Out With The Old.....

Frost decorates this tree.

And tomorrow will be in with the new - the new year 2016.

Seven o'clock this morning and it was 2 degrees. With about an inch of new snow.  I was totally intrigued by this snow - it was the fluffiest, lightest, most ethereal looking snow I ever remember seeing.  The Husband was excited to be able to use his leaf blower to clear the driveway and sidewalks - a first for him on this last day of the year.

Leaf blower turned to snow blower.

I tried to get a picture of the pines in our back yard - one of the rare times they were covered in frost rather than snow.  By ten a.m. the frost was gone in the face of the sun.  It's such a bright, beautiful day!

I've challenged The Husband to go for a walk with me - at midnight.  To welcome the new year by the light of the moon - if'n we can see it.  He says he's up for it.  We'll see what he says come 11:45 p.m.

And I came across this quote.  I don't know why I haven't seen it before.  I love it.

She felt like doing her part to change the world. So she started by giving thanks for all the blessings in her life, rather than bemoaning all that was missing from it. Then, she complimented her reflection in the mirror, instead of criticizing it as she usually did. Next, she walked into her neighborhood and offered a smile to everyone she passed, whether or not they offered theirs to her. Each day she did these things, and soon they became habit. Each day she lived with more gratitude and acceptance, more kindness. And sure enough, the world around her began to change. Because she had decided so, she was single-handedly doing her part to change it. heart emoticon

~ Scott Stabile

Wednesday Already?

Hard to believe how fast the holiday season has gone.  Once it arrived.  Which seemed to take forever.  I convinced The Husband to let me take down the Christmas tree on Monday, along with the few other decorations I had put out.  It would be difficult to describe the peace I felt in my very bones once things were returned to their rightful place, the vacuuming and tidying done.  I love that streamlined, uncluttered feeling.  And two days later, it still feels mighty fine. (Next tidying project: my sewing room.)

At 6:15 this morning the temperature was 19 degrees - warmer than it's been at night in a while.  So I bundled up and chanced the trail for a walk.  Had the trail nearly to myself.  And I didn't slip a single time (that's my largest concern).  There's so much snow that it never seems really dark.  Walking in a sort of twilight is just perfect.

My walk took me over to the city park.  The lights on the trees have expanded and grown over the last few years.  It's so lovely.  I've often wanted to stop at the top of the hill and get an overview picture.  These few shots of a small portion of the park will do for now.  That one white tree is a beautiful willow practically dead center in the park.  When the city first started lighting that tree for Christmas The Husband and I walked over on Christmas eve and wandered the park - all by ourselves.  Now, throughout the holidays the park is full-to-overflowing with others enjoying the lights.  It's a nice thing the city does.

New blooms coming!

I've been watching this particular orchid - have been so delighted to see a new bloom shoot.  I'll have orchids blooming again in the spring.  How lovely.

Saw this sign the other day.  Those few words provide the perfect mental setting for some true relaxation.  And that's just how it feels when we head to North Carolina to the beach. I'm so hoping for a week there in 2016.

Today I'm grateful for my crockpot - dinner is cooking at this moment.  I'm grateful that we were invited to a young man's baptism on Saturday.  I'm grateful that it is warm enough that some of the snow is melting.  I'm grateful for the birds that twitter around our yard - they're happy little things no matter what the weather.  And I'm grateful for a foot improved enough that I could walk this morning.  That morning walk just clears my head, feeds my heart and opens the day in just the right manner.

It Definitely Was A White Christmas

The first of several snow removals.

And for the second year in a row, we had almost more snow than we knew what to do with.  This picture is of The Husband on his first go 'round pushing the snow away.  (We were hoping to get out the driveway to go visit the local grandchilluns.)  There were several more episodes of snow-pushing with the John Deere before the end of the snow-fall.

We finally did manage to get out of the driveway in early evening.  Though by then the skies were clearing and with all the new snow the temperatures plummeted - it made the least bit of moisture on the pavement freeze.  Scary to drive on.  When I got up this morning around 7 it was 2 degrees out. A bit cold. But stunningly lovely.

Very Fun Socks!

Yesterday was a nice day overall.  We had our own private gifting early on.  A second round with one of our children a bit later.  Another round when our grandson arrived.  And the final round when we visited the kids.  How lovely to have their complete focus and attention.

We finished off the day with a dish of ice cream.  Perfect.

I received these cutest socks from a friend.  It strikes a chord in my book-lover's (and necessarily following, this library lover's) heart.

Today we visited another son/daughter-in-law/grandson.  Our son likes to tout his anti-giftness.  But we really scored today - with a beautiful book he's long wanted.  I don't often manage to get it right but when I do...my heart is so happy!

And lest anyone reading think all I cared about was the gifts, please don't be mistaken:  I am fully aware and totally grateful for the knowledge we have of Heavenly Father and His gift to our world of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Nothing ever could compare. I'm so grateful for that blessing.

I'm grateful for kind friends, for family and for my bestest friend.

Socks

I love socks.  I can't wear shoes without socks - I'd be blistered all over my feet in about 5 minutes. So, I pamper my feet and acquire socks with abandon.

Two days ago I cleaned out my sock drawers.  Yes, I said drawers, plural.  I have a drawer for light socks, one for dark socks, and one for exercise socks (and in those drawers are subsets - socks for pretty much every occasion).  What luxury!

Never expected to see something like this in the newspaper.

So I thought it was an interesting coincidence to see this graph in today's newspaper.  I've been gifted lots of socks.  In fact, at this moment there's a pair waiting for me under the Christmas tree - from a sweet soul who understands my affection for socks.  I can't wait to put them on tomorrow.

Cozy!

I'm grateful for all my socks - for all those different foot / occasion needs.

Today I'm also grateful for kind friends who invited us (along with multiple members of their extended family) to the movie.  We admitted that we hadn't ever been to a movie at 9:30 a.m. before. I was actually glad for the early morning time - popcorn doesn't have the same appeal at that time of day so it was easy to avoid it. Especially since the entire rest of the day we've had treats dropped off at our door - which we've devoured as though we haven't eaten in a week.  I'm grateful for a walk in the cold wind with my favoritest person - we practically had the trail to ourselves, we took it slow (my silly foot-issue), held gloved hands and generally just enjoyed our time together.  I still crave that togetherness even after 45 years.

And most of all, I'm grateful for Christmas.  The gift of the Savior could never be overstated. Heavenly Father loves us.

Snowy TuesdayYes,

Yes, it's snowing again, today and tomorrow and the next day....

Today's a hot chocolate kind of day.

I Made It Through The Weekend

Though it produced some anxiety.  And I surely wish I possessed more poise.

I think I've nearly worn out my piano keys practicing for yesterday's program for our former ward.  I've learned to be as prepared / practiced / polished I can be when playing in places other than my living room.  I get a teensy bit overwrought with nerves.  Whenever I play in church, I always pray for angels to guide my fingers to the right keys - I never ever want to disappoint Heavenly Father.

Yesterday's final song: a different arrangement of Silent Night.  My intro sounded like lovely music until about measure 4.  Then it sounded like this: *#&%(*.   I briefly thought about stopping the conductor and starting over.  Which thought was immediately followed by a mental shrug.  It happened.  I've never professed to be anything but the amateur I am.  So be it.

But I managed to make it through the entire program without completely falling apart/messing up.

That meeting was followed by our own ward's Christmas Sacrament meeting.  I was again on tap for the organ/piano contribution in the meeting.  Lots of Christmas carols on the organ.  An Insta-choir (on the piano).  It went well.  Until the very last 2 words of the song.  Our newly called choir director forgot what she was doing - thought she was done when we weren't really.  A momentary glitch/pause and all finished nicely.  I'm so glad there are mistakes enough to go around- I'd hate to be the only one.

Love that middle name!

And a small confession.  I'm an obituary reader.  Generally I scan through to see if there's any names I recognize, that might belong to someone I know.  Yesterday's obituary section was pages and pages. I don't know this man, but my eye was definitely caught. I puzzled over how having the name "True" affected his life.  What a wonderful name to live up to, to absorb and exemplify.  I surely wish I knew the backstory on that one.  Maybe I shall pretend that "True" is my middle name.  (Or perhaps "Beauty"...or "Joy"?)

I'm grateful for people who pretend they don't notice when I mess up on the piano. (Which I do with rather more regularity than I like.) I'm grateful for neighbors that act like neighbors - invite us when they could use some help, chat when they see us out and about, loan us stuff when we're in need, and bring us homemade treats on occasion.  I love that part of a neighborhood.  I'm also grateful for Church programs that bring to complete focus the reason - for everything.  We are so grateful for Jesus Christ and everything He represents.  Merry Christmas!

Still Snowy Wednesday

Love those snow covered branches 

We're still in a stormy weather pattern here:  lots of snow punctuated by small periods of sunshine. Our driveway and walks have been plowed, shoveled, plowed, shoveled, and plowed and shoveled again.  Even the solar panels have been de-snowed.

Taking a small risk I decided to treat myself to a walk out on the trail this morning.  This morning's short walk was probably the only time ever that I've been the lone, solitary person on the trail. And it was sheer heaven.

A different view of a favorite section of trail.

I'm so glad we didn't give up on this tree!

Except for that spill I took.  Whoosh!  Both feet pointed skyward, and I was flat on my back. Happened almost quicker than I could think.  Fortunately my pace was slow and the ground not really inclined so damage was mostly to my ego.

Every time I look at this beautiful tree I remember what it looked like 13 years ago.  We'd planted it in the fall - barely 6 feet tall and slender.  That winter we had tons of wind and by spring that poor tree hadn't a single needle on it.  Loathe to ever give up on a tree, we did our best to nurture it along. We are so pleased with the results- and the birdies love it.  I think there must be more than one previously used nests snugged deep in the branches.

So, today, I'm grateful no one was around to see my "fall from grace" (though graceful has never been an apt description of me). And I'm so grateful we didn't give up on our tree.  Seeing it often elicits a smile from me.

Snowy Monday

8:00 a.m. - lots and lots of snow

We woke to probably half a foot of fresh snow.  And it didn't stop for hours.  7:30 a.m. found The Husband working with his cantankerous John Deere and several shovels to clear the drive enough for us to get out of the garage.  

A couple hours later he was at it again.  The snow was equally deep.  I kept him company with my own shovel though I don't have quite the strong muscles he does.  My efforts yielded smaller results.

And they're predicting even more accumulations before this storm exits the area.

At the P.O.

Outside our stairwell.

Errands were demanding attention so off I went.  Declining to stand in the long line at the post office, I went to the self-serve machine.  It too was being recalcitrant.  Navigating the screen menu wasn't awfully difficult, I was just unfamiliar with it.  It liked my payment method just fine, but didn't want to dispense the postage label - even with what The Husband affectionately calls "percussive maintenance" - the application of force with a fist.  The helpful guy behind me in line managed to complete his own postage request, and found himself with two labels, his and mine. 

This picture is a bit dark, I was trying to surreptitiously take this guy's picture.  Believe me, I'm not judging, it's really none of my business how he chooses to look, and I don't really care.  I just wondered how he managed to get in and out of his car without mussing the "do".

And today I was missing my Rav4.  It's been 5 years since I traded it in on the Prius.  This was one of only a handful of times I've wished for its sense of security.  That little SUV could go anywhere - safely and easily.

I'm so grateful for my elliptical and treadmill for snowy days when I can't be trusted to safely walk the trails outside.  I'm grateful for the ability to get out and about, and for the snowplows that clear our streets.  I'm grateful for the option to just stay in on a snow day.

A New Chapter Begins

• So our ward is all different now. They took parts of 2 different wards to create a whole new one.  And wow, is that ever a process, to start fresh.

Our new Bishop will be just fine, he's really a nice guy who genuinely cares not only (and deeply) for the gospel and doing what our Heavenly Father wants, but he also genuinely cares for people.  One of those guys (much like The Husband) who wakes up with a smile already on his face, anxious and happy to jump into whatever the day brings.

Today was our first real Sacrament meeting with just the new ward.  Most of the organizations had Presidencies sustained.  It takes some time to get things all organized and ready to go. But I can truthfully say that it begins to feel almost like it should.  We know few of the members, but enough are familiar from our previous ward that we don't feel totally adrift and friendless.  It doesn't hurt that it's Christmas and I'm involved enough in the music to feel like I can make at least a small contribution.

Ice cream & brownie lunch

• The Husband's flight on Thursday night was delayed by two hours, he arrived home Friday around 3:15 a.m.  And took Friday off work.  We ran down to BYU for a Norman Rockwell exhibit which we thoroughly enjoyed.  Visited with our son and daughter-in-law where The Husband got to cuddle the newest grandson.  (I was keeping my distance - fighting a cold.)  The most notable thing about that afternoon was our lunch, we ate like a couple of teenagers: BYU Creamery ice cream and BYU mint brownies. It was totally sinful (but our mouths thought they were in heaven).

Viola growing in the rock/ on the right

• Went to dinner that night with a couple friends.  We so love their company.

• Taking advantage of the mild/clear weather we spent Saturday morning cleaning up the leaves in the yard.  My first area was outside our stairwell windows.  It's a challenge to clean up that little area we affectionately call the amphitheater.  It's a natural collection point for anything that blows in the yard.  This picture is of a rock.  Who'd have thought a rock could support a plant? That's a teensy tiny viola growing in that crevice.

Tonight's sunset - The Husband took this one.

I grew a bit philosophical as I was cleaning around that rock. Life often seems barren of joy, opportunities and places to nurture our souls.  But if I keep my eye on Heaven and do my best, there'll be enough nourishment that I can grow and flourish.  Even in a totally new ward.

•It's been a really odd weekend for us, though overall, I guess it's been good.  I'm grateful for The Husband's safe return.  For hearing a giggle from someone I love. I'm grateful for a sweet little neighbor girl (she's not quite two) who reached out and took my hand (with a smile) when I said hi to her at church.  As long as the innocent little ones are so readily accepting of me, I must not be too far from the right path.  And I'll ever be grateful for the beauty of this world.

The Husband Is Coming!

He'll be arriving home about the same time a predicted storm arrives.  I'll welcome the one and hope the other doesn't interfere with his safe homecoming.  It's quite windy and the rain/snow could be challenging.

Fun to receive!

Dropped a little Christmas gift off for a friend.  How nice it was to see her open the door and immediately smile in welcome.  It was a lovely way to be greeted and our visit was warm.

Much later, I opened the door to my friend.  She brought me a hug and this gift. My heart welcomed her kind words as she expressed how she enjoyed us being visiting teaching partners these last few years. Since she lives in the intact part of our previous ward, we won't be seeing much of each other any more.  This ward change is hard.  She'll likely not know how much her visit meant to me. (And the gift will go under the tree to open on Christmas as a sweet reminder of her.)

I often feel like I don't contribute much, don't have much to offer.  I lack so many abilities.  But every rare-once-in-a while someone says something that reaches down deep and I think perhaps I'm not so bad after all.  Maybe there'll be a spot for me in the new ward where I'll find a sense of belonging.  My heart yearns for that.

I'm grateful for kind words, for sweet hugs and for people who are generous with their essential goodness.  I still have so much to learn in this world - which makes me even more grateful for the patience of others as I struggle to conquer my tongue, my thoughts and my actions.

Tuesday

Aren't those silhouettes fun against the sunrise?

It took me precisely 15 minutes after waking to be ready and out the door.  Second day of a (really) short walk. And I loved it.  The sunrise was spectacular and I was thrilled to be out to see it.

Our tree now has 3 wrapped gifts under it. Progress is slow.

Met my neighbor while the both of us were getting our mail.  The two of us had a phone conversation yesterday that was just what I needed.  Today she said she needed a hug.  (And she does great hugs.) I was the lucky hug-ger.

I'm grateful today for the ability to get out and around.  I'm taking things super-slow on my foot.  But at least I'm out there and the weather has been cooperative.  I'm grateful for good walking shoes.  For phones that we carry in our pockets that keep us in immediate (if necessary) touch.  Texting can be a blessing.  I'm grateful for prayer.

Monday Started Early

With the departure of The Husband for his week in the office.  I already pine for him!  After he left (at 4:30 a.m.) I tried to go back to bed, but my mind was already awake:  futile to try to sleep.

I'm good for another 6 months!

• Headed out for the dentist.  My checkup was all good, YAY! no cavities.  Even a trip to the dentist means a goodie bag!

• Yesterday was a strange day.  Nothing felt right from the very beginning.  Instead of being up and off to church early, we had to wait until 1:30 for our Sacrament meeting. After a seemingly endless pep-talk (he did say some really worthwhile things) the Stake Presidency announced for our ratification the bishopric of our new ward.  Three men:  one - the obvious choice, the second - one I should have guessed, and the third - as expected a brother from the other part of the ward.

I think they'll be a fine bishopric.  And while change can be challenging, a familiar face in leadership helps.

• Then choir practice for the former ward's Sacrament meeting Christmas program. I was surprised at the number of complaints about the later hour for practice.  It is a luxury to have a choir, to have a building to practice in and lots of lovely songs to sing. There seemed to be an abundance of grumpiness.

• Tried to just blow off the comment (to my face) by a sister that was selfish and hurtful about the ward division. I know she was just being thoughtless.  Like me, she needs to learn to think before she speaks.

• Went out Saturday for a pair of flat shoes to wear to church so as to not have issues with my still fragile foot. Ran over to our closest mall to see what Dillard's has - their great shoe selection makes them a favorite destination for me.  Our jaws were scraping the floor when we walked in.  How did we not know they're closing that location?  The next nearest mall just opened a huge Dillard's (that we have yet to visit). I'm guessing it replaces our familiar one.  That still makes me sad.

• Included in our Saturday errands was a bit of Christmas shopping.  I so love when The Husband helps me with it.  We were taking our time so even the heavy traffic and crowd-filled stores were less bothersome. It didn't hurt that we topped off the afternoon with frozen custard.

And today I'm so grateful for Fast Sunday.  For the opportunity to dedicate a day to sincere and heartfelt prayers for concerns that we place in our Heavenly Father's hands.  To acknowledge His influence and care in our everyday.  To plead for His mercy on our troubles. To be grateful for all that He so graciously sends our way.  That part of our Sunday filled our hearts.

Another Week...

Has come and nearly gone.  There've been lunches with friends and relatives.  There's been doctor appointments and a Costco run.  There's been interaction with (former) ward members.  And change still hovers over all.  I'm only fond of change that I promote.  Changes originating from outside can be challenging.

Last evening's sunset.

Last night's sunset was pretty spectacular.

I took a chance - tried a short (and I mean short) walk this morning on the trail at sunrise.  My soul so very much needed that grounding.  Came home and immediately donned the boot. I'll be extremely careful until it feels like the stress fracture is totally healed - these aging bones take their own sweet time.  (The inflamed bursa is continues to be an issue.)  Still, it was one of the bestest ways to begin my day.

Today's dawn.

I received the call I knew was coming but didn't necessarily hope for. I've been asked to play the organ for our Sacrament meeting this coming Sunday - the one where our new Bishopric will be installed.

I love music.  I love being invited to contribute and serve though my contributions are generally smallish.  I'm still (and likely ever will be) hopeful that someday my contribution might be something other than organ playing.  At the risk of whining: the organ never has been something I've cared for, the organ and I are not friends.

Tonight will find us at the church for the Ward Christmas party - the final get-together of all parts of the former ward.  I suspect there will be some tender hearts.  Things will never be the same again and only the passage of time will tell us whether this change has been for good.

Interesting Times

I really think we live in interesting times.  Things are rarely dull.  I might be restless, not want to do what is needing done, but I'm never, ever bored.

• We received our first Christmas card of the season yesterday.  I opened it with a sense of guilt.  I love Christmas cards and diligently sent them year after year to those that are important to us.  Last year I think I sent maybe one or two.  It's getting more and more difficult to find religious themed cards and I refuse to send cutesy ones that are absent any reference to the reason for this celebration.

Since I have gradually pared down my card sending over the last few years, we've received fewer and fewer.  I am mourning the demise of the Christmas card.

• Read this column in this morning's paper.  I really enjoyed it. I so love the focus on hope.  We need it.  All of us.  All of the time.

• Had a meeting on Sunday.  Our little section of the ward was split off and combined with a split-off section of a neighboring ward creating a new ward. We've often talked about how we are the "unwanted stepchild" part of the old ward.  We're kind of out of the way, just a spur off the main part.  I doubt the situation will be any different in the new ward - we're still kind of out of the way, a spur off the main part (and w-a-y outnumbered by the saints we're combining with from the other ward).

This Sunday we'll only have Sacrament meeting to hear (and ratify) the announcement of the new Bishopric.  I'm guessing they'll spend the next week staffing the organizations.  It's challenging to start a new ward from scratch.  I hope there'll be place for us - we're older than most of the people from the other ward.  Worst of all - our good friends are in our previous ward.  That makes me sad and unsettled.

And a thought-provoking complication:  our choir pianist left the ward.  I was filling in for the Christmas program.  I've spent hours at the piano learning and polishing the songs, some of them are a bit complicated.  Our new ward meets at the choir practice time and I'm not really in that ward any longer.  I have no idea what will happen.  I could be interesting.

• I'm grateful today for my piano, I spent some time yesterday just enjoying the lovely notes that wafted through the air around me.  Discovered an arrangement of a Christmas song that I don't remember ever playing before and it was fun to play something just for me - without expectations from others.

I'm also grateful for the gift of a kouign amann. It'll greatly enhance my lunch.  I'm grateful for my boot/shoe that still provides relief from pain in my foot (that feels like it will neverever disappear). I'm grateful for a doctor that is willing to work with The Husband to assist in his hearing/tinnitus issue.  He bears it without complaint though I know it is often distressing to him.  And I'm grateful for clean floors. And good things to read.