Fun Times

Day 90

Some times it just doesn't seem fair that I get to have so much fun at work. I get paid to do these things? Can this really be called work? I have often heard that if you love your work, it won't feel like work. True. But this is even more than that. I mean--looking through various catalogs to choose possible Summer Reading prizes? Not only do I get smiles from so many of the products, but I also have moments of nostalgia when I see prizes similar to what I received in my Summer Reading Program days as a child.

-the ball & cup game

-the ice cream cone shooter

-the magnetic wheel toy

Ah. Those were the days. And there are so many things now. It almost makes me want to buy these fun things at reasonable prices to amuse myself again. But then I remember all of the things I am getting rid of as is typical in a move, and know they would just be extra things to either cart around or chuck out. So, I guess I'll just enjoy all of the fun in looking at the catalogs.

And I'l not even get started on how much fun I have in planning my programs.

Maybe it isn't fair to others, but perhaps the Lord thinks it perfectly fair for me to have fun at work--which I do not mind a bit!

I can bear it

Day 89

In my lifestyle (food, exercise, goals, etc) changing, I've reached the last step/strategy of whatever stage I'm on. And it was interesting that this step was about emotional eating. If you've been reading my 2010 Joy and Gratitude Every Day, you may have noticed a bit of that on my part. :-) I have. It's so obvious--all of that chocolate! Of course, with me, "chocolate" means "chocolate-flavored items." Typically. And that's what it has been over the last 2 months. So I was gratefull that this strategy talked about emotional eating because I have known that even though it hasn't been extremely detrimental or knocked me off of my goals and changes, it recently has played a big part of my life.

I've had various thoughts about things going on in my life--the things triggering the stress. Yet I haven't set too much thought to them because I've been too busy to. But the strategy talked about addressing the issues. It said:

The root of emotional eating often lies in bigger picture questions. Are you going through a stressful period at work, at home, with your marriage, or in some other way? Have you had a recent failure that is crushing your self-esteem? Are you unhappy with your day-to-day life? Have you gone through a traumatic experience, such as a death, divorce, bankruptcy or layoff?

There may be plenty of wonderful things happening to me every day, but I still have my moments. It is not sunny every minute of my life. Rain still comes. And sometimes it comes in torrential thunderstorms. But thankfully at this present time in my life I've been more easily able to find the silver linings of the thunderclouds and learned to dance in the rain (and around the lightning!) until the sun decides to peek back out.

So I thought for this slightly more personal post, I would mention a few of the difficult things I have been facing, and then pull out the Joy & Gratitude part at the end. Part of the reason being so that I can admit, face, and work out some of the issues. And maybe part of it to help any readers who are going through a hard time. I know what it's like to feel like you're suffocating from your trials and will never make it back up for air. Which is why in my current blessing of immense peace and happiness, I want to help others find snatches of air until they can make it completely out and take the deep, calm, wonderful breaths for themselves.

Are you going through a stressful period at work, at home, with your marriage, or in some other way?

Ha ha ha--did you really just ask that? That was my first thought when I read the strategy. And it's funny that when I step back, I realize how even more stressed I am!

at work - yep! That's a definite. But as I've mentioned more than once here, it is a happy stress. It is quite fulfilling to do what I do in my new job, and I see my efforts come to happy fruition right in front of my eyes. The worries I started out with are slowly ebbing away, and the various things I'm nervous about in the near/distant/unknown future I know I will be able to work through as they come. I am surrounded by smiles when I work, and I find it so easy to smile myself. I never run out of things to do. I never get bored. I never start to fall asleep in my tasks. And my co-workers have easily accepted that I'm just a little on the crazy side and whole-heartedly accept me for my silly giddiness, constant talking to myself, and occasional visits from a stuffed turtle or smiles at a puppet elephant.

at church - you bet! Trying to fill responsibilities of my own, trying to make up for the responsibilities others are not filling but which need to be filled or there is much suffering, trying to improve my social relations with ward members, trying to attend tmy many meetings, and, well, pretty much trying to do what I'm supposed to do. I don't really mind doing what I'm supposed to be doing. But even the general duties bring a general stress, and it can be very wearing upon me. I'm grateful the Lord always supports me in what I have to do.

in marriage/relationships - ohhhhh yes. I never thought so many sorrows and hardships could come in so many different ways in one particular area. But they can. And such sorrows and hardships bring--of course--stress.

at home - mm-hmm! The tiny things that I've learned to put up with over the last year+ are really not that bad. As long as I have someone to vent to, they rarely bother me. It's the having to pack all my belongings (again!) and move (again!) to a new place while all of this other stress is occurring in my life. And mentally trying to work out how to arrange all of this financially so that the financial stress stays low and all of the progress I've made over the last 18 months will not regress or stagnate.

Have you gone through a traumatic experience, such as a death, divorce, bankruptcy or layoff?

Well, all right. Nothing like that which is mentioned. And what I am going through might not seem traumatic to some. But it is for me. Wouldn't you consider it traumatic when your entire life's plans are taken from you and every day is nothing as you expected or had hoped for or would wish for now? So you learn how to live each new day. And you are wary of ever making plans again. And you sometimes despair of having dreams fulfilled. And you endure the suffocating loneliness. And you get by without any hugs. And you try to find ways to have a fulfilling life when it feels the measure of your creation and point of your existence is falling very short of the mark. And you accept the terrible losses. Yes. I may not have suffered a death in the normal sense. But every year, I lose another child. And those are extremely hard losses for me. Some times, they seem unbearable.

And yet, I do bear them. I bear all of them. The trials, the sorrows, the heartaches, the stresses. But I am only able to bear them because I have a Savior who bore them for me. He suffered these things, so He knows how to succor me. He knows how to comfort me, and lift me, and bring me peace and joy. And He not only knows it, but He does it.

Are you unhappy with your day-to-day life?

Absolutely not. Because I have a Savior--my one true friend who is always and will always be there for me. And He makes my day-to-day life wonderfully splendid!

Comfort, Comforting, and Comfortable

Day 88

Who wouldn't love to have the chance to wear their comfy PJs at work? Yep--that was the most comfortable I've ever been (clothes-wise) at my job (as PJs are my favorite thing to wear). Then add a happiness to that comfort by wearing my cow slippers.

Nope--I couldn't beat a comfortable evening like that, and "if you can't beat 'em [for happiness], join 'em!"

I Just Called to Say "I Love You"

Day 87

(actually written a day later)

I love talking to my sister. Nothing can beat getting a chance to chat with her--not even going to bed after 2 am. It's completely worth it! You would think so, too, if you had the best sister ever. Which I do.

I wish I could be closer, but I'm so glad I have the technology to easily keep in touch with my loved ones.

Read the Book of Mormon

Day 86

Each day I'm grateful for many things. Today, it was two huge things, and I think I should save one for its own day. Temple? Or Book of Mormon? I have opted to go with Book of Mormon. I was catching up a bit on my daily reading, as I had hoped to be further along by this time of year than I am. So on my way home from the temple, I popped in my Book of Mormon CDs and listened to the entire book of Mosiah. And as I listened, I remembered over and over how much I love the Book of Mormon. How much it has affected my life. How much I know it to be true. I wish I could pass on my love and belief of this book with every person. But it is up for them to come to know its truth and love it for themselves. However, I certainly can share my testimony of it, which I will continue to strive to do until I have no more breath to share it.

I'm so grateful I've had easy access to my favorite book my entire life!

From above

Day 85

Today I am grateful that I got through my inventory of all of our leftover SRP prizes...4 weeks earlier than I had planned! And I have gotten through most of the disorganization in the "office" that I didn't expect to even start for at least another month. At work, I couldn't be happier that things are coming together so well, so efficiently, so smoothly, and so soon. I start to be astonished, but then I remember that "with God, nothing is impossible" and that I have been helped all along the way.

I love divine help in all areas of my life.

Here I Can Turn for Peace

Day 84

“World peace, though a lofty goal, is but an outgrowth of the personal peace each individual seeks to attain. I refer not to the peace promoted by man, but peace as promised of God. I speak of peace in our homes, peace in our hearts, even peace in our lives. Peace after the way of man is perishable. Peace after the manner of God will prevail.”

Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace,” Ensign, Mar. 2004, 2

What a perfect quote for today, as I have so much peace in my life and every day I am very much grateful for that! Yes, my life is filled with stress and punctuated by moments of sorrow or turmoil. But for months now I have been very at peace in my heart and in my life. (I suppose I could say in my home, too....)

And a day like today has been so far, it is just a strengthening of that peace. I sometimes forget how much I love the drive between my library branch and another in the system. This week I began storytimes at the downtown branch, which means once I week I also do the book delivery to all 3 branches. It is the perfect time of year, and perfect day to be making that trip out in the country. Bright and sunny, everything beginning to grow. Absolutely beautiful. So much so that as soon as I got back, I took my lunch and took my walk to try and soak up as much of the beauty as I could. When I returned, my co-worker commented that it's too bad we can't work outside. Oh, so true. Imagine how much more we would all happily be getting done if we could embrace the gifts from heavenly Father even more.

Well, at least I had a part in it. And will have many, many more beautiful, peaceful days to enjoy in my life. It's a wonderful thing!

(Oh yeah--and one extremely happy thing to add today: I backed up the delivery van...twice! I am so unskilled as a driver, and I was nervous about this all week. But I did it and I'm awesome! Yay!!!!)

Have I Done Any Good?

Day 83

There are those days at work when you are busy non-stop and you reach the end somehow wondering if you even accomplished anything. It's a silly wonderment, as everyone who watched you run around all over (and talk to yourself quite a bit!) could attest to the fact that you did plenty.

Maybe it's because it feels that it wasn't important.

But that's just because you are looking at things through the wrong set of eyes--someone else's. Look with your own and you will know the truth.

Or maybe it's because in quick summary you only worked on a couple of tasks when it seems others did multiple, completed them, and are still going at it.

But on closer inspection you see that each of your tasks consisted of at least 10 or more parts. And that what you completed was successful. And that comparing your tasks to another's tasks is completely unfair to everybody.

Then again, maybe it's because in description it sounds like it was a mere trifle, and why are you complaining when there are others doing much harder, more strenuous work?

But in reality you remember (again) that you shouldn't be comparing because each job is different, each task is different, and each person handles tasks and jobs differently.

So if you want to feel like nothing was accomplished because you listen to so much of what the world wants to say, then you can. Or you can look at your talents, strengths, and abilities and see where you did all you could do, as well as know that you were helped to reach a little closer to your potential.

And that to those to whom it matters, what you've done is greatly significant. How can I not be grateful for that?

(And, yes, there are spiritual applications to this post, too.)

Silver Linings

Day 82

Some days it is hard to find the positive. Not that there weren't any positive, happy things--because there were so many! But because you end the day so tired, grouchy, worn out, stressed and not sure if you're able to face the next day, even after a night's rest. Plus, it's the one-year anniversary of your grandfather's death and some times you just miss him--you regret so much that you didn't get a chance for while he was on this earth with you.

It is those times that I am grateful that my life is fairly simple, not overly complicated, and that most of my stress is a very rewarding stress. That I am tired because I am working so hard at a job I enjoy and that I've been reassured I am doing well at. That I'm only grouchy because I need sleep, which will come soon in a home that provides shelter and a wonderful bed. That I'm worn out, but more fulfilled from work than I've been in over two years. That I know where my grandfather is, and that he still has an opportunity to choose the Savior's Gospel, and that he can know in heaven if he didn't know on earth how much I love him and am grateful for all that he did and who he was in this life.

Yes. It is the tough times when you look at the not-so-great things and make them your best friends. (That's related to an article I read in the Ensign this week, and I really liked it, so I'm kind of adding it here in my own twist!)

I'm so old!

Day 81

My father has helped me on my taxes ever since I have had to pay them. Some times he'd be right there next to me to talk me through what I was doing. Other times he'd do what all he could, and then mail everything to me across the country and have me finish with the rest. The last 3 years, he has done just that. Part of it was because he was using TurboTax and he tried to figure out the ways to get me the highest return where possible. Part of it because there were "so many things" to track.

I've always wanted to try my hand at my taxes. You know--that whole responsible adult thing. But I also knew how confused I could get by things and was grateful how often my father was there to help. However, this year my father turned it all completely over to me. And I had no qualms with that, as both of us knew it could not be hard since I finally had only one job in only one state. Amazing! Plus--no moving. No name changing. Nothing! It couldn't have been an easier year for me to do all my taxes all on my own.

OK. So I did call my Dad with one question about my previous year's taxes. And then found the answer myself by going through my files. (I guess it's a good thing I keep so much in filing, even though it bugs me.) I also went the long, convoluted TurboTax route before realizing that was the Deluxe edition, and I wanted the free edition. So though I had to "start over," I learned quite a bit about various things concerned with taxes and while I am still confused, I'm still intrigued.

Anywho. TurboTax with federal and the state's online filing system have helped me, as of today, to be completely done with all of my tax stuff--all on my own! I feel so much older and responsible and cool. I know that some day I may dread taxes because of all the paperwork and such I'll have to go through, and deductions to think about, etc. But for now, as a single and with a very simple life, I actually enjoy doing my taxes. Wonderful tools make it so much easier and there's only so much I have to concern myself with.

So for now I will be happy with the responsible adult feeling I get and grateful for the ease of the task.

Sense and Silliness

Day 80

While I love the movie as a whole, somehow in my first watching I missed how absolutely fantastic this scene of the new Emma is. Especially at 42 seconds. Priceless!!!!! (And when you break it down to the morals being discussed, yes. Mr. Knightley has every right to be making such a look!) Oh, and at 1 minute and 52 seconds--yeah. That part is great, too!

I love a book-turned-into-movie that is well done, with great acting, costuming, music, scenery, and more. But I especially love it when there is humor and oh-so-true to it all.

Just Relax

Day 79

Today was a peaceful day with beautiful weather, service to others, reading, a nap, crocheting, movies, friend phone conversations, and Chinese take-out.

I am grateful for a lovely, simple, relaxing day. My poor tired self needed it.

Starting to settle in

Day 78

Inventory. Ever since the family's one-time awful store inventory, that word can't help but take on a negative connotation for me. But I understand how needful it is. Especially when you inherit a children's room/department that has seen 4 children's librarians in the last 2 years and there is a lot of disorganization here and there right before your first children's summer reading program (quite different from adult and teen programs).

With no budget to purchase any prizes for the kids, we have to go on leftovers. And there is a decent amount of leftovers, but I still need to know what is there, and exactly how much is there so I can separate it among 3 library branches. Five very large cabinets in the kitchen act as our overflow. Each one containing about 6-8 bags and boxes filled with prizes. My goal was to go through one a week, after we'd finished all the stuff lying around in 4 cabinets in the children's room itself.

So finishing the room and getting through two cabinets by the lunch hour today was absolutely amazing and I am so grateful for the progress we're making. Items counted, numbers recorded, items bagged if needed, and each container of prizes having a note added of what prizes and how much of them are inside.

Every week I feel more and more that the room really is becoming my room. And I'm grateful for that and for the staff who help me every day with that.

A New Song

Day 77

I have a new song in my life.

And I am totally, completely, and unabashedly in love.

(Disregard the story of the musical. It and I did not click.)

I love a song that can make my heart brighten, my eyes water, my soul soar, my mouth smile, and my dreams to live--all in one.

Never Underestimate Freedom

Day 76

In my budgeting and bill paying this evening, I decided to check on my progress with getting out of debt. I "took matters into my own hands" about 17 months ago. I made drastic changes in my expenses, my monthly budgeting, my living arrangements, and much more. And I learned tonight that I have payed off 1/3 of all my debt!

In another year, half of what I initially owed will be paid off with 3 of the loans being paid in full. And that would leave just school loans to finish off.

It is such a wonderful joy and happiness to know that I am making such progress in becoming financially debt-free!

And even more food

Day 75

Can I help it if I love food? I think food is a magnificent blessing from Heavenly Father! Today, it was a treat from Wendy's--all within the financial and physical budgets. I just craved a little grease and a Frosty. Definitely the Frosty. What can I say but that I am my father's daughter in that? I'm still amazed by how often I don't stop by a Wendy's to get a Frosty. I mean, I pass by one every day I get into my car. But I resist a lot. And am even more grateful when the time comes that I allow that yummy luxury of a sweetness into my life.

I'm also grateful that I had a lovely walk even in the chill breeze and overcast skies.

And enjoyed various aspects of Institute this evening, and it certainly made me happy.

There really is always something to find happiness about in a day--often a whole bunch of somethings!

Yeah--more food

Day 74

So, I can eat a lot--as evidenced by the aforementioned fudge cupcakes. I take it as a sign of pride and shame that in one sitting, I can eat

• an entire box of Mac & Cheese (my way)
• 2 packages of Ramen (drained) smothered in cheddar cheese
• an entire large, topping-filled Papa John's pizza

And, yes, I can usually eat more after those. With my lifestyle changes, I'm trying to adopt as one of my mantras

Just because I can, doesn't mean I should.

Well, now I am much more conscious of my food portions--and the calories within. Needless to day, I don't eat lots like I used to. Nothing beats how I feel when I eat right, but I sometimes miss feeling full.

So, you can imagine my joy tonight when I found out that an entire bag of microwave popcorn (what I used to like to eat as an entire meal), is only ~400 calories.

The Blessings of Music

Day 73

I love to sing. One of my favorite of favoritest things ever. Today's singing had me thinking of how I am grateful

for the blessing of music in my life

for the blessing of enjoying good music

for the amazing blessing of being able to make music myself

Today, in many ways (including a talk on the hymns & singing in a duet of "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me") I was reminded of all 3 blessings.

And I am even more grateful for the vital role of music in my life.

Speaking Up

Day 72

We had Saturday stake meetings today. I represented the entire YSA Relief Society presidency. Often in the stake meetings like this, I sit back and gain from the more experienced sisters around me. The topics generally addressed are ones that don't quite include the YSAs. This time, I didn't let that keep me. I felt I needed to speak up in representing the singles. We have a great support from our stake leaders as a singles' branch, but some of the family wards don't think much on us and don't realize what a great work is being done with, through, by, because of, and for our branch.

So in our combined presidency meeting, we were talking about why it is important to know the doctrine. I had my own say, so I shared. This is not typical for me in any setting. See, I was the one who knew the answers as a youth, and the youth stopped answering questions because they knew I knew the answer. In Seminary, my teacher [aka mother] asked me to stop answering questions so the others would have to figure things out. I started to get used to that, and then when I got to BYU, I loved to sit back and listen because I learned so much from all that was being said around me. I have had to spend the last 3 to 4 years learning to speak up in classes again. While I'm much better at it now, I'm not as comfortable with it in a room mostly full of strangers.

Well, when I spoke out my comment, the stake RS president said she wanted to pause and bring out how we as a singles group worked on what we were discussing and why it was important in our particular group. So I had to speak up even more than I had expected, but I was so grateful I had the opportunity to "talk up" our little branch.

My active participation did not end there. When we split up into various groups, I spoke up quite a bit in the meeting of the education counselors. I even brought up one of the difficulties that we faced and received equal counsel from my peers. It was greatly appreciated.

I always love getting to know others in the stake. Especially in my current stake. I love the people in it. I love that I feel I belong, and that I have a place. So to step a little out of my comfort zone and put myself on an equal, active, participating, and contributive footing, it made me feel fantastic!

Free to Be

Day 71

Every time I go to visit my Locked-In Syndrome friend, I am reminded of how wonderful and amazing it is that I can move on my own. Exercising is a joy when I know I can just get up and do it when I want. No one to have to lift me out of bed. No one using electrodes to stimulate muscles and get the signals to the brain that are not working. My whole body--little pains and all--is a marvelous wonder of amazingness! Little to no effort to shake someone's hand, or make a fist, or tap my foot to a rhythm. I am always humbled and shamed when I think how much I complain over my various illnesses and forget that I have a body that functions on its own.

There's an old LDS commercial that I taught to some friends at school in 6th grade. We used to sing it at recess all the time.

Run

Jump

Climb

Walk

Laugh

&

Cry

Throw

Fetch

Play Catch

Slip

&

Slide

Look

Swim

Eat

Grin

Cook

&

CHEER

Giggle

Wait

Talk Straight

(Woo!!)

Be There!

Love isn't just something you say, it's something you do.

A message from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Of that list, my friend can only do about 6 on her own. Especially wait. "She has the patience of Job" as they say. She really does. And yet she makes so much progress in gaining back the use of various limbs. I've seen her lift her legs from a bent position into a straight position, and I want to cry every time I see this amazing feat because when I met her, she couldn't even lift her head on her own.

If there was anything I was to truly gain from living here right now in this time of my life, I believe it was knowing my friend. She has changed my life and of a surety left "a handprint on my heart."

Seconds, Please!

Day 70

I thought my post from The Thursday Chronicles stated perfectly a joy and gratitude for today:

The best thing about watching how many calories you eat

and being more conscious of how, what, when, etc of eating

means

that when you ask ahead of time to have half of your meal put in a box before bringing it out to you

it guarantees yummy Olive Garden food for the next day!

Never mind the rest of the chocolate cake that you polish off later that evening because it was definitely a need-chocolate day.

I Often Go Walking

Day 69

I will never be able to tell you how utterly and blissfully marvelous my ability to go for a walk at lunch was today. Because

1) I was able to step away from my work desk and have a real lunch hour. (Most of my lunch hours since starting the new position have been spent taking care of new position stuff.)

2) I was physically able to walk. Shins weren't sore from Saturday's 2.5 mile run. Stomach did not keep me from walking. In fact, I walked a pretty good pace and worked up the ol' heart rate.

3) I was able to take along a cassette audio book and have my eyes free (which doesn't happen when I walk with a print book) to look around at the beautiful sky, clouds, river, grassy expanse, and more.

4) I was able to walk in some of the most beautiful weather I could have seen after the last 9 weeks of weather we have experienced. I could not breathe in deeply enough. I could not soak in the sun enough. I could not enjoy the gentle breeze enough. Indeed, at times I just wanted to stand there to take it all in. But that would have defeated the whole keep-moving and work-up-heart-rate thing.

And my walk was just one wonderful thing that happened today, for this evening was a joy to have dinner (and some chatting) with a friend, and then learn a new crochet pattern together.

I love my happy life!

A few things

Day 68

Doing much better at my storytimes

Sitting on the floor at work and playing with mounds of puppets

90% done with preparations for Saturday's craft storytime

Getting my part of this Sunday's duet memorized

Feeling scads better physically with only minor reminders that my stomach is almost done healing

A good-looking substitute Institute teacher to look at.....oh!, and listen to

Lots of laughs with a friend I haven't talked to in a while

Having my first organ playing lesson, after years of trying to take this class!! - thank you BYU and iTunes

Getting some daily protein from beef jerky (rarely get to eat it, but I love the stuff!)

Always a variety of wonderful to be grateful for

Endurance

Day 67

Considering every ache and pain I have been experiencing all day all over myself, I am simply grateful that the Lord helped me endure.

Indeed, yesterday when all the pain started, it made the Sacrament even more meaningful to me as I thought on the Savior suffering all of my pains, including the physical ones I have no control over but must wait out.

I am so grateful I never have to endure it--or anything--alone.

Another year past

Day 66

Yes. I have another gratitude for another vanity of mine.

I try not to get too attached to it, for fear that one day I'll lose it all. But if I ever do, I will have had the many wonderful years with the glorious (curly!) hair that Heavenly Father has blessed me with.

Exactly a year ago, I said good-bye to my hair in my second time to donate it. I like being able to donate my beautiful hair and hope some child may share in its beauty when they need any uplift they can.

However, I was not as ready to part with my hair this time, and it was harder to be with the short hair. Not to mention, I don't really like short hair. It doesn't matter if the haircut was really nice, and that I look just fine with short hair.

I love long hair.

And that's all there is to it.

So it has been nice as this past year has gone on and I've watched my hair grow.

To when it finally reached past my shoulders again.

To when I could wear it up (with LOTS of pins!) again.

To when I could put it in 2 french braids again.

To when the not-so-curly days looked OK again.

It may not be as long as it was. (Of course.)

Or as long as it can (and hopefully will) be.

But it is finally at a length again when I am pretty happy with it. In fact, I think this length is actually really good for me.

But I'm still going to have my times with my "princess long" hair. Hey--while it's beautiful color and curl, I'm going to enjoy the length while I can!

Yarn Cuteness

Day 65

I love having an easy and enjoyable service to do while relaxing, watching a movie, listening to music, or talking with others. I love these dolls, and I'm already having a hard time trying to give them up! They are so cute and fun. Yes! They are. Each one even has its own personality.

So I do hope they will find homes where they will be loved.

Only ~20 more skeins of yarn to go!

With nothing to do

Day 64

I am grateful for the end of the week, and for an entire weekend for major R&R. OK. I'll throw in helping to clean the church. And the 3 hour church block. And the CES Fireside. But the rest? It's all mine!

Sweet bliss of an "unplanned" weekend.

A pseudo-Visiting Teacher

Day 63

I don't really have any visiting teachers. Not like I used to. None that visit. None that give me the monthly message. None that let me talk and vent and all those things that a sister needs a sister for. Someone to listen, laugh, nod, smile, cry, empathize, sympathize, and rage at all the right times. Simply put, to understand. So I am very grateful that even though I haven't really had a good visiting teacher in 2.5 years, that my R.S. president is one whom I can go to with that. Even if it is during our (2-person) presidency meetings!

A little delay here

Day 62

A two-hour delay for work. It's not only that I'll be able to enjoy

1. plenty of time for scripture study

2. plenty of time to exercise

3. plenty of time to make a "real" breakfast

4. new time to read a fun book

but that I'll have plenty of time to make my way to work. Last night's journey really had me worried.

I'm grateful for city employers who will take care and concern over their employees, no matter how much the rest of the world (or city) will gripe.

"Safely to arrive at home"

Day 61

I thought this might be a harder day to try to find something to be grateful for. I felt like crying almost the entire day. Good things still happening. But I have an emotional overload that wants out. And I'm too busy to find the time even for that! So what I found to be grateful for was that I made it home safely. Earlier than expected (and no forewarning) snowstorms began. A slushy snow with thick accumulations, no road visibility, 3 horrible accidents, and very very slow driving. My typical 20 minute drive home from Institute was only about 45. So not bad at all, though I think my hands were rather clutched to the steering wheel. Even my put-on confidence of snow driving was put to its test in this sudden thing. (And still no advisories issued for my city--where the snow is worst!)

So, I am very grateful that I had an audiobook to keep me from thinking scarier thoughts, and a car that worked and stayed on the road, and a wonderful home that I could come home to.

The Importance of Sleep

Day 60

Who couldn't be happy, joyful, and grateful for 12 hours of sleep!?

Especially when this is what I've intrepidly been referring to as My Launch Week. My first teen program (officially, anyhow), and my first toddler storytime and preschool storytime. In less than 2 weeks I'll be doing my first Craft Storytime. But at least by then I'll have done 4 preschool and 4 toddler storytimes. So no worries, right?

Oh, I am so grateful I got a lot of sleep.