I Guess....

....I'm kind of on a "once-a-week" schedule here.   And that's fine.  At some point I will not longer feel the need to journal in this format.  But for now, it's working for however often I put my thoughts down.

Last Monday I went to lunch with three friends from the Bishop's Storehouse.  We're determined to continue our connection.  One of us (not me) is heading to Alaska for a (18 months) mission, The Husband and I are finished with our service at the storehouse, one has changed her hours - so things change.  That's the way of life.  But we love each other.  We spent several hours chatting and laughing and enjoying each other.  Next month it will only be three of us getting together.  It will still be lovely.

Broken hat.

Had the car in for it's annual service.  We put so few miles on it that it only needs an oil change about every year, so in we went.  Came out several hundred dollars later with swapped out oil, a complimentary inspection of several points (the engine and air filters will need to be replaced soon as will the tires- I actually expected to have to do that this visit) and a new battery.  That wasn't something I had thought about until lately. The car is 8 years old and still had the original battery so it isn't surprising.  Just the cost was unanticipated.  But with winter coming and this being our only car we need to have it be reliable.  I'm usually kind of thinking it's time for a new car before now.  But this one only has just over 24,000 miles on it and isn't making noises and goes everywhere we need in heated and air conditioned comfort.  And most important of all is paid for.  So, we're keeping it with gratitude. We wandered around Costco while the service was being done and it was lovely to run into some friends and have a quick chat.

Did a visit to the sister I minister to.  Her kidney biopsy (they were certain it was another cancer spot) turned out to be benign and she is so happy about that.  I don't know how she faces all she does with such equanimity.  She has lots of friends and a good family support system.  Still, it has to be hard.  She's someone I admire.  

The Husband had a gift card to Texas Roadhouse that we decided to use.  Checked in at the desk (I'm still taken aback at how busy they were at 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon.) then realized the number The Husband gave for texting that our table was ready wouldn't work - his phone was at home.  Changed it to my phone number.  Then realized that I didn't have my phone either.  How odd.  Double checked the car for any phone (nope) and headed back in to chat with the hostess and were greeted with  "That was fast, your table is ready right now!" So it all worked out.  It's so interesting to me how unmoored we feel when we don't have them with us.  Even though we don't really use them all that much. 

Went for a walk this morning.  I always have a hat - usually a ball cap, I love my Life Is Good ones - because I despise being under trees without a hat.  Just in case bugs or birds or debris falls on me, I like my head/hair protected.  Yup, I'm weird.  A few feet down the street I discovered my hat is broken.  The snap for keeping the strap on (so my hat actually stays on my head) is broken.  It's now on the kitchen counter being "glued".  Only glue we had that I thought might work was some shoe glue.  We'll see how it goes.  Lucky for me I have another hat to wear. 

That picture of the sky?  It's actually the moon just coming from behind the clouds when we walked on Thursday morning.  It was so pretty.  Cameras just aren't the same thing as actually seeing things in person. But how fortunate to have a camera handy in my pocket.

Pretty moon

Read an article the other day that just listing things you're grateful for doesn't really benefit you all that much.  But if you stop and really think about things you're grateful for it can totally improve your mood, and is even beneficial for your body.  Hhmmm.  Interesting.

Even so, today I'm so grateful for our paid off car and that it will serve us well over the winter.  Saturday night in the midst of a wild thunder and lightning storm I remarked how grateful I am for our good roof keeping us protected and dry.  I'm grateful for gift cards to restaurants and for our cell phones.  What a luxury.  I remember all those years ago using pay phones to talk to The Husband when we were in opposite corners of the country.  ($14 per call on average in quarters.  Lots to put in the coin slots!) And I'm grateful for the privilege of being able
to eat where someone else prepares and serves our food.  We have never had food insecurity.  I don't take that lightly.  I'm grateful for the life-giving rain and for someone to mow our lawn.  I really do have a lot to be grateful for.