Nearing the End

I just finished my 125th book of the year. That's a record. My last record was last year when I hit 100. I know some people read a lot more than that but I'm not comparing myself to anyone else. The year isn't even over yet. I'm almost done with 2 other books so I've decided to see if I can hit 130. Christmas is going to be quiet this year. We're doing most of the celebrations with the family on the 24th so I think it will be me and mom for most of the day. She's a reader too so maybe we'll have some good reading time. Plus, you know, all the other reading I do in the normal course of living like eating dinner, right before bed, waiting for trains, etc.


I've been thinking about how I could have gotten so many more books in this year. I haven't scrimped on pages; I've read a few pretty big books. Both of the books I'm almost done with are 450-550 pages long. I went on a couple vacations with air travel time (which is more reading time) so that could be some of it. I think most of it might be that I'm staying at work for lunch. Since my parents moved and I don't have anywhere else to go I've either been eating in the break room and reading a book, or going to the park to walk. Being able to read an extra 40 minutes or so a few days a week can really add up, I think.


In other news I'm exhausted and really looking forward to having a break from relief society stuff, from work, Christmas preparations, etc.  How did it get to be the end of the year already? It's one of the mysteries of the universe, I guess.

True Confessions

I know I can get pretty grumpy (sorry family), but I think that I am generally a happy person and I try to smile and be positive and cheerful. 

I’m coming to the end of my time as relief society president in my ward (according to my bishop) and I am so tired of it. In general, this calling has not been fun. In fact, at times I’ve really hated it. Fun is probably the wrong word. I realize life isn’t always “fun”. I’m hanging in there but I seriously can’t wait to be released. I hate being the one in charge and having to pick up the slack when other people don’t follow through. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen many of the things the sisters in my ward do to serve. Some of them are so good and never say no. But then there’s the group that never say yes. I’m trying to not judge, but it’s incredibly frustrating when you need help.  The introvert in me struggles with calling people on the phone (texting all the way!) or showing up on their doorsteps uninvited. I’ve had a lot of awkward conversations because I’m not the best at making small talk or getting things out of my mouth in general.  I struggle to empathize with people. I’m more of a “suck it up and deal” type of person. I absolutely refuse to do bulletin boards and cute table decorations. It’s all ok. I know I could have put more effort into it at times, and I also know there are times when I really did try and did my best. 

I’ve learned a lot, truly, I have.  I’ve had great help along the way with my counselors and secretary and we’ve had some good times, I think. I’ve seen a lot of good and some struggles and have had help from my Heavenly Father even when I forgot to ask for it. And when I did ask for it, great things happened. And sometimes small things that were absolutely inspiration and answers to prayers.  For the rest of my life I am going to be diligent about saying yes when asked to help with things that I can help with. Seriously, how hard is it to show up to clean the building once in a while?  LOL – but don’t get me started on canning assignments in the middle of the day. Right now though, I’m tired of it and want to be done. Is that a bad thing?  

Count Your Blessings

Hard to believe Christmas will be here before I know it. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and long weekend. I spent time with the family and read some books and did some shopping (not on Black Friday) and made candy. We’ve officially decided to call it Brown Friday since that’s the day the candy making commences and chocolate gets everywhere. Oddly enough, with my dad gone, my mom got up early and started the chocolate melting. We started rolling and dipping right after I got there around 10:00 and were completely finished and had the mess cleaned up by 4:00. Seriously the fastest candy making year ever. I missed my dad being there. It was always his job to make sure the chocolate was melting and the nuts were chopped. Ha ha…the chocolate probably doesn’t dare not melt quickly with my mom in charge.

We also got a snow storm yesterday so there is white stuff all around. I hope it lasts so we can have a white Christmas. I’m almost finished with the Christmas shopping, even. 

But before I get too deep into Christmas, I want to take a few moments more to be thankful.

My car is still running

The internet – even though it distracts me way too much

Grocery stores so I can just go buy food

People that share recipes on Pinterest or the aforementioned internet

My piano

Electricity

My little home that may not be grand or fancy and needs new carpet but fits me perfectly

Hot water right out of the tap

Family game nights

All of my kiddos who are growing up so fast

And much, much more. Everything I have is because I have been blessed by my Heavenly Father.

Now the Christmas season can begin and I’ll still be counting my blessings. Did you see, I even put up a tree this year!

Time to De-Clutter

I recently read the book Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod. She wanted to quit her job and travel and took a year to downsize her life and save up the money she needed. I’m not looking to quit my job to travel but I was pretty interested in all the things she did to save money, and how she downsized.

Anyhow, it has inspired me to clean out my closets. I started on Saturday and got another big chunk of it done last night. I already have a huge pile of stuff to donate to the DI and my garbage can and recycle bin are almost full.

Clothes: I cleaned out my clothes closet about a year ago, I think, but I still kept a lot of stuff I don’t or can’t wear. It’s gone, along with some shoes, jewelry, and purses.

Craft supplies: All that scrapbooking paper I’ve never used. Yep, it’s pretty but I don’t scrapbook and I don’t want to start. Holiday decorations. I’m only keeping the ones I actually use. All kinds of other miscellaneous or half used crafting stuff got thrown out too.

Weird stuff: Nunchucks from karate. A wind chime I bought in San Diego years ago when my sister lived there. It’s a wood one and it reminds me of birds of paradise, sea air, and good times. The problem is I’ve never lived in a place I could hang it. Empty picture frames. A crumpled world map. Candlestick holder. ???

Books: I found a bunch of old text books in a box in the bottom of a closet. Gone. A box of old children’s books. I kept a few but I’m going to see if my brother or sister wants any of the rest of them. If not, they are going. Sheet music and violin music. This I still have to go through. If I don’t play the piano music, I might as well not keep it. The violin stuff I’m probably keeping since I still have my violin. LOL – I should try playing it once in a while.

I still have 2 closets to finish and my bathroom drawers to go through but it feels so good to be doing this. This past week I’ve been feeling heavy, emotionally and physically. De-cluttering my life and my house is just one thing I am doing to stop those feelings. I am so blessed with my job and the ability to provide for myself. I found my old journals and diaries from my entire life. It’s fun to look back at them. One of the things I see is a wonderful family: parents who supported me and gave me opportunities, and siblings who are my best friends. Life can still be good, even in troubled times.  

November 9

Today I am sad. And truth be told, a little bit shocked. I seriously didn’t think he would win the election. I didn’t, and couldn’t in good conscience, vote for him. But I know a lot of people, of good people, who did. Why? I’m trying to wrap my head around that. It’s hard to do. Maybe I just have to say we have a difference of opinion when it comes to some things and leave it at that.

It truly is too soon to tell what will happen, so for now I’m turning off the news reports and social media. I’m going to think about how I can be a little kinder or make my place (i.e. neighborhood, community) a little better. I know my prayers this morning were a little more heartfelt and sincere. I sat in the sunshine at lunch and just tried to be grateful for the nice weather. Maybe I’ll pull out an old favorite book before I go to bed tonight. Whatever it takes to get some sleep…

A Picture Says A Lot of Words

It's Monday.
The Monday after the time change and before the election.
I feel a little like this:

Or maybe like this:

Luckily, Mondays and time changes don't last forever.


Pretty soon I'll be feeling like this:

Actually, I'm pretty sure I never feel like a dancing nymph so maybe I'll say I'll feel like this:

A lovely carousel always make one feel better, right?


And I've found a use for some random trip pictures so it's a double win.

October

We’re finally getting a little fall weather. It’s actually been a bit warm for a lot of the month. Not hot, though, so I’ll take it. I did switch my heater on since one colder day it did get down to 65 in my house, but it rarely comes on.

I’ve spent a few of the nice days with walks outside. The leaves are gorgeous.

And this past weekend my sister and I took my niece to the pumpkin walk in North Logan. I rarely get to Logan these days and I’m always amazed at how much it’s grown since my college days. The pumpkin walk is free so I guess it’s worth it. There were a lot of people there. I think my niece liked the ice cream afterward better than the pumpkins but what can you do?

I just finished reading The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. It was my Halloween pick (one of them anyway) and I must say I was a little bit disappointed. I picked it because I didn’t want to actually be scared but wanted to read something a little creepy.  This is the second of Shirley Jackson’s books I have read and I do like her writing. I guess I just expected something a little bit more from this one. I thought Eleanor was sad and pathetic so I didn’t actually care what happened to her. And Mrs. Montague was crazy. I think she needed to have a good scare, not the others. There was one scene that was creepy and absolutely brilliant where Eleanor was being haunted and was holding on to Theodora’s hand only to find she wasn’t. I loved that part but the rest was just ok.

I’ll think I’ll stick with old Vincent Price movies instead. Even though they are a little laughable now, they still have a few scenes that are creepy or just the right amount of scary for me and I really just love the old time campiness about them. The Bat (1959), House on Haunted Hill (1959), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), and House of Wax (1953) are my favorites.