Is It Tuesday?

Sometimes the days run together, even though there are no two alike.  Yesterday felt busy.  The Husband's birthday is this week.  Then Father's Day on Sunday.  I always want him to feel cared for.  It's harder when you're older like we are.  We try to be content with "stuff" - don't really need a thing and are trying to pare down and get rid of (dropped three bags of clothing off at Savers yesterday).  He has always been hard to buy for anyway - he's never been one to have a lot of wants.

Somehow, over the years he's acquired two iPads.  If I recall correctly, one of them was for work and then when he left the company it was gifted him, but I could be wrong.  Anyway for several reasons, he thought it might be time for a new one.  I jumped at the chance to get him something he'd like and would use (he is rarely without his iPad in hand).  Off we went to the Apple store.  The guy helping us couldn't have been kinder.  I got the impression that forgotten passwords are a common occurrence.  We walked away with a new device, complete with case and all set up - ready to go.  Managed to trade in both of the old ones for a new one and with the trade-in value ended up spending only half what I'd expected.  I consider that a win for this year's birthday/Father's day gifts.  

Love those clouds.

By the time we were finished with all of that we were both tired.  And I'm often ready to be home-for-the-rest-of-the-day long before he is.  That store was crowded, busy and had a class (complete with microphone on the teacher) going on so it was a bit overwhelming to us both.  I sighed with gratitude when we left.

We've seen deer on most every morning walk lately.  Often we don't even realize they're there, they're just quietly munching on weeds/grass by the trail or in a yard close to the street.  How fun it always is. The morning skies have been especially lovely.  I took a couple pictures of these clouds the other morning - like the sky was littered with fluffy popcorn.  Last week we took longer walks, I guess and then walked a lot during the day - better than 15,000 steps most every single day.  

I've lost my watch.  It's a Seiko solar watch I bought with the money I earned from walking all those years ago.  Probably had it for close to 12 or so (maybe longer) years.  I'm despondent.  (And honestly, it's rare that I lose things like that. It befuddles me that I've lost it.)  I love that I can wear it all the time and never worry about replacing an expensive  battery.  I sorted through my drawer filled with watches - gifts over the years - and pulled out one that I think I will have a new battery put in.  Last time it was $20 for a new watch battery.  Sheesh. But still, w-a-y cheaper than a new watch.

I love when our daughter's kitty comes to visit me here in my sewing room.  The cat in the window is a lovely classic picture. The curled tail is iconic.  She's a sweetheart that somehow I am besotted with.  Never expected that.

The people who live near us are out of town again for a couple weeks.  I love when they go - it's so peaceful around here.  The party last week that necessitated three police vehicles coming to break it up was hard for us.  This week's quiet (and lack of nighttime light trespass) feels good. 

Decided to try a quick e-mail short newsletter for my family.  Just my own kids.  Sent one out the other day and so far, the only response has been from The Husband.  I'll give it a few weeks to see if it matters whether I do this or not.  Once a week doesn't seem too much, especially if I can just give a quick rundown and keep it brief.  Hard for me.  I've always been too verbose when I'm in a comfortable setting.

Today I'm grateful for good shoes for walking in.  Grateful that I was able to find something for The Husband for his special days (and equally happy for the more budget friendly outcome) - I think perhaps I should put a ribbon around it for his birthday so he feels like he has something to open. I'm again and always grateful for our air conditioning.  Grateful for the luxury of a selection of watches to choose from for a new battery.  It'll be fun to wear something different.  Grateful that we still have social security to live on and that so far they haven't slashed our benefit.  That will come, according to the news, and sooner than we'd like, but I'm grateful that we've had that income.  Grateful we took a minute to stop at Macey's grocery last night for a kong kone and only had to spend $1.95 - tasted all the better because it didn't cost a huge amount. 

Article

I loved this article.   I would so very much love to be able to do something like this.  My sons would likely ignore it or be impatient with me.  Our daughters would be kind whether they enjoyed it or not.  But it's a great idea and one I wish I could do.

I've been told email is too old-school and people don't use it much anymore.  I suppose I could try a little daily text if I could keep it short.  No idea what the response would be.  But may I should give it a try?  My problem is keeping things short and simple.  I know it won't work if I don't try.  Should I try?

My Husband's Grandfather Sends The Same Email Every Morning—And It Means More Than You'd Think

Every day might be a bit much for my kids, but maybe a couple times a week? Could I be that consistent?  Hhmm, I'll have to think on that.

And Another Week Begins

 Sundays are always a good break from the world.  Church yesterday was pretty decent though I ended up in tears.  It was a bit of an unusual Testimony meeting for our ward.  But I held it together pretty well until immediately after the meeting.  People should just not be kind to me and then I can manage those too-ready tears that I have.  I have learned some control over the years but sometimes I just kind of lose it.

Pretty gift for me.

Many months ago I was sitting during Sunday School next to a friend - it was cold in the room as churches and restaurants often are and I said something about how cold I was.  She immediately spread her shawl from across her shoulder to include me - we were both more comfortable.  I mentioned the other day in conversation that I'd been thinking of her - had been on the hunt for a shawl like hers but hadn't yet found one I felt like I could afford that I also really liked.  (Yup, I'm too particular.)  It was just a tossed off comment - merely wanted to indicate her thoughtfulness was remembered.  As soon as Sacrament meeting was over yesterday, she rushed over, draped a shawl around my shoulders and disappeared.  Finding her to thank her she said she wanted to give me a shawl, she has lots and lots and she's only used this one a few times so she thought she would share. Hoped the blue would go with colors I wear.  That was the final straw - I was completely undone:  abundant tears.  I almost always feel invisible - this was clear proof I am not completely so.  

The meeting had ended with a sister in our ward who had struggled to get pregnant, then two months into her pregnancy had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was hard for her to describe the challenges and difficulties as she stood there to show us her tiny (roughly four pounds when born via emergency c-section) little miracle.  And spoke about how everyone has rallied around the family and helped in innumerable ways.  Anyone with even a speck of empathy was in tears. Hard to sing the closing hymn.

I know there are many people in our ward who also have challenges and really tough things to face that perhaps aren't so obvious or well-known.  Who manage it all on their own. Who don't receive that huge outpouring of help, support and love. My heart goes out to them all.

So, this shawl will have a permanent spot in my church-going gear.  I was so touched by her kindness.

These are the only roses I've cut this year so far.  I remember past years where the roses were barely blooming and I had a hard time finding one for The Husband's suit buttonhole for Father's Day.  (That's so very passé now but I really liked doing it for him.)  But this year, the roses are beautifully blooming everywhere and have been for a month already.  Don't know how many more we'll get this year, I pruned the bushes back so far I wasn't sure they'd survive.  But I'm loving smelling these every time I go past them.

We have noticed a huge uptick in the amount of squirrels we see.  This little one was right next to me on the trail, flicking its tail as it rushed around and up the tree, felt lucky to manage to get his picture.  I wasn't quite so happy to see one - again - stealing the bird food from the feeder.  I thought this particular feeder style was squirrel resistant.  I want to just shrug and let the squirrels eat, too.  But somehow I feel protective of the birds.  

Today I'm grateful for Fast Sundays - I relish the opportunity to fast and pray about things of concern to me. I'm grateful for the sacrament and the renewal of those covenants.  Was reminded the other day that the priesthood ordinance is valid and important regardless of who is administering, passing it.  That is something I need to remember about all of the priesthood ordinances - that particular power surpasses our human weaknesses. 

I'm grateful for a moderation of the temps, it was lovely to sleep with the windows open and feel the coolness of the night.  I'm also grateful for people who are kind, I often think I need to be a better purveyor of the kindness that the world so needs.  I'll keep working on that.

Sunday Afternoon

Cute book edge.

My book pile was growing.  I've managed to knock it down to only one, the 600+ page book that I've happily anticipated.  Now if only it lives up to the hype.  One of the pictures I'll post here is of the edges of a book I only partially read.  The edge printing - in full color - was the only thing of value about the book.  I couldn't even finish it.  I had taken it with me to the dermatologist's office to read in my waiting time.  The dr. came in, introduced herself and then walked over and lifted up my clothes to get to the book - she'd seen me walk in with it, I guess, and thought it was a pretty box and wanted to get a closer look.  (At that point, I was glad I'd tucked my underwear securely inside my outside clothes.)  Now that we're into the "off season" for our tv shows, I might have some extra reading time.  

If only (with that extra open time) I can find the motivation to get back to the crochet and cross stitch  - and more importantly the cleaning out.  My friend's father passed and she's been with her siblings clearing out the house to get ready to sell.  We both bemoan the fact that we each have too much stuff  -  it mostly feels overwhelming to me to get rid of all of it.  Feels like just throwing away money we could really use.

Love my charms.

I splurged.  I've been looking for some months for a small chiffon scarf to tie on the handles of my purse.  Then my friend showed up with a darling cherry charm attached to her bag.  So off I went, looking for something I could use.  She said she didn't mind me sort of "copying" her with a charm on my purse.  I have some requirements - can't be too heavy, can't be too clunky (I am the clumsy banging sort of person) and it can't be noisy.  Found these darling leather tulips.  They're cute.  At least I'm convinced they are.  When I told my friend I felt guilty and selfish for spending the money she rightly pointed out that $20 wasn't likely to break us.  Made me feel better about spending the money on me.  My purse needs to be replaced - the handle is broken but an acceptable replacement (color, size, cost) is not available right now.  Another way for me to learn a bit of patience.  The current purse is sufficient. 

Today's sacrament meeting was nice.  The young lady heading off on Tuesday for her mission did fine.  The youth speaker was amazingly cute, self-possessed and had us laughing.  The ward member finishing everything off was given the topic along the lines of repentance will always bring us forgiveness.  However his talk was mostly about joy and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I'll have to drop him a note. 

And it's lovely out today.  We had rain and more rain all night Friday night and then Saturday morning.  Our grass was so happy for the drink - as were the trees.  It's going to be 90 or a bit above this time next week. I'm grateful for cooler temps today, enjoyed our walk to and from church.

So, I'm grateful today for our air conditioning - again and always.  It will keep me sane through the summer - I wilt in the heat.  I'm grateful for a good book to read.  For a fun little something to put on my purse for no reason other than it is fun.  I'm grateful for the lunch I had with a couple of friends from the storehouse the other day.  They are so very dear to me.  And I'm grateful that the dermatologist thinks she can help me with my very small itchy skin issue.  The Husband was grateful he had a finite number of skin spots to freeze - he wouldn't have liked having more of them.  Those skin doctors really seem to enjoy using that can of freeze spray.  And I'm grateful today for repentance.  I surely need it.