Life is good!

Lately, I've been trying to simplify my life a bit. Life can be so busy and hectic, its nice to pause and appreciate the great things that uplift our spirits. So here are a few things that have made me happy as of late.

1. Finishing a good book. I just finished The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman, a novel about the life of the Henry III. I also finished a book called Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah, a novel about a woman and her daughters, coming to have a relationship as they learn about their mother's past. A good book is a like a cheap vacation. So nice to get away from the everyday, for a fraction of cost and headache!

2. NPR, National Public Ratio. I have felt very current in the last few weeks, especially with the situation in Egypt. My wonderful neighbors are originally from Egypt and so I was elated to hear that the peaceful protests were paying off. Unfortunate that so many were killed, but nice to see that people can make a difference in their lives. I also got some great book recommendations: The Good Daughter by Jasmin Darznik and a teen novel for my son, entitled something like "When my name was Joe." NPR can be addicting!

3. Skiing, Zumba and Pilates on a Ball. I have finally felt up to getting exercise other than walking or swimming, post-surgery. I've been down on myself for putting on some of the weight I worked so hard to loose last year, but you can't help but feel better when you get up and start to exercise. My friend Janie and I have been doing Zumba (BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM is stuck in my head) and Pilates, even a yoga class at Cottonwood Heights. Its been great to have an exercise partner--makes me accountable. Plus I've been able to go skiing during the week with some of my girlfriends. So fun and extremely beautiful on sunny, clear days. I'm grateful to have some many great outlets for exercise and friendship.

4. Experimenting with recipes.

5. Cleaning my closet.

6. Switching up the furniture. This is always a good way for me to create change, which I thrive on, without drastically upsetting the rest of my family by moving or another remodel!

7. The lesson today in Relief Society. We had a lesson on work and finding balance in our lives between work and rest. Always nice to feel rejuvenated spiritually before another busy week, and a nice reminder that to work is great, but that rest is also necessary.