Believe...

So we've already established that I have the greatest kids ever.

But I also have the greatest friends ever:)When I got home from work, there was a card in the mail clear from Northern California.

Lisa the Liberal sent me a card that said "I believe in you" with this awesome wristband attached.

I will wear it every day.

Alongside my Yankees one.

They would be accompanied by my Tough Enough to Wear Pink one.

But Hemi ate it.

Thank you Lisa. I heart you:)

I like A's.

I should be studying for a test. It is in 1 hour and 47 minutes. And I have been studying ALL day. Because I procrastinated until today. I don't know EVERYTHING I need to know to get EVERY answer right for EVERY question on the test. Grrrr... I used to like to know EVERYTHING!!! But now I know it's OK to not know EVERYTHING. In fact, I've learned things that I'd rather NOT know. Oh, but wait.. I digress. We're talking about school.

On Thursday, I took a test. Open book, open notes, 2 hour time limit. In my FAVORITE class. Human Development. There was absolutely NO reason not to ACE that test. I was done in 1 hour and 2 minutes and had plenty of time to look up the few questions that I wasn't 100% sure about. But I didn't. Even though I could have. I got 45/50, which used to be an A; 90%. But now 90% is a B+.

My friend, who is a real LCSW, licensed and everything, tells me that nobody really cares if you got an A or a B or even a C on some test along the way. All that matters is the license hanging on the wall, and if you have empathy. I like that. Maybe God is teaching me to have empathy. Which is different than sympathy. Yeah, ok. Cool. B+. But I still want A's, so I'm going to study for 1 hour and 19 more minutes. Wish me luck:)

Girl Power

Yeah, so I love Girl Power songs.

Saw this video at the gym tonight

and it's my new favorite:)

The Most Beautiful Gift I've Ever Received....

Was created by my amazing daughter, Ashli.

Wow... every inch of this drawing means something special to me.

Thank you, Ash. This means more to me than you can even imagine.

I love you.

Psalms 27:14

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say, on the Lord"

Pollyanna at the Laundry-Mat (yes, I know it's Laundromat)

I hate to get all "Pollyanna" on you, but I really did have a wonderful morning at the Laundromat today.

I lug all of my dirty clothes to Payson now and do laundry either before or after work.

Because, quite frankly, I don't do much of ANYTHING in Nephi anymore. I think I'll move to Utah County when my lease is up here. So I was thinking about that this morning, and having mixed feelings. Worried that there aren't any friendly people "up north" and that I would hate it.

And then this cute little Mexican lady at the laundromat walked over to me and handed me her business card. English on the front of the card, Spanish 0n the back. Or vice-versa. But she handed it to me English-side up:) I guess she is a ph0tographer. Whatever she does, she was adorable. Didn't speak a word to me. Just handed me her card and gave me a warm smile. I was drawn to her immediately.

I had been reviewing an article in National Geographic magazine for my Biological Anthropology class while I waited for my laundry.

And one of the Mexican guys in the group came over to me and asked in broken English... "You go to school?" I told him I had returned to college after 25 years and he said

"Never too late"

Awe... I loved him. He had a warm smile too and I just wanted to go home with these happy, upbeat, friendly people and live happily ever after with homemade tortillas and a love like Grandma G's permeating my life.

These awesome people made me realize I can be happy "up north".

I've started looking for the perfect little place.

It will be fun:)

Stronger

I just spent a couple days with my sisters.

Tami said I seem a little bit stronger every time she sees me:)

Tara said I'm beautiful.

And Tawni was doing my nails when I got a text that made my day.

I have hope for the future.

I keep getting stronger.

Seeing my family helps.

Those texts help:)

I'll be OK.

Peace

I try to keep my blog upbeat as much as possible. Focus on the great things happening in my life right now.

Because there ARE a lot of great things happening in my life.

But some days still just suck.

Some days I still feel pretty worthless. If the person who knows me best doesn't love me anymore, how can anyone love me at all? Ever?

So last night was rough. I was feeling pretty low and sad and discouraged about the future.

On those days, I start with a prayer. Then ask God if I can talk to my Mom.

And if I'm still pretty despondent, I call someone. Usually Ashli or Tami.

They talk me through it.

I remember why it's important to keep going.

Why my life isn't over just because of the pain I'm in.

But last night, the prayer and talking to Mom were enough:)

Pretty sure Joey, Marv and Grandpa dropped by, too.

I asked God to direct me to a scripture that would help, and my Bible fell open to Isaiah 66.

"Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river....

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;

and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem...

And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice.."

I'm sure there is a plan for me. I'm sure God hasn't forgotten me.

I'm sure there is still something lovable in me.

And today after work, I get to go hang out with the people who love me even though they know every single thing about me, good and bad..

My beautiful sisters:)

Yay! I NEED this.

My Work Buddies

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE

the people I work with??

We go to lunch together a couple times a week and it's a pretty intimidating

entourage walking out the doors together...

DeeDee, me, Jodi, Marie, Sharon and

...Daniel...

the lone man in the Garden of Eden.

He's a trooper to hang out with all of us old ladies:)

DeeDee prefers Chinese food

But we hit the Hogi Yogi too

When the bigwigs go home at 4:00, I get to work with a whole new group

of friends unloading trucks. They crack me up. I'm usually the token girl in

the group and they didn't quite understand the trauma when I broke a nail

last night unloading a HUGE Coleman cooler. Whoever buys that massive

beer transport device better appreciate it!

Last night, the unloaders all thought it would be pretty funny to introduce

themselves to me as "Mike". Every single one of them said his name was Mike.

They're a blast. Cute kids.

LOVE MY JOB:)

Balance

Day Two

of my new fitness regime.

I live about 1/2 mile from the gym.

The treadmill is boring.

So today I had a plan. Walk to the gym. Do 30 minutes on the elliptical. Walk home. No walking on the treadmill.

I got on the elliptical. Went up a level from yesterday:) I was at 20 minutes. It was going well.

Then people started arriving for Shannon's yoga class.

I've always wanted to try yoga.

It sounded "easier" than the elliptical.

I walked into the class.

Terry and Shannon laughed when I said it sounded easier than the elliptical.

They were right. It wasn't easier.

But it was awesome.

I have a wh0le new set of inspirational quotes just from my first yoga class.

"Find your balance, then lift your gaze."

"Change your thoughts and you can change your world."

"Where your gaze goes, you will go."

So I appreciate the inspirational quotes.

But I still get tremendous inspiration from photos of hot cowboys as well!

Pain is Temporary...Quitting is Forever

So this quote is on the wall at the gym.

"Pain is Temporary, Quitting is Forever."

Yes, I found myself back at the gym today.

APPARENTLY, looking hot in a pair of jeans has not been enough motivation for me to get back over there.

But this morning, Jerry B told me my blood pressure is.....

THROUGH THE ROOF!!

He gently suggested that I get more exercise. Time to get back to the gym. Grrr... I've had high weight, high stress, high risk factors my whole life. But prided myself on not having high blood pressure. Well, now we've thrown in high age, too, and it's time to get it in check, with Mom's cancer history and Dad's history of heart disease. I left Dr T's office, did not pass go, did not collect $200. Went right to the gym. Signed up for a year.

Came home, changed clothes and went back.

Spent 30 minutes on the elliptical followed by 30 minutes on the treadmill.

So... apparently, in spite of my occasional thoughts that "I just want to die" rather than live through my current life challenges, I really DO want to live a long and healthy life. And if I get looking HOT in a pair of jeans in the process.. BONUS:)

A Good Day:)

This was a good day

On my way to work this morning, a cute guy paid for my daily dose of Diet Dr Pepper.

The guy my kids got half of their DNA from.

We just happened to be at the Santaquin Maverik at the same time.

Thanks for the drink, Kurt:)



This cute guy was in Nephi today and would have taken me to lunch if I hadn't been at work. Dang... I missed out:( Thanks anyway, Mack!

Can't get a puppy, so I bought a HUGE pillow to cuddle up with at night. Isn't it cute?

And.. good news. My old boss lost his ridiculous appeal with the unemployment office, so I'm not stuck with an $8,319.00 penalty after all. Yay!!!!!

I scored 48/50 on my Anthropology field assignment. Yay!!!!

It's Spring Break so I don't have school tonight, and I think I'll do a couple of things from the Happy Book we made last week:) Life is good....

My To-Do List

I had a list of stuff to do today.

Go to work.

I got certified in the operation of the Walkie Stacker today. SO FUN! I LOVE my job:)

Next on the "To Do" list. Laundry. Ugh. Got it done though:)

Went to the library. Carin was there. She recommended some books by Debbie Macomber.

Debbie recommended some books by Josi Kilpack. We'll see if I like them:) Always looking for new authors.

Had to go talk to my insurance agent. He's a good man. A good friend. But I still hate paying insurance premiums.

Ugh. The last thing on my list today wasn't a whole lot of fun. Had to sign some papers. But my fun friend Lisa was in the building and she made me smile.

And my awesome niece Brooklyn just happened to text me as I pulled into the parking lot

"Hey I was wondering.. how are you doing?"

She'd have no way of knowing where I was at that very moment, but she trusted the instinct that I could use a text from someone I love RIGHT then!! Grateful to my Heavenly Father for whispering in her ear, and grateful that she's the kind of person who is worthy to hear and respond to the promptings. This was not an easy day but I am SO BLESSED to be surrounded by amazing family and friends.

You Make Me Smile

A friend sent me this ringtone last night.

Could not have been more perfect.

Just what I needed to hear.

It made me smile.

Thank you my friend.

*___________*