reLAX Girl

Ashley's been waiting since last fall to start up Lacrosse again. I'm so glad that she has found something that she is passionate about. She came home with a bunch of bruises on her legs and couldn't have been more proud.

A Royal Flush

One nice thing (the only nice thing) about experiencing hot flashes that produce a fevered flush which infuse my face, neck, chest and arms is that it got me up in the wee morning hours to witness this fascinating event:

Now, if I can just figure out what to do when this happens while sitting on a crowded bench during church! (I am learning to dress in layers...)

Choosing the Good

I'm having a love/hate relationship with Free Agency lately. It is so hard to watch the consequences and unhappiness of bad choices. It leaves me feeling helpless. I often find myself wondering and asking myself how it will all turn out.

I wish I could see ahead a little farther than I currently can--it would really help me pace myself. One of my favorite running routes is along Bountiful Boulevard towards the Bountiful LDS Temple, because I can see it in the distance during the entire run. It's far away, but I have a constant visual of it and I can at least see a forward progression. Right now, it feels like I'm running in the dark without a headlamp and only occasional splashes of light from a passing car or a stationary lamp post. I'm still moving forward and making progress, but sometimes it's scary and a little lonely. This is where endurance kicks in. I continually remind myself that I have to keep moving forward so that I can get back to my safe, warm home. And family. Even when others are choosing unwisely, I can still choose the good. Again, and again, and again. Endurance.

Happiness is "the consequence of exercising one's right to choose between good and bad, and choosing the good."---Sweet Misfortunes

A Slice of Karma

I am a big believer in Karma...when you do good, good comes back to you. I learned that from Alma, in his beautiful teachings to his straying son, Corianton: "...for that which ye do send out shall return unto you again..." (Alma 41:15) But last night, I found myself in a quandary...and asking the question: who PAYS for the Karma?

The situation: Yesterday I spent a LOT of time sending out good Karma vibes into the universe(12 hours to be exact). As I was driving home from my first CNA clinicals, and reflecting on the incredible day I had just spent helping the helpless, I was moved to tears and gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of something as beautiful and rewarding as helping fellow human beings with every basic need. Victor Hugo said it perfectly: to love another is to see the face of God. That happens when we see another as God sees them, and I don't think we truly see someone until we witness...and help...them in their most vulnerable state (this is why we love babies and children, because I am pretty sure I would never have kids if they came to us as fully functioning--well, except their brains--young adults). At the end of the day, although my feet and legs ached, I walked into my house with a spring in my step and a feeling of complete fulfillment. I found Steve and Ashley waiting for me so that we could go to dinner together and they could hear about my day. As we drove down the hill, we discussed different restaurant options and settled on The Pizza Factory. We had a nice time together (I even got a laugh out of Ashley, although she was very determined to not have a good time with us. Because, you see, she is a young adult), but when it came time to pay the bill, we waited and waited and WAITED for the waitress to bring back our credit card that we had paid with. At one point, Steve turned to me and said, "I think they lost our card." What? No way, that doesn't happen...does it? Sure enough, the waitress and manager came to our table and sheepishly told us that they could not find our card. They had been looking all this time for our card and could not find it anywhere. We immediately called our credit card company to cancel the card, while the manager apologized profusely, comped our meal, plus added in a $100 gift certificate in the hopes that we would come back again. We just laughed it off, told them no worries, left our phone number in case the card DID show up and left the restaurant. As I was walking out the door, I looked backed and I could see Steve giving the waitress a pat on the back and telling her again not to worry. We were not even in the car long enough to start it, when Steve received a call from the restaurant that they had found the card! (it had gotten tucked into a menu). As we drove home, my first thought was: Cool! Karma! But just as quickly on the heels of that exhalation came the question just as fast and furious: who paid for the pizza?

Bonus:

If you have the pleasure of little ones in your life, I HIGHLY recommend having this book handy. It is guaranteed to create moments of giggles and fun, especially if you follow the recipe.

Stoic Words of Wisdom...

"Scars remind us where we've been,

but do not have to dictate where we are going."

---Criminal Minds (one of Steve's favorite shows)

Just for Fun....

Elizabeth Bennet's Email:

This was a happy find--enjoy!