New Year's Resolution

The park, before snow, amazing sky

Our son, the cop, in the street.

So, I'm not quite willing yet to give up.  My resolution is to post on my blog once a week. Minimum.  And yes, even though I know my girls are my best "fans" (and mostly the only ones who read this) it has been a good arena for me: to express my gratitude.  I need to do that.  Often.  Probably more than once a week, but since I've had a diminishment of excitement to continue this blog (because of comments from outside the family) I've also had a diminishment of gratitude expressions.  So I will persevere.

Loved the snow on the trees

The last couple weeks have been interesting.  I don't realize how much I thrive on routine until it's disrupted.  And the holidays are good reasons for disruption, it just feels so "unsettled".  And probably in a couple weeks I'll be wishing for some disruption, will be discontent with the routine.  Yes, I'm contrary.

Christmas Eve we drove to Spanish Fork to see our son and his family for a bit.  Went with our daughter-in-law to her church's candlelight service.  It was nice, and fabulous to see them.  Spanish Fork is just far enough away to be a teensy bit challenging for frequent visits so we don't see them near enough.

Jordan River Trail

Christmas day was fine. We got a slow start - that day is so different now that our children are all grown with children of their own.  But I'm finding that I enjoy the reduction in pressure to make everything perfect (not that - historically - I ever even came close to that with our kids).  And this year was even better.  We had much less to spend (we've been quite generous in the past) and that fact alone was a big help.  Our gifts to others were more practical and likely not what the receivers expected.  But we did our best and that will have to do.

Stunning day, Jordan River Trail

We got to see the kids across the valley for about an hour, fun to see the college granddaughter home for the holidays.  The Saturday before Christmas we were able to see our daughter and some of her family as they helped one of their kids move.  And that was a wonderful treat. We don't usually get to see them around the holidays.

We walked down and spent some time visiting with our son, the policeman, in the middle of the street when we were downtown before Christmas.  It felt good to see him - hopefully we didn't embarrass him too awfully much. Though, he'd probably never let on if we did.

Another from the Jordan River trail 

We've had treats galore - some from neighbors and the milkshakes and ice cream that we've actively sought.  I've tried to have at a least a modicum of restraint.  And kept up with my vegetables.  But again, it'll feel good to get back to the usual.

3 degrees at 8:5 this a.m.

I ended up last week at the doctors. Verdict:  bronchitis and sinusitis.  Prescribed cough syrup with codeine.  (Did nothing for me.) Received a prescription for antibiotics with instructions to wait at least 10 days, preferably 14 before filling.  The result is, I've slept little (had the best luck with Advil PM) and coughed lots.  And even coughed lots more.  Finally this morning, my voice is sounding a tad more "me", and I haven't coughed until I gagged once today.  So, perhaps,  minor progress.

I've dragged The Husband along for my walks.  I haven't felt well enough to do them much in the mornings, but we've walked to the library, we've walked the south end of the Rockwell trail, and spent a lovely afternoon walking the Jordan River trail.  We even stopped to watch them sledding down a long steep hill (yes, we've had some snow so the air is currently wonderfully clean and clear).   So I've taken more than usual the amount of scenery pictures.  And wish all the time I snap those shots that I could better capture the beauty that surrounds us.

Our annual New Year's Day walk looking across the valley.

We've a funeral on Saturday.  Actually two of them.  A ward member and a dear friend.  We've been going to dinner as often as we could manage with this couple for years.  The mesothelioma finally prevailed.  And while I feel some obligation (this will be the first funeral in our ward since I was released as Compassionate Service person a year ago - and this one will be huge) to help with the funeral for our ward member, our priority this time has to be with our friends.

I've taught R.S. and accompanied a couple musical numbers, played a piano solo in Sacrament meeting and thoroughly enjoyed the music of Christmas.

I'm grateful today that I've decided on another year of direction for this little forum to express my thoughts. I'm grateful for the beautiful sunshine on the snow, for a snug warm house when the temperature was 3 degrees at 8:15 this morning.  I'm grateful for being able to have a quick lunch where the grandson works and be able to get a smile from him.  I'm grateful for cream for my chapped knees from walking out in the cold. And I'm grateful for a husband who hasn't yet (and hopefully never will) give up on me.  He is my reason.