MILESTONE DAY ! ! JUNE 9, 2009

It has been too long since I've posted, but today is a day to remember forever. My 59th birthday began with an actual good night's sleep--almost 7 hours. Unheard of for me compared with my usual 4 to 4.5 hours a night.

After toning exercises and watching the sunrise, it was time for our early morning jog. I did a mile ... well, that is, two .5 miles, broken up by .1 mile walking. Finished with another round of walking, but it felt great as it does each day! A beautiful morning with sweet fragrances all around the BYUH circle--jasmine and mock orange are in bloom. Home for donut-breakfast, birthday cards, and phonecalls started...Megan's was first. Yellow hibiscus are blooming outside the door, and the rainbow near the mountains during the morning "pineapple shower" was magnificent. John Denver and Carly Simon on the radio...nice golden oldies just for me!

Heard from Jenny, Erin, and my mom in the early morning. Read the Book of the Week for awhile both morning and afternoon. Attended an inspiring, eloquent devotional given by Elder Baxter from Scotland. Saw Pres. Wade who was visiting, spoke with others, and wished Ivy K. a happy mutual birthday.

Enjoyed a peach for lunch, read the facebook and gmail entries, and ate more... continuing munching on a batch of scotcheroos we'd made last night. My diet today has been mostly sugar!!!

Played my harp and read my book. Sue Carey called me from California, and Mary H. called me later in the afternoon. The afternoons on the lanai upstairs are helpful for either reading or nap...or both! Janice joined me upstairs to enjoy reading outside, too.

The book is almost done! Bill called and we packed the car for our trip to Pizza Bob's...we took the angel food cake and strawberries for our Sunset Beach sunset dessert--variation on a picnic. Pierces joined us, so we got there just in time to say "good bye" to the sun as it went to see the other islands until we see it again in the morning, Trevor said.

AS I write there is serenading by the piano duet players...and I'm writing now about this beautiful, absolutely wonderful day.

I feel 34 at the most...but am grateful for the 25 years experience I have at this.

Life is good. I'm grateful for each day, and especially that I could live long enough to see another year...2 new grandchildren plus another on the way, 7 trips to off-island destinations, baby blessings, accompanying Bill to activities and giving a devotional on campus with him: Take the Next Step teaching two classes for two semesters, success in family history endeavors, including publication at last!! of the Yurich Directory, teaching Sunday lessons in RS, attending temple weekly until end of December, signing onto facebook and blogging, catching up with old friends like Kay Anderson and others, as well as wonderful at home times here with frequent visitors--home is a place I love to be. It's fun staying connected with my children, among the greatest blessings of all.

This is a blog of GRATITUDE! Thanks, Lord, for another day, and yes, for seeing another year!