Monday, April 21, 2025

A Purposeful Life...Sometimes...

I keep a Gratitude Journal. Every evening, I write a few things I am thankful for that day. When I get ready to create my Blog entry for the week, I usually grab my Gratitude Journal. Using it with my calendar and any pictures I have taken, help me remember what happened during any week. As I look at my entries in my Gratitude Journal since my last Blog was completed on Monday April 14th, I realize I focused on a 'purposeful day'. In fact, my last entry for my last Blog post begins, "Monday April 14th, was what I call a 'purposeful day'." Well, I have learned looking back at my Gratitude Journal that I can sustain a 'purposeful day' for about three days. Then...I fall apart!! Here we go...

Tuesday, April 15th, was another 'purposeful day'. That would make two in a row. At time with my laptop I was able to complete my weekly Blog post, send out Relief Society announcements, and do research for an upcoming trip to Memphis. 

I even managed to have a date with Claude to Lexington. We went to Hobby Lobby for me to look for yarn. Our Bailey has made her decision and will be attend Campbellsville University. The school colors are maroon and gray. I am going to make Bailey an afghan out of maroon and gray yarn. The best place to search for a lot of yarn at once is Hobby Lobby. As good fortune would have it, they have built a new Chipotle in the parking lot where Hobby Lobby is located. We wanted to have dinner and would not try this Chipotle. 

This is the pattern I will use as a guide, coloring will be mostly maroon with gray and white accents. This is the yard chosen to make the afghan.
When we came out of Hobby Lobby, it was quite windy. The propeller on Claude's Jeep was really in motion. 
In the evening, we settled in for watching some more Castles. I ate some jumbo blueberries Claude purchased for me as I seem to be on a blueberry kick. These were absolutely, bar-none, the very best blueberries I have ever eaten. Yum!!

Wednesday, April 16th, was an 'almost note purposeful day'. I awoke not feeling well at all. After my bowl of cereal, posting our family trivial pursuit questions and setting up my puzzles for my Kindle for the day, I set to work regrouping for a more 'purposeful day'. I was able to finish our travel plans for Memphis. And, I was able to get the May Relief Society birthday cards all written and labeled and ready to wait to be mailed. Whew!!

Thursday, April 17th, was a 'not so purposeful day'. There you have it. I completed three purposeful days and not so much on the fourth one. But it is okay. 

Claude and I took my Buick in for the oil change it needed. Tire Discounters would do this for us. I tried to book through Dan Cummins but they couldn't fit me in for two weeks. I find this sooooo frustrating. When Frank Shoop owned that dealership, I could call and Kim would get me right in or in within that week. Dan Cummins is good in some ways but this is one area they are weak in. When I called Dan Cummins and asked for an oil change, I was told they couldn't fit me in for at least two weeks. I assured them I needed the oil change the next week. Couldn't do it. Wouldn't do it. Whatever. I said, "Well, too bad," and hung up. Claude suggested I call Tire Discounters. We purchased new tires for each of cars from them. They actually gave Claude a free oil change which we have used. I called and they would have gotten me in that day. I asked if I could come the next day and they said anytime was okay. Oh my heavens. That felt right. It was fun to hear their banter with customers. Clearly they know Dan Cummins charges way more than they should for the service they provide, they are a dealership. Customers that came in had negative comments about the service at Dan Cummins. I can't complain about Dan Cummins service. They do good work. It is just not often customer friendly. I shall now go all the time to Tire Discounters for my oil changes. 

I delivered the baby afghan I crocheted to Tina at Scott County Physical Therapy. Such nice people. Tina was there and I was able to give it directly to her. 

Friday, April 18th, we had two birthdays in our family. Jake, our son and youngest child, would turn 50 years old. What!!! And Kennedi, our next to youngest great grandmonster, would turn two years old. This is my post on our family Facebook page. 
"Today our family has 2 birthdays to celebrate.
          1st, we say Happy Birthday to Jake Christensen. Even though he is our youngest child, today is one of those banner birthdays! He is an excellent care giver to Soot. Jake sings the best Happy Mother's Day. We are super happy he is hiking and enjoying it so much. Happy Banner Birthday, Jake!!
          2 years ago Kennedi Claudette Roper joined our family. She a Mighty Mite. She recently broke that 20 pound barrier. We were so happy we got to make friends with her this month in person. Happy Birthday, Kennedi.
          We love our family bunches!!
Friday afternoon, Claude received a call from Lynette, his younger sister. They were in Nashville and wanted to stop in for a visit. Well, of course, that is okay!! They arrived about 6pm. We took them to McCallister's for dinner. Then we came back and toured our little home. We ended our evening sitting on the patio visiting. After all, we had an 80 degree day. It was so nice of them to go hundreds of miles out of their way for a quick visit. They headed down the road as they wanted to visit Memphis next. 
Saturday, April 19th, I finally finished my weeding of all the flower beds. Claude would cut the grass for the second time this year. This took three rounds of weeding. When the yard service spreads seed in the fall, it goes into the flowers beds as well as the yard. This grass was set in and it took a lot of arm muscle to get it all out of the beds. Fortunately, my right arm is a bit stronger and I was able to do it. It also requires me sitting on the ground and trying to move my body around. Not an easy task at all. But it is done and it looks a lot better. I do enjoy working in the yard when Claude is also working in the yard. 

Sunday, April 20th, was Easter Sunday. I remember when that mean a new dress. Not anymore. Somewhere along the line I quit doing that for myself. I remember distinctly have a navy blue blazer with a pink silk flower on the lapel. I came with a navy blue pleated skirt with pink polka dots. That was my Easter outfit for a very long time. Now I have a peach colored top that I wear with my black skirt. It is my official Easter outfit and will be until I wear it out. 

Claude was the one who wrote the Easter programs for church. It was very well done. A very nice way to begin our Easter Sunday. 

I posted this on Facebook for Easter.
          "Our 2005 visit to Israel has many vivid memories. One of the most poignant was the final day. We walked down the Mount of Olives stopping in Gethsemane among the ancient olive trees. Then we were taken to a possible site of the crucifixion and the Garden Tomb. After peering inside the tomb, we were left some quiet time near this tomb. There was a slight hill with a bench looking down on the tomb. I sat on that bench and felt such strong emotions that tears rolled from my eyes. It was a very tender moment in my life. 
          "I love my Savior. I believe in him and the power of his Atonement and Resurrection. I believe this affects my life all day, every day. I am grateful for His love. I am grateful for this amazing experience and this picture to reflect on the fact that my Savior lives and loves me and each of you. 
          "Happy Easter to each of you!!"
I decided it would be an offical holiday. I spent my afternoon watching my documentaries while Claude took his nap. In the evening we watched Music and the Spoken Word followed by Castle. I would crochet a few more square for the afghan. It was a very quiet, nice afternoon and evening.

This is the Roper kids dressed for Easter Sunday. Four of our great grandmonsters. So cute!!
Raelyn, Kennedi, Emelia and Joel.

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