Jus' Me

Day 280

A squink more ability to breathe. Seeing a glimpse of maybe things potentially having a possibility of coming a little past the chaos at work. Perhaps.

I find it hilariously ironic that I said this only yesterday. 'Cause that didn't happen today.

Well, aside with starting up Season 5 of the roommate Star Trek Voyager Marathon, I think the greatest joy from today was one of sheer simplicity, it was quite wonderful:

Eating my lunch of an apple (reminiscent of junior high and high school days), I just sat on the bench looking at the world around me and thinking. No book. No music. Nothing but me, an apple, the world, and my thoughts.

Myself by Myself for Myself.

Food. Glorious Food.

Day 279

A perfect fall day. The sky was an amazing blue, yet it was half covered with some of the prettiest clouds I've seen in a long time. The temperature was perfect and the breeze uplifting and calming. It was wonderful to read and think while I took a walk on my lunch break. I've missed truly relaxing walks.

An interesting and insightful political book. I don't often find nonfiction interesting. And even less so do I find politically written books to be interesting. I want to invest myself more in being aware and having informed views and opinions so I can better stand up for my values. But it is hard to find such things that are interesting as well as not overwhelming. But this book was everything I needed, and I really enjoyed it.

A squink more ability to breathe. Seeing a glimpse of maybe things potentially having a possibility of coming a little past the chaos at work. Perhaps.

A fun holiday catalog. Totally worth every giggle and exclamation with fellow children's librarian.

A small reward. A trip to a salad bar and some apple pie with sharp cheddar cheese. Why? Because I sent in my last payment on my dear and devoted car!!!

That could have been the clencher. And it almost was. But I had a rescheduled appointment. Because of the rescheduling, the plans for Friday changed, and one very anticipated plan moved up to this evening. And I couldn't help think about it. All. Day. Long.

Because for someone whose grocery budget is currently a little more than the cost of a tank of gas, and whose last month's grocery budget was spent entirely on emergency supply food stuffs to make it through in times of no electricity or gas (hurricane season!), or one of my stomach episodes,

could it be any wonder that today's surprisingly greatest joy which "trumped" Last Car Payment was

Going Grocery Shopping!!

(But as I've known about Last Car Payment for a couple of days and I don't count it official until the check is cashed, I'm still saving that joy. For it won't be any less then!)

A Hug Here. A Hug There.

Day 278

28 toddlers at my toddler storytime.

That's almost twice a "typical" size.

And even though we had to hold it in the acoustically-challenged lobby because of the flooding in the Children's room, I think the children still enjoyed it.

I had fun, even though I had to call out a bit more loudly with my already sore for a week throat.

And 12 preschoolers.

That's more typical.

With more regulars than the toddler group had.

And I know this one youngster gets a little out of hand in his rambunctiousness of showing me he's grateful for my storytimes. (Today he hugged me during a song instead of after the whole storytime, for which I smiled but did kindly tell him to return to his carpet square.)

But I can't help it: when I am hug starved, I'll talk all and any appropriate, honest, and sincere ones that I am offered--even in the middle of singing in storytime.

18

Day 277

I'd actually had some kind of wonderings about this just last week, but I didn't know from what direction or even if an answer would come.

Now I know, and I'm ecstatic!!! Thanks, K.!

How Sweet the Sound!

Day 276

There is, again, much that I could say. I always leave Conference on a spiritual high and low--low because I'm so sad it's over and wish I could have a few more hours!

But I cannot help but be so especially and overly thrilled and joyous about this:

Elder Cook mentioned William Wilberforce and "Amazing Grace" in his talk!!!

Worth It

Day 275

My goodness--what a day! So full of wonderful. General Conference weekends always are. But I added on to it today with a morning with a friend learning to play disc golf--something different, new, fun, and relaxing. (Well, OK. Social anxieties had me pretty nervous at the beginning, but eventually that passed.) During some spare moments, I either listened to an enjoyable audiobook or read from a politically-themed book which I am loving already. Later I edited with a client. I watched a movie with my roommate which included a lot of fun film connections we've been obtaining from our on-going Star Trek Voyager marathon. And there was, of course, the first half of the wonderful Conference weekend with at least three talks that I felt were specifically messages the Lord wanted me to hear.

So to be filled, renewed, and/or happified from things physically, socially, financially, mentally, and spiritually,

can there be any question why the hours of physical pain I endured today were truly

"but a small price to pay" and "but a small moment."

The 2nd Best Woman in the World

Day 274

There was one thing completely soul stirring for me that could have been the gratitude I picked for today.

But nothing that soul-stirring could make me more grateful than what I can't help being most grateful for today:

My fabulous, amazing, don't-you-wish-you-had-but-you-can't-'cause-she's-mine best ever sister!!