Snow!

Jared spent last week hunting elk.  Well, and moving stuff, and putting up shelves in the garage so we could store things on the walls instead of the floor of the garage, thus leaving room for a CAR in the garage.  But other than that, he's been taking it easy (or not).  He finished the shelves Saturday, just in time for two days of rain, followed by snow last night.  As usual, his timing is impeccable!

I've been unpacking slowly, while also keeping this new house semi-clean, organizing things, doing laundry and cooking, and meeting our new neighbors.  I'm just down the road a bit from my mom's Aunt Nadine, and I stopped by today to visit with her.  She had some wonderful stories about her mom (my great-grandmother) and brother (my grandpa), and also about my own mom.  She remembers that whenever Kaye (my grandmother) would find a new recipe she wanted to try out, she'd cut out the recipe, give it to my mother, and also give her enough money to buy the ingredients.  My mom would go to the store, buy the food, and return home.  Then she would make the recipe for her mother.  I know that my mom likes to cook, and that her mother taught her to love cooking.  Having this story about my mom when she was younger is a sweet reminder about the power that parents have in the lives of their children.  Anyway, I had a nice visit with Nadine after I dropped kids off to school. Now I'm avoiding the laundry that needs to be folded :)

Today I have:
* made a list of errands I need to take care of tomorrow.  Mostly they involve getting supplies for Morgen's class Halloween party (which I am in charge of coordinating).
* cleaned my bathroom and the guest bathroom.
* moved a bunch of empty boxes to the basement.
* eaten a lovely bowl of homemade chicken soup, left over from the other night's dinner.
* talked with my neighbor Bob about getting old and staying active (he was outside doing laps up and down our street).
* eaten some oreo cookies dunked in milk.
* researched some cleaning supply recipes on the internet- I absolutely LOVE having all that information at my fingertips!
* found my stash of birthday cards and mailed (late) a card to one of my nephews who is 4 years old today.
* checked my email, done some laundry, read scriptures, cleaned the kitchen,  showered, and backed my SUV into my garage without any help at all.
* found that one of the kids put something red into my counter-top fountain. Grrrr.

And, here's the Gratitude List:
* The snow on my driveway melted without any shoveling help from me.  Hooray for beautiful snow, and above-freezing temperatures!
* The hat and fingerless gloves I made last fall are still just as toasty warm as I remembered them being.
* My washer and dryer are working quite well.
* My dishwasher, while not as cleverly designed space-wise as the one in our rental house, is extremely good at cleaning dirty dishes.
* Jared and I went for a walk last night (getting to be a regular nightly thing with us), in the snow, and it was gorgeous and quiet and peaceful and fun!
* My church has free podcasts of General Conference.  It's a wonderful way to listen to the counsel given by my religious leaders again, and keeps me distracted while I'm cleaning house.
* iTunes and iPods- well, really, the whole Apple technology thing.  That company has the best ideas!
* I know where my postage stamps are now.
* Another box has been emptied!
* Friends and family who love and support me and mine.
* Watching Annie (the puppy) experience snow for the first time.
* God is good.  I am so blessed.