Morning Musing

Yes, it is MORNING, and I am indeed musing.  Woke up in the wee hours feeling all achy.  It was enough to keep me awake till I finally got up to take some ibuprofen.  By that point, it was a little after 6 so I decided to just get up.  Spent some time with my Heavenly Father in prayer and scripture reading.  Then I decided to take a little walk.  It has been such a beautiful morning! It is currently a very pleasant 54 degrees.  There is a nice breeze making sure these thick puffy clouds in every shade of gray looming overhead pass right by without so much as a drop (at least for the time being).  The birds are out and about singing their lovely songs as they do their little birdie tasks for the day.  (I think I could learn a thing or two from them.)  And in spite of the sweetness of the morning, it seemed as though I was the only one out to enjoy it.  The solitude was pleasant and even refreshing.  My body aches less and I somehow feel more serene and content than I have in quite awhile.  My heart is filled with love and gratitude for all the wondrous gifts I have been given in this life.  Musing, indeed.

 Just some of the wonder I was able to enjoy this morning.  Incredible!

I love the intense green of our neighbor's tree.  Spring really is a pretty time of year.

Chick musings

I haven't been musing much lately.  Well, not in a calm structured manner, anyway.  I tend to let myself get all frazzled and then I run around looking and feeling incredibly busy, but not really accomplishing anything of real worth.  It has been on my mind to do some personal blogging, so I decided to run around and accomplish something I can post on my own little blog.  Today, I am posting a few pictures of some of my newest little pets. 

First of all, I would like to introduce THE LADIES.  At least, I hope they are all ladies.  I have my suspicions about one or more of them. . .

This year, for Valentine's Day, Rob got incredibly creative.  First, he brought home  these little items to get me interested.

Next, he took me to Battle Ground to pick out my first little flock.

 I had looked over Chick Days and had a pretty good idea of what I wanted.  Sweet tempered little egg layers, of course!  My choices were narrowed down to about five breeds:  Austrolorp, Orpington, Americauna, Brahma, and Silkie (just for fun).  Three of those breeds were available at Wilco on Valentine's day.  I chose two Buff Orpingtons (known for extremely soft feathers and sweet temperaments), one Austrolorp (which should grow up to have black green feathers and lay a good many eggs) and two Americaunas (a smaller chicken famed for laying pink, green, and blue eggs).

They grow astonishingly fast!

 The first to be curious and brave about the world around her was the darker of the Americauna's (lower right).  I named her Meridah.  Since there is only one Austrolorp and I got them on Valentine's Day, i named the black one on the perch Valentine (NOT to be confused with a psycho cat we once named Mr. Valentine).  One of the Orpingtons would jump right up on the watering thingie (nice technical term, don't you think?) and I exclaimed, "Whoa Nellie!"  Since they are still fairly difficult to tell apart, the other is named Ellie.  Nellie -n- Ellie.  Has a nice ring to it.  I decided to let Rob name the last little Americauna (which are also known as Divas around here on account of eye-liner markings around their eyes).  She has been the sweetest little thing.  She is the one who comes to us before anyone else will.  Whenever we clean out the container they are in, someone has to protect my head which is where she apparently likes to be.   Eventually, Rob called her Indiana (as in the adventurous Indiana Jones) and it is Ana for short.

Sadly, I suspect we have a rooster.  That would be the one sitting on the watering-thingie closest to me looking all protective and scary!

 About a week after Rob took me to Wilco for the Ladies, he took me back to see what else was in.  To my surprise, they had Brahma chicks.  (These are sometimes referred to as gentle giants because the hens get up to 10 pounds!!!  And they have the cutest little feathered bell bottom feet.)  For some reason, I chose three.  I couldn't have told you why at the time.  Maybe to keep my numbers even?  In any event, now I am glad I did, because I think Henny Penny might just be Hardware Hank!  Although I am not sexist in any way, there will be NO roosters in my flock as long as we live near the city limits.

More?????

Well, can you blame me?  We just stopped by Wilco to ask the "Chicken Lady" about a strange thing several of my ladies had been seen doing.  A little yawning stretch.  I was worried they were choking. . . or maybe trying to crow???? (Please. . . don't be roosters. Don't be roosters.  I am already getting attached.)  After I was assured that chicks will simply behave in, well, chick fashion, we took some time to examine the newest chicks to arrive.  I came away with two of the last in my list. . . Silkies.  "But there are four!" you say?  Well, I was introduced to another cute variety of chicken called the Frizzle.  Their wings curl up as you see in the above picture.  CUTE!!!  Now, these were all straight run which means I have a 50/50 chance of getting a rooster.  By now, it should be clear that I do not intend to keep roosters.  I am hoping I won't have to find a good home for any of my 'gals'.

Apparently, I haven't been 'musing' for awhile.  Some recent random thoughts.

We have been taking the beast for an almost nightly walk.  This has been wonderful for so many reasons.  First of all, it is good for Ti.  From what I hear, he should be walking for an average of at least 2 miles a day.  So, this new activity is good for my boy.  Secondly, it is good for Rob and I.  Physically as well as emotionally.  We need the exercise as much as Ti does.  We walk for about 30 minutes each night, so we are getting some good endorphins moving as well.  And we have this wonderful uninterrupted time to just talk and be together.

My boy

Last night was a particularly nice walk.  It didn't take Ti as long to settle down and behave himself.  He really seemed to enjoy just being out and about.  The weather was AMAZING!!!  The sun actually peaked out for about half an hour (most of our walk), and painted a beautiful rainbow just for our special enjoyment.  And the birds were only too happy to serenade our journey.  It was so refreshing and--well, splendid seems to be a fitting adjective to use right now.  And to make a splendid evening walk even more splendid, the girls made dinner.  Ahhh. . . life can be sooo good.  And to think that I might have missed all that splendor if we had gotten drawn into a television show or some computer game.  Yes, real life is ever so much better than any  virtual reality.  

Our internet provider has been having some trouble, so we were without internet for the better part of three days.  Very frustrating on the one hand.  Jamie does online school and it isn't a great thing to begin a new semester behind.  However, for the most part, this has been quite a blessing.  We weren't able to watch Netflix last night, and had to be more creative.  Out came wii Just Dance 3 and the older girls did some dancing.  Ti didn't know what to make of it and felt he just had to chew his bone right in the middle of their antics.  They were constantly shushing him out from under their feet, which made their antics quite enjoyable to watch.  Eventually they put in the Michael Jackson experience in, and I finally had to give my feet a chance.  I never could beat Marissa. . .that girl has some serious soul.  But, I was able to have some fun and get my heart rate up.  Yes, a nice evening after all.  

Monday evening, while the older girls were at the LDS YSA FHE (I like using all those acronyms),  Rob, Jamie, and I watched some Mormon Messages.  I came away with some wonderful quotes.  One is actually a favorite of mine, with an added twist. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  So watch your step!"   I love this.  Another quote from the evening, "Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world."  ~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf     And finally, this little gem, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity."  The End

Favorites

"I simply remember my favorite things. . ."

Just a few of my favorite things:

Feelings of faith in Jesus Christ
Book of Mormon
Family . . . MY family
Grandchildren!!!
Best Friends
Temples
General Conference
Tiberious, Millie, Marmalade, and Ivy
Utah, Shasta, Monster, Gibson, and past pets who let me love them
Choffy
Jazz and jazz music
Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, Nora Jones, and Diana Krall
Pandora Radio
A good teen/young adult fantasy novel
Kindle Reader
Movies
Clear Play
Netflix
Thunder storms
Cozy days, stormy nights (when I am toasty warm inside) 
Newfoundlands and Great Pyrenees
Cats
Down blankets
Hawks, humming birds, and sea gulls. . . or any bird for that matter
Star Trek the Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager, M*A*S*H, My Fair Wedding
The Pacific Ocean
Autumn
Spaghetti
Cat naps in the warm sunshine
VW Bugs
Chickens (warm,brown)
The smell of Crayola crayons
Popcorn
The PNW
Sunrises and Sunsets
Piano music
Classical music
Musicals
Sunflowers, daisies, black eyed Susans, and honeysuckle
Flowers from my husband
Eternity perfume, Exotic Coconut hand lotion from Bath and Bodyworks
Mary Kay (makes me feel pretty)
Short hair which is super easy to work with and spunky fun
Life


Truly, I have MUCH to be thankful for! Even if I don't have all these things personally, I get to see/smell/hear them on occasion.  I am blessed among women to have so much goodness in my life. 

Small and Simple things

Joy comes from recognizing the sweet little gifts Heavenly Father has sent to show His love.  This morning I am being filled with joy from:

Red heads, Crayola Crayons, sweet smiles.

Christmas time

The plants Rob bought that "represent my flowers to you" and are STILL blooming and attracting sweet hummingbirds (which again are Anna's Hummingbirds which winter over in our area).

Puppies. . . even 90 pound puppies!

Cattitude!

Best Friends

The warm chocolatey smell of Choffy and big mugs to drink it from.

The ocean, seagulls, salty sea air, blustery windy days, hazy grey skies.

 And most of all, I am feeling much gratitude for my growing family!

A Birthday List

I am a list person.  I make all sorts of lists.  Shopping lists, to do lists, already done lists (makes me feel better!), wish lists, and birthday lists.  No, not what I want for my birthday.  I like to make a list of 10 great qualities of each of my family members on (or close to) their birthday.  Marissa just celebrated her 21st birthday.  Here is her list. . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARISSA!

1. Marissa is one of the sunniest people I have ever met.  She has a knack of spreading warmth and peace wherever she goes.
2. She is super cute!
3. This is my spunky daughter.  Bouncy and vivacious are two words that adequately describe Marissa.
4. Gives-the-BEST-hugs-ever!
5. Generous to a fault.  Really.  She works hard for her money then often willingly gives it away for whatever cause happens to present itself.  Gifts, airline tickets, snacks, you name it.  
6. Marissa has a good work ethic.  She believes in working hard.  She once said, "I just figure if a job needs to be done, just get it done!" And she will do whatever is asked with a good attitude!
7. She is a very forgiving person, which for a mother is a wonderous thing!
8. Very creative.  I love how Marissa typically thinks outside the box.  Her creative approach to things is refreshing and generally very helpful.
9. Full of surprises!!!  From gift giving (which she absolutely loves) to personal style, we never know what to expect from Marissa.  She keeps us happily on our toes, and we love it!
10. Genuine.  I believe that there is no deception in Marissa.  What you see is what you get.  And what we see is absolutely Beautiful.

 
        
 

Random thoughts over a cup of Choffy

1)  I LOVE Choffy!  The day just isn't quite right when I don't get to start off with my huge mug of Choffy.  Pure chocolatey goodness without all the fillers found in regular hot chocolate or the negative side effects of coffee and energy drinks.  This is a chocolate lover's dream!

 This is a sample of Choffy. . . in a disposable French Press.  For more information on Choffy, go to this link:www.drinkchoffy.com/hunt

This is my Choffy mug and my own personal French press.  The kids tease me that my mug is more of a bowl.  Well, they do hold the same amount of liquid.

2)  Just did a home sleep test.  Apparently, sleeping disorders are not all that uncommon.  Interesting tidbit:  the risks of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) are high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, pre-diabetes and diabetes, and depression.  As soon as my diabetes case manager found out I have trouble sleeping, I got a referral to the sleep clinic.  I wondered why the referral came so quickly.  I am, after all, a stressed out, overweight, mother of 8. . .AND wife of a husband that sometimes snores. . .  it is natural that I have trouble sleeping.  But what if there IS a problem--a totally treatable problem with my sleep cycle.  And what if treatment would help me in my little weight loss endeavors which would in turn help me with my little diabetes management endeavors?  What if treatment (which doesn't look all that comfy but if it works???!!!) gave me more energy to get through my day?  Hmmmm. . . .

3)  Christmas time.  I love it!!!  The music.  The blustery, rainy, PNW weather.  The neighbor's lights.  Fun little Crafts with the girls.  But it can so easily become such a stressful season.  Never enough time, energy, or money.  Sooo important to keep my focus exactly where it should be.  On the REAL reason for the season.  A celebration of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful family who works hard to remember what Christmas is all about. Check out the following video if you would like to recenter your thoughts on the reason for this season.

A beautiful musical video by the Piano Guys

4)  Just a few of the Lord's tender mercies for me today: * No ice or frost on the car.  I was just able to jump in and go!  * We still have blossoms on our fuschia plants.  I have no idea whether or not they should have been cut back and taken in yet or not, but their flowers are attracting a pair of Anna's Hummingbirds that have been living in our neighborhood all year round.  Don't worry, I have checked with the local Audubon society, and wintering over in this region is perfectly normal!  So, the flowers are one blessing.  * The humming birds are another blessing.  I love watching birds!  And our little friends are almost daily visitors. . .right outside our window! * My daughter is pregnant with her second child--MY second grandchild--and yesterday she learned that this one is a BOY!!!  This blessing needs its own paragraph!

5)  Grandchildren.  Aaaahhh!  One of life's greatest blessings.  For me, it is still a surreal experience!  Hard to wrap my mind around.  But I am getting there.  I love having the cutest grandson in the whole world!!!

I have soooo much to be thankful for!  I am truly blessed among women. Every morning spent counting my blessings equals a day worth writing about!