Happy coincidences

Serendipity struck at the Sandy Sweet Tomatoes this evening: I went to dinner by myself and wound up dining with an old friend and his family.

I love when these happy coincidences strike!

I'm not a regular Sweet Tomatoes diner, but I was in the mood tonight, so after delaying for a while, I went solo (not in the mood to seek out company, and I'm perfectly content to just read a book). As I settled into my booth, lo and behold, who should walk up to me but Eric, who I've been friends with since 7th grade English, and his sweet wife, Catherine. The last time I saw them was at their wedding reception earlier this year. Well, as it turned out, his parents were up from our hometown in California, and I was invited to join them all for dinner. It was so nice to catch up with them all and to not be dining all by my lonely self - right before they walked up I was mildly moping to myself about how lame it was to come by myself. But, alas, my loneliness was fleeting. And to think, had I gone right after work or sat in the part of the restaurant where I'd intended to sit initially, our paths wouldn't have crossed!

And I find it funny that in the course of five days I will have spent time with three high school friends. Which, seeing as we all grew up elsewhere, is quite the coincidence as well.

Anyways.

Moments like this are what I call "tender mercies" - where the stars align and bring such joy that would've been missed if the timing had been off thiiiiis much. Like when I was in Kirtland, Ohio, to tour some LDS history sites with my anti-LDS mother. BAD idea, kids. BAD. Well, as I reeled from the shock of my mother reaming out my dearly beloved faith, who should be there to guide my tour but a sister missionary who was one of my friends at BYU! I hadn't realized she was on a mission, let alone in Ohio, let alone on that shift at that site at that moment. What are the chances?! In that difficult moment where I felt so isolated and brokenhearted, when I needed a friend the most, one was there in the most unexpected of ways!

Somehow it leaves me feeling like in the chaos and grandeur of the universe, we are so not alone! These little blessings seem to come together when we need that boost, that shot in the arm to remind us that life is beautiful and wonderful and filled with joy, even when we feel mopey or discouraged or, as the Man in the Chair put it, "You know, a little anxious for no particular reason. A little sad that I should feel anxious at this age. You know, a little self-conscious anxiety resulting in non-specific sadness." (Drowsy Chaperone. Delightful show. See it if the opportunity presents itself.)

So, yay for life's happy coincidences. Celebrate the joy in the little things with me, friends. What are some recent "tender mercies" that have made your day?

One o' Those Days...

I just noticed ghastly deodorant lines at the bottom of the brown cami that I've been wearing all day.

It's after 5 p.m.

Good grief!

I know today's Friday - thank goodness for that - but it's certainly had the luck of a Monday:

• Must've turned off the alarm instead of hitting snooze - I woke up with a start at 7:30 instead of 6:30 (but thank goodness I just have to roll into work by 9!)
• Thanks to the reason above, didn't have time to straighten my hair, which I've decided is a must with this short 'do (otherwise the curls turn into a huge triangle like that lady in Dilbert) - at least my updo with a headband looked decent today!
  
  
• The button keeping my favorite cardigan closed popped off as I got out of the car on my way into work - just had to button one higher and solider on
• Apparently I've had deodorant on my shirt all day - which would've included a team meeting - and didn't notice.

Ah, well. So it goes. At least the workday is soon over, and that means I get to head down to BYU and escape to the world of Rio Conchos, a Western that's tonight's selection in the special collections film series. Why I didn't take advantage of this series more in college, I don't know, but I'm trying to make the most of it while I work just up the street. Tonight's pic might not hit the spot as much as, say, a cheesy rom-com, but hey, it's a free movie. I'll take it.

And if that means I can eat some comfort food from my BYU days at the Cougareat, all the better!

So... every day, huh?

Can we just say an average of posting every day this month is good enough? Not to sound like a primadonna, but I really do have to be in the right mood to write anything worth reading... and I haven't been. Frankly, I haven't been for the majority of the past year, hence the dearth of decent posts.

But I do have so much for which I should express thanks. So... more on that later tonight.

Really. I promise.

Things for which I'm thankful

Hello again, friends!

So, remember how earlier I said I'd be posting every day for the month of November? Well, it gets even better. At least through Thanksgiving, I'm going to be posting on things for which I'm thankful. Seems appropriate, right?

At the risk of sounding super-cheesy, our lesson yesterday in Relief Society (the women's organization at my church) was on gratitude, and it really struck me. One of the powerful quotes shared yesterday came from Pres. Thomas S. Monson, who leads the LDS Church:

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Isn't that the truth? Lately I've been dwelling more on where my life lacks than on where it's amazing and wonderful and blessed (which it really is). I think we'll forever be able to see where things come up short, just like how we're endlessly able to nitpick our personal flaws that others don't even notice (or if they do, often they love us in spite of - or for - anyways). Keeping that perspective is key, though. There's also an endless list of blessings, and counting those is so much more constructive.

Later this evening I'll get the first post up. The plan is to include lots of pictures, too - what better way to also get caught up, right? - but we'll see how that goes. For now, I want to get your input:

What are you grateful for this season?

Thoughts on Election Day

Hey, friends!

Remember once upon a time, when I used to actually blog a lot? Ah, the good ol' days... No, seriously, sorry I've been such a slacker! Things have been busy busy, but in the spirit of NaNoWriMo, I'm going to work to blog every day for the month of November (since I lack the creativity to write a novel in a month, but daily blogging seems doable).

And with that in mind... here's a thought on tomorrow's election:

VOTE.

The voter turnout for midterm elections is abysmal. Seriously, it's usually in the 30%-40% range. How pathetic! Men and women have shed their blood across the globe to secure the blessings of liberty for their posterity - us. What a waste it would be to not utilize that gift by stepping up and opining on who should be leading the country - "driving the car," to evoke the analogy Obama seems to adore. However, I think he'll see that the GOP is not composed of Slurpee-sipping do-nothings; conversely, we're ready to call the tow truck and winch ourselves out of the ditch instead of pushing it further in.

But let's not get all partisan. ;) Sorry, folks. Well, you know me... so that shouldn't be surprising, especially considering how much time I've spent in the last month devoted to campaigning (I'm a Philpot Phan! If you're in the Utah 2nd Congressional District, please join me in sending Morgan to Washington. Matheson's not representative of our district's values!)

But, really. No more politics. Instead, enjoy this video that shows how dirty campaigning has always been a part of the American system. You think the mudslinging's bad now? Try Jefferson vs. Adams circa 1800: