Post-Holiday Weekend

Good bye, sweet rose, I'll miss you.

And having a Monday holiday really throws me out of synch.  I'll be confused the whole rest of the week.

Since Friday and Saturday were busy days for all of us, but mostly for The Husband, we set aside yesterday just for relaxing.  So, yup, The Husband was out working in the yard in the morning.  We'd pulled out an old under-its-potential rosebush on Saturday, then picked up some other plants (actually for other places) at Home Depot that needed planting.  For planting, the old also under-potential-reaching plant must first be removed.  Which means some more dirt must be added which means trips back and forth with the wheelbarrow whose tire must first be re-inflated and the list goes on.  It was a process.

But the new clematis replacing the old mostlydeadhardlyalive honeysuckle will be pretty there on the corner of the garage.  The boxwood shrubs will have to wait for another Saturday for planting, but they're ok in their pots for now.

Drinks and sinful cinnabon.

My daily garden inspection revealed pumpkins! We planted the second wave of corn and peas and carrots on Saturday.  Since the pumpkin hill showed not a hint of promise, I also stuck a whole bunch of pumpkin seeds in the mound.  Only to go out two days later to find several of the previous seeds had sprouted.  It's been so cool, and the garden in so much shade from the untrimmed cottonwood trees that I think that ground hadn't been warmed enough for the seeds to grow.  It looks like I'll be thinning out quite a few of the pumpkins.  These are a giant variety, we haven't room for more than one plant.

I had a (rare, really rare) hankering for a root beer.  I'm not a soda fan at all.  But nothing would satisfy except to indulge.  The Husband had a coupon he's been saving to use at our newly opened Maverick up the hill. Buy one XL drink and get a second one free.  So up we went.  I won't be able to finish the last half of my drink, but it was free.  It was kind of a fun micro-adventure - I never-ever-rarely-ever go to convenience stores.

Last week we excitedly supervised as the mama robin build her nest.  It's in a fairly visible spot from several windows.  Then she disappeared.  For days.  Just this morning we agreed that she must have perished and that we'll miss having some baby robins around again this year.  Not an hour later The Husband calls me come quick, the robin is on her nest!  YAY!

Loved seeing this cow-let on my walk, it was cute.

And I'm still puzzling over this: a couple weeks ago, deep in conversation with a friend in the hall between Sunday School and R. S. I was abruptly instructed by a sister in the ward.  "You have to make so and so do this and this. She's causing me issues."  What??  I try really hard not to try to make anyone do anything.  It isn't my place.  The most baffling thing in all of this is that this woman has a PhD in marriage and family counseling.  She makes her living helping people.  She goes around the world doing presentations about lots of aspects of the Gospel.  Does she not understand the concept of agency?  Why on earth would I ever make someone do what she wants?    There's lots of things in this life that don't go the way we think is right.  Lots of behaviors of other people we don't necessarily agree with or condone.

But...none of us has the right to force our will on another regardless of how well-intentioned, well-motivated or just plain right we think we are.  And frankly, I think most of us are no more "right" about stuff than most of the others.  We're all trying.  Our best might be someone else's worst.   And vice-versa.

Anyway, the upshot is that I won't be telling so and so to do this and this.  Ever.  I prefer peace to confrontation.

We didn't have as much "fun" as I hoped over the weekend.  And it's going to be hard for both of us to get back into the routine of work.  But our daughter will be in town this weekend.  It'll be so good to see her, it's been since September!  Hopefully the dinner with all our chilluns and some of the grandchilluns will be a happy occasion.  I'm praying for that.

I'm grateful for an occasional long weekend that helps us step back and do different things. To recognize that while our routine is wonderful and productive, there's other fun things in life.  I'm grateful for friends that invite us out to dinner once in a while.  I'm grateful for the ability to have cars that are reliable and comfortable.  For a rare root beer.  And for tomorrow's installment of the new garage door.  And for hope for more fun next time.  This world is beautiful.

Restless

This has been one of those restless days.  Lots of stuff to do, not in the mood to do any of it.

Tried to get involved in a book.  It's a Whitney award winner for this year and within the first few pages I was annoyed with the main character.  She lies, picks the lock on her Dad's filing cabinet, lies some more, and that's like in the very first chapter.  This is the heroine?

Clearly this book wasn't working for me.

Woke up this morning not in the mood to walk.  Me? Yup.  Maybe it's because I'm just not feeling my youthful self.  If I started in on what is achey, my list would be boringly long!

It's been a busy but productive week.  The Husband got on board and after multiple phone calls, managed to round up a couple people to help move our piano.  Parlor Size Schimmel Grand. Heavy. I'm loathe to spend money so I wasn't up for spending $95-145 for the professionals.  Two strong guys and The Husband and the piano is 10 feet to the west in a much more pleasing place and all three of its legs are still intact.  Awesome!

The Charger is all fixed - and back in its place in the garage. The garage door guy has been and measured.  Hopefully they'll order and install the replacement door soon.  I didn't think we used that door that much, but apparently I was mis-thinking.

The tree guy was here this afternoon.  The cottonwoods have had a trim.  The sun'll be able to reach the veggie garden better.  Really, our whole yard seems more open to the view and the sky. Much as it pains me to admit it, those two yard bookends look much better.

Mrs. (or is it miss?) Oriole - Welcome back!

Tomorrow morning the wiring guy will arrive to do some wiring for the security cameras.  I remember when we first acquired a home with an alarm system and how wrong it felt to me to live in that situation - where you have to keep your house alarmed against intruders. Now we're having to take it a step further and have cameras.  If only people would not break into cars on the driveway. If only people wouldn't steal things.

But the bestest part of the week?  The orioles have returned!  I've been anxiously waiting to hear their arrival announcement.  She always "chatters" (otherwise known as her "begging call") when she comes to the feeder.  This picture was taken through the not-yet-spring-cleaned window.  I so love to see those friends of ours come back every year.  They're so beautiful.

I'm so grateful for the wherewithal to have stuff done that needs doing.  That there are those we can call to take of stuff that is beyond us.  I'm grateful for yummy brownies!

MidWeek Thoughts From Others

I have found the perfect paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. – Mother Teresa

"The sun never says to the earth,'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the whole sky."  - Haviz

Maybe there'll be babies soon

“two things define you:Your patience when you have nothing,and your attitude when you have everything.”― Anonymous

And this one that I saw on a video:  "...see a person for what they can be instead of what they are."

Just a few things I stumbled on.  I love that there are those thinkers who are articulate.

That dark spot just off the center of the picture is a nest we've been watching a robin build over the last few days.  I expected her to be sitting in the nest, but apparently not today.  Hopefully we'll have some baby robins soon, they're fun to watch and this nest is in a place that we can more easily see.  I love the hope of spring. 

Today I'm grateful for good food - ribs for dinner followed by brownie dessert.  (Remember dessert is with 2 ss's - double the goodness.) For sprouting veggies in our garden.  For hope that there'll be fun in the future.

Life Is Never Dull

First roses of the season.

It just seems like there's always so much to take care of.  And it all has to be done in a certain amount of time and in a "just so" manner.  We're not totally picky, just kinda particular that things be done right.

Love the color of the egg.

And underneath all those extras (Charger fixed, cottonwood trees trimmed, garage doors, wiring done, tomato plant supports, garden watering system, piano moved, walls painted, stucco attended to, cement and other long-range plans) we've got the pressure of the usual stuff - house maintenance, grocery shopping, meal preparation, church callings, home and visiting teaching.  Makes a body want to head to the beach for the duration.

And we'll do what we must, attend to what we can and cope with the rest.  Life is never boring!

One of my favorite pens.

Was on my walk this morning when I received word that The Husband was leaving the Charger for repairs.  He'd like a ride, pretty please.  Not wanting to inconvenience him in the least, I hustled (jog-walked) home as fast as I could.  I dislike when people have to wait on me.  Now I'm hunting for the ibroprofen, my silly ankle/foot has never felt 100% since last summer. I think I've gone a bit backwards.

Great words!

On my walk this morning I spied this little partial bird's eggshell. I hope it means the birdie is doing fine on it's own and not that some marauder has come along.

The text is from the back page of Saturday's Church news.  I thoroughly enjoyed the article.  It's a challenge to get through this life and do it in the way Heavenly Father hopes for us.  I never want to disappoint Him.

And I am grateful for so much.  Even when things get a bit crazy. Maybe I should also be grateful for the craziness?  And how it helps me recognize the balance? Yeah.  I'll think on that.

I'm grateful for thoughtful gifts of pens that I love and have a hard time finding. I'm grateful for an unexpected breakfast out.  For smoothie lunches and for texts from kind people.

Day Of Rest

Yes, a big ow-ie.

I guess the definition of a day of rest is when you're resting from (or not doing) what you normally would on a regular workday.  Being actively involved in our church means that Sunday is busy. Good things, but not necessarily restful.

And yes, this picture is of The Husband's much loved Charger.  Made it to five years without any ow-ies.  This one will require a bit of fixing.  It made us both sad.

Spent some time with our kids and grandchilluns across the valley - were invited on the spot to stay for dinner.  What a delightful time we had - her homemade CafeRio pork and beans and rice were just yummy!  The kids acted like they were happy to see us: really nice.

Can't wait for watermelon! 

I saw this really ingenious watermelon cutter online somewhere last week.  Sent the link to The Husband and pretty soon, here it shows up on our doorstep - he'd ordered it for me.  I can hardly wait for some watermelon to try it out!  The sticky mess all over the countertop is a trial for me each summer.  Sometimes I just think it isn't worth it and forgo the watermelon.  But not this year!

The Husband spent quite a bit of time yesterday helping me construct a crossword puzzle for my Sunday School class.  It was beautiful - nice straight lines, centered well on the page.  (I told him I always turn my frustrating stuff over to him - he makes everything seem so easy, I just get overwhelmed.)  And yep, the very first word that I wrote on the puzzle in class was in the wrong place!  All that nice precision mucked up with a few strokes of the red marker.  I'm such a dufus!

Was my pleasure today to play the piano in primary.  It's often a fun place to be.  I guess that's true of pretty much everything you aren't obligated to do all the time.  Fun for the short term.  It should be a goal to make things fun in the long term as well.

Today I'm grateful for the sunshine that we see between the rainstorms.  I'm grateful for spinach and carrot and pea and corn sprouts in our garden.  If we're careful (and lucky) we'll have some yummy vegetables.  I'm grateful beyond words for family that has to love me.  That's what family does.  I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father knew I could find beauty in this world with The Husband and our children.

Strange Saturday

No movies to see, our friends are out of town so no get-together with our friends, no real obligations to take care of.  Unusual for us to have such an unencumbered Saturday.

We slept in, lounged around, I finally did my hair and got dressed at 11:00.  We ran a couple non-essential errands, thinned the spinach in the garden.  (The peas are coming up nicely, the corn is barely poking through and soon the carrots will be big enough to thin.  YAY!  I'm so excited I didn't plant them all wrong!)

Cottonwood tree cotton.

And here is the big thought for the day:  If I had my way, clothes would be as comfortable as pajamas, so I wouldn't mind wearing them all day long.  (And if it weren't for my age and modesty I'd also declare bras to be optional!)

It really was a stunning sunrise!

Yesterday morning's walk in the wind was a welcome way to watch the sun warm the day.  And that other picture that looks like a bunch of weeds by the side of the trail?  Well, it is a bunch of weeds by the side of the trail, underneath the cotton from our (and a very few other) cottonwood trees.  I can't remember a year when the cotton has been so abundant.  And annoying.  So annoying.

I'm grateful for The Habit milkshakes.  I rarely was privileged to enjoy a shake growing up, but the ones at the Habit take me straight back to that rarity of my childhood.  I'm grateful for a husband who is so willing to take on my projects and help me when I get frustrated.  I'm grateful for the time of day for pajamas!  And I'm grateful for the way the rain sounds when it wakes me up.

Weird Wednesday

Only weird because it feels like I'm not getting a thing done!  And this is supposed to be the "slower time of life".

The yellow one in the back is a big CLEARANCE sign.

So I went to the mall this morning.  It's been multiple months since I was shopping at the mall. (Time for some fresh Sunday shirts for The Husband.)  Of course while I was there I had to do some window shopping - everything was new to me since I so rarely shop.  I had to laugh at this store - it was a new one.  Grand Opening signs everywhere.  And in the back of the shop:  yes, those are "Clearance" signs.  Who knew you could have a grand opening and a clearance at the same time?

A friend stopped by for a chat.  We love when that happens, even though the pressure of needing to work causes some small anxiety for The Husband.  We showed our friend the garden - now I can see some peas coming up!  I don't know how well they'll do since they're really the cooler weather kind of veggie.  But we'll give it a shot anyway.  Fresh picked peas?  Wonderful!

Walking with our friend out to his car I looked over and wow- the peonies have popped.  Just yesterday they were all teensy buds.  I wait all year to see their happy faces - and this year they seem particularly bright.

Love their prettiness!

Was reading a manual the other day about teaching in church and came across this quote.  And I think it's applicable to lots of other areas in life:  "Listening is an act of love.  It requires that we care more about what is in another person's heart than what is next on our agenda or outline....As you pay careful attention to their spoken and unspoken messages, you will come to better understand their needs, their concerns, and their desires."  Good counsel to follow.

I'm grateful for a great sale on dress shirts.  For more-life-experienced (translation: older than me) people who have friends to walk the mall with them - it was a cute sight to see those three enjoying their exercise.  I'm grateful for friends who stop by to chat.  For a decent vacuum cleaner (the cotton is still flying from the cottonwood trees in our back yard, copious amounts of cotton, the trees must be happy).  And for when things are peaceful.  I love the peaceful times of life.

Cloudy Tuesday

I love this creek.

Looking west.

I love having stuff to do - keeping busy is a good thing.  Having too much to do can be....daunting.  I'm slightly daunted.

But I've managed to be out on the trail the last couple days - how ever would I manage without greeting the sun out on the trail each morning.  We've had quite a bit of rain - lots of precip in the mountains.  Makes the creeks run fast / high.

Looking east.

The spinach is doing so well I had to go thin it.  That's a tough thing to do, necessary but tough.  I'm still waiting on the other veggies to poke their green through.  I'm impatient.

Yesterday was spent Visiting Teaching - do our sisters wish we'd leave sooner?  I know I've often felt that way in the past and surely don't want to overstay.  On the flip side - it seems like there's never enough time to just chat with friends / neighbors.  It's good for the soul!

And really- these words are just an excuse to post some pictures I've taken  I love the morning!

Another Sunday

I so love when Sacrament meeting is the best meeting of the week.  In spite of the fact that I was trembling at the organ, it was a great meeting.  Those speaking were articulate and sincere and engaging.  It was a pleasure to be there.

Spinach!

Things kind of went slightly downhill from there.  I'm dizzy again.  I think I need to re-visit that "Epley maneuver" I was taught by the ENT and see if I can't get control.  The way I was listing as I walked makes me think it's the right ear this time.  It makes me so unsteady and fuzzy headed, I dislike it.

After a rainy morning, we headed out to check the garden.  I've been examining the surface anxiously for a couple days - knowing full well that it is w-a-y too early to be seeing corn or pea or carrot sprouts.  But it apparently it isn't too early for spinach!  Yay!  I didn't totally do things wrong when I sowed those teensy seeds.  We might have a fresh spinach salad one of these days.

These funny lovely purple flowers are a treat.  We got a few of them last year and planted them in hopes of pretty blooms over the summer.  I can't even recall what they are - the identifying tag is long gone.  Imagine our delight when we saw fresh growth and seemingly overnight these pretty little flowers.  I so love that Heavenly Father blessed our world with flowers.

Pretty volunteers from last year's failure.

Ran into a friend in the hall between Sunday School and Relief Society.  I think she was heading out. She's one of those people that feels like it's a privilege to know.  I reached over for a hug and next thing I knew she was hanging on tight and sobbing into my shoulder.  She wasn't interested in sharing what was troubling her, so we moved on to talk about books.  How grateful I was that I happened to be there for a hug.  I doubt that I helped her any, but it surely was balm to my soul to share a tender moment with her.

Once the tears started they continued to come.  I got teary at the home teacher's message (as I did when I first heard Elder Snow's talk this last conference which the home teacher referenced).  I got teary talking to our daughter.  I got teary hearing about a ward member's heart-touching experience.  I've bounced from uplifted to discouraged and every range of emotion in between.  Sometimes I just wish I could make it all better.  Of course, I understand that's "Plan B" not the Savior's plan.  But I often wish I could sprout fairy wings and flit along with my wand filled with kindness dust and sprinkle it on all those who could use an extra dose - either to receive or give, wouldn't matter.

I think I'll work on that.  At least the kindness part.  Sprouting wings and brandishing a wand might be more problematic.

I'm grateful for a weekend that included some one-on-one time with The Husband.  For the knowledge of the plan that helps me to allow others their agency even when it conflicts with my desires.  (Again - implementation of this is one area where I need to grow.)  I'm grateful for those who contribute in our Sunday School class to help make it a meaningful experience for everyone. And I hope for the ability to be more kind.

Trying To Catch Up

Sometimes it seems like I'll always be behind.  I think part of the reason I'm feeling so pressured is the time it takes to prepare each week for our Sunday School class.  Everyone in there is so much more knowledgeable than I am.  It does cause some anxiety.

Bento Food Fun

Anyway, Monday and yesterday I began to feel like I made a bit of headway.  We'll see how long I can stay marginally on top of things.

The first time I ever saw/heard of a Bento Box I was immediately captivated!  I love the concept and generally the implementation.  I received this great Bento Box for my very own.  It came complete with tucked away utensils and those darling colored-silicone liners to fill and place inside to separate the contents.  It is air-tight, microwave and dishwasher safe and cute to boot!  What a fun gift!

Entering the grocery store this morning, my ears were assaulted.  It's usually a bit noisy in there but not like this. Come to find out they're remodeling / re-merchandising my favorite shopping place.  Mixing things up, adding new stuff - how will I ever find what I'm looking for?  That's the kind of change I could do without.

Darling Dianthus

Spent some time this afternoon in the front flower beds.  We had talked about maybe planting something different this year.  But when we came home from the nursery it was with a trunk full of our usual: geraniums.  This local farm grows them from seed and while the purists are usually against non-zonal geraniums, the ones we get from this particular place seem to do just fine.  And at $1.50 per plant (vs. $4 per plant) we opted for the seed geraniums this year.  (Last year we did some seed and some zonal and they both did super well. We'll try all seed this year.  Especially since I have a difficult time spending hard earned $ for annual plants. I always want more bang for the buck!)

Hopefully beautiful red and white geraniums, with alyssum.

So, they're planted, along with the dianthus.  Watered, and given a pep talk to do their best to shine in our yard (you know, that old saying:  Bloom where you're planted!)  The geraniums look like they got a bit of frost on their leaves, but I don't usually give up on a plant until it is truly (not mostly) dead.

I wandered out to the veggies to check on things.  Knowing it is w-a-y too early to expect any sprouts to be showing but figuring that if I can give the flowers a pep talk the veggies deserve one, too.  The tomatoes are looking good.  I'll have to remember to water them in the morning.

I'm so grateful for flowers - they truly to brighten and beautify this world.  I'm grateful for grocery store shelves that are filled to abundance.  For the sunshine that makes it pleasant to plant the flowers.  For someone that cares enough to bring me water to drink while I'm out in the sunshine.  And for something good to read (when I can break away for some reading time).  It truly nourishes my soul.

Mother's Day Weekend

All planted!

And it turned out just fine.

Saturday we planted the veggie gardens and bought annuals for the front flower beds (interesting that we call them gardens and beds as a way to differentiate) between storms.  We happened to pick the very best times of the day to work outside.

Lost.

The storms were something else.  I haven't ever seen hail like there here in Draper before.  A block or two away from our house it came down so hard the streets looked like it had snowed - the slush was deep and covered the road, made it slippery.  There was so much water so fast that it blew a manhole cover in the air and geysered water for a bit. (And yes, we lost a tomato plant.)

How is it possible to lose things?  The dryer did not eat this sock - that pair was a favorite of mine!

 And how did I lose the good peeler?  I'm reduced to this ancient one that I don't like so well.  I swear it never left the kitchen - but disappeared into thin air.  Tis a puzzle.

Great gift!

I had visits from the local kids and texts from the faraway ones for Mother's Day.  The Husband gave me a great gift - cookies and flowers that don't die in a day or two.  He took care of dinner (I love his rib fixings!) and in general made me feel treasured the entire day. (Which really isn't any different from any other day, I love it!)  I got to love on the newest grandson as much as I wanted, though toting around this 20+ pound 7 month old is a bit of a challenge to my back.  He smiled and cuddled and was delightful.

Love these iris.

I'm grateful for my sunrise walk that took me past the irises.  I love those flowers.  I'm grateful for kind people.  For one of our former YSA who made a special point of introducing me to her fiance so I could share in her joy.  I'm grateful for the tomatoes we'll have in a couple months.  For my rain slicker. And for great hugs.

Gift

So, I'm not a big fan of Mother's Day. For many reasons.  I'm trying mightily this year to approach it with a whole different mindset.  Yes, it is a bit of a challenge.

Complete with serving spoon!

But today, in the mail I received a Mother's Day gift from our faraway daughter.  How clever - and cute - and fun! I love M&M's.  I rarely have them, I don't spend money on candy usually.  The whole thing came in an insulated bad complete with an M&M cold-pack to keep them from melting.  It's just great!

Out in the yard the other day I thought I heard an oriole.  It seems they generally appear around Mother's Day.  Our oriole feeder is old and I think all those hours in the sun have taken their toll on the plastic.  It broke.  The new one arrived today.  We'll see if we can't attract some of those lovely birds.  They are stunningly beautiful, and frequently will announce their arrival at the feeder so they can strut their beauty in our admiring gazes.  I'll be watching for them.

Nice and bright for the orioles.

I received an email from a friend this morning.  She had a rough day the other day and was telling me about it.  My heart just ached for her.  While at the same time I was inwardly rejoicing that she felt close / comfortable enough to tell me her pains and concerns.  I have always tried to maintain confidentialities.  I like to be able to say I'm true to my word.  I haven't as many close friends in this world as I'd like, but it surely felt like friendship to receive her email.

I'm so grateful for good people that I consider friends.  I'm grateful for a (mostly) receptive heart.  I'm grateful for the abundance we see in our grocery stores.  I'm grateful for kids who don't seem to mind that I am/was a Mom that was way-less than perfect.  Thankfully they mostly seem to understand I did my best.

Thursday Already?

Wisteria down the street

Whatever happened to Tuesday and Wednesday?  I think I'm brain dead.

I've been for walks, worked on the Sunday School lesson, puttered around the house and just loved the spring.  The Husband picked up some tomato starts that we'll plant on Saturday, if the weather cooperates.

Today I went to lunch with some friends.  It's easy to get carried away talking - at least for me. And I don't feel like I'm talked out yet.

Our beautiful Hawthorne tree.

I'm still thinking about a time a few weeks ago.  We were at a restaurant.  One of the females came back from the restroom saying she saw so-and-so in there and really--they--eat out? When I questioned I was informed that they're "different", they home-school and don't do things the rest of us do, like they don't celebrate Halloween (and I'm guessing the children aren't as involved in extracurricular sports, etc).  They're members of our church but just not like the rest of us.

I sat there and listened and my heart hurt a little.  I finally said that it must be hard for them, their convictions must be really strong to live that way in our society.  And I wondered to myself if they have any friends at all at church?  Do people treat them with kindness and acceptance?  Somehow I think not so much. Clearly this was a bothersome exchange to me to still be mentally fussing over it weeks later.  I often find myself championing the "underdog", those who seem to march to a different drummer.

And yep, that's about right.

Last night we ran out for a quick burger dinner.  Sitting where I could see the order counter I watched as a man came in and waited to be recognized and attended.  He stood for a bit.  Pretty soon another guy, younger, came marching in, skirted the first man, strode directly to the counter and got immediate attention.  After a bit, the first man left, having been pretty much ignored.  And I'm guessing he won't be back to that eatery.  And I was totally upset with the second guy - who should have asked the first guy if he was in line, or needed help first or what.  Instead, all that mattered was himself.  I so dislike that kind of selfishness.  And the kind of selfishness that demands that we all do the same things.

I understand and am fully aware of what a flawed individual I am.  Does it count that I try really hard to be good through-and-through?  Does it count that I try to be unselfish?  Will it matter that I work on improving myself and being more aware of others' needs?  I can only hope that someday in the distant future judgement there will be a little more balance of Christlike behavior in me than otherwise.  Until then I shall keep trying and hopefully, keep noticing things that will prompt me to evaluate how I need to be.

I'm so grateful for fun friends to go to lunch with who let me blather on and on.  For the bestest ever hugs I get on returning home to My Love.  For birthdays to celebrate.  And for this beautiful world.

Another Great Week Ahead

I never will tire of sunrises.

It's been a fairly busy few days.  Included:  Women's Conference (fabulous), dinner and a movie (strange movie but I'm so glad I saw it) with friends (fantastic), a stress-prompted nap on Sunday afternoon (rejuvenating), texted pictures of our newest grandson (absolutely delightful), Fast and Testimony meeting (heart pounding), and finally this morning a walk on the trail (deer-spotting and lilac smelling).

This will not be my week!

This week will include:  planting some peas in the newly prepared (lots of the Husband's hard work there) garden beds, taking care of the tomato starts until it's warm enough to plant them, lunch out with some friends, planning for next Sunday School class, grocery-ing, laundry-ing, celebrating the 16th birthday of the grandson and more that's too mundane to include.

Should be yummy!

Along with all that greatness will undoubtedly come some frustration and anxiety.  My hope is for that part of the week to be teensy-tiny.

I'm grateful for the world's beauty.  For people who chat with me at church like I'm someone important, for trees that bloom (my Hawthorne is looking lovelier by the day) and for a bestest friend who dispenses hugs with alacrity and sincere intent.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father invented hugs.