Tiny Bits

I've been a grump lately.  I wake up anxious and worried.  I go to sleep anxious and worried.  I dislike feeling that way.  

Yesterday was our Stake Conference.  I always dread these as our stake seems to always invite those members to speak who have been undergoing massive trauma, or who have strayed and come back.  It almost feels like there's no room or attention for those who just obediently go along and try to do their best (and yes, I think there are a lot of people who don't trumpet their woes to the world).  And yesterday was kind of the same.  Although for me:  yesterday's talks were just what I needed.  Yes, I'm still sad inside for multiple reasons.  But my tiny bit of hope has been somewhat restored.  

After Stake Conference we watch the final session of General Conference that we recorded back in October since we were away on our fabulous trip.  Again:  the talks were just the inspiration I needed.  It felt good to have my soul fed, even if it was in tiny bits. 

Saturday evening we drove over to Daybreak for a wedding reception.  We were grateful to be invited, even if it was only because I told the groom I hoped for that.  He's one of our YSA's we taught that I've kept in touch with.  So happy for him and I hope his path is one of goodness, I think it will be. 

Yay for free cookies.

Anyway, we were sitting at Chick-Fil-A just enjoying our strips and nuggets on our way to the reception.  Not our usual Chick-Fil-A (and I'm so grateful for the gifts cards that I have on our app so we could pay so easily and worry free).  At our chick-Fil-A (which is currently closed for indoor dining because they can't get enough staff on board for more than the drive thru) it is common to have a sweet little older lady come round and offer you mints.   That night we were approached by an employee with a paper bag.  Free cookies for us.  Just because. And thank you for coming in.  They were crazy busy - how nice for them to give us cookies.  And frankly - the cookies over there are w-a-y better than the cookies we've tasted at our local Chick-Fil-A.  So grateful for a tiny bit of unexpected kindness.  Even if I am trying hard to not have too many treats right now (our annual physicals are on Jan. 4.  What dummy scheduled them for right after the holidays?  Me!)

The leaf and pine needle roundup is in full effect.  8 bags are currently lined up waiting their turn for pickup.  There've already been at least half that making their way to the landfill.  I love when things get cleaned up for the winter.  We'll probably have another couple bags from the honeylocust trees in the front, but the tricolor beech and the maples are fairly bare limbed.  The Husband loves that he can use his new-ish electric blower to blow all the leaves into a pile, it does save our backs from so much aching.

We've still some things to do around here including replacing the weatherstripping at the bottom of the garage doors.  Still looking for a way to hide the screw holes around the windows of the front door sidelights.  Need to figure out how to fix the aged and broken lights in the amphitheater.  But how grateful I am for a house that is ours - where we are comfortable and feel safe.