tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60853111676272979942024-03-17T16:00:18.602-06:00Thankful MeLiving life with a thankful heartKristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.comBlogger1517125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-52123678065035644872024-03-16T13:51:00.000-06:002024-03-16T13:51:45.299-06:00Ten Thing of Thankful: Finding Your Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejVhyphenhyphen_GvTNDwnTB9_tyuM8ZAeKmSjkIOHBguinJrltX07CkUBmKhLsttafBqgWjsv_t1VuHcuJlfKFiZ3N4ZqZOdvPJS9eJMJJlZjqg6rjnYkJkXIt1W-wEgfL2LH3UJ5Yuf-WllBYdy4DzgXmKU4AB5NXyoBso84luFThgMSwTrBCL2u8JzEmRJmTCUD/s4032/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejVhyphenhyphen_GvTNDwnTB9_tyuM8ZAeKmSjkIOHBguinJrltX07CkUBmKhLsttafBqgWjsv_t1VuHcuJlfKFiZ3N4ZqZOdvPJS9eJMJJlZjqg6rjnYkJkXIt1W-wEgfL2LH3UJ5Yuf-WllBYdy4DzgXmKU4AB5NXyoBso84luFThgMSwTrBCL2u8JzEmRJmTCUD/w300-h400/IMG_3410.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little candy pots of gold at the end of rainbows</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The post title above captures what the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop is all about: finding those glimmers in life that bring a sense of gratitude. Whether rainbows (and their proverbial pots of gold) appear amidst dark ominous clouds or fluffy white ones, we take hope in them and our mood is lightened. </p><p>Here's a glimpse into my life this week:</p><p>Last night, John and I watched our grandchildren in their home while their mom and dad had an evening out. <b><i>I'm thankful we could spend time with them</i></b>. When we first walked in the door, youngest granddaughter asked me excitedly, "You're going to take me to the library?" <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful that we share a love of the library, even if we don't go there every time I visit. </i>We did, however, read bedtime stories together.</p><p>With St. Patrick's Day as an excuse, I looked online for easy snack ideas that the kids might like. I found the pot of gold idea on <a href="https://temeculablogs.com/st-patricks-day-treats/" target="_blank">The Typical Mom blog</a> and made them up to take to the grandchildren. For most of them, the sour rainbows were the best part, though the grandchild I thought would like the sour candy turned out to be the one who preferred the chocolate. In any case, the colorful treats were a hit! <b><i>I'm thankful for the ease of finding new ideas on the internet. </i></b></p><p>I'm now halfway through the couch-to-5K program. Obviously, the first half is the easy half, but <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful to be working up (once again) to running. </i></p><p>The scale also continues to move in the right direction (which is actually left, of course!) More than 10 pounds down, and more than that to go. <b><i>I'm thankful for hope in the weight department.</i></b></p><p>Tuesday was a rather social day for me. I met a friend I hadn't seen in years for lunch. <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful we were able to catch up.</i> That afternoon, I attended a memorial service for a woman who was in the same congregation I was in before we moved to Utah. Although we exchanged Christmas cards through the years, I didn't even realize she had been battling cancer. She was a sweet, strong woman. Although memorial services are not the reason you want to be gathering, <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful for the chance to honor those who pass, </i>and <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful for the chance to see friends who are also in attendance. </i>After the memorial service, I attended my ward's Relief Society (women's organization) meeting. Since moving here, I hadn't been able to make it to the monthly meeting for one reason or another, so <b><i>I'm thankful I could get to know the women in the congregation better. (And, I've been asked to work with the young women (11-18) in the ward, so I'm also thankful I'll get to know them, too!) </i></b></p><p>Even though I think I'm already to 10 things, I can't forget to mention <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'm thankful for John.</i> He continues to work, work, work at a job he's enjoying. He's also very thankful that Daylight Savings Time is here, because it means that even though he leaves for work before the sun comes up, at least he sees daylight after he gets home now. And as we know, sunlight is required for rainbows! </p><p>Whew, that tied up more neatly than I anticipated! :-) What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other bloggers' posts over at <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/03/its-almost-here-finally.html" target="_blank">The Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a>!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><br /> </p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-53430866557594814802024-03-09T12:14:00.000-07:002024-03-09T12:14:24.618-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Quietly Springing Ahead<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjissUkdgbA771NJdCsIrx9y06nlEPxesVk4HgVt8HKHkxfK2V1s9Ys9neNVM5EVlA5A82ZpRSwm9kCRUAAZ2kKt86obqlGyCDY5wU3GPPc09UXKOvulIzlo1Bdq7HWKXw99awtVN7Zc8O18fgJH_GoHpqNEkNkaNztCA6M_e3qhe9ZmmkuodUT3vRzIKv4/s4032/IMG_E3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjissUkdgbA771NJdCsIrx9y06nlEPxesVk4HgVt8HKHkxfK2V1s9Ys9neNVM5EVlA5A82ZpRSwm9kCRUAAZ2kKt86obqlGyCDY5wU3GPPc09UXKOvulIzlo1Bdq7HWKXw99awtVN7Zc8O18fgJH_GoHpqNEkNkaNztCA6M_e3qhe9ZmmkuodUT3vRzIKv4/w300-h400/IMG_E3404.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A bouquet of multi-colored tulips, with cast-iron bunnies in front</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was another quiet week here, but quiet is good. Here's a list to prove it! </p><p>I'm thankful:</p><p>1. The plum tree in the yard is blooming.</p><p>2. Hummingbirds are visiting the feeders I recently cleaned and filled.</p><p>3. Colorful tulips brighten our space.</p><p>4. I found the cute little bunnies in the photo above at the thrift store, and decided they weren't really a "shoe scraper" as the tag said. (Although they would have made the cutest little shoe scraper ever!)</p><p>5. I made it through the 3rd week of the couch-to-5K program. I love how gently the program progresses.</p><p>6. The scale continues to move in the desired direction. </p><p>7. The temperatures here are pleasant.</p><p>8. The landlord's goats are going to have kids sometime soon.</p><p>9. Drexel loves the toy banana I got him earlier this year. He brings it to me nearly everyday.</p><p>10. John continues to love his job. </p><p>How was your week? Don't forget to set your clock ahead! Be sure to check out the other TToT entries on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/03/spring-forward-backwards.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!</p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-48502143911038913322024-03-03T14:46:00.000-07:002024-03-03T14:46:34.027-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Kaleidoscope of Cousins and Other Delights<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvxxCVALemHy1AxftXKF_X88ffdE-E-L0yQytFa3IPL2k0TU7-hwkAck2zgweKbbo8PkwHj9cNxVWTvIYP9bVqfGYuhSMdt-KHATcKWXtEoMX0JqnNeFGLO8vnTvfzJvSWFFxmbiY7UICLR1oVKDteOw_9R4Ia7KH50ZUzKRGe2ILzl2RQe3mwUk_jqwn/s4032/IMG_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvxxCVALemHy1AxftXKF_X88ffdE-E-L0yQytFa3IPL2k0TU7-hwkAck2zgweKbbo8PkwHj9cNxVWTvIYP9bVqfGYuhSMdt-KHATcKWXtEoMX0JqnNeFGLO8vnTvfzJvSWFFxmbiY7UICLR1oVKDteOw_9R4Ia7KH50ZUzKRGe2ILzl2RQe3mwUk_jqwn/w300-h400/IMG_3371.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My cousin and I in a life-size kaleidoscope at RootsTech 2024</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I just got back last night from fun-filled days at RootsTech, a large family history conference. Originally, I had not planned to attend this year, but my cousin contacted me to ask me if I was still going, even though I'm living in California for the year. Before she knew I was moving, she had told her husband she wanted to go to RootsTech for the first time, because she "knew" I would attend and we could visit. She didn't have to twist my arm! We quickly made plans to drive to Utah together, stay at my house there, attend RootsTech, and generally have a great time. </p><p>This cousin is not one that I spent a lot of time with growing up, as our families lived in different states and our age difference seemed greater as children. I enjoyed getting to know her these past few days, and am so glad she reached out to me about attending RootsTech together. Hopefully we have started a new tradition! </p><p>1. I'm thankful I had company for part of my drive. It certainly made the time pass more quickly.</p><p>2. I'm thankful I was able to see youngest daughter on the way (even if I did forget to get photographic proof.)</p><p>3. I'm thankful I was able to spend some time with youngest son (and his girlfriend) as schedules allowed. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JE-q0iP2Dz0Qb8nY_YwK0AYwqjcaju97NFWn2hzG9KWfnbm1eCv3E-8bnVscyEVZ_JZIY2zNO3i-de_DSCQhs4FevLBcayTI9epHU9BiOP6Si6LASE-cPPk0oNus6DaX5gwxDqW4_z_okyibJjVNkBrVr1252T1dbJKq-rJlxOQM1-hqE2491UE-xfx0/s4032/IMG_8199.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JE-q0iP2Dz0Qb8nY_YwK0AYwqjcaju97NFWn2hzG9KWfnbm1eCv3E-8bnVscyEVZ_JZIY2zNO3i-de_DSCQhs4FevLBcayTI9epHU9BiOP6Si6LASE-cPPk0oNus6DaX5gwxDqW4_z_okyibJjVNkBrVr1252T1dbJKq-rJlxOQM1-hqE2491UE-xfx0/w400-h225/IMG_8199.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My cousin, my son, and I smile for a selfie</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />4. I'm thankful that everything is growing well at home. Before Christmas 2022, I had purchased some wax-coated amaryllis bulbs. After their blooming season was over, I carefully removed the wax, planted them in a pot, and put them in the basement until fall 2023. I then brought them upstairs and started watering them again. Lo and behold, it worked! They are currently huge and getting ready to bloom again. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuXdiRvRWw3_FBNm36AI27hQCvsxrQAqme-7YTxEc2YA64gqutG1jYz3VhcQ6-V56ukaJEl6NlE4ZYkWBRat8iNhCk7uxZfJF_2xIWNoddrTBrRSogPH8QHt1yvRnyux2UbD-8f5-VtrmVp6_1AJC8sP3cli-QwtJmnB1jFfwFV79M7BgWKrnagNagEDN/s4032/IMG_E3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuXdiRvRWw3_FBNm36AI27hQCvsxrQAqme-7YTxEc2YA64gqutG1jYz3VhcQ6-V56ukaJEl6NlE4ZYkWBRat8iNhCk7uxZfJF_2xIWNoddrTBrRSogPH8QHt1yvRnyux2UbD-8f5-VtrmVp6_1AJC8sP3cli-QwtJmnB1jFfwFV79M7BgWKrnagNagEDN/w300-h400/IMG_E3361.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Budding amaryllis bulbs next to a ficus plant</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />5. I'm thankful that not only plants are flourishing, but also the animals my son takes care of are getting along swimmingly. (I couldn't resist.)</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmWsjtPvcEHOBu9NFXYJLWa8H8fReiMu-el9oBa1zhmcTluQSyupSOgZrpqMldK2epsOMTpw0Ehe6i2hXtzzYScvVS29YHBI55L3YbsSskbLEQkUFOWQCdPZ0aZwd0U-V6pqeS5F0ESZydEh2D6BVmypB6rr3kEyVelv-4EVCY-Mq45ao1tz9FN9arz7U/s4032/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmWsjtPvcEHOBu9NFXYJLWa8H8fReiMu-el9oBa1zhmcTluQSyupSOgZrpqMldK2epsOMTpw0Ehe6i2hXtzzYScvVS29YHBI55L3YbsSskbLEQkUFOWQCdPZ0aZwd0U-V6pqeS5F0ESZydEh2D6BVmypB6rr3kEyVelv-4EVCY-Mq45ao1tz9FN9arz7U/w400-h300/IMG_3357.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">An orange cat and an orange fish come face-to-face on either side of the aquarium glass</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />6. I'm thankful I got to spend lunch time and some class time with my friend, walking buddy, and Utah neighbor. It was so good to see her again! (Is the photo on my cousin's phone, my friend's phone, or did we forget to take one?!)<div><br /></div><div>7. I'm thankful for the things I learned. For example, did you realize that the <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/freedmens-bureau-records" target="_blank">Freedman's Bureau records</a> contain not only documents pertaining to formerly enslaved individuals, but also records of white persons who sought government assistance after the Civil War, and other records which mention former enslavers? I want to explore the Freedman's Bureau now and see what I can discover. </div><div><br /></div><div>8. I'm thankful for technology. As you can tell from the name RootsTech, the conference focuses on both genealogy and technology, and AI was a big topic at this year's conference. One presenter stated that AI can be useful in learning useful historical background. For example, you could ask Chat GPT (or another AI) to write a short paragraph describing a particular county in a particular year. I'm curious to try some of the new technologies that I haven't explored yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. I'm thankful that many of the RootsTech sessions are online <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/" target="_blank">here</a>. Online videos are free to everyone, so if you're curious about family history (or a fan of comedian <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registered-session/henry-cho-keynote-rootstech-2024?lang=eng" target="_blank">Henry Cho</a> or singer <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registered-session/keynote-kristin-chenoweth-rootstech-2024?lang=eng" target="_blank">Kristin Chenoweth</a>), be sure to check out the video library. </div><div><br /></div><div>10. I'm thankful for John. He supports my interests and activities, and holds down the fort while I'm gone. While I had a great time at home in Utah, it's sure nice to be home In California with John!</div><div><br /></div><div>What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to click on the link to go to the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/03/dropped-balls.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a> to see the other bloggers' entries in this blog hop!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-48372759936738514562024-02-24T12:46:00.001-07:002024-02-24T12:46:40.347-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Rain and Routine<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjpjiv9gs0xVjY9xpkwKBXrvS-hwgvk_sPAOx5iA3w85waT4ZSmsY3bu35TFzcjqaqbr6EApumBJCuUiVsEeG5hyphenhyphengbGHFG-sfy3XLm56bJIqs2eCnPYhY3LhS2ptRnrWYnWXVd8KOZM0msYpoUFRFUmEkdv6C0yD98CuCF8xjQqCHgV79cGDjeGz0tTYt/s1443/IMG_E3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="788" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjpjiv9gs0xVjY9xpkwKBXrvS-hwgvk_sPAOx5iA3w85waT4ZSmsY3bu35TFzcjqaqbr6EApumBJCuUiVsEeG5hyphenhyphengbGHFG-sfy3XLm56bJIqs2eCnPYhY3LhS2ptRnrWYnWXVd8KOZM0msYpoUFRFUmEkdv6C0yD98CuCF8xjQqCHgV79cGDjeGz0tTYt/w219-h400/IMG_E3344.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A river floods a dirt road</td></tr></tbody></table><br />While I was in Oregon, southern California got a lot of rain, and John sent me a video of a raging Santa Clara River, which is normally just a dry wash near us. I figured I had missed my opportunity to actually see it with water in it. Guess again! Earlier this week, we had more rain. I walked down the dirt lane and saw that the river again had water, though not as much as before. Later that same day, the river bed was empty once again. I'm glad I got to see it with water in it. It would be lovely if it always flowed, though that would require a bridge for safe egress!</p><p>1. I'm thankful for water.</p><p>Although Monday was President's Day, John still had work, so the week was fairly routine. I enjoy routine, though. It might not be exciting, but there is something comfortable about life's normal ebb and flow. The hum of the washer and dryer, the gentle (or sometimes louder!) snoring of our dog, Drexel, the quiet click of the keyboard--these are calm, comfortable sounds. </p><p>2. I'm thankful for routine.</p><p>Although I don't have a lot of demands on my time currently, I am not prone to boredom. There are always projects to do, skills to hone, or reading to be done. I'm trying to use this year productively. </p><p>3. I'm thankful for time.</p><p>Because we didn't bring many things with us for this move, I am learning to adapt some of my routines. In Utah, I walked regularly with a friend, and I used the treadmill to start running again. Here, I've been working out to YouTube videos. It dawned on me this week though that I don't need a treadmill to do a couch-to-5k program. I can just run in place--or pace back and forth like a zoo animal--so that's what I've been doing. (I know running outside is another option, but I hesitate to run alone, and it won't be too long before it will be too hot, and the Mojave green rattlesnakes will probably be coming out soon, too.) Anyway, I'm establishing my new routine of 3 days running, 2-3 days using exercise videos. </p><p>4. I'm thankful for healthy habits.</p><p>The stubborn scale, which seemed to have been following a steady "going up!" routine itself, has finally decided to start coming back down to earth. I'm doing what I can to encourage it to keep behaving. It will be a process, I'm sure, but I'm cautiously optimistic.</p><p>5. I'm thankful for hope. </p><p>This week, I was able to take my grandchildren to a library art program. The librarian talked about the art of Alma Thomas, then the children were able to paint their own creations. I must admit I was a little wary about trying to supervise six children with paint, but it worked out so well! We were the only attendees, so we had the librarian's undivided attention and help, AND although some hands and arms did get paint on them, there were no major paint spill disasters! Although I'm sad that the event wasn't better attended, I was so relieved, and the librarian said that our family definitely brought the numbers up. </p><p>6. I'm thankful for library programs.</p><p>7. I'm thankful the grandkids got to express their creativity, AND that the mess was contained to the library. </p><p>John and I always have a weekly date night. Sometimes we stay in; sometimes we go out, but no matter what, we know it's date night. I wasn't sure what we were going to do yesterday, and then I received an email from a nearby town's performing arts' center, offering $10 tickets to the night's performance. After checking with John to see if he was up for an 8:00 p.m. concert (he works long hours, 6 days a week), I booked tickets. <a href="https://www.theblackmarkettrust.com/" target="_blank">The Black Market Trust</a> gave an enjoyable, entertaining concert. </p><p>8. I'm thankful for a deal.</p><p>9. I'm thankful for good music.</p><p>10. I'm thankful for John. </p><p>How did your week go? Did you have rain and/or routine? No matter what, there are things to be thankful for, so let us know what they are! Check out the other bloggers lists on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>! </p><p><br /><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-42263867244966745492024-02-18T18:35:00.000-07:002024-02-18T18:35:40.011-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Coming Up Roses <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpT0psAQmSX0ozfpyuVHLoOCzUHsR3j_Dq1zXN10AOIp-ihMkwW9s1teH6wNEw4bbMmVtGStc4a3teH-DSTXcq2zBkp-aPotdIrxuz7X1RZbeMenMbDZAaN_l8cW2yN8nD6ZUyFd-lj4M82K6LnHgg76LPgoRttM_PO-Ksg5-IzNvaB2394i7Nyi8nFnR/s4032/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpT0psAQmSX0ozfpyuVHLoOCzUHsR3j_Dq1zXN10AOIp-ihMkwW9s1teH6wNEw4bbMmVtGStc4a3teH-DSTXcq2zBkp-aPotdIrxuz7X1RZbeMenMbDZAaN_l8cW2yN8nD6ZUyFd-lj4M82K6LnHgg76LPgoRttM_PO-Ksg5-IzNvaB2394i7Nyi8nFnR/w300-h400/IMG_3336.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bouquet of red roses and white chrysanthemums </td></tr></tbody></table><br />I left Oregon this past week. My sister stayed for a while longer with my parents. My dad is recovering well from his surgery and making great progress. Although I enjoyed spending time with my parents and siblings, and visiting with my cousin, it is nice to be home with John again. <div><br /></div><div>As I walked into PDX, there was a notable lack of people in the airport. I walked right up to the counter to check my bag, then walked right up to the TSA agents to go through security. As I approached them, I started to say, "I've never seen such a big airport so empty," but just as soon as I said the word "never," they both started shushing me. They didn't want me to jinx it for them! They were enjoying a quiet day at work. </div><div><br /></div><div>The flights (I had a plane change in San Jose) were uneventful. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>When I arrived in Burbank, my suitcase was the second one to come down the luggage chute onto the carousel. As soon as I got my bag, John was at the curb with the car. </div><div><br /><b>1. I'm thankful for easy travels.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I missed the "atmospheric river" that hit California while I was in Oregon. That river in the sky resulted in the on-earth dry river bed that is near our little house we are renting to start flowing. Fortunately, John was able to get to/from work a back way, since our dirt road goes right through (no bridge!) the usually-dry wash. By the time he picked me up from the airport, though, the water was gone. Apart from the fact that the sand isn't as smooth as it used to be--and so we have to pick the least pot-holed path or just embrace 4-wheeling--things are back to normal, at least until we get another big storm. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we arrived home Tuesday night, it smelled so good inside! John had purchased flowers for me for Valentine's Day, and because our house here is tiny, one bouquet fragranced the entire place. It was such a pleasant surprise!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. I'm thankful for sweet-smelling roses. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Wednesday (Valentine's Day) I spent the day unpacking my suitcase, doing laundry, and generally just puttering around at home. It seemed like every time I turned around, I was finding slips of paper. John had left little notes for me to discover. I found another one today (Sunday). I asked John if he knew how many he wrote. He said no, so I'm not sure if I've found them all or not, but so far I've found over 30. I think he missed me while I was gone. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. I'm thankful for John, and our life together.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Before I had left, John had asked me for a to-do list. I do have some houseplants here, so one of the tasks was just to keep them alive. The Thanksgiving cactus is now budding up, and the prayer plant is growing and blooming, too. They thrived with his care.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv99p6defp4cgZqG4bbp7S984R6mej_0tWSjWW_RMUIqNi0URZXRp3rUFz7p3XETXIxwSgYkNpm8aVUhcDVbSUfFwmeKs1HQnn95kJ1CY8ni11IJTNUPARM_5LRDRR1PDfmx_dS3Td5JbxsWUZi4HbaYKcTTajR7PsU7nFYVlWkHkBQLDmiil6d4YTPge/s4032/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv99p6defp4cgZqG4bbp7S984R6mej_0tWSjWW_RMUIqNi0URZXRp3rUFz7p3XETXIxwSgYkNpm8aVUhcDVbSUfFwmeKs1HQnn95kJ1CY8ni11IJTNUPARM_5LRDRR1PDfmx_dS3Td5JbxsWUZi4HbaYKcTTajR7PsU7nFYVlWkHkBQLDmiil6d4YTPge/s320/IMG_3337.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buds are appearing on a Thanksgiving cactus</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p><br /></p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd0t_1YG6AoqbnwpYtDRKDh3-dCuqFmKKHXN318o8LsvMYHHoBoQxbCjRWupSED_iqyOY4Z5UNYEEZdWRnOlmBkhQlZN4tESsMQrEt5lmCJkdGlwngz2uWtV8mcdBap35tcBcOHEjf-sopIYNp8rV725skDWBSVD1vQX8SIys0d1ya50_E2zpZHlL4wHI/s4032/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd0t_1YG6AoqbnwpYtDRKDh3-dCuqFmKKHXN318o8LsvMYHHoBoQxbCjRWupSED_iqyOY4Z5UNYEEZdWRnOlmBkhQlZN4tESsMQrEt5lmCJkdGlwngz2uWtV8mcdBap35tcBcOHEjf-sopIYNp8rV725skDWBSVD1vQX8SIys0d1ya50_E2zpZHlL4wHI/s320/IMG_3338.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer plant is growing and blooming</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>4. I'm thankful for growing things. </b><div><br /></div><div>Thursday I decided to stop at the local thrift store just for fun. I didn't need anything, but still managed to find some treasures. I purchased a cute little creamer made in Ireland to use as a spring decoration, and also bought a puzzle on a whim. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfxWo6zod_vcXsWl-17398om1eGH-F1V7xQCV4Idwldjsuw9Z3i5aejiuJ_WR4lgQV4aAIi1PNLZfHGLkkaz6ox-Bu4ItfCmKd6cs1m5uN7ChooOngopif31twnbs3Ab__Bl45l2PhxKj86uWsd2kt7w7no-MdIem5imzxNyfsmiORn0nWmBYa_RhV2tW/s4032/IMG_3326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfxWo6zod_vcXsWl-17398om1eGH-F1V7xQCV4Idwldjsuw9Z3i5aejiuJ_WR4lgQV4aAIi1PNLZfHGLkkaz6ox-Bu4ItfCmKd6cs1m5uN7ChooOngopif31twnbs3Ab__Bl45l2PhxKj86uWsd2kt7w7no-MdIem5imzxNyfsmiORn0nWmBYa_RhV2tW/s320/IMG_3326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little Irish creamer dish, with a white basketweave pattern and delicately painted shamrocks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>5. I'm thankful for fun finds. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Once I got home, I decided to put the puzzle together. That's when I remembered we only have one table. So, I optimistically thought I'd just quickly complete the (500 piece) puzzle before John got home from work. I did complete it before he got home from work--the next day! We just ate dinner on the couch on Thursday. I don't regularly do puzzles, so I think I've got that urge out of my system for a while. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj0klN-QMHOzFXxKXeUj65jbqcUqIH0xOhNIcTKH7GATPsKY_4k6UGuOGLDJTB5fzEF0DMtPYyxS9pf9lZhyeyP1CyPTRzGb68Puzv2t70t9GWKfQGH6G84SjvywipnMy3PnA8yuLeY0toVlhUy8uJtjKTT70YDS0EPs50s8NqgXOOxfDwDMJ520xjpbK/s3812/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3812" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj0klN-QMHOzFXxKXeUj65jbqcUqIH0xOhNIcTKH7GATPsKY_4k6UGuOGLDJTB5fzEF0DMtPYyxS9pf9lZhyeyP1CyPTRzGb68Puzv2t70t9GWKfQGH6G84SjvywipnMy3PnA8yuLeY0toVlhUy8uJtjKTT70YDS0EPs50s8NqgXOOxfDwDMJ520xjpbK/s320/IMG_3333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">puzzle shows map of United States, with National Parks featured around the map</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>6. I'm thankful there was only 1 piece missing!</b><br /><br />John informed me when I was in Oregon that we had been asked to speak in church today. Our assignment was to take a verse from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" and speak on that. I chose verse 2 ("In every condition--in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth, At home or abroad, on the land or the sea, As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.") I wrote the talk while in Oregon. Today John and I delivered our addresses. It seemed to go well. One woman who thanked me afterwards admitted, "I stayed awake the entire meeting!" So, at least I didn't put her to sleep. LOL</div><div><br /></div><div><b>7. I'm thankful for the opportunity to speak in church, because it allows me to ponder on a topic for weeks in advance. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I mentioned in the last TToT post that I'm planning a trip to Arkansas with my mom later this year. I had contacted a couple of people to ask for their advice on places of family history interest to visit while we are there. One was a distant cousin, who wrote<a href="https://earthstains-541054.square.site/" target="_blank"> a book about Matt and George Kimes</a>, two notorious bank robbers from the roaring 20's (who also happen to be my grandma's 2nd cousins), and whom I've spoken with before. The other was <a href="http://www.thegentlemanoutlaw.com/" target="_blank">Royal Wade Kimes</a>, who I don't know but I suspect is related somehow given his name and location. I contacted him through his website and was pleasantly surprised that he answered my email and gave me ideas of places we should visit while there. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>8. I'm thankful for those who share their experience and expertise.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Friday night, John and I tuned in to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/HHVk_QzgZ_o?si=W4gWs5TLl1M2MeEc" target="_blank">BYU Public Domain Film Festival</a>. My nephew directed the first film shown. It's been fun to watch his growth as a director over the past few years. Feel free to click on the link and watch the short movies the students put together in only 10 days! </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night, we watched another short film: <a href="https://youtu.be/xttrkgKXtZ4?si=wupa7fiwA7trt1F8" target="_blank">The Last Repair Shop</a>. This one had been recommended to me by 2 different people, and is nominated for an Oscar in the documentary short category. Again, click the link to watch. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>9. I'm thankful for those who share their talents. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I'm looking forward to staying here this coming week. Later in the month, I will be attending RootsTech, a large family history conference in Salt Lake City, but for now, I'm happy to be here. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>10. I know I've said it already, but I'm thankful for John. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>How has your week gone? What are you thankful for today? Don't forget to check out the other lists on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/02/mea-culpa.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>I love comments, but please be advised that I have been having issues with comments not publishing. I will sometimes get notified that someone has left a comment, but when I go to read and reply, the comment has disappeared into the blogosphere somehow. I'm not sure what the solution is. I just wanted to let you know that if you've commented recently and I haven't replied, that is why. </div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-91991619500190085872024-02-11T15:29:00.000-07:002024-02-11T15:29:59.489-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: A Trip Down Memory Lane<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJdL3awjzOLKFn3yXI0oe-qRjuV9cAeLkDPDdeiMG3FhfZDtR_bAHdVUotTHhGfAENEMaXG5yvym-pBH8uWJC071RFgrI5tEWsl7QALQc3Vybv3djjkhLzwpFyslc7tW5B1pk5hHU_YUA1roBTaCAfUznwwCtDdeA3YSu7_R6D6xOHMdEiDWLstYeHLFy/s1401/IMG_E3260.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1401" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJdL3awjzOLKFn3yXI0oe-qRjuV9cAeLkDPDdeiMG3FhfZDtR_bAHdVUotTHhGfAENEMaXG5yvym-pBH8uWJC071RFgrI5tEWsl7QALQc3Vybv3djjkhLzwpFyslc7tW5B1pk5hHU_YUA1roBTaCAfUznwwCtDdeA3YSu7_R6D6xOHMdEiDWLstYeHLFy/w400-h270/IMG_E3260.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My granduncle, Theodore Kimes, dressed in a suit and cap, leans out the passenger window of a brand-new 1923 Ford Model T<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still in Oregon. My dad is doing well in his recovery from knee surgery (<b>thankful #1</b>). My brother drove home last Sunday (totally unrelated to the photo above!). He had an uneventful, safe drive (<b>thankful #2</b>). As my dad's recovery progresses, my mom now has mental energy and time to think about other things (<b>thankful #3</b>). Mom has had a desire to visit Arkansas on a family history vacation, to see the sites that were so familiar to her mother. We've talked about it for a while, but this past week we put in on the calendar for this fall (<b>thankful #4</b>). We've started planning where exactly we will go and what sites we will visit. My grandma kept detailed journals and photo albums (<b>thankful #5</b>), and my mom has them now <b>(thankful #6</b>), so we were able to take a vicarious trip down memory lane as we read about the old places we've never seen and saw photos of people who died before our time (for example, Theodore Kimes, who died 9 years after the photo above was taken). We've also seen old photos of my mom taken in Missouri when she was just a toddler and my grandpa was stationed at Fort Crowder during WWII. One of the photos was of a group of little girls who were all living in the same apartment complex. My grandma wrote down all their names and where their families were from. Because of her detailed notes, my mom was able to track down one of her little friends from the past and send her a copy of the photo yesterday (<b>thankful #7</b>). I managed to complete a game of Scrabble without cheating. (<b>thankful #8</b>). For some reason, I discover once per game that I have filled up my tray with 8 letters instead of 7. I would like to suggest that the makers of Scrabble make slightly shorter trays for those of us that seem to have a hard time holding only 7 tiles! Yesterday, my sister flew to Oregon (<b>thankful #9)</b> and we were able to go out to lunch with our cousin (<b>thankful #10</b>). We had a great time reminiscing! My cousin remembers a time when we were little girls and she spent the night at our house. She and I got into a big discussion over the correct way to brush teeth! We don't remember how the conversation ended, but given both of our personalities, we suspect that we each continued to brush our teeth our own way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, I can't end a Ten Things of Thankful post without mentioning John (<b>bonus thankful</b>). It's been a long time since we've been apart for so long, and it will be good to see him again this coming week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How was your week? What are you thankful for today? Be sure to check out the other posts on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/02/calvin-said-so.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful</a> blog!</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-25175203481307955852024-02-04T11:47:00.000-07:002024-02-04T11:47:31.225-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: From A to Zebra<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYmDohrqitSSLNQbZSe47z1zZlaxiCxX12Fzqb1zJbcK2iQxsO05vzgT5UvUmIQuUOS3tUdOBB03zU9ntkGga0fl7wfTUtGxV3EwY5au2mA0vvng0efJVVfDNBo9Y8GN0mNydX7AhbGFVuTK8_ZY-G0k__fGUHcIoHYslPQTmhnSRGMQ0ohkP1U-AVuR6/s727/IMG_E3196%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="727" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYmDohrqitSSLNQbZSe47z1zZlaxiCxX12Fzqb1zJbcK2iQxsO05vzgT5UvUmIQuUOS3tUdOBB03zU9ntkGga0fl7wfTUtGxV3EwY5au2mA0vvng0efJVVfDNBo9Y8GN0mNydX7AhbGFVuTK8_ZY-G0k__fGUHcIoHYslPQTmhnSRGMQ0ohkP1U-AVuR6/s320/IMG_E3196%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a Scrabble tile of the letter A, with a 1 to the lower right, indicating point value</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm switching things up today and opting for an alphabetical order for my Ten Things of Thankful list, so without further ado:</p><p><b>A: </b>My dad had knee surgery this week, so I flew up to Oregon to see if I could help. (Not with the actual surgery, of course. I think I mainly provide comic relief, though I pitch in with chores and trips to Lowes as required.) No matter what the occasion for gathering is, one constant is that the Scrabble board will come out. When I drew an A from the bag, I knew I would go first. Though that was nice, <b>I'm thankful for the simple family tradition of Scrabble.</b></p><p><b>B:</b> My brother arrived on Thursday night. Although his military and civilian work schedules demand a lot of his time, he was able to carve out a few days to come. We make a pretty good window-washing team. (I promise my brother did more than just take photos of me working!) <b>I'm thankful for my brother and his help.</b></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGx3djuQBUhJ0nIl_7lyPmlZPcej1cRcPvQ2x1C9cDS1WhgW95o8pTYVLuQ6kf4vM7HSZAgngYsK6AgCH29xsaA_CnM4BcCsepZwrzOOw7ZjjoJq_P5OV5D8JsS0hiBeT0PmJ_KxrgLOv09qvGuiJV9_DvXYGxmHDt-bB1abGqAlP1NNT5qiiRrJSoJim/s4032/IMG_4687.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGx3djuQBUhJ0nIl_7lyPmlZPcej1cRcPvQ2x1C9cDS1WhgW95o8pTYVLuQ6kf4vM7HSZAgngYsK6AgCH29xsaA_CnM4BcCsepZwrzOOw7ZjjoJq_P5OV5D8JsS0hiBeT0PmJ_KxrgLOv09qvGuiJV9_DvXYGxmHDt-bB1abGqAlP1NNT5qiiRrJSoJim/s320/IMG_4687.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: taken through the window, showing me using a long pole to wash the window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>C. </b>In addition to window-washing, my brother and I made a couple of trips to the home improvement store to pick up supplies for a couple of projects, one of which was to raise the couch so my dad can get up and down easier. <b>I'm thankful for my brother and his help.</b></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrlXy5nyef0IdWCKohRRNFGkGi85KaZLmRfRV5DgiZMRX0YAfb0anteYp5PVarmvZE6w50dOU5Ru6vucD1BYOBJVwUygumVF1F57fYn_mdHLny-fisDsvfHiLf4XR-KjrY4-7kS1BZbsEzKUP0seYHm9aAM3N8HB0es5S5UdwEvbn34BS4xkiK-WWfmP5/s4032/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrlXy5nyef0IdWCKohRRNFGkGi85KaZLmRfRV5DgiZMRX0YAfb0anteYp5PVarmvZE6w50dOU5Ru6vucD1BYOBJVwUygumVF1F57fYn_mdHLny-fisDsvfHiLf4XR-KjrY4-7kS1BZbsEzKUP0seYHm9aAM3N8HB0es5S5UdwEvbn34BS4xkiK-WWfmP5/s320/IMG_3195.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom tries out the raised couch. Her feet don't touch the floor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>D. </b>My dad's surgeon makes his rounds dressed to the nines in suit and tie. His confident outward appearance matches his skill with a scalpel. My dad's surgery went well and he is recovering quickly. <b>I'm thankful for a successful surgery, and skilled doctors. </b></p><p><b>J. </b>Yes, I'm jumping ahead, but I promise I'll get to Z. <b>I'm thankful for John, who is holding down the fort and working a lot while I am gone.</b></p><p><b>N. </b>My dad had many nurses during his hospital stay, but one in particular had an exceptionally great bedside manner. <b>I'm thankful for nursing staff. </b></p><p><b>P. </b>My parents are different in many ways but they have enjoyed over 60 years of marriage. <b>I'm thankful for each of them individually, and also collectively. </b></p><p><b>S. </b>My sister will be coming later this week. I'm looking forward to spending some time with her. <b>I'm thankful for my sister. </b></p><p><b>W. </b>I can always count on seeing what my dad refers to as "the lawnmowers." <b>I'm thankful for wildlife, specifically deer in this case.</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswPXab1W8v-hTz6mkV_BWTsAUlUJvJYw832tQxQ7ouJQrF-Ikbfu5ol1wad7D9f8-v3n7rShpQ69CgFMoxX75s8m8qs1Uox0Kz86zeBicwRN6cdXQne9pYQ3sotPwWouV4o8_ZPwM2MslNx3GM4KZpxa5JhVOPViPBfn-LL_51lTNYVXbacZR7K8TN38A/s4032/IMG_3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswPXab1W8v-hTz6mkV_BWTsAUlUJvJYw832tQxQ7ouJQrF-Ikbfu5ol1wad7D9f8-v3n7rShpQ69CgFMoxX75s8m8qs1Uox0Kz86zeBicwRN6cdXQne9pYQ3sotPwWouV4o8_ZPwM2MslNx3GM4KZpxa5JhVOPViPBfn-LL_51lTNYVXbacZR7K8TN38A/s320/IMG_3200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer graze in my parents yard</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Z. </b>When my brother asked, "Do you want to see a zebra?" of course I answered, "Yes!" Sure enough, a zebra lives on a nearby road. <b>I'm thankful for pleasant surprises.</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBWU5G0-DJIfY1JS0wP0PAzOK-7Jpn3fN2-yrY7BKzdjsau9d-YQloXbtXLFeep8OE6m5breD_5UUMdjBf_CZ9x0FtcyeGDUX9m3JoX09JpZIReMaC4kcZoIsWbnp_wmUe5fJM0adUq46ZYQHY5ayiMNaiXrU5VKZHt-viROz2YdbvmfGs_MzUB1h2T6i/s4032/IMG_3199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBWU5G0-DJIfY1JS0wP0PAzOK-7Jpn3fN2-yrY7BKzdjsau9d-YQloXbtXLFeep8OE6m5breD_5UUMdjBf_CZ9x0FtcyeGDUX9m3JoX09JpZIReMaC4kcZoIsWbnp_wmUe5fJM0adUq46ZYQHY5ayiMNaiXrU5VKZHt-viROz2YdbvmfGs_MzUB1h2T6i/s320/IMG_3199.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A zebra munches on grass in a field</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Well, there you have it: my Ten Things of Thankful list, from A to Zebra! What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out what other bloggers are saying on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/02/dont-be-scared-of-your-shadow.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-25032284534896620892024-01-26T16:28:00.000-07:002024-01-26T16:28:04.725-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Sunny Days<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdvUXVdorcjblBMtR1bmtYdPP5gBSwKaHJaJvZIp735Lu4hgcI1LX6dqluXU-caRGKMXPEdBeqLyNlzxs8yeB7MkV83xvF9LnBLkFsivCC-IelR87v5IDVlUyH7BhGfCanJfxXetNISadt2jg5IB_mPBDRGfXhRWi_-LiWSap9c7Vaw4HcGsxIQLrq_J/s4032/IMG_3164.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdvUXVdorcjblBMtR1bmtYdPP5gBSwKaHJaJvZIp735Lu4hgcI1LX6dqluXU-caRGKMXPEdBeqLyNlzxs8yeB7MkV83xvF9LnBLkFsivCC-IelR87v5IDVlUyH7BhGfCanJfxXetNISadt2jg5IB_mPBDRGfXhRWi_-LiWSap9c7Vaw4HcGsxIQLrq_J/w400-h300/IMG_3164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert shrubs in the foreground, mountains in the background, with blue skies and fluffy clouds overhead<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It rained earlier this week, which didn't cause any problems where we live, but prompted TV stations to launch "Storm Watches," with one reporter announcing, "We saw some people with umbrellas, and drivers used their windshield wipers." So <i>that's </i>what those things are for! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, the rain has stopped and the sun has come out, and it's a perfect time to join the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. I'm thankful for lovely views. That photo at the top of this post? That's the view I have every time I drive home from town. I had to stop and take a photo so I could share it with you. I love seeing mountains and even some greenery. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. I'm thankful for youngest granddaughter, and getting a glimpse into her world. The other day, I gave Baby-baby some blueberries. She looked at them then asked me if I could "take the eye out." I will never look at blueberries quite the same! She thought the indentation where the fruit attaches to the bush was an eye. I assured her that it wasn't an eye and that it was safe to eat. Cutting the blueberry in half seemed to help. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3Y7fgesTV3kL_uSM-w7aKB5GMjUq0OOtFyJA1ovDEm79J2SjBtvd64ENSZ-2Z4Z5fpu6uBa-DZJ1JEuDjAIvtIIxmPJJ95VM8EXzY4-yS3yqGKHVykkUVcsloJsSSCrjj4GICgluWdqX-0z6KMBLWI_Dne2QCdI2nB3Z8RrJWcuFgQppO_jb4omovTLT/s4032/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3Y7fgesTV3kL_uSM-w7aKB5GMjUq0OOtFyJA1ovDEm79J2SjBtvd64ENSZ-2Z4Z5fpu6uBa-DZJ1JEuDjAIvtIIxmPJJ95VM8EXzY4-yS3yqGKHVykkUVcsloJsSSCrjj4GICgluWdqX-0z6KMBLWI_Dne2QCdI2nB3Z8RrJWcuFgQppO_jb4omovTLT/w240-h320/IMG_3158.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>photo of a blueberry<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. I'm thankful for Drexel in general, and specifically this week that:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>(4) He has puppy friends to play with here. In the photo below, he is standing next to a 7 month old Armenian Gympr. I had never heard of that breed of dog before moving here. They are livestock guard dogs and they are HUGE! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWKSXGRRWDvaNid8meDqX_9cuJrRoq11cEpQ53dF0CgVvr2YYbYXlT0GBIZVBbW9T_yeLWfQNCT3RoTtwHXLYwDjIwSyAFsLjLTexjIZtv1uVDR49WCKNQJXs5f54358vDmHqTG5ty1mrq8VjisomuDgtclaEnx__d_sEfohKzJ_l1q5ytwD2yhlI64On/s4032/IMG_3156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWKSXGRRWDvaNid8meDqX_9cuJrRoq11cEpQ53dF0CgVvr2YYbYXlT0GBIZVBbW9T_yeLWfQNCT3RoTtwHXLYwDjIwSyAFsLjLTexjIZtv1uVDR49WCKNQJXs5f54358vDmHqTG5ty1mrq8VjisomuDgtclaEnx__d_sEfohKzJ_l1q5ytwD2yhlI64On/s320/IMG_3156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(5) I found some new toys for Drexel. Although I brought some for him when we moved here, I wanted to get some more for him to play with while I'm gone to my parents' house. I was able to find one that looks like a banana--his absolutely favorite fruit!</div></li><li>(6) I was able to find a basket to hold his toys. I visited the women's club thrift store again, and they had just the right sized basket! Photo below of Drexel and his toys.</li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2XkCUSyM_lCsnw5y5HbNnJ3A3VlNua3XpkUh5uQ_ri0MmfdxfYHEufH0X8IRVHN2kV9Q_6L60m0qWC-ZC4R4X3RVPpPraLyx22ntvYIeAPK9iNKfaOlh8jePQLb_IydUXhHUX0Do74AcrODU7q1ndjSpmnZ9LYKn4pOvVaYuaF0jbwZSj7BYXJBwOYI7/s4032/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2XkCUSyM_lCsnw5y5HbNnJ3A3VlNua3XpkUh5uQ_ri0MmfdxfYHEufH0X8IRVHN2kV9Q_6L60m0qWC-ZC4R4X3RVPpPraLyx22ntvYIeAPK9iNKfaOlh8jePQLb_IydUXhHUX0Do74AcrODU7q1ndjSpmnZ9LYKn4pOvVaYuaF0jbwZSj7BYXJBwOYI7/s320/IMG_3167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of the thrift store, while I was there, another customer thought she had lost her phone in the store. I offered to call her number to see if she could hear it ringing. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful in locating it. After I got home, I got a call from her. She had found her phone in her car, and called my number back to thank me for trying to help her and to let me know she found her phone. She told me that she was reminded that there are lots of good people in the world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">7. I'm thankful that my attempt to assist in locating a phone (which really didn't take any effort) helped a stranger, even if it didn't help her actually find the phone she was looking for. We never know when our small kindnesses will make a difference to someone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">8. I'm thankful for Facebook groups. My great-aunt passed away this week, and due to a Facebook family reunion group, relatives have been able to post photos and other memories and share condolences with her immediate family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">9. I'm thankful for newspapers.com. I was able to learn (and share) more about my great-aunt's life by reading about her in old newspapers. Small town old newspapers are full of information! For example, I learned that my great-aunt reupholstered a chair and entered it into the county fair when she was a teenager and part of Future Homemakers of America. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">10. I'm thankful for John, and I'm thankful he's feeling much better now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other bloggers' entries on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/01/winter-is-canceled.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-21188167642611444272024-01-19T15:05:00.000-07:002024-01-19T15:05:38.358-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Trying to Figure It All Out<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt7L6oRXFRO5q6EGbLMYqbA3Oor5JQ2WE-0op4Qjfo69Qk09mlGyU1c-PQlr99Q_E1y4b7OrheFvl9aXWwpJCkCx-PZVGnkG7LhlRxUO_uMddyI83AyIf6EHIkotZeyVcPq4od6IudHubgb-PU2IE8CoI6WIM_x3jdNtBLYfRLxkAIuZUp7-q0riypvCK/s4288/ShutterstockBasic_95466670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4288" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt7L6oRXFRO5q6EGbLMYqbA3Oor5JQ2WE-0op4Qjfo69Qk09mlGyU1c-PQlr99Q_E1y4b7OrheFvl9aXWwpJCkCx-PZVGnkG7LhlRxUO_uMddyI83AyIf6EHIkotZeyVcPq4od6IudHubgb-PU2IE8CoI6WIM_x3jdNtBLYfRLxkAIuZUp7-q0riypvCK/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_95466670.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock photo from picmonkey shows five adults in business attire, each holding a paper in front of their face. Each paper has a large question mark on it.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #1: How long will a lingering cough last? </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: I don't know, but with the exception of the stupid lingering coughs, John and I are back to normal. He worked full days all week, and I had motivation to start exercising again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>1. I'm thankful we've "now returned to regularly scheduled programming." </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #2: What is a grandma, anyway?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: A "Mommy-Mom." Youngest granddaughter will ask, "You're my grandma?" and I'll answer, "Yes, I'm your grandma." Then youngest granddaughter will hear my daughter call me Mom, and she will ask, "You're my mom?" and I'll say, "I'm your mommy's mom." Then she'll ask, "You're my mommy-mom?" and I'll say yes. Then she'll say, "I'm your baby-baby!" </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>2. No matter what name I'm called, I'm thankful for "Baby-Baby" and her siblings. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Baby-Baby's older brother asked <b>Question #3: How do you find out about fun places to go? </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: The library's calendar shows all sorts of activities! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>3. I'm thankful for library programs that I can take my grandchildren to.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Baby-Baby's older sister asked <b>Question #4: How did you make those hot dogs?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: The regular, purchased-from-the-store hot dogs I just heated up like normal, but the hot dogs you are asking about, the ones I made for myself, are just marinated and cooked carrots! <a href="https://shaneandsimple.com/vegan-carrot-hot-dogs/" target="_blank">(Recipe here)</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I knew that my grandsons would not even want to try a bite of vegetable dogs, two of my granddaughters preferred the veggie version to the store-bought dogs. If you have never tried a carrot hot dog, you might be surprised at how much they taste like regular hot dogs! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #5: What season is it anyway?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: My Ring doorbell camera in Utah shows winter. Family in the Pacific Northwest say winter. Reports from the Midwest say winter. Southern California? Poppies are STILL blooming and I'm dressed in short sleeves. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>5. Though I don't want to look ahead to summertime temperatures, right now, at this moment, I am thankful for southern California weather. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #6: What is in my purse?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: A Lindt chocolate! While searching for a cough drop, I discovered a chocolate that was handed out at church on Sunday and I had put in my purse. I must admit, I forgot about the search for a cough drop momentarily. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>6. I'm thankful for unexpected surprises. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #7: What is the happening place in a little town?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: The local women's club thrift store. I decided to visit this week and the small place was absolutely packed! Everyone (including me) seemed to find things they were looking for, and everyone was patient with the long checkout line, so I'll be back again--as will everyone else, I imagine.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>7. I'm thankful for thrift stores.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #8: Have you heard about Avelo Airlines?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: No, me neither, until I realized that they offer inexpensive (even after paying to check a bag) direct flights from Burbank to Oregon. I'm going to go visit my parents soon, and will be able to fly into a more convenient airport than Portland. And, Avelo does NOT use 747-MAX airplanes, so at least I don't have to worry about holes appearing mid-flight in the fuselage. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>8. I'm thankful for air travel.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #9: What is the F2 code on the oven?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: Something to do with the temperature monitor. It first appeared while I was preheating the oven and mixing up banana bread batter. It beeped and wouldn't stop beeping. We had to flip a breaker to turn it off. Banana bread became banana waffles. The landlord is in the process of getting a repairman out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>9. I'm thankful for responsive landlords (and waffle irons!)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Question #10: What are our plans tonight?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Answer: I don't know, but it's Friday night: date night! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>10. I'm thankful for John. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">You don't have to have all the answers to be able to find things to be thankful for! What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other lists at the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-reviews-are-in.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-83301436424610274252024-01-13T10:25:00.000-07:002024-01-13T10:25:49.479-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Kind of a Slow Week<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0zu63wjw2zNfwrVSf6L7QE_e3BYGXLmVj6PYVWfIvfDtZK1VAnjaWfeGL77ar2P1Nb6jVO6q5LoxxeSc_mMV1qhotRU4A6KwYQuVpcHYxuQe6xLzNjgGm73IkYl5fuoaMiO8U9RniUjkJz257f7Is0VqLQDwsdxEeHIH6iPtLW1Cv1Y--i9kFpTEBU3p3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="960" data-original-width="543" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0zu63wjw2zNfwrVSf6L7QE_e3BYGXLmVj6PYVWfIvfDtZK1VAnjaWfeGL77ar2P1Nb6jVO6q5LoxxeSc_mMV1qhotRU4A6KwYQuVpcHYxuQe6xLzNjgGm73IkYl5fuoaMiO8U9RniUjkJz257f7Is0VqLQDwsdxEeHIH6iPtLW1Cv1Y--i9kFpTEBU3p3=w227-h400" width="227" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow lab Drexel looks up at the camera with brown expressive eyes</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's been a slow week and inertia is strong. I'm going to skip a long intro and just jump right into my list:<p></p><p>1. I'm thankful that John and I are both testing negative for covid now, and we are looking forward to the day the lingering cough is gone. </p><p>2. I'm thankful for Teladoc.</p><p>3. I'm thankful I could take youngest granddaughter to library storytime. </p><p>4. I'm thankful for Drexel. Guide Dogs for the Blind posted earlier this week on Facebook that it was National Labrador Retriever Day, so definitely Drexel deserves a shout-out. He's a great dog--so patient and calm. </p><p>5. I'm thankful for friends. Several have reached out to ask how we are doing. </p><p>6. I'm thankful for kind landlords. Ours brought over fresh homemade sourdough bread this week--yum!</p><p>7. I'm thankful for good neighbors. It still kind of cracks me up that we live next door to a film set and get texts like the following: "Hey Guys, in about an hour or so. Gonna film some gunshots. Just fyi." I have no idea what the script for the scene is, but I imagine the line just before this goes down will be something along the effect of, "This here town ain't big enough for the both of us." </p><p>8. I'm thankful for books. I've been able to catch up on some reading. For example, I read <i>Eloquent Animals</i>, a book I remember reading when I was in junior high. I was curious to see if it was as fascinating as I remember. It did still hold my attention, but I was struck by how much technology has improved analysis of data over the years. The author wrote: "About five years ago, life became much easier for bioacousticians (those who study animal sounds) when "real time" sound-spectrum analyzers became available." And later: "The research team at Millbrook is also trying to design a machine that can synthesize bird songs." It would be interesting to read a more current book regarding research in how animals communicate, as <i>Eloquent Animals</i> was published almost 50 years ago. </p><p>9. I'm thankful for the internet. I can research family reunion venues and family history without leaving my house.</p><p>10. I'm thankful for John. I know he's looking forward to feeling better and returning to work. </p><p>What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other posts on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful </a>blog!</p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-11083931309471466652024-01-04T18:17:00.000-07:002024-01-04T18:17:37.742-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: It's Not 2020, But Covid's Still Around<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTS5a4qlIdNghdBJfnGVmV3c3vGa50JYVdAMKZsRBdtqeL2IElMknNGxf9LS96QwEqgIvsrv1W8c0NSzmbQXJpfk_sg1xFkCpNTtipJfIUGSOGx3sGO1gVPpOErOZFXmFbXJ_O_Y-M0ss5OT4kKP76HcORDj9ORSHywkgiEIebSw5-ZQIs4SMtARA9n7C/s6382/ShutterstockBasic_1705186141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4255" data-original-width="6382" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTS5a4qlIdNghdBJfnGVmV3c3vGa50JYVdAMKZsRBdtqeL2IElMknNGxf9LS96QwEqgIvsrv1W8c0NSzmbQXJpfk_sg1xFkCpNTtipJfIUGSOGx3sGO1gVPpOErOZFXmFbXJ_O_Y-M0ss5OT4kKP76HcORDj9ORSHywkgiEIebSw5-ZQIs4SMtARA9n7C/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_1705186141.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock photo from Shutterfly of an exploding firework on a dark background, with the added text that says, "Happy New Year! May you find much to be thankful for this year!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year! I've been gone from the blog for a couple of weeks, and I enjoyed spending time over the Christmas holiday with several of my children and my grandchildren. Thankful #1</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, I rang in the New Year with Covid as a companion, and John (not wanting me to use up all the Kleenex?) soon joined my hacking chorus. However, even in sickness there are things to be thankful for, so here are some of mine:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #2: Even though my first reaction to contracting covid--again!--is anger (I am vaccinated and have all my boosters), instead of thinking, "Why me?", I really should be thinking, "Why not me?" I'm thankful my underlying health is good and other than the inconvenience of being sick and isolating, there isn't too much impact to me having Covid. I have friends and family members dealing with much bigger challenges. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #3: Puffs Facial Tissue with Lotion. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #4: Grocery store pickup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #5: Elderberry syrup.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #6: Kern's Guava Nectar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #7: Gardein Chick'n Noodl' Soup</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #8: Oranges</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #9: Caffeine-free Cold Season Herb Tea (and honey)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankful #10: John. Though I really wish he didn't get sick, too, we are sharing the coveted facial tissue and spending our days reading, napping, and watching TV. I suspect that by next week Covid will be in our rear-view mirror and we won't have the luxury of staying in our pjs all day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How has 2024 treated you so far? What are you thankful for? Be sure to read the other posts at <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2024/01/resolution-time.html" target="_blank">The Ten Things of Thankful </a>blog! </div></td></tr></tbody></table></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-56180601198692219612023-12-21T16:04:00.000-07:002023-12-21T16:04:03.514-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Christmas is Nearly Here!<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2Ml6_6UQQOscGVkOCRZq-vWTBWnyh_FHpFBk6QmBgn_c0CEyWsy-REHICIG9FwsDHgJkFJIa1wjgxoBsHu8quLkSCmq3_DeQ5pqm_ZAENPXO8lqAeYacU1zWzO1ohGdUlE7zr2rg2JENw77X-3AP1rIHm0tRHkwnJJyQ_zD9qIxZJtVHxCd4hiciwGfF/s4032/IMG_3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2Ml6_6UQQOscGVkOCRZq-vWTBWnyh_FHpFBk6QmBgn_c0CEyWsy-REHICIG9FwsDHgJkFJIa1wjgxoBsHu8quLkSCmq3_DeQ5pqm_ZAENPXO8lqAeYacU1zWzO1ohGdUlE7zr2rg2JENw77X-3AP1rIHm0tRHkwnJJyQ_zD9qIxZJtVHxCd4hiciwGfF/w400-h300/IMG_3034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drexel the yellow lab points his nose up toward a bowl of banana bread batter</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Though I haven't done much baking recently, I made Drexel very happy by making some banana bread the other day. You might recall that Drexel used to be a guide dog puppy in training, but he "career-changed" due to scent distraction--and one of the scents he enjoys most of all is bananas! Even though gingerbread or peppermint might be more traditional, I think that the scent of bananas might evoke a feeling of Christmas for Drexel. <i>I'm thankful for Drexel.</i></p><p>Christmas has a different feel for me this year. Our place here is perfectly small for the two of us, but doesn't lend itself for entertaining big crowds, so we will have a quiet Christmas morning, then head to the grandchildren's house for the day. Later in the week, we'll visit our son and his wife, then our oldest daughter will come here for a few days. We will miss seeing our two youngest children, but know we will be back near them next year. <i>I'm thankful for family.</i></p><p>Living closer to the grandchildren means that I was able to attend school Christmas programs. I loved seeing their eyes light up when they saw me in the audience! <i>I'm thankful for grandchildren.</i></p><p>John and I hiked the hills behind our house last weekend, and I only fell down twice. I'm not sure if I feel like an old lady or a toddler, but in any case, falling down is ridiculous! Maybe I should design pants with built in airbags? <i>I'm thankful for health.</i></p><p>Guess what happened since my last blog post about the gate? The landlord installed an electric gate opener! I feel spoiled. <i>I'm thankful for conveniences.</i></p><p>Last week, our next-door neighbor came bearing a gift, along with an apology that filming was happening after sunset and the actors were shooting blanks and he hoped we weren't bothered by the noise. Quite frankly, it really just adds to the charm of this place. <i>I'm thankful for considerate neighbors. </i></p><p>We've had some rain lately, but at least so far we haven't been impacted by flooding. I know some is expected in the local area, because I saw some "flooded" signs preemptively put up along some of the roads. <i>I'm thankful for moisture.</i></p><p>Last weekend was filled with church Christmas dinners. Friday was our ward's (congregation's), and we were asked to help with the set-up. It was nice to be able to contribute. Our daughter invited us to attend her ward's dinner on Saturday, and we enjoyed spending time with her and her family. <i>I'm thankful for church Christmas dinners. </i></p><p>On Tuesday, I was able to donate blood. <i>I'm thankful to have found an easy way to help others. </i></p><p>Hopping on my soapbox for a minute: Something I feel strongly about is that we all have different strengths and when we bring our talents to the table, everyone can benefit. Service doesn't have to be a sacrifice to count. Find something you are good at or that you enjoy doing, and figure out how to use that skill to help your family or community. One of my talents is that I can donate whole blood without passing out or feeling sick. It's a weird skill, to be sure, but it turns out it is a helpful one. </p><p>The other day, John and I went to a store, and as he always does, John opened the car door for me. In the parking lot, a woman approached us and complimented John's chivalry. Her comment brightened our day. Her talent was noticing the actions of others, and going out of her way to say something. </p><p>How will you brighten someone's day with your talent?</p><p>(Off my soapbox now.)</p><p>Today is John's last day of work in 2023. I'm glad he is enjoying his new job, and I'm also glad he gets some time off for the holidays. <i>I'm thankful for John.</i></p><p><i>And of course, I am thankful for a little baby born in a stable years ago who brought hope to all the world. May we all feel the peace and joy that He brings. </i></p><p>Merry Christmas!</p><p>Be sure to check out the other <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful posts</a> this week!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-54196439132339262132023-12-08T09:00:00.000-07:002023-12-08T11:35:14.290-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Yes, It's December!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKzxZJ4Agqurio1s-q0bAZqXlNFfrIjhmaW5D6m8vpEiQOuxI9RgXsW_nTaRcPODYRyfYpk9gI4267v3fQTUraN4N062yOiIZhi0rzwAtwefTITZ6ePnkgstnsTJCsKBJEgwSrq0tTfutzWjw2Jbj1KsRUdwLRRLsRXZez9W18JDQN1HWrRoL1t1Fh0EY/s3323/IMG_2974.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKzxZJ4Agqurio1s-q0bAZqXlNFfrIjhmaW5D6m8vpEiQOuxI9RgXsW_nTaRcPODYRyfYpk9gI4267v3fQTUraN4N062yOiIZhi0rzwAtwefTITZ6ePnkgstnsTJCsKBJEgwSrq0tTfutzWjw2Jbj1KsRUdwLRRLsRXZez9W18JDQN1HWrRoL1t1Fh0EY/s400/IMG_2974.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange poppies bloom on a hillside in December in California. White wispy clouds punctuate the blue sky.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I've put up a small tree and a few other decorations. A wreath is on the front door and Alexa is playing carols. By the looks and sounds of things inside, it's nearly Christmas. Outside is another story, as you can tell from the photo above. The poppies are blooming (!) and I've traded my sweaters and boots for short sleeves and sandals. While I'm not a fan of the summertime million degrees temperatures <i>(OK, I might be exaggerating a tad on the number)</i>, I really can't complain about "winter" weather here. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for shirt-sleeve weather and mixed-up flowers. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Even though we lived in this general area of California for quite a few years, we didn't live in this rural community. When we moved to Utah, I noticed <a href="https://www.thankfulme.net/2017/08/seven-signs-you-might-be-shopping-in.html" target="_blank">differences between California and Utah</a>, and now that we're back in California for a while, I'm noticing differences again, but some of those differences this time are due to our specific location.</div><div><br /></div><div>A black walnut tree grows outside my kitchen window. Throughout the day, I hear a thump and then the sound of a walnut rolling down the roof. It always makes me smile. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for shade trees.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>When I drive into town, I first must open (and then close) the livestock gate. While it is an added step, I always feel a connection to the past while doing gate duty. I think it was my dad (but it might have been John's dad) who said that sitting in the middle seat of the truck or car was preferred because the person sitting by the door had to open and close the gate. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for routine jobs that remind me of family.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Many people in this area are "in the industry," or in other words, their livelihood depends on film. The property next door has an entire Western town movie set, and filming occurs there. This week, while I was opening the gate to drive into town, a man in full cowboy costume was practicing his lasso skills while his trusty horse waited patiently nearby. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful to live in an interesting place. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I ventured back into Hobby Lobby this week and I didn't see any shoplifters!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for law-abiding citizens. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Sunday we attended church in our local ward (congregation). We have attended <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> all over the world, from Japan to England to the Bahamas, and all across the United States, and no matter where we've gone (or what language is being spoken), the services are familiar and uplifting. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for church.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We have friends who used to be in one of our old wards, but who now also live here and so attend our new ward, and they invited us to dinner one day this past week. The time flew by as we caught up and they filled us in on all things local. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for friends.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I checked out a local thrift store run by the women's club, based on my friend's recommendation, and found a little watering can--something I've been looking for since moving here. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for serendipitous finds. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I also visited the local library this week. I see story times with grandchildren in the future!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for libraries. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's been years and years since John has had to go into an office for work, so this has been a big change for him. It's a change for me, too, but I find myself with more discretionary time, while his time is filled with more obligations. I'm glad that he is happy with his job and we can view this as an adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm thankful for John. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>What are you thankful for this week? If someone suddenly moved to your neighborhood, what might they find unusual or noteworthy? </div><div><br /></div><div>Be sure to visit the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a> to see what others are thankful for, and feel free to link up a post of your own!</div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-30117831810590521412023-12-01T10:35:00.000-07:002023-12-01T10:35:20.587-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: We Made It!<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Kbl4NaFyj65lfta8UCSK-0nr5QZBpa1zKX9_A0xLM5-a51enIuLvEsS-oKAQEAZC-BkieTRmVjQscwRB6zY9OoNuCX8DHOsLP4FuZKks_msD18trO9fv1H8Y2AEwXQOrzFb3_ju1B9HKyiNE2LOut517ezm-FAmgBG0Nb3A2hhfQOD_Ah2n2LnqIlYg/s4032/IMG_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Kbl4NaFyj65lfta8UCSK-0nr5QZBpa1zKX9_A0xLM5-a51enIuLvEsS-oKAQEAZC-BkieTRmVjQscwRB6zY9OoNuCX8DHOsLP4FuZKks_msD18trO9fv1H8Y2AEwXQOrzFb3_ju1B9HKyiNE2LOut517ezm-FAmgBG0Nb3A2hhfQOD_Ah2n2LnqIlYg/w400-h300/IMG_2941.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An orange sunrise in California marks the beginning of a new adventure</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Thanksgiving was last week, and I missed the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop! I was certainly thankful, but we picked last weekend to move from Utah to California, and even though we didn't actually move that many possessions, a move is still a move and so the blogging got delayed. But now we're mostly unpacked and settled in and it's time to return to blogging!</p><p>We spent Thanksgiving day with John's family. The "kids table" was filled with adults, and for the first time, my sister-in-law didn't lead children in making apple and candy turkeys. With age comes perspective, though, and it was nice to gather together and reminisce. </p><p><i>I'm thankful for family.</i></p><p>Friday morning, I woke up to a winter wonderland. Even though I doubt we'll have a white Christmas in California, it was nice to see snow before leaving Utah.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W_kS4pYPYrOuuV18tW-nonG-xcloOA-eTPrg05s-cyxDsp_H-OWMiwoTznwIKTaQquMsOSZQ33Wu6jLmvBi18GdyRPq6xSkX_y5QLIeQfgrV7aQnUCJiihisXAOauXZLHf5vAuZYu03zEh83f1h19I1WFMhYD35xU_yzFxdFyl2g81sF4ahN-y46ozCz/s4032/IMG_E2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W_kS4pYPYrOuuV18tW-nonG-xcloOA-eTPrg05s-cyxDsp_H-OWMiwoTznwIKTaQquMsOSZQ33Wu6jLmvBi18GdyRPq6xSkX_y5QLIeQfgrV7aQnUCJiihisXAOauXZLHf5vAuZYu03zEh83f1h19I1WFMhYD35xU_yzFxdFyl2g81sF4ahN-y46ozCz/w225-h400/IMG_E2917.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow blankets rooftops, trees, yards, and the street in my neighborhood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>I'm thankful for the beauty of snow. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Though I love the sight of the snow, I was a little concerned that it might prevent my sister and me from getting together last Friday, as my street is steep and her car isn't equipped for snow. Fortunately, the snowplow came by and cleared the street and my sister came and we had a great visit.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqy9ijfaoEODLv0J9X2Vw_HNSGBE-Gz4uhRhyphenhypheny0DMXO_xJqL1fpOOgh5q2ffXfoTNjaPNCtahOlb8gPwdjGwQn0y7rKiQxvGNHKu3wQskcLbHg8PBzF6ltAmEYVncxcHLHpECIKBUkFszqgVwj7EbaKMOkdP51_TWAw2ZvyX044e7Voor49BeeUpLLsEM/s1824/IMG_E2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1822" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqy9ijfaoEODLv0J9X2Vw_HNSGBE-Gz4uhRhyphenhypheny0DMXO_xJqL1fpOOgh5q2ffXfoTNjaPNCtahOlb8gPwdjGwQn0y7rKiQxvGNHKu3wQskcLbHg8PBzF6ltAmEYVncxcHLHpECIKBUkFszqgVwj7EbaKMOkdP51_TWAw2ZvyX044e7Voor49BeeUpLLsEM/w320-h320/IMG_E2935.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sister, coincidentally dressed alike in black tops. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>I'm thankful for my sister. And snowplows.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>After my sister left, John and I, together with our son and his girlfriend, loaded up our cars with boxes and suitcases and the odd items we thought we would need during this next year. I had measured the inside dimensions of the SUV and marked off a spot on our carpet with blue painter's tape. I figured if I could keep everything within those lines (with a few exceptions to pack in the trunk of the sedan), we wouldn't have any last-minute panicking. That was a good plan, because it helped minimize what we took, and everything we packed fit into the vehicles. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>I'm thankful for a furnished rental house, which minimized the hassle of moving.</i></div><div><i>I'm thankful for the help of our son and his girlfriend, both in loading and also in taking care of our house while we're gone.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Saturday morning we were off! The forecast had led us to believe that the storm would be done by Saturday. That was only partially true. Our neighborhood roads were clear, but as we drove south on I-15, the roads got slicker. We saw the occasional car which had slid off the road. Needless to say, we drove under the speed limit. I wasn't sad when the snow gave way to clear roads as we approached St. George. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone who has had the pleasure (?) of driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, knows that timing is everything. Sunday afternoons are to be avoided, as traffic can really back up. Apparently the Saturday afternoon after Thanksgiving is also a time to avoid. We hit Las Vegas later than planned, due to driving slowly through Utah, so we joined everyone else who was trying to avoid Sunday afternoon traffic by traveling on Saturday instead. By the time we finally arrived to our hotel in California, our normally 9-10 hour trip had stretched to over 13. </div><div><br /></div><div>It might sound like I'm complaining about the drive, but there is gratitude among the grumbling:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>I'm thankful we had safe travels.</i></div><div><i>I'm thankful our dog Drexel travels well.</i></div><div><i>I'm thankful that because the trip was so long, it made it easier to want to just stay here in California for a while. (A really good thing, since we love Utah and we'll be living here in California for about a year!)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Even though our rental house wasn't available until Tuesday (John's first day of work), <i>I'm thankful that the landlords let us park our SUV--which was packed with all our belongings--on the property, so I didn't have to worry about things being stolen from the hotel parking lot. I'm thankful the landlords are genuinely nice people, who I imagine we will count as friends before the end of our stay here. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>We attended our old church congregation on Sunday. <i>I'm thankful we could see old friends. I'm also thankful for how easy it is to stay in touch with our Utah friends. </i>I've already sent photos of tumbleweeds and recounted an experience I had in Hobby Lobby when the workers confronted the shoplifter who was in line behind me. (Rare political aside: I don't think the powers that be really thought through the consequences of the "shoplifting is only a misdemeanor as long as the merchandise you steal is valued at less than $950" law.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday we got to move into the rental house. It's in a rural area, where the local businesses have signs that say, "Please do not tie horses to railings." I'm not sure if the signs are just to add to the western ambience or not, but in any case, I haven't seen any scofflaws here, which is more than I can say for the Hobby Lobby in the bigger city!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5t2E8AqyxG9XIOycldAHdWmtyHZK2gP5rJLA9w-K1AlDuEbZxqgz9jiWS-GSIkjsspVZoe6dmiWXouSTLmXI_2gWM9MEXPdpa-mQdDlK6SiYJ4pBTavB8djqczYHBk091l3AUHVjBCFan5JJpDigj7eKwJmtmD0Co5ISPBFtlxvDLb7Mlgxn5yPz4tlAO/s4032/IMG_2966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5t2E8AqyxG9XIOycldAHdWmtyHZK2gP5rJLA9w-K1AlDuEbZxqgz9jiWS-GSIkjsspVZoe6dmiWXouSTLmXI_2gWM9MEXPdpa-mQdDlK6SiYJ4pBTavB8djqczYHBk091l3AUHVjBCFan5JJpDigj7eKwJmtmD0Co5ISPBFtlxvDLb7Mlgxn5yPz4tlAO/w240-h320/IMG_2966.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign states, "Please DO NOT TIE HORSES TO RAILINGS"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW286X2fiAhjGKe_xI4FWo_EpFn0ahKZEJlS5mC7ZUFCMfPkyKNRaEGQO24F6fAGwFCHuus4Nf6pSlDulzk2XzuU_8llIDXk7dsjFKyp61ivaMvnY-3Ls2CzODpv_bbNFmZsDhDA5RMSDK8NpnOqVS72-QI7o_6nhBDo_UW0nl-KRnxG17rKegnVv6CK9/s4032/IMG_2963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVW286X2fiAhjGKe_xI4FWo_EpFn0ahKZEJlS5mC7ZUFCMfPkyKNRaEGQO24F6fAGwFCHuus4Nf6pSlDulzk2XzuU_8llIDXk7dsjFKyp61ivaMvnY-3Ls2CzODpv_bbNFmZsDhDA5RMSDK8NpnOqVS72-QI7o_6nhBDo_UW0nl-KRnxG17rKegnVv6CK9/w400-h300/IMG_2963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peaceful view from the rental house shows a wooden fence, with hills behind which are covered with desert trees and shrubs</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We are settling in here. <i>I'm thankful that John is really enjoying his job. I'm thankful that we are living close to the grandchildren now, and I have already been able to spend some time with them. </i>Sunday we will attend church in our local congregation, which will help us feel even more settled. <div><br /></div><div>I think this new adventure might just work out! 😊</div><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to visit the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a> and see what others are saying!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i><br /><div><br /><div><i><br /></i><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-89006622107103625052023-11-19T15:15:00.000-07:002023-11-19T15:15:09.724-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: Final Countdown!<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYmLIE4ZWILiwZrxRfA8hx3S3S91CU4NAW_Jx9ZlkuYC4FwSJmuLewwMZh6f4BUn4qGjdnObBfE5_XUC3y9LrLXiTsPHzLy0wOAOeQPD2qLakvjPWK6rtlIgKfXaHJnaSriflsnVkeXH03zT_owtpWYmBZTIAiBaSVpObyGRASFagyS7xdfx4sjb9PLLG/s4032/IMG_E2888.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYmLIE4ZWILiwZrxRfA8hx3S3S91CU4NAW_Jx9ZlkuYC4FwSJmuLewwMZh6f4BUn4qGjdnObBfE5_XUC3y9LrLXiTsPHzLy0wOAOeQPD2qLakvjPWK6rtlIgKfXaHJnaSriflsnVkeXH03zT_owtpWYmBZTIAiBaSVpObyGRASFagyS7xdfx4sjb9PLLG/w400-h225/IMG_E2888.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful double rainbow crosses the 1-15 freeway in Utah</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This past week, John received notification of his start date for his new job. He'll be starting the week after Thanksgiving, which means that we have this upcoming holiday week to finish our preparations and move. While moving out of state during the busy Thanksgiving weekend when everyone and their dog (including ours) is on the road perhaps doesn't seem ideal, I'm thankful (1) we aren't in limbo anymore and we can make specific moving plans. Our rental house isn't available until the day John starts work, but I'm thankful (2) that we could find an available hotel room that accepts dogs and (3) that our new landlords will allow us to park one of our cars (loaded up with our boxes of stuff) on their property until we move in. I'm also thankful (4) that the hotel does offer late checkout, so hopefully I won't need to spend too much time (if any) driving around with Drexel before moving into the house.<p></p><p>I'm thankful (5) that because Thanksgiving is this week, it's a convenient way to gather together with extended family one more time before our move. And though I've mentioned this in recent TToT posts, I'm still very thankful (6) that the house we are moving into is furnished, so we don't have to move big necessary items like furniture and appliances, only personal items like clothes and smaller, nice-to-have items like a waffle iron. Anything that doesn't fit in the car isn't that important. I'm thankful (7) that the move is just temporary, because that takes a lot of the emotion out of it, too. While I will miss family, friends, and home here, our separation is only for a while. I'm thankful (8) that I have family and friends in California, too, and can be excited about being closer to them. Speaking of family, I'm thankful (9) a cousin and I have decided to go to <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/registration/in-person/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAgeeqBhBAEiwAoDDhn4l2kkfmNmEdL603EdoNF9W5mqjJIsFXiJrQ4EKg-vPIaAOhLk_UexoCwRwQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">RootsTech</a> together in 2024! We'll be able to drive up together and as it's a long drive, we'll have lots and lots of time to chat and catch up. Last but of course not least, I'm thankful (10) for John. We have so many fun and memorable adventures together, and this new job will just be the latest in our adventure series! </p><p>What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out other bloggers' posts on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/11/remember-reason.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!<br /><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-41312220766679350382023-11-12T15:15:00.000-07:002023-11-12T15:15:10.872-07:00Ten Things of Thankful: One Last Vacation Before Work<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuINlHeAwu-AV6q9QzKBFsnDB6nDwEPcto06asryLWn8nl-BrltkBAUxzM4SdFOA1nKoL12ZfzpEDWJIL_L_ujstAD9m7XT0hS-868GoNof3NswsEKvzgyQzd6SN2EP1TjfTbFAVLeUcGjGevAzjK6FLNXeOmjNdriJGQkgbY5y2xwJIihEFwG1BT9-z-G/s4032/IMG_2746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuINlHeAwu-AV6q9QzKBFsnDB6nDwEPcto06asryLWn8nl-BrltkBAUxzM4SdFOA1nKoL12ZfzpEDWJIL_L_ujstAD9m7XT0hS-868GoNof3NswsEKvzgyQzd6SN2EP1TjfTbFAVLeUcGjGevAzjK6FLNXeOmjNdriJGQkgbY5y2xwJIihEFwG1BT9-z-G/w300-h400/IMG_2746.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting sun is shown through a Celebrity Eclipse life preserver</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I mentioned in my last post, John has taken a job that will last for about a year and we will be relocating temporarily to California. However, before this job offer came, we had booked a cruise to Cabo San Lucas, so I spent the last week practicing "living in the moment"--which is not easy for a planner like me, especially when we have an upcoming out-of-state move! But I am definitely not complaining, and I was certainly glad John had the chance to relax before beginning his new job. </p><p>As relaxation week is over, I'll jump right into the Ten Things of Thankful list:</p><p>1. I'm thankful that on the way to port, we got to visit with our daughter and grandchildren.</p><p>2. I'm thankful we got to stay in the rental house that we will be living in shortly. It's even better than we realized from the online photos.</p><p>3. As an example of #2, I'm thankful the house has an installed doggy door leading to a small fenced yard. Drexel will be able to access the yard anytime. Other examples are the house is shaded by lots of trees and there are hiking trails just behind the house. It's so peaceful there, which makes the move so much easier.</p><p>4. I'm thankful that even though the cruise ship had a software problem with their propulsion system which meant we arrived late to Cabo San Lucas and missed a snorkeling excursion, the ship was in port overnight and we still got to go kayaking and snorkeling the next day. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOribuGAqyOTUrAUDv-EmnwQ6rLTzJKTxcx0k9CDG3epl1OvVXBi1yU4ziBX-S5KVrnI34HhcYL54_lMpm9p2P55XmxjcKGbHxkA2wjAu6khr0us_AKxD3Z_llZnOyQq7xQMFsRrJ0TiB8i-YUoZT-oZ41DczIsMiMMuWowBAerq3jLKpNuOwc2PhsPz7/s4032/IMG_0835.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOribuGAqyOTUrAUDv-EmnwQ6rLTzJKTxcx0k9CDG3epl1OvVXBi1yU4ziBX-S5KVrnI34HhcYL54_lMpm9p2P55XmxjcKGbHxkA2wjAu6khr0us_AKxD3Z_llZnOyQq7xQMFsRrJ0TiB8i-YUoZT-oZ41DczIsMiMMuWowBAerq3jLKpNuOwc2PhsPz7/w400-h300/IMG_0835.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I pause from paddling the kayak to pose for a photo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJtMlCQ2pvderdx4itrbxmSPBG3P3-aw_2U5VabxPZFBnSIfBspwrjxxT4mzilhhFxZfgPK-47AXEjHwjOSa-8qMTny8iRchk4ihHedgI-dZBNgC1s7pdTY-ZPo5bGl1TJ4Qu5MSqyG8pdQKF30NMFKiBDvm9qoGwe5s2-hHDYOIjLt4kFOrXdEZGoW_O/s4032/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJtMlCQ2pvderdx4itrbxmSPBG3P3-aw_2U5VabxPZFBnSIfBspwrjxxT4mzilhhFxZfgPK-47AXEjHwjOSa-8qMTny8iRchk4ihHedgI-dZBNgC1s7pdTY-ZPo5bGl1TJ4Qu5MSqyG8pdQKF30NMFKiBDvm9qoGwe5s2-hHDYOIjLt4kFOrXdEZGoW_O/w400-h300/IMG_2751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I smile for the camera after snorkeling. Can you see where our snorkel face masks were?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />5. I'm thankful for our health. Even though we were the oldest couple on the kayaking/snorkeling excursion, we had no problem keeping up--at least in the kayaks. The "youngsters" did help us set up our phones to receive airdropped photos, though. 😊<div><br /></div><div>6. I'm thankful for new experiences. We cruised with Celebrity for the first time, and one of the activities onboard was glass blowing. We both tried it and had a blast! I felt a little bit like a preschooler or kindergartener doing a project with adult help, but just like a child, I also am very proud of my creation! Thanks to instructor Kayla, my vase looks like a vase. And no one was hurt!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexId4rpcsN9YQSwtMcj4-2HSYSjsLu-hd81N30RX0AMixycuhuEDRH0qge5Ka9Gv_ISiI0Woej4B7V4qQU3rBUgWWXNuo8QCJwfT22p5uDpHrFJZuRuhG_xwDlTGt8q6cVgVxI2j7vemnNe8tahF6_3k1shMQ-9KhPt7_tWycIBoks2Y4ZVqHoVjFJdqf/s4032/IMG_2717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexId4rpcsN9YQSwtMcj4-2HSYSjsLu-hd81N30RX0AMixycuhuEDRH0qge5Ka9Gv_ISiI0Woej4B7V4qQU3rBUgWWXNuo8QCJwfT22p5uDpHrFJZuRuhG_xwDlTGt8q6cVgVxI2j7vemnNe8tahF6_3k1shMQ-9KhPt7_tWycIBoks2Y4ZVqHoVjFJdqf/w300-h400/IMG_2717.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructor Kayla looks on as I turn my glass vase in the hot oven. (I'm doing this part all by myself!) </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ0XK7q4q0w4A0M9lFBlhid_8bGPvpRI1QcBXOafPC94-G_pFol1SHMHu-wRCBIk76_DPJMA9izDcKaB86X1UkAtcQVX2qUczbGsDnJIZpv0VJvG5fcMxY498ngbi_FWsAoUJzqDeLM4saS7Xl1VCckBmUK0erPfxDJbNef6QNto3wQhl1OnfPLcCv0nP/s4032/IMG_2731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ0XK7q4q0w4A0M9lFBlhid_8bGPvpRI1QcBXOafPC94-G_pFol1SHMHu-wRCBIk76_DPJMA9izDcKaB86X1UkAtcQVX2qUczbGsDnJIZpv0VJvG5fcMxY498ngbi_FWsAoUJzqDeLM4saS7Xl1VCckBmUK0erPfxDJbNef6QNto3wQhl1OnfPLcCv0nP/w300-h400/IMG_2731.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructor Kayla carefully holds my hot vase as we both smile for the camera </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8ly2IVQf2yfUTMxXdOxueY31S65gWNeIGe4N7AdbXRbfm-3SvJ2hjDkk8cgz4XcOlbJe1fcshkMnAHNp-CPE-mBb6rNb5OIxbKpcUlr63Xv8v6mlzZ8WhErazZwfp8qZLFip_-OIpycD6Yb7Q9ZezL7FG-eJeLvg5AUjaCoOz1CWnPElgdOTRI4tG-H/s4032/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO8ly2IVQf2yfUTMxXdOxueY31S65gWNeIGe4N7AdbXRbfm-3SvJ2hjDkk8cgz4XcOlbJe1fcshkMnAHNp-CPE-mBb6rNb5OIxbKpcUlr63Xv8v6mlzZ8WhErazZwfp8qZLFip_-OIpycD6Yb7Q9ZezL7FG-eJeLvg5AUjaCoOz1CWnPElgdOTRI4tG-H/w300-h400/IMG_2735.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructor Mitchell and John with John's glass vase</td></tr></tbody></table><br />7. Speaking of new experiences, have you ever heard of a silent disco? I'm thankful for a couple at breakfast one morning who suggested we go to the onboard silent disco that evening. How it works is that everyone has a pair of headphones and there is a switch so each person can choose from three different channels of music. Everyone dances to the music on their headphones, but not everyone is listening to the same channel. Neither John nor I would be labeled as enthusiastic dancers, but we both had a lot of fun at the silent disco. I'll attempt to post a video that John took, but I'm not sure it is going to work. Most of the participants were listening to the same channel (green) at the time, and many were singing along, so it wasn't exactly silent, but hopefully you can get the idea. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxfFU2rjmJoF4fKHLjTaEwIPG6e0hEuhW7ZmckoXh0wSOYc5FqP9Z9ZJ7XahweBetGBbAPsuTOWl2uKsa9DaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>8. I'm thankful for reliable transportation. Remember the days when odometers would "roll over" to 0 again after 99,999? Not anymore!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtspUCcznkHyPLrZywXB7hZaMkCnXvh7yj3S7pi2AlNmi58TAPU6ZDORFW7kUt_W7uI5pFdoyZYaba2lP3og5biHpz5zUfQRYNrFRu9kSrwRaU4Hyj4cK1PJ3qMFiIcPTxFIat9v-aiFwxSN4FnsSMMyniX7AF-4Hrd1LPTZyxlkccIRto23DPC-pNngy/s4032/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtspUCcznkHyPLrZywXB7hZaMkCnXvh7yj3S7pi2AlNmi58TAPU6ZDORFW7kUt_W7uI5pFdoyZYaba2lP3og5biHpz5zUfQRYNrFRu9kSrwRaU4Hyj4cK1PJ3qMFiIcPTxFIat9v-aiFwxSN4FnsSMMyniX7AF-4Hrd1LPTZyxlkccIRto23DPC-pNngy/w400-h300/IMG_2843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our odometer hit the 200,000 mark on our drive back from California</td></tr></tbody></table>9. I'm thankful for church. Though we'll be in a different congregation soon, no matter where we are, church is familiar and constant. <div><br /></div><div>10. I'm thankful for John. We definitely have adventures together! </div><div><br /></div><div>What are you thankful for today? Leave a comment, and go to the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/11/be-happy-with-us.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a> to read the other entries!<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div></div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-75338680013071718322023-10-28T11:09:00.001-06:002023-10-28T11:09:34.310-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Westward Ho! Retirement Sabbatical <p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWzCdKqC-3K7P8ZFtgguxJ8MJHopL6ETIfG-8tjlQpSddippccsfOwir5ne3j239PffojsjI3enjQ2Au_AF4GwoizuzhVHxoZAxIcxGEMAmoN6y1DJKoD_cG-eK3vurnjuLp6votsulwV46PTTziAaO4h8IltSrO6WjECnlLuzaK93iu3-vtvFSmTZrjT0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="2048" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWzCdKqC-3K7P8ZFtgguxJ8MJHopL6ETIfG-8tjlQpSddippccsfOwir5ne3j239PffojsjI3enjQ2Au_AF4GwoizuzhVHxoZAxIcxGEMAmoN6y1DJKoD_cG-eK3vurnjuLp6votsulwV46PTTziAaO4h8IltSrO6WjECnlLuzaK93iu3-vtvFSmTZrjT0=w400-h312" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families stand in front of two covered wagons</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I have always loved the above photo. The youngest child is my grandfather. I don't know who the woman in the right of the photo is. With her hands on her hips, and staring at the back of the man in front of her, she appears to be none-too-happy about the situation. And what was the situation, anyway? Were these people relocating, or simply out for a picnic? </p><p>Change is hard. It takes time to wrap our heads around new things (just think about changing from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time--or vice versa!) Looking for the good in whatever situation helps us handle the not-so-wonderful parts. How can life be an adventure without change? </p><p>As you might have gathered from the title of this post, John and I have some imminent changes. He has decided to take a sabbatical from retirement for about a year and has accepted a new job in California. There are things about this that make both of us relate to the hands-on-hips woman above, but there are also things that we are thankful for, and those things, of course, are what will find their way to this Ten Things of Thankful post:</p><p>1. I'm thankful that John is excited about this particular job. Work takes up so much time; it is nice when it can be something enjoyable and fulfilling. </p><p>2. I'm thankful that the job is for only about a year. </p><p>3. I'm thankful we will be returning to our home here when the job is over.</p><p>4. I'm thankful we were able to find a furnished rental house.</p><p>5. I'm thankful we don't have to pack up our entire house.</p><p>6. I'm thankful our son and his girlfriend will move upstairs from the basement apartment and take care of our home while we're gone.</p><p>7. I'm thankful Drexel will be coming with us. </p><p>8. I'm thankful the rental house is in a somewhat rural setting and has shade trees.</p><p>9. I'm thankful we are moving when the temperatures are reasonable, and not when California is over 100 degrees. </p><p>10. I'm thankful thankful thankful we will be close to our grandchildren! </p><p>The move will most likely occur sometime in November. I anticipate that my participation in the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop will be spotty for a while, but I promise I will try to keep my hands off my hips and find the thankfuls in this new adventure! </p><p>What are you thankful for this week? Leave a comment below--or tips on how to maximize space in a "cozy" one-bedroom house! And check out the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/10/thankful-for-halloween-candy.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a> to see what other bloggers are thankful for!<br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-71512532912919005842023-10-22T17:34:00.002-06:002023-10-22T17:34:33.799-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Temperate Rain Forest Edition<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cB5koYPa7PA_H-81lMEn2VlhrOi56nSuvS2AJc9qOebmTbn66aFRJJc-ApyL5hth59JLq7HLkFE7lp6gb8cL-q3L9rfXNZidUbUcgOFHDtV9-NvoHldPr-OuHzCtb0k-vmEsSPS8G4gVUUdYZxeQOCwA55kXdolv3XwSYTCwQ0vew7vdY1esCjBa5-N8/s4032/IMG_E2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cB5koYPa7PA_H-81lMEn2VlhrOi56nSuvS2AJc9qOebmTbn66aFRJJc-ApyL5hth59JLq7HLkFE7lp6gb8cL-q3L9rfXNZidUbUcgOFHDtV9-NvoHldPr-OuHzCtb0k-vmEsSPS8G4gVUUdYZxeQOCwA55kXdolv3XwSYTCwQ0vew7vdY1esCjBa5-N8/w400-h225/IMG_E2504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four deer graze in my parents' front yard</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's been a busy week for me, and I'm realizing that I need to hurry or I'll miss the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop. John and I have been road-tripping; we visited my parents for a few days, then drove up to the Olympic Peninsula, then visited our daughter in Seattle. We got home late last night. </p><p>The Pacific Northwest is my "fill my soul" place. When I think of hiking, I think of walking on damp (if not muddy) paths in cool temperatures, with a constant canopy of green trees above me, and a dense understory growing on either side of the trail. When I think of the ocean, I envision a rocky coast, not a sandy beach. Come with me to the temperate rain forest in the Olympic National Park! A picture is worth a thousand words, so obviously the following photos are worth at least ten items of thanks!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVhWYuHc8bfmQ1JD7dbKtO7mDJK7Lbo4PEOorzSjKU7fJLrD-fDQFXTTzzhJRxRkZY5WP95pXzYCboLwDjxZmmvtdmHijVQyLCKlVe8nEXyvbZw21xdVqod0sAViJJZm3VonyjEVeS_4fj9l-yO7WGNrPHut5vwitl6SSgz0VdD2ngJmXaul0w-PuKWxQ/s4032/IMG_E2515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVhWYuHc8bfmQ1JD7dbKtO7mDJK7Lbo4PEOorzSjKU7fJLrD-fDQFXTTzzhJRxRkZY5WP95pXzYCboLwDjxZmmvtdmHijVQyLCKlVe8nEXyvbZw21xdVqod0sAViJJZm3VonyjEVeS_4fj9l-yO7WGNrPHut5vwitl6SSgz0VdD2ngJmXaul0w-PuKWxQ/w225-h400/IMG_E2515.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John stands next to the world's largest spruce tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt54Mrjf3cNJ6llSafDHfKd61TxAX1FULxry203Lre0Io7NP6PrPCIt11il2bu7edHD6HOtpyjVhUA3RTfrAh9Sp6N4CEaajPBxjV169-M5vfoVYOTqerFsGF9FhE6mmoFAgTVwGzzJItDC3dIKJBY4-lpMxpJnoAicvV7VpR_-p5q6BkvtLk9T2P9xjJ/s4032/IMG_2520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt54Mrjf3cNJ6llSafDHfKd61TxAX1FULxry203Lre0Io7NP6PrPCIt11il2bu7edHD6HOtpyjVhUA3RTfrAh9Sp6N4CEaajPBxjV169-M5vfoVYOTqerFsGF9FhE6mmoFAgTVwGzzJItDC3dIKJBY4-lpMxpJnoAicvV7VpR_-p5q6BkvtLk9T2P9xjJ/w400-h300/IMG_2520.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss-covered branches hang over a pond in the Hoh Rain Forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSEzb-NZPLEjsDx3t2mhuDB9mR6Eapu79c4l21mQSp-eY05V96WjJeAMuPsMCii0zMpjs0w3xL7MB_vvbaKf1U_XPhjm3yief2Y9M0JXAXz-yFfgFv8goxTTwrz2xq-Vv4jrxLKMI114ehE-JkDEQfAtAsgjp0rZRTYwRSd3prTMSGePvVaMu1VeAQ_2/s4032/IMG_2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSEzb-NZPLEjsDx3t2mhuDB9mR6Eapu79c4l21mQSp-eY05V96WjJeAMuPsMCii0zMpjs0w3xL7MB_vvbaKf1U_XPhjm3yief2Y9M0JXAXz-yFfgFv8goxTTwrz2xq-Vv4jrxLKMI114ehE-JkDEQfAtAsgjp0rZRTYwRSd3prTMSGePvVaMu1VeAQ_2/w300-h400/IMG_2523.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John is dwarfed by the (non-record-setting) trees along the trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp6sqstrTlG1ZlXP5EaG3hhbN88X66rj_qhB769qSWIaMgNRT4UbIBo6jdNcDZMCrHkJT4BEGreyXVNVfnGIgGyxjcLmtUVt_QaXIKh3UTw9nzJjElS5OJTLq-0OeOX9EANYKJcI7BKhUOQdCU9NZtjn2KB89YWWYGL7x8q0NsEm-GmWsLB5si1BbQFkX/s4032/IMG_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp6sqstrTlG1ZlXP5EaG3hhbN88X66rj_qhB769qSWIaMgNRT4UbIBo6jdNcDZMCrHkJT4BEGreyXVNVfnGIgGyxjcLmtUVt_QaXIKh3UTw9nzJjElS5OJTLq-0OeOX9EANYKJcI7BKhUOQdCU9NZtjn2KB89YWWYGL7x8q0NsEm-GmWsLB5si1BbQFkX/w300-h400/IMG_2531.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gave the bugling elk a wide berth (the photo is zoomed in)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VR-d_IknjNo6AW5dlmlF_RojTvu4WJRDOKzltVUd21f4i_z9mlO9KJ33xQFzxAKWG9t6_DUbonp6kUXn5UdUA07uKbrybLHpVfTfmRd3Jbrtcv4FZ_CC1uPI5XaTKg5OY21bwF4Vvv5mCBQ7NW2BnBk2angCR1t79NNNLVVGAcFIhMYiCtuFzH7YNOvE/s4032/IMG_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VR-d_IknjNo6AW5dlmlF_RojTvu4WJRDOKzltVUd21f4i_z9mlO9KJ33xQFzxAKWG9t6_DUbonp6kUXn5UdUA07uKbrybLHpVfTfmRd3Jbrtcv4FZ_CC1uPI5XaTKg5OY21bwF4Vvv5mCBQ7NW2BnBk2angCR1t79NNNLVVGAcFIhMYiCtuFzH7YNOvE/w300-h400/IMG_2540.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns grow thickly under the trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr1PlIRquGm83vDXwjSus8AQnLUFCdBYf2M-G2DWMsfI4r3qkl-X0dY9K8lieXpr0bvGmTwSd7I68prHeelNFdVTZehj5GGvJOgutioTCHztFZiMrsJ2AO0aAQYKsfj-_BZGZRkLXiYA44GUITbJz7E2U9MxJcgs5WhxOEE_q54OFcDCP_rQKk8cWAbYN/s4032/IMG_2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr1PlIRquGm83vDXwjSus8AQnLUFCdBYf2M-G2DWMsfI4r3qkl-X0dY9K8lieXpr0bvGmTwSd7I68prHeelNFdVTZehj5GGvJOgutioTCHztFZiMrsJ2AO0aAQYKsfj-_BZGZRkLXiYA44GUITbJz7E2U9MxJcgs5WhxOEE_q54OFcDCP_rQKk8cWAbYN/w300-h400/IMG_2543.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo shows trees which grew up on a "nurse log" (a fallen tree in the forest)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYM08v7pyR17DsxhNp15fEVjxV9m2t5W3JV7C4qBJ2ggj1IhX9E-UkWVoSlv4wp7bkOXzvhjPz2Xbpx-wZqgh22E2TqjX9YUxFZJ9PWt-v8KWTxNaZ447rbX4RfJG7vJXR4c60mrYx4xaxfHcCJzr60qfCuaYW-PmQPZOewa5FkdYnuN04J_A7MwW5fzb/s4032/IMG_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYM08v7pyR17DsxhNp15fEVjxV9m2t5W3JV7C4qBJ2ggj1IhX9E-UkWVoSlv4wp7bkOXzvhjPz2Xbpx-wZqgh22E2TqjX9YUxFZJ9PWt-v8KWTxNaZ447rbX4RfJG7vJXR4c60mrYx4xaxfHcCJzr60qfCuaYW-PmQPZOewa5FkdYnuN04J_A7MwW5fzb/w300-h400/IMG_2570.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soggy maple leaves decorate a fallen log</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHdqYTIt7TjjwQTVKPSPhq2FY12q_xzHRllYa6B4g9EQtEaPTVzObM9JTnaXBuhd34m1iHdxZth5M4WkOq9s5PG8VwgETnBMD84d-L1NlQ_X8VhAj40ld6r6qA0q5-3KqRW3KWBwBQ3qQLE70ljNAVDUuPY6rnkLhN8LMTwoTxblP70Stgf1gB7bCymmt/s4032/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHdqYTIt7TjjwQTVKPSPhq2FY12q_xzHRllYa6B4g9EQtEaPTVzObM9JTnaXBuhd34m1iHdxZth5M4WkOq9s5PG8VwgETnBMD84d-L1NlQ_X8VhAj40ld6r6qA0q5-3KqRW3KWBwBQ3qQLE70ljNAVDUuPY6rnkLhN8LMTwoTxblP70Stgf1gB7bCymmt/w300-h400/IMG_2571.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light manages to penetrate the forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82vcF03R6XdmxmF_Bs06KpnsVCeY6gth9VBcelT2mk8Ipq6XdbkG-ZsiowJ8e-uNylhyphenhyphenMVhrxuJ-xM-IBBJSy30W6hD3MAzoN3LvZHq6EffoiaOEcff70M5NHIuBfsguzybX_fMHGta_adfyKZft3Nj1lFxpqJFiaDGVURNqCbVkO2uhPAgJbaHd68djl/s4032/IMG_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82vcF03R6XdmxmF_Bs06KpnsVCeY6gth9VBcelT2mk8Ipq6XdbkG-ZsiowJ8e-uNylhyphenhyphenMVhrxuJ-xM-IBBJSy30W6hD3MAzoN3LvZHq6EffoiaOEcff70M5NHIuBfsguzybX_fMHGta_adfyKZft3Nj1lFxpqJFiaDGVURNqCbVkO2uhPAgJbaHd68djl/w400-h300/IMG_2607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The driftwood covered rocky Ruby Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I hope that the photos convey the sense of peace and awe I felt when I took them. <div><br /></div><div>What are you thankful for today? Be sure to check out the other posts at the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/10/get-handful-of-candy-corn-and-join-us.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!<br /><br /></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-84618728750942653702023-10-13T16:24:00.000-06:002023-10-13T16:24:21.564-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Camping Edition<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bFTesFOq0Wfcz7z9GJpdT-eyaTCajT-rWc2JWYoRs4xef0pIhfj2M3M28NXGKvZVmNrCcGjeSvRuYCu-tx2fmXDXOsHCEC3XyxxyG2hqoo3Tqwb7tHlqG9AMLr4w1YmAi1wp4Y3e9tZpQ8i-n1JuKrHTrcVHOPdamPX3GjeRESNSIDQkKcWV8LWQGcwi/s4032/IMG_2460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bFTesFOq0Wfcz7z9GJpdT-eyaTCajT-rWc2JWYoRs4xef0pIhfj2M3M28NXGKvZVmNrCcGjeSvRuYCu-tx2fmXDXOsHCEC3XyxxyG2hqoo3Tqwb7tHlqG9AMLr4w1YmAi1wp4Y3e9tZpQ8i-n1JuKrHTrcVHOPdamPX3GjeRESNSIDQkKcWV8LWQGcwi/w400-h300/IMG_2460.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little trailer taking its final camping trip before winter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Here it is, Friday the 13th, and I am, thanks to technology, blogging while in our little trailer in a campsite in a tiny town in Utah. This is a far cry from my childhood idea of camping. Camping means sleeping in a tent in the woods, away from people, with none of the modern conveniences of home. As an adult, I really appreciate a comfortable bed, running water, indoor plumbing, and a kitchen to cook in. Wifi is a bonus that allows me to get a post written. Would I prefer trees and fewer people around? Of course, but it's the day before an annular solar eclipse, so there are going to be lots of people. As for trees, this is Utah, not the Pacific Northwest, so trees aren't as abundant. A tiny little tree has been planted in our campsite, though. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Wzx8jH6UDotW8krTnRm1TNGy6ropzmMzQ43MQ5i8adLjjflB3bqpQlsAwb3NMadBHrFNiQlOLbmZ6oqU8HNpTpzwiEuQYeS9KzfwhE-x0X0UEf0QO5UyU1GuFxiV3AzYeQdnWrzjQ_NSLo0pVXWPQBzKj94c_C5GnhhVKsao81dK_F7QPHR-EMkPlsz/s4032/IMG_2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Wzx8jH6UDotW8krTnRm1TNGy6ropzmMzQ43MQ5i8adLjjflB3bqpQlsAwb3NMadBHrFNiQlOLbmZ6oqU8HNpTpzwiEuQYeS9KzfwhE-x0X0UEf0QO5UyU1GuFxiV3AzYeQdnWrzjQ_NSLo0pVXWPQBzKj94c_C5GnhhVKsao81dK_F7QPHR-EMkPlsz/w300-h400/IMG_2459.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a decade or so, this tiny tree might provide some shade</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'm thankful:</p><p>1. . . . for not being superstitious. Friday the 13th being followed by an annular solar eclipse might frighten some people, but I don't feel that fear.</p><p>2. . . . for the opportunity to witness a solar eclipse. </p><p>3. . . . that we were able to beat the traffic to the campsite this morning. </p><p>4. . . . that our son and his girlfriend are watching our house and Drexel for us.</p><p>5. . . . that the forecast looks like it will be good enough to actually view the eclipse.</p><p>6. . . . that we are in a designated "dark sky" area and the nighttime sky viewing should be amazing, too.</p><p>7. . . . for small towns. This little town of 400 or so people is pulling out all the stops for all the visitors this weekend. We're going to head over to the farmer's market soon.</p><p>8. . . . for friends. Yesterday I had another Zoom luncheon with friends all over the US (and Canada!). Last night, I met with other friends in person at a Relief Society dinner at church. It's good to connect with people (even if I prefer fewer people in campgrounds!)</p><p>9. . . . for the harvest. Colder nighttime weather arrived this week, so the garden got harvested, ready or not. I now have plenty of green tomatoes in my basement, which will ripen slowly over the next few months. Why pay the grocery store for tomatoes that have been sitting in cold storage, when I can walk downstairs to my own cold storage room for the same thing?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPQf2Oh_4dLuOotSb-tlD8LPNScW2Wy9Fel6qzZUAIKU66MYSqFjHh9022jeB1L9Pxy6WD8XIBBDmocHvoot-RUQ5JjtujxkxitdmBES34bMQye8HMVqTwEm3zA6AGCmXAWWfc9OUKNO13p_FDsblS6NkfiML_hQPV_UIpo-_3vFA2qN1BmTBhrHwb93V/s4032/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPQf2Oh_4dLuOotSb-tlD8LPNScW2Wy9Fel6qzZUAIKU66MYSqFjHh9022jeB1L9Pxy6WD8XIBBDmocHvoot-RUQ5JjtujxkxitdmBES34bMQye8HMVqTwEm3zA6AGCmXAWWfc9OUKNO13p_FDsblS6NkfiML_hQPV_UIpo-_3vFA2qN1BmTBhrHwb93V/w400-h300/IMG_2454.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the tomatoes I harvested this week. I love all the colors: green, yellow, orange, red, and black.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>10. . . .for John. He's been getting the garden ready for winter, getting the trailer ready for its last hurrah of the year, and he even made the soup (coconut squash) I took to the Relief Society meeting last night. (It was a big hit, too!) </p><p><br /></p><p>What are you thankful for this week? Are you watching the eclipse tomorrow?</p><p>Be sure to link up your own post on the <a href="http://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>! The more, the merrier!</p><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-36196648377901098542023-10-06T16:50:00.000-06:002023-10-06T16:50:41.161-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: General Conference Edition<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3sXDZz7iO1F7GMIl443fpMfw1-BW18Cij6_m8lrtMk-YBVVYdtHNfWo9vil3pxRB9ej5ec2uAaDs1cH_VUSNXDZp9HGKbbjJ5phBIVE9pa5DJ2u0EQfoT1zPi3EdsM9KfaZ8k3H_AbMe7r7Ygg0XNznhqSa904MK5BkX-FVlmU0D0atOyQLsdP5LDxJT/s4032/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3sXDZz7iO1F7GMIl443fpMfw1-BW18Cij6_m8lrtMk-YBVVYdtHNfWo9vil3pxRB9ej5ec2uAaDs1cH_VUSNXDZp9HGKbbjJ5phBIVE9pa5DJ2u0EQfoT1zPi3EdsM9KfaZ8k3H_AbMe7r7Ygg0XNznhqSa904MK5BkX-FVlmU0D0atOyQLsdP5LDxJT/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Drexel watches the TV screen during General Conference<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend, instead of going to a church building, I (along with millions of other people) worshipped from the comfort of our own homes by tuning into <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/feature/general-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank">General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>. I'm thankful that twice a year I have that opportunity, and that I could gather with family to watch and listen. There were many great talks, but for this week's TTOT, I've selected a few quotes that stood out to me. </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPqZdukc8jvnR6W0mtGtd1VUg2vH1e9abqWm-G1qdntl4Us4fkG7jWxN1z9HVD6wag6CVajh31VvTaX-gfq_xImvKvDBrstKUsGJLawUjVACMv3ZMosYsyOv5gD0CVcx-LhinBxwxU-WwOwoOJvsHC4QpBUFF5Il8rBQgwNQfoOmnsjd6RojLIbVyQAGL/s4000/ShutterstockBasic_1806201175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPqZdukc8jvnR6W0mtGtd1VUg2vH1e9abqWm-G1qdntl4Us4fkG7jWxN1z9HVD6wag6CVajh31VvTaX-gfq_xImvKvDBrstKUsGJLawUjVACMv3ZMosYsyOv5gD0CVcx-LhinBxwxU-WwOwoOJvsHC4QpBUFF5Il8rBQgwNQfoOmnsjd6RojLIbVyQAGL/w400-h300/ShutterstockBasic_1806201175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A person sits alone on a bench. Caption: [Don't] let our eyes, our ears, or our fears mislead us but open our hearts and minds and minister freely to those around us as He did.--Chistophe G. Giraud-Carrier</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8U1USp41cuiBN1gI3tKqlf_X0avn-AG8DB8-2mIGhvLvsNyCtEkjvkNHCCBKUw4XnlODGurQVrI_YZUIngaTucIzv1bKzFqT9cNhl5hD4URV7s2g3AE27KKo4c3yHiHTZvzg_EG0_0M9sWPJSVsaBO3vENaDBkl4eVdVLw3jPKgrjCfCV8CfANHDc_HUg/s6400/ShutterstockBasic_1237652350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="6400" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8U1USp41cuiBN1gI3tKqlf_X0avn-AG8DB8-2mIGhvLvsNyCtEkjvkNHCCBKUw4XnlODGurQVrI_YZUIngaTucIzv1bKzFqT9cNhl5hD4URV7s2g3AE27KKo4c3yHiHTZvzg_EG0_0M9sWPJSVsaBO3vENaDBkl4eVdVLw3jPKgrjCfCV8CfANHDc_HUg/w400-h136/ShutterstockBasic_1237652350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four individuals hold their hands over their hearts. Caption: You will never be happier than you are grateful.--Gary B. Sabin</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVkHBzXb-pBgnc7grMfJZRmGguPyLKeqZoohFjrPc_MZDEOsSblgWVRW2V_AGaxsRD5Z-jdCPG4K1UB3io0a7SX8FCI9E0hRZSmxPunLa6a153Hi5usKbpYQ4VEHPouQFyMNG41IMUBsdXIfinxV9KSbeJZooj8vVvdllXkdUOFsjzKSHC8CtYU8ihyphenhyphenW/s6000/ShutterstockBasic_1814263586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVkHBzXb-pBgnc7grMfJZRmGguPyLKeqZoohFjrPc_MZDEOsSblgWVRW2V_AGaxsRD5Z-jdCPG4K1UB3io0a7SX8FCI9E0hRZSmxPunLa6a153Hi5usKbpYQ4VEHPouQFyMNG41IMUBsdXIfinxV9KSbeJZooj8vVvdllXkdUOFsjzKSHC8CtYU8ihyphenhyphenW/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_1814263586.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl writes on a chalkboard. Caption: Our words are one of our superpowers and family members are like human blackboards. --Tamara W. Runia</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4rRh4qPI3_gHfXh4qdihdiJ6p1ZZmLxsRDJHRNZw2PROz-5qwE6CxOe9RYaPIbI2ARVRsrzDs603Wxp1dOPPaZclxPUJKxN_r3txGYjfaz2AfpwWUv-VP5CXGFTNVIBcnvjAU1hL_6i5iihiG1FaIIrce5lSR_PUBrgcf4J_BtDMQQld8WiE6xng9d-W/s6000/ShutterstockBasic_1905544789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4rRh4qPI3_gHfXh4qdihdiJ6p1ZZmLxsRDJHRNZw2PROz-5qwE6CxOe9RYaPIbI2ARVRsrzDs603Wxp1dOPPaZclxPUJKxN_r3txGYjfaz2AfpwWUv-VP5CXGFTNVIBcnvjAU1hL_6i5iihiG1FaIIrce5lSR_PUBrgcf4J_BtDMQQld8WiE6xng9d-W/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_1905544789.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A woman's hands are folded in prayer. Caption: Stand in holy places. Stand with holy people. Testify of holy truths. Listen to the Holy Spirit.--Gary E. Stevenson</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sk-RZgFpsK1pMYL_TCX9YSE3l9ypst0gwKzzAsZlXKbwu8j53X69TM31DiUQogGhFY1R-I7VMn20gHZTk_6wMTCysSEDm26Rs0FHszO0pQ9HOWw6uNZh9qsj2NbxVTbFdnRx54zDgYps3g_i7iL1hLW1hXZ8ahsqnmtmcwMRM66Pu9ITD5Y3Ne0JSHEE/s6400/ShutterstockBasic_1995511238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4267" data-original-width="6400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sk-RZgFpsK1pMYL_TCX9YSE3l9ypst0gwKzzAsZlXKbwu8j53X69TM31DiUQogGhFY1R-I7VMn20gHZTk_6wMTCysSEDm26Rs0FHszO0pQ9HOWw6uNZh9qsj2NbxVTbFdnRx54zDgYps3g_i7iL1hLW1hXZ8ahsqnmtmcwMRM66Pu9ITD5Y3Ne0JSHEE/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_1995511238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus Christ holds out a loaf of bread. Caption: Our covenants are not merely transactional; they are transformational.--Joaquin E. Costa</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_rew7uE8K7NUloypbGi56tjNwCWPI3nMvNTAEVSDZO66XzG0oWE9WDMn3hfJuu2XPXQls7y1vl87mZ58EjomqilUYFIxoCnFwZp9Be8yA3EYUtXEcH344UTjNPhP1t6pMoEMwGSwYSaWYC3JCZzYkpbwvP4KCLbA6VuT17aNdWk2XyC9TDJLx2nwLYIC/s4500/ShutterstockBasic_1348545911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_rew7uE8K7NUloypbGi56tjNwCWPI3nMvNTAEVSDZO66XzG0oWE9WDMn3hfJuu2XPXQls7y1vl87mZ58EjomqilUYFIxoCnFwZp9Be8yA3EYUtXEcH344UTjNPhP1t6pMoEMwGSwYSaWYC3JCZzYkpbwvP4KCLbA6VuT17aNdWk2XyC9TDJLx2nwLYIC/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_1348545911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A man perches on a rock formation against a setting sun. Caption: Do not misunderstand or devalue how important you are to your Father in Heaven. You are not an accidental by-product of nature, a cosmic orphan, or the result of matter plus time plus chance. Where there is design, there is a designer. --Alan T. Phillips</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupu6mhxsL_sd3yYxZHZ4gNxGdSueuuaguaPQ70X89gmQ4qILWX9KYLSJyPzMuzFZgbRZM5UzyzXzcw6TOFatbJP5_OPgRrIt4MrcQJFIe7cOFJRpTxP5fvukcGz_oTYG3cVaHni8vm84SHDwPHSpwIU0Lco55-jua2Yp9MHL3KNPDsJzAJ3w_CJkroKci/s3900/ShutterstockBasic_246335899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="3900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupu6mhxsL_sd3yYxZHZ4gNxGdSueuuaguaPQ70X89gmQ4qILWX9KYLSJyPzMuzFZgbRZM5UzyzXzcw6TOFatbJP5_OPgRrIt4MrcQJFIe7cOFJRpTxP5fvukcGz_oTYG3cVaHni8vm84SHDwPHSpwIU0Lco55-jua2Yp9MHL3KNPDsJzAJ3w_CJkroKci/w400-h266/ShutterstockBasic_246335899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted arrows on a road. Caption: Our direction matters more than our speed.--Tamara W. Runia</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu1-m10RXURCZEx3S89hSrVsHZM-l-fw0IBYNZfvDsOk78kPIDRykZG-c6vYZLDU7aWB64dVHu_Nqku9d6_DQ8pf3UNOyCnE0gPdOKBlSeeqsqJFYGnjqSHDsVFtuAUwFO9XPTNfT_J2avGLAjeEIGgZuP2NfJkEwMrCqnetbk1SBn2QcArv2AKwZXdWi/s4032/IMG_8882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu1-m10RXURCZEx3S89hSrVsHZM-l-fw0IBYNZfvDsOk78kPIDRykZG-c6vYZLDU7aWB64dVHu_Nqku9d6_DQ8pf3UNOyCnE0gPdOKBlSeeqsqJFYGnjqSHDsVFtuAUwFO9XPTNfT_J2avGLAjeEIGgZuP2NfJkEwMrCqnetbk1SBn2QcArv2AKwZXdWi/w400-h300/IMG_8882.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Christus statue in front of statues of the twelve apostles. Caption: The hero--our hero, now and always--is Jesus Christ.--Bishop W. Christopher Waddell</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftKS_J89J-43ax9EDB961aWAy2eOFqDn26-sK8Pd-Dlr5Tm3AhFb0yRi8fg0v1q1yQVhOFhD7L5uOt2OiDGzpZA6g6lkpnJYpkjy8KU_-fh83xcwWFZJOYnwnd887AZZaymizEC-CphxISpeM6wXQy5FgBBKBbX4QEpW9j1wrFnaQkzZFXaZY1_NdP1z9/s5460/ShutterstockBasic_1615092871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="5460" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftKS_J89J-43ax9EDB961aWAy2eOFqDn26-sK8Pd-Dlr5Tm3AhFb0yRi8fg0v1q1yQVhOFhD7L5uOt2OiDGzpZA6g6lkpnJYpkjy8KU_-fh83xcwWFZJOYnwnd887AZZaymizEC-CphxISpeM6wXQy5FgBBKBbX4QEpW9j1wrFnaQkzZFXaZY1_NdP1z9/w640-h112/ShutterstockBasic_1615092871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds in a blue sky. Caption: Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import. . . .So think celestial.--Russell M. Nelson</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did any of those resonate with you? What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other bloggers TToT entries at the <a href="http://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p><br />Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-25329749919823116772023-09-29T15:37:00.000-06:002023-09-29T15:37:43.333-06:00Ten Thing of Thankful: Happy Fall! <p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63rMGWb9wVjBen5nau0SZ2ntteOhah370G8NpUr7rW7qOhXx5eG_gGMpjTUJfOZg9DMtY54CIECtWTAWjRh_3_jdZX30brkRevwgTR0ZGMbtVo2QI171ymX7C1up5O-RCMq93d2uoHtKdGAPehhYEu8XXvSgUMDt2D7vlER4P2j9PCY93EfvjQNTHWxrH/s4032/IMG_E2357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63rMGWb9wVjBen5nau0SZ2ntteOhah370G8NpUr7rW7qOhXx5eG_gGMpjTUJfOZg9DMtY54CIECtWTAWjRh_3_jdZX30brkRevwgTR0ZGMbtVo2QI171ymX7C1up5O-RCMq93d2uoHtKdGAPehhYEu8XXvSgUMDt2D7vlER4P2j9PCY93EfvjQNTHWxrH/w400-h225/IMG_E2357.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walking path under cloudy skies, with mountains to the left and a red barn on the right</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It is officially fall now, and I love this time of year! </p><p>1. I'm thankful for General Conference, which is this weekend. The messages are always uplifting and inspiring and I come away from conference feeling encouraged. The sessions are broadcast live on <a href="http://ChurchofJesusChrist.org">ChurchofJesusChrist.org</a>, as well as recorded for future viewing, so if you are interested, check it out! </p><p>2. I'm thankful to be able to attend some BYU football games in person. It's a fun date, and John and I are even considering sharing a cougar tail tonight. Imagine a maple bar the size of a cougar's tail, and you get the idea. </p><p>3. I'm thankful that I'm sticking with the 5K training. Not only does it helps burn off cougar tail indulgences, but it feels good to be getting back into <strike>running</strike> jogging (even if my legs sometimes think otherwise!) </p><p>4. I'm thankful for the beautiful changing leaves. Last weekend, John and I jogged/walked down Provo Canyon, then drove up Provo Peak and back down around the mountain. It was gorgeous! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqr6J7iix9myi-oti_q_mNRXDH_dr5ZRhJ1oXfPK_N4BopSljt7xh7ov37HcinLfuWYzym-dSVZsDv8yN_Ku5RXG4VRM2zK0FkTqGFrsRtDI9B6FTba177bpITBsk46Sw9oUCGoSiduDiMbgbZv5Fqxmdz9LfOsuFT4LZimHtteJcrO_MgRLe-6_lyYh4/s4032/IMG_E2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqr6J7iix9myi-oti_q_mNRXDH_dr5ZRhJ1oXfPK_N4BopSljt7xh7ov37HcinLfuWYzym-dSVZsDv8yN_Ku5RXG4VRM2zK0FkTqGFrsRtDI9B6FTba177bpITBsk46Sw9oUCGoSiduDiMbgbZv5Fqxmdz9LfOsuFT4LZimHtteJcrO_MgRLe-6_lyYh4/w225-h400/IMG_E2384.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The orange leaves on the understory trees contrast nicely with the white bark of the quaking aspen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfW0d-UEoSzg569-1W38bGhH7lRb9fUkjxmeFXZfJ3xZoZQFb8buy9XOq3Ed2CLskOTw-ZSpuW8J1zHlEupL07yXiUXMGB32vh3WX46FKhge7B515lWuQ4GWEUgj0hF1H7dzudYCBPq9fD74EtY6TzNntNQqABL0p6SbWBSGpruK2fPgMIb3pVQwSKTjg_" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfW0d-UEoSzg569-1W38bGhH7lRb9fUkjxmeFXZfJ3xZoZQFb8buy9XOq3Ed2CLskOTw-ZSpuW8J1zHlEupL07yXiUXMGB32vh3WX46FKhge7B515lWuQ4GWEUgj0hF1H7dzudYCBPq9fD74EtY6TzNntNQqABL0p6SbWBSGpruK2fPgMIb3pVQwSKTjg_=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mountainside covered with trees with orange and green leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p>5. I'm thankful for friends. John and I had lunch with friends this week, and it was nice to visit with them.</p><p>6. I'm thankful for books. I finished reading <i>The Devil in the White City</i> this week, which was a fascinating look into the 1890s and the World Fair in Chicago. It reminded me of <i>Destiny of the Republic </i>in its style of intertwining storylines set in the late 1800s. </p><p>7. I'm thankful for the temple. There is such a feeling of peace there.</p><p>8. I'm thankful for flowers in bloom. I picked more flowers from my yard this week to bring inside. </p><p>9. I'm thankful for garden produce. Never judge someone's grocery purchases, because you never know what they already have at home. I love not having to buy many fruits and vegetables at the store; I can just go outside and pick much of what I need. I'm also thankful for accurate catalog descriptions; I can breathe a sigh of relief that Belmac apples are as described in the fruit tree catalog. The tree is super productive, and the fruit is tasty! Definitively recommend!</p><p>10. I'm thankful for John. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_s9ndPc0hIzG3bPE6A_Mj5r9m-XSyQQ2PrxQ-ZL_6bAUWa5ERBUjoJcRmBIaAUc1EqUFdSzynwEWlrYuxYByqTbbNug86O0TyfGcyR6xJae6d4es4HpKikegzaSdkahWDzd8j6Aa99jj1k2_ZTn-cAI0GM7SJmqvnTfYw-MS-v0fTJV8U8XVg18TpF8i/s3088/IMG_E2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_s9ndPc0hIzG3bPE6A_Mj5r9m-XSyQQ2PrxQ-ZL_6bAUWa5ERBUjoJcRmBIaAUc1EqUFdSzynwEWlrYuxYByqTbbNug86O0TyfGcyR6xJae6d4es4HpKikegzaSdkahWDzd8j6Aa99jj1k2_ZTn-cAI0GM7SJmqvnTfYw-MS-v0fTJV8U8XVg18TpF8i/w300-h400/IMG_E2366.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I smile, with a background of colorful trees</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Are the leaves changing color where you are? What are you thankful for today? Join us at the <a href="http://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/09/when-life-gives-you-lemons-be-thankful.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a>!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-78591938159526990292023-09-22T08:28:00.000-06:002023-09-22T08:28:22.419-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Celebrate Eight, Sixty, or Autumn<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraIArX0UnQyIK-BAryXFRegNzeA9a8J60g3JlVoGX4IuEBCkipJUbB4OPy_lJ3X7uwGsPUgRdwwwh00OEpo1Dt2JrGLQtxWrNrvn04_ShlcXjyJo5o_qsfSni7846jYU6WQnNbUiuwv6q3NsrWRLfXxKyQ-JxOPmpYWyJuRzgKpO_uJ6akZPTf7a76IQX/s4032/IMG_E2308.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraIArX0UnQyIK-BAryXFRegNzeA9a8J60g3JlVoGX4IuEBCkipJUbB4OPy_lJ3X7uwGsPUgRdwwwh00OEpo1Dt2JrGLQtxWrNrvn04_ShlcXjyJo5o_qsfSni7846jYU6WQnNbUiuwv6q3NsrWRLfXxKyQ-JxOPmpYWyJuRzgKpO_uJ6akZPTf7a76IQX/w400-h225/IMG_E2308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hot air balloon flies in the sky above Utah Valley</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Recently, a hot air balloon soared overhead, and it seemed the perfect way to welcome in this week. Not only are we enjoying the last week of summer before the fall equinox, but this week also marks my grandson's 8th birthday and my parents' 60th wedding anniversary! <p></p><p><b>1. I'm thankful for my grandchildren.</b> Thinking of each one of them puts a smile on my face. Happy birthday, grandson!</p><p><b>2. I'm thankful for my parents.</b> I remember every election day as they left to go cast their votes, my dad would quip, "Well, we're off to cancel our votes out!" They are such different people, but somehow, it works. They provided me with a happy, secure, loving childhood and an eclectic exposure to music, books, and ideas. Happy 60th, Mom and Dad! </p><p><b>3. I'm thankful to live in a place with four seasons.</b> Yes, winter can seem longer than the rest, but I still love experiencing the change of seasons. </p><p>One way I know the seasons are changing is that as winter approaches, the setting sun shines through my kitchen window at just the wrong angle if I am sitting at the dining table. My kitchen windowsill is filled with houseplants, and I love the view over the valley from that window, so I never installed window coverings. However, every year when the sun streams in at just that wrong angle, I think, "I really need to solve this problem." Well, this week was the time! I purchased curtain rods and curtains. I'm keeping the curtains open most of the time, but will be able to close them when needed. </p><p>The curtains are just long enough to block the sun when closed, but short enough to not interfere with my houseplants. I doubt any interior designer would suggest this length of curtain; if these curtains were church pants, they would be worn by quickly-growing teenage boys and hit well above the ankles. However, they fit the bill perfectly. <br /></p><p>When John was installing the curtain rod, I entertained us both by reading the instructions. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul3gnw3BarQhAo5EMvlI48UjnTn5m0ZtvUm7C8NBaHEQWnXQn907bqv8CitWf4Ibw_Qz3nCscyFjB02yYQDWY8dE0qOXo-sVkjVNNNR3UwJUNR7FJ3NpEyZgICaE8N9RIYEOomZv_0ruVaQcrgQUl8MrJtAw1zGIujMputqEQnM8ViMEQIlMAo9FMXGCT/s3094/IMG_E2354.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="3094" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul3gnw3BarQhAo5EMvlI48UjnTn5m0ZtvUm7C8NBaHEQWnXQn907bqv8CitWf4Ibw_Qz3nCscyFjB02yYQDWY8dE0qOXo-sVkjVNNNR3UwJUNR7FJ3NpEyZgICaE8N9RIYEOomZv_0ruVaQcrgQUl8MrJtAw1zGIujMputqEQnM8ViMEQIlMAo9FMXGCT/w400-h139/IMG_E2354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The curtain rod installation instructions included several notices. Number 7 reads: "Never treat the curtains as swings when they hang on the rod."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I pictured myself trying to swing from the curtains over my kitchen sink and John and I both started laughing!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4. I'm thankful for humor. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of humor, the last time I ran a 5K race, I provided slapstick humor for those around me by tripping and falling flat on my face. (Well, I actually failed at the humor part, because nobody laughed and everyone was quick to ask if I was OK, but I did need a segue into the next thing I'm thankful for, so let's just go with it.) For a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to being risk-avoidant, I haven't run since that fall--until recently, when I started using the C25K (couch to 5 kilometer) app to train back up to being able to run fun runs again. I'm only on week three, but the point is, I'm making progress! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>5. I'm thankful for running apps (and music playlists). </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Monday, we were invited to join with other individuals who are associated with foster care to attend a special performance of <i>Around the World in 80 Days</i> at the <a href="https://hct.org/" target="_blank">Hale Center Theatre</a> sponsored by <a href="https://www.showuputah.org/" target="_blank">Show Up Utah</a>, an initiative of Utah First Lady Abby Cox. I have been so impressed by the support that is offered to foster families here in Utah. I was also very impressed by the quality of the performance. The sets were fantastic, as was the acting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6. I'm thankful for community support for foster families.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. I'm thankful for those who share their talents. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you know who has many talents? Eagle Scouts! My nephew had an Eagle Scout court of honor this past weekend, that I was able to view live via a video feed. The covid pandemic might have made us more isolated, but it also made it easier to connect virtually, and that is one good thing that has remained. It was nice to watch my nephew receive his Eagle Scout award. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. I'm thankful for extended family and </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. I'm thankful for the technology that helps us stay connected over distance.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Video chats are great, too. Our oldest son utilizes video calls, and we always love seeing him. Our daughter is really good about letting the grandkids video chat with us, too. Whenever our youngest granddaughter gets the phone, she will run down the hall with it, giggling all the way. It makes me laugh to see her little head bobbing up and down and hearing her delightful giggle because she now has Grandma and Grandpa all to herself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Group texts are also a frequently-used tool. My mom, brother and sister, and I communicate daily via group chat. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, connecting in-person is best, when it is possible. John and I were able to visit his parents again this week, and it's always nice to see them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>10. I'm thankful for John. </b>Whether he's working installing curtains (which apparently I am NOT allowed to use as swings), or we're playing board games, we have a good time together. We're not to sixty years yet, like our parents, but we'll get there!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How has your week gone? What are you thankful for this week? Be sure to check out the other Ten Things of Thankful blog entries!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-45140926795217547872023-09-16T08:49:00.003-06:002023-09-16T08:59:24.194-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: I Love This Time of Year!<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u9cW7qG-8y6kJeZZ4V3SQPJw4VfpXwq-7f4KFPs1YEXpgpQFBRf5UoL3S2Anz7Cph9CS-2s3IslFOqwSUb_P_cdTDQ4guT7cpgoyRbo8yG5--r7kfPnr9DbFcp13DHn-i7sHqDoNwd-qw0qy2h8PD5DBWDoVNexbxkrpvryD3fh0WJnTU_FORfA0SfNR/s4032/IMG_2276.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u9cW7qG-8y6kJeZZ4V3SQPJw4VfpXwq-7f4KFPs1YEXpgpQFBRf5UoL3S2Anz7Cph9CS-2s3IslFOqwSUb_P_cdTDQ4guT7cpgoyRbo8yG5--r7kfPnr9DbFcp13DHn-i7sHqDoNwd-qw0qy2h8PD5DBWDoVNexbxkrpvryD3fh0WJnTU_FORfA0SfNR/w300-h400/IMG_2276.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A yellow pear hangs from our green-leafed tree </td></tr></tbody></table><br />I love this time of year. The weather is mostly sunny, with some rain sprinkled in here and there; the temperatures are comfortable; crops are ready for harvesting; and flowers are still blooming. <i><b>(Thankful #1-4)</b></i><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVP8HDISN4aApDubAkyhpUFZRw3mZI8hSqT9HD-WYQd-z1BRCQU3jdGZSlhp81P9xJ79z5PDMANyeYuF7nJW1JA-XxKw96zr8HpBWhzUX3hoVJOCIdOqZ8I607BCPARL9lE3wG_G6KlWP3husjSiEhqUuix9urURGO7aMq9gl871MFzm8dSZByMjxmrDp/s4032/IMG_2277.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVP8HDISN4aApDubAkyhpUFZRw3mZI8hSqT9HD-WYQd-z1BRCQU3jdGZSlhp81P9xJ79z5PDMANyeYuF7nJW1JA-XxKw96zr8HpBWhzUX3hoVJOCIdOqZ8I607BCPARL9lE3wG_G6KlWP3husjSiEhqUuix9urURGO7aMq9gl871MFzm8dSZByMjxmrDp/w300-h400/IMG_2277.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Belmac apple tree is loaded with fruit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapdfT5NvrEgcQ3KVy0W4RR_q9YdFH9csd2zEwvosZ9l60zvbkmxmkZRQFjqnfqRFoUJStEbH_qBMw2BFcIQion_FlehcPCC8TINZsDwV-WikCZGwTXCmbFGdn9q00FHZZrPNfoKGRXLZqLORKHAED2OsKeNRmH2spZV3p7wSY0e5_HTUJuZ6AWVmXG-5Y/s4032/IMG_2303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapdfT5NvrEgcQ3KVy0W4RR_q9YdFH9csd2zEwvosZ9l60zvbkmxmkZRQFjqnfqRFoUJStEbH_qBMw2BFcIQion_FlehcPCC8TINZsDwV-WikCZGwTXCmbFGdn9q00FHZZrPNfoKGRXLZqLORKHAED2OsKeNRmH2spZV3p7wSY0e5_HTUJuZ6AWVmXG-5Y/w400-h300/IMG_2303.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass Gem corn (planted for decor, but also good for popping) displays many different colors of kernels</td></tr></tbody></table><p>September also means football season, and although I don't really follow football in general, I do enjoy going to the occasional BYU football game. <b><i>(Thankful #5)</i></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNrPk9OdyuSyxotyFPk_BwJG-8XSGASvyRHBEqiBdr9uHG2XrcItJwnXapOfifdcrgowbK5M4lw4xS4IarAVdnZleojKwwGPIP8339yaw5xK4siOmc2c8aQnjnSLqhVhXnNvt9SUKN0qhu-lXOGJJcCB4PRI6nA5lnX7j1_mkN6os-tMkY4LiqYiy9eXg/s4032/IMG_2274.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNrPk9OdyuSyxotyFPk_BwJG-8XSGASvyRHBEqiBdr9uHG2XrcItJwnXapOfifdcrgowbK5M4lw4xS4IarAVdnZleojKwwGPIP8339yaw5xK4siOmc2c8aQnjnSLqhVhXnNvt9SUKN0qhu-lXOGJJcCB4PRI6nA5lnX7j1_mkN6os-tMkY4LiqYiy9eXg/w300-h400/IMG_2274.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The view from LaVell Edwards Stadium shows a large US flag and a Y on the mountain</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtdW5L0p1KdpGdel9_76XYEp7GjFkZhsaUoIXZRgZapU7nrXxMjqtB-BT9pGPXP44b1j2D-BNaIf9ZB9-GNlP6gsbnsV0U7oozAPUc_nUTEqg1AhoJpS9oLh1xTZc0tJ35QS8LyBKGB3vn0jvDLsKfEkBua8bOOvj0rQVDuWChjHyRAbbozQu6P6Pl3d/s4032/IMG_2273.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRtdW5L0p1KdpGdel9_76XYEp7GjFkZhsaUoIXZRgZapU7nrXxMjqtB-BT9pGPXP44b1j2D-BNaIf9ZB9-GNlP6gsbnsV0U7oozAPUc_nUTEqg1AhoJpS9oLh1xTZc0tJ35QS8LyBKGB3vn0jvDLsKfEkBua8bOOvj0rQVDuWChjHyRAbbozQu6P6Pl3d/w400-h300/IMG_2273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fans are starting to fill LaVell Edwards Stadium prior to kickoff</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As we often do, we had our children who live close up for dinner and board games one night this past week. It's always fun to spend time together. <b><i>(Thankful #6)</i></b><p></p><p>Speaking of fun spending time together, I was able to get together with a friend for lunch one day this week, and after that lunch, John and I visited his parents. <b><i>(Thankful #7)</i></b></p><p>And though I don't always put this on my lists, I'm always thankful for my neighbor, friend, and walking buddy. We walk several times each week, schedules and weather permitting. <b><i>(Thankful #8)</i></b></p><p>Drexel joins us on our walks, and that is possible because he is a good dog. <b><i>(Thankful #9)</i></b></p><p>John enjoys this time of year, too. He planted around 2 dozen pepper plants of many different varieties earlier this year and has made chili rellenos, stuffed peppers, jalapeno pepper poppers, vegetable tempura, and has utilized peppers in other dishes. He's also dried and ground a bunch of peppers. <b><i>(Thankful #10)</i></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArDoazz-rG_wZQnCZcUdIbtuAQCHJs8IeCMmSsv3KxF1NFTNaiwT-spEaQPg96kVs_punNgDkElNOy04g6kPCZQodd28kSgJ8Nvxs0mSIIAqMmyGs48_Bjp-ylbZ02X2FAErahAkhpaqbvZNPI_gqrU7hbPvneyNdCS21VRvySnmEYEB5GdTY06-D3N0h/s2752/IMG_2270.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="2752" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArDoazz-rG_wZQnCZcUdIbtuAQCHJs8IeCMmSsv3KxF1NFTNaiwT-spEaQPg96kVs_punNgDkElNOy04g6kPCZQodd28kSgJ8Nvxs0mSIIAqMmyGs48_Bjp-ylbZ02X2FAErahAkhpaqbvZNPI_gqrU7hbPvneyNdCS21VRvySnmEYEB5GdTY06-D3N0h/w400-h163/IMG_2270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fortune from a fortune cookie I opened recently: "Behind an able man. There are always." I would contend that "Behind an able woman. There are always." And I'm thankful for that (and humor)!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What are you thankful for this week? Drop a comment, and check out the other <a href="http://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/09/next-week-is-last-official-week-of.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful entries!</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p><br /><br /></p>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-65453103566908880872023-09-09T09:15:00.001-06:002023-09-09T09:15:51.688-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Bloom Even When You Aren't Planted and Other Thoughts<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNDBJ-sjcm99LxdbbA0RNuQxUw3BOY_B95gp4q0GaFSXwHJbMb4l9ZnyVxEfOHLaAHGdjanO5fP9hSnRqpiQ98aGJBhHUNhcPUAR9v-IPFJHFEOYi9BYDn9AxCeEmvxaXn8YTLpfgMqrBsIkqo4XW5L0Pg0onjIby1fNRXuAjnyf72Pdazjn2EYCo0WT-/s4032/IMG_2255.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNDBJ-sjcm99LxdbbA0RNuQxUw3BOY_B95gp4q0GaFSXwHJbMb4l9ZnyVxEfOHLaAHGdjanO5fP9hSnRqpiQ98aGJBhHUNhcPUAR9v-IPFJHFEOYi9BYDn9AxCeEmvxaXn8YTLpfgMqrBsIkqo4XW5L0Pg0onjIby1fNRXuAjnyf72Pdazjn2EYCo0WT-/w300-h400/IMG_2255.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pinkish purple petunia blooms in the lawn next to a concrete slab</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I did not plant petunias, and yet I have a petunia plant blooming in my backyard, at the base of the stairs leading to my backdoor. Despite having to compete with lawn and weeds, and probably having been stepped on a time or two by people or Drexel the Adorable Dog, somehow the little petunia managed to survive and bloom. It was a pleasant surprise! <p></p><p>The adage, "Bloom where you are planted," doesn't quite apply. "Planted" sounds planned and permanent, but this petite petunia was neither wished for, nor did it appear in an ideal location. To make this into a life lesson, I think the saying should be, "Bloom even when you aren't planted." No matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, by just being ourselves and doing what comes naturally, we can bring joy to those around us. <br /></p><p><b>1. I'm thankful for unexpected flowers in unexpected places. </b></p><p>"Seatbelts and a heater" were my requests when John purchased a car right before our wedding over (35!) years ago. My wish lists have expanded a bit since then, but not much. Basically, if a vehicle can get us safely from point A to point B, I have no complaints. We drive our cars until they can't drive anymore. All this to explain why it might take me 15 years to realize that the glass covering our headlights has gotten rather opaque. I ordered a cleaning kit and WOW! Now I can't wait to drive somewhere in the dark! Even though the paint colors in the photo below seem to be different, I can assure you it is the same car.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7BxmbsZ9Oy4jFQCsLG_R6wy_ALhgYQqiN4oDy2uEwXJCGLT2W88ej2KoxBY0qz6QmKosha3yQGB2ut3plAIDMTVeZqWANivhMslIlMjmfDQkH1OXAPajcVomywRe8EQhtS9r7nSyG8us0GCplfZbB-RD7fWZwvwdssEv_f4IUdsJ6j7SAzaIqmcdvej4/s1280/BFPB0697.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7BxmbsZ9Oy4jFQCsLG_R6wy_ALhgYQqiN4oDy2uEwXJCGLT2W88ej2KoxBY0qz6QmKosha3yQGB2ut3plAIDMTVeZqWANivhMslIlMjmfDQkH1OXAPajcVomywRe8EQhtS9r7nSyG8us0GCplfZbB-RD7fWZwvwdssEv_f4IUdsJ6j7SAzaIqmcdvej4/w400-h225/BFPB0697.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A before and after photo, showing a cloudy headlight before and a crystal clear headlight after</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>2. I'm thankful for clear headlights. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I read several different gardening pages on Facebook, and whenever anyone asks the question, "When is the best time to plant a tree?" inevitably someone will respond, "Ten years ago." Ten Years in the Future Me is really going to be happy, because John and I planted a linden tree this week. As it is, Current Me is delighted, too. Not only did we find the specific type of tree we were looking for (Sterling Linden), it was also on sale. The tree is a bit reminiscent of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, but I trust that it will fill out as it grows. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrTzY-e0IDJvNYxaJVJxhDxEMLejBvc5kzLmKc1f0pOjWPkiCxg20mHV4YGOsm-eUf-5OODXWxQH4imU3faDONKCyA8Tw1DEqpEfiF8Wi0ldK-ZNOnPYn-8ffvsWXkX2CqriD6wYlPD2_yoMuCDSyr2Gfq0xJ3PMovTU5LXhlU_ZqTFHym838hjDUKPy5/s4032/IMG_E2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrTzY-e0IDJvNYxaJVJxhDxEMLejBvc5kzLmKc1f0pOjWPkiCxg20mHV4YGOsm-eUf-5OODXWxQH4imU3faDONKCyA8Tw1DEqpEfiF8Wi0ldK-ZNOnPYn-8ffvsWXkX2CqriD6wYlPD2_yoMuCDSyr2Gfq0xJ3PMovTU5LXhlU_ZqTFHym838hjDUKPy5/w225-h400/IMG_E2246.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new linden tree, in the process of being planted. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>3. I'm thankful for our new tree, and look forward to the future shade it will provide. </b><div><br /></div><div>John dug up shovelful after shovelful of native "soil," screening out the 50-80% which was rocks, then putting back the 20-50% of dirt that was left. He did that not just for the tree planting hole, but also for the rest of the bed, thus providing me a place to plant tulip bulbs. I had purchased a truly random assortment of bulbs from <a href="https://thanksgivingpoint.org/" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Point</a> this spring. I'm excited to see what comes up in the spring--and curious to see if our fence still does well at keeping the deer out, or if they will suddenly be lured in by the tulips, which I have heard are their favorite snack. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. I'm thankful for an anticipated springtime surprise ("anticipated surprise" oxymoron notwithstanding). </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The last time I visited my parents, I was impressed with my mom's never-ending "to-do" list, and even more impressed with how many items she checked off every day. While I am a list maker, I don't always write down everything I need to do. This past week I decided to write down all the little stuff. I think I've been more productive; in any case, it feels like I have been, because I've had the satisfaction of crossing so many items off the list. (And yes, I've added completed items to the list just for that feeling of accomplishment when I could immediately cross them off!)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. I'm thankful for lists. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I like to "yard walk" and see how my plants are growing. In the case of summer squash, a daily walk helps keep the produce from reaching baseball-bat size. On one of my walks this week, I realized that I had some beautiful flowers that would look nice together, so I picked a bouquet to bring indoors. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6asyUSLN8Cwq2w7SLYh3wd0lFthE5pf8nLcupxK3_-Tz0gBZG3hHLu7V1rjz9gW3-bQQ4jv6yCuOVlSXxxzz74ua4Vl3cySj_QFs2bdPEIzdl1-R99MZP00lrmTnJBS0D4wqpGavREtdxlNNw1k3GhvgHpCsfGaB_869q2_8p_adJHlLK6XvSyeh-3M5N/s4032/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6asyUSLN8Cwq2w7SLYh3wd0lFthE5pf8nLcupxK3_-Tz0gBZG3hHLu7V1rjz9gW3-bQQ4jv6yCuOVlSXxxzz74ua4Vl3cySj_QFs2bdPEIzdl1-R99MZP00lrmTnJBS0D4wqpGavREtdxlNNw1k3GhvgHpCsfGaB_869q2_8p_adJHlLK6XvSyeh-3M5N/w300-h400/IMG_2268.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a vase filled with love-lies-bleeding, red and pink roses, limelight hydrangeas, bright pink zinnias, and ornamental grass </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>6. I'm thankful to be able to bring the outside indoors. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Facebook memories help remind me of events from past years. Recently, photos of 10K races have been popping up. Though I haven't signed up for another run yet, I have used the treadmill again this week. I would like to get back into running shape. Being able to "run and not be weary" (Isaiah 40:31) is a great feeling, and I look forward to once again being able to run ("jog" is a more accurate word for my pace) for miles at a time. I'm not there yet, but I'll get there! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>7. I'm thankful for a physical body.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Of course, bodies don't always stay healthy or work as we hope they will. Several members of my family (myself included) have benefited from blood transfusions in the past. My transfusion was decades ago, and since that time, I have tried to give back by donating blood whenever I can. I know that not everyone has the same experience with blood donation, but whole blood donation is easy for me (platelets are another matter). Anyway, it had been a while since I had donated blood, but I was able to show up at a Red Cross blood drive this week. I hope to return to the every-8-weeks schedule I had been doing a few years ago. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>8. I'm thankful to be able to serve in easy ways.</b> (And somehow writing that phrase made "serve in bigger ways" pop into my head, along with the rest of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKRpDVLfI3A" rel="nofollow">"Thank You World"</a> song by the Statler Brothers. Go have a listen, if you'd like.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm on the Activities Committee at church, which could also be considered an easy way to serve. Even though party planning isn't really in my comfort wheelhouse, the committee is large, so tasks are broken down into manageable pieces. We had a dessert and campfire program up the canyon this week. John and I helped a little with set up and clean up, and were able to enjoy watching the various skits that were performed. I think a good time was had by all.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>9. I'm thankful for a church family. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>John loves hot peppers. Not hot for hot's sake, but flavorful peppers with a bit of a kick. I enjoy some heat, but my tolerance for it has decreased over the years, so I leave pepper production solely in John's hands. This year, he grew many different varieties from seed (thanks to <a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">Baker Creek Seeds</a> and <a href="https://territorialseed.com/" target="_blank">Territorial Seed Company</a>). It is now harvest time, and I love to see his excitement for all his different peppers.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>10. I'm thankful for John.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>How has your week been? What are you thankful for? Leave a comment below, and check out the other blog posts on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/2023/09/we-are-back.html" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog</a>! Write and link up your own post, if you are so inclined; we have a great community of bloggers!</div><div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085311167627297994.post-88479196177515786092023-09-01T17:13:00.003-06:002023-09-01T17:13:47.162-06:00Ten Things of Thankful: Summer Recap<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnYQOXF2jtOA_p_n7RowfOH8aIg99KB7cv3-0F1CNmM_9ETIrHhJN7cybLwnMCtUI1wQ-i94BgOY4qOJqJ6ih1HU8MPHK--2Mb8iZBDfGoXqWh49W42zUL9W3pUNvoHsR2KI5jROZ-pb67B-OT58pSxtPEdKCCSd_OUZ0sDP_k5VHhErYgZ_3Pm0aBfCh/s4032/IMG_1589.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnYQOXF2jtOA_p_n7RowfOH8aIg99KB7cv3-0F1CNmM_9ETIrHhJN7cybLwnMCtUI1wQ-i94BgOY4qOJqJ6ih1HU8MPHK--2Mb8iZBDfGoXqWh49W42zUL9W3pUNvoHsR2KI5jROZ-pb67B-OT58pSxtPEdKCCSd_OUZ0sDP_k5VHhErYgZ_3Pm0aBfCh/w400-h300/IMG_1589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My four granddaughters harvesting raspberries and strawberries from my garden</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Can you believe it is September already? The Ten Things of Thankful blog hop took a break over August, but I actually also missed the last couple of linkups in July, so I have plenty of catching up to do! Without further ado, here is my "What I Did Over Summer Vacation" post, with plenty of thanks thrown in. </p><p>July was filled with family times. John and I drove with our youngest son to the Oregon coast, where we gathered with my parents, siblings, oldest daughter, a sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews for a weekend filled with good conversation, laughter, and games. A cousin came by for a couple of hours as well, which was wonderful. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88BV1_lq1rsRihsvFgIXjH6a8O28NrNwQWiXv5l_cLZVIfp3auhR-5Ovze4379eZtnMevosExY0NYD-eo1GCc-uTiYMuDzxUtl5alij_o4w8GLfixCRhen5cw23Lqn-UJy8q90hKDPq2_mjRV3UDTKhwg1vvsFaHk40XgyfedtzAKol3LGnxeC19RuexE/s4032/IMG_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88BV1_lq1rsRihsvFgIXjH6a8O28NrNwQWiXv5l_cLZVIfp3auhR-5Ovze4379eZtnMevosExY0NYD-eo1GCc-uTiYMuDzxUtl5alij_o4w8GLfixCRhen5cw23Lqn-UJy8q90hKDPq2_mjRV3UDTKhwg1vvsFaHk40XgyfedtzAKol3LGnxeC19RuexE/w400-h300/IMG_1569.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: my brother, sister, dad, mom, and me</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We didn't plan tons of activities, but we did visit a local escape room one day. I'm proud to announce that we set the all-time record for quickest escape (23 minutes 13 seconds). I was happy to tag along on the coattails of my smart relatives!</p><p><b>1. I'm thankful for my parents, siblings, and the families we have formed. </b></p><p><b>2. I'm also thankful for cousins. </b></p><p>After the trip to Oregon, it was back home for less than a week, then John and I drove to California to pick up the grandchildren for another visit. As you can tell from the photo at the top of this post, our granddaughters loved picking berries in our backyard. Our grandsons were more interested in finding snails than picking berries. We had lots of time to play, both at home and at local parks and museums. The time went all too quickly, though, and we drove them back to their home at the end of July.</p><p><b>3. I'm thankful for my grandchildren and the chance we had to spend time together.</b></p><p>We returned home August 1st and threw ourselves into a project. You may recall that we purchased a small camper trailer earlier this year. We had only gone on one overnight trip with it, basically to figure out what we didn't know and to learn what would make it more functional for us. We were able to get reservations at Madison Campground in Yellowstone National Park for 5 nights in August, so we spent the first part of August getting ready for that trip. John, in particular, was very busy modifying the trailer and prepping it for our time away. Interior changes we made (some of which you can see in the photos below): turned the dinette table into a permanent bed, installed a pivoting table by the couch, put in a TV and DVD player, put a medicine cabinet in the bathroom, put in clothes rods in the little closet, put up peel and stick tiles in the kitchen, and covered the couch cushions with slipcovers. While there are still some additional projects that could improve functionality even more (fans for the ceiling vents, for example), all in all we are very pleased with how comfortable and practical our cozy trailer is. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54exrPBpIfygYN4t6x-_0XHEH4WbO8hAH93rNpEFnXfkJkDFD6Ok-5B5spshtKnXkZ2xdzzO_a_R62NhXn3gnCcZPJmflNp6-MlahRX5OMhCFjumIiWCMcJ09l-Qyi4X6HWiKoCqZ_s0eFczyNOtCb0P7Yvqiaw3tmXR2dYV7Dj2k7SgU6wbzdCSjGv46/s8300/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3800" data-original-width="8300" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54exrPBpIfygYN4t6x-_0XHEH4WbO8hAH93rNpEFnXfkJkDFD6Ok-5B5spshtKnXkZ2xdzzO_a_R62NhXn3gnCcZPJmflNp6-MlahRX5OMhCFjumIiWCMcJ09l-Qyi4X6HWiKoCqZ_s0eFczyNOtCb0P7Yvqiaw3tmXR2dYV7Dj2k7SgU6wbzdCSjGv46/w400-h184/IMG_0168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "before" of the inside of our trailer (in a weird panorama shot that made the kitchen seem curved)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAlQmGroviXPa4-rtNC_0unvLYBz2S4SYlwkGtiT1Jbakl42RQ5caPWAP4uFyiw-HypeGyK_1S9I40S-mVQhY3GMe2ZfeJEzXCfexhKFzcHBegeHUbH920QEFlOd6ekeRZcM4nR6Wl6JCmZV5qD0FXpEJ_YEFRPAkiw9U--yUAbZSqcpelZ15KqWkvFYk/s4032/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAlQmGroviXPa4-rtNC_0unvLYBz2S4SYlwkGtiT1Jbakl42RQ5caPWAP4uFyiw-HypeGyK_1S9I40S-mVQhY3GMe2ZfeJEzXCfexhKFzcHBegeHUbH920QEFlOd6ekeRZcM4nR6Wl6JCmZV5qD0FXpEJ_YEFRPAkiw9U--yUAbZSqcpelZ15KqWkvFYk/w400-h300/IMG_1774.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "after" photo, showing the table stowed over the couch.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>4. I'm thankful for projects that John and I can work on together. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The camper provided a comfortable place to eat and sleep at Yellowstone. The last time we had camped there, we tent camped and it rained pretty heavily some days/nights. This time, the weather was perfect, but we still appreciated how warm the trailer stayed at night. Being able to shower was a plus, too! :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time at Yellowstone. We were there during the Perseid meteor shower, and the sky is so dark there we were able to view dozens of falling stars in a short amount of time. During the days, we enjoyed hikes, watched multiple geysers erupt, and viewed wildlife. We saw a grizzly bear! It was too far away for a photo, but close enough that binoculars worked well. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXVJG1myS4Qes1Hb_gh-OcXnEmQLzKgepCVo7wU6GVmSDaAP6l7jKjQjD_YnAz4lVzuzkwjikEYzAqKGFNtKdMhhV92IGHat7i1hv0fZIN82zfxN4yqORp8T6gKEdlduoTTAde85h8UbZ0WOGaHIpvt9wrCZyppao2W3cakDqP7ebPWlV_WtOLGCKCVja/s4032/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXVJG1myS4Qes1Hb_gh-OcXnEmQLzKgepCVo7wU6GVmSDaAP6l7jKjQjD_YnAz4lVzuzkwjikEYzAqKGFNtKdMhhV92IGHat7i1hv0fZIN82zfxN4yqORp8T6gKEdlduoTTAde85h8UbZ0WOGaHIpvt9wrCZyppao2W3cakDqP7ebPWlV_WtOLGCKCVja/w400-h300/IMG_1859.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I hiking at the wonderfully reflective Trout Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeF6paKfNaIVAZynlsYv8nQr2ijEPX2LyYIFkwOJ7TdlSzeL67Np56T-2QNvzQksCru3Nx4DHz0_85DPvc9_se0GDWxJi2mQtYY7AGcefX_3zjaMR3dV4vpjKwLttyCezHYgc3eLbFOHEz683Gp-awz5XZUgOb8-K_LRFm_qvpu_7v8aVw3OTqb_FIiZ9/s4032/IMG_1869.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeF6paKfNaIVAZynlsYv8nQr2ijEPX2LyYIFkwOJ7TdlSzeL67Np56T-2QNvzQksCru3Nx4DHz0_85DPvc9_se0GDWxJi2mQtYY7AGcefX_3zjaMR3dV4vpjKwLttyCezHYgc3eLbFOHEz683Gp-awz5XZUgOb8-K_LRFm_qvpu_7v8aVw3OTqb_FIiZ9/w400-h300/IMG_1869.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam rises from Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tFrRl0SejEcMiWTtprB_t3gLOdEVdHicQz__DzDNSZbKCarZgENGnt_6ca53DLDxPk0oS6ZES8oJKqEfNuQ-9Wmkj06wMp3-kKoA03RZqkA1b0llv743JOxbNxQlXMuZcVp15afeRI4a_vXR_XnemgV9vRIcn7uOoj32K8j55U7wQbSMhNVrosUysMnp/s4032/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tFrRl0SejEcMiWTtprB_t3gLOdEVdHicQz__DzDNSZbKCarZgENGnt_6ca53DLDxPk0oS6ZES8oJKqEfNuQ-9Wmkj06wMp3-kKoA03RZqkA1b0llv743JOxbNxQlXMuZcVp15afeRI4a_vXR_XnemgV9vRIcn7uOoj32K8j55U7wQbSMhNVrosUysMnp/w300-h400/IMG_1888.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A golden stream runs off Sapphire Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Below, a video of Beehive Geyser erupting:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy33Fer0uk1Tv4BMqllCBeybPhbCadyyVAI9EE3bMvFDeCecgsiBh5emCvbT5x1e6wR1dQhVWr1ErleK6u69Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmtOkxTYFJecITTVqaI8aupkOe2r7cbzrKQ8ezx-eYmSZn75mLLDh8qH1x-RMFNUU7DK2QZrv-g61Ujrd-EZU2M2pljvdGOcmRt87sgbcgm2IZnvQaeazg4MigSgbKoQ75kQgkJwdCIkX_js2-4atKN5dviQ1IIR81cbYRn4ErZNxfUq7oa1LdTSQKSW/s4032/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gmtOkxTYFJecITTVqaI8aupkOe2r7cbzrKQ8ezx-eYmSZn75mLLDh8qH1x-RMFNUU7DK2QZrv-g61Ujrd-EZU2M2pljvdGOcmRt87sgbcgm2IZnvQaeazg4MigSgbKoQ75kQgkJwdCIkX_js2-4atKN5dviQ1IIR81cbYRn4ErZNxfUq7oa1LdTSQKSW/w400-h300/IMG_1938.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Glory Pool </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-agIHAB0USU_JfnvPEYlHPMU2FczGPGp2Q6Lu9939Gxrgs8wjBT5ls-fxOoyoZJg1xheWre-HLIbJs--Ycu4JSGVAEAimP3SbIIAuSlvFmkjbMpuzki31k40EzXWfBQA6EYmCAWjUYY1cRvcsAWRWVLxebQ7ZgLrdJrjNI8l_zgtAVCt-Z9RvusmCHdJE/s4032/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-agIHAB0USU_JfnvPEYlHPMU2FczGPGp2Q6Lu9939Gxrgs8wjBT5ls-fxOoyoZJg1xheWre-HLIbJs--Ycu4JSGVAEAimP3SbIIAuSlvFmkjbMpuzki31k40EzXWfBQA6EYmCAWjUYY1cRvcsAWRWVLxebQ7ZgLrdJrjNI8l_zgtAVCt-Z9RvusmCHdJE/w400-h300/IMG_2006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An enormous bull elk grazing on the side of the road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZsUr0-zRyNhGdsIlZcF23JBI7vub2eVWs-EDAD94erA9ZLWIf6HjF4Qao2p9wb0Iu7cjKLkKJNPLdxnZdJwwTqz2msreyP-GlqdBkpPdcVEIcszh29-gxulR_YvFtuJw8gsYljU0aWz6ldrrIFc3wP2-DWSQoK1pJVgN4U9hTPs_0Rz1b35ySmowbVuf/s4032/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZsUr0-zRyNhGdsIlZcF23JBI7vub2eVWs-EDAD94erA9ZLWIf6HjF4Qao2p9wb0Iu7cjKLkKJNPLdxnZdJwwTqz2msreyP-GlqdBkpPdcVEIcszh29-gxulR_YvFtuJw8gsYljU0aWz6ldrrIFc3wP2-DWSQoK1pJVgN4U9hTPs_0Rz1b35ySmowbVuf/w400-h300/IMG_1999.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red sun sets behind a grazing bison</td></tr></tbody></table><b>5. I'm thankful for this beautiful world. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After Yellowstone, I had a weekend to catch up on laundry, then I was off to <a href="https://educationweek.byu.edu/home" target="_blank">BYU Education Week</a>. It had been years since I had been able to attend, so I was really looking forward to it. Every day, I could attend classes on a variety of topics and just enjoy the atmosphere and learning. I always come away from Education Week feeling both calm and re-energized. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9NkjfiXLV8tDCrJ93_zYJDBs0JRq28LXi7xwOc0L_bwaE68sPX2lKtLB9L1AZSW-l3GJkzXs15aOLkFZQP1G--Db92mbvOIFFda8og9c-Th3S7up4WqssH0K46e7nbKtdoilyq9IT9lWMISrV9x3jgRtAWGg8NfzvV3pjMd2a-YbMQDkjEQm-JvaEx0S/s4032/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9NkjfiXLV8tDCrJ93_zYJDBs0JRq28LXi7xwOc0L_bwaE68sPX2lKtLB9L1AZSW-l3GJkzXs15aOLkFZQP1G--Db92mbvOIFFda8og9c-Th3S7up4WqssH0K46e7nbKtdoilyq9IT9lWMISrV9x3jgRtAWGg8NfzvV3pjMd2a-YbMQDkjEQm-JvaEx0S/w300-h400/IMG_2057.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Y" on the mountain above the campus of BYU</td></tr></tbody></table><b>6. I'm thankful to be able to return to my alma mater and learn.</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I actually missed the last day of Education Week, but it was for a good reason. John's brother's wife was having a birthday party, and so John, his sister, her husband, and I drove to Colorado to join in the celebration. It was nice to be able to travel together, and we talked the entire way there and back. We towed our little trailer, so John and I stayed in a campground and his sister and her husband stayed in a hotel nearby. Saturday, we went to a science museum before the festivities began. The birthday party was 60's themed, so we all dressed up in groovy attire and a good time was had by all. We were glad we attended; it had been too long since we had all been together. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>7. I'm thankful for extended family. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>And that brings us to this week. I've enjoyed all the traveling, but it is good to be home. I've been able to catch up on laundry (again), spend some time working in the garden and flower beds, and generally take care of some items on the to-do list that had been neglected. John and I have gone to the temple, and on some hikes on the trails behind our house. I even completed "week 1, day 1" of the Couch to 5K running program (gasp!) I don't have a specific 5K race in mind for the future, but I'll figure it out as I get closer to ready. And that is really how I'm living my life right now, too: I'm doing the things I can to prepare for future adventures, even though those adventures are unknown at the moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtrh_GdV_jfYTQYsxssMQTvIED3Lg0C9AVv7VjownfzHZ86om3IvhuLwcRgbVoJ7GRJio4oGcHATR0Jx978_OCHcFXY_y-xxHrXKEgFbRxDvAZ7ydS1GY0Si9O1I_5hXaHkRrxQiM4RB5jUjx0nC9xiHFTl-OgwinWUps064ZlAqBHiFLX8yDDFUIdf2i/s4032/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtrh_GdV_jfYTQYsxssMQTvIED3Lg0C9AVv7VjownfzHZ86om3IvhuLwcRgbVoJ7GRJio4oGcHATR0Jx978_OCHcFXY_y-xxHrXKEgFbRxDvAZ7ydS1GY0Si9O1I_5hXaHkRrxQiM4RB5jUjx0nC9xiHFTl-OgwinWUps064ZlAqBHiFLX8yDDFUIdf2i/w300-h400/IMG_2014.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute little personal sized watermelon grow up a trellis in my garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWSXdvQYPd0DvnqjKqzm5LHCr1KdyWzzS3BPnU72ZgP5fBT0Um9CPj6NYlKvdhd-x16kBiTBZ_ebuFzaKW1XdCqiCiuZifjCoWTZb3q40h3mNq9s6-_Byhn25aYV6jXOeuALvayxaJjl1HAbhBd_WHbtjDvwcncYM-qYmuhFOCCu5_jdHj8ZKkXUQRHXt/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWSXdvQYPd0DvnqjKqzm5LHCr1KdyWzzS3BPnU72ZgP5fBT0Um9CPj6NYlKvdhd-x16kBiTBZ_ebuFzaKW1XdCqiCiuZifjCoWTZb3q40h3mNq9s6-_Byhn25aYV6jXOeuALvayxaJjl1HAbhBd_WHbtjDvwcncYM-qYmuhFOCCu5_jdHj8ZKkXUQRHXt/w400-h300/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the left, an arch between two empty garden beds. On the right, those beds planted and tomatoes, melons, and cucumbers climbing up the arch. <br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCKvvYqdbDJnzJzL5jqy8tmrDScu5QBQHc1D9aKLpUlCpLw2NHYJnerpk2Xj7km530PddD87K1glAqpV8Z-E4S9Q2hRFIXRQBGsJXM1kL9nWzw3APAv9_pp_-lm3zpnWa364Hz_tio0eZty8SygM_80se_wh6mLy-ZcYVjCyY2CblAAqY2Gj9CuyLWNyP/s4032/IMG_E2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCKvvYqdbDJnzJzL5jqy8tmrDScu5QBQHc1D9aKLpUlCpLw2NHYJnerpk2Xj7km530PddD87K1glAqpV8Z-E4S9Q2hRFIXRQBGsJXM1kL9nWzw3APAv9_pp_-lm3zpnWa364Hz_tio0eZty8SygM_80se_wh6mLy-ZcYVjCyY2CblAAqY2Gj9CuyLWNyP/w400-h226/IMG_E2211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Water from a creek flows over a wooden footbridge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO7W40M7bLpDCdHKEudBlsh7uGqtRJjDWCgBTOJG2XC54JZpe8HideMvztvUeDiX4J2km4GK5FZtKuiYHPZQCEZuxRK0KrzEJjBQOVAGaFFSTJfdDiDrRFmkdcF-QVSra1yr7KKcqqUKPhV7h0_tcKKR_OU6hmtPINIlIUSMZrAVdior2XLCguDhLW_Lf/s4032/IMG_2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO7W40M7bLpDCdHKEudBlsh7uGqtRJjDWCgBTOJG2XC54JZpe8HideMvztvUeDiX4J2km4GK5FZtKuiYHPZQCEZuxRK0KrzEJjBQOVAGaFFSTJfdDiDrRFmkdcF-QVSra1yr7KKcqqUKPhV7h0_tcKKR_OU6hmtPINIlIUSMZrAVdior2XLCguDhLW_Lf/w400-h300/IMG_2009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a rainbow comes down from the sky across Utah Valley, with the Mt. Timpanogos Temple at the left of the photo<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. I'm thankful for the joy of watching plants grow in my yard.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. I'm thankful for the moisture we have received over the past year, and the moisture we continue to receive.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>10. I'm thankful for John.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now it's time for you to show and tell! I'd love to hear about your summer and what you are thankful for! Drop a comment below, and feel free to link up your own blog post on the <a href="https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ten Things of Thankful blog hop</a>! </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br style="text-align: left;" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Kristihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com2