Day 15: Feeling Downton Abbey

Aha:
I was feeling a bit blue on Sunday (probably due to Clinton being on call and also knowing I'd be returning to work the next day) and wasn't my usual, social self.  I was a bit of a wallflower, but fortunately for me, there are some great girls in the ward.  Two in particular took the extra step to make me feel noticed and loved.
First shout out goes to Chels.  Thanks for inviting me to dinner and for helping fill the void while Clinton was on call.  You're a great buddy!
Second shout out goes to Emily.  Thanks for seeing me sitting alone in RS and for filling the vacant chair next to me.  Your smiling face and care-free chatting helped me snap out of my slump and feel better.

Ha ha:
One of my friends posted on FB that she was finally able to watch the 3rd season of Downton Abbey online.  Whaaaaaa??!!! I didn't even know it was online yet!  Naturally, I was most intrigued and had to get in on the whereabouts of the website that was streaming one of my favorite shows.  After about a half hour of searching (and bombardments of Asian-persuasion half-naked pop-ups), I FOUND IT!!
It was already getting close to bedtime, but I'm proud to say I persevered and completed the first episode!
What a fantastic show!  And I love Matthew Crowley even more than before (didn't know that was possible)! :)

Day 14: Thrills and Spills

Aha:
For the first time in a long time, we had a totally LAZY Saturday.  I watched some shows on Netflix, slept in -ish (still got up to clean the bathroom, but after that I did NOTHING), got lunch at McDonalds (2 ice cream cones = food to me), dinner at Noodles and a Milkway for dessert.  Clinton and I even had time to snuggle without him passing out from exhaustion on the couch!  What a lovely day!!

Ha ha:
Made a quick pit stop at Target last night to pick up a few essentials.  Isn't it sad that while walking through the aisles, making sure I had everything I needed, I came across a Tide-Stick Pen and knew it was something I needed to add to my list of essentials?  I'm a twenty-something-year-old and I need a magic pen that erases the spills I make on my clothes when I eat.  Pathetic.

Day 13: Tears (Almost) All Around

Aha:
Friday was my coworker's last day.  She and I have worked together for 2.5 years and during that time built a wonderful friendship.  I was her yin and she, my yang.  We've been through a lot together, especially recently with some changes in management, so I'm sad to know I won't get to see her as often.  I'm so thankful for her example of generosity and compassion and hope that some of those attributes have rubbed off on me over our time working together.  What a blessing she's been to me--I miss you already Lissa!
(P.S. I know the above sounds like a eulogy, but trust me, she's still alive and kickin'.  So happy for her and that's she's moved on to a better place...at the Oconomowoc Library!) :)

Ha ha:
Friday was also one of our fellows last day.  When she came to give me a hug goodbye I thought she was tearing up a bit, so I started to tear up too (I was already sad about Lissa leaving, but I am also such a boob!).  When we pulled out of our hug, she looked up at me, with no tears in her eyes, and said, "Are you OK?"
Realizing I was alone in my emotions, I cleared my throat and with a look of *of course* on my face, said, "Uh-huh."
I have really got to get this crying-so-easily thing under control!

Day 12: 3 Hot Gals w/VD Fever

Aha:
My friend Jess and I got invited over to my friend Chels' house for supper and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES premiere on Thursday!  We had a great time and I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with them.  I think they're the only other two girls out here who are as involved in this show as I am!  Good to know I'm not totally alone in my "guilty" pleasure. :)

Ha ha:
Only the occasional gasp or "oh man he's hot" escaped from our lips during the show.  Otherwise we were silent and totally engrossed in the show.
That's a true sign of comfort among friends!  How's that saying go?  "Friendship means never having to say anything"?....maybe not quite right, but nonetheless fitting for this group of gals.

Day 11: CAUTION

Aha:
I drove the car to work today because I brought a big crockpot full of baked potatoes for my coworker's going-away party and didn't want to carry it all the way from home.  I was already running behind and by the time I got to work the parking lot was almost full.  Half the lot was blocked off by orange construction cones (or pylons as my family to the North calls them).  There was no room for me to turn around so I had to weasel my little compact car through the cones, turn around in the blocked off portion of the lot and then drive back through the cones before finding a spot.
It was an absolute miracle that I didn't run into or rub against those things.  I was totally shocked (and thoroughly impressed) that I passed through them so easily!  I felt like a stunt driver!

Ha ha:
I caught both Clinton and myself off-guard this evening when I was trying to remember what those lick-stick-thingys that you dip in the sugar powder were called.  I kept trying to say Fun Dips, but for some reason it was more troublesome than I thought possible.  Here's the list I went through before I finally gave up and Clinton provided me the right answer between bursts of laughter...
Lip Dips
Lick Sticks
Dip Sticks
Lick Dicks
Yep, that's when we both lost it.

Day 10: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Aha:
I received the sweetest message from my dad while I was at work today.  As soon as I got off of work I checked my phone and saw that my dad had called and left a message.  I'm sad that I missed his call, but I'm sorta grateful I waited to listen to the message till I was out the door--totally made me cry.
Thank you Dad for your words of love and encouragement!  I didn't know just how much I needed that boost.  Love you!
P.S. It was nice talking with you after work too!  Made my day.

Ha ha:
I didn't exercise today (see Day 9's "ha ha").
In my defense...I needed to catch up on my blog and finish an episode of Sherlock Holmes (BBC version--awesome!!)  And, I took Peter for an hour-long walk.  That's something, right?

Day 9: For the Beauty

Aha:
Have I mentioned just how BEAUTIFUL the fall is in the Midwest?  Don't believe me?

 Grounds and Cathedral at Holy Hill Basilica

 Honey Creek Parkway, Tosa

 Looking down a street in the neighborhood

Peter and I during General Conference

 Clinton and I at Holy Hill

I can't help but feel closer to God when I see just how gorgeous this world really can be.

Ha ha:
I started exercising again last night.  Danielle, why would that be something you'd list in your "ha ha" section?  Because I really wonder how long it's gonna last.