.  Yeah, I know, sounds weird.  For me it's a much anticipated "must-have" I indulge in once a year.  And yes, it was scrumptious.

A birthday gift card sent us to Bruges - a new arrival on the restaurant scene here in Draper. We started off with an omelet (weren't quite sure about a waffle sandwich) that came with waffles. Yum.  Then, since I had a generous gift card, splurged on dessert - the Torpedo.  A Belgian waffle filled with chocolate, topped with banana and Belgian chocolate sauce.  My tastebuds were in chocolate heaven. I'll be going back for more when my waistline can handle it (or even if it can't!).

I've always loved quotes, aphorisms, maxims and words that make me think.  Came across a couple this week that I liked.

Beauty is in the heart of the beholder. (Al Bernstein)

All it takes is one good person to restore hope!   (Pope Francis)

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Helen Keller

Today I'm grateful for gift cards, for kind people, for those who have patience with me.  For the safe return of The Husband and the way he always acts happy to be around me.  And I'm grateful that I sense some improvement in my feet.  Hope lives in my heart.

Finally...An Oreo I Can Like

Oreo Thins.  Pretty Good,  They'd be even better without the filling.

Sunday Lessons

I can't stop thinking about the lessons we had on Sunday.  Sunday School's lesson was about judging. And then in Relief Society it was on pride.  Talk about a double whammy!  I was completely squirming.

The Husband and I have a long-running discussion.  He thinks pride is at the root of a lot of problems and comes before selfishness.  I've long maintained that pride comes because of selfishness.  And really, probably he is right.  Pres. Benson seems to agree with The Husband when he describes selfishness as "one of the more common faces of pride".

What matters is that we don't let either trait dominate (contaminate?) our behavior as we travel this life seeking to follow Christ.

Which is why I was squirming on Sunday.  I haven't always been absent of either pride or judging. And I'd venture to guess that most everyone has been guilty at some time or other of the (again referring to President Ezra Taft Benson) "bottom up" pride:  faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, envying, coveting, living beyond our means, withholding gratitude and praise and being unforgiving and jealous. That's pretty much part and parcel of life. Until we learn.

Someone dear to me has been a great example.  I've never seen anyone so quick to apologize - regardless of who is "right" (i.e. it doesn't matter who is "right").  Instant sincere contrition is obvious.  It is clear he has learned that a lot of what causes a situation that could involve an apology doesn't matter.  That it has all already been compensated for by the Atonement. So he promptly turns it over completely to the Lord, discards any of his own ego-involvement and moves forward. A distinct lack of pride.

Sometimes I think I go back two steps for every small bit of forward (upward?) progression I make.  I have a lot of work to do still.  Hopefully I'll manage to conquer some of those faults that so plague me.

Again today (and seemingly always) I'm grateful for hope.  Hope in the future, hope in the good of life, hope that I can be/do some good in this life.

Doofus

Had a book to return to the library so that was the goal for my morning walk.  I took it easy, walked (still limping a teensy) slow and thoroughly enjoyed my errand.  The best part:  The Husband walked out and met me on my return journey.  I love being kissed by him out on the trail.

I had to take a picture of this bicycle.  The crook of the tree is about 8 feet above the ground.  Wish I knew the backstory on the bike-in-the-tree.

So, after my shower and getting my hair done I did the usual - retrieved my wedding ring, earrings and watch from the drawer and put them all on before I headed out.

This is what I did during the day:

Went to the post office
Ambled around the grocery picking up stuff on my list
Visited for probably 45 minutes with our ward Choir Director about the Christmas program
Chatted with our friend out on the driveway - he did us a big favor
Talked numerous times face-to-face with The Husband

About 4:30, just before going Visiting Teaching I discovered my right earring was gone! I was crushed - these have been a favorite and the ones I wear 90% of the time. The hoops are just the right size and they have just a teensy bit of sparkle to them.  Wandered all around the house looking for them. No luck.

I was bemoaning the loss of my earring with the other two ladies when we got to talking about automatic behavior.  And I began to wonder - did I really put on both earrings this morning?  Or stop with just one?

Race-walked into the bedroom as soon as I returned home to check the overnight resting place of my earrings/wedding ring/ watch.  And what do you know! My other earring.

Now seriously...all those people I interacted and talked with today and not one person noticed I was only wearing one earring?  That completely befuddles me!

The good news in all of this is that I didn't really lose an (and a precious one to me) earring.

Today I'm grateful for my morning walk.  And for the fact that I'm only a doofus part of the time.
Even once a year is too much and my record is more like once a week.  I'm grateful it's only a part-time gig for me.

Where Does The Time Go?

I've always been fond of September.  While the summer is winding down, there's a beginning to other things: like a new school year, the beginning of cooler nights and often cooler days. The beginning of fall chores - raking leaves, putting gardens to bed.

This last week has seen some fun things:

• Went to lunch with some friends.  Received free cookies in honor of two of us birthday girls.  I like cookies - especially free ones.

Beautiful Sunrise.

• Spent a couple mornings walking on the trail. Shortened walks to be sure, but up with the sun?  A favorite of mine.

• Tried a new-to-us eatery with good results.  We'll go there again.  Love their Reuben sandwich!

• Celebrated our 45th anniversary.  Did we do something special?  Yes, if you count enjoying time together, we did.  Whatever did I do in this life or in the one before this that merited being married to such a gem of a man?  (And I'm guessing in the previous existence he received a couple extra doses of patience - he surely needs it around me.)

• The Husband was lucky enough to find a repair for his "old man glasses" - called that because they're so old-fashioned and out of style.  Yet they remain his favorite in spite of their age.

 Sunset view from our front porch on our anniversary.

I'm lucky enough to be able to choose the hymns for our Sacrament meetings.  I find I most frequently choose ones I like (and yes, they're all my favorites.)  One of today's hymns always reminds me of my Dad - he liked the word tolerance.  Love this verse:  "Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving, teach us tolerance and love. Let our prayers find access to thee in thy holy courts above. Then when we have proven worthy of thy sacrifice divine, Lord, let us regain they presence; let thy glory round us shine. "

Today was a day filled with emotion for me.  I must have been really tense.  It felt like people around me were on the verge of being irritated (by me most likely).  I spoke when I shouldn't have (and more than once).  And received that all too familiar sense of "don't get cocky" -- the lessons in Sunday School: Don't Judge and Relief Society:  Pride -- made me uncomfortable.  I felt like I had a flashing neon sign over my head proclaiming my guilt on both counts.

I'm making use today of the principle of repentance.  And finding gratitude that such an extraordinary thing is available to me.  I'm grateful for a lessening of my limp, an improvement in the pain in both feet.  I'm grateful for September birthdays and anniversaries and the adventure of our marriage.  I'm grateful for people willing to help others, even though it might be difficult or inconvenient.  And I'm hoping for forgiveness.

Progress

Answered the phone.  The first thing my son said was that he wanted to tell me just how much he's loving this weather.  It must run in our family, that tendency to love the rain.  I've heard that same comment in the last couple days from our daughter and her son and The Husband.  Something about the rain makes it really fun to stay at home - which is where I'll be the rest of the day.

Heading toward "Happy" feet.

I headed off this morning to my foot/ankle specialist.  After another round of x-rays and some gentle probing he pronounced me on the mend! My sprained ankle/avulsion fracture has healed to the point where I no longer need the brace.  I'm down to the compression stocking.  Which means regular shoes. YAY! (Sunday's pain was just a bit of muscle tweaking, it happens.  It's fine.)

My broken toe is taking its own sweet time mending completely. But progress is seen there also.  I will be more diligent about wrapping the toe, particularly at night since I seem to be always kicking my feet out of the covers and catching that toe in the sheets. Re-injury is not the desired outcome.

I wondered aloud if the dr. had other exercises to help strengthen my ankle and his response warmed my heart: keep walking the way you are, it's really the best thing.  Tomorrow morning, barring the rain (or even maybe in the rain) I'll be walking the trail, building back up to my regular 4-5 daily miles. YAY! again.

I'm again grateful for insurance to help defray those astronomical medical expenses.  I'm also grateful for the ability to perambulate through the grocery without limping, with minimal pain. I'm grateful for the clouds that bring the rain.  And for the luxury of being at home all day if I choose.

Wind

I grew up in the desert.  It seemed there was always a stiff wind blowing.  I well remember the dust storms - thick grit covering every surface in the house in spite of windows and doors being closed. And how difficult it was to breathe through the hot dusty wind.  There were no gentle breezes there that I can recall, I only remember it always being a full-blown wind.  I quickly learned to despise the wind (and to spend as much time indoors as I could).

We didn't know Draper was windy when we bought our lot to build our house.  Someone should have warned us.

But I've discovered something.  My dislike of the wind varies with the season.  I'm not a "summer" fan - I wilt in heat, have no energy, can't breathe deep, can't sleep well.

Today is our first real taste of fall: clouds, cooler temperatures and windwindwind.  I've been in a great mood all day.  I sat visiting with a friend in her home, looking past her out the window, delighting at the view of the tall cottonwoods off in the distance bowing and waving in the wind.

Wind often means a weather front of some kind.  Today's front brought us a deluge of rain. There's a fun kind of energy in the air around here when it rains.  I think it must be the happiness in the raindrops that nourishes and greens all the plants.

I must have taken 15 or so pictures trying to capture just the right view of the tree bending over.  Couldn't ever quite get it.  I did, though, enjoy standing under the patio roof listening to the thunder knowing I was safe and dry while I tried.  I love the fall wind.  Am looking forward to watching it make the leaves dance and flutter as they fall.  It's a great season.

I am grateful today for a snug home where I am protected.  For friends who so generously share their home-grown tomatoes and Nashi pears and plums.  For laughter with sisters in the gospel.  For clean laundry to fold. And for fall wind.

I Am A Klutz

Our friends have an anniversary ten days before ours.  We've shared our celebration for a few years - generally including food, often at a bit more upscale restaurant than we usually eat.  This year was The Tuscany here in SLC.  The Husband and I hadn't ever eaten there.

In retrospect I think that was one of the loveliest evenings we've had in quite some time.  The weather was just perfect for eating out on the terrace - wasn't even windy as it so often is around here.  A wedding reception on the neighboring terrace provided live music for our dining pleasure that wasn't at all intrusive, just the right audio level.  (We figured that reception must have cost the parents a cool $20K.) The food and service was superb.  I can't think of a single thing that would have improved the evening.  We all need those times when things just seem to fall perfectly in place - the memories are priceless.

Yay!  Blooms!  

I noticed these blooms on my African Violet.  The center plant was the one that concerned me - it alone hadn't bloomed after my learning-to-re-pot-African-Violets experience.  But here we are: flowers!  I love flowers in the house.

So yesterday was apparently the day that comes around every so often - the one where I'm a complete klutz, yes even more than usual.  First thing:  soap in my eyes when I showered.  How did that ever happen?  I've been showering for ages, know how to avoid that. But not yesterday.

I've wrestled with the velcro on my ankle brace since day one.  It is possessed.  That strength of velcro should be outlawed - or used only in industrial applications.  Result:  massive snags and holes in my (brand-new-fresh-from-the-package) pantyhose before I even got my skirt on. Decided if I tried to change my pantyhose (and yes, I realize I'm like that last woman on earth to still wear pantyhose) I'd likely ruin that pair too, so I opted to keep the damage to a minimum.  Hobbled off to church wearing "holy / holey" hose.

As I left the piano bench I felt a sharp pain in my ankle.  No idea what I did, torqued it somehow. There's no swelling or bruising that I can see, but I've had to resort to some ibuprofen for the pain, it kept me awake through the night. Am I ever going to be fully recovered and feeling vibrant and well again?

The rest of the day was uneventful, mostly because I came home and exerted as little possible physical effort as possible.  Still, those days when I'm out of synch with my body are annoying. Hopefully my kluztiness wore itself out yesterday and today will be less embarrassing.

Yesterday's vocal solo / flute accompaniment was so lovely.  We are so blessed by Heavenly Father's creation of music in our lives.

I heard this phrase yesterday that stuck with me.  "Habit of the heart".  I love it.  What kind of heart habit can I work on today?  Using only kind words?  Being courteous?  Smiling at strangers?  Or maybe all of them?  I shall try.

I'm grateful for ibuprofen and allergy remedies.  I'm grateful for beautiful music.  For friends to share celebrations with.  For something to look forward to.  And especially for hope.

Peace

The Husband has given me many lovely things over the years.  Jewelry has been prominent among those gifts.  I tell him - these last few years - that I'm too old and homely for pretty jewelry - that it's kind of wasted on me at my age.

He still always has his eye out for something fun.  For this year's birthday I received this lovely ring.

This design is from a collection honoring the olive branch, "a symbol of peace and abundance."

I've found myself thinking a lot about peace and abundance since receiving the gift.  I feel abundantly blessed by Heavenly Father in so many ways.  Not the least of which is the peace that is to be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Savior's sacrifice for every individual on this earth is a huge blessing.  Our knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan provides peace as we navigate through the difficulties, challenges and joys of this life.

I'm grateful for a visual reminder on my finger.  That it has a way of centering my thoughts on important ideas. Like peace and the blessings of abundance.

It's Been A While..

And I want to capture the happenings of the last little while before I forget.

• The Husband arrived safely home and I slept well that night for the first time since he left.  I crave being with him.

• We had a busy Saturday - church building cleaning, working around the house, catching up on laundry, etc.  Still we managed to get in a movie.

• Fast Sunday birthdays aren't quite as much fun.  Though I still spent some time answering the door and visiting with those kind souls who remembered me on my day.  I have more goodies than I can possibly eat in a rational period of time.  (I've already frozen some for later consumption.)  Was even visited yesterday by my favorite neighbor young ladies who brought smiles and conversation and hugs and made me feel important.

Waving farewell until next time...

• Our oldest daughter (and her family) arrived, bringing her oldest daughter to the MTC before winging off to Iowa for her mission.  How I love seeing our family.

• Family in town meant a micro-family reunion:  dinner at our local Chuck-a-rama.  It was lovely seeing the cousins enjoy each other, watching our adult children and spouses all interact.  We might not be able to spend large chunks of time together but that couple hours was good for my heart.

• Still no luck finding a car for our son and his wife.  Seemingly incessant prayers for heavenly help will surely see results soon.  This is an important thing.  The Husband (and other son) have spent hours looking, likely to spend more time till the right thing happens.

• Ward Music Chair responsibilities have left me feeling a teensy frustrated.  Patience is required.

• Rehearsal for a vocal solo / flute and piano accompaniment have left me feeling hopeful for inviting the Spirit in Sunday's Sacrament meeting.  (Unless her cold impacts her voice too much and we'll have to re-schedule.)

• In summary, it's been a busy week.  I've spent little time on my computer, little time reading, and little time cleaning.  On the other hand, I've spent much time enjoying family, sharing good meals, solving the world's (but not our own) problems through conversations that often last long past normal bedtimes, and ignoring the world around us for a few days.  It's all been just delightful.

Yummy!

I'm grateful today for hugs, hugs and more hugs.  (I wish I'd gotten more of them in my growing up years.) I'm grateful for foot rubs, and morning walks, and birthdays that mean I still have time on this earth to learn and grow (and practice being kind and unselfish). I'm grateful for restaurants where all 16 of us (minus the two that couldn't attend and that we missed greatly) can find something yummy to eat and no one misses out because they're in the kitchen cooking / cleaning up.  I'm grateful for enough bathrooms.  I'm grateful for vacation days from work and for a husband who doesn't shy from whatever it takes to provide for us and solve all the issues we confront. I'm grateful for kind neighbors who share their garden produce: freshly picked tomatoes and cantaloupe are making our tastebuds happy.

I haven't quite finished all that I'm grateful for this morning.  I'm trying to keep those gratitude thoughts at the forefront of my mind, helps me to manage when things conspire to make me lean toward discouragement.  I like what happens when I keep the focus on the abundance of good in my life.  Heavenly Father has created an amazing world.  I'm lucky to be here.

Oh, Frabjous Day!!

Several things to note today:

•  The Husband returns home tonight!  Tonight can't come soon enough for me!

He seems to love his carrot treat.

•  I've walked three mornings this week.  S-l-o-w-l-y and ever so carefully.  But how lovely it's been to be out for the sunrise.  The best thing of all?  There is definite improvement in my foot - easily recognizable expanded range of movement and minimizing of pain.   Ran a couple errands this morning and hardly noticed my foot ache.  YAY! for me! My hope is renewed once again.

•  The horse has readily come for carrot breakfast treat the last two mornings.  Even whines a bit when I leave.  Nice to know I'm not forgotten.

•  Stopped at a store the other day to pick up a couple gifts.  They were out.  Took my name and number to call me when the stock came in.  Unexpectedly, and delightfully so, received a call yesterday that my items arrived.  Picked them up this morning with a smile in my heart - it seems rare for me to receive that kind of customer service.

•  Loved this shirt I saw in a catalog the other day.  Yep, that would be me.  I love our library.

• Out on my errands:  95% of the lights I encountered were green!  Made for a smooth trip.

• Noticed a little family as I drove past.  Mom, Dad and tot in stroller.  Matching ponytails for all.

Yes, life feels better today.

For the first time in weeks I actually woke up feeling a bit of a "chipper" attitude.  It's been a long time - welcome back.  I'm so grateful today to re-acquaint myself with my friend hope.  It has seemed a bit inactive the last while.  I'm grateful to have something to look forward to:  a hug or two from The Husband tonight.  I'm so grateful to be able to move my foot with minimal pain.  I'm grateful for this body that can heal and feel good.  I'm also grateful someone treated me to a small U-Swirl frozen yogurt, it was great fun (and tasty).

I count on the fact that things will not always run smoothly, but for this moment, at least, I'm grateful to feel strong enough to handle what comes my way.  Hopefully I'll always make at least some small progress.

Proof of Progress

Today was my target day.  To get back on the trail.  To see the sun rise.  To start to feel healthy again.

And I did it.  Was up and out of the house at 6:45 - not as early as I used to, but early enough.

Walked 1.2 miles.  Took me half an hour.  (And there's more pain in my foot than I like - I figure that's muscle atrophy that I will re-build.) But I loved being out in the morning.

I called to the horse as I passed.  He didn't even raise his head.  I fear he's forgotten me.  Perhaps (after a trip to the store for carrots) tomorrow he'll remember.

This was my favorite way to start the morning.

And last post I mentioned about lacking patience?  I read a thing this morning that said patience wasn't being able to wait for something, it was being able to wait with a good attitude.  I've really worked on that.  (Or at least hiding my discomfort.)  Wonder how successful I've really been.

I'm so grateful that I was able to get out this morning.  And grateful that in only a couple days The Husband will be home.

Addendum:  Stopped for a gift card at a local eatery.  Made a mental note to not buy cookies there.  The woman manning the drive-through: touched her headset, handled all the money, debit cards and register while taking the cookies off the tray with her same bare hands, placing them on a unprotected counter then carefully wrapping them for delivery through the window.  Who knows what's been on that counter?  Or how clean her hands are?  Makes me grateful I rarely use a drive-through.