The Clock is Ticking

I haven't played in a long while, but I don't feel too bad about that because there's been so much going on....soooooo much. SOOOOOO much. You've noticed that, right?

But today, I'm really feeling it. Just please pardon me if my list seems a bit odd.

Today, and for many days now, I'm feeling thankful for...

1. Peace and quiet. Moving in to this new house has made that completely possible. It's wonderful. To make it even better, no one is at a pool right outside my door hollering my name every time I open it. Makes it nice to actually enjoy my porch or patio now.


2. The WonderDog is chilled. He's loving the new house as much as I am. He's got a couple of perches for watching the world out the window, his own plot of grass to enjoy, and places to nap all over the house.


3. For some wonderful friends. Right now, in particular, C, who has helped me maintain my sanity and not picked at me for being crazy. (which is his usual M.O.)


4. Beach days. These have replaced "pool days." And I don't even like the beach (sand is yucky), but I've loved-loved-loved every minute of the few afternoons I've run off to the beach. 


5. Spaghetti squash. I know. Weird. But I finally tried it/learned to prepare it, and am beyond excited. This morning I even mixed some with cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans for breakfast (read that somewhere). Throw a little piece of bacon in there and YUM.  


6. Fibromyalgia. In December I was diagnosed with this. I've "known" I've had it for a few years now. Or at least, knew that something was wrong, even if I didn't have a good answer or name. Now, I'm grateful for it. I'm glad to know I have a reason to take it easy, to let up on some of the demands that I place on myself, and just relax without guilt when necessary. It's been a relief.


7. Summer work schedules. I don't work five 9s in the summer. I work four 5s.  It's wonderful. Built in time for chores to be done during the week AND naps taken daily. And 3 day weekends every week. It's awesome.


8. Mommy and Daddy. It's nice that they're nearby and so willing to help me out. Even if it's just loaning me tools.


9. Surprises. Big and small. Especially ones that you really, truly, had no inkling about. 


10. The need to be productive. I've been writing daily. Sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for an hour. But everyday. And in the evenings, I'm back to cooking and reading, and crocheting or knitting. It's helping me to breathe. I love it.

Okay, I'm ready, I think I can actually pull 10 together this morning. It's been a nice out for a few days, it's been quiet in my world for a few days. Both of those are good things.


1. Good friends. You know, those make the world go round sometimes. Particularly, this week, I feel I must point out M. She knows who she is.


2. Catching up with old friends. A good friend from years ago popped back into my life last week. It was nice to sit and catch up with him over the weekend. I hope for many more chances like that.


3. Dads who call just when you need them. Daddy never calls just to shoot the breeze or check on things. We're very close, but I think most of the news he hears about me comes second hand from Madre. Last week, he called just when I needed a daddy. There's no way he could've known, but he did anyway.


4. Commercials that make me giggle. Like the Happy Cows from California. Even when I'm down, those will make me smile like you wouldn't believe. (BTW, I can't make these work in IE7, but they do in Firefox.)

5. Not being able to focus for a week. I'm self-diagnosed A.D.D. Seriously. I don't have that hyperactive bit, but yeah. I can't focus to save my life sometimes. A lot, okay most of the time that's a huge issue at home and at work. The last week, sure it's taken longer to get things done, but I've also got to do some interesting reading and worked up some neat ideas and turns of phrase that made it into my writer's notebook.

6. It feels so odd to put this one down, but...paying attention to the elections this year. I've gotten to have some meaningful conversations with some people, including my dad. He and I made a deal to never discuss politics, because I am historically more socially liberal than he is. And, because being more liberal than some members of my family got me blacklisted once, by his father. We didn't ever want that to become an issue between us. And so, because we're both stubborn, it seemed best to never discuss those things. But, this year, we're right on with each other.

7. Cool weather. Let's me pull out my long sleeve T's and sweaters, and toe socks!

8. Our campus is testing again this week. As much as I hate it for my students, because they really get worn out by all this testing, I like the quiet.

9. Curling up with a good book under a blanket. I don't even mind so much that I'm waking up at 4 a.m. when I get to do that.

10. My insomnia. I'm actually thankful for that. Regardless of all the negatives, I love that I get to lie in bed and think, and pray, and daydream. And read sometimes. The best part is that it's in the quiet. I've even bundled up and gone to sit under the stars in the middle of the night. Even in a smallish town like I live in, there's never really any quietness to town, unless a hurricane's just come through and the whole town is without power. But at 2 a.m. under the stars, I can almost pretend the noise away.

For more blessing and thankfulness, visit Mrs. Brownstone at XBox Wife.

Yes, I know it's Wednesday. I actually started this last night, but I was encouraged to go to bed early, so I'm up early now and am finishing my list.

I haven't posted a Tuesday thankfulness/blessings in a few weeks. It's not that I haven't been blessed or thankful, it's more that I've been a bit more...um...occupied with life. So much so that sitting down to write wasn't much of a possibility.

1. I'm grateful for opportunities at work. These chances to earn a little more, and do a little more for my students at the same time, are giving me the chance to feel more secure financially. Something I hear not everyone is feeling right now.

2. Cool mornings. I love cool fronts. Which I know is odd, since I don't like the cold.

3. You know, I kind of see it as a blessing that I'm paying attention to the presidential race this year. Somehow, I think my grandfather is pleased that I'm paying attention. I think he might also be pleased that I'm at a loss..I don't know who to vote for (especially since I'm not canceling his vote this year!).

4. Maybe I've told you about my little dog. Do you remember him? The WonderDog? Something happened in the last month or so--he grew up. I know I've said that before, but this time I mean it. He's been....insightful. Can a dog do that?

5. I'm having a birthday this week. I'm not enjoying the idea much. I keep inserting the new age into conversation--I'm hoping it will make it easier when I really am that age. I know I'm supposed to count this as a blessing, so I'm doing that in the same vein.

For the record..I expect no gifts, but I particularly like the items at Rebound Designs. Specifically--To Kill a Mockingbird, The Wizard of Oz, The House at Pooh Corner, and Nancy Drew and The Secret at Red Gate Farm. But, please, feel no pressure. ;)

6. Augmentin. If you've taken it, you know whatI mean.

7. The cool front has pushed the clouds out of the way so that, this morning, the sky was pretty clear. At 5 a.m., it was nice to gather up the WonderDog at the end of our walk and look at the stars.

8. Hot cocoa. I traded that for the coffee this morning. Not a big deal, but it was nice to have a warm cup after the chilly star-gazing this morning.

9. I'm planning a trip to New Orleans! Yay for me!

10. Supervisors that appreciate the job I'm doing. Go figure. There are supervisors who do that. Crazy.

Visit XBoxWife for other blessing and thankfulness.

Mmm...it's Tuesday again. I haven't done a "Ten Things Tuesday" post much this summer. (Okay, without looking at the archives, I'm betting twice, tops). So, here we go...because I'm sitting on a comfy bed, with a warmish dog beside me.

1. I'm thankful for the rain. As late as 9 p.m. last night, tropical storm Eduardo was slated to make land about 40 miles from my house. Well, my mom's house, where The WonderDog and I came to whole up for the duration of the rain. Instead, some time after I gave out and went to bed, it turned a bit and went in much farther up the coast. But we are getting some rain...which we needed.

2. I'm thankful I have a place to hide out in a storm. And I don't just mean those that sneak in from the Gulf. Any storm. We joke that my place is "home" but the house I grew up in is the "homestead." It's nice to know I've got the old family homestead run to when the going is gonna to get rough.

3. Parents that worry. It only took one recorded phone call from our esteemed mayor (who is concerned about me! He said so.) for my parents to call and offer a bed for me and The WonderDog. They just didn't want me to be stranded in my one bedroom across town if it should get bad.

4. I discovered this morning that my little darling dog has adopted my slightly twisted sense of humor. My dad had closed the guest room door after I fell asleep. In the dark, I can't see at all. I got up, and headed for the doorway, and ran into the door. I hear The WonderDog behind me snort. I hit the light switch and he's got this amused look on his face..I think he was laughing at me. Oh well, at least I know he gets me. *grin*

5. Penguins. I don't know why. I keep seeing pictures of penguins lately and I'm just kinda glad we have them around.

6. I've been eating tomatoes a bunch lately. Not raw tomatoes, it's a texture thing and I will NOT eat those. But I roasted a bunch last week and have used them on pizzas, on an egg over easy, on egg sandwiches, and just by themselves. yummy!

7. Lazy days. I've been off work for 2 weeks, this is my last week for the summer. It's been so nice to be able to sleep in, and then play around a bit, maybe spend the day in my pajamas and just relax. I really love days like that.

8. Friends that call out of the blue and validate my thoughts and concerns. I've not been certain lately about some decisions I've made, but they helped me affirm that I was in the right.

9. The Bible in 90 Days program. I'm on day 3. I know I said I was going to start last Friday, but I put it off until Sunday. I have more time to focus then on the video sessions. Right off the bat, Day 1, I "learned" something I don't think I'd ever realized before. When it says that people were "calling on the name of the Lord," it means they were proclaiming Him. Wow..I thought that was just another way to say they were petitioning the Lord--beginning to ask for things rather than just talking to Him.

10. I'm thankful for my Father's Word. I'm so blessed to be able to read and comprehend what He has given to us.

Those are the things on my mind this week. There are so many different things to be thankful for, obviously, but that's where I am right now--the mildly silly to the very serious.

If you want to check out other thankful thoughts, check out the list on Mrs. Brownstone's blog, "XBox Wife" this week.

So, I'm off this week, allegedly preparing to teach summer school. Actually, I am supposed to be prepping for that, but since I've done the same thing content-wise for the last 3 years, I'm not especially worried about it.

Instead, I'm doing the Stillness Experiment and planting vegetables on my patio. (And GLOATING about the vegetables.) I can feel a real surge in my writing coming on, because I find myself looking more closely at words and quotes lately.

So, because I see anything that encourages my writing as a blessing, I'm going to count the quotes that have stuck in my head the last week or so as my blessings this week. These are the words I am thankful for.

1. Some have been thought brave because they were afraid to run away. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

2. Faith and doubt are needed--not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve. (Lillian Smith)

3. The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. (Anais Nin)

4. Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity. (R. I. Fitzhenry)

5. Never fear shadows...that always means there is a light shining somewhere. (Jonathon Santos)


6. There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. (Albert Einstein)

7. Einstein was a man who could ask immensely simple questions. And what his work showed is that when the answers are simple too, then you can hear God thinking. (Jacob Bronowski)

8. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

9. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. (Randy Pausch)

10. And then, this song. Gary Allan--mmm...definitely about him *wink*.



Song lyrics | Like It's A Bad Thing lyrics

Today's "10 Things Tuesday" is brought to you by caffiene.

Or maybe by Advil.

Actually, I think it's brought to you by a totally off the wall sponsor--Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream. If you'll just read my list, I'll 'splain that one.

1. ONLY 3 days left with students before the school year ends. YAY!!!! I love my job, but OMG I need a break!

2. I get to stay late and earn some overtime (which never happens in education). I have to remind myself that this opportunity is a blessing...because I forgot I was scheduled to and really wanted to go home.

3. I've a new, geeky place to head when I need something to read. The Britannica Blog Yes, I found this because I like to read Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Hey.. I get free access from the state, why wouldn't I at least look?

4. I laid out Saturday, by the pool. (That's not the blessing.) I not only wore sunblock--SPF 30--I also made sure to reapply every 45 minutes or so. (Still not it.) I wound up horribly sunburned on my chest, which is apparently the fairest part of my body to ever be exposed to the sun. Yesterday, I awoke to itching on my chest so bad that I could not think straight and was crying--not just from the itching/pain but also from the frustration of not being able to do anything other than suffer. (Obviously, still not the blessing, wait for it.) Here's the blessing---Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream took it all away. I didn't hurt, I didn't itch, and I stopped crying.

5. I'm feeling super-introspective these days. I think I get what my problem's been lately. I've really just been 'making it' in terms of my own understanding of my relationship with God. I'm starting to determine what that's really supposed to be for me not for the masses.

6. Some of my former students, and current ones, are coming by to tell me thank you. I didn' even know they were listening.

7. It's still beautiful out. And going to stay that way for a few days. I love it. The sun light (even if it burns me) just does me in.

8. This site is cool. Earthlab.com It really helps you figure out where you can not only "live green" but where you can cut back on some of your own costs. And the recipes from Mario Batali are amazing!

9. Did I mention there's only 3 days left with kids in the school year? Hallelujah!

10. I'm just happy lately. Don't know why, just am.

Visit XBox Wife for more blessings today.

Today, I'm feeling seriously blessed...

1. THREE days in a row that are just beautiful. Sunny days make me feel so good.

2. Doing some reading, and really enjoying the thought processes coming out of it.

3. Bought a new toy...meet Chloe. She's the silver one.

4. Sat in tree last night. Did not see one of these

(posted by anewperspective)

But I did see one of these


(posted by jpstanley)

and it was beautiful.





5. I just colored my hair, a la Miss Clairol. This may or may not be a blessing. It is, however, significantly cheaper than paying for it. (That is a blessing.)

6. The WonderDog is a darling. I think he grew up all of a sudden. He's just so calm the last couple of weeks.

7. Running, running, running....I love to go running...

8. Been writing a lot the last few days. Good to get words on paper.

9. Only 8 days left in the school year. Only 6 with kids, for me. Yeehaw! I'm so ready for a change of pace, even if it's just a week off before I start teaching summer school.

10. Speaking of a change of pace....I'm not really sleeping better, as far as longer, but the quality is better.

Hm....I'm sure there's others, but I'm holding my cards close.

To see other blessings, visit XBox Wife's Ten Things Tuesday Carnival this week.

Hm...I haven't posted a 10 things in a couple weeks. Not that I haven't had plenty to be thankful for, I just haven't had time to sit and tell you what I'm thankful for. That's okay, I'll keep going to night until I run out of things to share (that'll make up for it, right? *grin*)

1. I met a man who knows what to do with these when he sees them:




For the record, it is not say "Ooo, look! A piggie!"




2. He makes me giggle ;).


3. The WonderDog has no fleas. Did you know that vinegar and lemon juice diluted with water can be sprayed on your dog and it will either kill or run off fleas? Then, if you put salt down on your carpets and leave it overnight, it'll dehydrate the fleas who are mostly water. So, when you vacuum in the morning, they all go bye-bye. Do it again in a week or so to catch any new births from eggs laid.

4. I survived 4 days in Dallas. And the car trip that got me there.

5. I've inherited my grandmother's stoneware dishes from the 60s, maybe the 50s. I had no idea she owned these, but they're mine now. I've often felt like she's watching me since she passed four years ago. Now I have a little bit of her in my home.

6. I'm losing weight! I won't ask how or go into details. Just say YAY!!

7. The old-lady creams and potions I got from Avon are WORKING!

8. I got a replacement phone in the mail Friday. It's so nice to discover it working better than the first one EVER did.

9. I'm sleeping through the night again. I bought one of those noise machines. I set it on the ocean wave noise, and I'm out like a light.

10. It's been pretty and warm lately. I love this time of year, I get to feel pretty in my little sundresses and skirts.

11. Pedicures are heavenly. Right up there with new socks.

12. Read several good books lately. All for teenagers.

13. WonderDog is sleeping through the night, too. I guess the noise machine drowns out all the outside noise for him, too.

14. Go to YouTube. Search for "canine freestyling." You will laugh. I promise. Anything that makes me laugh is a blessing.

15. I've just been happy lately. I smile more, and fewer things annoy me.

Ok..this week, I'm actually feeling thankful for a lot of things. So, I'll play again. *grin*


1. I changed The WonderDog's food 10 days ago. Apparently, what I'd been feeding him has been tearing his stomach up for oh...3 years. Now, he gets excited about me putting supper down.

2. And we've had no instances that require a gas mask! (You probably don't want to know that, TMI and all that, but you have no idea how wonderful that is.)

3. I've been reading a lot, which just feeds my soul.

4. I got some new clothes this week. Including NEW SOCKS!

5. I think I've lost some weight. The clothes definitely fit differently, in a good way.

6. I really haven't watched my television this week, and that's really a good thing. Especially since nothing good's been on.

7. My insomnia hasn''t been too bad this week. Knock on wood.

8. I'm still loving my coffee.

9. Mrs. Brownstone is a new blog pal--YAY!

10. It was quiet at work today, so I put some CDs on and sand along...loud.

11. Heading up to see my aunt and uncle this weekend. Gonna stop in and see Ms. Judy on the way.

12. My Avon order came in today--all old lady stuff, but I'm so excited it's here!

OOOOOO...LOOK! I was an over-achiever! Mark it on your calendar, it won't happen again anytime soon!!

To see what others are thankful for this week, check out Ten Things Tuesday over at XBox Wife.

Hm..what 10 ten things do I have to be thankful for? Well...I'm feeling like this list might be hard coming. We'll see.

1. I had a great weekend hanging out with The Man and Darling Daughter and Son. I've missed days when it's just the 4 of us.

2. I'm on Spring Break, and today, Tuesday, is only the 2nd day (not counting the weekend).

3. Phone call from the insurance company today. They're going to pay for the repairs to my car.

4. The better news about the car is that they aren't my insurance company. And the rental car (again, that they're paying for) was delivered before I walked out of the body shop.

5. Pretty toes! Got a pedicure today. Something about pretty feet and hands makes me feel prettier.

6. WonderDog and I took a nice nap this afternoon, on the couch. We then migrated to the bed for a second nap.

7. I'm going to visit my aunt and uncle Thursday. I'm actually looking forward to it. (It's the first time I'll have been to that house since my grandfather died, and the first I'll have been there in 8 and half years without my dad.)

8. WonderDog and I shared a Deluxe Breakfast from McDonald's this morning. I don't treat him or myself to that stuff very often. I had the hashbrown and the pancakes (syrup is just too messy for WonderDog) and he had the eggs and biscuit. (The picture has an english muffin, must be from up North. Us Southerners know that breakfast should have biscuits.) We shared the sausage. Mmmmm...sausuage.

9. I'm rereading Madeleine L'Engle's Many Waters. It's the continuation of the series starring the Murry family (from A Wrinkle in Time, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and A Wind in the Door.) This is probably my favorite series of all time. Okay, well that and the Little House books and the Chronicles of Narnia.

10. The new Lifehouse CD is really good. I'm glad that impulse buy worked out.

For other thankful lists, visit Ten Things Tuesday at XBox Wife.