Magic Mirror

I want a mirror like that one!

Sleep tight!

We've had (I think) one or two days that sort of felt like fall weather and are now back in the 80's again. But those few days pushed me in the direction of some nice, warm, fall jammies. So when I got my PajamaGram catalog in the mail, I was jazzed. Such cute stuff and so many choices. I think my favorite thing, though is the fact that every pair of women's PJs come with a personalized gift card, a keepsake organiza hatbox, a Do Not Disturb sign, and a lavendar sachet. They're a little pricey (for me, anyhow) but awfully cute. Check them out here.

I'm Happy!

Our ward's Relief Society president is a saint. She really is. She has had that calling for 3+ years and still has a smile on her face every time I see her. WhenI do, she will say, "Hi! How are you?". And when I answer, "I'm fine, how are you?" her response is always the same: "I'm happy!"

At times, that has bugged me, because who is really happy all the time? But as time has passed, I have realized that someone is - -and (you guessed it!) it's Mary, our Relief Society president. So why is she happy all the time? I think it's because she's figured out what Buddha already knew:

"Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others." (Buddha)

If that's the criteria, then it's no wonder that Mary is happy -- everything she does is of benefit to others, and then thus to herself.

I need more of that in me.

Rude Awakening

Mark's alarm went off at 6:30 this morning. I had been lying there trying to convince myself to leave my warm cocoon and take a fast trip to the bathroom before he got in there (he like his potty time in the morning). So when the alarm went off, I threw the covers off and limped (yup, still limping, especially when barefoot) into the bathroom to have my turn first. (I'm fast!)

I'm not sure exactly what happened -- if I tripped, or if I lost my balance somehow -- I really don't know. Somehow I found myself thrown against the back of the toilet tank, there was a loud crash and then water everywhere. (that got Mark's attention pretty quickly!) Literally there was a river of water all over the bathroom in what seemed just seconds. He came running in and managed to find the shut-off valve in the back.

By that time, there were inches of water all over the entire bathroom, and when we looked at the toilet, the above (yes, that's my bathroom!) is what we saw. And I truly have no idea how I did that!

The postive in all this? My bathroom floor is now cleaner than it's ever been and all the mats and towels we own are also very clean (in the dryer now!). On the down-side, of course, we have to go out and find us a new toilet tank which Mark assures me are not 'too expensive.' I think I'll believe it when I see it. And the real downside? It means another trip to Home Depot. Not my favorite store.

What a way to start your day -- a 6:30 a.m. wake-up call for sure. And now I need a nap!

Happy Birthday, Natie!

"If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.

I'd finger paint more and point the finger less,

I would do less correcting and more connecting,

I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more,

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites,

I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars,

I'd do more hugging and less tugging,

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often and affirm much more,

I'd model less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love."

(Diane Loomans)

Every time we celebrate the birthday of one of my children, in my mind I go through the whole long list of things I know I could have/should have done better. I'm always so thankful for the people they have turned out to be, even though I know I could have done better as their mom.

As Natalie celebrates her birthday tomorrow, I'm filled with gratitude at the wonderful person she is despite the things I know I could have done better (see the above!)

She is a joy to be with, she is a creative, loving and fun mom to Maya and Mason, she is a wonderful, supportive, loyal wife to Chris and she is a precious daughter and friend to me. She has a strong testimony, she is a hard worker, a devoted friend, and a great example to all of us. I'm so thankful to be a part of not only her life, but of her everyday life. She is a treasure, a gift and a jewel. I love her dearly. Happy Birthday, sweetie!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Ran across this and thought it would be a hilarious way to do a TG turkey -- all you'd have to do would be to be artful and careful in the placement of the aluminum foil. I loved it!

Done! (well, sort of!)

I survived yesterday (longest day of my life, I"m sure!) with all the hunger, light-headedness and general nastiness that goes along with colonoscopy prep (I liked the comment asking if everything had come out all right -- and the answer is yes, EVERYTHING did), and headed to the hospital this morning at 5:45. It's the same place my little Mason was born nearly 2 years ago, and now as then, it was the most positive experience possible (at least under the circumstances!). They must only employ the nicest people -- or at least it sure seems that way. Anyhow, once you get to that point in the colonoscopy process, it's a breeze.

I was in bed, IV'd up and ready for action by 6:30 when the doctor breezed in, making his usual butt jokes. (I figure that when colonoscopies are your bread and butter, it must be a requirement to have lots of butt jokes on hand 'cause he sure does -- but I like him and I even like his cheesy jokes). He wheeled my bed down to the room himself (there's service -- the doc himself pushing your bed!) and after that, it was lights out and naptime for me.

The up-side is that it's done -- the down-side is that (dang it!) they found another polyp so this experience will be repeated again in a year. Sigh. But this time the polyp is different than last year's -- it was much smaller and seemingly of a different variety, less worrisome, I think. Last year he made a point of having me come to his office and was very clear in his instructions that I schedule Round 2 in a year, as well as insisting that I notify my siblings to get tested as well. None of that this time around. I am supposed to call to get the lab results next week.

So for now, smooth sailing! At least I have a year off. And I keep telling myself that it's better than the alternative.

I'm Pooped!

OK, this will definitely be dubbed as over-sharing -- but for me, today is colonoscopy prep day. Yippee. You are lucky if you are too young to be dealing with this yet -- but just FYI, it's not fun. Today I've already taken a laxative overdose, later on will be required to force down some nasty liquid stuff that induces more action, and can only take in clear liquids all day. (And of course, I'm starving already -- it's only 10 a.m! Long day ahead!) After midnight, I can have NOTHING at all -- even when I brush my teeth tomorrow a.m. I've been cautioned to spit out every bit of water. These instructions are anal (hee hee -- get it?) and very specific. I guess they want a nice clean colon (is there such a thing?) to check out.

Thank goodness I report to the hospital at 5:45 a.m. It will be nothing but a not-so-fond memory by 8 and life will continue as usual. For today -- like I said, I'm pooped! But it's better than colon cancer, right?

Crash!

This past week, Mark went out to get into his car to head to work and found his rear window smashed. We had heard rumors that this was happening in our neighborhood -- our neighbors had it happen to them last week and their next door neighbors had both cars vandalized a month ago, and one of them again this time around. It's one of those things that you can't do a thing about but that really raises the blood pressure.

Ours cost a mere $366 -- the neighbors' was closer to $1000 (they have an SUV and we have a PT Cruiser) -- and I get really cranky thinking about their neighbors and the 3 times they have had to buy new rear windows for their cars.

The point to all this? We have spent the past couple of days cleaning out the garage, throwing things away (that should have been trashed years ago, I'm sure) and rearranging it so that Mark's car can go in the garage next to mine. It looks like it will happen - -maybe even tonight.

How's that for taking a lemon and making lemonade? (GRRRR!! I'm still mad about the cars!)

"A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I found this as I browsed blogs today and it really jumped out at me. What do I worship? What matters most to me? Where do I spend my time? More importantly, what am I becoming? It's all the same thing. It bears consideration.