What comes to mind when you look at your November calendar?
“30 days hath September…”
“My favorite day of the year!” (November 1st)
“My turn to teach Relief Society”
“Oh, boy! It’s musical month! Things are about to get crazy.”
“Yay for cooler weather!”
“THANKSGIVING!”
And this…
What makes you smile in the room you’re in right now?
(My bedroom)
Our large TV. A few years ago when we finished our basement, we bought a new, bigger TV, and Scotty wanted to put the old one in our bedroom. I thought it was too big, and I discouraged it, but he did it anyway, and I LOVE IT.
The most beautiful thing you can see outside your nearest window:
There is really nothing great outside my bedroom window. My mediocre front lawn? The really weird tree in our yard? (seriously, our front yard tree is weird). My neighbor’s Halloween inflatables?
Things that make you feel warm and cozy right now:
My blankets.
The first positive thing that comes to mind after taking a big, deep breath:
“Oh, good. My lungs still work.”
A heart-warming story about an everyday item in a kitchen drawer:
(I didn’t pre-read these questions, and I should have know things would get weird. They often do).
I have the most beautiful, giant whisk purchased from NPS for $1.99 ten years ago. It’s a beast. Sturdy. Reliable. Not rusty. I’ve used it to prepare food for the masses. Lemonade for the crowds. Jams for the jars.
To own it is to be surely blessed.
Moments of quiet you experienced today between the noise and busy times:
It’s 4:00 a.m. and this is it. This is the quiet time.
Intensely appreciate the craftsmanship of an item or appliance near you:
My bidet is in the next room…
The story behind the closest family photo or moment to you:
Nicky’s Puerto Rican flag is folded up and tucked in a basket on my nightstand. He bought it right after he received him mission call. It hung on his wall for a few months. Now Eva is in that bedroom, and she wanted to keep the flag, but she also wanted to hang several other items on the wall, so I took the flag down (to her dismay). Now I’m keeping it safe until Nicky comes home.
A fond memory you have from a piece of clothing you are wearing:
I’m currently wearing my religious underclothing and a hot pink robe (it’s no longer 4:00 a.m. as I previously noted. Now it’s 10:30 p.m. and I just got out of the shower. I’m waiting for two of my kids to get home so I can shut down the house. Zoe is in my bed next to me watching Stuck in the Middle).
I feel honored to wear the sacred temple garment. I love my garments. And my robe was a gift from one of my best friends for my birthday.
Something you usually rush that you can try to give more attention to:
Where do I begin? Prayer and scripture study, of course. Spending time with my kids. All forms of exercise.
How the sky makes you feel when you look up at it:
My favorite sky feature (in addition to a colorful sunset or sunrise) is when the rays of sunlight shine through the clouds and create lines - particularly over the east mountains. I feel like those are God’s beams.
What makes you feel hopeful right now:
There’s a quote that floated around several years ago, and it’s been attributed to all sorts of people from Rob Schneider to Barbara Walters. I don’t know who (if anyone) actually said it, but it’s along the lines of, “If you turn off the news and just talk to your neighbors, you’ll find that our great country is far more harmonious than you’re being told.” There is so much in our world right now that’s ugly, but if we dial back from all forms of media and look at what’s right in front of us, in person, things feel different. We need to “see” each other, and media doesn’t work that way.
Something ordinary you pass by everyday that you can take more notice of:
I don’t know! I’m a pretty observant person, so I feel like I already keep a good watch on everything…the daily habits of the people selling burritos on the side of the road every morning… the price of gas… the rate at which the leaves are changing colors and falling… the squirrels running along the fence line…
I guess I could start reading the Burger King marquee because I often ignore that.
Things around you that cost little to nothing that you are grateful for:
Good, supportive relationships.
People who are uplifting and positive.
Rest.
Knowledge.
Kind words.
Personal revelation.
Things that would bring you inner calm right now if you needed it:
Music. A listening ear. A nice, long nap.
And if my inner turmoil were a result of being hangry… a sandwich.
Things right now that you’re certain of:
Today’s date is October 26.
What you love about the person you are right now:
I have an understanding of my talents and spiritual gifts and how to use them. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve overcome a lot. I’ve adjusted my priorities. I’m happy about how I’ve grown over the years, but I still have lots of work to do!
Recount the first memory you think of when you look at your dining room table:
When I bought my last kitchen table (approximately 2010), Nicky and Daisy got ahold of a piece of styrofoam and had a hay day. It made the biggest mess, but they were so happy!
What you love about the people you’ve spent time with today:
I’ve been writing this across the span of three days, and this question landed on Sunday, which means I spent time with a lot of people! In addition to my immediate family, I’ve spent time with my ward (congregation), notably the children since I subbed in primary today. I also went to work and happened to have one coworker there. And I visited my in-laws. What I love generally about ALL of these people is that they all enrich my life in some way. We have such good people in our ward! There are primary kids that are always happy to see me. My coworkers are all great! And my in-laws love me through my worst.
Scents or aromas that have brought you joy today:
Funny this should come up because I recently discovered that one of my best friends and I are not “scent compatible.” A few weeks ago we sniffed candles together and discussed the smells we like, and they are not the same! Then last night we went to Bath & Body Works together and further proved our scent differences.
I’m all about the fall scents - pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, and the like for now. Then after Thanksgiving, gimme all the evergreens! One of my favorite candles from B&BW (which has been discontinued) was peppermint sugar cookie.
One of my favorite smells of all is honeysuckle, and you can never go wrong with fresh baked bread.
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