Give Thanks

It’s only Wednesday, and I’m so happy I decided to take this week off work, even though I was afraid it would be too much home time with the pandemic. It has been so nice to relax and just not worry about work. 

Here’s my thankful list for today:

I chased 1 year old twins around my house last night for a few minutes while my sister when to Home Depot. I can’t baby proof my home completely (especially with a Christmas tree up) and they were fun and so stinking cute.

The sun was shining and I turned the radio up as I drove home from a hair appointment yesterday. I love singing to the radio in my car. 

Even if it’s just 9 of us, we are getting together to eat tomorrow. I’m grateful we’ve all been well so far. 

I bought a pink fleece poncho earlier this year and it is without a doubt one of my greatest purchases. It’s the best thing for reading. 

My poor little car is still running well. I’ve been thinking of getting a new one, but then I hold off. That car and I have been through many years and many miles together. 

I’m making grandmas’s rolls today. I made the dough last night. I love that we have that as a tradition and that I’ve been able to pick it up. I make them at other times during the year, but they are so special at Thanksgiving. 

My mom and I went to the nursery that sells 1000’s of poinsettias and I bought 4 this year. I just couldn’t decide on a color. They are so beautiful. 

Aunt Jenny has 2 little tiny buds on her this year. That particular Christmas cactus doesn’t usually bloom until after Christmas, but maybe I’ll get some flowers early this year. 

Still the Same Old

I’ve been all over the place this week, emotionally. I had a high stress/anxiety day that I made it through and finally got rid of the tension headache. Then covid fatigue hit me hard. I am so fed up with the virus and people who think it's a myth and the whole gamut. My family has decided to go ahead and have Thanksgiving. It will only be 9 of us anyway. We’re doing it potluck style even though it was recommended to have one cook and one server. We probably won’t be together all day and might wear masks. My mom and I are going to do our annual pre Thanksgiving shopping trip, although probably just staying around town and shopping local. We will be wearing masks and using hand sanitizer until we get home. I’m actually perfectly fine with the mask. I’m used to it. I wear it a bunch at work, though not all the time. My breathing has even adjusted to it.  We had turkey pickup day at work and it was actually really nice to see a few of my coworkers and have the office be a little bit busier than it has been for the past however many months. LOL I just don’t know what to think about most things anymore. I do look forward to Fridays right now. Not because the end of the work week, although that is nice, but The Mandalorian drops new episodes and my web comic updates. So yeah, looking forward to tomorrow night. There is that, at least.

The Day After

I voted early by mail (or more accurately - the library drop box) so I didn't have to worry about voting yesterday. I just checked that my vote had been received and counted and then let it go. Last night I did a puzzle as I listened to some podcasts about my favorite web comic. I waited until this afternoon to look at the news and was doing fine until I looked at one too many election articles and my anxiety spiked. 

So I'm checking out of social media, news, and other distractions and doing more self care stuff tonight. 

I decided on a whim that my library needed some lights and then I realized I don't ever read in the dark so I won't see them that often. Oh well.. it still makes me happy. 

And a couple days ago, I got some sunshine in. It was so nice I decided to get some more today. We should have a few more days of sunshine before a storm moves in. I'm ready for cozy reading weather, but I'm not going to complain about a warm afternoon and crunchy leaves. 

The news and life will be there tomorrow. They can wait until I'm ready. 

Ah, October

I am loving the weather. It's been mostly warm with cool nights and then this morning it was nice and almost cold! I've been out a little bit and drove through a canyon and saw the leaves changing. It's getting cool enough they are changing at my house now. Truly, I love this month. 

I'm having some of my nieces and nephews sleep over tonight. We can't really go anywhere so I got my house "kid-proofed" for our rousing game of hide and seek in the dark. It's still funny to me that they love it so much. My house doesn't have that many great spots to hide in. Then we usually have treats of some kind while we watch movies before bed. I created a treasure hunt for them to find some candy and popcorn. Hopefully, the younger ones will think it's fun. 

After I get them home tomorrow, I will have the afternoon to clean and restore my house to it's normal place and enjoy the piece and quiet. It supposed to get cold (possible mountain snow!) on Sunday and I am planning to make homemade broccoli cheddar soup with bread bowls. I can't wait!

Moving On

Well my office is officially cleaned out. I have a couple computer monitors and a chair to move into my new office (whereever it is, they only have a vague idea at the moment).  My replacement starts on Monday. Thursday was my last day in the office last week and it was bittersweet. That’s been my office for 17 years now. Wow has time flown. I’m giving up a job that I have mostly loved and that has provided me with so many opportunities for another job that has been filled with ups and downs so far. The past couple weeks have been ok and I’m starting to feel like I might be able to learn the new stuff. I have to remind myself to be patient with me. I am looking forward to all the things my new job will bring. But....it still doesn’t stop that I’m leaving what I know and love. So yeah, it’s bittersweet. 

I didn’t go to church again today. Instead, I listened to the broadcast from my ward. One of the speakers referenced a talk from President Nelson from 2016 General Conference and it was exactly what I needed to hear today.

My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

So here’s to starting over and again and remembering that I’ve had a great career and been very blessed with it so far and that there are still many more things to learn and ways to grow and I will enjoy it along the way. I’ll do my best to keep my focus where it should be and everything will either fall away or fall into place. 

Random Weekend

We had a small family reunion on Saturday. My aunt and uncle had come from Virginia and we got what family could be there together. This picture is the kids that are left from the William and Lura Hadley family. My mom is the youngest (though not technically, but that’s another long story). I’m really not sure who in this picture is the oldest. I looked on Family Search but none of these kids are listed. Just 6 of the older kids, who are gone. Anyway, large family.

Before the reunion I had stayed the night at my sister’s house. Her and my brother-in-law had made plans to be away and she didn’t want the kids staying alone all weekend, even if my nephew is 16 now. It was easy to spend the night there and I got to sleep in a bit since the kids could get up and do what they wanted in their own house. We had candy and popcorn for breakfast as we watched a Phineas and Ferb movie. I don’t know if that makes me the best aunt or the worst. Ha ha...

After the reunion we headed down to Kaysville to watch my 8 year old niece play in a soccer game. The weather was really perfect yesterday. Not too hot and the smoke from all the fires has cleared out. For now. 

Now I’m having a lazy Sunday. I had toast and blackberries for breakfast. My sister’s blackberry bush is still producing berries so I picked a couple handfuls while I was there. I’m going to watch a broadcast of church and cook a little bit and enjoy the silence of my home for today. I truly do have a good life with all its ups and downs.

Another Mini Road Trip

Took another quick road trip with my family last weekend. Stayed at a hotel in Vernal and then drove up to Flaming Gorge. Lot of time in the car, but it was nice to get out.