Day 12

Ok, so I may have misplaced my laptop charger for a couple of weeks and was too lazy or too busy to look for it. Needless to say it has been a while - so instead of trying to remember ALL of the great things that have happened over the last couple of weeks, I will just reflect on the most prominent occurrences.

I was able to get Chandler's truck repaired, repainted, and tomorrow will have it detailed in order for it to be as good as new when he returns home. I am hoping that this will be an exciting treat for him. He deserves it!

My greatest triumph over the past several weeks has been learning the art of planning ahead and cooking nutritious meals. As a more-or-less single white female I have no real need to plan ahead, but I figure it's good practice for the future when it becomes a necessity. So far my adventures in cooking/baking have taught me that roasted veggies are the ONLY way to eat vegetables and that I am really crappy at follow-through if I don't write this stuff down! The first 2 weeks I successfully created breakfast, lunch and dinner items that would last me to Wednesday. Once I ran out of food I was not quite as prepared for the rest of the week and ended up eating out or snacking for dinner. I should have just gone to the grocery store; but alas, I was too busy to make that tedious chore happen. Sigh... This week I have planned my meals for the entire week, shopped appropriately, and have looked ahead to see what kind of prep work I need to do each night to make that happen. I hate becoming a planner! It sucks the fun right out of me, but it also makes me slightly less spastic throughout the week, so I will take that triumph! Everybody knows that Chandler is the fun one anyway!

In more appropriate joyful happenings - I was able to entertain old friends at my house this weekend! It is one of the greatest feelings to have people come and fill my house with laughter, love, and warmth. The good-time ghosts linger for days after a good visit and things don't feel as lonely! I can't wait until my boy is home and I can share laughter, love, and warmth with him as well!

Day 11

Company. Not the stressful I've got to make sure my house and everything in it is perfect because I don't want people to go home and talk about how I don't have it together kind of company. No, today's joy came with the kind of company I look forward to all week and will fill my reserves with laughter and delight that will carry me through the next time the waters get choppy - the kind of company that causes me to look at the clock 5 minutes after I sit down and realize it's been 3 hours - the kind of company the removes all worry and stress instead of creating it - the easy kind of company where I drink coffee on the couch with a dear friend and just talk. It is very difficult for me to describe why these times have become so precious to me. Part of me looks forward to unabashedly sharing what is happening in my life and hearing about what is happening in someone else's. Part of me likes having something fun to look forward to in the middle of the week. But mostly I just enjoy the time spent with another person. Especially one who has shared in my pain, taught me how to heal, lead me (by example as well as through advice) to a more personal relationship with God, inspired me to grow, and reminded me of the importance of not taking myself so darn seriously! I am so thankful for laughter, friendship, and company!

Day 10

Nice warm bath with a glass of wine followed by reading a good book in a comfy chair by the window - the only sound being that of the wind through the trees...Oranges, yellows, and reds standing out against the grey, wet sky = pure bliss.

Day 9

Every Monday night a group of women call each other on the telephone from Washington D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama to discuss how to become a more virtuous woman. I have mentioned this study previously, but tonight I am even more grateful for the chance God has given me to connect with these women. I have read with rapture and conviction and have looked forward to the weekly session when I can share those "aha!" moments (and there are so many of them!). With the study coming to a close I look forward to a new study with a new group of ladies who I can get to know better and share even more of the "aha!" moments that I will inevitably experience in the coming weeks.

Days 5-8

Good running shoes, retail therapy, and amazing family have brought me great joy the past few days.

Running Shoes (Day 5):
 Eight miles is a long way to run, even with a buddy. I learned a lot about what I was made of somewhere around mile 4. The whole time I was running that first leg I was thinking "I just have to get to that sign and then I've made it!" The thing  I forgot is that the goal I had been striving for was the halfway mark and now I had to get back home. It's funny to me how elated I felt in the middle of all that dread. I still felt strong, so I kept going. Little did I know I would hit the point of no return around mile 6.5. At that point I began to hurt. Muscle pain I can handle - I can push through. Joint pain is a different beast. Running with a faulty hinge (my hip joint) is incredibly difficult. Every step was a challenge and by the time I reached the hill of death (in the last stinking mile of the run no less) I decided to quit. I mean, what did it matter? I was barely moving for crying out loud! I might as well stop and walk the rest of the way home. I'm not proud that I was so determined to quit, but it was what it was. So, I stop running and the craziest thing happened...the pain tripled and my muscles seized. It was actually easier to run at this point than it was to walk! For once my mind wanted to quit but my body wouldn't allow me to give up! I can't tell you how incredible it was to say I finished that run and climbed into that bath of Epsom Salt.

Retail Therapy (Day 6):
 Self-explanatory: Spending money makes me feel better. However it does not bring me joy. What brings me joy is creating a Christ-centered home and life. I won't pretend that my new-found shopping habit is what has brought me closer to God, but it has definitely helped me create an environment where I can easily focus on His word and His voice. Now that my house is a haven, I must stop myself from perpetuating this habit of spending money and just focus on growing closer to him.

Amazing Family (Day 7 &8):
 Joining a family can be awkward and challenging, unless that family is the Norris clan. Over the years I have gotten to know these amazing and loving people and have never felt anything less than flesh and blood. Sure I missed the childhood memories of learning to drive the tractor on Granddaddy's lap and close calls with hay bales and tractors; but when the stories are told around the many fold out tables it takes to feed this family, I can't help but feel like I was on that tractor with them. It is a wonderful feeling to be so openly accepted by this close, loving family. It is a wonderful feeling to be loved so much by them that they would take a weekend to drive from Montgomery to visit and share the joy and excitement of creating a welcoming, Christ-centered home. And it is a wonderful feeling to know they came out of want and not out of obligation. Thank you Walter and Cathy for sharing your time with me! I feel trully blessed!

Day 4

For quite some time now, I have envied the Hogwarts method of receiving mail. How much more exciting would it be to receive the bills from an owl! Though I'm sure eventually I would grow to despise owls as much as I despise my mailbox. But today a magical thing happened. A package, for me! So much more satisfying to receive a thoughtful gift in the mail in lieu of mortgage reduction solicitations and coupon flyers. Thanks to my sweet and thoughtful hubby for the fall decorations!
You know me too well! :)

Day 3

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Giver her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." - Proverbs 31: 10-31 (NIV)

As my six week bible study on the virtuous woman comes to a close, I can't help but be thankful for the women in my life who have led by example. They have been my family members, mentors, co-workers and friends. They all make the task of being virtuous look so effortless, but that is part of what makes them the kind of women I look up to. Thank you ladies for showing me what this woman looks like in a 21st century world.

Day 2

As bitter-sweet as this is to say, today I am grateful for a reduction in class size. The second grade classrooms had filled to 22-23 students per teacher and our principal was able to obtain an EIP position to place an additional teacher in our grade-level. I say this was bitter-sweet because I truly had a dream group of students this year. They were all so sweet that it did not seem like there were 22 in my class. However, the cramped quarters, noise level, and the constant need to split myself 22 ways made every day an exhausting challenge. As much as I hated to say goodbye to three of my precious students, I know that moving them to a smaller classroom was what was best for them as well as for those students left in my class. It was amazing how much more individualized attention I was able to bring to each student! Now I will have a better opportunity to properly serve my students and challenge them appropriately! :)

Day 1

There is a great deal to be thankful for today. I am glad the school was open today. Because of this I have been able to work at my leisure without stress or interruption. I am hopeful that this extra time spent at work now will allow me to enjoy every moment with Chandler when he comes home. :)
I am also thankful for the chill in the air when I woke up this morning. I love fall! I love the color change in trees; I love the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice; I love the excuse to bake yummy breads and pies loaded with sugars and carbs; and I also love the excuse to drink hot drinks and take warm baths that warm my bones in the evening! There is an excitement in the air as people prepare for Halloween and diligently cheer for their favorite football teams. My own memories of Friday night football bring me back to a more care-free time. This reminder of the glory days makes me think of the importance of making the most of my time here and I am ready to go out and embrace what God has given me!

The Plan

As a perpetual Eeyore, I have discovered a need to acknowledge the joys I experience in my life. I have so much to be thankful for - even the difficult and painful situations I have been through in recent years have helped to mold and shape the person I am right now, and I am thankful for that. I may not have had fun or enjoyed every minute of the journey, but there are many aspects of my life that I am thankful for and in which I find great joy. Over the next 45 days I will catalog the moments that help bring me joy, be they easy, difficult or just plain silly.