A day in my life

In hopes of giving you some idea of what life looks like right now, I'm going to give you a sort-of, kind-of schedule. (We all know every day is different, but it gives you the gist.)


Sleep until 10 am.  Some days I am more successful at this than others. I will probably need stronger dark curtains as summer comes, but for now some awesome old-fashioned cloth blinds and a pile of empty moving boxes keeps it dark enough that I usually sleep well.

Up and attempt to do 4 things before noon: Scriptures and Shower; Eat and Exercise
Scriptures are still my number one morning priority (even "morning" is used loosely). As usual, my study focuses around Book of Mormon (awesome Jacob 5 study and learning going on for many days now--could do a post, maybe I will), Bible (enjoying the successes of the Jews in Nehemiah right now), conference talks, etc.  In particular, my study is usually focused on one of my callings (more about that) later.
Exercise involves (supposedly, some weeks better than others) alternating days of pilates and arm/shoulder weights. The weights are done while watching the kids at recess (definitely one of my favorite parts of my life).
Eating--well, I'm trying to change this very minute, but unfortunately there's been a lot of trying to fit the whole days meals into about a 4 hour window.  Which means I'm usually hungry and I'm gaining weight. :(  Changing. Partially because that's uncomfortable, but more motivating (to me) because I love my body, I want to show my gratitude to my God for it, and I need  it to do all the things God wants me to do (for a lot of years to come).

After the morning is over, I work on errands, unpacked for awhile but that stalled (didn't finish, just stalled, ugh), deliver on delivery days, knit, etc.
At least once a week I work on family history. :) 
And lately I've been obsessed with finding a car, and wasted a lot of time on the pursuit. [It's hard to find a decent, inexpensive car in the best of circumstances. Harder here because most old cars rust into swiss cheese. Bleh. It's just painful to car search when you have no money and only a minimal real desire to own a car.]
I really, really enjoy having my free hours during the day time. To be out in the sunshine (even when it's cold sunshine), to have business hours free, etc.  I do miss early mornings, very much, but the day-time free time is rather glorious (and helpful in transitioning from my fancy-free schedule).

4ish:  Walk or bike to work. If I walk, talk to someone on the phone as I go. :)  If I bike, I wear an entire outfit over my outfit--my mud duds.

4:30 to 1:15. Work. Sit at a desk all the livelong day doing paper work. Which I sometimes enjoy and sometimes just do. But oh, how I am grateful to have a job. I have a job!  A real job. With a salary and benefits. With nice coworkers (they have been blessings, blessings, blessings).  And with zero emotional attachment (well, occasionally the slightest, tiny bit).  That's probably my favorite part. It's also why I won't be able to do this particular job for 20 years (or even 5), but right now I love that aspect. I work for my 40 hours (slightly more, if I want to (and get paid for it)), then I leave. I don't physically, mentally, or emotionally take work out with me. No papers, no cases, no clients, no students. Yes, I will need interaction again sometime, but right now--it's perfect the way it is.

Come home (via bike, walking or ride--and oh, the world is gorgeous at 1:30 on clear, cold nights in a small town where people sleep. Quiet, stars, pretty.  I don't usually linger in it, but I enjoy it as I pass (have stopped on my balcony to linger a few times during fresh snow or something).

1:30ish.  Used to come home and go to bed, but now I come home and look for cars, eat, read a blog or two, whatever. I've adjusted and I'm not tired; need to wind down some. Especially since there's not a lot of talking with humans in my day (especially as I bike more).

By 2ish, go to sleep. 

And that's my day.  Gives you some idea...

Alternates: 
Saturday--do errand things; have people over (mostly coworkers) for dinner, games, whatever.
Sunday--brutal, early days. I try to look decent, stagger in to church. Feel very grateful for the reprieve of church, sacrament, Sabbath (even if I'm tired, it's rejuvenating to my soul, big time!). 
Callings: I had two. I teach 4th Sunday RS and I'm the Single Adult representative (attempting to contact all those on record (50+ (how many actually single?)--part of why I feel the need for a car). Excited for both--so much to do with the latter (and the bishop is really excited, has been planning since I called him last December) and, of course, I love teaching. And love Relief Society--oh, how I love it!
  And last Sunday (since it's taken me awhile to finish this), I got called to be the youth Sunday School teacher--which I am THRILLED about. Thrilled. I went to their class on Sunday (after being called just an hour and half before, so only observing) and was a little unsettled. But conversations, prayers, spiritual promptings and study have turned my feelings to excitement. Still some trepidation for the unknown, but excitement too. In life live I express this often, have I ever on the blog?--I love boys! And young men. And I'm excited that most of the youth (a small group total) are young men. My pre-MTC class.  I have a feeling that this calling will be the emotional interaction that I need in my life. Even more than the other callings were. We shall see how it all goes...  Yes, I could write a whole post about this too, so I'll stop now.

So, that's the general gist.  There are, of course, stories for every day of the week about things out of the rhythm, about lovely people, about new things (some I wish I could tell but can, from work), etc.  But we have to start with the normal first. 

Any questions?  Seriously.   Ask and I'll tell.  (Especially as it becomes more and more the norm, I'm forgetting what's different about it. Today, as I finish this post, it's been 2 months since I've been here--really hard to believe that's all. It feels much more.)