Garden Time, End of School

I had been feeling a little down on Monday because of my finger, which still won't bend. I went to community care, but all they did was refer me to an orthopedic surgeon and wrapped up my finger. It really didn't feel good wrapped up like that, so I went back to buddy taping it with my ring finger and have since felt no pain. When I got home from the appointment, James and the boys had weeded the garden for me! That really made me happy.

So...my appointment for my finger isn't until June 13th, the soonest date available. I hope it heals by then. I don't think I tore the tendon, so it should be able to heal but will take a long time, up to 12 weeks according to the internet. That leaves another 10 weeks. which means I might not have a working finger until August. Fail. At least I can still use my hand, even if it's a little awkward.

I got out and planted the garden on Tuesday. It took 3 hours to finish the weeding and get everything in, but it felt really good to be out in the sunshine and dirt. I sorted through all the sprinklers and hoses yesterday and got everything set up for watering both the front yard and the garden. Now all we need is a new timer for when we go out of town. Today, I finished some more weeding. It really never ends. I need to work in the yard about 3 hours a week to keep the weeds under control and get the mowing and sweeping done. I really love it, though. I'm getting a good tan again. I always work in the morning between 9 and 11 when it isn't so hot.

Today is Joseph's last day of school! He's been looking forward to it for a long time because I am bringing treats for his birthday, which falls on Monday. I am also going to the program they are putting on. He's been talking about it for several weeks. Anyway, I'm sure it will be fun. James has his last day tomorrow, and then Monday we leave for Rexburg/Albion. Let the summer begin!

Ouch

My hands have had the worst luck in the past month.

1. Slammed my thumb in the car door. There is still a hole in my fingernail from where James poked it to relieve the pressure. It doesn't hurt anymore, but it has a weird white spot.

2. Cut myself deep enough for stitches on my pinky finger. It is mostly healed. I wore a bandage for a week because it really hurt. (And no, I never did go get stitches. I would have if it had been one of my children.)

3. Strained that same pinky finger while picking up a heavy bucket. I now have it wrapped up with tape with the ring finger next to it. It will only bend at the first knuckle, but that's an improvement over not bending at all.

I hope this bad luck streak ends. It's really hard to do anything with an injured dominant hand, especially using a knife or pen. Oh well. At least I can still type!

Articles of Faith #13

 13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

  The world today is filled with many terrible things. That is no excuse to participate in them. It takes considerable effort to find things that are lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, but the effort is always worth it. 

 Honesty is not often practiced today, but I think it is more important now than ever. The same is true for chastity.  So much heartbreak would not have happened if more people were willing to be chaste.  I wish more people in the world practiced kindness to everyone. I have seen many people claim to be kind, but then I see the rude comments they post on news articles. I see kindness as being kind even when you are anonymous. 

 There is always  good to be found in others. I believe in giving others the benefit of the doubt, even if it ends up hurting me in someway. I have never regretted thinking the best of others, forgiving quickly, and trying to be friends with everyone. 

 I believe my life is happier because of trying to see the good in everyone and everything. It certainly never hurts. 

Progress

So many things in my life happen a little at a time, line upon line, precept upon precept. I'm feeling that way a lot this week. I never thought getting interested in nutrition in 2011 would lead me to where I am now. I have been watching lots of YouTube videos about plant-based nutrition, and I learn new things every day.

I am making progress on my addictions as well. I hesitate to write about it all yet because I'm afraid I will screw everything up. That is the hardest part of making any lifestyle change for me - fearing what others think and worrying I'll feel deprived and go back to where I was before. I have reached my second weight loss goal and now weigh 144.4. My next goal is 140, my lowest weight as an adult (and even what I weighed in 8th grade.) The real challenge will be seeing if I can go lower than that. I hope so. I am not embarrassed by my current size. If I were, I would have to hate every picture ever taken of me. I do really want to see where super healthy nutrition can take me. I already know what my genes have given me - not much height, curves, and a very efficient metabolism. I don't hate those things about myself. If I can be thinner, then great, but if eating whole, plant foods doesn't drop me below 140 lbs., I will not complain.

Articles of Faith #12

 12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

I feel more strongly about this article of faith than I ever have. Since the advent of Facebook, it seems that political opinions run rampant. Politics is not something that was discussed much in my family, even though I knew what my parents believed.

No leader in perfect. Despite their imperfections, our leaders do deserve our respect. There isn't enough respect between political parties, and that's why nothing gets done. They act like little children on the playground who like to taunt each other. I do have political opinions, but for the most part they are personal. Come November, I will vote for a person of integrity, and I hope that everyone else will do the same. Now is more important than ever to choose leaders who will help uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ, albeit indirectly.

I am grateful to live in a free country where I can speak my mind and live my religion without oppression.

Weeds

If the weeds in my yard were worth as much as the stuff in Colorado, I'd be a rich woman! I've been listening to a book while I worked in the yard during the mornings and one afternoon. I forgot that no clouds means sunburn, but I think it will turn into a tan in another few days.

We leave for SLC for a wedding tomorrow.

We had two dinners out this week, one with our old ward, Vernal 5th. James was invited as a guest speaker. The other was last night for the Young Women fundraiser. I enjoyed both and managed not to overeat (too much). It was certainly tempting.

I finished a couple more YW projects. For Good Works, I volunteered at Bountiful Baskets several times. It was really fun. For Choice and Accountability, I made an effort to teach a decent family  home evening lesson every week this year so far. I enjoyed that too, so hopefully the habit will stick and I won't leave things to the last minute anymore.

I've been watching some videos on healthy eating. Every time I think my diet is ideal, I find more information that helps me make it even better. I have finally come to the conclusion that I am addicted to certain things and need to give them up to be completely  happy and not compulsively overeat all the time. Overeating has been a problem for me ever since I was a baby. Not until I kick that habit/addiction can I finally get to a weight that is healthy for me. I am making progress every day. 

Articles of Faith #11

"11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

 There are many religions on the earth.  It would be foolish to assume that every person on earth would ever be a member of my own church. Though I believe that my church is true, I know that there is much good to be found in all religions. I appreciate the effort  that my church makes to work with others for the common good. In today's world, it is so important for people to stand together for values that are important to them,  regardless of religion. There is a lot of evil for us to fight against, and we can only accomplish that by standing together instead of fighting on the issues we do not agree on.