End-of-the year thanksgiving

 this was titled "Christmas thanksgiving" but that would imply that I actually would post it around Christmas. now it's longer and I changed the name.

1918. Advent and the promise of new life, given for us and to us
1919. working with some pretty amazing people
1920. a phone call from my cousin, inviting us to visit in Jan. I was touched that she remembered our conversation from this summer and am excited to visit and see their kids.
1921. Christopher, who works hard a school and finished the semester well!!!
1922. Loki's little winter jacket. he is so cute!
1923. the first snow of the season
1924. tis the season ... for clementines!
1925. making Christmas gifts
1926. having enough time off to go see our families over Christmas
1927. a Christmas party with friends. nerf guns = cool
1928. music
1929. our second Christmas - making traditions for our little family
1930. a whole month of no classes for Christopher! In the interest of full disclosure, this also means several weeks that i don't have to do the cooking. =)
1931. the beautiful babies that my friends are having.
1932. good weather to drive to MN
1933. and a husband who drives while I sleep
1934. spending Christmas Eve with my family ... seeing my brother for the evening even though he was on "main call"
1935. Christmas carols sung by a choir
1936. Loki opening presents.
1937. skyping with the Butz family. Can someone please tell the kids to stop growing?
1938. thoughtful gifts from family
1939. being a push-over when it comes to Loki. I've decided that sometimes it is okay, besides, I really can't resist his brown eyes.
1940. amazon's awesome customer service.
1941. seeing extended family at my grandma's.
1942. knowing and expressing my emotions to friends.
1943. giving away knitted gifts (mainly headbands but I also made a tie for my brother and he says he really likes it)
1944. sleeping after busy nights at work.
1945. extending our Christmas til Jan 6th with dates and gifts and fun.

well, i think there will be pictures in the next post. =)

Giving thanks ... for the whole month ...

So, it's a long list, without pictures but FULL of blessings.

Speaking of pictures, I will continue my photography challenge ... soon. Life kinda got in the way and I have no qualms about leaving this tiny corner of the internet quieter so I can spend my free time with my husband, dog and friends while I work some overtime.

#1846 - 1900
- tears shared with friends
- giving thanks as a community, even when it is hard
- accepting change,
- holding firm to God's promises
- praying for friends
- hearing our friend say that my husband is a good listener. i know. =)
- a doctor who listens, summarizes, makes a good diagnosis and gives good/conservative recommendations. (the primary care doctors I have encounters thus far have exceeded the expectations set by Mayo doctors. I think this is either a)because they are not residents b) there is A LOT of competition here - between health care systems and doctors or c) a coincidence. Whatever the case, I am happy to find a good primary that we like.)
- answers
- antibiotics
- coffee with a friend
- a parking ticket because it meant i spent more time than anticipated with my friend.
- my husband, giving the man walking by his coffee when the man asked
- planning/scheming/getting excited for Christopher's surprise party
- lots of firsts at work; gaining confidence as I deal with new situations
- friends having babies and friends who are going to have babies.
- my manager calling me while I was working to see how things were going because I haven't seen her recently.
- getting some feedback at work
- my mom and my mother-in-law helping and planning the details and amazing food for Chris' party
- the way my father-in-law greets me with a huge smile and hug
- friends coming to celebrate my hubby
- realizing that I don't view our Marquette friends as our "new friends" anymore; now they are just friends. =)
- Christopher's look of shock, evidence that we pulled off a good surprise
- Eva, coming all the way from Rochester for the party and one night
- and her accordion rendition of Happy Birthday. LOVE
- Loki and Penny (Eva's tiny little dog) are friends!! If you have ever seen Loki with another dog, you will know why this is noteworthy. Other people are okay. Other dogs, not so much. It made me sooo happy that he was nice to her!
- an extra hour in which to watch Thor
- breakfast with my parents
- organizing the office. Let's be honest: it has never ever really been organized. Now the books are on a brand new huge bookshelf and my craft stuff is organized in the corner. It looks great!
- being on call during my overtime shift
- warm pear cinnamon cider from Trader Joe's. I'm in love and just may have had a cup every day this week.
- birds flying south
- curling up with Loki on a cold day
- apples grown just down the road
- my husband, all handsome in a sweater vest
- being told that I handled a situation at work well
- overtime money that goes into our savings. We are sooooo close to make our saving goal this year but we think we'll be just a little short. (more on the progress of my 2011 goals later)
- co-workers who give me rides to and from work so that Christopher can go to school or study or sleep. And it also makes it possible for us to work out our schedule with one car. I am so grateful for their willingness to give me rides!
 - one really busy night at work. for my co-workers who were working and the pieces that were in place as our first night shift emergency occurred in the hospital.
- knowing that we all worked really hard and having the patient's family acknowledge that as well.
- our patient's loving family
- hearing from every person involved that it went really while and also identifying some areas for improvement
- time to decompress with my co-workers 
- our new night shift nurse practitioner. ohhhh, words can't express
- dinner with friends, both planned and spontaneous
- Christmas shopping on-line. pretty sure it was made just for me.
- quality time with my husband, carefully planned during our busy week and really important
- warm, fuzzy slippers.
- knitting, creating new things that were simply yarn earlier
- Loki's big brown eyes
- my husband's mad cooking skills
- my co-working bringing me coffee =)
- time to spend with my family this weekend
- warm coats, gloves and hats
-

work hard. play hard.

giving thanks #1831 - 1845

- a fun Monday with Loki: bike riding, playing and snuggling. During that day, I swayed his affection pendulum back towards my side, which was a little futile since I basically worked and slept the next three days. It is not a competition, which side he lands on (mine or Christopher's) we just notice and comment on who he prefers.

- knowing that after a busy day at class, Christopher usually needs food and quality time in the form of an easy shared activity. While I didn't greet him at the door with a beer in hand, the laundry was done, there was a plan for dinner and hulu was primed with Parks and Rec
- working hard some days.
- some days just working.
- being woken up with kisses when I sleep through my alarm
- dinner ready as I am getting up
- a little bit of alone time to adjust to the idea being awake
- nice chats with co-workers
- an unexpected evening of alone time; i spent the time sewing and reading
- my brother coming to visit with Honey Dip Doughnuts and coffee. yummmm.
- an evening with friends, making a delicious dinner - handmade ravioli with a variety of insides
- deciding to get out of bed for church
- meeting new people
- an afternoon at an apple orchard, and then making and canning applesauce

our afternoon went something like this:

 

pick apples

tackle apples in our kitchen

try to convince Loki that after ALL the apples, there were no more left for him

So far this week looks like it may be a repeat of last and that suits me just fine. Now if you'll excuse me, my hubby is working hard at school and I have my end of that bargain to hold up at the house.

New school year and a new job

#1748 - #1778

- Books on every flat surface of our apartment
- lunches packed for work and school
- coffee for early morning day shifts
- rides to work =)
- finding commonalities with new friends
- time to read and journal
- inserts for my shoes that make my foot feel better
- seeing friends who return after the summer
- talking with a PhD student whose wife is also an ICU nurse. (i didn't meet her, but just talking to him was like finding someone that spoke my language in Theology Land)
- a coffee and doughnut, no alarm clock morning

- healthy, local food gracing our table

- being part of two house blessings
- good food made by good friends
- planning fun things for the fall (canning and a trip to a quilt museum)
- a 2 year old's giggle
- being welcomed by new people at work
- acknowledging that I am a little anxious about the responsibilities of my new role
- praying
- finishing some sewing projects - gifts (we have several friends who are pregnant)

taggie blanket. my friend's request

burp cloths. i am in love with that fabric (but not so much with the chenille I used on the back)

- text messages from my husband, telling me he is coming home
- evening prayers
- giving Loki a hair cut and he did so good which is not always the case
- good sleep
- giving and receiving forgiveness
- tomatoes from my plants on the patio
- Christopher's creative, frugal meals
- taking some time to slow down after a busy summer
- an honest conversation with Christopher about what it takes for me to be involved in discussions about school related things
- learning about Constintine
- iced mango tea

simple beauty

#1725 - 1747
- scripture memorization (Colossians, if you are wondering. yep, the whole book)

- time to hang out with my sister-in-law ... and knowing what makes her feel special
- e-mails from my brother with songs he has written
- enjoying friends
- a day with my hubby all to myself
- cool water in my cup
- actually doing my household tasks
- tall sunflowers
- twin deer crossing the road
- a bike ride on a cool evening
- waffles in the morning
-sunsets on the drive West
- the "snowflake" flowers (weeds) all around
- after dinner kisses
- silly kids dances
- listening to Eva talk about life and church
- walking down familiar trails
- sitting on the lazy-boy with Loki next to me (his absolute favorite place to be at the Brenna's home, maybe ever)
- looking forward to seeing my Netzer family this weekend
- family pictures in the back yard
- reading a good book and collecting a pile of books from my mother-in-law
-  having no pressing agenda for the day

Sometimes vacation looks like this and sometimes it is in the beauty of everyday ... amplified by the fact that I don't have to go back to work for 5 days still. =)

HUGE gratitude post, part 1

Well, it has been about a month since I posted a gratitude post and my list of items ... blessings ... is formidable. I'm not entirely convinced that you want to read ALL of them but seeing how this is my blog, I can post them all and seeing how it is your computer, you can read how much you want.

#1676 - #1724

- safety in all of our travels
- our car, selflessly cleaned by my husband
- the car ride up to the cabin, spent talking with Eva
- Penny sleeping in my lap
- relaxing with friends
- being back at the place where our marriage/relationship basically began

this empty bench

- getting to sleep at the same time as my husband =) it doesn't happen all that much working nights
- yummy drinks served lakeside
-picnic tables on the beach
- Ray's mean fire-making skills
- the lighting for this photo: (can you see the littlest dog ever in the middle)

- lounging in hammocks
- pasta salad in the summer
- bedtime hugs
- praying on the pontoon boat
- perfectly cooked marshmellows
- the kids, making faces with their peas and squash (from here on out, "the kids" refers to our niece and nephew)
- seeing Loki after a few days away
- finding a little boy's shirt mixed into our laundry
- an etsy sale to a non family/friend buyer. yay!
- my little patio garden is growing!!
- Crooked Lake!!

- the eagle perched above our dock
- birds at the bird feeder
- Loki being part of the "paper plate club" (wondering what that is ... come up to the Schumann cottage)
- going up to the cottage and only bring watermelon and brats (i.e. not being in charge of all the meals)
- my mom who DID plan all the meals
- tubing and realizing that my arms are much stronger (because I have been working out) than in previous years
- harp music, played by our neighbor
- seeing deer each morning while walking Loki
- the American flag over the lake

I know this picture was in my previous post, but I love it

- sail boats
- doing crossword puzzles on the shores of the lake
- my mom's potato salad
- changing from my pj's into my swimsuit because it is just that nice out
- coffee on the pier
- the smell of sunscreen
- my grandpa's hat on my husband's hat
- listening to my dad talk about summers at the cottage long ago
- taking Loki in the kayak

He loved it!

- Loki was also pretty excited about boating

- eating around the table that my grandpa built
- playing Indian with my family
- water lily flower

 - seeing fireworks as we drove home the night of the 3rd.
- going back to Rochester (again) to see the Butz family
- being present for Megan's baptism
- silly kids jokes
- seeing Lindsay while she was in Rochester - unexpected and totally wonderful
- a DQ run with my girls
- fireflies
- a huge, joint effort city in Carcassonne


Well, this is a little more than half of my list that is accumulating in the drafts folder of my gmail account but for now, it is more than enough!

a week full of blessings

Gratitude list #1608 -#1675

 

- Tailgating and a Brewer's game with work peeps. even though the weather made it seem like we were tailgating for a Packer game. (note to self: add "tailgate at Lambeau Field" to my hypothetical bucket list)

- being privy to a co-worker friend's secret

- my husband graciously cleaning and packing before our trip to MN

- a full table at the Brenna's (also a full van and a full church pew)

- watching kid movies with the kids - our nephew and niece

- Loki and Cinders getting some love 

- once again being schooled in all things related to the wii.

- finding good deals at Old Navy (groupon, rewards points, sales ... nice!)

- listening to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law speak in church about their ministry

- lunch at Pho Tai; my favorite restaurant with my favorite people in Rochester (besides family, of course)

- seeing Ian!

- praying consistently for my friend, her little baby growing inside her and her husband who leaves for deployment soon. 

- this picture from the weekend: 

- pots from my parents for my garden

- seeing my brother's new place in Rochester

- biking to Dunn Brothers with Loki and the kids. pretty sure that activity needs to happen again.

- watching the kids on the slip and slide

 

- my father-in-law's garden

- "free" groceries because we are shopping with my mother in law

- stopping on the way home so Loki can run/chase some birds behind a gas station

- knowing that we'll be in MN again in about a week.

 

(tangent #1: I have not counted how many nights we will sleep somewhere other than our own bed in the next few months but my guess is 25. Glad that I work twelve hour shifts and the Christophers' study schedule is flexible so that we can spend a lot of time with people that we love.)

 

- making our time in Milwaukee count: concert in the park tonight and greek fest tomorrow

- getting an evening off of work to go to greek fest this week

- Loki, all tuckered out from the weekend

 

- my husband's wonderful beet risotto. love. 

 

- organic, grass-fed beef in our freezer ... and in the burgers marinating for dinner tonight

- and our friend who organized the purchase of the beef package

- potting plants to go on our patio

- almost done with a sewing project that has taken me a lot longer than I thought it would (because I didn't plan it well)

- menu planning with my husband for dinner with friends tonight

- biking with Loki. He has soooo much more energy than i give him credit for

- reading parts of Eva's gratitude list and knowing that she will be sharing weekly. love her

- being SUPER excited to spend next weekend with friends

- actually winning a game of speed scrabble (at work)

- sleeping

- clean sheets. clean comforter

- my sweatshirt smeling like my in-laws house because I did laundry there. 

 

(tangent #2: I'm trying to take more pictures but I scrapped taking a picture every day because I was just taking one of Loki which is okay but not really the goal. I think I'm doing better, what to you think?) 

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

It's been awhile since I posted a gratitude list so this one spans a bit of time.

#1579 - #1607

- the generosity of my family and friends in the tangible gift of a beautiful new laptop

- seeing my friends' babies ... and my friends too!

- being able to tell family and friends in MN "we'll see you in a few weeks." This will be a common occurrence over the summer

- night shift e-mails to my friend working elsewhere

- the "summer weather switch" finally turned on in Milwaukee. (Loki is exhausted with the adrupt change in temps)

- kissing on the beach

- sand from Lake Michigan between my toes

- trying to convince Loki not to be scared of the water (in his defence, it was cold and wavy and he is scared of just about everything!)

- my trusty chacos

- long shadows from trees

- fans and ac

- cook-outs with friends who work some magic on the grill

- a huge pile of thank you notes ready to be send off

- lunch for $10 a piece downtown. (we were supposed to go with friends but that didn't work out so we had an unplanned date instead)

we always take pics of the food

- getting free pots from my parents to plant a mini potted garden. For some reason I had scraped the whole idea of a garden earlier since we don't have a yard but now I'm super excited to try a potted garden. And, hey, since I'm already late to plant things, may as well wait another week so I can get lots of free pots from my parents. =)

- a nicely planned trip to Sam's Club. spent exactly as much time as I wanted to and spent less money than I thought I would.

- making gifts for summer birthdays

- first trip of the season to the farmer's market

- easily navigating through Milwaukee several times in order to avoid construction

- finding out that friends are pregnant =)

- dinner with my grandma finished off with some wonderful tapioca pudding

- knitting with bright yarn

- a week without overtime! (hopefully the whole summer will be without overtime)

- a free cool new coffee mug for work (thanks Eva!)

- just a few days til we see the Butz family!

- my sweet husband coming to visit me during a slow evening at work and bringing me something to do for the patient-less night ahead

- green grass, green trees and summer flowers

- our unit moved across the hall to accomodate some construction and now we get to see beautiful sunrises in the morning

circling the wagon ...

Cry out, "Save us, God our Savior;

gather us and deliver us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name,

and glory in your praise.

1 Chronicles 16:35

Giving thanks today ... # 1559 - 1578

* Circling the wagon. It's the last two weeks of school for Christopher and I am working overtime (which is what you do on a tiny unit when a co-worker leaves for another job). So we are circling our wagon, working hard, eating from our pantry and freezer, having low-key dates when we are home together and taking Loki for bike rides and long walks to prepare him for sleeping with me or sitting in the office with Chris.

* mexican food, cheese and guac covered nachos, delivered to the hospital -- for the entire hospital

* kissing my husband when he should be studying. ;)

*an adorable patient who gives out hugs as often as she gives out smiles

* sun beams streaming through the clouds touching the rain drenched ground below

* Loki's contented sigh from my lap. I know the feeling buddy.

* My husband's strong hands working out the kinks in my neck

* finding new music

* a mallard and a ... um ... what do you call a female duck? ... anyway, a pair of ducks wandering aimlessly around the hospital parking lot
* and having a few moments to pause and watch the ducks
* my hair smelling of the wind
* when Loki gets up, out of bed, at 1am to get a toy (his squirrel kong, in case you are wondering) to take back to bed with him
* quick and efficient trips to the grocery store
* a FULL, and fairly busy, unit over the weekend
* prayers from an 8 year old -- we are blessed to be in a multi-generational biblestudy
* making good, strong coffee at 0645 for the day shift
* being wrong about a patient and watching her, surprisingly, begin to improve
* blankets and slippers for a still really cold May
* the soft, beautiful smile on my husband's face as i thank him for a lovely evening

Three small posts in one

Stethoscope

I bought my stethoscope during my sophomore year of college and I was *poor*. It was my first semester of nursing school and we had to buy BIG nursing books, uniforms (white pants are no good for nursing, FYI) and a stethoscope. One day I got home from class to find a letter from one of my grade school Sunday teachers (Bonnie Zimmerman) and with it a check for $100. She explained that she thought I could use some extra money for "unplanned" expenses. I put that $100 towards my first stethoscope and over the last 11 years, I have taken that stethoscope with me to 5 different hospitals, including one floating hospital off the African coast.

Recently I have noticed several cracks in the neck of my stethoscope and while I do think it'll be fun to see how long it is before it completely cracks in half, I ordered another on-line last week. I got the same kind -- I mean, $70 (which is the price now) for 11years, that sounds like a deal to me.

*poor* by American standards with less than $100 in my bank account (a fortune in other parts of the world, I know). I did/do also have generous parents that would have willingly helped so my *poor*ness was flexible**

Coupon Fail.

Yesterday I went to Sam's Club with four coupons to use on various items. The toilet paper coupon was for Target only. I decided not to get the cuties (mandarin oranges) since we still have tons of oranges left over from when my in-laws came to visit and gave us their produce to clean out their fridge before a big trip. The fancy razors I wanted to get/had a coupon for were $30 and I couldn't bring myself to buy them even though I do think they were a good deal. And I brought the wrong coupon for the other item I needed. It was a rare coupon fail day for me -- for a variety of reasons. I am comforted by the fact that I will still use most of those coupons and maybe even double them at Pick n Save on Saturday.

$1 Jeans.

Earlier this week I drove up to Oshkosh to visit my Grandma and my mom, who was visiting my grandma. On my drive up there I noticed a hole in the side of my jeans and I thought it was odd because I thought I wore my "good" jeans on that day because I went to a work meeting earlier. You see, I have two almost identical pair of jeans and (I thought) only one has a hole on the side. Then I realized that those were my "good" jeans but they had a hole in the same place - which makes sense since the jeans are the same brand with slight variation. I was a little bummed but not surprised, I haven't bought myself clothes since 2009; when I was planning my wedding, I cut out my clothing budget and have never added it back in.

Later we went to a dollar thrift store and I found the same brand of jeans for $1. They do have a button fly (isn't that kinda 80's?) but they fit well (i.e. are short) and were a dollar so that makes me happy.

And a little bit of gratitude too =)

- beautiful afternoons, long walks in the park and my good dog a the end of the leash

- being home when my hubby gets home, snuggling on the couch, watching tv. (Christopher has an evening class two nights a week and since I go to work at 7pm, there are some days when we don't see each other at all - because he goes to school early and i sleep late - so we both enjoy the nights when it works out that i can be home when he gets home after his evening class.)

- fun co-workers, patients on our unit, nights that go by quickly

- peeling oranges, brewing tea, chopping carrots

- visits from our parents, two fun dinners at new restaurants, shopping and playing board games

- Have I mentioned that Chris got a full scholarship for school next year? not sure I did ... Thanks to my handsome hubby for working so hard, and thank you Marquette for noticing =)

- a birthday get together for a new friend, menu planning for a visit from Rochester friends this weekend and a coffee date on the calendar for next week

- playing cribbage with my grandma, a fun new purse from my mom, hearing that my brother's new job is going well

It appears that my camera and I are playing a game of hide and seek -- the next post will have pictures, I promise!!

During lent, or at least this last week of lent, I have decided to list 20 gifts every day. That has been nice, but that has left me with 140 things for last week, so I'm going to mix it up and just list a few. Rest assured, #1411 - 1531 are safely in my journal (and google docs).

There is no denying that gratitude is hardest when things aren't overtly wonderful. When I'm churning the wheels at a job that I'm still not sure exactly what I think of it, when a bike ride (with Loki) ends with a hurt ankle, when the pile of laundry doesn't ever seem to dwindle.

When I struggle to give thanks and to find things to pluck down with pen and keys:

**crisp walks in the dog**
**produce coming down in prices**
**fun, funky songs stuck in my head**
**tea and my bible in the morning (one of my goals this year was to read the new testament in 2 months, well, I didn't but I will get it done during lent)**
**the way Loki gathers all his toys in the living room**


When simply listing doesn't change anything, although it has changed me. The skies are still cloudy and the ground still muddy.

**a spontaneous trip to Marquette to see Christopher during a day when I wouldn't normally see him**

** waking up briefly to a kiss before he leaves for the day**

**sorting through things; a few boxes for Goodwill**

I grumble, ungrateful, cataloging the good but failing to see it - focusing on the clouds and the laundry and the pain.

**asking for forgiveness for an angry, ungrateful heart**

I cry frustration and hurt on my husband's shirt.

**his wise words**

**his fingers brushing away my tears**

**grace and forgiveness, given first by God then by my husband**

With repentance, struggle reaps fruit; with forgiveness, focus shifts to the good.

There will be cloudy and laundry and pain and all of those things do deserve a portion of my time and energy but by giving them my day, I make a statement about my day. Choosing to see the good, the blessings, the gifts while still wearing a rain jacket, folding laundry and taking advil and icing my ankle, is difficult. Being thankful for those things: rain jackets, folded towels, advil and ice is not my first instinct.

But in that kind of thanksgiving, though I don't have it all figured out, there is joy ... life ... peace.

a peak into my gratitude journal this week ...

Gifts # 1383 - 1410


- the sunset filling my rear-view mirror on my way to work

- my sweet husband making dinner

- the beginning of my tulips poking through the ground

- folding laundry

- a summer schedule that has me all excited about all things summer

- living near a park

- greeting Christopher when he comes home

-  the way Loki shakes when he is wet

- clean sheets (and, yes, the heated mattress pad that is still on)

- opening up windows briefly

- getting good sleep

- tea. It seems that every month I renew my love affair with different teas. I hope the ex-es don't get jealous.

- our fridge stocked with fruit

- almonds

- learning during lent

- examining the way I spend my time - in order to spend it the way I want

- warm showers

- cold glasses of water

- pajama days ... and knowing that those are okay (when you work your entire workweek in three nights, they are also needed)

- playing Carcassone on the floor with Chris, shooing Loki away when he threatens to wreck havoc on our cities

- a new toy for Loki = hours of entertainment

- a little bit of over time at work (by the way, we are WAY ahead of our savings goals so that is just icing on our already really yummy cake)

- the whirl of my sewing machine

- my head full of ideas for things to make

- an invitation to join a group of friends

- Loki learning to obey at obedience school

- a lunch date with my love on the calendar for Saturday

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Joy. (okay ... miscellany joy)

"Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life. and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy."

- Ann Voskamp, "One Thousand Gifts"

I cannot tell you how much I love this book. I am reading it the second time with my pen in hand, underlining and marking. I would quote all of it for you but that would be time consuming and probably a breach of some copy write laws so instead, I highly encourage you to buy a copy, or get one from the library, or ask me for mine. =) 

Christopher and I made our monthly MN road/visiting trip last weekend.  We spent a night in Rochester and a night in Hastings and saw many (notice (ahem, Ann) that I did not say "all") people that we love.  We arrived in Rochester just in time to be part of a surprise birthday scavenger hunt. Chinwe's reaction to finding us at Caribou is possibly the highlight of the trip month. And, Chinwe, if I was a crier, I would have cried too. It soon became apparent that it was loads of fun participating in said scavenger hunt, and it was a neat way to see a bunch of friends. And I love that it was personalized and so thoughtful. Seeing my friends happy and loving each other makes my heart happy. 

We ate out more times than we have all year (it seems). For a couple on a pretty stingy restaurant budget, that made for a nice weekend. My parents took us and my bothers and John's girlfriend to a fancy tepanyaki place (the cook-your-food-in-front-of-you-place) which was sooooo good and really fun. 

I'm sorry mom, that I didn't take any pictures of people ... 

A few of the guys at work have been scraping off our cars before we leave -- and one of them brought me a Shamrock shake the other day too. I'm pretty sure that qualifies them for coworkers of the year or something. In fact, I have been encouraged about several things that are happening at work. I know that I have people have been faithfully praying for me regarding that and that answer to prayer has not gone unnoticed. 

I went out to coffee with a friend and her two year old girl this week. And, earlier this week, I met Christopher at school for dinner and we were joined by a few of his classmates and a professor. Let's just say that there was a point in that conversation where I decided not to even try to look like I knew what they were talking about. Afterwards, Christopher noted that the man who I probably viewed as a ... umm ... interesting, somewhat-funny, Santa look-alike professor is a fairly well-known author and theologian. (He also has a wikipedia page.)

I put fresh sheets on our bed. And this is what Loki promptly did. 

I could babble on and on about this little guy, but maybe I'll save that for another post!

I got honey dip doughnuts for my honey AND from my honey. 

The sun is shining, the snow is melting into pools trapped under ice (I am fascinated by this). The weather is perfect for a simple hat for me and Loki's doggie jacket and a walk into the park next to our complex. My sister in law bought something from my etsy shop, encouraging me to finally pack up and send some things to them. Ocean upon ocean miles away, two kids are growing up and the glimpses I get from the internet makes me happy and, kinda, proud. 

Last week, during a discussion with Christopher about how we enjoy doing P90x 3 - 4 times a week and the balance about not doing it every day, we decided to try to do it every day for a week every month. Yeah ... I'm not sure how we got there either. But this is day 2 and I am already reaching for the advil ... oi. Tonight we went to a planetarium show and craned our necks to learn things about the sky above. And we spent the  two hour round trip ride talking about intimacy. And then we drank hot chocolate and watched tv in our jammies. Whatever I do, whether it be sweating it up, relaxing or learning something about the universe, it is better with him. =) 

So, there you have it - miscellany joy-gifts # 1356 - 1382.

I hope you have a wonderful, blessed weekend. 

About: learning contentment

For many years I have thought that I have lived while waiting for the "next big thing." Job. Trip. Weekend. Relationship. The excitement and preparation of the future overwhelmed the days before it. Several times I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be present more -- to not simply wait for what was coming next. I worried that I would miss out on now, always hoping for the future ... looking for something else that I could not define.

The change has come gradually. Gradually over the last year or so I have been learning about contentment, and in turn joy. I attribute a few things to this change.

I have been married for a little over a year and I have been accepted in a way that I have never before been in my life. My feelings. My likes and dislikes. My habits. My thoughts. I have been challenged to make myself known by a man who accepts what he finds out about me. And so, in kind, I also have been identifying and accepting myself. God's love is reflected to me through my husband and that has changed how I view who I am.

I am learning that I am enough, a truth that allows me to accept who I am but also the disappointment and pain that sometimes comes. And joy. When I free myself from being something or someone else, I open up to what is already there.

I have been counting my blessings. In the practice of gratitude, I have found life. In the small, every day, seemingly mundane things I have found joy. I no longer look ahead to find fulfillment. Instead, I see the excitement of the future as well as the beauty of the present, the two blending and moving together in such a way that sings to my soul. And, sometime in the last year, the practice of gratitude, became a habit. It is a gift; little snapshots of everyday gifts ... a movie reel of blessings. I also think that by being content in the present, the past and the future will have the appropriate meaning - memories and excitement will blend with the beauty of everyday, strengthening both.

And now I believe that life is less about seeing the whole world and more about seeing my world.

As Paul wrote many years ago, contentment is learned. And today I am thankful for that lesson. (Blessing #1355)

Philipians 4: 11 - 13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

1333. Breakfast in bed
1334. Clean bathrooms
1335. Snuggles with Loki
1336. My husband: making dinner, his hand on my cheek, his hand in mine
1337. the two green plants in our house reminding me that Spring WILL come after all this cold and snow
1338. And remembering this:

1339 - 1341. Grace. Joy. Thanksgiving.

1342. Being part of this online book club, re-reading the book One Thousand Gifts, being reminded why I give thanks

1343. Honest conversations with my hubby about my job

1344. a nice co-worker to spend two patient-less nights with - playing Nertz and roaming the hospital looking for things to do

1345. the Milwaukee Public Library buying a book for me ... well not really for me but it was my request =)

1346. Friends praying for us

1347. couscous and the way my husband makes it yummy (wow, it sounds like I never cook!)

1348. the ice scraper

1349. goldfish, the pepperridge farm kind =)

1350. having our own little Ticket to Ride tournament - and it being tied at the end.

1351. starting a busy week off with prayer

1352. warm boots, gloves and coats
1353. consecutive date nights this weekend =)
1354. time alone today

Sometimes life give you sunshine, warmth and relaxation and sometimes it is cloudy skies, night shifts and toilets to clean.

But there are still gifts there to be found, unwrapped and explored.

1312. Dinner with Christopher's Augustine class and professor. Honey, I can now begin to relate to meals where you listened to "nursing shop talk" the whole time. I love you.
1313. A full tank of gas in the car
1314. a text message conversation with one of my cousins
1315. time with my mom
1316. time with my mom where she buys me yarn. =)
1317. taking a "nap" (when I should have been staying up late) on the couch with Loki
1318. the sun. even briefly.
1319. beginning our study of Hebrews.
1320. Hebrews 1:3
1321. coffee with cream in my favorite mug
1322. my husband driving when it is dark and rainy ...
1323. vanilla ice cream, caramel and whipped cream
1324. lotion for dry skin
1325. shopping with Christopher, collecting a few shipping supplies for my etsy site (which I am SUPER excited to open ... most likely this weekend)
1326. tea with honey
1327. a huge bag of oranges
1328. reading in bed, next to Chris
1329. time to putter (i.e. not get ready quickly)
1330. Valentine's day cards .. I was excited about real mail even before I realized they had money in them
1331. the generosity of said card givers
1332. love.

Lingering

Linger: to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave; to dwell in contemplation, thought or enjoyment.

I spend most of last week, lingering in Mexico, on a beautiful resort near Cancun, on the Mayan Rivera with some lovely friends.

We lingered at the pool. Happy hour (2 for 1 drinks) anyone?

We lingered over dinner ... and then over dessert

yep, that is me licking the dessert dish ...

We lingered over Bibles, books, games and knitting (for me, at least).

seriously amazing book: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

We lingered on the beach

My beautiful friend, Lindsay

We didn't really linger at Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World) but we did go there and it was cool.

We lingered in friendship, evolving and growing

We lingered jumped before and exploding sunset.

the pictures of which are not on my camera =)

I did record a list of blessings while I was there (#1243 - #1311) but I don't want to rub it in and be long winded. Needless to say, it was an amazing, relaxing, wonderful trip and when it was over, I got to fly home to my love and my cute doggie. =)

Ever Grateful

I started this post much earlier this week but because I've been working something like 50 hours this week and because blogger is blocked at work, I haven't posted. Overtime pay is pretty good, so don't feel too bad for me, okay?

 

I have been thinking about making a simple wall hanging with tag board and ribbon and played around with the sayings: "Be Ye Thankful" (too um ... old sounding), "Give Thanks" (too Thanksgiving sounding), "Ever Grateful" (just right). I haven't done it yet, but it is one my list for my craft-y-ness days - coming next in Feb. =) It will replace my dwindling Mexico countdown chain in the hallway. We leave in a week! (Picture, insert happy, excited emotions here)

 

1222. One year of being a Mrs.

1223. A nice, relaxing weekend in the WI Dells spend sleeping in, playing on water slides, going to a movie, talking, reflecting and shopping. (yes, I said shopping)

1224. Finding fingerless gloves for a nice deal. (my attempt to knit some failed so I altered the original pattern and made normal gloves instead)

1225. yummy yummy food at a great, unique restaurant. Just our style

1226. cinnamon-ized almonds. I was sad when I ate the last one

1227. Loki enjoyed his stay with the "doggie sitter." Chris called to check on him after we got up and they had already gone on a walk and had play time. I'm go glad that Loki has a "friend" in Milwaukee.

1228. Sam's club produce. The goal this week: try to use 1 pound of fresh spinach.

1229. snow. It finally looks like winter

1230. And it didn't snow yesterday so I didn't have to wipe/scrape off the car

1231. phone dates with friends =) LOVE.

1232. seeing friends again after our winter break hiatus

1233. warm, winter pajamas

1234. smoothies in the mornings

1235. goodbye kisses from Christopher when I am still sleeping

1236. learning new knitting stitches from you tube. Turns out, I'm totally a visual learner

1237. more patients at work (being bored at work is such a new phenomenon that I don't know what to do with it)

1238. we have a party to do to on Sunday. GO PACK!

1239. our car starting each and every day this week - and the driver's side door closing properly - and me making it to the gas station to put 15.8 gallons of gas in our 16 gallon tank (the gas gauge apparently rounds up in winter)

1240. Loki is okay after being bite by another dog =(

1241. the pile of books waiting to be read on a beach in Mexico

1242. Overtime pay

 

Recently I have heard a lot about choosing your "word of the year" to describe how you want your spiritual life to look for 2011. I hesitate to choose a word to describe my spiritual journey before it happens because I think that I could focus too much on that word and miss something else. I do, however, usually choose a word or two when I look back on a year. For instance, 2010 was security and 2009 was growth.

 

But this year, as I was thinking about it, I did decide on my "word of the year": Create: to cause to happen; bring about; arrange, as by intention or design. Right now, I think that one of the best things that came from us moving is that I had enough time to realize how much I enjoy making things. Without any yard work (as much as I loved it) and with staying up before night shifts, I have more time to work with my hands. And I love it. Making something out of nothing (well, out of yarn) is pretty darn satisfying. I also find it really fun to tweak a pattern to make something work better the second time around.

 

So, Christopher's financial aid application was due this week -- if you think of it, would you mind saying a prayer that he/we get some for next year? Thanks!

 

In case you are wondering, my plans for the weekend (and I use the term loosely since I worked on Friday night and work again on Sunday night) involves staying in my pajamas as long a possible on Saturday, yogaX (which does involve workout clothes but who's counting), hopefully some kind of Asian take out, a movie or two, doggie walks and doggie naps and a football party. And I get to do all of those things with Chris Brenna. Yes, I'm just that lucky.

 

What are your weekend plans? I hope they are just as grand.