335/366 Lucky

At work this morning, as I stuck my hand in the pocket of my jacket to stash away my keys, I felt a piece of paper.  "A dollar," I thought.  It turned out to be a twenty dollar bill!

I love those kinds of surprises!

A little while later, I realized I had lost one of my earrings.  My new earrings that my husband bought me while we were in NYC.  The earrings he bought for me as a reward for not losing my diamond earrings for 6 months.

Damn irony.  I just can't have nice things.  I looked for the missing earring but couldn't find it.  How does one really retrace steps when they have been all over a school?

At the end of the day, I just happened to see something shiny on the floor that caught my eye.  My earring!

I seriously thought about buying a lottery ticket but I chose to have a pedicure instead.

334/366 "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." ~ Dr. Seuss

Dinner tonight just made me happy.  Besides being at my most favorite restaurant in town (Indian... they have the best food and the owner's kids run up to us for hugs), we were with good friends.

The conversation was divine and the laughter was loud.

And I have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

333/366 Happy!

There has been a lot to smile about lately.  A friend was able to adopt a baby.  Another friend who had just adopted two little boys found out that she was pregnant.  Every day this week, I've been teaching a Holocaust lesson to the 5th graders and I love getting to connect with these students.

Then there is the Hump Day fun.

Each Wednesday evening, I meet my running partner for speed work at a local track.  I'm such a morning person and most afternoons I'm dragging.  Still, I get excited about running on Wednesday because we always have so much to talk about.

We used to run a one mile warm up but now we run a two mile warm up.  I don't exactly remember why we changed it, but I glad we did because it gives us more conversation time.  Once the speed laps begin, we are running too hard to be able to talk.  In between laps, we are simply panting trying to catch our breath.

Then we run a mile cool down lap so we can end the run talking again.

I love Wednesday evenings!

332/366 With bacon on top

Some friends of mine gave me bacon bandages a couple of months ago.  I swear they sort of smell like bacon when I get them out of the wrapper.

Do you ever have those conversations with your friends and family about being "normal"?  No?  Well, me either.

Some quirky... "not normal" facts about me:

1 - I sometimes pick at my hangnails until they bleed (hence the use of the bandage).  Once, I had a manicurist tell me that I had aggressive cuticles.  I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be scared or not, so now I pick at them to show them who is boss.  That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

2 - I organize the clothes in my closet by type and then by color.  Roy G Biv rules!

3 - Certain foods cannot touch or I won't eat them.  I am getting better about this though.  My sister has given me plates with dividers and that has made me very happy.

4 - When I get nervous, I smile a lot.  I do this when parents are yelling at me and sometimes they think I am smirking at them.  It is actually hard not to smile in those moments -- but I'm not smiling for happiness!

5 - All cabinets and drawers should be closed when not in use.  Always.  No exceptions.

6 - Speaking of cabinets, I love when the glasses of the same family are all lined up together.  They are happier that way.  And so am I.

7 - I often sing in the car.  When traffic is heavier, I hold up my phone so that it looks like I am having an animated conversation with someone and not singing.

8 - I never hit the snooze on my alarm.  Ever.  In fact, I don't even know how.

9 - I am deathly afraid of roaches.  Living in south Georgia means living where roaches live.  When they get inside the house, they must be found and punished.  There is no sleeping for anyone until this happens.

10 - My favorite color is orange.  Actually, I don't think that is quirky at all -- but other people seem to think so.  Orange is just a happy color and worthy of being a favorite.

I'm sure my family could tell you other quirky things about me -- but I find that unnecessary at the moment.  At least I own that I am solidly outside of the full on normal circle.  And I like it that way.

331/366 The evening routine

After work...
Dinner gets cooked.
Coffee for the next day gets loaded.. ready for the press of the button.
Work clothes and workout clothes get laid out.
Laundry gets done.
Dishes get washed.
An alarm gets set.

I'm such a creature of habit.

330/366 Memories on a shelf

When my husband and I got married over 8 years ago, we went to the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida for our honeymoon.  That was a fun trip.

My husband had called ahead to tell them that we'd be honeymooning.  They had champagne, these glasses, and some chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us in the room when we arrived.  When we got home, we dried the petite roses from the wedding and stored them in the glasses.  I love displaying things/pictures that remind me of happy memories.

We've been talking about doing that trip again after the kids have all graduated from college.  Just to relive the fun.

329/366 Saturday Sunshine

I love having friends who have babies!  And I love that I get to go take pictures of those babies.  What a great way to start off a Saturday morning!

This sweet boy will turn 1 in a couple of weeks.  I can't believe how much he has grown since I last saw him.  He is already walking and running!

328/366 Slack Friday

Well, not totally a slacker day.  But close.

This morning, both my boys went to work out with me at the gym.  As I ran on the treadmill, I could see them spotting each other on the weights.  I played like it was sweat in my eyes but truthfully, I went all misty watching them help each other.  I'm glad they are close despite the miles that separates them most of the year.

Then, the new stove and microwave we bought earlier this week were delivered and installed today.  I'm happy!  The inside of the oven is blue!  BLUE!  I love it!

Tonight, the boys joined us for Mexican with some of our friends.  The fajitas were spicy (and perfect)!

The day was perfect, too.

327/366 My Opa

It was a smaller crowd for Thanksgiving than usual.  My mother and I prepared all the sides, my husband smoked the turkey, and my grandmother made a couple of her famous desserts.  As we were warming up the food, my aunt went to get my grandfather.

He is stronger than the last time I saw him.  He sighed with relief to be able to sit down in the chair that has been his for more years than I can remember (it has survived several recoverings and repairs).  More than three weeks had passed since he'd last just sat in his chair.

My grandmother pulled up  a chair beside him and started to cry.  My grandmother who lost her mother at 5 years of age.  Who was given to the neighbors to be raised.  Who survived the Great Depression.  Who lost a husband during WWII. Who was a widow at 20 -- while she was 6 months pregnant.  Who married my grandfather three years later.  My tough grandmother who never cries... cried.

It makes me tear up just thinking about it.

326/366 The kitchen is now closed

After an invigorating run, you know, for health reasons (to counterbalance all the calories I planned to consume today), I came home and baked and cooked.  I thought about taking a picture of the madness but I didn't want to get my camera all buttered and floured up.

After the kitchen had been cleaned, I picked up the dog and a book and plopped into a chair.  Ah.... I am thankful for chairs to plop into.  And for little cuddly dogs with smelly breath.  And for the husband and sons who hang out with me.  They didn't even mind salad for supper.

Tomorrow morning, we drive to my grandparent's house for Thanksgiving.  I can't wait to see my grandfather!  At this point, he'll get to be with us for a few hours.  And that is what I am most thankful for.

325/366 Impulse buy

The sunflowers spoke to me at the grocery store today as I gathered items that I am cooking to take to my grandparents house.  For the sunflowers, I listened.  And I brought them home.

Earlier today, I went with my sister to take some blankets she had knitted for the animals at the shelter.  She is a kind soul.  And I listened to the dogs speaking... begging to go home with me.  And with a heavy heart, I turned away.  I wish I could bring them home.

I know they all can't be saved but I always hope that it could happen one day.

324/366 Better than Black Friday shopping

A good part of today was spent at a junk yard with my husband and a friend.  The stairs were a bit scary but not as scary as the floor on the top level (you could feel the floor sag with each step as you saw the ground through the cracks -- dizzy!).  But it was worth it to see go through all the old windows and doors.  It would be so cool to know the history those old doors and windows could tell.

Afterwards, we went to a thrift store where we browsed and laughed.  I am now the proud owner of a blinking Santa head.  I paid a whole quarter for it.

323/366 "It would be a terrible mistake to go through life thinking that people are the sum total of what you see." ~ Jonathan Tropper (This is Where I Leave You)

My youngest son flew home late last night.  My youngest step-daughter is home, too.  And my grandfather has been moved to a nursing home just until he gets his strength back and can go home.

Life is good.

322/366 Life with a dachshund

The Supreme Leader loves to burrow.  The important part is that her majesty's head is covered.  Not so much with the rear end.

That girl can go from napping to yapping in 1.3 seconds flat.

321/366 Focused

The Japanese Maple in the backyard is finally showing a little sign of fall and a random thought hit me this afternoon -- I just love the repetition of the seasons. There is such comfort in the "coming around again" of life.

Happy Friday to all! Happy beginning of my Thanksgiving break to me.

320/366 Last leaf

Tis the season to be thankful.

I could write a long list but I'll stick with the thing I'm most thankful for today: water-resistant boots.

Technically, it didn't rain today.  Unless you count the puke-fest that was going on in the nurse's office.  Did I mention my office is right next to the nurse?  And that I was trying to help clean up a few pukified kids when one began hurling again?

Poor sick babies -- but it was a good day to be wearing boots!

319/366 "To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone." ~ Reba McEntire

Sometimes parents call to complain about the dangers their children encounter in school.  Who knew that playing with the parachute during PE could lead to a urinary tract infection?

I have to wonder what that parent thinks we are doing with the parachute.

I'm thankful this conversation was over the phone.  I was not doing well with the poker face I have learned to use in many conversations.

318/366 Stir Fry

I came home from work to supper being cooked by the man.  It was delicious!

317/366 Silver in his hair...

And gold in his heart.

On my way to visit my 90 year old grandfather in the hospital tonight, I realized that he has been a grandparent for half his life now.  I was his first grandchild and he is the only grandfather I have memories of.

My strong and stubborn grandfather looked so weak in his hospital bed this evening.  His voice isn't as loud and robust as it once was -- but that stubborn streak of his is alive and well.

One of my running partners recently talked about how she never sat down and got the story of her grandparent's lives and she regrets it now that they are gone.  She brings up a good point.  When he gets out of the hospital, I need to go spend a weekend with my grandparents and write down their story.

So, come on, Opa! I need you to get better soon!  

316/366 And then they do...

They grow up.  And move away.

The oldest girl has always been full of sass.
Full of opinions.
Eager to please.
Needy when she wants to be.
Independent while we hold our breath.

Now she lives so far away in her adult world.

Our worlds got to collide for a few hours yesterday when a business trip brought her Atlanta.

I miss that girl.

315/366 Wine for Two

My husband and I volunteered at a nearby small town fund raiser where the locals are working to raise enough money for new playground equipment for their town park.  The event was held at a winery where we served Brunswick stew and barbecue sliders while some locals played Scottish and Irish bluegrass music.

It was a good day.

314/366 "Jumping for joy is like exercise for the soul." ~ Unknown

So, earlier this week, I had this weird rash that came up on my back and abdomen -- sort of like chicken pox but without all the itching.  My husband, ever vigilant, looked up the symptoms on the internet.  After convincing me that I might die of some horrible disease, I made an appointment with the doctor.

My appointment was this afternoon and my sweet husband met me there.  The doctor had no idea of what the rash could be... but he prescribed an ointment.

My husband always thanks me for going to the doctor and I love that!  He may be a worrier but I rather like his concern.

313/366 Afternoon walk

The time changed last weekend and I really enjoy driving to work while the sun is rising -- but I am having to get used to how early the sun sets.  I went for a walk after work and enjoyed the way the sun set and the coolness settled in.

While walking around the university, a girl was letting her dog run about when suddenly she fell in the fountain.  I tried to get a picture of her but she was too quick to get out of the cold water.  Her owner and I were laughing at her antics when she ran up to us and shook off.

Guess who got the last laugh?  :)

312/366 "The world is not a wish granting factory." ~ John Green in The Fault in Our Stars

One wish I have is to run faster... but without feeling like I'm dying.  Actually, my main goal while running is not dying.  Being faster is the second goal.

311/366 Plentiful

These berries have caught my eye for several days.  Today, I stopped and paid attention.

I needed the distraction.

There were some emotional moments today.  Black eye... bruises... uncomfortable stories...

I wish I lived in a world where adults never hurt children.

310/366 The sound of water

Coming home to the sound of the water flowing out of the fountain reminds me of a gentle summer drizzle.  It is instantly relaxing and invigorating.

I hope I never take it for granted.

309/366 Teal

One day, I want to organize my books by color.

308/366 Ready to run

We were up early and ready to run!  There were over 15,000 runners in Savannah.  The weather was perfect and the route was fantastic.

307/366 We'll do anything for a girl's weekend

Even run a half marathon.

One of my best friend's from high school, Rae, lives in Savannah and has caught the running bug, too.  So, we got together to run the Savannah Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon.

 

The sunrise on the drive over was breathtaking and I stopped to take a few pictures. I love when I actually stop instead of wishing I were doing it.

We met Rae at the Expo and then went to her house to make a t-shirt for the run the next day. Rae is the one who made the design and Tammy and I learned how to slide the rhinestones in the right places. I felt like the bedazzling queen!

The t-shirts turned out great! We even made an extra guitar out of rhinestones to put on the right shoulder. It took a long time to make the shirts but it was so worth the outcome!

306/366 Buttercream Day

We celebrated my sister's birthday tonight at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  My sister LOVES buttercream icing -- so we got cupcakes for her AND a small container full of buttercream.  That girl may need an intervention.