Happy Anniversary!

Once in a while

in an ordinary life,

love gives us a fairytale.

32 years and counting to forever. . .

My Kitchen Stinks Like Him

Yep it does.
Here is what happened:

Last month we had a birthday party for Joe and Labor Day weekend.  We all made a dish that reminded us of him.

I made his f-a-m-o-u-s HOT s-h-r-i-m-p that he perfected.

I have a half of a bottle of the HOT chili sauce in the fridge.

Today, I scrambled some eggs.

I decided to add jalapeno peppers. 

I open the refrigerator, the shelf comes off and EVERYTHING in the door goes flying.  The lid on the  HOT chili sauce comes off spewing the oily HOT mixture all over the crispers in the fridge.

When Joe used to cook his f-a-m-o-u-s HOT s-h-r-i-m-p, you could smell it in the upstairs-across-the-hall apartment.

The smell consumes the air.

Yep, that is what my kitchen smells like.

I go upstairs and eat my eggs.

The next time I go downstairs my kitchen stinks like his f-a-m-o-u-s HOT s-h-r-i-m-p!

Bring on the tears!

Calculations

While I was getting my nails done, I glanced up at the clock.  I mentally calculate; I could be outta here by 12:15 and at the library by 12:30.  Good then I can research until 4:30; 4 hours research.  Then I see Oct. 5.  I automatically calculate again: I have 20 days to get Joe an anniversary gift. 

Maybe it was all the nail polish fumes.

Maybe it was the relaxing pedicure.

Maybe it was just for one brief minute I forgot.

My eyes saw the date "Oct 5" and my mind calculated.

Seriously!

How can one spend EVERY-SINGLE-DAY-AND-NIGHT for the past almost 8 years grieving and in one single unsuspecting second forget!?!?!

My calculations slap me in the face. . .

Suddenly I cannot run and hide anymore. . .

The lump in my throat is because it is October. . .
Then
it
will
be
November!

As I sat in church yesterday, I wanted to bolt...now there is an "old-familiar-never-want-to-experience-again" feeling! 
Yep, it's that time of the year!

Three recent deaths and a funeral; and here I thought I was doing alright--until that darn clock!

Welcome crisp weather, beautiful leaves, and tears!

Comfort from Conference

In speaking about the loss of his baby son, Elder Bowen said he learned:

"I was given to know that I had not been robbed, 

but rather that there was a great blessing awaiting 

me if I would prove faithful."

Source:
Elder Shayne M. Bowen, Quorum of the Seventy.  General Conference, 5 October 2012 morning session.

Harvest Moon

The harvest moon rising across the lake.  

Love the view I have from my back window!

Primary Program

Sunday I went to the monkies primary program.  They were a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!  Made me remember the primary programs of when my children were little.  Farrah and Athena would sing and if they didn't know the words they would fake it.  Anthony, on-the-other-hand, would stand there mouth closed tight and he wouldn't try to sing and he wouldn't even smile!

Quote

"A consistent, righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression."

—Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character", General Conference, October 2010
Topics: Righteousness