Much Joys

Day 188

So many things to bring a smile today--as usual!

-finishing one audio book and beginning another--that much closer to completing my book challenges!

-having the performer pull me on stage with some of the kids during part of the show (though it was a shock and a little embarrassing, it was still very fun!)

-a roommate with access to DVDs and who is just as eager to begin the Star Trek: Voyager "marathon"

-a place to practice the piano (even if it's some distance away)

-"discovering" many family names just in time to be taken to the temple this weekend

That's one happy plethora for a day's events!

sweet

Day 187

Well, if one has to work a 12-hour day, what better way to have it then to watch a really cool and funny magic show, complete with adorable bunny at the end.

And still make it to the last half of Institute class.

Yeah. I can handle it.

Opportunities right in our way

Day 186

A "holiday" and day off from work is bliss in itself.

But getting to spend almost the whole day with some of my closest friends?

"A joy beyond measure."

"I love this country of the free"

Day 185

There's so much I could say about today. But the headache I have had for some hours is beginning to get worse and I need to escape into sleep before that option becomes difficult. So I'll just quote what I wrote on my family's website:

I love celebrating our country, our freedoms, our history.

But mostly, I love that I AM free.

Happy Independence Day, everyone!!!

Making a Splash

Day 184

I could not foresee any other chance to make it to any kind of swimming water this summer, so in spite of the tempting chance to sleep in and/or sleep all day at home, I had a date (with me) and ventured out to the beach for a few hours. And what joys came along!

It was the most perfect weather! Especially after what we've been enduring.

And it was a lovely view.

And I got a bit of a workout.

And I read...kind of.

(And I looked pretty and modest in my new swimsuit.)

And I made a fabulous and much-needed-for-me analogy with ocean and friendship.

And I still got in my sleeping--two or three bouts of it.

Glorious, wondrous, happy morning at the beach!

letter of appreciation

Day 183

Dear French Apple Cobbler,

You are so good to me. Perhaps not good for me. But most certainly good to me. Who else could provide further enjoyment while watching a roommate with one's roommate? Who else could be my 2nd cobbler ever made? Who else could have a recipe which asked for ingredients that were all at hand? Who else could be mixed together in 12 minutes? Who else could fill the apartment with that aroma? Who else could make melting vanilla ice cream that much better?

Who else, indeed?

Sincerely,

Grateful Consumer

"I Love This Country"

Day 182

My brain is even tired! Truly it is! But it is just cognizant enough to know that there have been little happy spots:

Finally got much-needed errands run.

Did my first batch of laundry since moving in (I have to use the complex laundromat now).

Delicious meals--oh, you should try them. They're so good.

More great storytimes.

An enjoyable audio book.

Beginning a "promising" novel--an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from ALA (thanks, roommie!) by an author whose other two works I enjoyed. (Of course, I keep nodding off every few paragraphs as I've been doing of late with any print book because the mind thinks "We're slowing now? OK--sleep time!")

My first herb plant!

But best of all--today at least--I am loving reading quotes on freedom, patriotism, etc. from our LDS prophets.

Two of today's favorites by Brigham Young:

"I love the government and the constitution of the United States, but I do not love the damned rascals who administer the government."

"Sustain the government of the nation wherever you are, and speak well of it, for this is right, and the government has a right to expect it of you, so long as that government sustains you in your civil and religious liberty, in those rights which inherently belong to every person born on the earth and if you are persecuted in your native land, and denied the privilege of worshipping the true God in spirit and in truth, flee to the land of Zion, to America—to the United States, where constitutional rights and freedoms are not surpassed by any nation—where God saw fit, in these last days, to renew the dispensation of salvation, by revelations from the heavens, and where all, by the constitution and laws of the land, when executed in righteousness, are protected in all the civil and religious freedom that man is capable of enjoying on earth; and our national institutions will never fail, unless it be through the wickedness of the people, and the designs of evil men in brief authority; for those rights were ordained of God on this land; for the establishment of the principles of truth on the earth; and our national organization originated in the heavens."