Things That Make Me Happy

It is a happy new year and I decided to start the year with a list of the first 100 things on my list of happy things. I guess it is somewhat of a gratitude list too but these things make me happy so that is what I am going with today.

1. Organized the stack of drawers in my “new” office.

2. Went to “Keep Moving” class at gym and am now exhausted but satisfied that this is a class I need.

3. Quilt class was fun socially and we are almost done with our quilt top.

4. Dad had out patient surgery and came through well but a bit “butt” sore.

5. Went walking, even though I am still sore from Tuesday’s class at gym.

6. Cut and trimmed the front yard.

7. Wrapped and boxed ready to ship baby blankets and burp cloths I made for Courtney’s baby.

8. Did some cleaning inside the house.

9. Think I have finished cutting the yard for the winter.

10. Scheduled a guy to aerate the lawn tomorrow.

11. Planted pansies for winter and spring.

12. Bought quilt backing for 2 quilts – 30% off!

13. Rained, so didn’t do any outside work.

14. Took half a day to catch up with my TIVO viewing.

15. Cleaned my bedroom and bathroom sparkly clean and neat at least for a couple of days.

16. Cooked a good and healthy dinner.

17. Slept in and got up when I wanted to not when I should have or needed to.

18. 36 hours went by without me having to get into the car!

19. Tried a new soup recipe on this snowy day and it turned out good except too spicy for dad.

20. Got new pictures of Courtney’s kids and her family picture.

21. Got a surprise gift of my favorite candy bars (Nut Goodie) from my niece, Adrienne, in Minnesota.

22. Getting the Kindle from Alex, which holds books and music.

23. Climbing into a bed made up with freshly washed mattress pad and sheets.

24. I LOVE my TIVO !

25. A freshly painted office ready to organize.

26. Lunch and good conversation with friends.

27. Getting the yard completely ready for winter.

28. Connected to my “old” friend Richard on Facebook. We have known each other for 47 years.

29. Completely retired for a full year now and still so happy with the decision.

30. Finished getting Alex’s yard ready for winter. No major yard work for 5-6 months. Yaa!

31. So thankful for the opportunity to get old!

32. First big snowfall of the season!

33. Having a snow blower to clean the deep, heavy snow.

34. Moving the furniture around to give the room a new look.

35. Finding great bargains when shopping.

36. Finishing the painting of the walls in my office.

37. Getting the shelves put up in my office.

38. Bright orange sweet potatoes (everyone calls yams)

39. Thanksgiving Holiday

40. Having family over for holiday dinners

41. Having family from out of town come to visit.

42. Having cousins spend the night and not fight!

43. Going bowling with family

44. Having a snow blower when it snow over 6 inches (18 inches on the ground now!)

45. Having heat in the house after I am doing snow blowing and shoveling.

46. Having good neighbors who clean my driveway so I don’t have to go out in the cold and do it.

47. Having a computer so I don’t have to write and get hand cramps.

48. Having a gym close by to go to and work off the calories from the holidays and just everyday eating.

49. Having a car that is reliable to get me where I need to go.

50. Hugs and kisses from the grandchildren

51. Opportunity to have grandkids spend the night one at a time now and again.

52. Sending homemade baby gifts to Courtney for the new baby.

53. Shopping for Christmas gifts and having the money to pay for them instead of charging them.

54. Finished shopping for Christmas gifts early.

55. Got all gifts mailed early – even Aaron’s b’day gift.

56. Great family get-together for Christmas Eve.

57. Got up early Christmas morning and played Santa at Alex’s house by filling his stocking while he slept upstairs.

58. Traditional Christmas movie outing with Alex.

59. Nap Christmas afternoon.

60. Made big French toast breakfast for Christmas morning for dad, Alex, and me.

61. Finished quilt for Courtney’s new baby and mailed it “before” the baby is born!

62. Napped for about an hour 3 days in a row.

63. A new baby in the family to love on.

64. The smell of new babies.

65. The feel of new babies.

66. People who care about me and let me know by helping me out when I need it.

67. A safe plane trip so I don’t get scared to fly to visit my family.

68. My son, Ryan, who is an amazing dad and was an amazing husband to his wife while she was alive.

69. My daughter, Courtney, who is the mom I wish I had had and wish I had been.

70. My daughter, Beth, who tries so hard to be happy and is so loving to her son.

71. My son, Alex, who is my right hand man when I need him without ever complaining.

72. Having enough money to pay bills and still not have to go to a job.

73. Being able to get up when you want to and not when you have to.

74. Being smart.

75. Learning to quilt.

76. Playing games on the computer.

77. Winning games on the computer.

78. Being relatively healthy for my age.

79. Joining the gym for another 3 months.

80. Going to the gym 3 days a week unless I am out of town or sick.

81. I love, love, love my Kindle!

82. Being able to get up in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep and do what I want.

83. Movie matinees with hardly anyone in the theater.

84. I love going to plays even more than movies.

85. Awesome grandchildren, whom I wish I could see more often.

86. The first day of a new year.

87. The first day of a new month.

88. Mondays, now that I am retired. (Monday is really the beginning of a new week and not Sunday.)

89. The middle 2 pieces of a cake pan cake. I could give the rest away.

90. Chocolate cake and cold milk for breakfast.

91. New calendars.

92. Reading blogs of other people.

93. Reading books.

94. Reading magazines.

95. Playing games with grandkids.

96. Being tall instead of short.

97. I loved having dark hair until it turned white.

98. Having snow for some days in winter but not all the days.

99. January thaw in Utah.

100. People who use umbrellas in the snow.

Well, that was fun!

Thanksgiving

Quote: "We need to be grateful for many things that did not happen." Langenhoven

Every Thanksgiving most of us think or talk about all the things we are thankful for in the past year. I saw this quote today and thought how true it is for most of us. I thought back to when I would travel between Utah and Minnesota several times a year when I was in college. How careless we all were in our over crowded car without seat belts and how blessed to not have anything but minor discomforts during those trips. Look at the news and how many have accidents or are stranded at airports because of various reasons. I know that I, for one, drove too fast over snowy and icy roads several times and was so fortunate not to have to step on the brakes as we would have skidded and crashed for sure. I look at all the sicknesses that so many children have to go through in their young lives and none of mine ever had a serious illness. Look at the children, mothers and fathers who die much too young. The worst thing I ever had when young was a divorce and a child who had trouble being in control. Big deal! In the larger scheme of things, I was so incredible blessed not just by what I had or was able to do for myself and my family but for all the terrible things that could have happened. but did not.

I love the Thanksgiving holiday. I thought I had expressed this sentiment to everyone I know but apparently I missed telling my children. I do love this time of year because I really try to be aware of all my blessings all the time but I take time during November to really focus on the blessings that I may over look. Look at the billions of people who have been born through out the world and I was born to a LDS family in Minnesota, not in Africa, Asia, Mexico, or the projects of huge cities in America. I worked to graduate from college, but at least I was able to do it! I always wanted children and had no trouble or miscarriages with my pregnancies. I have amazing good health for a person my age. My health woes are extremely minor - few meds and no joint replacements or heart troubles. How cool is that! Almost all my friends my age have these problems so I am amazed and incredibly grateful.

My heart is full! My life is full and I am happy!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010.

Joy in the Journey

One of the series of classes that I went to during Education Week was on finding joy in the journey, now. It was taught by Randal Wright, a funny guy from Texas. I had never heard of him but he entertained me because he would say the funniest things or tell a funny story in the most sober and straightforward manner - it really cracked me up.

An interesting point he brought out was how we periodically need to be reminded of who we are. In the daily rush of life we sometimes forget that except on Sundays and then depending on our church responsibilities often not even then. I have been reminded of that a lot recently with the news reports about the mosque in New York and the crazy guy who wants to burn the Quran, and the other hate mongers spouting their various brands of hatred. I am even saddened by the number of LDS followers who claim to believe in the church and its leaders but spout hatred all the same towards those of other faiths. If we believe what the church leaders and the scriptures tell us we have no need to fear but we do need to live our beliefs and not spread our hatred and fear of those of other religions. We as LDS should be above that. But, the point is, I felt that being at Education Week was reminding me of who I am and should be. I resolved to try to be more diligent at following the principles that I profess to believe in. I, like many others, need to continue to strive to be better in action and not just in theory. I have been so remiss in doing those things I should to let the Savior know that I know who I am and that I value that knowledge. I have been trying since Ed. Week to do better and in some ways I have, although I have far to go and so far this past month I have been consciously enjoying the journey.

I have to admit though, that as I have thought about it, I find it easier to enjoy the present moments now that I don't have as many other things and people competing for my attention. My stress levels are down and being aware of the present is easier when there isn't so much competition for my attention. I love the scripture about there being a time for everything. This is my reflective time, I guess. I hope I am able to go to Ed. Week again next year.

Day One of Education Week

Wow - It has really been a long time since I have posted. I have been busy this summer though. I signed up to be a hostess for BYU Education Week this week. I used to go before I was teaching, and it is always the first week teachers have to be back in the classroom so it has been 18 years since I last went. The only bad thing, I think, is they expect you to dress, in their words, in business dress, then they say wear skirts or dresses. Puleeese! That hasn't been business dress since the seventies. But as a hostess I can go to any class free any day. So I am trying it - as trying as it is to wear skirts and dresses for 6 days in a row, counting church!

First day I was hostess all afternoon so I only went to the three classes I was hosting and they were fun. They were on organization, which I am pretty good on and already knew some of her ideas. However, when she said to get rid of half your stuff I knew she wasn't talking to me. At least not yet. The only reason I am going to get rid of most of my stuff is that it is cheaper that shipping it and replacing it when I move.

Some of her tidbits that I liked:

1.) The brain is for thinking; writing is for remembering. (I thought that was just my excuse to be lazy.)

2.) Disciplined patterns can help life run smoother. (I do this with only some things: I pay bills only on 1st and 25th of the month. When I had 4 little ones I spent 15 minutes cleaning per room each day- with a timer, no less! then moved on to better things.) She suggested starting a pattern even if it is only for a short session then lengthen the session once the patterns are set. Example: get up, pray, exercise, brush teeth, scripture reading, journal, clean up and dress.

3.) When people die and you have lots of their left overs, only keep what you will use - 10% max. Give the rest away. Take pictures before you give them away if they have a memory attached and journal or scrapbook about the meaning of the article. It takes less space and our thoughts are then included for others to know why we valued the item.

4.) We are only stewards over the things we have - we don't own them so we shouldn't clutter up our lives with excess things we don't use but only store. There are many other people who could use them and we shouldn't hoard.

Of course, she had scripture references to back her up (this is BYU Education Week) but I hadn't brought any thing to write on but her handout which SHE filled.

Last thought to add from this class that I forgot when I originally posted this:

There is a time in all our lives when we go from "Simultaneous" to "Sequential"

I found it so helpful to know that I am not the only one who can no longer do 5 or 6 things at the same time, and do them all well. Maybe I can do 2 but most often one at a time is the max if I want to do a good job.

Mission To Be Happy

Yesterday was a fun and happy day. I did everything I needed to do, things I wanted to do, and a little extra thrown in for good measure. I even had a "light bulb" moment. Wow! What a full day.

After getting ready for the day and taking my dad to breakfast I decided to spend the day going to the Quilter's Shop Hop. I knew I wouldn't go to all the stores since they go as far out as Tooele but I thought I could hit a few at least this first time going. I made it to 3 before I was spent out! It was so fun to see what the stores had and the displays of various quilts to ooh and aah over. The third and last quilt shop I went to was Mormon Handicraft. Nothing there I wanted but on the same floor of the store was the Repartee Gallery. Silly me decided to wander around and admire pretty pictures I could never afford. Found a beautiful one of angels for over $1000.00 and then . . . right next to it a lovely abstract Mother and Child. And I could afford it! SO I bought it!! Then went home and hung it up where I can look at it a lot!!! I love it!!!! (Too many exclamation points?) Anyway, after that I cut the grass, did a bit of weeding and watering and just felt good about my day. I had bought some quilting "stuff" but the highlight was the serendipitous discovery of the painting and my impulsive purchase.

So pleased with myself that I put in another 3 hours of yard work today after walking 3 miles and still felt the pleasure of yesterday when I came in and saw my picture on the wall. How easily I am pleased some days. LOL

I stole the title for this post from Michael McLean and his M2B:) book, blog, and CD. I am trying to consciously be in the present, enjoy it and be happy. I lean toward negativity and pessimism I think, so I was overflowing yesterday with Happy.

Don't we all need days like that now and again where there is just so much happy?

Graduation

On the national news today they were showing pictures of commencement speakers at various colleges across the U.S., talking with the graduates, and showing pictures of graduates and their friends and families congratulating each other. That brought me back to my graduations and that of my children who have graduated from high school and college. When I graduated from high school it was a three day event. I don't even remember why but I think we had a big senior dinner with parents one night in the high school cafeteria. It was a bit better than it sounds since we had only been in the high school six months and it was catered. The next night was convocation where we had boring speakers and a great choir presentation. The third night was graduation in the gym. The student speakers were heard here and then our names were read and we "walked." I remember my parents and my aunt and uncle where there and my aunt made me laugh on my way to my seat as we all walked into the gym. When my children graduated from high school we tried to make sure the whole family was in attendance also. Kurt even flew in from California for Alex's and maybe even Courtney's but I can't remember. He was still living here in town when Ryan graduated so it was no problem. Beth took her GED in California so there was no graduation to attend. All in all I think it was fun and successful for all.

Then came college. I don't think I really believed I was smart enough to graduate from college and if a dear friend hadn't almost forced me to take my senior seminar test I probably wouldn't have. Anyway, I didn't want to rent a cap and gown and do the procession but at that time you couldn't get your diploma at BYU unless you walked in the procession. That fact alone delayed my graduation by at least a year. Then I actually saw one on campus and it was rather moving so I felt okay with the whole process. Anyway, I rented my cap and gown and drove down to Provo from SLC, where I was working, for my graduation. All my friends had already graduated in the preceding years and were off working and my family didn't feel it was worth a trip to Utah so I went alone. I didn't think it would bother me until we were in the procession and I had no one to wave to or who was cheering my accomplishment. It was much worse after the ceremony. Everyone was being hugged and pictures were taken and I skulked away, got into my car and drove back to SLC. Alone. Therefore, when Ryan was graduating from college I wanted to attend. But he was allowed by the U of U to get his degree without walking through the ceremony. So I wasn't there to support him. So, the point of all this is that the graduations from college of my son and I were not as pictured on television and it still makes me a bit sad. And nostalgic for what might have been.

Getting Older

1. We are all growing older with each passing day. When young I knew many who were upset as they neared or achieved the "dreaded" decade birthdays starting with number thirty. Those birthdays never bothered me but I thought number fifty might. Nope! It didn't bother me either. Then I reached sixty and it took me three years to adjust. I have been trying to figure out why for the past seven years. I finally think I have found it. With sixty I decided I WAS old. My hair was white, my body was over weight and flabby, my energy was markedly down and my enthusiasm for life seemed limited. However, the last few months I have noticed that I am no longer upset with being old. I am accepting that I will never again be as I was and I appreciate that I am as healthy and active as I am. Many of my friends and former relatives are younger than I and are doing much poorer in the aging process. They have had parts repaired and replaced, are suffering the same physical declines, and are looking and feeling much worse than I. For all this I thank my genes and the few efforts I have been putting into creating a healthier environment for myself.

2. Another thing I noticed is that I try to live in the here and now. I had lunch with a friend from high school yesterday and as we talked all she seemed to want to talk about were her children and grandchildren. Now I have no trouble with that but other than health problems she had done nothing but work for the last thirty plus years and had no plans or goals for the future she could focus on. Her children were doing things and she was not, so the past and their lives were all we had to chat about. My dad goes to breakfast each morning and watches tv the rest of the day so all he has to talk about is the past. I understand that as he is 88 and has mobility issues, but not at 67. I seldom want to talk about the past and writing a personal history is totally out of the cards. Give me the present and plans and goals for the future to talk about. When I am in my 90s maybe I will have no future to look forward to but not at this stage in life.

3. Old age seems to be a leveling out time. We all get unattractive, physically limited in one way or another, and slow down mentally. We no longer compete with others in accomplishments. We do what we do and are happy for that. I feel like I can't go into debt because I won't be able to get a job to pay the debt so I am happy for what I already have rather than wanting more. I have never been one to "compete with the Joneses" but tried to have my kids be somewhat comparable to others in their social group. Now I don't even have to do that. I am responsible for only me. That feels kind of good. I am happier in general now than I have been for at least the last ten years. I don't look back much further than that.