A moment

 Like most people, (are women special in this way or is it all people?) I have a lot of negative self talk that goes through my head at any one time. 

I’m fat

Bad hair day

Ugly shirt

I’m so lazy

Why am I so dumb

No one likes me

I mean you could list any number of rude things and I’ve likely said them to myself. 

Today I am traveling. At the airport I see all kinds of people.  Business  people in their suits and heals, girls in their short skirts or perfect outfits, people who seem awfully dressed up for sitting on a plane. I’m sure they have their reasons.

When I travel, I wear whatever is closest to pajamas without actually being pajamas. (I do have my limits). Today it is some joggers and a T-shirt I got from giving blood with my comfiest sneakers. 

As I walked into the bathroom, past the mirror, a thought flitted through my head:

I like being me!

It stopped me in my tracks. When was the last time such a positive thing went through my head about myself? I don’t even know.

But it was true! I like being me. I’m comfy and comfortable with it that fact. I’m walking easily. I’m healthy. I don’t care how I look in my pony tail and joggers!

Pretty sweet moment. I should work on having more of those.

Happy Pi Day!

 I always "celebrate" pi day. 

Usually I like do so by actually eating pie, obviously.  

But the least I do is to wear a pi day shirt.

This year I bought a new one, just for variety.  

I know, nobody NEEDS two shirts that can only be worn once a year, but now I am one of those people.

No the best picture of me in the world, but I'm trying to just be less worried about that stuff.  

No pie was eaten because 1-I'm off surgar 2-Frank didn't make one 

(you know I would have given up on the no sugar rule for a homemade pie from Frank)

Weekend in St. George

We have never gone to St. George. It's only 4 hours from our house and lots of people go there...but we could never figure out why.

What do people do there?  Seems like they golf mostly. But I don't golf and have no interest in starting (again...did do some in College but that's another story).

Whenever we check the weather, it doesn't seem THAT much warmer.

So we always find some other thing to do or another place to go when we have a weekend to spare.

Frank found out late last week that he had Monday off so he really wanted to go for a little weekend trip (I, on the other hand, do not have Monday off and it's really not easy for me to just take a day off with no notice).  Anywho, in an effort to be a fun wife, I gave him the idea of going to St. George for Saturday and Sunday so that he gets a bit of getaway but I also can show up for work on Monday.  Win-win?

St. George still didn't seem that much warmer than American fork but we decided to go anyway. Why not.  We picked a couple of hikes to do and figured we didn't need much to have a good time.

We had a good weekend!

Yes, we had some bumps along the way, but it was still a nice getaway.

We hiked.

Frank fell on the hike and wrenched his knee but didn't seem to do any permanent damage.

I got a migraine in the middle of the hike because, like an idiot, I forgot my sunglasses.  And my headache medicines. I managed to finish the hike but my head got worse until we ended up going to an urgent care to get me a shot.  Ridiculous.

The only picture from the hike. Post migraine so I couldn't really open my eyes fully. LOL

Frank loaned me his sunglasses in an attempt to keep my from continuing to have or getting a new headache but since they aren't prescription I had to put my regular ones on also. Being without my usual glasses also means a headache. I ended up with a lovely concoction of two sets of glasses. Fashionable.

That evening we went to my aunt and uncle's house for a short visit. My cousin Sara was there visiting also and my other cousin Ellen lives next door. I loved loved loved visiting them. As I sometimes do, I talked too much but I think they enjoyed the visit as well.  No pictures because I just never think of that.

Sunday morning we watched church on Youtube, as usual. Then we went to local park called "Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site" to see some petroglyphs and gently hike.  It was also very fun and quite interesting!  Most Petroglyphs that we've seen have rails and things to keep people from getting too close. People are the worst and often deface the cool petroglyphs so they can't be trusted. This place is just a bunch of rocks with petroglyphs on them and trails in between so you can see them. You could get right up to them...but not touch, of course! 

Annual birthday post

My birthday, my 55TH birthday, fell on a Wednesday.  I generally work all day on Wednesdays so I figured I'd be doing most of my celebrating on Thursday.

Me on my 55th birthday.

Grey hair, wrinkles, cold sore on my nose, chubby...but also happy, more at peace, loved.

I did work all day and it was fine. I took a small break in the afternoon to go to a cardiologist appointment with Frank. He's been having issues with Atrial Fibrillation lately and we're trying to figure it out. He mostly hates that it is affecting his ability to play pickle ball. ha!

My coworker, Lori, bought chips, salsa and dip from Costa Vida for us to enjoy in the afternoon. It was so yummy. For some reason I just felt like I didn't want any sweets (so weird for me). I've been eating like crap for all of December and it's just catching up with me.  So the salty chips with fresh pico were perfect.

Frank wanted to take me out to dinner of course because you know I ain't cooking on my birthday!  I was kind of full from the chips though and had a hard time deciding. I ended up picking drive thru at Chik-fil-a for their chicken noodle soup.  Frank ordered a sandwich and fries. We both got drinks.  I was holding the bags of food, one including soup, and Frank put the drink holder on the center console. On the drive home, I pulled out his fries for him to eat because he only likes fries when they are piping hot.  Just as he was making a turn, he says "I'm worried about the drinks" at the exact moment that they both tipped over!  He tried to grab them with the same hand that was holding the fries and the fries went flying all over the car.  I managed to catch the drinks and upright them with basically no spillage (which was amazing if I do say so myself).  Anywho, Frank's dinner was a bust because his fries were gone and Chik-fil-a isn't his favorite anyway. The soup was only ok but I ate it all.  No big chunks of chicken...what the heck?

I was able to chat with Austin by phone during my lunch break, which was nice.  Ryan also stopped by with flowers and a present from Kristal for both Frank and I for our birthdays. Super nice of him since he lives almost 40 minutes away!

We finished the day in my favorite way: sitting on the couch in jammies watching a show. ha!  I'm so boring!

I will update with the celebrations from Thursday.

Thursday started with a lunch date with Diane and Doneen at Zupas. We talked for a long time and I actually ended up being late to my hair appointment. (I decided I really needed a trim but nothing too drastic). Luckily my hairdresser is my daughter-in-law Harley so she let me come anyway.  I had her cut more layers because my hair has been feeling kinda thin lately so I'm hoping that will help.  She styled my hair too since it's my birthday. I always enjoy having my hair styled by a professional.

Later Harley and Carter came over and we played some cards and then went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I wasn't feeling super hungry so I opted for the barbecued chicken (I usually get the fried chicken). I will still enjoy it as leftovers...because I can never finish an entire meal at that place.

We played more games after dinner and had cake. I ordered my favorite chocolate cake from my neighbor. Her cakes are always amazing.  I just ordered a small version since we don't have a big group.  It's tiny!

Just to show the smallness of the cake. LOL

I think I was too full after dinner because I didn't even finish one piece of cake.  Unheard of.

A happy and relaxing birthday!

2021 in Review

Boy last year I really fell off the blogging wagon. I'm trying to fill in now with some things that I want to remember but I  definitely lost my writing mojo in 2021 (or should I say, continued to have no mojo since 2020). I will try to do better in 2022 but we'll see how it goes!  I'm not even sure I'll remember 2021 well enough to answer these questions but I'll give it a shot!

1. What did you do in 2021 that you'd never done before?  Starting listening to Inklings with Emily Belle Freeman. It's a scripture study group. I wasn't as involved as I planned but I did it regularly.  It helped me so much!  I plan to be even better in 2022.  Frank and I started playing pickle ball. We played a lot in the summer and fall and we both really love it. I'm not very good but it's still fun!


2. What would you like to have in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?  No more thoughts about a pandemic and having to wear masks.  Not much hope for that but it would be nice.  I would like to exercise more regularly and become more flexible...I swear I'm becoming a solid as far as flexibility goes. I must improve this or I will be that old lady that falls and can't get up!


3. What dates from 2021 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  Isabelle was baptized! Frank and I were able to go out to Michigan to help her celebrate.  Carter and Harley announced that they are having a baby! I won't necessarily remember the date that it happened but I remember the event. 
4. What was your biggest achievement this year? I survived.

1. What was your biggest failure? That seems negative. Hmmm I failed to become a size 8 or 6. Again.


2. Did you suffer illness or injury?  Did not get covid, again!  Though it seems inevitable at this point. I have been sort of sickly all fall though...colds and flu...none of which were covid apparently.  I had a strange and crazy reaction to a tetanus shot which resulted in tremendous shoulder pain for weeks and physical therapy. As of today (January 1st) I am still in PT for it but it's much improved.


3. What was the best thing you bought?  Frank bought a lot of emergency prep type stuff: solar panels, new solar batteries and food. I tried, without successs, to get him to live on a budget. I don't think I bought anything big this year! I bought and did not kill, several succulents. ha!  We bought pickle ball stuff and it was well used. Nice to have a hobby together that is also exercise!


4. Where did most of your money go? Solar stuff, helping build stuff in Michigan, helping kids and who knows what else.  Oh we had to do an unexpected remodel of the basement apartment after a flood...so that was some of it. I should check YNAB except it didn't start til June. Next year I should actually know the answer to this one!


5. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Starting YNAB.  I know, budgeting. So exciting.  I did love it though and wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Sadly, Frank wasn't as into it as me.  Pickleball. The cat that doesn't belong to us that we feed and buy very specific food for because he's picky. LOL  Got to have a girls weekend in Arizona...turned out different than planned but I still LOVED it.


6. What song will always remind you of 2021? None. I can't even think of a song right now. I should probably listen to more music.


7. Compared to this time last year, are you:
   a) happier or sadder? same probably
   b) thinner or fatter? fatter. Why oh why? Oh wait, I think I know.
   c) richer or poorer? I feel poorer...


8. What do you wish you'd done more of? Being thankful, seeing my grandkids and kids. Practicing piano, reading scriptures, exercising...taking care of myself physically, mentally, spiritually.


9. What do you wish you'd done less of? Complaining, being lazy, having headaches


10. What was your favorite TV program? I should write these things down earlier! My memory just can't pull this kind of information out on demand.  (direct quote from the 2019 version of this questionaire)


11. What was the best book you read? Did a fair amount of listening to audiobooks on Audible. Listened to a bunch of fantasy/science fiction that I can't name specifically. Book club kind of fell apart since the pandemic. I would like to get that back as it helped me broaden my horizons with reading.


12. What did you want and get? No one in my immediate family was severely impacted by Covid. I have a new grand baby on the way! Got to visit Michigan and couple of times!


13. What did you want and not get? Self control, motivation to work out. HA! New kitchen and/or laundry room. Wood floors in house. Remodel/reimagining of the fireplace. Basically all the stuff I wish I could do to the house!


14. What was your favorite film of the year? I am easily entertained and enjoyed pretty much any movie I see. As in 2020, the amount of movie releases was low due to pandemic. Here's some that I saw and liked: Spider-man, No way Home; Free Guy;  Jungle Cruise.


15. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I usually keep track but didn't write down what I did last year. I have no memory of what we did. But I turned 54, I know that. haha


16. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2021?  Most of the year was a repeat of last year: jeans and a flowered shirt from the career section (they aren't all flowered but the proportion of flowers to non flowers is striking). I got some sweats from Old Navy that I loved and wore most every other day. They are now old and shrunk a bit and I'm also chubby so I'm not loving them as much...too tight! sigh.  Toward the end of the year, maybe fall, I decided that I need to start embracing the authentic me, even if I never get thin. So I have purchased a few boho dresses and shirts and have worn them to work. I love them. I worry a little about dressing too "young" but what the heck, you only live once, right?  On days off I'm still super casual. T-shirts in summer and flannels in winter. The one thing I can barely tolerate is a bra.  I'm SO SICK of pain from bras.  About ready to burn them.
17. What kept you sane? Inklings, home church (though I have some guilt over still not going back), nice coworkers.


18. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? I don't have time for celebrities.


19. What political issue stirred you the most? Ugh. Don't even want to think about it. Why did Covid become political?? Why can't we all get along?


20. Who is the best new person you met? Did I meet anyone new?  I met some people who I don't really know at the pickle ball courts--there was this large Polynesian group that would come regularly. I loved watching them play (so good!) but also they just laughed so much and had so much fun that it made me want to be like them...have fun no matter what!


21. Who did you miss? My distant kids and grandkids. I miss having close friends nearby.  I feel pretty alone most of the time, which I know is partially my own fault because I've become quite a recluse with Covid.


22. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2021. Have fun and appreciate the small things. Your health is important (need to actually act on that one in 2022)

Christmas 2021

 It was an empty nester Christmas this year.  Luckily we got to visit Michigan before Christmas but we were pretty much on our own for actual Christmas day. Carter and Harley were scheduled to spend Christmas day with her family but came by in the afternoon (we spent Christmas eve night together but didn't do much that was "special"...we played games mostly and watched Spider Man to prepare Frank for our actual Christmas Day plans).  We had fondue for Christmas Eve dinner.

Since we knew we'd be on our own, we decided to go to a movie in the morning. Seemed like a good use of our time. We saw "Spider Man: No way Home" and I made frank watch the two previous movies so he was prepared with some knowledge. He actually liked them!  He's not generally a super hero movie guy. Our movie time was 9:20 am.  We've never actually done a Christmas Day movie I don't think. We were the only people there not in Christmas pajamas I think. Haha.

I made a breakfast casserole that was super yummy.

After the movie, Carter and Harley came by for present opening and a few games.  

This year we made the transition to one or two gifts plus money over lots of gifts for the kids. Made it a little weird during present opening since Frank and I had way more gifts than them. Frank and I bought each other a lot of random stuff that we've each been wanting. He gave me cushions for the dining chairs (he's been complaining of them being uncomfortable) and an electric blanket (he wanted one for emergency prep I think?). I gave him dryers for our camelbacks (just what he always wanted...haha) and miniature folding chairs to take to pickle ball. 

Frank also got some pickle ball attire, as one would expect. Sadly the shirt I got him shrunk and I think if anyone gets to wear it, it'll be me.

Frank got Carter a "da da" shirt to celebrate the upcoming youngin'

I took almost no pictures and have no proof that Harley and I were even there!

We had a nice video chat with Austin on Christmas Eve and Branden and Amber sent us Marco Polos of them opening their gifts on Christmas morning.

Other than that the day was low key and enjoyable.  We ate fondue again because it was so yummy the day before. haha. So much cheese.

Michigan December 2021

 Branden and Amber bought their first house this year, which is super exciting for them!

The house is bigger than the one they were renting, plus it has a full unfinished basement. It also has a 2 car garage and a huge barn that Branden plans to use for his car repair hobby.  

They have a few things they want to fix up in their house so Frank and I made plans to come out in December and help them tackle the first one: a mud room.  

The master bedroom was an addition to the house and they had it arranged that the only entrance to the house from the garage was through the master bedroom. Subpar.

The new plan is to carve off some of the bedroom space to create a small hallway and mudroom area from the garage into the living room.  Frank went out for about 10 days and I joined him for the last 4 days to do the painting and such.

The girls weren't super thrilled that we were not "fun grandma and grandpa" as we usually are but instead we were "working grandma and grandpa".  We did manage a couple of fun things like going out to eat and watching movies together. We made gingerbread houses (but sadly Isabelle was starting to feel sick that day..she ended up with a 102 degree fever by the next morning). Plus we read them a Christmas book each night.  But overall we spent the time working.

It was a pretty big job for Frank to finish in the timeframe but he managed it! 

 When I arrived I painted the new mudroom, the master bedroom, and the kitchen including the backsplash which was sponge painted two different colors of blue. oy.

One day when Isabelle came home from school to discover the kitchen white instead of blue, she was pretty disappointed and said that she had liked the blue.  Amber tried to reassure her that it would look good in the end and that she was painting one wall green. The look on Isabelle's face was of utter disappointment. It was hilarious.  (I think she ended up liking the finished product though)

Other projects that were completed were: new lights in living room, hall, mud room and kitchen. New door knob and lock on front door.

We enjoyed the time we had there visiting and I did end up wishing I had stayed a bit longer. But they had non-stop guests for December so we had to get out of there so Ryan and Kristal could come for Christmas!

Branden had a great idea to take a power tool to his gingerbread.  That worked out about how you'd expect.

Granpa's house had a theme (as usual) of the book we were reading: "The Christmas Pig" 

We didn't finish it while we were there and I'm still wondering how it ends...

One last pic before leaving...you can see the new light fixture and green wall behind us!