So, I announced at the beginning of the month that one of my New Year's Resolutions was to keep a gratitude journal and write in it every day, focusing on good things about living in Alabama so that I could improve my attitude about being here. I've been looking over it, and I wanted to share some of the top entries of January:
*1/3 Todd came home from work at 3:30 today - hours of afternoon/evening spent together.
*1/4 We get great sunsets in Alabama (we didn't in California).
*1/5 It was 60 degrees today - in January! Rebekah and I went biking and it felt so good to be outside. Great weather!
*1/7 It was so warm today that I read a book on the deck in short sleeves and capris!
*1/12 Good movie rental tonight - "Stardust" (Thanks for the recommendation, Amy!)
*1/15 A coworker from my school in CA called. She said a 1st grade teacher was teaching a lesson on explorers. She asked her students where they would like to explore. She got answers like Antarctica. The jungle.
Two kids who were in my class last year said Alabama. The teacher asked why. They said so they could visit Mr. and Mrs. Bonner.
Sweet - I love being a teacher!
*1/21 I'm grateful all (legal) adults in America can vote.
*1/22 I know Heavenly Father purposely blessed me with Rebekah's friendship while we're out here.
*1/22 I love how Todd shows off for my attention.
*1/26 Ibuprofen
*1/29 Todd called me a "succulent wildebeast" today.
As you may have noticed, not everything is specifically about Alabama. However, it really has helped me be more cheerful as I focus on the good things each day. Gratitude is great!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
President Hinkley Passed Away Last Night
Just before we went to sleep last night, Todd showed me an article online announcing the death of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinkley, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He passed away last night at 7:00 (MST).
I am experiencing a wide mix of emotions. President Hinkley had been the President of the Church since I was thirteen years old - basically since I've been old enough to remember listening to a prophet speak. He has been dear to my heart. I've written several entries in my journal about how he has impacted my life through his teachings and example.
I was just out of high school when I received a solid witness for myself that Gordon B. Hinkley was God's prophet on the earth today. I attended a meeting for the youth of the Church at the new Conference Center, and President Hinkley gave a talk on the six B's to live by:
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Before the meeting started, I was in my seat. I don't remember what I was doing. There was probably prelude music playing, but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that suddenly it felt different in the room. The air was charged with the Spirit of God - my skin tingled. I looked up toward the stage, and President Hinkley was just walking in then, through a door on the side. There had not been any announcement. No one said anything. It just felt different when he entered, and it was unmistakable.
As people started to notice he had come in, they stood up for him. Soon every one of the thousands of people in the Conference Center were standing to show their love and respect for President Hinkley. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. My chest was burning with the Spirit, testifying to me that President Hinkley was the living prophet. I felt an incredible sense of love and loyalty towards him that just engulfed me. I felt so honored to be in the same room as him.
We sang, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," and every word was true as it came from my voice:
We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet,
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank thee for sending the Gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays;
We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand;
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee,
And love to obey thy commands.
-William Fowler
I am so grateful for President Hinkley, his example and teachings, his service and love.
I am experiencing a wide mix of emotions. President Hinkley had been the President of the Church since I was thirteen years old - basically since I've been old enough to remember listening to a prophet speak. He has been dear to my heart. I've written several entries in my journal about how he has impacted my life through his teachings and example.
I was just out of high school when I received a solid witness for myself that Gordon B. Hinkley was God's prophet on the earth today. I attended a meeting for the youth of the Church at the new Conference Center, and President Hinkley gave a talk on the six B's to live by:
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Before the meeting started, I was in my seat. I don't remember what I was doing. There was probably prelude music playing, but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that suddenly it felt different in the room. The air was charged with the Spirit of God - my skin tingled. I looked up toward the stage, and President Hinkley was just walking in then, through a door on the side. There had not been any announcement. No one said anything. It just felt different when he entered, and it was unmistakable.
As people started to notice he had come in, they stood up for him. Soon every one of the thousands of people in the Conference Center were standing to show their love and respect for President Hinkley. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. My chest was burning with the Spirit, testifying to me that President Hinkley was the living prophet. I felt an incredible sense of love and loyalty towards him that just engulfed me. I felt so honored to be in the same room as him.
We sang, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," and every word was true as it came from my voice:
We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet,
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank thee for sending the Gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays;
We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand;
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee,
And love to obey thy commands.
-William Fowler
I am so grateful for President Hinkley, his example and teachings, his service and love.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Holidays are a little different around here. . .
As if there wasn't enough to love about the South already, try to grasp this concept:
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day. It is also General Lee Day.
Yep. They combine the two around here. Seems to me they would cancel each other out, but somehow it wound up on the school holiday calendar as such. I guess you're supposed to choose which one to celebrate, and you can pretend the other person didn't do anything that affected America.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day. It is also General Lee Day.
Yep. They combine the two around here. Seems to me they would cancel each other out, but somehow it wound up on the school holiday calendar as such. I guess you're supposed to choose which one to celebrate, and you can pretend the other person didn't do anything that affected America.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Great Commercial!
Okay, so there's this local commercial that's been on TV for a couple of weeks now, and every time I see it I have one of three reactions:
1. Shake my head in disbelief
2. Laugh til I cry
3. A combination of both (my most frequent response)
I recorded it on the VCR so I could share the experience with Todd. I'm going to try to do the same for you guys, but it's going to be a LOT harder without the audio. Trust me. It's not just the Southern accent.
Picture this: The furniture store is having a major blow-out sale. Everything must go. "You make an offer, we'll probably take it." Wow, that gives me real confidence in the bartering process!
Okay, but here's the really good part. As the guy talks, words flash across the screen. There is no mistaking what you hear, and what was supposed to be said. These are his words exactly:
"Everything must be out of there in 30 days. Beautiful bedroom suits. Living room suits. Dining room suits. "
Did you catch that? It's impossible to miss if you're listening to it. SUITS. The word he's reading is "suites." (pronounced "sweets") but he's saying "suits," like a man's church suit.
It's so great being here!
Note: As embarrassed as I am to admit this, I looked up the word "suites" in the dictionary, and it states that it CAN be pronounced "suits," as in a grouping of furniture.
1. Shake my head in disbelief
2. Laugh til I cry
3. A combination of both (my most frequent response)
I recorded it on the VCR so I could share the experience with Todd. I'm going to try to do the same for you guys, but it's going to be a LOT harder without the audio. Trust me. It's not just the Southern accent.
Picture this: The furniture store is having a major blow-out sale. Everything must go. "You make an offer, we'll probably take it." Wow, that gives me real confidence in the bartering process!
Okay, but here's the really good part. As the guy talks, words flash across the screen. There is no mistaking what you hear, and what was supposed to be said. These are his words exactly:
"Everything must be out of there in 30 days. Beautiful bedroom suits. Living room suits. Dining room suits. "
Did you catch that? It's impossible to miss if you're listening to it. SUITS. The word he's reading is "suites." (pronounced "sweets") but he's saying "suits," like a man's church suit.
It's so great being here!
Note: As embarrassed as I am to admit this, I looked up the word "suites" in the dictionary, and it states that it CAN be pronounced "suits," as in a grouping of furniture.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Jammin' to the Tunes
So, Todd is the coolest guy on the planet. He does great things for me all the time. Last night, he figured out how to put a music playlist on my blog. Wow!
So. . . make sure you check it out over there on the right-hand side. Just click on a song, and enjoy! They are some of my favorite picks from our collection here at home. So you can pretend that we're hanging out together, and I'm like, "Dude, you have GOT to listen to this rockin' song!" Cuz I love them that much. Also, I love Todd. Thanks, Husband!
So. . . make sure you check it out over there on the right-hand side. Just click on a song, and enjoy! They are some of my favorite picks from our collection here at home. So you can pretend that we're hanging out together, and I'm like, "Dude, you have GOT to listen to this rockin' song!" Cuz I love them that much. Also, I love Todd. Thanks, Husband!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Just a Little Off the Top
I'm the resident barber of the Bonner household. Last night, Todd wanted a quick haircut, so we got out the supplies. Sometimes I trim the top with scissors, and sometimes I buzz it with the #4 clip on the shears. The scissors take longer, but usually look a little better. So, I asked Todd if he wanted the scissors or the buzzer. He chose buzzer.
I put the clip on the buzzer and took a swoop from his forehead back to his cowlick. "Wow," I thought, "That took off a lot of hair. I didn't realize his hair had grown out THAT long." And still, it wasn't until I had buzzed a second strip off the top of Todd's head that I figured out what was wrong. I was using the #2 clip, rather than the #4.
I immediately stopped what I was doing. I was mortified. I was worried Todd would be upset. But it's not like there was anything I could do to make him not find out. And I couldn't exactly finish the job with the #4. Half the top of his head was already shorn. I mean, you could see his skull through his hair. It is SHORT!
So I had to tell Todd. The relief of him not being mad at me after all, combined with the ridiculousness of the situation, caused me to start laughing. I laughed so hard I cried. There was just nothing I could do to fix it! So I laughed instead. And got out the camera.
Luckily, a #2 haircut isn't the END of the world. A lot of guys out here have their hair that short. It's just not what we're used to seeing above Todd's face.
I put the clip on the buzzer and took a swoop from his forehead back to his cowlick. "Wow," I thought, "That took off a lot of hair. I didn't realize his hair had grown out THAT long." And still, it wasn't until I had buzzed a second strip off the top of Todd's head that I figured out what was wrong. I was using the #2 clip, rather than the #4.
I immediately stopped what I was doing. I was mortified. I was worried Todd would be upset. But it's not like there was anything I could do to make him not find out. And I couldn't exactly finish the job with the #4. Half the top of his head was already shorn. I mean, you could see his skull through his hair. It is SHORT!
So I had to tell Todd. The relief of him not being mad at me after all, combined with the ridiculousness of the situation, caused me to start laughing. I laughed so hard I cried. There was just nothing I could do to fix it! So I laughed instead. And got out the camera.
Luckily, a #2 haircut isn't the END of the world. A lot of guys out here have their hair that short. It's just not what we're used to seeing above Todd's face.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
This year I resolve to. . .
Todd and I went to Utah for Christmas, and had a wonderful time with our families. Over the break, I often heard the question, "How do you like Alabama?" This was always awkward, because I couldn't think of anything positive to say that I really meant, and my silence was usually a conversation-stopper.
This happened again as we traveled home. We had a stop in Atlanta, and I met a young woman from Italy who had just married a soldier who is attending flight school in our area. She asked what Alabama was like, and I really struggled to make it sound good. What could I say to someone from Italy - a country that has been #1 on my travel destination wish-list for over a decade - that would make her excited to be here?
That was a strong reality check for me. I know we're only here for a year, but that doesn't mean I am justified in spending that year sulking about where we live. I have made it one of my New Year's Resolutions to turn my attitude around and focus on the good things about living in Alabama - because there ARE good things about being here. I'm going to keep a little gratitude journal by my bed and jot down at least one thing a day that's good about being here. I've already brainstormed a good starter list:
* You can see a ton of stars in the sky right from our front porch.
* I get to spend more time with Todd each day than I have our whole marriage.
* Todd can tell me about his day - he's not doing top-secret stuff like he was at work in California.
* I am fortunate to be able to substitute teach this year - I'm not spending the year creating projects and lesson plans that I won't reuse back in CA. I go home 10 minutes after the kids do - it's amazing!
* I love our townhouse (See the entry A Nice Abode for more specifics.)
* Gator huntin'
* We've got good friends here - AND we are blessed to still hear from friends in CA and UT. We received many Christmas cards last month that made me reflect on how grateful I am for great friends.
* We DO have a Walmart and a Lowes - it could be worse. At least we have SOMEWHERE to shop.
*Beautiful scenery - the trees and hills really are nice
* Free doctor appointments and prescriptions - thanks Army!
* Awesome weather 8 months out of the year - October through May. Right now it's sunny and 50 degrees. (We're having a cold snap. Give it a couple of days, and we're expected to be back in the 70s.)
This happened again as we traveled home. We had a stop in Atlanta, and I met a young woman from Italy who had just married a soldier who is attending flight school in our area. She asked what Alabama was like, and I really struggled to make it sound good. What could I say to someone from Italy - a country that has been #1 on my travel destination wish-list for over a decade - that would make her excited to be here?
That was a strong reality check for me. I know we're only here for a year, but that doesn't mean I am justified in spending that year sulking about where we live. I have made it one of my New Year's Resolutions to turn my attitude around and focus on the good things about living in Alabama - because there ARE good things about being here. I'm going to keep a little gratitude journal by my bed and jot down at least one thing a day that's good about being here. I've already brainstormed a good starter list:
* You can see a ton of stars in the sky right from our front porch.
* I get to spend more time with Todd each day than I have our whole marriage.
* Todd can tell me about his day - he's not doing top-secret stuff like he was at work in California.
* I am fortunate to be able to substitute teach this year - I'm not spending the year creating projects and lesson plans that I won't reuse back in CA. I go home 10 minutes after the kids do - it's amazing!
* I love our townhouse (See the entry A Nice Abode for more specifics.)
* Gator huntin'
* We've got good friends here - AND we are blessed to still hear from friends in CA and UT. We received many Christmas cards last month that made me reflect on how grateful I am for great friends.
* We DO have a Walmart and a Lowes - it could be worse. At least we have SOMEWHERE to shop.
*Beautiful scenery - the trees and hills really are nice
* Free doctor appointments and prescriptions - thanks Army!
* Awesome weather 8 months out of the year - October through May. Right now it's sunny and 50 degrees. (We're having a cold snap. Give it a couple of days, and we're expected to be back in the 70s.)
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