Socks and Yes, Monday Again

And I'm continually surprised at how speedily the time goes.  Hard to believe it's Monday again.  Last week felt busy:  had the piano tuned, went to Hale to see Sister Act - they did a great job.  Had lunch with my ministering partner and another ward sister, so fun, though I'm fussing about my hearing - these loud restaurants make me miss so much of what is said.  Practiced the piano to play for Robert who wants to sing for his ailing sister.  Dropped off a couple birthday cards and delivered the towels I embroidered to my storehouse friends.  One of them texted me how much she loves them.  That's happifying. Tried a new-to-us acai bowl, which was ok but I'm confident we won't go back to that place.  Just not the best.We treated ourselves to some take-out ice cream from Leatherby's that we enjoyed after conference.  It was a past tradition Saturday evening to go out for ice cream, or have some family here for ice cream.  That was before the Saturday evening session was just another regular session - when it was Priesthood or Women's meeting.  It always felt necessary (as I always want to feel) to celebrate.  So this time we two did our own very small celebration complete with hot fudge topping.  And I feel zero remorse for those calories.  :^)

So here we are beginning another week.  I loved the weekend - typical Utah weather complete with thunder, lightning, heavy heavy rain, wind and then gorgeous sunshine.  Conference was great, I guess finding that solace/perspective/uplift comes for me with age and experience.  I never happily anticipated Conference when I was younger.  Definitely a lack in me, but now I am amply rewarded for the time spent hearing words of encouragement and love from the leaders of our church.  Saturday felt especially immersive in the Spirit.

Yesterday morning's walk included a sighting of the fox that lives around the trail.  He stopped along the fence and gave us a long survey then trotted off across the field.  I love seeing the wildlife. 

Back in the spring I dithered over buying a package of socks at Costco.  I love socks.  And in my life there's a need for all kinds of socks.  I dithered because I already have drawers (yes multiple) overflowing with socks. But they were very inexpensive and The Husband is always urging me to do / buy something that will be pleasing.  He loves to initiate some measure of enjoyment, happiness.  So, the socks were purchased.  They sat on the top of the dresser for a couple months before I finally broke out a pair.  Then another. They have quickly become my current faves.  Just the perfect thickness, softness, height, everything. Even though they're just really....socks. I keep cleaning out the drawers and tossing the holey ones.  Still I manage to keep those drawers (yes multiple) full.  What a luxury.

I'm grateful for ice cream.  For really good hot fudge (which is my favorite flavor of everything).  For wonderful socks.  For layers to wear today on our morning walk in 40 degree weather (yay for fall!!).  I'm grateful for rain that is followed by sunshine.  For people to help winterize our sprinkler system.  And yes, having a sprinkler system for the yard is a luxury.  For a friend who says to me:  this week is a good time for you to come visit so we can catch up - nice to be invited like I matter.  And I'm grateful for prayers that help turn a discouraged mood around.  I want my heart to smile.  

Interesting Times

It's almost daunting to look at the news every morning.  Never know what you're going to find - though more often than not lately, it doesn't feel wonderful.  Seems like every day there's some kind of shooting going on.  And/or someone dying.  I'm grateful for a solid foundation and faith to rely on to help get through the emotions.

Anyway, it was kind of busy last week.  We went to the Temple in American Fork - first time for us going there.  Beautiful and we enjoyed it - even the drive down.  Had our piano scheduled to be tuned.  That was postponed twice.  We'll see if it actually happens tomorrow.  Had a follow up with the dr. for The Husband's CPAP - wasn't quite the result the he'd hoped for but he's a good sport about it.  As he is about most everything.  Rode Trax downtown for the symphony.  Not our absolute favorite symphony presentation but it was still very enjoyable.  People (strangers) kept talking to me.  Don't know what that's all about but it often feels kind of weird.  

Saturday was absolutely lovely.  Our two daughters treated me to a day with them.  The very best!!  At much sacrifice (money and time) we took a "silversmithing" class.  Made some earrings.  Picked out the stones and even used a small butane burner.  I totally went out of character.  My stones are called wild horse (or crazy horse)- composition is magnesite and hematite.  (Still greek to me - just know they're pretty.) I don't do brown.  Don't wear brown, don't decorate in brown, don't really care for brown and complain that my eyes are brown.😊  But I like these.  There's enough white in the stones that it makes them interesting.  The class was supposed to be like three hours but was a bit longer - one of the teachers got sick so the other two were hopping around doing the three separate classes simultaneously. But class was so great.  Enough going on that it was interesting, but not so much that we couldn't talk.  I love spending time with my daughters, and so grateful they both sacrificed so much to make that happen.  The ride to and from downtown SLC was on Trax so we could still talk.  Our son-in-law and The Husband met us for dinner. A fine time all around. 

Today it's raining.  So needed and welcomed.  

Today I'm grateful for hope.  And comfort.  Feeling comfort that things will go forward according to the will of our Creator.  Grateful for hope that I (and those I love) have strength and can handle life's challenges.  Beyond grateful for two kind, thoughtful, generous (and many other attributes) daughters who listen, care and enjoy being together.  I'm grateful that every once in a while I feel compelled to stand up for myself and that it mostly turns out ok.  I try to not do that, but sometimes boundaries are important.  I'm grateful that I don't often feel like I need to do that. 

I'm grateful for our morning walk this morning in the blustery sort-of-cool wind and that the rain held off until just now, long after we were home.  It's a good day to be grateful. As is every single day! 💖

Monday Again...Already?

 Was talking to a friend the other day and she mentioned how fast time is going all the time.  Even when we have a stretch of time on any given day, it still seems like the days are flying past. We have lots to do (like clean out, pare down, get rid of stuff) but no momentum to do it.  I'm constantly concerned about leaving too much for the kids to do when we leave this earth.  It weighs on me.  We still have too much stuff in spite of my best efforts.

But I diverge.  Was going over the week's list with The Husband on our morning walk - sort of a daily ritual we have.  I hope I have enough time, energy and money to take care of it all.  (It feels like lately nothing is less than a couple hundred dollars and I worry all the time about how we'll manage.) 

Yesterday's Primary Program in Sacrament meeting was fine.  The kids are cute though our primary feels small.  When we moved into the area the ward had tons of kids, double primary nurseries.  They've all grown up.  Now we have lots and lots in our Young Men / Young Women groups, but even those seem to be thinning out.  

We had an appointment with one of our Stake Presidency.  I was convinced it was to be formally released from our service mission at the Bishop's Storehouse. Was totally right.  Up to a point.  For some reason they had The Husband being released, but me being there for another year.  Odd, right?  But not unexpected given our experience with how this particular area "manages" (in quotes because it's often kind of loosey-goosey) things.  They were equally dis-organized when we started our mission - I had to babysit the process all the way along.  He asked if I wanted to stay another year.  No.  So we're both officially finished.  I was impressed that they would take the time to formally release us.  It generally felt like we were just out there doing our thing without any one being any the wiser about us, felt pretty much invisible.  So it was nice to have a personal visit / chat and feel "seen" and somewhat recognized.  

My wrist / hand is still troublesome.  The buddy-taping of my two smallest fingers is a dramatic help for the pain.  It's just inconvenient to not be able to move my fingers properly.  It takes a long time to heal something you can't really rest.

Today The Husband will work on replacing the sprinkler control. Fingers crossed that fixes the problem.  I'm a bit weary of spending so much money on water.  Our bill is w-a-y too high.  Costco will be happy for our visit today- my list is long. 

Grateful today for kind people who are patient with old people.  Grateful for a text from a granddaughter who asked if she could drop off some homemade cookies (always!!) , looking forward to seeing her in a little while.  Grateful for being able to accomplish a few things that helps us to feel somewhat useful.  Grateful for prayer - my friend has another cancer that has cropped up.  A biopsy will show what kind and how to treat.  She doesn't need this but I will continue to pray for her and do what I can to help her feel valued.  And grateful today for the fall weather.  A welcome respite from the summer heat (though I know we're not completely done with the heat for the year, not yet.)

And I meant to link this very thought provoking and well written article.  Sacrament  Agree or not, it is a good thing to contemplate.

Sorta Busy Week And The Best Day

But not so busy that we felt overwhelmed. 

Had a couple doctor's appointments.  I've a decision about surgery to make.  Probably will do it but gotta think on it a bit more.  Want to make the right decision.  Had lunch with a friend, The Husband had his regular monthly guys lunch.   Had to get a new sprinkler system controller - installation pending.  Hopefully it'll fix this gray grass. (One of the stations isn't working at all.) Saw a good movie. Watched another movie on tv that had me laughing out loud which is always good for the soul.

down the road from mirror lake

Our 55th wedding anniversary was this week.  What a blessing our marriage has been.  Perfect?  Not at all.  But we've both learned and grown and are still learning and growing and doing our best. We are determined to be successful in conquering our issues.   

Was invited to go with our dear friends on a little excursion today.  Drove up to Mirror Lake - nestled in the mountains - the road there is closed every winter with deep, deep, deep snow.  We've been there only once before, a couple years ago we went in July and bemoaned the multitudes of mosquitoes that harangued us the entire time.  These friends drive up there every fall, take a walk around the lake, have a picnic lunch and feed the chipmunks.  

People fishing / mirror lake

It was the best day today.  I got up early and got the chores done (bathrooms done, sheets changed - washed - dried - folded - put away, vacuuming finished) and were ready to go.  Off we went, he was driving which was lovely.  Us two women sat in the back chattering away, leaving the heavy lifting (driving) to the guys.  Stopped in Evanston for sandwiches that we saved to eat at a picnic table there by the lake. The chipmunks liked the veggie straws. Around the lake we went and I was shocked to find us back at the beginning so quick.  The weather was beautiful - dark, threatening clouds but no rain on us.  Yay!

Got some rain coming back and were grateful for every drop, especially those that fell on our grass.  These friends are just so dear to us.  I am so grateful for their invitation.  I had a blast, it truly was just the very best day!  Our anniversary day is always wonderful, though my thought is that I try to celebrate being together every day.  Some days with more success than others.  But an invitation to spend the day with our friends is rare enough that it is remarkable.  And we did have such a grand time.  We stopped multiple times along the road for pictures.  Their tradition of going in the fall is so perfect - the colors around was were so vivid and bright and beautiful - we don't really see the colors like that here in the valley.  There was nary a mosquito in sight.  We looked for the bald eagle but didn't see it either.  Just a fabulous day.

Much gratitude tonight for friends.  That care, that see us, that include us.  Grateful for a wonderful day to end the week.  Grateful for food to have for dinner that doesn't require lots of work.  Grateful for hope.  Hope for improvement in my behavior/attitude/kindness/patience/respectforothers - things that I can work on tomorrow.  And so very grateful for this stunningly beautiful world we live in.