Category Archives: make me smile

je suis contente

What a gorgeous morning it is here in Cache Valley! John and I stole away from the wedding preparations for an hour to have breakfast together in a friendly cafe (so friendly that they even remember our drink preferences from yesterday’s visit!).

Yesterday I did the preliminary legwork for my research at USU later in the summer, I spent time holding and playing with nieces and nephews, I met the many friends and family members of the groom that I’ve heard about for so many years, I giggled with siblings and in-laws, and enjoyed June weather as it was meant to be.

In just a few hours our kids (duet on flute and cello) will be playing the processional as my youngest sister walks down the aisle. As they practiced last night and I watched their earnestness, my heart swelled so large with pride at these two gifted and beautiful creatures!

This is one of those days when one feels the whole world is alive and awake and smiling–life is so sweet! I feel as though I want the earth to swing just a bit slower on its axis today. To let this day last just a bit longer…

UPDATE: Thanks French police! I am contente and not content!!

Make me smile…

–one more hurdle crossed, my first-ever baseline mammogram. Whew. Like when the tech said I had to hold my breath while she took the film, I wanted to say (had I had breath to do so), how could I not hold my breath when she has just squished me into this vise? But really it was far faster and far less painful than I’d been led to believe. And it’s over and from what they said this may well be the most painful one (given that boobs tend to get smooshier over time, I suppose?). [Note: I am a bit on the young side for a mammogram, but I’ve recently learned that women who had my type of cancer and treatment have a much higher risk of breast cancer]

–drove to Long Beach and back in record time to get GameBoy’s cello repaired in the nick of time before his grande concert. Jacarandas were everywhere along the way. How can that not make me smile?

–had some QT in the garden yesterday. Planted more basil (for 14 plants total this year! pesto, anyone?), marigolds, asters, peppers, one more tomato (squeezed in just so), and a new-to-me type of lavender (that makes four so far). I have the most amazing new garden neighbors who are planting cucumber vines all along our shared fence (yum). And did I tell you that blackberry season just began–I nibbled my first 2 last Wednesday and expect to have a few cupfuls by mid-week? I didn’t get the corn in this weekend as I’d hoped, but fortunately I can plant it until late July if need be. As I was telling a friend yesterday, I refuse to feel garden guilt if I can’t get everything in as early as possible. I’m taking things one step at a time this year….

🙂

so sweet


a perfect little gift, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

If it was your birthday, and if you found this sweet little package waiting for you this morning, you might be especially thrilled to offer your beloved some vanilla-lavendery kisses.

My lips could get very spoiled by all of this….

🙂

p.s.

Yesterday I neglected to mention how I’m celebrating my anniversary today. Curious?

🙂

P.S.: This is my odd synchronicity for today….I have always had a round belly (except for that one year that I was having chemo and I dropped to 70lbs). Anyways, I hate it. Well, I’m not the only one with the belly issue…(you’ll want to scroll down past the fish people part of Amanda’s blogentry to get what I mean and then watch the following vid set to the music of my all-time fav DD song, the one that I listen to daily at the end of my workouts where I do my damn situps to try to get rid of my belly)….

jacaranda


Today, coming home from Meeting, we drove through several streets in Old Santa Ana like the one above–lined with Jacaranda trees. It was snowing neon purple blossoms. If I’d been feeling a bit better, I would have danced in the falling flowers.

pic by John

locket


locket, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This locket was my Mother’s Day gift from the kids and John. It has pictures of both of my babies inside. I love the flower detailing on the outside of the locket and the mini flowers that dangle from the chain at the top. A treasure, indeed.

Make me smile (and shed a few tears)…


lotsa roses, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

–taking catnap lessons from Elly. And I just love that her favorite nap spot is on the pillow where I prop my left leg. She curls up next to it as if to take that edge of pain away.

–Apparently my big climbing rose is still blooming like crazy. Those coffee grounds I was feeding it all winter–they are working their good magic. I suspect that by the end of the week I’ll get to take a look-see for myself. In the meantime the kids have cut a big bouquet for my table. (Do you know that even though my original injury was in the garden, I want more than anything to return….)

–Friends. There really aren’t enough words to say for the friends who’ve brought (delicious) food, who have visited, who have cared for my children. You people rock!

–I am even more wordless when I think of John during these past few days. I’ve buried my head in his chest and just sobbed–he’s watched every needle going in and has been strong. He’s insisted at being at each doctor appointment and in making sure that I’m not getting my medications muddled up (“the shot glass on your nightstand, that one holds the next dose, dear”). Even while under increasing pressure at work, he’s holding up strong. I am so sorry for the toll on him that this has been. I’m sorry for the way that his needs are continually compromised because of mine.

–And of course I’m smiling because I am feeling better. I am nearly pain-free now and I go to the doc in a few hours to see if I can start back (slowly) into my regular routines again. Best of all, the redness and swelling in my leg is nearly gone. Though I don’t doubt that I’ll have some longterm healing and scarring around the wound site, for the most part my leg is looking quite healthy now.

–just as I’m typing this,Regina Spektor’s “On the Radio” came onto my iTunes playlist.. In so many ways this has been ‘my song’ for the past few years.

🙂

happy day!


birght light, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Just having returned from a weekend retreat in Julian, CA, I can say that this turned out to be a happy trip for all of us. Some highlights:

-Everyone recovered enough from the FluB for us to hightail it out of town early Saturday morning. A lovely drive through the California countryside. Driving past blossoming citrus orchards with the windows down and inhaling deeply.

-Flowers. Everywhere! (including huge clumps of daffodils!)

-Discovering that the food at camp was truly worth gushing over. Local, green, fresh, handmade with herbs and ingenuity. Big salads of mixed greens, golden beet soup, chicken (and chick’n) marsala, crepe-pancakes, and the best sugar cookies, ever!

-Julian apples (and apple pie) and finding a local stand selling avocados 25/$5

-3 games of Ticket to Ride IN A ROW with a worthy opponent. Lost two, won one.

-Marveling at the burn damage from last Fall’s fires. Blackened tree stumps everywhere. Joining a work crew on Saturday to plant trees in the burned areas. Digging deep in the ash-laden soil, making new homes for the small saplings.

-Time for quiet worship in the morning. In small groups and in a large circle with Friends. Sharing my thoughts and experiences. Being open to hearing others’ stories. Realizing the joy that comes from striving together.

-Being away from it all: no cellphones, no wifi. Just a lot of wide open spaces and trees and meadows, and deer, and hawks, and frogs singing at night. And sharing it all with the people that I love. 🙂

feeling bright


neon naturtium, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Just got the good news that I was awarded one of the larger fellowships that I applied for, one that will fully fund my next year of research and writing.

Right now I am feeling just as bright as this flower–all orangey and happy and warm.

🙂