We love these girls. Seriously, three girls the same age as us? It was a match made in heaven.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Chugging on the right life track
Life has a funny sense of humor. Like when I pull out my winter coat and find sprinkles, a drink mix packet, Qdoba card, and lip balm (mint does not age well). And I don't have a kid.
Or like when your Linked In Account sends an e-mail to everyone in your contact list, including your ex-boyfriends.
But alas, this is funny enough to share, and therefore, life goes on.
897-902--Everything in my life recently has just felt normal. The transitions, the change, the new things I am learning, they all fit together and answer questions well. All the ways I wanted to grow, I am now growing. Months of stagnation professionally has now allowed for me to appreciate this. Without that frustration, I probably would not have appreciated this.
903--I have an amazing host of references.
904--Showing up for a professional development course on teaching and realizing I am doing the techniques they showed without realizing that it.
905--How my community college offers several professional development courses that allow for me to learn and grow while earning a promotion.
906--Being on the right track in my 20's
Or like when your Linked In Account sends an e-mail to everyone in your contact list, including your ex-boyfriends.
But alas, this is funny enough to share, and therefore, life goes on.
897-902--Everything in my life recently has just felt normal. The transitions, the change, the new things I am learning, they all fit together and answer questions well. All the ways I wanted to grow, I am now growing. Months of stagnation professionally has now allowed for me to appreciate this. Without that frustration, I probably would not have appreciated this.
903--I have an amazing host of references.
904--Showing up for a professional development course on teaching and realizing I am doing the techniques they showed without realizing that it.
905--How my community college offers several professional development courses that allow for me to learn and grow while earning a promotion.
906--Being on the right track in my 20's
Monday, October 21, 2013
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Individually, life has been going swimmingly. I stayed at home to work today and was able to enjoy a 30 mile bike ride in the rain with a friend. Minus the fact that it is 12:30am and I am still up, writing this, with an early morning (and that I may have forgotten until today that I was registered for an online class), I am great. Those are blips on life's radar screen.
However, life is not a vacuum. I had a friend get hit by a car running last week. Two and a half weeks before a marathon. Where she is attempting to qualify for Boston. Months and months of hard work contingent on whether her body will sustain this trauma. My mom sliced her hand down to the tendon catching a glass falling out of the cabinet on Saturday. Physical limitations of miscarriages, health mysteries, and ongoing battles with health issues that slowly improve. My heart breaks for them. I love on them and help out, but it doesn't fix things. It makes them bearable at best. However, I don't feel that there is any other way to be.
I have been blown away time and time and time again at how much my God loves me. Little things, big things, all seem to work out. They seem great. I get these moments, riding my bike, cleaning the kitchen, studying for class and I think "this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this moment." That feeling is indescribeable.
So, in the face of all that's wrong, here are a few things going right:
889. I was literally on my way to my parents' house when my sliced her hand. (The trip wasn't even planned.)
890. I hadn't registered for either of the bike rides I had contemplated that day.
891. I had the time to help out around the house. (I did tell my mom that I thought that she may have done this on purpose because she was super bossy with her bandaged hand.)
892. That my parents have health insurance.
893. That there is a med clinic right down the street.
894. That my mom's hair appointment didn't take long before her date with the doctor [priorities :)].
895. That I text a friend at just the perfect moment. How did I know tragedy had just striked?
896. That no matter what happens, I am still loved by God in this crazy, passionate, hotly pursued sort of way.
However, life is not a vacuum. I had a friend get hit by a car running last week. Two and a half weeks before a marathon. Where she is attempting to qualify for Boston. Months and months of hard work contingent on whether her body will sustain this trauma. My mom sliced her hand down to the tendon catching a glass falling out of the cabinet on Saturday. Physical limitations of miscarriages, health mysteries, and ongoing battles with health issues that slowly improve. My heart breaks for them. I love on them and help out, but it doesn't fix things. It makes them bearable at best. However, I don't feel that there is any other way to be.
I have been blown away time and time and time again at how much my God loves me. Little things, big things, all seem to work out. They seem great. I get these moments, riding my bike, cleaning the kitchen, studying for class and I think "this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing at this moment." That feeling is indescribeable.
So, in the face of all that's wrong, here are a few things going right:
889. I was literally on my way to my parents' house when my sliced her hand. (The trip wasn't even planned.)
890. I hadn't registered for either of the bike rides I had contemplated that day.
891. I had the time to help out around the house. (I did tell my mom that I thought that she may have done this on purpose because she was super bossy with her bandaged hand.)
892. That my parents have health insurance.
893. That there is a med clinic right down the street.
894. That my mom's hair appointment didn't take long before her date with the doctor [priorities :)].
895. That I text a friend at just the perfect moment. How did I know tragedy had just striked?
896. That no matter what happens, I am still loved by God in this crazy, passionate, hotly pursued sort of way.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Oh and the list continues...
822. That I don't live next to a nuclear power plant.
823. Or a dump.
824. That I don't have to crank up my car every time I drive it.
825. That we have stop signs and traffic lights.
826. My new handlebar tape.
827. Free checking accounts.
828. Black and white films.
829. The technological advances in cinematography.
830. Color films.
831. The nostaglia involved in old time films, like "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
832. That half of my life has not been wasted with someone with whom I no longer have a relationship.
833. Microwaves.
834. Bananas.
835. That there are people who are willing to retrieve those bananas.
836. That most of the time I do not have to live with the consequences of other people's actions.
837. That I grew up in a house with allowances and savings accounts.
838. The nostaligia of recently opening a checking account at the bank where I stored my money for years as a kid.
839. Having lamps from my college apartment that we could use in my house.
840. Having a roomy enough house for the two of us.
841. My grandparents told me of a story where there were people in Russia renting apartments from other people who had kept their possessions in the closets and in trunks. The storage we have to do for our landlords is minimal compared to this.
842. At least I have my own closet.
843. And underbed storage containers.
844. And few problems with the landlords.
845. And someone else to repair the problems.
846. And people who are looking out for our safety by repairing the lights around the house and ensuring that there is enough regular police regulation that we are safe.
847. That my roommate has become more laxed (albeit, maybe a little too much at times) about the neighborhood and house safety.
848. That I know where all the keys are on my keyboard without looking.
849. That I own more than one Bible.
850. That I have the freedom to read it as I please.
851. That I can read just about anything I please.
852. That I have never been a victim of a violent crime.
853. That there are such things as Protective Orders and No Contact Orders.
854. That there is a new Domestic Violence Unit for the local police.
855. That there are police officers who are willing to protect me.
856. That this directly comes into play in the ER.
867. That I was not part of the local budget cuts at the hospital.
868. Getting the bills paid on time.
869. Not having leaky sinks (because that stinks).
870. A real life use for Jenga.
873. Little treasures in parking lots.
823. Or a dump.
824. That I don't have to crank up my car every time I drive it.
825. That we have stop signs and traffic lights.
826. My new handlebar tape.
827. Free checking accounts.
828. Black and white films.
829. The technological advances in cinematography.
830. Color films.
831. The nostaglia involved in old time films, like "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
832. That half of my life has not been wasted with someone with whom I no longer have a relationship.
833. Microwaves.
834. Bananas.
835. That there are people who are willing to retrieve those bananas.
836. That most of the time I do not have to live with the consequences of other people's actions.
837. That I grew up in a house with allowances and savings accounts.
838. The nostaligia of recently opening a checking account at the bank where I stored my money for years as a kid.
839. Having lamps from my college apartment that we could use in my house.
840. Having a roomy enough house for the two of us.
841. My grandparents told me of a story where there were people in Russia renting apartments from other people who had kept their possessions in the closets and in trunks. The storage we have to do for our landlords is minimal compared to this.
842. At least I have my own closet.
843. And underbed storage containers.
844. And few problems with the landlords.
845. And someone else to repair the problems.
846. And people who are looking out for our safety by repairing the lights around the house and ensuring that there is enough regular police regulation that we are safe.
847. That my roommate has become more laxed (albeit, maybe a little too much at times) about the neighborhood and house safety.
848. That I know where all the keys are on my keyboard without looking.
849. That I own more than one Bible.
850. That I have the freedom to read it as I please.
851. That I can read just about anything I please.
852. That I have never been a victim of a violent crime.
853. That there are such things as Protective Orders and No Contact Orders.
854. That there is a new Domestic Violence Unit for the local police.
855. That there are police officers who are willing to protect me.
856. That this directly comes into play in the ER.
867. That I was not part of the local budget cuts at the hospital.
868. Getting the bills paid on time.
869. Not having leaky sinks (because that stinks).
870. A real life use for Jenga.
871. Having further affirmation for my blog post the other day. See this: http://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20.html. I really am headed in the right direction.
872. Having plenty of time to prepare for class.873. Little treasures in parking lots.
875. The gift of hearing.
876. Hearing aids.
877. The gift of sight.
878. That we no longer condemn people who have neither.
879. Helen Keller.
880. Anne Sullivan.
881. That people are brave enough to fight against the cultural norms.
882. That people recognize something is wrong when it is.
883. That my roommate took back an overdue video for me.
884. That I was able to run an errand for my roommate.
885. Getting up early, getting dressed, and being productive.
886. Moments to share my story.
887. Children's hospitals.
888. Technological advances in medicine.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Thinking positive=positive actions
816. "Don't believe everything you think."--Everything I Know I Learned in Kindergarten (15th Anniversary Edition). Praise Jesus.
817. That almost nothing is as bad as I am worried it will be. (And avoid it as a result.)
818. Paper.
819. That we don't have to write on papyrus or chisel away stones anymore.
820. I just found this blog entry saved in my drafts from May:
There have been so many doors slammed shut, sometimes it would be easy to get discouraged. But, I continue on and I keep praying. I have been off Facebook for half the year and spent the year chugging away. I know that I am in the right spot at the right moment, but that doesn't make it easy in the long run. I know that I am.
821. That keep on keeping on has now yielded amazing results...five months later.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Laughs and good food
785. Handing a five-year-old my phone during church.
786. Watching him imitate me when I am worshiping.
787. Having some clear cut paths made for me.
788. Finally understanding that my enemies are not people, but a presence of evil.
789. Experiments in the kitchen gone right.
807. Learning good grammar and linguistics early on in my life.
808. Not having to worry about our summer plans being canceled by the government.
809. In and Out Burger.
810. Having a locally owned, organic grocery store around the corner from my job.
811. Being able to afford things from there.
812. Fair Trade chocolate.
813. The peace that comes with completely trusting Christ with my life.
814. The faith that comes from knowing that God is good and that he has great plans for me (Jer. 29:11).
815. That my life is orchestrating itself together in ways beyond my imagination.
787. Having some clear cut paths made for me.
788. Finally understanding that my enemies are not people, but a presence of evil.
789. Experiments in the kitchen gone right.
790. Catching the tail end of the homecoming parade on our run.
791. Then getting around it.
792. The cashier at the store telling me I couponed well (in her words "Nice MPerking").
793. Having several compliments on my dress this week, including one solicitor who told me that I was just "so cute and young and hip...you never know what you are going to get when you meet people."
794. Getting my parents' cat outside before he hacked a fur ball (gross, I know, even grosser to clean it up).
795. That my uncle has a place to rent in Georgia.
796. That he may have a promotion soon.
797. Finishing a book on CD.
798. Being able to rent a movie for class this week.
799. That I rarely have to iron my work clothes.
800. That I grew up in a safe, stable home.
801. That my relationship with Christ is celebrated in my family.
802. That our past makes who we currently are, but does not define us.
803. That my roommate is finally not sick.
804. That she has decided to clean and disinfect the entire house.
805. That I have never been in a serious physical altercation.
806. That I had so many adults who were loving and patient with me.807. Learning good grammar and linguistics early on in my life.
808. Not having to worry about our summer plans being canceled by the government.
809. In and Out Burger.
810. Having a locally owned, organic grocery store around the corner from my job.
811. Being able to afford things from there.
812. Fair Trade chocolate.
813. The peace that comes with completely trusting Christ with my life.
814. The faith that comes from knowing that God is good and that he has great plans for me (Jer. 29:11).
815. That my life is orchestrating itself together in ways beyond my imagination.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
780. Ice machines.
781. Not having to have floppy disks (or CDs).
782. E-mail.
783. Not having to buy stamps.
784. How beautiful a personal letter from snail mail can be.
This blog has been incredibly superficial for several reasons. One of them being the big stuff behind the scenes has not conceptualized itself enough to even put into words. The second is that sometimes being deep is hard. But I feel the need to write this.
I am 29 years old. I have spent a large majority of my 20's being single. I have had a few serious relationships and a handful of dates, but mostly, have been relationship-free. I have had to battle my own demons in a way that have made me stronger, more loving, and more responsible. I have learned my own body and how to gauge my stress levels, sleep levels, hunger levels, and relationship needs (all which are really important in marathoning and general life activities). I have watched people younger (and older) than me get married...and remarried. But I have also watched break-ups and sequential divorces. I have been angry, jealous, and upset when I am pursuing through Facebook, blogs, or in general life. I want to say to people "do you not understand what you have????" However, they don't. And all that glitters is not gold. I have heard this time and time and time and time again in my head. I finally realized how true it is. I have watched relationships come apart at the seams, realized that people are not as good or bad as they had first appeared, and that I am sometimes so caught up in wanting what other people have that I am completely ungrateful for what I do have. It's like urinating on a mound of presents your parents bought you for Christmas with money that they saved all year working 80 hour weeks. So I stopped whining. I started opening those presents, using them, celebrating them, sharing them with friends, and blogging about it. The results are innumerable. So the best I can do is make little lists and share from time to time what is really happening. I have no idea what my future holds, including whether I will ever be in a relationship again, but I am okay with where it is headed. To me, that is more important than any amount of superficial human companionship.
781. Not having to have floppy disks (or CDs).
782. E-mail.
783. Not having to buy stamps.
784. How beautiful a personal letter from snail mail can be.
This blog has been incredibly superficial for several reasons. One of them being the big stuff behind the scenes has not conceptualized itself enough to even put into words. The second is that sometimes being deep is hard. But I feel the need to write this.
I am 29 years old. I have spent a large majority of my 20's being single. I have had a few serious relationships and a handful of dates, but mostly, have been relationship-free. I have had to battle my own demons in a way that have made me stronger, more loving, and more responsible. I have learned my own body and how to gauge my stress levels, sleep levels, hunger levels, and relationship needs (all which are really important in marathoning and general life activities). I have watched people younger (and older) than me get married...and remarried. But I have also watched break-ups and sequential divorces. I have been angry, jealous, and upset when I am pursuing through Facebook, blogs, or in general life. I want to say to people "do you not understand what you have????" However, they don't. And all that glitters is not gold. I have heard this time and time and time and time again in my head. I finally realized how true it is. I have watched relationships come apart at the seams, realized that people are not as good or bad as they had first appeared, and that I am sometimes so caught up in wanting what other people have that I am completely ungrateful for what I do have. It's like urinating on a mound of presents your parents bought you for Christmas with money that they saved all year working 80 hour weeks. So I stopped whining. I started opening those presents, using them, celebrating them, sharing them with friends, and blogging about it. The results are innumerable. So the best I can do is make little lists and share from time to time what is really happening. I have no idea what my future holds, including whether I will ever be in a relationship again, but I am okay with where it is headed. To me, that is more important than any amount of superficial human companionship.
Be in love with your life
765. This week, I got an offer to run a marathon in place of someone else. I tested it out by running 20 miles yesterday. The first time in exactly a year (maybe to the day of Chicago). And I survived. And I loved it.
766. Then I found out that the girl had someone else to run for her. So I take this as a sign to not do it. But that may change...
767. Pumpkin beer.
768. Listening to the "Green Beans song" over the campfire.
769. Having a great big ol' recovery cookie with hemp, flax, dried cherries and chocolatey goodness.
770. Realizing my prayers had been answered over and over again even when I didn't see it at the time.
771. My running buddies. They have been with me through thick and thin, sharing life, bodily functions, race tips, trivia questions, and a love of running. They are amazing.
772. Watching a friend work so hard to qualify for Boston.
773. Making fun of animals when they are behaving badly.
774. Dance parties with my sister.
775. This little surprise.
776. Making amends with former foes...who apparently were never that to begin with.
777. Realizing that there are always two sides to every story.
778. Having an impromptu party at a friend's house...with facials.
779. Realizing that I can still run a marathon.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
And the gratitude list continues
Even stressful moments or days have a silver lining. A sense of humor can be found anywhere.
753. Bad pickup lines. I had a dr. the other day who wanted to know what my weekend plans were. After hitting on me a bit, he told me that he would probably go to the campus bars, get drunk and throw up. He said it happens once a year. I asked him if it was an annual event, like a holiday. He told me that he likes to drink and that it sometimes gets a little out of hand. All while he is trying to see what I am doing for the weekend. I should have told him that I didn't want to hold back his hair.
755. Options of multiple grocery stores.
756. Art lessons.
757. Finding a sketchbook on sale.
758. Instant coffee.
759. That I have never had to beg for money, food, or work.
760. That I am not a federal employee.
761. My sister's new job at Caribou Coffee.
762. That thus far, the bully down the street has yet to actually hit me with his bike or a belt while I am running or riding.
763. Beautiful fall days.
764. A gifted oscalting fan/heater that keeps my office cool in the summer and bedroom warm on chilly autumn nights.
753. Bad pickup lines. I had a dr. the other day who wanted to know what my weekend plans were. After hitting on me a bit, he told me that he would probably go to the campus bars, get drunk and throw up. He said it happens once a year. I asked him if it was an annual event, like a holiday. He told me that he likes to drink and that it sometimes gets a little out of hand. All while he is trying to see what I am doing for the weekend. I should have told him that I didn't want to hold back his hair.
 |
| 754. Working from home. |
755. Options of multiple grocery stores.
756. Art lessons.
757. Finding a sketchbook on sale.
758. Instant coffee.
759. That I have never had to beg for money, food, or work.
760. That I am not a federal employee.
761. My sister's new job at Caribou Coffee.
762. That thus far, the bully down the street has yet to actually hit me with his bike or a belt while I am running or riding.
763. Beautiful fall days.
764. A gifted oscalting fan/heater that keeps my office cool in the summer and bedroom warm on chilly autumn nights.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Flashback Friday--Rajah
I was actually just thinking about him the other day. His adoption anniversary is Halloween.
We love you Rajah.
I miss you.
 |
| Sleeping in Daddy's gym bag |
Thursday, October 10, 2013
There continues to be blessing after blessing. It is amazing how a good mood, some intentional prayer and thought focusing makes all this feel as if I am not working.
Love this website. http://workisnotajob.com/en
Too many good things to avoid putting a few things down. Here are a couple of things for which I am thankful:
735. Getting free lunch
736. Free Insomnia cookies in the ER
737. Being blessed to do a few different jobs at once
738. Continually learning and growing
739. Helping a friend train to qualify for Boston
740. How setting goals (such as qualifying) can be transformative
741. Having several professionals who continue to inform me of new training techniques, important information, et al.
742. Getting time to think out loud on the trip to Richmond
743. The same people at the antique store in Richmond knowing who I am.
744. Finding the broach and earrings I did not get before at the antique store
745. Getting a discount
746. Mini cheesecakes for the road
747. My roommate identifying further goals in her career
748. Having people who can mentor and guide me
749. Laughing with my students
750. Being able to hold firm to deadlines
751. Learning boundaries before this time in my life
752. Harry Potter's room
Love this website. http://workisnotajob.com/en
Too many good things to avoid putting a few things down. Here are a couple of things for which I am thankful:
735. Getting free lunch
736. Free Insomnia cookies in the ER
737. Being blessed to do a few different jobs at once
738. Continually learning and growing
739. Helping a friend train to qualify for Boston
740. How setting goals (such as qualifying) can be transformative
741. Having several professionals who continue to inform me of new training techniques, important information, et al.
742. Getting time to think out loud on the trip to Richmond
743. The same people at the antique store in Richmond knowing who I am.
744. Finding the broach and earrings I did not get before at the antique store
745. Getting a discount
746. Mini cheesecakes for the road
747. My roommate identifying further goals in her career
748. Having people who can mentor and guide me
749. Laughing with my students
750. Being able to hold firm to deadlines
751. Learning boundaries before this time in my life
752. Harry Potter's room
 |
| If Harry Potter kept a series of his books in his room, did he already know what happened to him? |
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Somberos and mailboxes
Well, ya know, it still seems to be full of peace and business. I still say "wow, looking from the outside, this seems to be a pretty good, even something that would make me jealous of myself." Yep, that is an awesome thought.Things I continue to be grateful for:
710. Mulled apple cider
711. Another birthday celebration...with a sombrero
712. Living close enough to my parents that I can swing in for a family get together
713. Maturation in some cool guys
714. My cousins' desires to serve others
715. My dad's shoe store tales
716. Getting in a seven mile run with friends
717. A unity breakfast to signify the importance of collaboration within the community
718. Every single day I get to work out my body and enjoy life a little bit more
719. Getting paid to learn
720. Working in an environment that focuses so much on developing and helping students improve
721. That I never have a boring week
722. Building relationships with the local bike shops
723. Almost convincing my dad to give up fixing his Wal-Mart bike
724. Fixing my watch battery after a year and a half
725. Working in an environment where people are enthusiastic to help
726. Adult tricycle races
729. That the fields are finally plowed--visibility is a beautiful thing
730. Living in a land with fertile soil
731. Monkeys who jump on the bed
732. Repaired mailboxes
733. That Chelsi decided not to get back at our neighbors for this incident
734. That our creepy neighbor has stayed in the house since this incident (at least he watches us from inside his house now)
Friday, October 4, 2013
Flashback Friday---Great Grandma McKinley
There are times in my life when I realize that I have taken a bull by the horns and loved every minute of it. I realize that I have put myself in a spot where I have few regrets and firmly enjoy my life.
My step great-grandmother was an amazing woman. She lived to be 92 years old and was really the only great-grandparent I knew. She was held a job as a church secretary and drove herself everywhere until almost the end of her life. She collected spoons and had traveled to Africa. When we went to go visit her on Palm Sunday, she had already made all 8 of us a meal at home because the lines were too long at the restaurants. She was 85. Her twin died right before their 90th birthday, which ceased a scheduled Today Show appearance.
I only hope that I can be like if I live that long.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Festive Foilage
Apple cider. Pumpkin spices. Carmel latte candles. Allspice. All amazing, but to be honest, fall doesn't have a fighting chance. In my nonscientific study, everyone agrees: fall heralds winter and therefore, it is not cool. Period. Winter. With the brown ground and sleety streets. Where running involves more clothes than I pack on a weekend vacation and where the cleared paths are slim pinkin's. Where I have to figure in a few precious extra minutes in the morning to scrape my car and defrost the windshield. Yuck.
Now that September has passed, I must fully embrace October for what it is...autumn. September seems to steal summer, with it's almost warm days and few problems, but October, oh October, it just needs to be it's own little celebration.
Anywho, I was just riding my bike the other day and thinking, man, it's a great day. BEAUTIFUL day. The weather is perfect, the sun is out, but not too hot. I am wearing sunscreen, but don't have to worry about reapplying. I can wear a sleeveless shirt without being frozen. I don't have to figure in lost electrolytes from the heat. Yup, it was an amazing day. And it was FALL.
So, here are a few things I have been thankful for recently.
674. Free Panera coffee
675. Great connections with long lost friends.
676. Getting to hold babies...and giving them back.
677. The rhythmic crunch of leaves under my bike tires.
678. Another 80-mile bike trip this (extended) summer.
679. Getting to my destination and discovering a festival.
680. Camelbacks
681. Finding a subtle flat tire culprit (three to be exact) at the beginning of a long ride
682. How a few hours in the sunshine can really smooth out anything going on in life.
683. Protein bars...so compact, yet so nutritious and delicious.
684. Bike lights.
685. An incessant desire to be outside (I must have been made for this).
686. Having more than enough money to purchase food and little gifts.
687. Pumpkin and butter pecan ice cream=deliciousness in a waffle cone.
688. Having a new Sunday School teacher LOVE teaching.
689. Finding out my parents' car battery is corroded BEFORE the hike to Ohio.
690. Having a simple dinner of pancakes and smoothies that my roommate LOVED for her birthday dinner.
691. Getting my parents hooked up with the local bike shop (and watching them enjoy riding).
692. Pulling out my bike trainer=the way to get more miles and something accomplished.
693. Having a bike shop conveniently located on the trail only 5 miles from my house.
694. Being able to put things on a tab when I have no money.
695. The methodical sound of raining pattering down on a run.
696. A sheltered back porch for hanging wet rain clothes.
697. However many electrical wires I have gone under...none have ever fallen on me.
698. How conquering mountains once can make them seem a little less daunting the next time.
699. Having people thank me for doing my job.
700. How the sunrise and sunset are boundaries for my day.
701. Gift bags...so cute, and so easy.
702. When negative relationships end.
703. Brightly colored leaves plastered on the ground with rain=nature's collage of confetti.
704. Not having to wash dishes after getting takeout.
705. Free Fazoli's spaghetti...with a whole wheat upgrade.
706. My dad finally getting caught up in the ER.
707. The learning experiences each of my students and colleagues have given me.
708. Guest speakers.
709. How all those difficult experiences in school and on the job have allowed for me to give much back to my students.
674. Free Panera coffee
675. Great connections with long lost friends.
676. Getting to hold babies...and giving them back.
677. The rhythmic crunch of leaves under my bike tires.
678. Another 80-mile bike trip this (extended) summer.
679. Getting to my destination and discovering a festival.
680. Camelbacks
681. Finding a subtle flat tire culprit (three to be exact) at the beginning of a long ride
682. How a few hours in the sunshine can really smooth out anything going on in life.
683. Protein bars...so compact, yet so nutritious and delicious.
684. Bike lights.
685. An incessant desire to be outside (I must have been made for this).
686. Having more than enough money to purchase food and little gifts.
687. Pumpkin and butter pecan ice cream=deliciousness in a waffle cone.
688. Having a new Sunday School teacher LOVE teaching.
689. Finding out my parents' car battery is corroded BEFORE the hike to Ohio.
690. Having a simple dinner of pancakes and smoothies that my roommate LOVED for her birthday dinner.
691. Getting my parents hooked up with the local bike shop (and watching them enjoy riding).
692. Pulling out my bike trainer=the way to get more miles and something accomplished.
693. Having a bike shop conveniently located on the trail only 5 miles from my house.
694. Being able to put things on a tab when I have no money.
695. The methodical sound of raining pattering down on a run.
696. A sheltered back porch for hanging wet rain clothes.
697. However many electrical wires I have gone under...none have ever fallen on me.
698. How conquering mountains once can make them seem a little less daunting the next time.
699. Having people thank me for doing my job.
700. How the sunrise and sunset are boundaries for my day.
701. Gift bags...so cute, and so easy.
702. When negative relationships end.
703. Brightly colored leaves plastered on the ground with rain=nature's collage of confetti.
704. Not having to wash dishes after getting takeout.
705. Free Fazoli's spaghetti...with a whole wheat upgrade.
706. My dad finally getting caught up in the ER.
707. The learning experiences each of my students and colleagues have given me.
708. Guest speakers.
709. How all those difficult experiences in school and on the job have allowed for me to give much back to my students.
Now that September has passed, I must fully embrace October for what it is...autumn. September seems to steal summer, with it's almost warm days and few problems, but October, oh October, it just needs to be it's own little celebration.
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