28 May 2012

I always feel a bit guilty for not cooking dinner on holidays.  I figure that Paul has a day off and so should I.  He's really good about it, but it doesn't take away the guilt.

However, I manage to get over the guilt by making sure we have leftovers on hand.  I am lucky because Paul loves leftovers!

Tonight's dinner. . .leftovers.

Today, I am grateful for leftovers.

27 May 2012

Since I can't seem to be able to play tennis as much or as often as I would prefer, I am trying to make walking on the trails part of my daily routine.

After my run in with the snake last week, I have been a bit anxious about it.  But after a few days of rain and snow, I needed to get going.

I was hoping to go with Paul, but he was delayed coming home. *sigh*  So the puppy and I went out adventuring on our own.

As usual, the puppy loves to go tearing ahead.  However at one point, she came to a complete stop which is rare.  Why?  Because there was another snake, but this time it was laying across part of the trail.  But this one looked very different from the last one and I figured we could easily get by.

Before we could, the snake slithered off to the opposite side and disappeared in the underbrush.  Phew!  (Paul was jealous to miss another snake.)

So I continued on, but the puppy wasn't too sure.  She would come until I called her.  The funny thing was that for a while after that she was scared of sticks that looked like they could be snakes!

But it was also comforting.  I know she is aware of them and doesn't like them.  She will warn me if one is around.

Today I am grateful for an alert puppy.

26 May 2012

I love having a clean house. . . .but I've been out of luck lately.  I have not managed my time and priorities very well and making the effort to have a clean house has not been top priority.

But the very best way for me to get a clean house in a hurry is to have a reason to have a clean house. . . which snuck up on me today.

What could be better than your husband wanting to entertain?  The correct answer would be a husband willing to help clean the house well enough so I won't be embarrassed!

Today, I am grateful for a clean house!

25 May 2012

Time is flying by in some ways, but other times it feels like it moves so slowly.  But oddly enough, other times it seems to do both at the same time.

One year ago today, I had elbow surgery.

It was a really hard day.  Paul was out of town, but I had David around to help me out.  He's not always very focused on other people's needs so it was a great leap of faith to put my trust in him. . . and the surgeons.

But the question is.  .  . was it worth it?

I think so.  I could not do anything without pain in my elbow.  It is amazing how many things require the use of an elbow.  I did not realize until I was not able to use it (following surgery) for a while.  And that made it really hard. . . one of the toughest things I have ever had to do.

But now I can do the things that matter to me.  I can take care of my husband and home, I can enjoy crafts and I can play tennis.

It seems like it was just yesterday that I had the surgery, but the recovery seemed to take forever, or at least a lot longer than I imagined it would.

Today, I am grateful for my elbow surgery.

24 May 2012

Paul is out of town for a work conference.  I never sleep as well when he is gone.  In addition to that, I am fretting that I won't wake up for seminary.  And I have a few other things on my mind.  All these things add up to a really tired me.

Normally I don't take naps.  Sadly, if I include a nap as part of my day, I cannot fall asleep at night.  It's a no win situation.  BUT once in a while, I can take a short "power" nap and it makes a difference.

I was dragging some much today that I opted to take one.  I allowed myself 15 minutes.  I told myself, "self, wake up in 15 minutes" and checked the time.  I immediately fell asleep. . . and woke 15 minutes later.  Awesome!

Today I am grateful for power naps.

23 May 2012

For the past several months, I have been getting earlier than I have since I worked the opening shift at McDonald's!  That was easier because I was younger and I didn't have to prepare a lesson.

I have been team teaching early morning seminary to an outstanding group of kids.  I have been learning so much about the Old Testament while preparing lessons.  I am certain that the experience has been a much great benefit to me than to the class.

I have teased Paul for years that he would get called to teach seminary because not only is he knowable about the scriptures but he knows how to make learning about them fun.  Little did I know, that I would be asked to step in mid-year to help another teacher out by team teaching.  (She works full-time and I don't.)  My sketchy knowledge is growing up leaps and bounds.  I have hopes that I wasn't completely boring.

This morning I taught my last lesson out of the Old Testament.  We have a few more days of wrap-it-up activities, but the learning is done.  Part of me is sad for it to be ending, but another part of me cannot wait to sleep in (just a little) next week!

Today, I am grateful for teaching seminary.

22 May 2012

Sometimes my house is too quiet. . . I know, I know. . . lucky me.  But there are times when I am doing busy work and I want some distractions.  Not the tv kind. . . .that requires too much attention.  I don't want talk radio (I used to listen that). . there is too much contention.  So music it is!

I do have an iPod but sometimes the music gets old and I don't want to pay for more.  I love to stream online radio stations.  It's nice to get a different variety of music.

Today has been filled with busy work and my house has been much too quiet. . . .

Today I am grateful for free on-line radio stations.

21 May 2012

Today the puppy and I went on a walk.  Since I trimmed her undercarriage, she hasn't been collecting as many weeds!

We were nearly home when she jumped back from a bush.  I thought she was being silly until I looked. . .

I am certain it was a rattlesnake.  Paul assures me it was a gopher snake.  In my mind, I see a rattlesnake therefore it was.  And it was hissing. . . I'm pretty sure I beat the puppy home.

Today, I am grateful for legs to run with.

20 May 2012

I got the nicest phone call today.  My visiting teacher called to check on me.  (She thought I looked out of sorts at church.)

I doubt she knows how much it meant to me.  Sometimes I feel invisible and it is comforting to know that I'm not really.  She really made me feel pretty darn good.

By calling me, her actions reminded me of this talk (one of my all-time favorites)

Today, I am grateful for being remembered.

19 May 2012

Sometimes I find myself in a funk and I don't know how to get out of it.  But sometimes, I know just what to do!  Sometimes all it takes is moving. . . but we seemed to have given up that hobby!  So you have to do the next best thing (and it's way easier and much less expensive.)

Today we rearranged our furniture.  I am so glad that not only do we have furniture to rearrange, but we have space to do it in.

We are trying something new and it may not work out.  But we'll give it a try for at least a week.

Today, I am grateful for rearranging furniture.