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Monday, December 13, 2010

Looking on the Bright Side

Before I forget, the donut recipe I used is right here.

Moving on. Here in the strange land of Arizona, our leaves start falling in December. We had a huge pile in front, so I went to rake them. I soon found myself drowning in leaves. As if I didn't feel overwhelmed enough, my sweet (and rather chatty) older neighbor saw me and came over to say hello. For thirty minutes. I had no idea how I was going to get the leaves raked as well as everything else I had to do.

Then along came my very favorite jolly neighbor boy offering to help. He grabbed his dad's giant rake and worked up quite a little sweat. It was so kind of him to help me! And truthfully, I needed it.

He noticed that as we were raking away, the leaves continued to fall. It's a never ending process. Just like life I thought and sighed. After thinking a minute, he looked up all chubby-cheek-smiles and said, "Maybe some of them will land on the pile!" I laughed so hard. It was such a clever and optimistic thought, even if a little naive. He's definitely a cheerful kid, and that positive attitude seems to be working for him. I could benefit from a little of that optimism.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Sunday School Game

Ryan played a game with his Sunday School class today to help them review the lessons from this year.

Ryan: Because Jesus died, He saved everyone who lived after him. Who saved the people who lived before Him? [trick question!]

Boys Team: Nobody!

Other teacher: So they didn't deserve to be saved??

Boys Team: No.

Somehow the boys team still managed to win.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Homemade Donuts and the Garbage

Odd, unconnected thoughts race through my brain when I first wake up in the morning. It's in that first 30 minutes that I remember everything in my life that I've forgotten to do or need to do (like, the morning after I quit my job, I remembered every single thing I didn't train my replacement on), but I also just have random thoughts.

This morning one of my first thoughts was, "Mmmmmmm....I can still smell the scent of homemade donuts from last night." I'm telling you people, they not only smell but taste incredible. I just hope they taste as good this morning. Oh, and they're probably the ugliest donuts ever to exist, but this is just my practice round. Shhh, I'm making them for my mom for Christmas!

My next thought was, "Wednesday. Tomorrow is garbage day." I don't know why I always remember this because my next thought was, "When was the last time I had to empty the garbage cans around the house?" I couldn't remember the last time. I think I decided I may have done it once in the 2+ years we've been in this house. Yes, I take out smelly or full kitchen trash sacks . . . but basically, Ryan just takes care of it. I never asked him to start doing it. We moved in and he has done it ever since. I woke up thinking how grateful I am for that. Maybe Ryan woke up thinking he was grateful for donuts. I'll have to ask him.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Oh, Divine Comedy

One of our favorite things to do at BYU was to go to the school's improv group Divine Comedy. Anyway, some of you may have seen this floating around and some of you may be offended. Regardless I admit I giggled and even watched it twice.


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Going to the Dentist

Going to the dentist is not my favorite pastime. I hate the scratching and the scraping on my teeth. I hate the tickling of  the polisher. Also, I hate the awkwardness. The hygienists have you captive to whatever conversation they want to have. And while they're having this one-way conversation I never know where to look! The light? The wall? The hygienist's eyes? Or should I just keep my peepers shut? I'm just relieved to be home.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Men and the OB

Nathan is always reminding me of funny stories in my own life. He shared a story about having to see an OB. He is actually not the first man I know to see one though. Joe* is quite the character. One of his fun idiosyncrasies is that he listens to Mannheim Steamroller--year round. At any rate, he went to his wife's OB as his general practitioner. Apparently he felt she was a very attentive, patient doctor. That is one secure man.

*Name changed.