53 Reasons I Love Life

Warning!!! This is a little long. Today is my 53rd birthday. When I was a kid, I calculated ahead to see how old I would be in the year 2000 (who could imagine the year 2000?!!!??!) and remember just being so taken with the idea I would be 45. Well, here I am, 8 years later. Now, I wonder what things will be like in say, 2030. Seems SO far away, but we all know time flies and I suppose 2030 will be here before we know it. Anyway, I digress. I have been thinking lately of all my blessings and things that make me happy. Here are some of them.

1) My family
a) Howard-A funny, hard working man of integrity. I love him.
b) My kids--Smart, kind, pro-active, beautiful people. I tear just thinking of them. I love them!
c) My parents--Not the most ideal upbringing, but it could have been so much worse. And, I got some good stuff from them. I used to think they should never have married and had kids, but then, where would I be? WHO would I be? I think, when it comes to births, there are no real accidents. Not accidents from an eternal perspective. I've also decided it's not what we have or don't have, where we are or aren't, it's what we do with it that matters. All we have to do is do our best, whatever that may be, whether we're rich or poor by earthly standards. That's the big equalizer of life.
d) My sons and daugher-in-law. GREAT people and great matches for my kids.
e) My 11 grandkids. GRAND is a good word for them.
f) My brother, Gary. I love him. He's 5 years older than me. We're siblings for a reason. He's a hero to me in lots of ways.
2) Being an American. My daddy's family came to America before it was the U.S. It was a French colony. My mother's father's family came in the early 1700's from the best I can figure, from England. I love knowing where I came from and wish I knew more about those people's stories.
3) Belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My life changed SO much for the better when I was baptized into this church. While I am FAR from perfect and have much to improve upon, I have learned truths that influence the choices I make and the woman I have become.
4) My home. Not that I "love" my house. I've lived in many houses and I know that I can be happy or unhappy no matter where I live. But, I am grateful I HAVE a house. So many of God's children don't. And, it's a comfortable one. VERY comfortable.
5) Air conditioning. Seriously, living in Las Vegas makes that high up on the list.
6) Food. Really. Part of it is being an American, because in America, there are supermarkets that have a large variety of food. Usually in plentiful supply. I take it for granted. Some in this world can't.
7). Flushing toilets. Ditto.
8). Electricity in my house. Imagine your life without the wonder of electricity. I wouldn't be able to write this here blog without it, sitting in my house with the TV on, the AC on and the fan on, keeping me cool and comfy. Good stuff, electricity. Gooooooooo Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison!
9) Being able to vote.
10) Education. Not that I'm THAT educated. But, I can read, write, do some math and know a little about a lot of stuff. That knowledge makes my life better. Comes from living in the USA.
11) Being born in 1955. Disneyland & I started that year. Lots of good stuff has come along since 1955. Microwaves. Computers. Think about it.
12) Friends. How poor someone truly is who doesn' t have friends. I have good ones, and some of the best ones are in my family.
13) A job. A job I like. Comes with some drama and some stress, but isn't that life? I like what I do and rarely dread going to work. But, I'm totally loving the idea of NOT working tomorrow!
14) Movies. I love a good movie. Now, MY idea of a good movie is this: A romantic comedy, a romantic drama or a historically factual story, particularly ones that are set in 19th century England or are about Revolutionary, Civil War and WWII stuff. I LOVE Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice and, Gone With The Wind.
15) Television. I know, I know, I watch too much of it. But, how can you not like good drama? Gray's Anatomy (good is a relative term, morally, I know!), The Closer and Boston Legal? Those are some shows I just won't miss if I can help it. And, Survivor. And, the Amazing Race.
16). Memories. Good and bad ones. Bad ones help you appreciate the good things in your life and remind you to avoid whatever you can to prevent them from happening again, if you have any control over it. Good ones are just, well...good!
17). Chocolate. I can't believe I left chocolate til #17.
18). Blogs. Really, I can't thank Stacy enough for bringing Blogs into our world. What would I do if I didn't check and read blogs every day? Read some of the great books on Sarah's list??? Well, I COULD... but I wouldn't. I'd watch TV, probably.
19) Naps. Gotta love a good nap. Now that I'm older, I value them more. Probably because I GET them now. Need them, too.
20) Dogs. We have 3. Most days, I feel like that's about 2 too many. We have some issues with some of them. But, I had my first dog when I was 8. They are good and fun and loving and cute.
21) Red Pepper Stew. Family dish...heaven on a plate. I NEVER tire of it and I hope one day, one of my kids want to learn how to make it so the goodness will pass on to the next generation. I fear it won't.
22) Cars. Really, where would we be without them? Traffic and all, expensive repair bills and all, I'll take them rather than leave them.
23) Airplane travel. SUCH a time saver. See, if I had been born in 422 BC, I wouldn't be able to fly in a plane. Good reason to have been born in 1955.
24) Oprah Winfrey. I know lots of people don't like her and some people are waiting for a HUGE skeleton to come out of her closest. I suppose time will tell. I don't think she's perfect, but she's OPRAH. I don't agree with some of her politics. But, she does good things and motivate others to do good things, too. I would like to think we could have lunch and be in the same orbit.
25). Music. I'm no afficianado of quality music. But, I love songs that put me in a good mood. "My girl". "Love Shack". Most Motown. Most Marvin Gaye. Some country. Some gospel, especially Hilary Weeks. I get to see her in Sept. I'm excited because I LOVE her music.
26) Teachers. I have had some teachers that really, truly shaped me. Mrs. Smith (Ms. Bessie) in the 5th grade. Coach Patterson in the 9th. God Bless them all. Well, Coach is alive. Ms. Bessie's not.
27) Genealogy. I love knowing who my relatives are.
28) Needle work. I've done counted cross stitch for nearly 30 years. I've sewn for longer than that. I've crocheted for about 33 years. I'm moving on to quiliting.
29) Massages. A good one is heaven. A bad one is...not. None at all is deprivation.
30) Relief Society. Relief Society is the woman's organization in my church. Lot's and lots of good women struggling to become better. Like me. Struggling, that is, to become better.
31) Road trips with someone I like.
32) Solitude. As I've gotten older, I've come to be more comfortable with myself and not mind, even LIKE, being alone.
33) A good night's sleep. Between medication and who-knows-why, I seldom sleep more than 6 1/2-7 hours a night. But, that's generally ok. But, a good, uninterrupted night's sleep is G-O-O-D.
34) Clean water. Water that I don't have to boil to be able to safely drink so I don't get sick.
35) Scriptures. God's letters to me.
36) Caffeine Free Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. Not together.
37) Hot dogs. Grilled are best, slightly charred.
38) Lemon cake with lemon filling. My mother used to make it. I don't because I'm afraid it won't be as good as I remember it. It's a totally "feel good" memory of my childhood.
39) Vision and hearing. Life is better being able to see and hear than it would be not being able to.
40) Inlaws. Not the daughter and son type but the sister and brother and mother type. I love you guys!
41) Board games. I LOVE board games, but Howard doesn't. My kids do, mostly, but it's hard to ever get to play with them. I think it's the competitiveness in me. Whatever. I like 'em.
42) Seeing my kids love each other and laugh together and cry together.
43) Fashion shows. Every year, the Sunday night before school starts, we have a family fashion show where the granddaughters come and model all their new clothes for school. So far, the boys have refused to participate. It's good fun.
44) Making foods my kids like. Howard never asks me to make anything special. Maybe he doesn't like my cooking!
45) My closet. I have a walk in closet. I've never had one before. It's a good thing.
46) My BIG tub. I have a shower and a tub. A big tub and when I want to have a bath, I can have one and not be scrunched.
47) Hot weather and sun at a pool or beach. Calgon...take me away! Well, not Calgon, but you get the idea.
48) Health insurance.
49) My dollstone collection.
50) My ruby birthstone ring. My daddy gave it to me when I was 17. Let's count. That's 36 years ago. He gave it to me sitting in a booth at a "Sambo's" restaurant. I promised it to Sarah and one day she'll get it. Two years later, he gave me a small diamond neclace that Erin will get. I just can't say when.
51) Washing machines, vacuums and remote controls. Energy savers.
52) Freshly mown grass. LOVE the smell. As a kid, it used to remind me of watermelon.
53) Missionaries. And letters and pictures from missionaries. Go, Mike!

Well, that's just some of the things I love. If you're reading this, there's a good chance I love YOU. At the very least, I probably know you and have been blessed to have you in my life. Happy Birthday to me!

Blogs!

What is it about Blogs? I have hours of projects to work on, but I made the dreadful mistake of coming in to the office to check email, which also includes checking to see if anyone blogged anything I just can't wait to read and then got to blog surfing and have been here for nearly 2 1/2 hours! Seriously, I'm in trouble! I'm such a lurker.

Best Friends

I've had two people in my life that I can call best friends. One, Linda Welborn, was my BF when I was a kid in Pelican, Louisiana. She was a true gift to me, and I still consider her my best friend of my early years. She and I lost touch with each other for around 30 years and reconnected about 8 years ago. It's been nice to be in touch with her again. She lives too far away to see her very often. I wish we could see each other more. When I'm with Linda, even though our lives are very diverse, I feel comfortable with her and the years just dissolve. Linda had cervical cancer 6 or 7 years ago and is still experiencing issues related to it, though she is cancer free. Life is not easy for her because of it, but through it all, she remains upbeat and faithful. I love her.

Most of you know we went to Idaho last weekend. It was a two-fold purpose trip---the Catlin family reunion was that weekend and I got to visit with Marsha. Marsha is my BF of my adult years. As many of you know, Marsha was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. She began her chemo treatments in January, and just finished her radiation therapy last week on July 23. Her birthday was July 25, so that was a pretty good birthday present for her. It has been a LONG 8 months for her. I have lived this experience vicariously, but I am certain that I only have an idea of how hard and grueling the experience of chemo was for her. I wanted to visit her while she was having her chemo, but I was never able to go when she was in her "up" periods, when became fewer and fewer as time when by. She is an amazing woman and I am honored to be her friend and even more honored that she considers me hers.

Marsha says that she felt the prayers offered by family and friends. Isn't that amazing? I mean, we pray in faith, hoping that Heavenly Father will bless the person we're praying for, but we sometimes don't ever know the direct impact of that prayer on them. We don't always know if they knew we were praying for them. But, she says she felt them, giving her strenth and lifting her up. I'm so glad to know this. I think when we die and go to the Spirit World, that we'll be surprised to learn of the blessings we received in this life because of the actions and prayers of others that we were never aware of. That inspires me to try to be a little more kind and to try to be in tune with the promptings of the Spirit that lead me to do good things.

Marsha and I have been friends for, and this is hard for me because as strange as this sounds, I don't remember meeting Marsha. It just seems like one day she was in my life and I don't know when it happened. She remembers meeting me at church. I believe her, I just don't remember it. It was around 1978, I think. She and Mike, her husband, and Howard and I used to scrape our pennies together, literally digging in couch cushions and bottoms of purses and wherever money could hide, to find the way to go out when we were in our leaner (both physically and monetarily) years. Along with other friends we forged a lifetime of memories---picnics, dinners, lunches, phone conversations (hours long conversations), church meetings and parties, home get togethers, holidays, vacations, trips, deaths, births, weddings and illnesses. And, the memories continue to be made. We've laughed together and cried together. Shopped together and watched TV together. We've seen each other at our worst and best. I hate that we live so far away from each other, but it does make the times we get to spend together sweeter. Relationships like this can't be designed, I don't think. I think they were forged before we ever came to earth.

Friends are a great blessing in our lives. I have been blessed to have great friends.

Highlight of the Week!

We got some pictures from Mike in the mail yesterday. I loaded these in reverse order and can't figure out how to switch the order, so here goes.

This is an example of signs on churches in West Virginia. Nate used to send home pictures like this, too, when he was in Tennessee and Arkansas. We don't see signs like this in the west as much.

This is Mike's companion, Elder Hutchings and outgoing Mission Pres. Cowley. Elder Hutchings is from Riverton, Ut. Mike is training him.

And this is Pres. & Sis. Cowley. They're home now and a new Mission Pres. is in place.

It's so good to see pictues of the boy. Man. I know he's a man, not a boy. But, you know what I mean. He's got a baptism scheduled for this coming Saturday and hopes to be having 3 more in the near future. The wife of the man that's being baptized this Saturday, another man and a foster son of the bishop. That should be a good shot in the arm for Elder Garrard if they all pan out. On the 22nd, he'll be out for 11 months. Somedays it seems like it's going pretty quickly an on others, not so much. But, I know when he's home I'll look back and think it went pretty fast. That will be a great day.

I've been waiting

Until I could post something fun and half way worth reading about and with some good pictures to go with it. But, I have zippo. My life at this point is all about work and collapsing when I get home from work. I have worked SO much overtime already (and not gotten paid for it, BTW). Major deadline looms Monday morning and I worked until today @ 4:45 and decided I'll go in early on Monday to finish up what I needed to do today. I've never felt so frustrated and behind and I feel like I'm never going to get caught up. So, the next time any of you have a kid or grandkid that gets on a school bus, think of me and all the work that goes into having that bus be available to you!

Howard and I met some friends this week at the Balboa Pizza restraunt in The District. GREAT food. I would recommend it. Howard got a pizza that was delivered on a wooden cutting board type thing. I got a salad and wings. They make homemade potato chips and delicious dips (garlic parmesean, french onion) that are fantastic. Anyway, it's good. It's on the back side, sort of like Lucilles. Go there. I think we're about to go check out the Orchard Street Cafe. It's right down the street from our house and I've wanted to eat there a long time and try it out.

Are you seeing a pattern here? I can't believe how much I DON"T cook anymore. I came home last night and told Howard I was hungry (starving, actually) and he told me there were tamales in the fridge he bought from someone at his school. I did make Mac & Cheese Monday. Here we are on Thursday and I'm not cooking tonight and since tomorrow is the 4th, I won't cook then, either. Probably not on Saturday. Which brings me to Sunday when I WILL cook. I feel a little guilty, but not all the time and not a lot. I think it's totally an age thing. I cooked from scratch for 25+ years and now I'm just a little tired of it all. Mostly, it's about time. I'm all about making something that gets me out of the kitchen in a hurry. Rather limiting, to be sure, but it is what it is.

I need to prepare a lesson to teach in Relief Society on Sunday. I've only had 3 months to figure out what the Lord wants me to talk about. Guess I need to get on that.

Well, in spite of no pictures, I posted. I have a boring life, so no exitement. I am going to Idaho in a couple of weeks and will enjoy Marsha's company, seeing Randy & Dan, Taco Bandito and cool weather. Good times await!