Ten Things of Thankful: Coming Up Roses

 

A bouquet of red roses and white chrysanthemums 

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. 

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. 

The flights (I had a plane change in San Jose) were uneventful. 

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. 

1. I'm thankful for easy travels.

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. 

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!

2. I'm thankful for sweet-smelling roses. 

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. 

3. I'm thankful for John, and our life together.

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.

Buds are appearing on a Thanksgiving cactus

Prayer plant is growing and blooming

4. I'm thankful for growing things. 

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. 

A little Irish creamer dish, with a white basketweave pattern and delicately painted shamrocks

5. I'm thankful for fun finds. 

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. 

puzzle shows map of United States, with National Parks featured around the map

6. I'm thankful there was only 1 piece missing!

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

7. I'm thankful for the opportunity to speak in church, because it allows me to ponder on a topic for weeks in advance. 

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 book about Matt and George Kimes, 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 Royal Wade Kimes, 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. 

8. I'm thankful for those who share their experience and expertise.

Friday night, John and I tuned in to the BYU Public Domain Film Festival. 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! 

Last night, we watched another short film: The Last Repair Shop. 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. 

9. I'm thankful for those who share their talents. 

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. 

10. I know I've said it already, but I'm thankful for John. 

How has your week gone? What are you thankful for today? Don't forget to check out the other lists on the Ten Things of Thankful blog!

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.