I Need To Be Vacuuming....

 ...but decided to do this instead.

We haven't really had a winter.  It's been warm and we are in record (truly discouraging record) low snowfall for the winter and the season for snow is almost past.  Drought is a shoulder-slumping specter.  I liked having a smaller than usual home-heat bill through the winter.  But like I do with most everything:  I'm worried.  Worried about the availability of the water for the grass this summer, and for the plants.  The Husband wants to plant a few things in the gardens.  Will we have water?  Will the farmers have water for the crops that we need to feed everyone?  Yes, totally out of my control.  Worry will still happen.

The reason for those thoughts was our walk this morning.  Came across this little garden where there were tons of little crocus brightening the area. This was only one small patch.  Made me exclaim in delight.  I love the flowers that our Creator blessed us with.  

Blurry: it was snowing.

After a chat with our friend (she was talking about the bird feeders that we gave them years ago), I took The Husband on a small field trip.  To the bird food store.  We used to go there occasionally when we felt like we could spare the cash for the birds.  The Husband has always loved to feed the birds but it became quite expensive.  And then one year we had a couple rats in the yard scavenging the seed fallen on the ground.  That was the tipping point for me.  I cannot (and will not) abide the rats.  So we quit feeding the birds.  But we're trying again.  Bought a new feeder and put it out where we could see it.  Were warned that it would likely take several weeks for the birds to find the food. And we've since moved the feeder under the trees where it feels like the birds are more likely to find it sooner. Nothing so far, but it's only been three days.  Fingers crossed.

After a fruitless Amazon search for some pants to replace my no longer serviceable $13 pants from Sam's club we were off to Kohl's to see what we could find.  Found two pair! Yay! and Yay!  They fit right and actually have five useable pockets instead of only two on the back.  Also came away with this sweater.  I love it!  The color in person is a much lovelier blue.  I love the open weave, love that it came in petite so the sleeves aren't double the length they need to be.  Love getting something unexpectedly new.

And I've lost a hoodie.  One I bought at WalMart.  Inexpensive but warm and durable to wear all the time if I choose.  Black, basic and just right.  Can't imagine where, how or why it disappeared.  I'm frustrated.  :^)

Church is still a challenge.  It's hard to feel like there's even a space for me amongst all the really perfect (and yes, I know that's impossible - no one is really perfect, but these humans come pretty close) people there every Sunday.  The clothes, the trips, the extras - none of which we can afford.  And probably would not choose to spend our money that way.  But it's hard to not compare.  Particularly when there's so much boasting going on about the trips, the extras, the clothes. I definitely feel inferior.

Grateful this morning for chores that are almost done.  For a couple things to do this week to keep the afternoons from feeling like they last for years instead of only a few hours.  And grateful for a book to come home today from the library for me.  

Old And Grumpy

Moon.

Was told this morning that I'm old and grumpy.  Totally true.  I try to not be grumpy, but that old thing is pretty much out of my control.  I'm not ready to leave this earth yet.  Still looking for a bit of fun. So I guess I'll just continue to age and continue to fight the grumps.  Only time will tell.  😊

We've finally had a change in the weather patterns and are receiving some needed moisture from the heavens.  The mountains are getting some snow.  We're getting rain.  Totally wonderful.  Yesterday morning I woke up expecting to do the treadmill.  Got all dressed, looked out the window and could see patches of bare sky between the clouds.  Checked the weather app and decided to risk a walk.  Got five minutes from home and was in some pretty strong rain.  Not coming home at that point.  Roughly half hour later and it was dry.  I loved it.  When the weather is like that there's rarely many people out so I've the trails and roads mostly to myself.  Lately I've been hearing the birds.  The sky is always an amazing and constantly changing vista.  I took probably a dozen photos of the crescent moon.  One of my best walks.

This morning it was a little drizzly but we still braved it and it was lovely again.  No people out walking, not lots of traffic.  So: nice.

Trees look so much better!

The tree trimmer was supposed to show up some time this morning, I had no clue when.  Sitting at breakfast - showered but not dressed and hair still not done - in he came, walked through the gate and got right to work. A couple more guys showed up and in just under two hours the trees were all trimmed.  The needles and debris all raked up and stowed in the truck bed and they were off.  (With a mis-written check that I had to re-do and rectify with our credit union.  Sheesh, I am definitely old!  Note to self:  don't have a conversation while trying to write a check.)  I wish I had taken a "before" picture.  The trees look great and I don't begrudge a single penny, though everything is so very expensive.  

Last night I sat down to crochet.  Ended up with a kitty on my lap.  The crocheting was maneuvered from beneath the kitty, who then decided to move elsewhere.  She doesn't care for being disturbed when she's finally settled.  I did manage to get some crochet in and some tv watched.  We're such a boring dull old couple: sit in front of the tv most every night.  I often think we need some more excitement in our lives but then am not really comfortable with the kind of excitement that comes.  It should be fun excitement not trouble-excitement. 

She owns any lap.  :^)

We did a Costco visit yesterday.  Hadn't been there in long enough that it seemed like everything was either new or moved around and the best part was we spent less than expected/hoped.  Lots of chocolate samples - yum! Came away with seasoned ribs to do for Valentine's Day.  Received a gift package of bunnies and chicks - the ones that are like circus peanuts which are one of my favorite (though extremely rare) indulgences.  A lovely surprise.

I'm thankful today for prayer.  I pray all the time in my head.  For people that are struggling.  For those I love.  For friends.  For a dismissal of the anger that rears its ugly head - I'm angry too much, mostly about unfulfilled hopes and dreams that will never happen because of circumstances that we have no control over.  I dislike being angry for any reason.  I pray for a bit of cheerfulness and for hope. Some days those prayers feel futile.  But I'll keep praying.  I want so much to have the Spirit of the Savior with me.

Another Monday

 And these Mondays seem to roll around faster than usual.  Last week feels like a blur.  Not sure what we did, though I know I did all the usual:  laundry, groceries, keeping track of bills, meal prep, house cleaning (though not as much of that as I probably should be doing). 

NetFlix added the James Bond movies so we've been slowly plodding our way through them.  They manage to fill an evening without lots of language or too much stuff that offends us.  I've been working on a crocheted throw for my friend. Though now I remember that she really said they already have lots of those throws so I might not give it to her, maybe I'll keep it or maybe I'll give it to someone else.

I visited my friend that I minister to.  She's got so much going on.  The latest is a 16 cm blood clot in her leg just below her knee that is causing issues.  That's a huge clot.  They told her it was a result of her cancer.  I'm kind of tired of funerals.  But I'll keep trying to do my best for her.

Yesterday in Relief Society our president was telling us about a friend's son.  He lost his sight in one eye.  She was lamenting how awful that was (and it is truly horrid - no question about that) but then said how awful it is to lose one's sight. Said that would be the worst of our five senses to lose.  "Maybe if you were 78 or 80 it might not be so bad."  My mental jaw is still dropped that she would say such a thing in such a public arena.  There were at least 7 of us over 70 women sitting in the room.  Instantly felt demeaned and of little value.  Lest I be misinterpreted - I'm not mad.  Just completely flummoxed and baffled that she would think that was ok to think let alone say.

Our daughter's cat is sweet.  She lucked out.  Very affectionate, loves to be around people.  Doesn't hiss or bite, just a tender little spirit.  

Pretty morning.

And I took this picture this morning.  It has been so dark every morning, little to no clouds that the morning skies have just gradually brightened.  But overnight we've had a lot of wind (it is currently sprinkling rain) and it was a lovely morning.  Our winter has been so discouraging.  Snowpack very low with no real measurable snow during the months we generally get.  It's what we need for our spring run off that replenishes our reservoirs.  I'd like to be able to drink a bit of water this summer and not have to choose between that and watering the lawn.  All that lengthy verbosity is to say, I'm looking forward to this change in the weather pattern.  We so very much need the rain.

I've been having  trouble lately finding real things to be grateful for.  Took a little ride the other day past a couple of our previous houses.  I'm so grateful to be where we are - in spite of how hard the ward is.  This is a lovely little corner of the valley, we feel pretty safe here - in spite of all the intrusion on our peace by neighbors who don't comprehend the effect of their actions on those around them.  I'm grateful that we'll be getting the trees in the back trimmed - it's a bit of money, but I'm grateful he gave us a decent bid.  Now if he'll only put us on the schedule.  I'm grateful that a little cat that roams our house finds my lap a perfectly acceptable place to nap.  I'm grateful for an appt. for The Husband's eye exam today - it's overdue and we're trying a new dr.  Hopefully it'll be better than my "trying a new eye dr." was last fall.  I'm grateful that even though it's been a super mild winter - hardly the temps or snowfall  that qualifies for a real winter - and that worries me, it's been lovely to have much lower utility bills.  So grateful for that small respite for our finances.  And I'm grateful again and always for repentance and the chance to try again to be better.  I keep hearing that Heavenly Father loves effort.  If he loves the person that expends the effort, I should be feeling a lot of love from Him, I keep trying.  I give lots of effort.

No Pics Today, Just Thoughts

Had a quiet weekend.  I'm loving our 10:30 a.m. church, just the right amount of before-and-after church time.  We'll be getting a new bishopric next Sunday.  I'm hoping for someone good.  It's really a challenge to keep one's faith when so much (like 100%) of everything is focused on young people.  I understand that the concern is losing the youth.  And older people are more committed and less likely to leave. But every soul is valuable, right? Every person needs to feel wanted and cared for.  Happens less and less the more and more years you have.

Ran down yesterday for a session at the Orem Temple.  Finally managed to secure an appointment.  The session was completely full and kind of different.  The Husband had some of his clothes all twisted up - I helped him which I wasn't sure I was allowed to do.  But I did and was glad I had.  One guy apparently decided he couldn't sit still any more and finally got up and stood by the door.  Odd. Hadn't previously ever been to the Orem temple and it's so lovely and beautiful.  Tons of beautiful cherry blossoms used in the stained glass and the painted decor.

On the way home we were hit not once, but twice in the windshield by rocks.  I'll not be surprised if we end up having to have some cracks/dings (though we couldn't really see much) repaired.

Dark this morning for our walk.  Clear air.  Yay for that!  Saw an unusual amount of deer - first group was 6 or 7.  Then we saw a group of ten (at least what we could see in the darkness) and then two more.  We love seeing them.  I love my morning walks and while I know in a couple months I'll be complaining about the heat, I love the lengthening days. 

We're off today to lunch with our friends.  I love that they want to keep doing lunch.  I also understand that lunch is easier - frees up the evenings more, seems like fewer time / appointment conflicts.  I'm so grateful for them both. Then tomorrow is a couple errands and Hale, friday a lunch with 4 other women from the ward (we're all old ladies so we understand the health / widowhood / etc. / conversations better).  Then we'll have to find something fun to do on Saturday, it that's possible.  

We still really need a trip, didn't go away from here a single time last year.  It's harder and harder to do but good for us.  I still need to figure out replacing that broken window, getting the gas fireplace fixed and having someone in to trim the branches on the pines along the back but somehow it just mostly feels overwhelming. I do my best (though it's a constant effort) to keep on top of the household finances, the laundry, the grocery shopping and meal prep and all the cleaning that never seems to end; in spite of the fact that I don't think either one of us is a slob. Stuff just needs doing. Those extras make me sigh with anxiety about having to figure out how to do them.

And there's yet again another large project going on next door.  If it isn't some huge project, it's some huge gathering of infinite numbers of friends that park all along the street (often up on our grass along the street).  I like when there's an extended trip for them, things are much calmer even if we do have to listen to the bragging afterward. 

Today I'm grateful that so far the construction people next door have managed to not park too much in front of our house.  We so often feel hemmed in by all the trucks and gear. It's been made very clear that we are considered difficult and too fussy.  But whatever - I'm grateful that so far we've been spared too much fuss. (And I'm breaking a personal rule by even saying this much about the neighbors, I have a personal policy to not talk about them to anyone.) I'm grateful for clear air while at the same time wishing we'd have sufficient snow/moisture to last the summer.  I'm grateful for something to look forward to this afternoon and tomorrow evening. And I'm grateful to feel a teensy bit of hope, I need it.  And I'm grateful for repentance, I'll be doing some for the negativity that I've expressed this morning.