LYNNE SNYDER'S FRIENDSHIP APPRECIATION DAY

Don't you just adore your friends? Could you do without them? Me neither. Yesterday, I emailed my darling friend in California: "I ate a half gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream in three days." I had to confess to someone, and now I've confessed big time.

She wrote back, "I ate three gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream in one day." I laughed right out loud and then I read: "Not really, but practically."

That's how friends are. They want their misdeeds to be bigger than your misdeeds so you will feel better. (And I think she knew it would make me laugh.)

Tonight my hard-working-gardening-friend delivered to me--DELIVERED, I didn't even have to go get them--well, I couldn't because my adorable clown car delivered it's headlight's switch right into my hand the other day so its a day-time only car at the moment. Anyway, my friend, who was exhausted from all her gardening work, brought me a HUGE bag of the prettiest tomatoes you've ever seen. (Our garden this year is having a tantrum and it is Pitiful, with a capital "P." It's a good thing I canned tomatoes last year because there won't be any of that done this year.)

She gave me a huge bag of crookneck squash just a few days ago. That's how friends are. Thinking of my needs above her own--I KNOW she wanted to soak in a nice bubble bath or zone out in front of the TV instead of getting in her car and coming to my house.

Friends stop by my blog and leave nice compliments, even though I was in a bloggy-snit and didn't post--or read anyone else's posts--for weeks. Once I did post, they commented.

Another friend knows I am having an attitude adjustment--or I need an attitude adjustment--over something I really, truly should do. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is--I'm embarrassed. Anyway, she said, "Let's go do it tomorrow. I'll go with you. It will be good. I promise." And I will, and it will be, and then one of my fears will be lain to rest and it will be because she saw my need and she filled it. She's even willing to wait until I drag out of bed at 11:00 (because I have insomnia and the great-sleeping-sickness all at the same time).

Another friend dropped everything today to go run errands with me. We ended up at Chili's having queso dip--but she was willing to do the errands with me first. At a moment's notice she will drop what she's doing and go with me. I love that about her.

Only Mormon's will understand this one--yesterday, which was September first, I finally got around to doing my August Visiting Teaching. Two of the women gave me big hugs and told me they loved me. Me--the slacker. Me--the one who is supposed to be watching over them. I had to leave a letter and the message on the third woman's door because the third woman is Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Bird is simply never home, she is out doing interesting things so I will have something to blog about.

So, today, September second, I am declaring Lynne Snyder's Friendship Appreciation Day--and most of them did not get mentioned here because there's only so much a tired insomniac can do. Here's to you, all my dear friends: Live long and prosper.

That's quite a catchy phrase, isn't it? Maybe I should write for movies. What do you think?

THE CHEAP DATE

Tonight Phil got home late. We had home teacher's coming in 20 minutes. I was sitting on the lawn swings, reading Sally Warner's book Totally Confidential, which is out of print but you can buy it, used from Amazon. Sally gave me my copy. I'm so lucky--it's a good read. Everything she writes is good.

I had not fixed dinner. Don't ask me why. The brain refused to function about the subject of dinner today. Besides that I ate lunch out with friends and when I do that dinner is often non-existent.

The home teachers were delightful, gave us part of the talk by Elder Faust in June's Ensign: .

"Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path that was prepared with loving care, sometimes prepared long before."

Justin said he has been hearing about being prepared in the area of food storage all his life. I have too. Mother used to have a fruit room FILLED to the rafters with food for us and for "The Californians." "They will come in droves one day and they'll be hungry," she used to say. I never found out exactly why they would be coming in droves but we were prepared in case they did.

My contribution to the lesson was to tell Justin that since we don't have the room in our basement, and they do, that we will store our extra water there. Every time I empty a good bottle I wash it, fill it with water and put it by the steps. Phil has to try and find a place to put it. He's running out of room. We may have water that tastes faintly like salsa but I think if we are thirsty we won't care. Or if we are dirty and want to wash, salsa water would be delightful. Or Justin and his family will be delighted.

I also told him pasta will store for eight years.

So much for my vast knowledge.

After they had prayer with us--yes, on the lawn swings--Phil and I went to Dairy Queen and ordered a hot dog and ice cream. Our bill was $3.49. We drove to the BYU LaVell Edward's Stadium parking lot and ate. He said I was a cheap date.

Now I ask you, should I be offended?