Beautiful Trail, Beautiful Sky, Beautiful Morning, Beautiful Walk

Midweek

• Yesterday it rained all day long.  Today it was stunning - cloudless bright blue skies, temps in the upper 50's, calm winds.  Made it hard to stay inside.

• I snapped this picture of a magnolia tree that is alongside the trail - it's in bloom and looks so pretty. Unfortunately I couldn't manage to get close enough (without trespassing) to get a picture without the house and barn in the background.

• By the time I returned from the battery replacement on Monday, I could tell I was headed for a completely miserable sinus infection.  I pulled out my rinse kit and got busy.  And am happy to report that my ears are not aching, the headache is gone and my teeth no longer hurt.  I will continue the sinus rinse for a few days as a preventive measure but I think I forestalled yet another infection.  Yay for me, those are just awful.

Saved me from pain.

• I needed to stock up on some basic items, so I headed over to Walmart where I can get them pretty cheap.  I also needed a couple birthday cards and a sympathy card.  My timing wasn't great:  they were completely revamping the greeting card section.  After having to temporarily abandon my cart full of goods to wend my way through the obstacles in the aisle and having no luck, I gave up.  The birthday cards will wait.  But I did stumble across these cake mixes.  Who knew Krispy Kreme made cake mixes!  Wonder how they taste?  As for the Krispy Kreme doughnuts, in my personal opinion - unless those doughnuts are hot and fresh they aren't worth chewing.  :^)

How do they taste?

• And I'm still thinking about what I heard on Sunday during church.  He was talking about the word "always".  Especially in the sacrament prayers.  We always remember the Savior and try to always have His spirit to be with us.  He talked for some minutes about what that means.  And it has stuck with me.  What an awesome thing to contemplate - remembering the Savior always.  Even when people blow through stop signs in front of us.  Or when (like tonight) I watched a woman fill her water cup with soda (yes, I know, it's not my place to judge, but I so dislike when people steal - and in front of her 5 year old, too).  Or when you get charged twice for an item at the store.  Kinda hard to remember the Savior in those moments. If I had been successful at remembering Him then, it would have been impossible for me to judge the soda stealer, or the stop sign runner or be annoyed with the poor checker who charged me twice.  His spirit would have been with me. I surely have a lot of work still to do in this life.

•Today, I'm grateful that it's Wednesday.  Under 48 hours and The Husband will be home - where we both belong: together! I'm grateful for the sunshine that makes the seemingly unending (though really necessary) rain bearable.  For a working car.  And a Zupa's giftcard.  I'm not really fond of that place, something about even just walking in the door puts my teeth on edge.  But I'll happily do it for a free salad.

Not Quite The (Mini) Adventure I Had In Mind / Comfort Food

So the morning started out less than optimal.  And went downhill from there. The negative way it started?  The Husband drove off to the airport, flew to CA, drove to the office and there he'll stay until Friday.  Yeah. Tough for me.

Later on, opened the garage, got in the car, pushed the start button.  And...not much of anything.  I got some weird messages on the screen, the screen flickered on and off a bit, then looked (and sounded) like a dying creature.  I suspected a dead 12V battery.

Almost lilacs!

My visiting teaching partner was so gracious.  She picked me up for our appointment, offered help from her husband with my car (when he returned home) offered a ride to work for my daughter (if she needed it) and was so very kind.

My thoughts were a maelstrom as I tried to figure out how The Husband would fix this if he were here.  (Besides the obvious that he'd just fix it himself.)  Called the car insurance company.  Yep, we have roadside assistance.  She can send someone out (even though I'm not technically roadside since the car is in the garage) to help get the car jumped. Then it's a waiting game while I try to calm my nerves (can only imagine what my blood pressure is today!) and think of all the ramifications that might need to be solved along the way.

Dear young man jumped the car, with accompanying instructions to find out if the battery has failed. (And all the time I'm thinking - I've had this car 6 1/2 years, it has to be the battery!) and the passing comment that Prius' are known for having to be jumpstarted.  And if this is the first time that it's happened to me, I should count myself lucky.

I grabbed my purse and headed directly to the dealership, drove in without an appointment and practically groveled for help.  (Considering the length of time it took to fix the car perhaps I should have groveled just a teensy bit less?) And do you know, he sez, there's a recall notice out on this vehicle?  Yes, but can't it wait until I come in for the oil change - in about another decade or so? (It must be obvious by now that frazzled fairly well describes my mental state.) You really should do it now in case we run out of parts.   Yeah, yeah, whatever, go ahead fix the recall, but first could you please just fix the *$%@* car?  (I have visions of being stuck at home for an entire week- no, not doing that!)

A few minutes shy of 3 hours later I left the dealership.  New 12V battery (as expected) for $230 + labor, recall fixed, a raging headache (and earaches and sore throat - no wonder I'm a mite testy - I don't feel well!) and a car that runs!

Yummy soup!

At which point I headed directly to Corner Bakery where I soothed my troubled soul with hot chicken noodle soup.  After which I headed directly home and applied additional soothing with hot chocolate.

And, did I mention that it's been raining, really raining, all day long?

Was glad I took the surface streets home instead of the freeway - there'd been a fatal accident that had shut down the freeway, as of now it still isn't open and even the frontage road alongside the freeway was backed up for what looked like forever.

So tonight?  I'm thinking perhaps I shouldn't have wished for a bit of adventure.  It might end up happening and not be exactly the fun adventure I had in mind.

(And that picture of the almost lilacs?  I took that yesterday as we walked to church.  I miss my own lilac bushes, but love the ones scattered through the area that I can stop and smell when they bloom. They make my nose happy.)

Had to stop on the way home and take this view of the mtns.

I'm so grateful.  For car insurance with roadside assistance.  For a nearly trouble-free car in all the years we've owned it.  For prompt jumpstart and fairly (kinda sorta not really) prompt help in purchasing (and installing) the new battery (after first ascertaining that it was indeed the battery). For unexpected and wholehearted kindness from my visiting teaching partner. For the fact that I spent nearly the entire day taking care of this little adventure and didn't have any resulting conflicts or problems from it taking the whole day.  For concerned texts from The Husband who must have felt a bit helpless being so far away.  I'm grateful I managed to pretty much hold onto my self-control (even when I found out the car had been done for 20 minutes while I sat and tapped my foot anxious to get home) and didn't wig out, though in my head I was pretty much having a two-year-old tantrum.  (Not really, but I kinda sorta wanted to.) I have again, a renewed appreciation for all those women who handle stuff like this all on their own on a daily basis.  I sometimes think I'm pretty capable.  The reality is, I'm more than happy to let The Husband take care of it all.  How grateful I am for him.

And seriously?  I am kinda grateful for things like this - once in a great while.  It reminds me to never take for granted when things run smoothly, when things work like they should, when help is ever-ready.  I never want to get cocky or full of myself and assume that stuff should never happen to me. I'm so grateful for being watched out for.

Almost The Weekend

Yesterday's sunless sky.

I honestly don't know where the days go.  I've gotten a few things done.  But mostly, I've stewed and fussed in my head over things this week.  That's likely why the days have all blurred together.

I had to take a picture from the front porch yesterday.  It rained.  The whole day.  (Not a usual occurrence for Draper, usually it rains in fits and starts.  This was steady all day long.Yesterday's picture shows just grey where the blue sky should be. Which kept me from my morning walk on the trail.  While I totally understand what a luxury it is to have a treadmill to walk on inside when it's uncomfortable to walk outside, it doesn't do quite the same thing for my head/mind/heart that being outside to greet the sun does for me.

Pretty weeping tree.

It was clear this morning so I eagerly headed out.  And yes, I'm feeling much better thank you. The neighbor down the street has these two weeping trees that have been so lovely.  They even smell good. But the rain did a number on the blossoms, the ground below was carpeted with them. Still, they're pretty.  And I can't help but notice, when I'm out and about, how green the trees are turning and how colorful most of the grass looks.  Even now, I hear the sounds of the mowers and blowers from next door. It may still be March on the calendar, but our world is proclaiming "Spring!"

We've managed to knock a few things off our ever-present to-do list.  Only to find them replaced with other things.  Hopefully tonight we'll meet with the guy that's going to do the deck off the back. When we had the concrete steps taken out it was with the knowledge that we'd have to do a deck, can't open the door and step down 20".  (Of course, as usual, I resist spending money but in this case it truly is necessary.)  If the deck guy does as nice a job as his previous job pictures show, I'll be quite pleased.  Fingers are crossed.

Row of lovely blooming trees.

And if I'm lucky, the weekend will include at least a few moments of fun.  What that fun would be I can't possibly imagine.  But I'm looking for it.  We'll have our son, daughter-in-law and little grandson up for dinner on Sunday and that will undoubtedly be delightful.  We don't often get to see them, it's actually been a few months.  I hope they'll like the food.

I'm so grateful that we have some children that seem to care about us.  I'm grateful for morning walks outside (and for treadmills that make indoor walks at least tolerable).  I'm grateful for furnaces that keep us warm even when I think it should be time to turn them off.  I'm grateful for friends that stop by to visit.  And today, especially, for spring sunshine.

Sneezing!!

Watching the news last night they talked about allergies.  If you're suffering right now, they said, it's the trees.  I never knew that I was allergic to tree pollen/blooms.  I've sneezed through my morning walks, through the night, through the afternoon and whenever it's at all breezy - which it almost always is here in Draper.  The sinus rinse helps some, but I've still had to resort to the prescription (leftover from last year - I'm not going to the doctor unless it is unavoidable) nasal spray.  It's beneficial, but makes everything taste and smell like chemicals.  (When I complained to the ENT about this he said I had a choice:  suffer with the allergies or suffer with the side effects.  He wasn't at all sympathetic, and I'll not see him again.)

Future beautiful peonies!

Between here and the grocery is a large pond where the geese and ducks live (lots and lots of them).  They're such beautiful creatures (though I don't admire their mess).  Yesterday on my way home from the grocery I noticed an older couple sitting on a nearby bench, he had his arm around her shoulders, they looked relaxed and settled in for a while. I couldn't help but smile to myself - how idyllic it looked to sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful day, the lovelies of nature and enjoy each other's company with apparently no constraints/demands/schedules.  It was a sweet moment.

I dislike when things don't work as they should.  The Husband is even now on the phone with a chronic problem we have between our doctor's office and the insurance company.  He's getting the runaround for sure. No one wants to take responsibility and therefore no one is able (or inclined) to help. Since we rarely go to the doctor (this particular issue is from August of last year) it crops up just often enough to be super annoying.  The Husband is incredibly patient with all of this.  I just get mad. They should all just do their jobs right and not demand so much of The Husband's time to fix it.

So Saturday we were out in the yard.  I took a picture of the buds on the bleeding hearts down in the amphitheater. On account of the rain, I was on the treadmill this morning, facing the window when the sun brightened the day.  And I swear - those bleeding hearts have doubled in size in just the last three days.  I love to see the re-birth of the world in the spring.  It gives me hope.

Today I'm grateful for The Husband's dedication in taking care of us, for all the effort required to maintain us on an even keel (as much as is possible in life). I'm grateful for this beautiful world.  For my treadmill.  And for Puffs tissues.  My nose is happier with softness during sneezing season.

Saying Goodbye To A House

Marni Jameson has become one of my favorite columnists.  Here is her latest one, it touched my heart.

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/16/jameson-say-goodbye-house/

Sabbath Day

• I like when I have a few minutes for thought and introspection.  Especially on Sunday.  So far, it's been a pretty decent day.  We're close enough to the church that we can walk if the weather cooperates. Which it did today.  The Husband had extra meetings today - causing us to decline a rare invitation to dinner.  He's off even now, and is a good sport about the meetings even though I do understand how meetings bother him.  One of the bestest parts of the day?  After church we ran into our friend - her baby is now about a month old. (He's roughly 4 pounds, has a form of dwarfism.) And is just the sweetest little guy.  I got to hold him for a few minutes.  He's such a warm cuddly little bundle - he nestled right down under my chin and my heart just sang. There's nothing in the world quite like holding a baby.

Yes, that's a pheasant by the moon.

• So the other morning on my walk, I happened to look above me in the tree.  Not five feet above my head was a pheasant!  Those are fairly uncommon around here, at least these days.  I know they used to roam the area before all the people moved in. It was pretty, and very still.  I think it was hoping I wouldn't notice it.

Early morning daffodils

I also tried to get a picture of the daffodils over by the park.  Clearly I'm out walking before the sun wakes, it's hard to get good shots in the near-dark.

• Yesterday afternoon we spent the majority of the day here at home.  The Husband fertilized the yard and we worked at cleaning up the winter debris.  It looks better now.  I was surprised to see the bleeding hearts down in the stairwell have flower buds on them.  Pretty soon we'll also have daffodils. I love the springtime.

But after bending and kneeling and bending and kneeling some more, I spent the night in restless movements, trying to easy my poor aching back.  Mentioned to The Husband I've either got to work in the yard every day to get my back used to all that bending and lifting.  Or I've got to never do yard work again.  I'm opting for the latter, but doubt I'll have much success.  :^)

Cat prints up the side of the fence?

• We were given some tickets to Rob Gardner's "Lamb Of God" performance last night.  Wow, what a treat.  The composer has taken the last couple weeks of the Savior's life and set it to music - the entire "play" is sung.  (Does that make it an opera?) The voices were stellar, the music engaging and the entire auditorium was near silent.  I don't even remember hearing anyone cough - everyone was immersed in the experience and it was lovely.  There was even a second "cast" that spent the entire performance sharing the music through American Sign Language.  How beautiful their hands and facial expressions were!  We even walked over to the school auditorium from Trax - thus having a short walk back in the warm evening.  Hard to describe how wonderful it felt and how much we needed that little recess from daily life.

• Had a couple chats today with different people that were uplifting to me.  How grateful I am for the kindness of people even though they don't really know me very well.  And I kind of gently put my foot down, told the sister it didn't really matter who was on the schedule to play the organ next month, it wasn't going to be me.  The Bishop mentioned in passing that they're making some changes to the music, hopefully next week.  I told him patience hasn't typically been my strong suit, but I'll work on it.

Buds on those bleeding hearts.

•And next Sunday is Fast Sunday again.  We'll be fasting for (among other important items) our young friend who is still struggling with some health issues.  That whole family has really been tested. We'll add our prayers to theirs in supplication for Heavenly Father's miracles to help them out.

A scripture was mentioned in R. S.  She didn't know the exact reference but I had to look it up, I was so taken with the words.  From 1 Peter 4:8.  "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."  (The JST changes cover to preventeth.  I love that clarification.)  That phrase "fervent charity" just struck me.  We consider charity to be something gracious and benevolent.  But fervent?  Fervently sharing the pure love of Christ to those around us?  An amazing concept.

I'm so grateful for things I learn in church.  For the desire it creates in me to be a better person, a better example, a better disciple of Christ.

Busy Thursday

But first:  the other night, we had to visit a couple people in the neighborhood, were walking past where some kids were playing.  They're fairly new to the area and don't really know us well.  We smiled at them playing on their scooters and bikes and walked on.  On the return trip, one of the littler guys was yelling something at us as soon as he saw us.  Walking closer we asked him to repeat himself and he said his sister said I was a wicked old woman.  I chuckled and responded that I was a nice fun old gramma.

Yes, outside I said that.  But inside was sadness.  Do I really appear that way to little children - a wicked old woman?  Or do I appear that way to anyone?  I know they don't know me. But still.  I'm feeling a teensy crushed inside.

• Today ended up being so filled with stuff that The Husband took a "medical leave day" (translated into common sense: a sick day).  Started the morning with haircuts and then off to Quest Diagnostics for some basic blood work for the incentive from the company to be healthy.  I've always had a bit of a phobia about blood pressure.  It's a test that makes me nervous I'm not going to pass.  No matter how I approach it, my heart starts pounding and I'm, well, anxious.

This morning my blood pressure was a bit higher than optimal so the lady said we'd wait a few minutes and try again.  Nope, higher.  Then she switched out the blood pressure cuff for a smaller one and took it again.  Nope, higher still.  Valiantly she tried a fourth time.  This time my blood pressure was so high she wouldn't even tell me what it was.  By then I was completely stressed out.  And yes, I'm feeling like I failed at something.  Something important.  And even when I try so hard to be healthy, there are just a few things (like really a lot of things) that are out of my control.  Last time I took my blood pressure at the grocery it was in the 120/70 range. What happened? (It doesn't help that The Husband's blood pressure was 110/70.)

• And I'm feeling restless.  Our next door neighbors house for sale sign went up on Tuesday night. Makes me really sad. The very next day I heard that a friend in another state has their house up for sale.  We've been looking on and off (but mostly on) for years now and haven't been able to move forward, it hasn't felt at all right to get going on a change. How is it possible that they are all moving? I looked at the pictures of our neighbors house inside - it is really upscale, high end, especially compared to our house.

But we built for us, not for resale.  We wanted stuff that we could enjoy and live with.  We also got halfway through the building process and suffered some financial issues, so had to be careful with the cost of the house.  And I've been content.  Last evening was chatting with The Husband about why I don't like to follow certain home trends.  And he started laughing.  I guess I got a bit exercised.

I've always been an independent thinker.  And I've always been w-a-y too practical (doesn't allow for much whimsy or fun in life).  So I analyze the trends and reject them based on practicality, livability and expense and come up with something that's much different than even, well, what's next door. And then, again, I feel like somehow I come up short.

Should we decide to sell and move again (always a possibility) there'd have to be changes or compromises.  I've long believed that decisions made in haste or under pressure are often wrong decisions.  I don't really want to be pushed into that kind of situation.

So, for now, we do nothing.  We clean out, toss, donate and fix up as best we can without spending too much money (we might need that for retirement).  The back deck will be added to the outside bedroom door.  If we can figure out how, we'll paint the inside.  Last summer we had the stucco fixed up and it still looks great. But I don't really like that sense that other people are having adventures and I'm left out of all the fun.  Though moving is essentially just a giant exhausting pain.

• We're off in a bit to pick up our taxes ready to file.  The list of things to do is long.  I'm glad we have things to do.  But maybe, just maybe, a teensy little micro-adventure might be fun?

• I'm grateful today for the house we have, we put a lot of ourselves into it and I always hope that Heavenly Father's spirit dwells here with us.  I'm grateful that we don't have to do anything about moving - at least for now.  I'm grateful for good haircuts, for ward sisters who welcome me as more than just a visiting teacher.  For people to take care of our complicated taxes.  And I'm grateful for apricots - I hope they don't all completely freeze this year - was told this morning that the blooms are already out on the apricot trees - nearly a month ahead of schedule.  I'd love to have at least a few to taste this year.  Mostly I'm grateful for life and for someone I hold dear beyond everything else to share it with - no matter where we live.

What Is It About Monday?

Love these blooming crocus in the neighbor's yard.

What is it about a Monday that sometimes feels like a fresh start?  The week ahead has so many possibilities.  I wonder which ones will come true.

Our weekends used to have a sort of routine about them.  Not so any more.  I generally wake up on Saturday morning without a single idea of how the weekend will be shaped.  This last weekend was no exception.

The Husband had to speak in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, so part of Saturday morning and Saturday evening was spent preparing for his talk.  (BTW, he did wonderfully!)  We've bemoaned the lack of decent movies, but still decided to spend some cash on Kong, Skull Island (at least a matinee is cheaper, right?)  It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, but still worse than I'd hoped.  Of course, The Husband liked it w-a-y more than I did. I have difficulties with those strange monster/creatures of sci-fi/fantasy ilk.  (Although the tongue ripping out did give me a sort of perverse satisfaction.)

Such a pink color for a car - hope she likes it.

Treated ourselves to dinner at Texas Roadhouse - I even ate a roll - and their oven baked chicken remains a favorite of mine.  Our soon-to-be-tradition-once-we've-firmly-established-it post-dinner walk was taken inside the mall, we hadn't been inside since the renovations and it looks really nice. I'm fond of the sock shop!

(On a side note - I've been reading the latest Shannon & Dean Hale young person's book: Squirrel Girl and have been delighted that there's another sock aficionado out there!  I love that she loves socks!)

Sunday was a bit of a crazy day.  The Husband had early meetings, then spoke (and did I mention he did wonderfully?) in Sacrament meeting, dropped a little birthday plant off at a friend's.  I was determined to try a new-to-me cookie recipe (pudding mix in the batter- this particular flavor was banana.).  It so intrigued me. And I told our daughter I was having to sit on my hands so as to not go all Cookie Monster on the baked results.  I loved them.  I think I ate a dozen without even stopping to breathe.  Then, of course, we had too many cookies, so we walked some over to a couple of the families that The Husband home teaches, shared some with our daughter and grandson.

Today's walk on the trail - just heavenly.

Also took a bag of them over to our friends where we were graciously invited in for a lovely chat, though we arrived uninvited. There was one lone cookie left that was my breakfast dessert. And now I'm looking forward to the next batch - am anxious to try a variation.

I'm counting down the weeks until my month (drafted though I was) at the organ in Sacrament meeting is over.  Sigh....

One of the best things about yesterday?  After the meetings I was holding up the wall watching for The Husband to come 'round the corner to go home and instead met the eyes of a fellow ward member.  When that happened his face lightened into a welcoming smile and he greeted me warmly. It was balm to my soul.

And after a night on the couch I wasn't ready to get up and head out for my walk, even though it wasn't quite as dark as I really expected considering that (nasty) Daylight Saving Time took effect yesterday.  But I somehow couldn't face the day without my morning sanity walk.  So I walked over to the library just after it opened - the library is always a good destination. Intended to come home with a book, possibly two if I stretched it.  Came home with five books instead. So hard sometimes to choose just one.

So today I have some gratitude in my heart. I'm grateful for the luxury of meals out.  For easily accessible trails to walk.  For good books to read. For friends that are welcoming. For cookies that turn out yummiful and people to share them with. And today it feels like spring.  Spring feels like renewal and hope.  And hope feeds my soul.

Charity

Was reminded today of a talk on charity by Pres. Monson.  I especially love this section, there's something there for every one of us.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.”11

Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.

Something New

I think I've mentioned a time or two (or three or four) how much I dislike spending money.  And also have mentioned that I expected the imminent demise of our washing machine and dryer.  Yes, the day finally arrived.  It was time.

Out with the old after 16 years.

Armed with some research (not exhaustive by any means, but enough to exhaust me) I went on Tuesday to the closest place (the big R. C. Willey) and did some preliminary comparisons.  After reading tons of reviews I had decided on Speed Queen, the only real question was top or front loading washer.  Had decided on top.  Had an interesting chat with the sales guy - once he found out I wasn't interested in the very latest top-end washing machine he was pleasant enough but not really engaged.

Brand New!

Decided to go to the local appliance store and check out the front loaders before committing. Got to the store, talked to the owner (nice guy, I think he was surprised I came mostly prepared). And on the spot purchased the top loader.  Not the cheapest, not the most expensive, the solid middle-of-the-road machine.  And who knew you could get next day delivery?

I'm not interested in a lot of what today's younger generation considers essential.  I don't want steam or sanitize in either machine.  I want clean clothes. And I don't want to spend a fortune.

So, my first load is in the machine at this very moment. So far, so good.  A plus?  This particular brand lets me swap door opening on the dryer.  Apparently my configuration of washing machine on the right and dryer on the left is also unusual.  (Another indication that I'm an independent thinker? Maybe, though, that was just the way the architect designed the laundry room, washer next to the sink.)

Stunning view of the sun on the mtns across the valley.

Anyway, yesterday The Husband sent me off with instructions to feel fully empowered to make the decision, to do what I think best.  And really?  It's kind of exciting to have something new like this. I've never bought such big-ticket items by myself. And it feels mighty fine to have the floor under the machines all cleaned up.  Considering that the floor is covered by the machines, I'd expect it to be spotless under there.  Shows what I know.  Spotless it wasn't.  But is now, at least for a while.

The weather is beautiful out- my walk this morning was perfect, I've had emails from friends, online chat with daughter, delivery of new appliances, the crockpot is working on dinner and for this very moment I'm content.  I love that feeling - content.  I often say that I believe Heavenly Father wants that for us, and I really do believe he wants us to strive for our best in behavior, but contentment in possessions etc.

I'm so grateful for a husband who trusts me with decisions (he probably really doesn't care, don't think he's done a load of laundry by himself in over a decade), for the funds to purchase something that makes our life more comfortable.  I'm grateful for plenty of clothes to wash and for the luxury of doing them at home.  I'm grateful for texted pictures of grandchilluns and for those who reach out in kindness to me and my loved ones.

Another Fresh Week

And here I am, grateful to know what day it is because from the weather, you'd never know that it's supposed to be almost spring.  Yesterday was beautiful and lovely, though I thought the entire neighborhood was going to be picked up in the wind and carried off to Kansas.  And our little corner of the valley was spared any damage - up north there's still people without power.

Beautiful Morning!

When we went to bed last night it was blizzarding out - snow hurled sideways through the air so dense it was impossible to see through it. How wonderful to have a snug warm home to shelter in.

So, the African violets have been on my mind.  Every time I go into the powder room where they reside I look at them and think they need help.  They're apparently quite happy - so happy they've become miniature bushes and are squeezing themselves out of shelf room.  Last year (or was it the year before) I repotted them, meticulously following the online directions I'd found.  This year I wasn't interested in taking that kind of time, I'm less patient as I age - at least in some areas of life.

Beautiful / different direction

I picked up the two smaller ones and just started futzing with them.  One of them, I just whacked at all the stems above the new bottom growth (knocking off a bunch of the new growth in the process - more than I meant to) and called it an experiment to see what'll happen. The other one I pulled out of the pot, cut off all that long root and stuck the whole thing (minus some of the stems/leaves) back into the pot for experiment #2. Only time will tell, but I've had those $3.49 african violets for years and years and was willing to give it a try.  Occasionally I get tired of all the attention plants require.

We'll see how the african violets do.

The other plant picture?  Parsley.  I've been wanting to try growing some parsley.  I like to buy it at the store to use for various reasons.  Hate spending $.89 at the grocery for a bunch that I might use 1/10 of if I'm lucky.  The rest just gets tossed. Came across these at Home Depot.  Now, I like Home Depot for a lot of things, but their indoor plants? I've found they're generally a gnat nest.  But I succumbed and brought this one home, plopped it in the pot we bought and called it good.  And yes, it has gnats.  I hate gnats.

So it was a weekend of plant pursuit.  I'm anxious to see how they all grow (or if I've killed them).

Please grow, Parsley!

We did see a movie, though it was a disappointment.  I was sad we went, but grateful it only cost us $7.75 instead of $13.50. (I had a coupon for a matinee for $1. Yay for me.) Made us want to go see another one just to erase the bad aura.  Milkshake from The Habit (my favorite milkshakes ever) and home popped & buttered popcorn did their best to uplift us.  Good food- what a treat.

And I had a chat with the Bishop.  Came away knowing I look like an idiot/selfish/brat but reassured.  I won't have to be one of just two on the organ.  Changes are coming but The Bishop said I'd still be one of a foursome in rotation.  What a relief.  I can do that, hard as it is.

And I'm grateful.  For people who are patient with me. For loved ones who forgive me when I make things worse in my effort to help.  I'm grateful for neverending affection/care/concern from my bestest friend ever.  For good news from our friends, their daughter is finally well enough from her surgery to come home. And for chocolate milkshakes (I refuse to think of them as a sin because they're really not all that great for me, but prefer to think of them as a luxury. Yes, I'm grateful for them.)

Life Can Be So Interesting

Yesterday a.m. looking east.

Yesterday morning I went for a walk and had to take a couple pictures of the beautiful morning. Today's walk was no less beautiful.  I love when the air is so cold and crisp that you can see clear across the valley - all those miles to the mountains on the other side.  When it's cold out, there are fewer people on the trail and the quiet is so restorative.  Usually there's some women running in pairs that yell at each other because they're out of breath and don't realize they're yelling so loud you can hear them coming a half mile away, but that early and in the cold, there aren't generally too many of them.

Yesterday a.m. looking west

This morning looking w-a-y west

Yesterday after lunch, The Husband managed to break away for a few minutes and we went for our post-meal 15 minute walk.  Lovely out when we left the house, finished the walk in the windy snowfall. Only moments after arriving home it was sunny out once again.  Yep, late winter.

New month's calendar page

So, I've been struggling with a challenge.  On my morning walks I "argue" my position - though the other person doesn't even realize he's part of the conversation.  I fuss about it in my sleep.  And right now the only course of action is to....wait.  I'm not great at that. Yesterday morning in my scripture reading I came across a section of verses that will arm me when the actual conversation takes place. Then this morning I turned the calendar page to March.  Almost laughed out loud.  An interesting slogan for the month.  We'll see how long I allow the situation to continue.  :^)

And I can't stop thinking about this quote from the February visiting teaching message.  The whole message was uplifting - talking about the Atonement of the Savior and what it means for us.  Stuck at the very end was this quote by Linda K. Burton, general R. S. president.

That supreme act of love ought to send each of us to our knees in humble prayer to thank our Heavenly Father for loving us enough that He sent His Only Begotten and perfect Son to suffer for our sins, our heartaches, and all that seems unfair in our own individual lives.

It was the inclusion of "all that seems unfair in our individual lives"  that has not left my mind.  Life is full of unfair, things are rarely fair.  And it can be so very painful.  But, yes, the Atonement even covers that, the price has already been paid.  Hard to comprehend, especially when I feel mired in unfair.

I'm grateful this morning for wise counsel.  For morning walks that allow my soul to breath, give me time to seriously pray to Heavenly Father and steel myself for the challenges of the day.  (My spine apparently needs lots of stiffening.) I'm grateful for those who approach me with understanding instead of judgement. And yes, I'm even grateful for agency - that I can, when appropriate, choose what's best for me, I'll be anxiously watching to see the outcome.