Senioritis

Is it bad when the professor has "Senioritis?" Or maybe it's "Christmasitis?" Or maybe it's just that, said professor is tired of so much preparation time and would rather be hanging out with friends...Christmas shopping...scrapbooking...watching a movie? Pretty much anything OTHER than preparing for class...which begins in roughly 4 1/2 hours.

2 weeks is not that long.

Let's just say, said professor will be happy for a break!

JOY

So I walked outside to go to Walmart for a few groceries this afternoon, and what did I find?...

SNOW! Little spits of snow!

Had you been with me, you might have heard a little, girlish squeal.
(Sadly, though, you weren't.)

Thanksgiving

Well, the turkey has been eaten...my stomach is full...the family's all gone home...the dog's asleep at my side...and I...I sit here with a heart full of gratitude for the amazing blessings the Father's bestowed upon me. I know I've said this before, but I have to say it again:

I live a charmed life and I have no illusions otherwise.

God is so good.

So in honor of His goodness and this day of "thankfulness," I thought I'd make a Top 10 List of things for which I'm thankful.

1. My Family--Of course, right now I'm not too fond of my dad who keeps "up'ing" the time that we are supposed to get up and leave for our Black Friday shopping extravaganza. (Last check before he went to bed, the e.w.t. was 4am!...I'm pretty sure he's dillusional.)

2. My Friends--They're amazing. You know who you are...near and far...my life is more beautiful and richer because you're in it. Enough said.

3. Starbucks--Oh how I love you. Every day is made brighter because you are near.

4. Electricity--Out of which a million other blessings come.

5. Being at home for the holidays--Even amidst the chaos, there's still something that's just so right.

6. Possibilities--The future is His and I'm always amazed what's behind and around every corner.

7. Holiday Television--"The Christmas Story" never seems to get old, although this year I've also indulged in TLC's "What Not to Wear" marathon, as well as USA's showing of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."--(So why is it that even though I've seen these movies a million times, they seem so much better when they're shown on regular cable? What's with that?)

8. Laughter--Where would I be without you?

9. Freedom--Of religion, dress, ...in Christ.

10. Cold Weather--It makes me giddy with excitement!

Family Fun

I have been traveling a LOT in the past few weeks. You'd think with all the time that I had sitting in airports and riding in cars, I'd have some pretty profound thoughts to share.

I don't.

Of course I could write about all of the wonderful friends I got to see, the conventions, the Broadway shows (yes, that's plural--I saw "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" AND "Rent"), riding shuttles and subways, smokey rental cars, chocolate world, and the list could go on.

But instead, I'm sitting here at my parent's house...Mom's looking at a scrapbooking magazine, the 10pm news is on the television, and the crazy puppy is fast asleep at my side. And I find myself with thoughts like this:

Why would they be showing "The Sixth Sense" on the ABC Family channel?

Maybe it's just me, but that movie hardly seems like something for which I'd gather the kids around for an evening viewing. I can just imagine all the little ones running around afterwards, whispering, "I see dead people." ...To their teachers...their Sunday school class...neighborhood friends.

What are these people thinking?

Just a question to ponder for this evening.

You Gotta Get Up, You Gotta Get Up, You Gotta Get Up...

Do you remember that Rich Mullins' song? I think of it every Christmas. It gets stuck in my head and after time, it can be rather annoying.

Well, it's 12:15am and I'm like a kid on Christmas morning (see the connection?)...or is that, "in a candy store?" Either way, I'm wired. Maybe it was the coffee? Maybe it's my excitement? Maybe it's the fact that electricity has this crazy affect on me at night (If there's lights, I have to be busy mentality)?

But no matter the reason, I'm unable to calm down. I should be going to bed early so I can get up early so that I will be on an easier schedule when I jump an hour ahead. ...Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda...I'm awake.

I can't wait to see my friends, the City, Broadway, ...oh yeah, and share with a TON of people all that God's been doing in our lives. And yes, Friends, I am fully aware of the charmed life that I lead. I'm completely blessed and continually amazed. May it all be used to bring glory back to HIM.

Ode to "RENT"

525,600 minutes...

In a year.

2,880 minutes...

Until I see my long-lost friends (and college roomie) Amy and her husband, Scott..whereby I'm sure lots of talking, laughing, reminiscing, story-telling, and, did I mention, laughing will ensue.

3,600 minutes...

Until I meet up with my other long-lost friends, John & Stef, in NYC!....hanging out in "the city," catching a Broadway Show. ....Yeah, we're so cool.

15 minutes (give or take a few)...

Until I go to bed.

5 minutes...

Until my head explodes for doing this much math!!!

I'm Sooo Over YOU

80 degree weather....I'm talking to YOU! It's November 3rd for cryin' out loud!!! I want to wear sweaters and scarfs, not flip-flops and capris. I know most of you reading this probably think I'm nuts, but if you know me, you know that I love cold weather. I don't get it. In fact, today's balmy 83 degree air mixed with 40 mph wind gusts, just about made me curse. Just about.

We have Christmas songs playing in Old Navy, Christmas displays in all the store windows....and at 10pm here in J-town, it's currently a whopping 70 degrees.

Trix, I'm guessing this weather is for you. It's a sign from God that you're supposed to be here. Just a thought. It's the only way I can justify this nonsense. :-)

Verdict

There is no better day than that which contains grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Happiness has once again come to me through the Campbell's can.

Thoughts

I had a date with God today.

I was romanced by the meandering clouds...the rustle of the trees blowing in the wind...the misty rain...the boldness of color found in the changing leaves...my steaming bowl of chicken and wild rice soup...pumpkin spice mochas...His Words...the music...

the dance.

The Clouds

The Path

The Colors

The Road

The Landscape

Landscape

The Location

Grief

"Life does not seem to present itself to me for my convenience, to box itself up nicely so I can write about it with wisdom and a point to make before putting it on a shelf somewhere."

--Anne Lamott

If you need me, I'll be in mourning.

P.S. Cardinals, I still love you.

Promises, Promises

I know I promised a report from my weekend in Chicago, but somehow at this moment, my words are few. So, I'll try to recap from the snipits of my memory...

• 5am Wake Up Call--Who knew that time existed?
• Listening to Kelly Clarkson at that ungodly hour while in the presence of Isaac
• The porta-potty lines--(And according to Trix, they've even got hand sanitizers!)
• Traversing the city with Isaac--We walked AT LEAST 7 miles...up and down the stairs...the Starbucks lines...the people in the train....it was tough.
  
• Catching Krista and Vickie at the 7 mile and 21st mile point
• Being blown away that anybody, let alone anybody that I knew, could run for that long.
• Seeing a picture of the church, as people came alongside the runners and cheered them on in their weariness.
• Catching up with old friends and getting lessons in vocabulary (you know what/who I mean)
• Special "after-race" liquids
• The "runner's shuffle"

The memories...the laughter...the time spent with these very special people...all of it adds up to one thing....

PRICELESS

Thank you, Friends. You all never cease to amaze me. I am so, soo blessed.

The beginning...

A banana a day keeps the doctor away...Or at least it gives you some energy to run at that ungodly hour!!

Just Say NO...to the ambulances! (That was my advice to the runners. Aren't I brilliant?)

The porta-potties. Aren't they cute? HA!