Reasons NOT to elevate

It's the first week of school. Which isn't really relevant except that it's Roger's last school year. I made some muffins (which lasted 2 days) and he was up around the same time as me every day. He is cruising through the Wheel of Time series (audio) and actually using that planner I got him. 

If you haven't heard, I'm in charge of activities (again). This time with the YW. And I know that the girls are in charge and whatever, but they're all sick of doing movie nights every week (said the one YW at the YM spikeball tourney). So I'm here to add a little spice. 

Also, I made this. 

I had a great time at boxing again this week, I played basketball (although "played" again, is a loose term). And I practiced basketball, which had me sweating. Thank you Br Rice, again, for the key. 

Rog and I went to a dual-stake youth party this week (because it was in our backyard) and were hoping for a little more dancing than what we got, but we had a couple swing dances between all the yard games. And nachos. 

I tried to make muffins again, but our oven has been having issues. So we went to Carol's to bake them (in my new rubber trays) and ate more nachos.

Shoutout to the Chin for answering my phone calls and an official zoom meeting to help get my finances in order and give me some things to think on. 

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (see first pic)

Let's start with the bad news this week. First, very few people showed up to volleyball this week. This was disappointing as we FINALLY HAVE A KEY (#squeakywheel), but I am sure it is a result of last week when a bunch of people came and we couldn't get in. 

The worst picture of me. 

Second, I have been trying to get new contacts since LAST DECEMBER. I had to start the process over in June when I got on new insurance. I finally got a new prescription nailed down and now they're saying that the contacts I ordered (which were set to arrive on Tuesday) WILL NOW BE A MONTH LATE. So I woke up early Friday and was set to go to basketball before I realized I would be able to see NOTHING. Now in the market for black market lasic surgery. #dontspilltheOJ

Dang monsoons. 

Thirdly, my car got stuck in the mud, so I missed a few patients and was mad all day Wednesday. AAA came to pull me out, I got a cheap(ISH) car wash, and I'm no worse for the wear. But this makes me really want to buy a vehicle with higher clearance. 

Colors of Flagstaff.

The GOOD news. I have a job I enjoy. My mental, physical, spiritual, hormonal, and whatever categories of wellbeing is getting there. And I saw Roger once. In talking of traditions, I told him we could have a tradition where the fam goes hunting every opening day of deer season. He loved that idea. He did NOT love the idea of a Christmas Eve book exchange. He just doesn't like opening presents early, but he IS reading (listening) to books now, which I love. 

My job is to photograph. And stay down.

In the Spirit of Tradition, I went hunting with him on opening day. It consisted of us waking up at 3:30, driving for 30minutes to a super secret hunting spot, hiking with heavy packs in the DARK through the woods, setting up in a homemade blind, sitting in the freezing cold, and silently waiting for the deer to show up. Rog actually took a shot once, but was unsuccessful. 

Looking less and less like a hobo. 

Flag is crazy since in-person school starts this week. So we went to Page. Also because Stu was giving his farewell talk and his sisters "needed" someone to play the piano for their musical number. Which I agreed to with the stipulation that I could play it as fast as I wanted. Which is the ONLY way to make Hymn #152 not sound like a funeral dirge. There were enough people crying already. 

Tricked Roger into cutting my hair by doing it myself first. Badly. 

Good things are coming.

Monday we encountered a problem (again). We had no one to open the church for our volleyball group. After being assured on Saturday that we would have someone, we came up empty. Obviously I was upset (along with the 12+ people who hoped to play that night) and I also knew this would mess up our attendance for the next couple weeks. So what did I do? I called every member of the SPy for BOTH Flag stakes. 

And now I have a key. Bless. 

Opening day this Saturday. Who's excited...

I took a "kickboxing" class, which is really a boxing class where you don't get punched in the face. Which has been one of my goals to get into. I have gloves, I have sparring gloves, and I have a mean right cross. I love the gym I attend. I did a lot of research prior to make sure, but it has everything I want. Boxing, Oly, and heavy things I can drop. 

I was able to attend the monthly Oly class this week (as our WWR trip was cancelled again). It makes me feel good and strong and successful. My form is not great due to some joints that could use WD40 and others that need some duct tape. But I can lift heavy things many times. 

Roger is drooling over these guys I keep seeing. 

I also started playing basketball with a group of women on Fridays. And I use the term "playing" veryyyy loosely. They're pretty competitive, and one day I'll be able to play a little more help defense to shut them down. And maybe drive and shoot a bit more. I did have some nice baskets from post moves. But I am being very careful. 

Saturday, Rog and I got to make a joint bank account, chat about some things, and babysit Becky's kids until they fell asleep. Later, I took Marshall to our ward pig roast - where he tried riding a horse (cried), ziplining (cried), and feeding the goats (loved it). In addition to playing spikeball and volleyball and trampolining with kids thrice his size. And in return, I had to talk to fewer adults. 

Flowers. You should check out the desert post-monsoons. 

I'm an advisor in the YW now, and the Chief Head of YW in the ward said she created a job just for me that nobody has had before ever in the history of the ward - I'm in charge of activities. Well, in charge of overseeing that the YW do the activities. But I've got some ideas up my sleeve and a LITTLE experience in the arena.

Curry

 This was the last week of another 6 week weightlifting program and my body is excited for another rest week (meaning I only workout 1x per day and most of it ISN'T weightlifting). But I hit some PRs and I'm feeling good. 

The theme of the week is CURRY. I read that turmeric decreases risks of Alzheimer's so I'm force feeding Roger the stuff by the gallon. He actually really likes it, so he's not mad. I made a triple batch and adjusted the recipe somewhat based on a previous trial and that was our dinner for the week. (With fresh rice made daily). 

Thug Roger in the sparkly scarf.

Work is going. Still no end in sight for my Cottonwood trips. Rog says he's sad I never want to explore Cottonwood on the weekends with him anymore. I'm sure I'll be into it once I don't go there all the time. 

Stu went through the temple and it was nice to be inside again. I was channeling definite Grampy vibes. My favorite times were post-mission, in the Boston temple together, dancing and scuttling through those sacred halls. Good times. 

Vibes.

Trev and Jamie showed up Saturday night in time for volleyball. Many thanks to our 2nd cuz (once removed), Evan Weinzinger who not only OPENED the building, but PLAYED with us. I can't wait to see his band play, featuring him on the tuba. What a guy.

A weekend at HOME.

We have at least 12 people coming to volleyball every week now, but still no word on a key. The SPy is being REAL stingy about handing out new keys. Which is mad annoying and means Roger doesn't get to play basketball like he wants, which makes me sad. 

Roger asked me to change his clothes in this picture. 

The HelloFresh meals seem to be at an end. They were nice while they lasted and helped get me in a routine of cooking some simple meals when I get home. It also helps that my work schedule has mellowed out and become a bit more consistent, so I feel like I have both time and energy to do it. So I made curry this week and it turned out good enough to be a repeat. 

Also check out those mini zorbs. Classic. 

Our WWR trip was cancelled yet again, this time due to LOW water levels. So we'll try again for a few weeks from now. Instead, I got to go to Karen's baby shower. Which was excellent in presentation and simplicity. The decor was beautiful, the food was great, and there were just a few games a prizes. I actually stayed the whole time. 

If you need a new book, this one's on Amazon. 

Roger and I tried out NJ Pizza Co this week. It is comparable in price and selection to our current fave, but the taste and amount of food did not. Still good, just not up to our current expectations.