Meetcha Outside

More on my Spring thus far…

Friday night I went to dinner and a movie with a friend who’s leaving soon for her internship in Washington, DC. We ate at the Zupas in Sugarhouse and then saw Warm Bodies (for the 97th time) at Movies 10. If you haven’t seen it yet, I think you should. Especially when you can see it for a dollar or two at the discount theaters. It’s worth at least that much! I recently checked out the book from the library – we’ll see how it measures up to the movie.

I spent most of my Saturday outdoors with the family preparing our yard and garden for warmer weather. I was up to my wrists in dirt and snail carcasses for about an hour while weeding our front planter. I did find a few slimy occupants still housed in their shells (very icky and very much alive), but I simply picked them up and tossed them in the garbage with the rest of the unwanteds. And I only squirmed a little. I’m basically invincible while wielding a spade and wearing thick work gloves. No invertebrate stands a chance.

We also uncovered all our patio furniture, hosed down our decks, unearthed a dead bush, and mowed the lawn. All that and my allergies didn't phase me one bit! The yard still looks a bit wild and untamed in some spots, but at least it’s now habitable. I was never one for overly manicured yards anyway - I don't have the patience. I think our next family project will be the GARAGE… If we have the strength. Its completion may require several Saturdays and an act of divine intervention.

This will sound lame, but I love our house (and Paris!) in the springtime. We have a wreath on our front door covered in flowers that match those growing in our planters - pansies, tulips, daffodils… Our lawn is still green as green and the weeds have yet to overwhelm the flowerbeds. The only other time of year I enjoy more is Christmas - the house covered in snow, framed by lights, and our Christmas tree slowly spinning (yes, spinning) in the window. I pull up in my car and think, “Man, if I were just someone randomly passing by, I would want to go inside that house.” It’s not very big and in 60+ years it hasn't seen the most up-to-date-state-of-the-art-this-n-that, but I do love it. I must... because here I am!

In other news... I’m still attending Zumba classes. And when I’m not in Zumba, I’m on an elliptical at the rec center. And when I’m not on an elliptical at the rec center, I’m walking around my neighborhood. And when I’m not walking around my neighborhood, I’m kicking myself for not doing anything... But even kicking is a form of exercise.

Allergy Season

Today during my lunch break I took a walk down to a local park. One of the nice things about working out in the middle of practically nowhere is that you’re surrounded with lots of lovely, open space. And it’s relatively quiet with only the sound of an occasional car or delivery truck passing by. 

As beautiful as today was, I wish I’d stayed inside. I felt great while I was out under blue skies catching all them cool breezes, but shortly after returning my nose started tickling. My eyes welled. My throat scratched. I sneezed 3… 4… 5 different times. Some of my co-workers were in the same condition - sniffing audibly as they hunkered down in their cubicles and ACHOO-ed into their sleeves. 

I was outdoors for each of my lunch breaks this week, but something nasty was carried on the breeze today...

Cuz

Last night I had some good laughs over dinner with a couple cousins. I laughed so I hard I made myself sick later that evening - shooting pains in my tummy and stitches in my side. So if you’re feeling particularly giggly while eating Mexican food, expect some major cramping and discomfort later on. But don’t worry - it’s worth it. Another cousin, knowing I’m a fan of Doctor Who, emailed me a link of today’s Shirt Woot. I responded and before I knew it she was asking my shirt size so she could send me one. WHAAAT? I thanked her and she simply replied, “What’s a small gift between cousins?”

Cousins… HOORAY!

A Gentleman

This moment of chivalry brought to you by Tom Hiddleston at the MTV Movie Awards... 

Me...

What a gentleman. And that better not be Julianne Hough.

She Will Find What Is Lost

I don’t know the story behind this painting. Who is the woman? What was lost? There is a lonely, earthbound figure whose eyes are cast down. Surrounding her are heavenly beings who all reach down to bless her. The hands of one reach for one who embraces another who embraces yet another; loving hands creating a celestial chain of strength and encouragement. For selfish reasons, I assume her story is my story and that I too am strengthened by heavenly hands that are eager to bless. 

After General Conference last weekend, I found myself burdened with a lot of nagging uncertainty. Not about the Gospel, but about myself in relation to the Gospel. I just felt... gloomy. That's not meant to sound melodramatic, though I'm sure it probably does. It's more of a general "Oi, what am I doing?" than a full-fledged crisis of faith.  Between the proclamations of hope and stern calls to repentance, I felt my spiritual self pulled in several different directions. We are all spiritually fed during Conference time, but sometimes we are spiritually force-fed. 

Here are a few second helpings I've gone back for thus far:

Even after the darkest night, the Savior of the world will lead you to a gradual, sweet, and bright dawn that will assuredly rise within you. 

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  

And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.  

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

She understood who she was and whose she was—a daughter of God.  

“What-e’er thou art, act well thy part.”  

-Sister Elaine S. Dalton  

The knowledge which we seek, the answers for which we yearn, and the strength which we desire today to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when we willingly obey the Lord’s commandments.  

-President Thomas S. Monson

I did enjoy many other wonderful messages and felt inspired by the Spirit, but for whatever reason, despite those bright moments, my post-conference heart felt heavy. It felt tired. And that gloomy tiredness wandered throughout my entire week. Definitely room for improvement. 

Anyway...

This weekend I'm looking forward to working on a couple different projects. One in particular has been bugging me lately. Obsessive perfectionism has taken order (redo! redo! redo!) and made completion near impossible. I just need to loosen up and trust my instincts as well as my abilities. I would also do well to remember that less is more and that sometimes even just a little bit more can turn into WAY. TOO. MUCH. I'll post more on this project later... I've enjoyed it, but again... "Oi, what am I doing?"