My Heart Still Sings a Lullaby

Last week our sweet little Luke arrived.  Oh, he is so precious.  I absolutely love being a grandma!  And I love watching his marvelous parents tenderly care for these heavenly gifts.

Yesterday some of us sat and watched Ariel (that would be cute big sister Norah), and some of us just sat and watched. . . Luke (that would be me).

My Heart Sang a Lullaby. . .

And my heart sang a lullaby to celebrate birth

as he crossed the veil between heaven and earth

my heart sang a lullaby for this tiny one

a song of forever, of things yet to come

. . . just a lullaby to carry him home.

             (Janice Kapp Perry)

So grateful little angel Eric came into my life 13 years ago!

It's Not About the Scale

A few weeks ago, I had such a great week.  I exercised faithfully.  I tracked every morsel I put into my mouth, and I had such self-control in portion-control.  I was sure I would lose about 25 pounds on the scale at Weight Watchers at the end of the week.

I was up .8.

I was devastated.  Really?  I work that hard and be that faithful and still go up almost a pound?  I felt horrible.  I had been so patient with my body over the past few years, but I had such a great week, of doing everything right.  That hasn't happened for a while.  And physically, emotionally--even spiritually, I felt wonderful.  

The next week wasn't so great.  I slipped.  Not on the scale, of course,  but in my thoughts, exercise, and food choices.

I even skipped Weight Watchers last week.

But I've picked myself back up again.  I've dusted my wounded confidence and am now, for the bazillionth time, realizing that the focus should not be on the number on the scale.  My focus should be where it belongs--on my desire to be healthy, and how great I feel when I make those good choices to take care of this body--this blessing--I have been given.  Oh, I plan to go back to Weight Watchers. It's a good accountability for me, and I enjoy hearing from others who struggle and triumph.  But I'm changing the way I measure my success.  It's not about the scale.  And, perhaps, even most important of all, I will take just one day at a time.  Sometimes one hour at a time.  I won't focus on the number.  It's not about the scale.  With heavenly help, I can do it!

A Cleansing Power

I had a delicious salad today, but spilled a small spot of salad dressing on my new shirt.  Here's what happens when one reaches for the "Shout" fabric spot remover but instead grabs the "Clorox Clean-up."

I scolded myself a bit for not paying closer attention and lamenting my new shirt (maybe I can spray the rest of it?),  but now I'm thinking about the Atonement.  I'm still trying to figure out how this properly and reverently has to do with the Atonement, but it has me thinking, has me grateful, and has me more aware of the Cleansing and Refining Power.  Maybe it's because I attended BYU's lovely "Sacred Gifts" exhibit this morning just before I had my salad, and my mind and my heart are focused on the Savior, His extraordinary life, and His divine gift.

Hopefully one of these days I can focus on Him and my actions, all at the same time.

Miracles Happen!

I woke up this morning at five o'clock as excited as a seven-year-old on Christmas.  The anticipation was incredible.  I could not wait to try out my new knees.  I tore a meniscus in my left knee a few months ago, and it has been incredibly swollen since.  Yesterday I had it removed (the fluid, not the knee), and I had what felt like a boatload of cortisone pumped in.  I realize it may be a few more days until it takes effect completely, but I felt absolutely wonderful this morning.  I could not wait to get on that elliptical.  It was even a little difficult to focus on all 77 verses of the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees, as I kept getting distracted by the thought of working out without pain.  When I finally made it to the machine, I was not disappointed.  It was as if I could have stayed on that thing all day.  Oh, the miracle of modern medicine!  I wanted to shout from the mountaintops.

To you, Dr. Cooley, and to your assistant, thank you thank you!!  I came out of your office yesterday feeling positive, encouraged, and better than I have in years.  You were even kind when you explained what three marathons had done to my knees.  You were positive about my future.  Bless you and your bedside manner and medical know-how.

To those of you who continuously hurt as you try to get a little exercise in your day, I feel your pain.  But hang in there.  And Don't. Give. Up.

Super Lube is . . . Super!

A few days ago I took my car in to get a much needed oil change.   I went to Super Lube, on 8th North in Orem.  I think it was Ruth who took my order and showed me to a seat.  While I was waiting, a sweet looking older woman came in, carefully navigating herself around with a cane.  She and I sat there together, watching our cars getting worked on.  However, soon Ruth came back and nicely explained to this lady that her car didn't need an oil change yet.  Even though it had been enough months since her last change, she still had about a thousand miles to go until it was needed.  So the lady with the cane thanked her and made her way back to her car.  I sat there, first of all wishing my car could go another thousand miles, too.  Then I thought further.  Wouldn't Super Lube have been money ahead to just change it?  This sweet lady would not know the difference.  When I first came in, I was wondering why I just didn't use my coupon and go down the street and save a few bucks.  Now I am glad I went to Super Lube.  After all, it wasn't that much more.  And I don't mind; in fact I am happy to pay for good customer service.

To you, Ruth, and your co-workers, you helped me to feel warm inside, as I watched you treat this nice lady with the respect she deserves.  You know what it means to take care of your customers.  I was impressed.  I will come back.  And I want to bring all my friends with me.

"Six Pack Coming Soon"

Today I was riding the recumbent bike at the gym.  I was really focusing, feeling the burn, and I glanced over and saw this skinny kid pulling some pretty hefty weights.  He had a look of great "umph" on his face, and when I noticed the t-shirt he was wearing, I just had to smile.  It read, "Six Pack Coming Soon."  Now here was a positive thinker!

To you, young man with the t-shirt, thanks for the example of determination--and the smile!