Muscle Monolith

Big blessings sometimes come from out of nowhere!
This week a truly beloved coworker offered me a Home Gym. It belonged to her son. He was moving and needed to let it go. She put the offer out there and I took it. Not having seen it, I knew my boy would be in heaven. We had a very narrow window of time to get it moved. But I didn't worry. I knew my boy could just through it in the back of the van and then set it up.
Yesterday was our day to bring it on home!

OH MY STINKING HECK!!!!
I had NO IDEA it was like the Hugest                                             Wonder Workout Machine....EVER!
It took nearly 3 hours for my Boy, his Band Bud, and my dear friends Honey to disassemble the "Muscle Monolith", and two trips to get it all home! Where it is now all in pieces in my garage! Waiting to be reassembled and used to build Big Buff Boy Bodies!!!

Girl's Camp Home Coming

Cookie came home from Girls Camp on Wednesday! It was her first year at camp. I was delighted that not

only had she enjoyed it completely but just by looking at her you could see that it had been so good for her.

Mom's request: Leave everything in the garage to be washed.

Cookies Request: S'mores and Blue Box Mac n Cheese!

So as we sat at the kitchen counter listening to stories of Girls Camp 2011. We roasted marshmallows over votive candles. Created perfect fireside treats. 

Remembering that Dessert comes first sometimes!

Then we finished dinner off with a staple from everyones pantry but mine, Kraft Mac and Cheese.

My Cookie was happy! But I am sure I was more happy! 

She got just what she wanted for her homecoming dinner. 

I got to watch my baby delight in the wonder of Girls Camp just like I did so many years ago!

Road Signs

 Some times don't you feel like the path you trod is the same one you have been on for quite some time, and that its getting boring? Then there are the times when you feel like this is a brand new road and you cant wait to go on the test drive. Other times the avenue we travel down is unsure or even scary. Maybe we need to just   read the signs and push forward! Then again, maybe just tossing caution to the wind and running a muck every once in a while is the best plan. After all just who did put these road signs out? And can we trust them?

Celebrate Success

My son wants his license. He has been driving for over a year, on a learner's permit. He is a very good driver.
My rule has always been that if you are going to be a responsible licensed driver, you pay for your own insurance.
So for Mark, his grades had to be brought up, so he could get a job, so he could pay for his insurance, so he could get his license. Well, as all young people, when there is a will there is a way. His grades improved, he got a job and he went to take the driving test. Due to a wicked instructor and a three point turn, Mark failed the test.
My son has cause to need his license next week. So today we went to practice that three pointer. At the MVD, there was another youth practicing the same three point trick. As the girl repeatedly tried the move and came up short, Mark watched and analyzed. As the girl succeeded, Mark said, "I want to cheer for her!"
I wonder, what the world would be like if we cheered for each others successes, both large and small.
My son practiced the turn over and over. He got it down! There in the empty parking lot, next to the Sheriffs department, I cheered! I did the happy mom dance. I celebrated his success.
We will go back in a day or so to let him redo the driving test.
(I tried that wicked three point turn, there in the parking lot, with the black cones marking my goal. And you know what.... Gosh darn... It's a good thing I already have my license, because I sure couldn't make it between those stupid cones.)

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The love of my children

My Cookie 
left me this love note 
when she went 
away to girls camp.
She is so delightful! 

Enjoy the Moments

I came home from my weekend in Utah, thinking I had my world figured out.

 I thought I had every needed element. Silly me! 

When all is right in my world, thats when it starts to unravel. 

Everything is good, everything is fine. 

I just need to realize that I am not in charge of the big picture. 

and I need to be happy with the now, because we never know

what will come. I though some things in life where a given.

But I have learned that that is never the case. 

So I will take the moments and find joy. 

Knowing that what I want in life,  may never be. 

Some of the things I LOVED about the weekend!

1. Having my Son drive me to the air port.
2. Watching the sun rise over the mountains from the terminal.
3. Having 46 rows of seats on the plane and only 30 passengers, no problem finding a window seat.
4. The feeling of the air plane lifting off the ground.
5. Renting an economy car for $42.00 for three days!
6. Getting upgraded to a Grand Marque for $42.00 for three days!!
7. GPS on my iPhone.
8. Seeing a dear friend for the first time in 5 years and it feeling like we hadn't missed a day.
9. Everything is green. Even the medians on the freeway.
10. Perfect weather.
11. Snow on the mountains, even though back at home its in the 90s.
12. Homemade Peanut butter Chocolate bars.
13. Old schools that have Wonderful Charm.
14. Viewing old houses and wonderful architecture.
15. Having kids at home taking care of each other.
16. The view from the Bountiful temple. 
17. Having the time to think and ponder.
18. Having a friend call you, at just the right time, to help you digest what you are pondering.
19. Hugs from boys that I love, who went and got big, but are still my boys.
20. Feeling at home.
21. Knowing my son will  have a party in my house while I am away, and not having to worry.
22. My babies first trip to Girls Camp, with out me there. But knowing she is in wonderful hands.
23. Breakfast with the Bride.
24. Embarrassing the Bride to be with fun honeymoon treasures!
25. Helping the Bride get ready for her big day.
26. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
27. Watching the new family interact.
28. Seeing Emma sharing boy info with her new mom to be.
29. Seeing the groom pace, although he would tell you he was just staying busy.
30. Watching how the step kids all interact so well.
31. Seeing a family pull a wedding together so beautifully.
32. Getting to deliver the wedding cake.
33. How Grandpas back yard was the perfect place for the wedding.
34. Little boys playing in the dirt, and finding fun bugs.
35. Little girls practicing holding the train. 
36. Two young men walking their mom down the isle.
37. The groom kept touching the brides elbow as the Bishop spoke.
38. How happy all the young people in the wedding party were. 
39. How happy the Bride looked. It was delightful!
40. First kisses as Husband and Wife!
41. Happy family pictures.
42. Cutting of the cake.
43. How proud Grandpa was so proud of each of his grand children and great grandchildren.
44. Strawberry and lime slushy!
45. Clean up was done by 6pm.
46. My son posted a video note to me on FB, just to keep tabs.
47. My new granddog, Harley Quinne!
48. Trees everywhere.
49. Having a place to stay, where I felt at home.
50. Early morning tourist trip.
51. No freeway traffic on Sunday morning!
52. Walking through gardens.
53. Time for Pondering.
54. Feeling at peace on my chosen path.
55. Blogging from my phone.
56. Purple Irises.
57. Wonderful Victorian houses.
58. Winding roads.
59. Views from the mountains.
60. Rainy travel.
61. Early morning shopping.
62. Car chargers.
63. Parks everywhere.
64. Berries for breakfast.
65. Slate roofs. 
66. Chatting with friends no matter where you are in the world.
67. Wonderful Architecture ( I know, but I can say that twice, I love it!!!)
68. A penpal that knows he can say it like it is, and I will still listen. Even when I want to hate him.
69. Seeing a glimpse of what you are searching for, when you know you have no clue yet
70. Pedicure...even though no one saw my feet.
71. Potholes in the street, so I can appreciate the roads at home.
72. Fast security at the airport, when you are racing the clock. 
73. The extra security measures that pull me to the side to swipe my hands for mystery chemicals.
74. For the SLC air port not being any bigger, since my plane was at the very end!
75. The nice guy who gave me his widow seat.
76. "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, on my iPhone the entire trip home.
77. The ability to take all my stuff as carry on.
78. Being able to see my neighborhood from the air.
79. Having a van full of kids pick me up from the air port.
80. Jessette for being the very best big sister. 
81. Having my house clean and tidy, even though I know it was full of kids while I was away.
82. For a dear friend, that messaged me from girls camp to let me know my Cookie is doing well.
83. Sleeping pills.
84. Midnight texts to make sure I made it home. 
85. Taking the day after the trip off so I can lay in bed in my nightgown, blogging! 

Purple Irises

I love Purple Irises.

When I went to Temple Square I was sure I would see them every where, as I have each time I have gone in the spring. But I was very surprised to find none in the gardens or in the square.

Do you ever think, and I may be odd here, but that God leaves little things here and their to let you

know you are on his mind, that He is thinking of you, that he loves you?!

Well I was sure there would be purple irises, for me there at the gardens. As I walked Sunday morning, every thing was beautiful, as always. Even the upturned flower beds looked lovely.

There were no irises. I looked everywhere. Not obsessively, just as I pondered.

I did alot of thinking there in the quiet calm. 

Those lessons I was taught and stored away until I are ready to comprehend them,

where put into place. I was where I needed to be that morning.

The weather was beautiful. When I was just about finished digesting my lesson from long ago, 

and blogging it, the weather started to change. It was getting cloudy and cold. And the breeze was 

picking up. Almost like I was being thanked for coming, but gently sent on my way.

As I walked back through the gardens, I tried to notice the little things, the architectural elements that may be missed, or the even cobble stones. 

The last few steps at the east end of the gardens are next to a water fall. I was thinking how it almost didn't fit, its too contemporary. But then again, it is lovely, and everyone likes different things. 

Something for everyone, right! I hurried up the steps, and as I did....

There in the corner of the waterfall flowerbed, was one Iris plant. It was purple. 

I had looked at each bed, all along my walk. And found none. But here at the very end,

was my gift, to let me know I was thought of. I was remembered. 

Tavel Food

Whenever I travel I like to grocery shop at local markets. The bakery I wanted to shop at today is closed on Sunday. So found another market.
Today's fair: fresh mixed berries, strawberry strudel, fig Newtons, chicken salad on whole wheat, stuffed grape leaves w/ feta, olives and mushrooms & water!
What a great rainy day feast!


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Location:Belt Route,Salt Lake City,United States

Moving Forward

I am sitting outside the SLC Temple at 9am on Sunday morning. There is a little cafe outside the temple walls. (It's closed, it's Sunday in Salt Lake after all.) But the spot is quaint and quiet.
May in Utah is lovely. I was sure I would find purple Irises planted here. To my surprise, there isn't one on Temple Square.
There are so many things I love about the area; the architecture, the green, all the trees and flowers. I love the feeling I have here, it's not home but it's peacefully. I have never been here alone before. It's good to be alone sometimes.
The last time I was here I came with friends. I went to the Conference Center to listen to the MormonTabernacle Choir. Then I went to church, not conference, but Sacrament meeting, with the Prophet.
I also went inside the SLC Temple that trip.
I have prayed all my life. I know God, and I know he knows me.
On that last trip I can tell you that I spoke with God. The lessons learned that day may not have been for that day. But sitting here now, reflecting, chatting with God.... I can say, the lessons were learned. The peace I looked for was given. The elements I needed were tangible and real. I know what was asked for and I know what was received. I am grateful and humbled.
As always, in my life, I wish I could see the big picture. The last time I was here I didn't think the next time would be for these reasons or in these circumstances. But, I am delighted that this is why and when!
I have always known God, I may be a little off the path right now, He and I may not see eye to eye. He has always known that I am a work in progress, obviously one he is willing to keep working on, like a hobby or an abstract art project maybe. But I know He loves me. I can see it in my life.
I fly home today. I will take beautiful memories and photos with me. But more than that I will take lessons learned and love given, and add them to my game plan.
It's time to move on, in more ways than one. Change is always good. I told God that I was tired of being strong and all that goes with that. I think I heard him say "You will be okay" !
Now I know, when he tells me that, it doesn't mean, "wait and watch". It means "go and do"!
The breeze is chilly, it's time to move on, move forward!


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Location:Salt Lake City LDS Temple

The First Time I Took A Plane

The first time I took a plane, I was 19. I was married, living in a strange, lonely little town at the tip of civilization. I was very homesick, lonely and pregnant. I remember being scared. My first flight was all alone. I was going home! That's what I kept saying to myself. "I am going home to where I know people."
I remember little else about the flight, except... The woman I sat next to only spoke Spanish and that I used every barf bag on the entire plane! No lie, well many though! I was surprised that the well dressed Spanish speaking woman knew I was pregnant.
Looking back, in retrospect, who couldn't tell that I was pregnant, too young and truly in need of a hug.
As I flew over the clouds today, I remembered that first, so long ago. I wish I could go back in time and hug that darling girl. And I would whisper in her ear..."Run now, don't look back, there is more out there"
But, then again, I ended up with four of the most beautiful, wonderful children. And I like who I turned out to be.
I went on an airplane all alone again today. My thoughts were mire "Do I pay for the extra insurance on the rental car or not", and how will my kids do on their weekend of firsts without me.
All is good! Life is good... We should all fly more often!

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A FRIENDS CHARACTER

Sometimes things happen that are completely out of character and we need to step back and watch it evolve. If we rush to fix it we may miss the "Aha" moment. And in doing so we may miss so much more!
I received a text from one of my friends today. We don't chat all the time, but we catch up on a regular basis. Although he likes to tell me that I don't know him at all, I think I know him rather well. So when the first couple of texts came in I was pretty sure I could pinpoint his mood; over worked, stressed, overflowing plate and way too much Mr Nice Guy! That fits him much of the time!
As the texts progressed I realized he was incoherent of the words I sent. He just needed to be heard. He was venting, saying things he needed to say out loud (well even text can be heard loud and clear). The more texts i received, I started to panic. The things my friend was saying were so out of character, so hard and pointed. He isn't like this, even when he vents about his ex, he is never harsh,
So as the texts came in, aimed at me, but not for me, I thought 1. What does he think I have done. 2. Is he driving drunk...it's far too early in the day. 3. Has someone taken his beloved iPhone...... If any of these options were correct, I needed to make sure he was alright.
When he answered my call. He sounded just like my friend, but as I pressed the issue, out came the story behind the texts! I knew this particular soap opera drama from our past conversations. And yes it had escalated to a point that had pushed my friend to a defensive point. I have not known him to reach this point. And rather than jumping in to aid and fix, I silently listened.
As I did, not only did I hear the drama that was faced, but also the feeling, the friendship with the drama patient, and the remedy that he was going to use to stave off the issue.
This man has been there for others when ever there is a need. He gives the advise of a counselor, and the wisdom of a Guru. But today he gave me something more. He let me be there for him.
Sometimes things happen that are totally out of character, and maybe that's when we see who our friends really are.
I know this friend, better than he thinks I do.....he has earned his Super Hero status in my book, by always being a friend. But today he let me be his friend!
Thank you SM.

My Personal Haven

Today I cleaned my house. Not a big deal, I do that regularly. I like it tidy. I like it to feel and look good. I am not a neat freak nor am I anal about my house. But I like it clean! If someone stops over unexpectedly, I want to know that I will not die of embarrassment as they walk through my doorway!
I would like to say I am good at multi tasking, but the honest description of my cleaning method, would be that I am easily sidetracked. So I end up doing ten things at a time. Normally all the things do get finished, but by the end I am exhausted.
On the weekends that my children spend with their father, I try to get it all done (the dusting, bathrooms, shutters, laundry, bedding, floors, yard work). (I even washed the lightbulbs in my bathroom today... okay maybe a bit anal)
But, there are areas in my home that I tend to neglect continually. My room is one of these areas. But today it is in great order!!! (A friend stopped in this very afternoon and I had no hesitation about letting her come right in my room to see something).
But no one, other than my children, ever gets to see my closet. I have a very large walk in closet. It actually rivals the size of Meg's bedroom. But for some unknown reason I stash, toss, shove, dump and totally neglect this one personal haven in my house.
Well, no longer! It has been cleaned, decluttered and organized. Bags for charity and bags for recycle have been filled and hauled out. All clothing is hung or folded. All shoes have a home...I had no idea how many pairs I truly have! I now have places to organize gift wrapping, gift collection, and project organization as well! It is a very large closet after all!!!
I am delighted with my efforts, and once again I love my closet! And yes I am totally exhausted!


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