Some Thoughts Today

Not long ago, I saw a woman standing outside of her minivan in the Target parking lot. She stood there for quite awhile. Her kids were screaming in the van and it was obvious she was trying to convince herself she could get back in the car.

I wanted to toss her my car keys with directions to my apartment. I thought a couple of hours of quiet might be all she needed to tackle her own life again. I could take the kids to McDonalds and try to keep them from killing each other that afternoon. She could turn her cell phone off, and curl up on my couch with a magazine or a movie and some popcorn.

I didn't offer to make the trade. I have to think that 99.9% of the time, this good woman would not leave her kids with a stranger in the parking lot and take off in her car. On that particular day, however, I think she would have jumped at the chance. And no one would have blamed her. Not even a little bit. We've all be there; not able to deal with our circumstances for another half-second and certainly not for a lifetime.

Sometimes I think we need some reassurance that we're not on our own in life and that everyone has those days. Sometimes we need a break from it all and some time to stare at the wall. And, after we're done staring, it's amazing how refreshed we feel as we walk back into whatever our circumstances may be. It's the life we have chosen and created for ourselves, after all, and we wouldn't trade it permanently. Even if, for a moment outside the minivan, we feel like we would like nothing better than to skip away and not look back. It's nice to feel like you can - and even nicer to know that you wouldn't.

A Good Morning

Today I am eating yummy homemade bread from one of my sisters-in-law and staring at a beautiful flower arrangement that my other sister-in-law made for my office. Both of my brothers married VERY well. I'm sort of proud of them for that.

Brrrrrr

It gives me great pleasure to be able to say... it's FREEZING in my office. I believe this is a first in the 8+ years I have worked in this building.

I love that a girl in her third trimester of pregnancy is in control of the thermostat. No one argues with a pregnant girl. And the temperature is just right for me too!

Catching Up

Sometimes I feel like I have a lot to blog about. And sometimes I just don't. I've kind of slipped into a blogging slump as of late. But I'll try to get you back up to speed with some quick updates.

1) My niece Lauren is still super cute. If you already know that, you can stop reading. But seriously - how adorable is this picture?

2) I've been really spoiled the past couple of months because the apartment above mine has been vacant. I had new neighbors move in this weekend. One of the guys drives a bright orange pickup that is jacked up higher than can possibly be legal. I just know they're going to be loud and obnoxious - but I'm trying to stay upbeat.

3) I had a birthday. "I'm older than I once was and younger than I'll be. That's not unusual." (Does anyone else love that line from Simon & Garfunkel? I think it's poetic.) I've eaten a lot in the past week. I've always believed that calories don't count during your birthday week. I still believe that - but I'm learning it doesn't keep you from getting bloated and tired. Sigh. I'm not sure about this whole "getting old" thing. But it doesn't stop me from eating chocolate and cherry sours and pizza and Chinese food for days at a time. Happy Birthday to Me!

A Dose of Cuteness

Readers of this blog will remember that I had kidney stones over Thanksgiving. There are about 10 days that are pretty much a black hole in my memory. So you will forgive me for posting these pictures from Thanksgiving a little late.

It looks like my family had a really great Thanksgiving. I wish I had been there... and not drugged up and asleep on a couch somewhere.

Some Things That May Surprise You

Surprise #1) I bought a "pioneer picture" this week. I justified it because it goes along with a Relief Society activity I'm in charge of and it will be a great visual aid. But to be perfectly honest, I've always secretly liked it. And it's of pioneers. Who knew?

Surprise #2) I subscribe to People magazine. As in, it comes to my house once a week. After I moved into my own apartment, I was buying People as a treat at the end of every work week. But I quickly discovered that if you're buying a magazine every week at the grocery store, you're overspending on celebrity gossip. So eventually I had to put my pride aside and actually subscribe to the magazine. It's much cheaper that way.

So there you have it. Two random and somewhat contradictory things you may or may not have known about me. Happy Friday to all!