*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, another Monday!  They seem to come and go so fast anymore!  I didn't run today.  I know my body is telling me to take it easy for a while.  That is going to be tough.  But I need to listen.  The pain was less today so that's a good sign.  I worked on this blog and I am convinced I will never get it caught up!  Yes, I know I say that all the time, but it's true!  I did however finally finish (a year later!) my Sista Boston Trip post from last year.  It was mostly done, but I never finished it.  You can read it HERE before I put it back on the date it should have posted.  I had a lunch today with Valerie and Ayako.  We had a great time and some deep convo.  I really love them both. I think we were meant to be put together in that calling because we all have a special bond.  It's just not the same without Val in sports now.  I ordered meatloaf and only ate 1/3 of it so I could take the rest home to the boys.  When I got in my car I realized I forgot it and left it on the table and so I ran back to get it and they told me they had already thrown it away.  Dang!  

Love these ladies!  Trying to be silly.

Tonight was the Scholarship awards at the high school and so Dave and I went to meet the recipient of Tyson's scholarship.  She is an amazing girl with the kindest spirit.  There was something special about her.  She's the kind of person that after being around her you want to be a better person.  I am confident we chose the right person.  She will represent Tyson well.  We got some photos and gave her the certificate and then left before the whole thing was over.  

She's a cute girl and very worthy of this scholarship.

I practiced for a good hour and a half but will have to do the same before my lesson tomorrow. I have not been practicing consistently this past few weeks. I need to get back on track.  Taylor did tell me that I was sounding polished.  Ahh...  That was sweet of him.

dear tuesday,  I got up and practiced for an hour or so.  I was playing really softly to not wake up the boys but they came barging in the door about 7:30 after being at the gym.  Bryce had left around 6 a.m. and Dave was gone as well.  I guess I could have played up a storm and no one would have been bothered since I was alone.  Mr. Cat did come and join me for a bit.  He hasn't done that in quite a while.  I headed to my lesson and I felt like I got a good quality one today.  It always helps when I have practiced hard the songs she asks me to play.  Some lessons she has me play the ones I didn't focus too much on.  She is due in 10 days with twins.  I feel for her. She looks pretty miserable.  I headed to Target to return some things for Bryce and I forgot how much I like that store. I was in there for much longer than I thought!  I think I kind of lost all track of time.  Haha  I bought a lot of $1 cards and gift bags.  Killer deal because they are very detailed and cute.  Hallmark would charge at least $4.  I love a good deal. But, when I find one I stock up and I already have way too many cards and gift bags.  hah  When I got home only McKay was here.  He was supposed to start his job at Maddox tonight but they called and changed it to Thursday. He was a little bummed.  I made chicken enchiladas and they turned out so yummy!  I kind of made up the recipe because I wanted to use the tomatillo salsa I got at Costco.  I added sour cream and cheese to it to make it a bit more mild.  I had to pressure cook some chicken because I didn't have enough but it really turned out well.  I can't wait to make them again!  And the Uncle Ben's spanish rice is exactly like El Toro's.

Sadly, though we didn't get to eat together as a family.  Bryce had to head to Layton and McKay was heading to Mantua (both to watch the playoffs with friends).  Taylor was at the library.  I sent Dave to the store to grab a bag of salad, but once Taylor got home we waited and waited and waited.  I called and text but got nothing.  We decided to just eat without him.  Good thing because he was another 15 minutes.  He got a call on his way to store about someone that wanted to rent the apartment.  He didn't think it would take long and so he didn't call and inform me. Hmm....  So my plans to finally have a sit down dinner with the entire fam, ended up being me and Taylor.  It's okay, but I would have preferred to just made sandwiches or something instead of a big meal.  

My injury started flaring up again today even though I haven't run since the race.  Still not sure what to do.  Just rest or walk or run?  

dear wednesday, I decided I am not going to run for a bit in hopes I can heal this dang injury before it gets worse.  Bad thing is my marathon training has started IF I decide to run the full at BCC.  Hmm... But, I went out and did my PT exercises because I NEED to be outside or I will go crazy.  Besides I need lots of room on flat ground to do them.  I came home and got busy organizing some drawers which led to more drawers and once I'm in the organizing mood, I have a hard time stopping.  I got some things done that have been needing it.  But when I went in my basement I was so overwhelmed.  UGH!  I have organized the spare room down there and under the stairs SO. MANY. TIMES. But once again someone (or someones) have created chaos.  It stresses me out so much!  But I don't have the energy or time to keep re-doing it just so they can mess it up again!  The only solution is to just get rid of it all!  I really need to just do that.  Not as easy as it sounds because most of the stuff is expensive or will be needed by the boys when they start their families some time...solid oak dresser Dave built, table and chairs, nice photos etc.  Maybe I'm just kidding myself.  Sigh......  I just need to do it. I can now that I am not running. Maybe this injury is a blessing in disguise.  Haha  I just need energy.  It's weird I can run marathons and run each day but housework takes its toll on me.  I feel my age big time compared to my 30's and even 40's.  

I practiced my new hymn on the harp. I am excited about it.  It's Come Thou Fount.  It is really pretty.  She wants me to have some hymns ready in case I get asked to play in church. What!?  Hmm... on the hymns.☺ Actually, I wouldn't mind if it wasn't a solo and this one you can add a flute or violin. Just not a solo! So it's a good one to get under my belt.  I still need lots of practice though. 

I ran the new certificate to Savannah (the winner of our scholarship) and her mom was so nice.  We had leftovers tonight because we had so many.  Had a chill night. I listened to a few Women's Conference talks. I am so happy they are putting them online now even if it's only the ones in the Marriott Center, but I love listening to them.

dear thursday, I practiced for an hour or so this morning and then got outside and did my PT and a little walking.  I am still so sore and now stiff.  Not sure why, but hopefully what I'm doing will help some.  I don't plan on running for a bit.  I had a lunch in Ogden today at The Oaks for Chris.  She is going to have surgery next week for breast cancer and we wanted to have a little get together for her.  We had seven show up and it was a lot of fun.  The tables are outside along the Ogden River and it was very relaxing.  We got a few photos and then had fun chatting. Robin had me laughing so hard as she always does.  I don't think Lori quite knew what to do with her.  haha  There is only one Robin!  We've been friends since 4th grade and I love that woman so much.  We almost lost her a couple years ago and I'm so grateful we didn't!

With Patti and Bonzo (Robin)

I came home and hurried and fixed dinner for Dave's parents.  I ended up doing Beef Stroganoff tonight which was probably too much like the Crockpot Steak and Gravy we did last week.  But, oh well.  Hopefully they still enjoyed it.  Everyone ate at different times again.  Dave had darts and the other boys headed other places as well.  I was going to try and catch this up, but I was so behind in other stuff it didn't happen.  Sigh...  At this rate, it will never be caught up.

dear friday, I got this notice on my blog today.  

Not good. I think it is the same one my bloggy friend got and ignored it and then she was unable to post on her blog.  HELP!  Does anyone know if I need to do anything?  I don't even know what third party cookies are!  I think it is the kick in the pants I need to get my blog put into books!  I have put it off for so long because I know it's going to take forever and when I'm behind on this, it makes it hard to take on another project relating to it.  I need another 4 hours in a day! 

 

Speaking of the blog, I just realized it was my TEN YEAR BLOGIVERSARY this year!  It was in February, but I totally didn't realize it.  Happy Blogiversary to me!  10 years!  Wow!  There were a few years in there that were very sparse, but overall, I have been blogging for 10 years.

I am feeling so drained of energy this week.  I had a huge list of things I wanted to accomplish but every time I went to do them, I just wanted to take a nap.  It doesn't help that I wake up when Dave comes to bed (if he's later than I am) and I wake up when he gets up no matter what time and I can't go back to sleep.  I think it is taking it's toll. I think everything is.  Or....maybe it's directly related to the fact that I haven't been running all week. Hmmm.....  Could running actually give me that much more energy?  Seems like a paradox, but maybe that explains it all.  Today, I didn't even do my PT.  I ended up heading to Wallies, Shopko, and the Dollar Tree to get some stuff for Tyson's grave and then I worked on it for a bit.  MORE guilt there as well.  I am so disappointed in myself that I still haven't got a headstone for that boy.  That is so not like me to do this....but something isn't clicking in order for me to accomplish it.  It's a mystery to me so if anyone has any suggestions, I am totally open!  

I just wanted a nap today all day but I kept on moving.  In rethinking, I just should have taken one.  But, I feel too guilty.  I always say I will go to bed early, and so I do but then I can't sleep. Haha  Oh my, I am full of great positivity today!  LOL

dear saturday,  I went running with Robin this morning even though I probably should have kept resting the injuries.  I was only going to go five but ended up with a bit over six.  We haven't been running together in over a month and so it was good to catch up.  After talking to her, I am thinking my injury isn't piraformis. I am pretty sure I am dealing with a disc issue here.  The way it has manifested itself this time and the kind of pain I have. It is so painful to drive and before that wasn't the case.  It hurts much worse when I'm not running than when I am. And it came so late after the full.  Sounds like what she has had before.  I don't know, just so many things about it this time has me concerned it's much more serious than just a muscle thing.  Sigh...  It all makes sense to me the timing of it etc.  I also wonder if the massage I had contributed to it.  She really worked my back hard.  

We chatted about my still lack of a decision if I want to run the BCC full instead of half and try to cut some time off my BQ for 2019 or if I should just let it go and not worry about running Boston every year.  She about had me convinced to just take some time off, but that is not me.  Unless, the injury forces me too.  I think I will end up running it and going for a better time. I know I am not guaranteed a better time and I know I really hated that course when I ran it before, but I almost feel I need to try.  I may still change my mind.  She told me I need to run marathons to run marathons and not to just BQ. I told her the only reason I run marathons now is so I CAN BQ and run Boston again.   I have no desire to run them otherwise.  I always said after I ran Boston in 2017, that was going to be my last marathon.  That was until I experienced Boston.  After that, I want to run it every chance I get. Now, I will run marathons ONLY to try to qualify so I can run it again.  She didn't get that. She said Grant runs them not just to BQ.  I told her that is great, but not to me.  I prefer half's. They are still challenging but they aren't a full time job to train for them like a full.  And they aren't as hard on your body.  My dream is to qualify for Boston while running Boston each year.  Then I would only have to run Boston. One marathon a year!  I would love that.  She told me she has a hard time understanding that because I am so good at marathons. I told her I did enjoy the lessons learned from running them and the amazing experiences that you can get no other way, but honestly, that is not enough for me to run them just for that.  

I came home and had a long list of things to do today.  I got a few done, but not my closet or room.  It was too blasted hot upstairs!  I ran some errands and went to the cemetery again and added some more things.  It looked good.  I worked on my Primary lesson and practiced for a while.  Then Sky and fam showed up. It was so great to see little Carson. I have missed that boy.  It was the cutest thing, Sky said the other day Carson was sitting on their couch with a sad face and Sky asked him what was wrong.  He said Carson said, "I just miss Jodi". Talk about melting my heart.  He gave me the biggest hug and was so dang cute!  I was so happy to see him.  We sat down and he had so much to tell me and he gave me a "present" he made for me.  I gave him a few things I had for him too.  Sarah laughingly said, "What is this gift exchange every time we come?"  

Dave and I picked up the Hollingsworth's and then met the Wight's in Logan at Elements for dinner.  We had a good time.  My food was great, but Dave's was not. He should have ordered something different.  I felt bad.  We did get dessert though only because they had Molten Lava cake.  You had to wait 25 minutes for it and it wasn't really all that great.  I've had much better.  Missing the Chocolate Melting Cake from the cruise!  NOTHING compares to that!  We walked outside to see the ducks along the river.  It was gorgeous out there. We fed them some bread.  We had a good time.  They are fun people.  

We got home and I was beat.  Carson wanted to watch a movie with me and I was so happy because that was the only thing I wanted to do.  We watched "Trap the Parents" (The Parent Trap).  Haha  

dear sunday, the back was not doing well this morning.  Maybe I should have skipped my run yesterday.  I am almost certain it is a disc.  I tried to go back to sleep after Dave left, but once again to no avail.  I got up and talked to Taylor, then McKay, Bryce and Sky for a while. Carson got up and was so tired.  He is such a sweetheart.  He helped with my lesson and then he had fun with the boys.  They all took off to their various church meetings.  He helped me make dinner for after church.  He wanted to take a bath and so I stayed with him for a while so he could play in there.  He loved the new magic popping stuff I got for the tub.  We headed to church and Julie's granddaughter came to our class because she knows me and is very shy and didn't want to go to hers.  She was adorable.  They all are.  I am in love with all of them.  In sharing time the music leader had the kids come up one at at time and then asked them each a question about something like, "What is your favorite book, favorite holiday, favorite story, etc?"  Carson shouted out each time he asked, "Jodi!"  haha  It was the cutest thing!  He always tells me, "I love you Jodi with all of my heart."  I taught the lesson on ears and we made some really cute ear headbands.

 We went outside to listen to sounds and I had to take a few shots of them because they are all so cute.  

After church Cheryl and I (and Carson) went to visit Sam because she broke her arm by falling out of a window.  She had to have pins put in it as well.  She was very talkative.  Carson was cute with her.  He makes friends easy.  I talked to Robin about her bulging disc and after talking to her about another mutual friend, I'm even more worried what I have going on is a disc and not piraformis issues.  Sigh.....    I told Dave I better get in and get another MRI because I don't want to go too long like another friend that ended up with a very invasive surgery and now she can never run again.  We came home and had dinner. I had made a chicken-rice-broccoli, casserole.  It turned out pretty good for throwing it together so fast before church.  Dave, Carson and I ran to the cemetery to check out Tyson's grave.  The wind had ripped to shreds most of the stuff I put there this weekend.  Some of it is completely gone.  Great.  The wind was blowing like crazy while we were there too.  Hopefully tomorrow there will be something left of it. When we got back in the car Carson said, "Whew! I'm glad that's over!"  So hilarious!  We came home and Carson wanted to watch the movie, "Trap the Parents".  We all just laugh. He means "The Parent Trap". He watches it for me because he knows it's one of my faves (the original with Hayley Mills).  So we watched it for a bit and then he was bored.  

We went downstairs and he found Bryce and Taylor and McKay to wrestle with.  They all have such a cute relationship with him.  

We played with playdough for a bit.

After they went home and I watched the rest of the NBA Finals game with the boys.  LeBron made us all proud.  LOL  Taylor loves the guy.  The Cavs won the final game.  They now will play tomorrow's winner of the other conference.

dear random, someone posted this and said that it's proof angels are with our missionaries. Look closely.  I thought it was pretty cool!

My Boston visor.  The logo is crooked so I have to return it.  What a pain.

dear quotes,   

I saw this meme and had to change the wording because it fit so well!