Day 59: I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked...and Peter Pooped

Aha:

You probably didn't know this but we live in the same neighbourhood as the stake centre; it's literally one street away from us. Well, I decided to take Peter for a walk before the second session of General Conference began and as I was on our way home I passed by the church. On the sidewalk across the street I saw two missionaries talking to a couple. I couldn't hear everything but as I was passing one of the elders just started bearing his testimony about how living the gospel has blessed his life.

I didn't stick around to listen but it put a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. I love to hear people talk about Jesus; especially in such "out of place" places. In fact, some of my most spiritual discussions have happened in commonplace locations.

A blog isn't necessarily "out of place", but I too love Jesus and am thankful for His gospel in my life. His message is good news! It is one of selflessness and charity and I am thankful for the example He gave me to follow. I love that so many people in the world want to be like Him, regardless of religious affiliation. He is The Good Shepherd and I am so happy to be one of His many sheep trying their best to get back to Him.

Haha:

Now that the weather is improving and much of the snow has melted, I took advantage of the first opportunity I've had to pick up all of the crap Peter has relieved himself of over the winter.

There was only the thin layer of a plastic produce bag between me and the grocery bagful I gathered of cold dog poo. 

It was an interesting bonding moment between mother and pup. Each handful of crap inspiring memories of what he must have eaten that particular day. Every mound reminding me of the special responsibility I have in taking care of my little boy. All of it, a token of love. 

Or at least that's how I tried to see it instead of as the gross job it really was.

When I came back inside and told Clinton how much I had to pick up he said, "Yah, Peter really puts out a lot of poop."

Thanks. I know.

Day 58: A Couple of Inconvenient Hair Pulling Situations

Aha:
I feel very accomplished. I got all of my grocery shopping done before the weekend! I think going Friday nights is the way to do it. I went at 830 tonight and even that was too early to completely beat the rush, but the idea is a good one. I think as long as I'm working this will be the plan! I only wanted to pull my hair out a handful of times instead of the usual 20! There are just not enough stores to match the number of people in this city.
It may not be exactly convenient, but I know my limits and I felt much happier.

Haha:
There's a small convenience store that shares the lot with my office. I walked there for the first time today to quickly grab a soda. When I rounded the corner and approached the door I noticed a whole gaggle of middle-school-aged kids talking in the parking lot, munching on their recent convenience store purchases. Why do I mention them?
Well, after I bought my soda I headed back outside...or at least I tried to. It was a windy day and my very long hair was down. As I passed through the door my hair somehow got caught in the handle. I have no idea if they actually saw anything but I don't know how they could have missed it. I must've looked like a crazy woman.
Step through the door.
Door starts to close.
I cry out in pain and grab the spot on my head where my hair is being ripped out.
I turn back and stare at the closing door looking for where my hair is attached.
(My hair is blonde and small groups of strands are not easily seen from a distance.)
I grab towards the door, blindly feeling for my hard-to-see blonde hairs.
(It likely looks like I'm reaching for nothing.)
Unsuccessful, I walk off mumbling "ow" while rubbing the sore spot on my head.
Replay the above scenario in your head without knowing why I was doing what I was doing and THAT'S what these kids witnessed. Great, now I'll be known to them as the crazy, head scratching, mumbling lady.

Day 57: Celebrating's a Real Gas

Aha:
I know five people who are celebrating their birthday today: my dad, my sister, her daughter, my cousin and one of the doctors I used to work for.

It's been a busy day for texting "Happy Birthday" messages but it just makes me think of how grateful I am to have such wonderful people in my life! My thoughts have been about family and friends all week (with one of my friends celebrating her birthday on the 1st, one of my nieces' birthday was yesterday, another niece this weekend and now all these birthdays today) and I just want them/you all to know how much I love you!

What a blessing it is to celebrate life!

Happy birthday to all of you!

Haha:

Here's a conversation Clinton and I had on our way home tonight.

Me: Oh, I am so gassy.

He: (sarcastically) Tell me aaaall about it.

Me: I'd rather show you. At least that would bring me some relief!

He: Uh, please don't.

Lol

Day 56: Eating Ice Cream is Hard Work

Aha:
I've had a few people ask me about my new job so I thought I might as well talk about it on my blog.
My official title is "Marketing Administrative Assistant". I work for a company that specializes in improving hospital survey scores through catered training programs for leadership and frontline staff. My job duties are kind of all over the place, but it includes making phone calls to prospective clients, updating the company blog on a weekly basis and other admin jobs I have yet to learn.
As I said before, I'm not sure I like it, but I LOVE the people there. I've talked with a couple girls there about my concerns and people have been really reassuring and understanding. I love that! I am still keeping an open mind and for now I am really enjoying the regular paycheck. :)

Haha:
Clinton called me to tell me he was on his way home. I asked him if he could either pick up a treat for after supper or if he'd be willing to go get some ice cream or something later.
He: Ice cream? I'm kind of over ice cream.
Me: What? How can you be sick of ice cream?
Well, when he came in the door I noticed he was carrying to drinks from A&W.
Me: What are those for? (Thinking he maybe had a work party or something.)
He: They're milkshakes for us.
Me: Oh! Thanks!
I guess he doesn't dislike ice cream so much after all. ;)

Day 55: Sew Sue Me

Aha:

Believe it or not folks, but this adorable hat was knit for me a couple Christmases ago by my BROTHER, Derek. Yep! My brother!
I took it with me on my walk tonight with Peter and it made me a little homesick. It warmed my head and my heart!
Thanks, Derek, for such a thoughtful gift (he made it while we were living in Wisconsin and he knew I walked to work even during the winter months). Thanks for being a great oldest brother! You are very generous and thoughtful to everyone around you. Love ya!

Haha:
I had to send an email to one of the ladies at work today and I'm not all the way familiar with everyones' last names. So, I did a search in our database for "Sue" and it only came back with one "Sue". The email domain was gmail instead of our company name, but I sent it anyway.
Naturally, after I sent it I decided to walk to Sue's office and confirm her last name. Here's how the conversation went.
Me: Sue, I just tried sending you an email but I wonder if I sent it to the wrong Sue.
She: Who did you send it to?
Me: Sue _____.
(There was one other coworker in the room and when I mentioned the other Sue's name there was a bit of a "look" between them, followed by a very brief pause.)
She: Well, she's dead so I don't think you need to worry about her intercepting it.
Me: (shock crosses my face) Oh! Sorry. Uh. OK.
And then we all started laughing at the alive-Sue's blunt response and my completely candid reaction.
Oh dear.

Day 54: The Things I Didn't Know I Needed

Aha:
Well, it was absolutely freezing outside, but Petey and I went for a half-hour walk when I got home from work today. He needed it and apparently so did I.
There's something to be said for breathing in brisk air and thinking about nothing in particular. I'm thankful for the reset!
Plus, it just does my heart wonders to see Petey so very happy. Makes me happy too.

Haha:
I'm pretty sure Aunt Flo is imminent...here's a sampling of the excess I ate today:
1. A Weight Watchers Peanut Butter Granola Chocolate
2. A Kit Kat Chunky
3. 3 small brownies
4. Half an oatmeal cookie
5. Cinnamon toast and,
6. A large handful of Whoppers
Yikes!

Day 53: Fast Sundays Are Anything but Fast, but Clinton's Quips Always Are

Aha:

I've never been a very good faster (of food) and I don't do it very often because I typically get pretty awful headaches. Well, I decided I wanted to fast today and sure enough a fairly nauseating headache set in early in the day. Determined to finish my fast I took one ibuprofen and hoped for relief.
Well, if the miracle of relief I received from that one ibuprofen is any indicator of the success I may expect from the prayers associated with my fast, then I'll be one even-more-thankful girl!
I am thankful for prayer. I am thankful for the power it holds to work miracles. And I am thankful that my desire to fast was sustained.

Haha:

Ok, here's what I wrote about today...

***

During sacrament meeting today, I asked Clinton if he could see the backcombing in my hair.

He: No, but your lack of reverence is certainly showing.

Lol

***

And when I asked him if "reverence" was the word he used, he said, "No there's more to the story." Then he took my phone and added in the following. Mind you, he wrote this during Sunday School—blatantly ignoring the spiritual lesson and spirit to be felt therein. :P

***

During sacrament meeting today, I was more focused on my hair than listening to the prayers of the holy sacrament of the Lord God Most High.  I forcibly told my husband to look at my hair and tell me if he could see the backcombing.  He said that there was one spot at the back, so I overtly began trying to comb it out with my fingers.  I commanded Clinton again to tell me if it was showing.  "There's still some showing," he replied.  "Where?!" I snapped. "At the same place where it was before," he gently replied. I angrily began trying to comb my hair with my fingers and then turned the back if my head back towards Clinton (in a rude way).  "Okay, now is anything showing?" I asked.  "Just your lack of reverence," he said, wryly.  

I hate him now more than the day I married him. 

***

Uh...lol!