The last few days have been great!  I went to lunch with my mom on Friday-had some good conversation about grandpa, marriage, etc.  My mom takes one of her kids out for lunch each month.  I LOVE it, of course, and it is rare that we have the opportunity to talk and enjoy each other without a million interruptions.

Friday night, I met up with some friends from my last neighborhood.  We have all moved away from the neighborhood and we only get together probably 1 time each year.  Anyhow, we had fun talking and laughing.  It is amazing how everybody’s life is so different yet so much alike.  So, you can only imagine what we talk about-yep, you got it!  We have to all make sure we are OK and normal, right?

Saturday, WOW.  I got back on my bike for the first time since December 3rd.  I was getting very nervous while preparing and almost doubting my decision to go.  My hands were shaking, some tears were shed, but I made it.  I returned home safely.  I had every crazy negative scenario go through my head but I had to get it out of my brain somehow, right?  I want to go as much as possible and rebuild confidence.  I love to be on my bike…  I went about 14 miles.  My shoulders were very tense, my neck was in a knot but overall, it was pretty good.  : }  I went riding with Minda, Lettie, Liz, Kyle, and Ben.  I thought having a group would be better-more noticeable on the road!  BTW, that is me in the picture wearing the bright pink jersey.  Bright pink may be a "bad luck" color for me (same color combination I happen to be wearing on THAT day…) I will have to remember that in the future.  ; }  From the left, Liz, Minda, Me, Lettie

On Saturday night, Tim took me on a date.  We went with the Brown’s and the Lines’ out to Benihana’s in Chandler.  Tim looked, umm-let’s say delicious.   We picked up some cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory for dessert and brought it back here to eat.   It was such a great time.  After eating our sweets, we thought we would play some Rockband but we were getting sluggish–are we old or what?  In the past, we have had tons of fun with Rockband but we weren’t rockin’ out so much on Saturday night.  It was all the food…  (BTW, in case you are thinking, "Lisa, you just promised that you were going to lose weight," you will be happy to know that I SHARED some dessert!  I probably would/could have eaten it all by myself but I didn’t.) 

I am so grateful for the wonderful prophet we had, President Hinckley.  He was an amazing prophet, accomplished so many notable and historical things while serving in various positions in the church.  I am so grateful for latter-day prophets to lead and guide our church.  I remember the one time in my life that I took an adventure with some friends to Utah while I was in college at Northern Arizona University.  We decided that we would try to see conference.  We waited in a line that wrapped around the temple grounds.  We brought sleeping bags and stayed outside all night so we wouldn’t lose our spot in line.  When the sun came up, they began letting people in.  This was before the new conference center.  We made it to the very front of the line and they were at capacity.  We had not slept, showered or eaten.  We were given some vouchers so we could leave the temple grounds and come back for the second session.  We did come back and we were able to go inside. I was so tired that I could hardly focus and listen.  Within minutes, I had the most amazing feeling–President Hinckley entered the room.  Everybody stood and my heart was so full, I could feel the Holy Ghost so strongly-stronger than every before in my life.  It was a true testimony to me of the truthfulness of our gospel and that President Hinckley was a Prophet of God.

I am grateful for my mom who cares so much about having positive relationships with her children.  I love our lunch outings and I look forward to the next one.  I am grateful for my sexy husband who made me feel so great on Saturday night.  He dressed so nice to take me out and spent his very own "allowance" on our date. (that’s a big deal with our new budget!  ; } ) He told Zoe that he was ironing his shirt and dressing nice with hopes that I would kiss him.  Zoe blushed and thought that sounded "funny" but I loved it.  I hope I am not embarassing him.  I am grateful for the friendships I have.  I am not sure why I deserve it but I do have such wonderful friends.  I love to be around my friends, I love to laugh with friends and I love to eat with my friends.  Yes, I did say EAT.  We go out to lunch or dinner (sometimes with spouses, sometimes just girlfriends) and I love it!  I have met some great people here in Cortina as well as my previous neighborhood.

Off to bed I go with some thoughts about exercising tomorrow.  Should I get up at 5:30am and go to a cycling class at 5:45?  I will let you know if I did it or not.  : }