Good Intentions turned Better

So, this morning started out with my obligatory weekly load of laundry. Towels to be exact because I only have 8 towels and well, you do the math. I really, really, really wanted to go to a local farmer's market and buy up a flat of raspberries and make jam. That was what I had planned for this morning. Then, I was going to drop by the bike barn and pick up my bike which was getting a tune-up. For this afternoon, I planned to make a yummy salsa recipe tried and tested and tweaked by my sister yesterday.

While getting out of the shower, I remembered that I had told a friend last night that I was going to go to the temple this morning. See how one night of sleep can totally erase one's memory? Either that or how tempting food can be to lure me from my original celestial goals.

So, I got ready, did my hair, put on a pretty dress and headed off to the temple. On the way, I did pick up my bicycle and next door to that, there was an Osmond's (I'm sure related to THE Osmonds) Home Furniture store and a 50-70% sale going on. I found a chair with a very wide seat bottom (for us wide-bottomed gals) and black ladder back and so I squeezed it into the back of my jeep and propped it on top of my bike and off I went to the temple.

Then, my friends called and invited me to lunch so I met them at a cute little place on Main Street in Lehi called Porter's Place. I had a yummy french-dip sandwich. Then, we took a drive to their son's new place in Highland. Around 4:00 p.m. I finally made it home.

I didn't get the jam made, nor did I get to the salsa. There is always tomorrow for the salsa I suppose. I really did have good intentions for today. However, the better plan shaped my day!

Confession of a wanna-be

I think I've said this before here, but I'll say it again. Not that I would ever want to go back to being a teenager, but if I were a teenager today, I would totally be a huge fan of Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers and all of the other Disney kids. As a nearly 39-year old woman it's just not appropriate for me to admit here in public that I am fans of them so let's just say that if I were their age, I would totally be. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it...)

Anway, if you have children who frequently tune into that one channel where you can watch Walt's current group of teenage idols, you may have heard the new song called "Send it On". I really love it. My sister said it's Disney's version of "We are the World". Could be.

Here is a sneak peak video I found on YouTube. If you go to the Disney website and click on videos, then music, it comes on first. At least that's what I've heard. Not that I've done it...

And because some of my readers don't like a lot of writing and want more pictures, I give you some of those too. The picture at the top were these beautiful hydrangeas that were just growing outside the public restroom in Riomaggiore, Italy. Have I mentioned how much I love that place?

This is me and my Dad outside of the Hard Rock Cafe in Amsterdam. Did you hear his good news? His cancer is not growing and some of the smaller lesions have actually disappeared! He goes back to the Dr. tomorrow to find out his new chemo treatment plan. Hopefully it's not so aggressive this time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll be able to go to Singapore with me at the end of September. It's not on his bucket list, but having him go places with me is on mine. He'll just have to deal with it and like it. I think he can manage...

If You're Not Already...

You should be reading this blog every day. She is heartwarming, hilarious, an excellent photographer and just downright precious.

Particularly, two of my most favorite (recent) posts:

Bottom Hanging Down
Ruth and Naomi

Reading her confessions makes me smile. I need more of that!

PS - Check out the other parts of her blog. Her pictures of food are A-MAZ-ING...

Willing to Mourn

This has been a tough week for me in many ways. Among the difficulties of this week came my resolve to work on some of my personal issues and demons. Then, news came that a young family in my ward lost three beloved family members in a tragic plane crash. All week I have pondered their loss, but know of course that they had eternal ties and if they can just get through this life they can live with their loved ones forever.

While at the memorial service yesterday, I felt the truth of the words spoken by the Prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon:

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life --" (Mosiah 18:9)

I am grateful for those that have mourned with me in the past and continue to mourn with me during times of struggle and pain. I am also grateful for the opportunities that I am given to strengthen others around me during their times of mourning. It really puts everything into perspective.

Life is too hard to try to live it without the love, help and strength of those around you. Especially too hard to do without belief and reliance on a Savior who took all of our pain away in the Garden of Gethsemene.

Why is it?

Why does it go days and days without raining and the day I pay $7 to wash my car, it rains?

I'm just asking.