Whew. Glad that's over.

Today was a good day. I left work at noon and resisted the temptation to go back. Yay! for me. (Scratch that. I did go back later.)

I met a friend for lunch over at Zupas. As we were walking in we met another friend who was just coming in for take out. We invited her to join us and she did. Whilst the three of us were sitting there visiting yet another friend came in for take out and we invited her to join us. She didn't stay long, but she did stop and visit for a few and it was a good thing.

Thinking about it later I realized I needed to be reminded there is always room at my table for another friend.

When I got home it got a little crazy as I had two places to be and too much to do in about 20 minutes. I was frantically trying to whip up a quadruple batch of pie crust and at the same time clear a path for the floor installer (yes, we are still trying to get the install completed on our dining room floor) who was not supposed to come until after 4:00 but was now arriving at 2:30.

And then the power went out.

But then there was light because my dear friend b. dropped by for a minute. She was bearing Puffs with lotion and big hugs. That warmed my heart.

I was still a little crazy and thought the power outage was a bad thing, but then it was OK because without any power the installer couldn't do the install (and he didn't have all the parts he needed anyway), so I was able to get back to activity days at which I was supposed to be teaching the girls how to make pies.

Only because the power was out we couldn't actually bake the pies, so that meant we got to make pies by candlelight and then activity days got over early. Which was also a good thing.

So then I came home to a cold dark house and the fun began.

I lit up a whole mess of candles, made a few more pies by candlelight, watched my two oldest boys spend the afternoon sitting right next to each other on the sofa playing a video game they used to play when they were little. By candlelight.

They have never beaten it.

Still haven't.

After the pies were made I cozied up on my blue leather recliner and learned to play snood (I'm not very good at it).

The kids' friends started arriving because with the power out they had nothing to do.

Eventually the power came back on and Z~ (who is jealous of his little sister because her school just rented out to her a brand new Cannonball Saxophone) and his friend played the sax for a bit. (I like hearing the sax.)

And now it's Friday night and I've got nothing fun to do but I may (or may not) tackle the laundry. Or I may watch a movie. Or I might just go to bed.

All in all it's been a good day.

Dogged determination.

(Hey--it was come up with something like that or indulge in a bit of whining. And I hate whining. So I'm going with determination.)

No matter how badly things are falling apart around me I am determined to hold myself together and at least attempt to hold everything else together as best I can. It's not easy. Sometimes it's both overwhelming and frustratingly lonely. And I don't think I'm really all that good at it.

But if nothing else I remain determined. (Oh, am I channeling Scarlett O'Hara? If only on a bad day I could channel this Scarlett.)

My dad always used to tell me "The sun will come up tomorrow."

On most days I can bring myself to believe that's a good thing.

Determination.

Christmas carols.

The return of the snow caps on my favorite mountains. When I saw them tonight set against the cold blue sky I thought to myself, "It doesn't get any better than this."

My new super soft black, white and olive plaid scarf. Not only was it 50% off, it's quite toasty!

The aroma of homemade turkey soup simmering on the stove (not to mention a good thyme and a generous amount of garlic).

Seeing my oldest son jump at the chance to go with the missionaries tonight to teach one of my activity day girls who might be baptized on Saturday.

Hoping the other two older kids got in to see Savior of the World tonight with the rest of the ward youth.

The new Pomegranate 7-UP. I now have a barely controllable urge to run back out to the store for a quart of vanilla ice cream. I want to try a Pomegranate 7-UP float. (But it's warm and cozy inside so I'm stayin' put.)

Quiet.

The hint of snow.
(prayforrain/snowprayforrain/snowprayforrain/snow)

My coat.

My socks.

My Birkenstocks.

My gloves.

My black and white striped scarf (which I need to find, but which I know is somewhere).

Quilts. They are in all stages of completion (ideas, fabric, pieces, blocks, tops...but tonight I'm especially thankful for the ones that are done).

Puffs plus with lotion

that today my husband subbed for me in the primary class I've been subbing all month

my best batch of gravy ever

the post-dishes aftermath of a turkey dinner: slippers, the sofa and the Sunday paper

being appreciated by my dear sweet grandmother

the aroma of turkey stock simmering on the stove

slippers

central heat

discretionary time

having little son keep me company whilst I bake a half dozen pies this morning

being able to wear sweats and jammies days on end because I have some time off (my paid work)

paid holidays

having at least two clean rooms in the house

four tickets to the BYU U of U game (I let my kids go with their dad)

did I mention time off work?

This just in: BYU 17 - UTAH 10 WAHOO--what a game!!!

optimism

Just now I was packing my kids' things as we are returning home today. I noticed snowpants in my eight-year-old's backpack. He has had his snowpants out for weeks now. He wore them most of Tuesday--just sure the weatherman would finally deliver.

He didn't.

But Little Son remains determined and prepared for when the weather starts acting its age and brings us a good November storm.

optimism

(This will have to count for both Wednesday and Thursday.)

Today we are at my in-laws house where I am particularly thankful for the following:

a fiery furnace (no not that one. my FIL likes to keep it stoked up to about 80 degrees in the hogan--yes, my in-laws' family room is a real hogan). it can be a little too much with a crowd, but when it's below freezing outside the fire is sooooo very warm and cozy

aside from some meal preparation and dishes, having absolutely nothing to do. I cannot tell you the last time I enjoyed a few moments of doing nothing

lots of cousins the same ages as my kids, which are not so abundant on my side of the family

a moon dog (if you'll excuse me, I must go look at it right this very minute) wow! it's the biggest one I've ever seen!

the new bed and new blinds on the window in the room I have slept in ever since I started coming to visit this house--clear back in '83 (if you knew how mushy and broken the old bed was you would appreciate this luxury right along with me, I know you would)

the loaves and the fishes phenomenon. this probably deserves its very own post, but you just have to understand that my family and my husband's family are almost polar opposite in many ways. I can't describe either without appearing critical of both and that is not my intention here, but let's just say I will not cease to be amazed at how at any given meal one dish with a serving size of 8-10 people will miraculously feed 25-30 or more. it happens every time. I think it must have something to do with the praying, and all I can say is I hope these same people are praying over me and mine very single day

that no one shot out their eyes or anyone else's--or any other body parts today--when they went out shooting (see, they must be praying over us already)

that even when my kids get seemingly mixed messages from either family or from their mother and their father they are learning wisdom in making up their own minds (their choices may not always be what I would have them choose, but I respect them for trying to choose wisely)

the words "I'm sorry." I have worked hard to tell my kids this when I am wrong or out of line and it is a blessing to hear those words sincerely said back to me (occasionally not even under duress)

that my MIL had me pass around three kernels of corn before dinner so everyone could say three things for which they are thankful. some of the responses included deodorant, gravy, vehicles and a bed. my husband did add me to his list after I reminded him to and my three were faith family and laughter

faith

family

laughter

(and now I would add friends)

Amen.

I love to see hard work being rewarded--especially when the hard work is on the part of one of my kids. Congratulations Luke for being named PHS's Alternate Sterling Scholar in the field of science. Way to go! I can't wait to see what great things you will do with your love of science.

A short work week.

The signs I see that my daughter is growing up and beginning to take repsonsibility for herself. She's made it a goal to be in bed on school nights before 9:00. That really is a perfect goal for a tween. On most days she's very good about it. I'll find myself in the middle of the usual crazy stuff and all of sudden wonder where she is (and why it's significantly quieter--unless, of course she's hollering at us to be more quiet). Then I'll peek in her room and find her fast asleep--usually with all the lights still on. I'm proud of her for recognizing her need for adequate sleep and her ability to make herself get what she needs. It really makes a difference.

Jane Stewart's homemade jam. It is a bad thing my family has downed an entire pint in less than 24-hours? They say man cannot live by bread alone, but if the bread is from Great Harvest Bread Co. and I had an endless supply of Jane's jam I bet I could make it.

A record warm November (pray for snow pray for snow pray for snow). I'm enjoying every glorious second of it.

Giving thanks.

That the red I chose with which to paint the inside of my front door was not a mistake. Definitely not a mistake.

Hung curtains. Even though it took forever and we completely forgot how we had them before and they're not really quite right yet at least they are hung and it looks like we actually live here.

My foot bath.

Sunday: A day of rest. (Rest? Ha!. But you know what I mean.)

Did anyone see the sunrise this morning? Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

There is something blessed about being the first one up in the morning. The world is dark, quiet and still. I love to sit on my sofa and gaze out my big picture window and watch as the silhouettes of the trees define themselves against the appearing sky. There are rarely any other lights on on my street and only seldom does an occasional car disturb my reverie.

As an almost religious observance I cannot bring myself to do anything really productive. I feel an obligation to protect and appreciate the calm absence of activity. The hustle and bustle and rush that has become our day-to-day existence will beset me all too soon.

It is the time I am most likely to follow the admonition found in Psalms 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God.

Earlier: Raking leaves in the warm November sun with the Activity Day girls. It really is the best calling! (Of course I make up for the way it sort of lacks any challenge by subbing in Primary practically every week.)

Later: Quiet.

Now: New light fixtures on (some of) our newly repaired, textured and painted ceilings.

Lazy afternoons.

Sure there is plenty to do. But I'm taking a break and this afternoon just feels lazy.

p.s. That my son and his buddies returned from their latest adventure practicing their favorite new sport (I see it kind of like skateboarding only without the skateboard or the ground) with only minor injuries.

a quiet pre-dawn morning

comraderie

lunch at El Azteca with a friend

blue sky

an afternoon nap (OK so that part never really happened, but I would love it if it would)

Seeing my husband in the Magleby's apron trying out new ingredients in the latest batch of deer jerky marinade and noticing that someone has been using my iron to iron their own clothes for a change. (As opposed to years past when my iron was used by hands other than mine only to wax the occasional snowboard.)

The crunch of fall-dried leaves under my feet and the rustle of golden yellow aspen leaves shimmering in the breeze.

The song of the heart is a prayer unto God.

Prayer is not something I at which I excel. But I am thankful to be able to raise my voice and sing a prayer unto God through someone else's well-turned lyrics and carefully created melody and harmony.

Today I am thankful for my good friend b., who took me to lunch even though it was supposed to be my treat and who didn't judge me when I went back for the second sample of the completely delicious Almond Roca Butter Crunch Cookie Bars at Costco. (Oh my heavenly goodness were they that divine!) And who then let me beat her on a few rounds of NERTZ before she cleaned my clock. She's a good friend and I am blessed to know her.

I'm taking the lead from Cari who has decided to make November a month of Thanksgiving. Today I will list nine to catch up, then try to list one a day for the rest of the month. Maybe even the rest of the year.

Despite a rocky start, it has been a beyond-beautiful fall. The word beautiful doesn't do it justice. I have seen skyscapes that are so perfect they seem to pierce my soul with a longing for an eternal kind of beauty that my mind must not remember but my heart does.

The other day my lovely L~ was playing with my cell phone. She changed the name of my setting for when I'm not at work to this: the best mom. Given our relationship can be a bit rocky, something little like that goes a long way with me.

One of the things I love about my husband is the sneaky way he surprises me. Often it's just little things, but those are the things that keep me going. I had loaned out an important kitchen tool to a friend clear last spring. Then I forgot who had it. I tried desperately to get it back to no avail. The other night I'd worked hard all day putting the house back together. When I finally went to bed--well after midnight--there was the lost item, sitting in the middle of my pillow. He still won't tell me where he got it--and he knows it's driving me crazy--but that's part of the fun of it.

Z~ had an assignment to write a poem for his honors English class. He wanted me to read it. The subject was what he has learned from nature. It was a great poem, but the best part was the line comparing mother nature to one's own mother who loves her child even before birth. (I didn't do it justice, but it was beautiful).

I've been concerned about the youngest two kids, who seem to not be as invested in their own educations as I know is necessary. I was relieved to see L~ get all As and Bs except for the C+ in math and to hear her admit out loud that doing well in math will help her get into a good college and get a better-paying job someday. And today we learned that the youngest is smarter than he thinks he is and is doing great in school. Even better is the high marks he gets for citizenship. The way I see it that is one of the most important parts of his education. I'm also grateful that two years of having a challenging and positive experience at school is starting to make up for the year he did not.

Lately I've notice I am finally feeling better. In spite of the stress and disappointments of my job I feel better than I have in a very long time. Well, I still hurt from arthritis and carpal tunnel, but my knees are stronger and I think the treatment for sleep apnea is making a difference. When I get up in the morning I have energy I haven't known for some time and I am better able to keep on top of things at home. It's not perfect, but the improvement is significant and it impacts my life for the better.

Good friends are another bounteous blessing. Today at work one of my favorite co-workers told me I have "executive charisma." Wish I had a paycheck to go along with that, but it made me feel good nonetheless. Several times in the past months friends have shown up at my house with paint brushes in hand to help, taken in my neglected youngest children while we were occupied with the remodel and lifted my spirits when I was down. And those willing to hear me out about my struggles and feel my pain help make my road a little easier. I know I'm not alone and it means the world to me.

I have loved watching my oldest son get so much out of music--both choir and piano. I remember sitting at the piano at his age and pounding out my feelings to the soundtrack from Jonathon Livingston Seagull. His favorite is Aaron Waite's arrangement of "If You Could Hie to Kolob." It's beautiful and although I haven't played for years it makes me want to sit down at the piano again.

I am also thankful for the impact that my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has on my life. I do know I need to kick it up a notch, but the recent experience of helping a friend through some rough spots gave me some time to reflect on how deeply I know what I know. I am grateful for the truth and for having had an opportunity to share it with someone who needed to hear it from me. I need to do that more often I guess.

After a few too many times in recent days being called a "horrible mother," these other two conversations made me smile:

Me: "You owe me an apology.

Darling Daughter: "I know. I'm just not ready yet."

(note: the apology did eventually come)






The next day the phone rings at about 4:30 p.m. I pick up.

Me: "Hello?"

DD: "What's for dinner?"

Me: "I don't know. Why?"

DD: "I'm hungry. I'm sick of candy."

Me:: "I know. Me too."

DD: "But I still want more candy, too."

Me:: "I know. Me too."