Back from Hibernation

Finally, a post on my neglected blog! So sorry. I wasn't feeling so hot for a while, and I just didn't have the oomph to post. First, I have to mention Phillip: I got a phone call from him today! He's doing well and has one more day of driving left, before he gets a 3-day break. That includes one day of Physical Training and one day of vehicle maintenance - but it's a change, and they get one day to just relax.

Mark's latest Bouncing Beauties

Mark's been perfecting his whole wheat bread recipe, and I get to sample the results. Yum! I'm excited for him to start entering his baked goods in the fair again. (He's taken the last few summers off from entering.) I also want him to enter some of his stained glass work, photography, and maybe an oil painting or two. It's just a fun experience, and it encourages people to strive for excellence in the things they do. It's one of our traditions; something our kids can count on each year. That's important in our family, when so much has been rather hard to plan on. Which leads me to my next topic, our annual Girl Trip: I went on a 'girl trip' with Megan, Melinda and Anya last Friday and Saturday, and I feel so much peppier now! I'm so glad I was well enough to go. We went to Salt Lake City and environs, and we talked and laughed the whole time. The weather was so perfect, we couldn't believe our luck. And Justin got off work and spent a day with us! We also got a room at the Red Lion for only $40 (on Priceline), so each one's share of that was very minimal - which gave us some money to hunt for bargains at Tai Pan, Gardner's Village, and other stores in the area. I'll be posting pictures of what I found and what I did with some of it. It's so inspiring to get out of the house and see and touch some real objects that are new to me! (Being a shut in isn't all it's cracked up to be. ;) I got some new perspective on my home and what I can do to improve it. Very satisfying. We also got to eat at Curry in a Hurry, a little spot that serves delicious and simple Indian cuisine. We are always starved and weary when we eat there, and the hot, spicy food is just what we need, every time. It really topped off our trip. Megan has more information and fun pictures of our trip on her blog, Baked Asia (link below). Here's an actually decent picture of Megan, me, and Melinda. It's so unusual for me to take a good picture. Justin, carrying a smug Anya Anya, modeling the latest swimwear fashions

The night we got back, I went around cleaning and arranging untill 4 a.m. That gave me a good jump-start on my already-devised program to continue getting stronger and doing more.

I know there can be setbacks, and will be. But I'm okay with that. I'm just happy...

Oh, and I'm getting a reserved seat at Maria's table for an amazing lecture by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, the author of Pulitzer Prize winner A Midwife's Tale. I love that book, and I am wanting to learn more about her research methods. There is good information on the Internet, if you Google her book. I think that, feeling better as I am, I might actually make it. Hurray! (And thanks, Maria, for the invite!)