Frustration

 It's Monday for sure.  

My morning walk was lovely under the full moon.  The early early morning is much prettier under the moonlight. 

Received the phone call I've been expecting from the doctor's office now that our 6 week repeat blood work is complete. My numbers were improved.  Enough that the dr. is not recommending any medication.  That was really the bright spot of the day. 

We've been looking for a new Christmas tree.  We've now been to 5 different stores.  No luck.  Sticking with the old one for another year.  (We've been saying that for several years now.) 

Was asked to do a musical number for Christmas Sacrament meeting with my daughter.  It's a problem.  We didn't know she wanted us to do a specific song.  The one we were planning was already "taken" (actually assigned). Have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find a decent arrangement of the song we were requested to do.  Without success (and $5 poorer). Not sure how willing either of us is to continue the fruitless search. 

And yet again, my day has disappeared doing stuff for others.  Haven't even checked the mailbox.  The Husband was gracious enough to bring in the old Christmas tree for decorating.  But the decorating boxes are all still in the basement and at this point I'm not sure how much I'm going to dive in and do. 

Was asked this morning by a cashier how I was doing.  "I'm ornery, thanks", I said.  "Isn't that the current required mood?"  Of course, I was smiling (not that they could really tell because of my mask), but they both agreed that somehow that's the prevailing perspective.  

Went for a walk yesterday afternoon.  Twas beautiful out.  The water in the Jordan River was still pretty frozen in spots, what little there is considering our drought and the overnight temperature of 16 degrees. Still, the skies were crystal clear and it was a new section of trail for us.  Just right for a Sunday afternoon.

And the other day I helped out a friend with some piano stuff.  She needed a recording for her granddaughter.  Was fun to see her and chat for a little bit, felt almost like a playdate.  This gift card came in the mail as a thank you.  I never think of a reward.  I really love helping the very vast majority of the time (sometimes when it's frustrating or a tad inconvenient I don't love it quite as much but still really want to do my part if there's a need).  When we're able to use this gift card I know the food will taste better than usual because of her kind generosity.

So, I'm on the organ for December.  I'm so looking forward to January.  The holidays are such a stressor for me - an emotional abyss.  

But anyway, I'm grateful that today's walk was wonderful, that The Husband and I were able to get out in the sunshine for a little bit, that he was happy that we went to Maverick for his soda (I splurged and got a fresca for me but when I got home and tasted it, it was nothing but carbonated water - another of the day's small but mounting frustrations) and that I'm home in my happy place (next to the beach.)