Today I'm playing Pollyanna's "Glad Game" or perhaps a rudimentary version of President Eyring's suggestion "O Remember, Remember." Here are some small and simple things I am grateful for:
1. Flowers and green plants. We have found a greenhouse and a flower shop and purchased some fresh flowers (first time since we've arrived), an orchid, and three green houseplants. Yeay!!
2. Mandarin Oranges. Seedless mandarins from Italy and Albania have come into season, are widely available, and are more delicious than any I have ever tasted! No kidding--better than California.
3. HandiGrips. I picked up two of these at the Container Store before I left California. Wish I'd brought six, so I could put them in different places to have when we need them. Everything we purchase is bagged into in small plastic bags, and since we often walk to shop, the handles of the bags bite into our hands before we get home. These hard plastic handles really help. Perfect for carrying heavy water bottles up four flights of stairs!
4. Upright kitchen faucets. For three months I struggled with back pain preparing food and washing dishes under a straight sink faucet. Our lower cabinets, including the counter, are 33 1/2 inches high--that's the inseam length on slacks that I wear! (Well, I should say "used to wear.") Standard cabinet height in the U.S. is 34 1/2" before the counter is added, which usually brings cabinet height to 36". Marty and I like our cabinets even higher. Anyway, we finally were able to have a plumber install an upright faucet which has made my kitchen life a lot happier.
5. City beautification projects. This morning I saw four people picking up garbage on the street: two men pushing the garbage can carts, and two women stooping and picking up papers and trash. I have noticed the street is much cleaner these days than when we first arrived! Hooray!
1. Flowers and green plants. We have found a greenhouse and a flower shop and purchased some fresh flowers (first time since we've arrived), an orchid, and three green houseplants. Yeay!!
2. Mandarin Oranges. Seedless mandarins from Italy and Albania have come into season, are widely available, and are more delicious than any I have ever tasted! No kidding--better than California.
3. HandiGrips. I picked up two of these at the Container Store before I left California. Wish I'd brought six, so I could put them in different places to have when we need them. Everything we purchase is bagged into in small plastic bags, and since we often walk to shop, the handles of the bags bite into our hands before we get home. These hard plastic handles really help. Perfect for carrying heavy water bottles up four flights of stairs!
4. Upright kitchen faucets. For three months I struggled with back pain preparing food and washing dishes under a straight sink faucet. Our lower cabinets, including the counter, are 33 1/2 inches high--that's the inseam length on slacks that I wear! (Well, I should say "used to wear.") Standard cabinet height in the U.S. is 34 1/2" before the counter is added, which usually brings cabinet height to 36". Marty and I like our cabinets even higher. Anyway, we finally were able to have a plumber install an upright faucet which has made my kitchen life a lot happier.
5. City beautification projects. This morning I saw four people picking up garbage on the street: two men pushing the garbage can carts, and two women stooping and picking up papers and trash. I have noticed the street is much cleaner these days than when we first arrived! Hooray!
5 comments:
I come here regularly! Love to hear aboua the missionary work and the details of life in Albania. Love, Charlotte
Sorry, I had posted as Jason and was trying to figure out how to change it to me and just ended up deleting it. Anyway, I was just saying that I wish I could try some albanian mandarins, so maybe we'll have to visit you in the fall time some year. i love you guys.
erin
YEA for looking on the bright side Mom. "Look on the bright side... that's what you should do..."
I love that song! Do you want some more of those handygrip handles?
It's so nice to get caught up on your news. I had a good chat with Charlotte today. We talked about our children and how consuming losing our fathers has been. It made me realize I've wanted to thank you for your kind thoughts and send some of mine your way. Thank you so much for your sacrifices and your loving service to so many who are far away from their mothers.
Love, Helen
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