Grateful for...Emily

I stole this picture from Kim's blog...this is my darling niece Emily. I can't get enough of this cute picture and the fact that almost every picture I have of her looks like this...darling smile with one eye shut because it's....just...too...bright. Darling girl.

Trying...

Way too bright...

Aunt Jules gets smart...

Grateful for...Friends and Stuff

so. the thing is, sometimes life is just so good. a miracle didn't happen, i didn't win a bajillion dollars, i don't have a new boyfriend, i still do not run 7-minute miles, and i'm not yet at my goal weight...and my hair still sometimes decides to be curly when i've declared it a NOT curly day.


BUT...i do have amazing friends. like "too good to be true" friends. some i see often, some i see very rarely, but i am just lucky. i have friends who think deeply and laugh with me about "reeeee-diculous" happenings and friends whose darling babies call me "jew-ee blayo" or wink at me from their booster seats. (are you KIDDING ME...that was for sure a highlight of the year...darling blond big brother responding with a silent and oh-so-adorable wink and half-smile instead of a hello when i got in the car and said hi to him!). friends who live in utah and have darling children who sing "happy birthday dear jules" at everyone else's birthday party for months after jules' birthday passes.

i have a little sister whose cats "text" me on a regular basis and crack me up with their humor which is remarkably similar to that of their owner/mother, i have big sisters who teach me about hair, jewelry, shopping, boys and the importance of being grateful for the opportunity in my life at present to sleep (and go to the bathroom/read/shower/do anything without interruption from darling children) as much as i want. i have old friends that are so easy to be with and talk to, and new friends that i can't get enough of.

i have a job i really love. i live 2 blocks from sprouts where they sell the best apples (and produce in general) in the world. i own a bike and a car. i get to hike most every saturday all winter long. i have lunch every workday with a co-worker and friend that i adore...who keeps me sane, makes me laugh and is such an incredible sounding board for things both clinical and personal. i have 9 adorable nieces and nephews, including brand-new baby twin nephews and another new nephew...all of whom i'll get to meet in just a few weeks. i am friends with nutella. i have almost mastered consistency in tricking my dying toaster into actually toasting (not CHARRING) my bread...setting 2 and 3/4ths). my webelos are all on track, the church is still true, i survived teaching my isaiah lessons and i am sleeping in flannel sheets. life is good.

Grateful for...flannel sheets.

I am absolutely certain that flannel is the official textile of heaven. My mom teases me for sleeping in flannel sheets when I'm wearing flannel pants...she says "Do you get stuck in there?!?! It's like the old flannel boards for FHE from forever ago." It's a tricky thing...living in Arizona when I have such an affinity for flannel. But, dear reader, do not fret, I have figured out how to manage at least 6 months of flannel time here... AND the good news is that Utah for me is flannel YEAR-ROUND...especially because my parent's basement is about as cold as a cave...in Antarctica...which makes for great sleeping...cold, cold room...flannel sheets and tons of blankets... Best. Thing. Ever.

Grateful for...Health

Today after my run at the gym, I noticed that a firetruck with flashing lights had just pulled up. I wondered what had happened. As I made my way towards the dressing room, I saw a woman lying on the ground with three EMTs around her, beginning to work on her. She did not look conscious and someone standing near them was giving them information about what had happened.

I noticed that the lady was of about the same build and size that I once was and I wondered if this event would make her forever scared to come to the gym, with worry that this could happen again. Found myself praying that she'd be okay, that she'd be able to get help and grow stronger and healthier. And that she wouldn't be afraid to come back to the gym.

About 10 minutes before seeing her, I had been thinking "Man, I'm tired today...I really kind of wanted to get 7 or 8 miles in but 6 is gonna have to do today...geez...lame. So that means tomorrow I'll have to run another 4 or 5...and Friday I'll have to run 3 or 4...and how will that affect my hike Saturday?" I was annoyed at myself...and then things changed after seeing the woman laying on the floor at the gym...a woman who could very easily have been me a few years ago. Because for most of my life, running a mile seemed impossible...and running 6 on regular basis felt inconceivable.

Suddenly I became very aware of my gratitude for my health and the blessing of having a body that can do so many things. I remembered having attended a fireside where one of the contestants who had been on The Biggest Loser was a speaker...and he was telling about his experiences on the show. He spoke about how he related his exercise then to repentance...that it was so hard, so painful then...because in a way he was "repenting" for all that he had done to his body. Because the neglect had been so bad, the "fixing" was very hard. Interesting concept. Sometimes I have days where I feel like I'm on a "repentance run"...like for instance after Halloween when I'm realizing that eating enough fun-size "somethings"=a run that feels not "fun-sized."

So...bottom line. (Sher, you love it when I get to the bottom line, right?) While I have more work to do and want to continue to take good care of my body and treat it well, I am grateful for the health I have today. I'm grateful that hiking this year feels easier than last and that I feel more confident and excited to try bigger and harder things. I know that having a body is a gift....one that today, I feel especially grateful to have.

Grateful for...Megan and Rachelle.

This month I'm going to try to post more frequently...focusing on the things/people I'm grateful for. First...my roommates...Megan and Rachelle. Love them. Love that Rachelle talks to herself and that I've learned to distinguish the "I'm talking to you Jules" voice vs. the "to myself or to my sandwich" voice. Love that Megan teaches kindergarten and loves kids like crazy (you know you're with a teacher when your hike involves stopping to pick up and take home 30 rocks). Love that we are all independant and do our own thing but that when we're together we have so much fun. Love that Rachelle speaks Spanish and that Megan loves to hike. Love that their motto is "We Do Hard Things." Love that they love health and exercise but also can sit at the kitchen table and laugh while we share whatever treat one of us has acquired. Love that they both love me even though we've concluded that it is I who seems to have a problem slamming cupboard doors (especially if it is while they happen to both be sleeping)...good news, I am working on this-I'd say I'm 79% improved. Love that they are sisters but include me in what they do, including family parties, etc. Love that we "get" each other. Love that they don't judge me for having a perpetually cluttered bedroom...which I generally attribute (falsely) to its size (yes, it is exactly 10x10).

Love that when Megan asked if we could go take pictures at the new temple site I complained...asked to reschedule twice...and when we actually went and did it tonight, I acted about as difficult as I usually do (see below for photo evidence) when my mom attempts the "family picture" thing. (See Mom, don't feel bad, it's not just for you).As we were standing there in that dirt (and I was embarrassed at the traffic that I was SURE was wondering why all the mormons were lining up on a Sunday afternoon to take pictures of a dirt field, not unlike many other dirt fields in the city)...As we laughed and teased (okay, and had fun...) I was thinking "these two really are my "family" here and I love them..." and then I got a little sad realizing that I won't always be living with them.

So. I'm grateful for living with two sisters who feel like my sisters...grateful that our home is peaceful and that despite the less-than-ideal circumstances for us all...we are absolutely...a family.

Happy Halloween

Fun weekend. Megan and I set up a face-painting booth at the annual ward party. We were a big hit. We'd ask the kids "Do you want a ghost, pumpkin or a spider?" But apparently these kids know how to think for themselves. When one little boy said "Can I have a transformer?" I said "No problem, I'll give you one that is in "spider mode." Worked like a charm. Megan mastered the spider web, while mine looked much more like a wheel.

Was pretty proud of the mini-ladybug on the ladybug...very cute, right? I did some pretty stellar butterflies as well. However, Megan's skill level quickly exceeded my own and I got my feelings hurt when two 8-yr olds came to examine my work (at that moment, was painting a ghost)...the one little girl pointed to Megan and said while walking away from my side of the table: "Yeah, let's go to her, she's better." I wanted to say "HEY!! I'm sitting right here, I totally heard that! And Fine! See if I care! Did you see the ladybug?!?! I painted her face..." Don't worry, I walked it off..

Peter Pan/Andrew, my friend's little boy. Affectionately known as "Baby," and adored by every human who lays eyes on him. Adorable kid, even cuter personality...love him.

Megan and jr. apprentice Jules

The weekend also involved a hike...some time with my friend Cami and her family (including a brush with death, in the form of a black widow), dinner with Kathy and friends at her house...including a "not-so-haunted" haunted house. I will be honest....it was the BEST haunted house I've ever been to. Ever. It was in the garage, it was well-lit and I knew when the children (who were not in costumes resembling horror film creatures) were going to jump out at me and/or throw a blue plastic ball at my head. Loved it. Great weekend.

10-10-10

I'd really like you to think I'm a genius for thinking up the idea of doing a list of 10 things in honor of today's remarkable 10-10-10 date. Alas, I'm totally stealing the idea from the blog of a person I don't even know.

So you're gonna have to just stick with all the other reasons you think I'm a genius.

In no particular order, I give you...ten pieces of information about me/my life/my thoughts.

1. I'm afraid that pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are even more addicting this year than last. Why are they SO easy and why do they only require 3 ingredients and why can they be cooked up in a simple 15 minutes?!?! Why, why, why?

2. This year I set a goal to run 600 miles. I am happy to announce that I am 17.56 miles ahead of schedule.

3. Don't be deceived/jealous of my purported health and vigor. Last week I ran nearly 18 miles, including a "long-run" day of 9 miles. Apparently 9 miles isn't enough to cancel out the effects of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. So...I run a lot...and apparently eat a lot...and maintain this weight that is not really preferred but could be worse.

4. I really can't get enough of fall/winter candles. Pumpkin spice...cinnamon apple...and my absolute favorite...my entire "pine" collection that could honestly probably rival the aroma of an entire mountain of those amazing trees.

5. I think I have a crush on the checker at Sprouts (And yes, he's a Man, not a 15-yr old teenage kid...he's at least 29 I'm sure). I didn't quite know how to get him to fall in love with me in the 3.5-minute interval as he rang up my selection of healthy fare. I did make him laugh twice, including when I said "Wow, I'm good!" after my bill totalled an EXACT $24.00. But apparently it takes a little more than a perfectly even grocery sum to really woo a man. I'm convinced if I buy enough fresh produce, and keep having perfectly even totals...our love will grow and I will soon be Mrs. Checker at Sprouts. And my viewers at home are sighing and thinking..."No wonder she's not married."

6. It's almost time for flannel sheets. Last night I did the math...I plan to keep the flannel on from now until...probably April...a good 7 months. In Utah, I can have them year round...just not possible here.

7. My student loan will be paid off as of Wednesday. Hallelujah for this. Now it's time to create a plan for the next goal...buying a house. As much as I love my 10x10 den...I really, really, really miss my huge walk-in closet.

8. I love the kids in my life...all of them. Had a little girl who's nearing the end of our sessions get sassy with me this week while doing our work, when I called her on it, she blurted out: "I don't want to stop coming here. I want to stay here and be your daughter." Ahhhh...killed me. She's an amazing kid...and what she doesn't know is that I'd keep her if I could.

This weekend my friend's darling little Carter came running towards me and said: "Oh Julie, I just wanna be friends with you and hug you for all time." I adore him and love that he genuinely makes me laugh...not the "Oh, I'll laugh because you're little and I'm supposed to" laugh, but the kind where I laugh and laugh and laugh and later...days later, laugh again. LOVE you Carts!

Carter and I making cookies recently...pumpkin chocolate chip of course...

9. I have really good friends. I am not saying this to make you feel sad, I bet you do too, I want you to have these kinds of friends. It's just...they are REALLY good. Last night I sat with a friend and we covered a billion different topics...some deep, some not...some funny, some not...some laughing, more than a little crying...and then and now I feel so grateful for her. That feeling of being completely safe.....best friend/big sister/nurturer/punk/teaser/voice of reason....all in one. Lucky me. And to her...love you SO much! So grateful for you.

10. Do NOT tell anyone, but I really am liking these dang Webelos. (PS-Thanks Sher for the shirt...so I can get off the black-list for being a bad example-love you!) This week during our conversation on first-aid and the importance of assessing a scene to determine where to begin...darling little wonder shows off the depth of his wisdom in saying: (warning, slightly graphic...we ARE dealing with 10-yr olds, after all)

"Yeah, like if you come up to a place and one guy has his head cut off and another guy just has his arm cut off, you're probably gonna wanna help the guy whose arm is cut off, because the guy whose head is cut off is probably not gonna make it."

Are you KIDDING me?!?! Ew! Gosh, ahhh! Laura and I are laughing in shock...but...okay...kinda true. Then we're trying to get them to guess what it's called when someone's choking...this is the manuevuer you do...starts with an 'H'...and our darling, newest, super shy little guy looks up with big eyes and in all sincerity and hopefulness says: "Hyperbole?" Stop it. Darling wonder...hyperbole??? Bless your little Webelos heart...

Summary: on this day of 10-10-10...life is pretty good.