Gratitude Friday

Coffee's on, everyone~ Grab a cup and a piece of Ghiradelli chocolate!

Here's my Gratitude Friday list!

1. another great haircut! (see the picture below!)

2. me.....I am wonderfully made!

3. God's love that protects me when I think I have the better plan!

4. His beauty all around us! I can't wait to be on the western side of WA today to see green!

5. my foot -- it's not fractured!

What's on your gratitude list today?

Gratitude Friday

This morning I am feeling very grumpy! I have a cup of Starbucks Christmas Blend (in fact, there's a whole pot waiting for friends to pour their own cup today....yummies are in the fridge. Keep the puppies out of the fridge, though. They're sneaky!) but to be truthful, the coffee is not doing its usual thing of saying "Good Morning" to me.

Girlfriends, I need you today! I have to call my dr this morning and figure out what the game plan is for my foot. They don't open til 8:45, though!

Here's my list for today: (and it's hard to do a Gratitude List when you're feeling like an Eeyore!) Share with me your list, too!!

1. pretty toes

2. laughter with the puppies -- this peanut butter jar was good to the last lick! (no, he's not stuck in the jar, either!)

3. spending time with over 143 kiddos in four days! I love teaching and being a positive influence in their lives
4. continued health care with another great doctor and her wisdom
5. encouragement from friends all around in growing as a person (I AM a Princess!) and a teacher

I just received this "Thought for Today" from Tawni (No More Excuses!) and she blessed the socks right off of me today. She must have heard my heart's cry about disappointments and frustrations! Let me share: "So, My CHALLENGE to all of you is to knock that chip off your shoulder and don't worry about what other people are doing or how far along they are on 'their' journey.Get busy on your OWN journey. CONSISTENT baby steps!I'm proud of all of you for stepping up to the plate and giving it your best in WHATEVER it is that you choose to do."

Ok, waiting patiently for the dr's office to open in one hour and 36 minutes! Putting my Big Girl Panties and dealing with life with a gratitude attitude. How about you?

ps It's snowing out!!

Disappointment to others

What do you do when you feel like you're a disappointment to others?

I was brave this week, in the fact that I said "NO" to a committment that I'd originally said yes to. Another friend asked me what God said to me about this committment....and I replied, "He hasn't said anything!" That's what I realized that perhaps I was doing my committment only to help my friend out. No other reason. As I thought about it more, I realized that I was not going to be a joyful servant doing this committment and I was brave to write an email, backing out. My problem is I feel like I've let this other person down. I so admire her in so many ways and I don't want to be a disappointment to her. I was excited about the position at first because she asked me!! The more I thought about it...I don't get excited about going to this Bible Study anymore, I'd be putting in long hours of service after teaching all day, and I didn't want to become a bitter servant.

Still....I know I am a people pleaser and having anyone think disappointing thoughts about me kinda has me with my tail between my legs. I know this friend still loves me, she appreciated my honesty and we both know that God has someone out there that is RIGHT for the job. How do I move on from how I feel, though? (and I haven't gotten any word on what exactly I should be doing!! Waiting, waiting, waiting)

In the meantime, I've got two little beagle boys who love to go on walks after they've been cooped up in their crate all day. They need me!!!! (and they love me just the way I am!)

Project 365 update!

Jan 19 Ian's new computer toy

Jan 20 frost on the cherry tree

Jan 21 Whitworth University on a very cold afternoon

Jan 22 a bit of spring inside my house

Jan 23 guest teaching classroom

Jan 24 Bear Paw Camp's view of the Pend Orielle River

Frog Prince

Today's Project 365 photo is of my frog prince! We bought this heavy guy in Texel (a tiny island off of the coast of the Netherlands) and he was able to find a nice little wagon pond on my front porch. However, it's very frozen at the moment. You can see the ice formation that's under the surface...it's rather amazing to see the crystals. Poor frog prince...some day his pond will thaw! (The sun is shining brightly here in Spokane and I am ecstatic to see it. I hope it stays around for awhile.) Happy Sunday, everyone!

What have you?

I always like the part of the staff meeting where the principal says "What have you?" Kinda like cleaning up house and what's left to say. It's my turn to talk! :)

Today's "what have you's" are:

• I made the phone call that was part of my homework from the series "One Month to Live". It was one of the hardest things ever. Especially since it was to my mother-in-law. I took alllll week to make the call. I finally picked up my cell phone when I was in the Safeway parking lot and knew I had one day left. (Did you know that I am a professional procrastinator?) I ended up just asking if we could start our relationship over again and be friends. I felt like she didn't like me and I've been part of this family for 25 years. She told me she had no hard feelings against me but never could put her finger on what caused us to be like strangers. I didn't go into exact details because there are definite reasons but this wasn't the time to share. I just wanted to take that first step. So, we've turned the page and started afresh. We'll see what happens in the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law arena next!


• Results from my 100th post giveaway: The winner of the Starbucks' card is JyLnC! Congratulations to you and send me your snail mail address so I can get it in the mail! Thanks to everyone for sharing your gratitude thoughts with me. I am thankful for you.


• I have continued to workout every day (2x each day!) at the gym. While on the treadmill, I have my MP3 player on and have the fast inspirational songs turned up LOUD while I'm running or walking. (fyi: slow songs aren't very good motivaters!) I wrote earlier that I'm at 172 lbs and not liking where I'm at. However, one of the songs by Big Daddy Weave talks about that He loves me just the way I am! He's ever patient, accepting me, committed to the process of making me more like Him. He loves me just the way I am, not just when I'm good enough, not when I clean up my act, not when I cross the line for the thousandth times. His grace is enough.


• Siestas Memory Team. I was sharing with Melissa about the verse we're memorizing for these two weeks. I'd told her that I've been writing down a daily verse, too, and it was amazing what I'm being shown each day. She posted this on my blog "The Word of God can really cut deep into our lives, can't it? After all, it is 'sharper than any two edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.' Hebrews 4:12" Thanks, Melissa, for sharing that verse with me! Exactly where I'm at....thoughts and attitudes.


• I think that's the bits and pieces of my brain today. Mr. York and I are headed to watch the Whitworth University men's basketball team take on Pacific Lutheran Univ tonight. It's Alumni Night so I'm excited to see friends and root on my favorite team! Go, Whitworth!!

Project 365 Update

Helloooooooooo! (said with a cheery voice!)

I haven't forgotten Project 365! I've been taking pictures and getting them labeled with the date. I just haven't been diligent on posting them each day. I've been blessed with teaching every day this week and well, I've been a tad bit exhausted when I get home. Especially since the gym and I have begun to know each other.

So here's the last four days' worth of pictures! Enjoy~

Jan. 12 Azteca with the girls!

Jan. 13 Kindergarten Quilt

Jan. 14 Broken car mirror!

Jan. 15 Inspiring words in my office!

Project 365

Yesterday's and today's pictures for Project 365 are somewhat related! Klaus the terrorist kitten on the step, ready to attack at any moment. Not sure which non York critter made the tracks in the freshly fallen snow (sorry, Jenny, I HAD to do a snow picture today!), but interesting layout of footprints! The prints didn't go any other way but like this. Very strange!

January's 10 on 10

Hi, everyone! This month's 10 on 10 focused on me getting ready to go to the gym! These are the things I need to make the adventure fun and give my workout 100%. I did two miles on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the elliptical machine! WOOOHOO~ Make sure you check out the last section to read about the fantastic song I listened to today. Your heart will be blessed and you will be challenged to find GRACE!

Good for the Heart bananas!

I always have a cup of coffee before I do a walk!

The ONLY shoes my feet can handle. Love them tons!

Extremely comfortable and cushy socks!

The necessary water bottle!

The vitamins I probably should be taking ALL the time!

As the mileage increases, I'll start drinking this or something similar.

Where the workout takes place!

The shirt with the reminder of my first marathon!

My trusty little MP3 player full of great music to get me energized!

I was listening today to the song "Saving Grace" by Point of Grace. Here's a part of the song I was touched by. Wow, who is the Grace I need to be reaching out to?

It's all about saving Grace

All about living love

Being Jesus to those He came to save

Sharing life and giving our own away

It's all about serving God

All about saving Grace.

There are countless millions just like Grace

Who need a merciful embrace

They won't believe our God is real

Until they feel His touch

Gratitude Friday list...

Welcome to Gratitude Friday and Company Girl Coffee! Grab a cup of Tazo tea today and enjoy a quiet moment of solitude at my house. Here's my Gratitude Friday list....

1. A fabulous new hair stylist!!!!!!! Thanks, Melissa, for the beautiful hair cut! I love it.

2. Warmer temperatures and the sunshine! The snow is melting and school is open again!

3. Great price for a gym so I can start training for my half marathon in March. I'm a walker, not a runner, though! (My first marathon was in 2004 and I finished in 6 1/2 hours!)

4. Fantastic friends that have a heart for God and as we plan for a ladies' retreat, seeing the awesome way God has brought us together just amazes me every time we meet! (even if it's through a conference call on a little green phone!)

5. True Blue Spa Foot Cream "shea it isn't so" -- I love having pretty feet/toes and this foot cream works wonders to keep my feet soft. If I'm not able to get a pampered feet treatment at the spa, thank goodness for this cream!

6. Our good friends, Jackie and Jim, who came over for dinner tonight and played the fun game "Mexican Train" with us. We've known them for years, all because of their youngest son floating off on a blowup raft on the lake and I saved him! They're my pick for Project 365 today~

What Influences Your Color Schemes?

Meet the new dog bed! I fell in love with the colors and decided that these are the colors I want in my craft room/office. I have spent a lot of time deliberating on how I want to decorate. The rest of the house is pretty much Americana; imagine that being an Air Force family! I didn't want this room to be teacher-ish or hodge podge. When I spotted the dog bed (ahem, the colors!) last week, I knew I had to get it for the dogs! (ok, ME!) I dragged my friend Lisa into Costco today to see it and she said it was PERFECT!! Now to see if my painting friend can come up with something to match the dog bed and the colors/designs.

By the way, the snifferdoodles love their new bed. While I'm blogging, creating or just puttering, they're content to lay on their beautifully color designed bed and probably hope I don't take another picture of them! :)

How many things have you seen and/or bought thinking this would make a wonderful background paper for scrapbooking and/or rubberstamping? There's certain color combinations I just love and after spending time today on the Unity Stamp Company's Hip Hop Thursday blogs, perhaps they were part of my inspiration to look beyond the original function of the dog bed and create something even bigger!

Snoozing Snifferdoodles

As I was doing computer work at the kitchen table this morning, the puppies were napping on the big dog bed. I'll have to agree with them; napping is probably one of the best Spokane activity available today!

Thoughts and Smells of Spring!

Here in Spokane, some of us are getting a little weary of the snow! My friend Jenny and I agree on this one thing: no more snow pictures!!

I spotted this flower arrangement today at my church while I was there helping a friend upload pictures onto her Facebook. I just stood there and inhaled the amazing fragrance of the fresh flowers. It was heaven on earth -- I have the smell of the flowers imprinted into my memory bank, perhaps enough to last til spring!

The sad thing: I had to re-enter the snow zone....yikes! We're at about 70" accumulation of the white stuff. Good thing I snapped a shot of the flowers for Project 365. It's kept a smile on my face all day long!

I found this spring quote this evening...“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” (Anne Bradstreet) Perhaps she's right! Boy, Spring is going to be one big party at this rate.

One more quote. With the thaw starting to happen in the Great Pacific North Wet (PNW), this is kinda appropriate. I'm usually not very happy with getting wet in piles of gunky slush. But I'll have a happy heart because..."Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” (Doug Larson)

Stayed tuned for tomorrow's picture. I'm going to locate the kayaks in the garage. We might need them!

Puppy vs Kitten

No school today due to the snow and ice so it was a very relaxed day here again. I'm ready to be able to start photographing something else, though, besides my pets and the snow! :) This morning I gave both puppies a chew bone to keep them occupied. Dieter decided that he would try to bury it on my bed. Well, Klaus (the terrorist kitten!) decided he wanted to try out the bone, too. It was too funny. Today's Project 365 picture is the end result, showing Dieter with his bone and Klaus not being very amused!

Snow Falling on Pines

Spokane has lots of Ponderosa Pine trees. Riverside State Park is one of my all-time favorite places to explore and today left me breathless! It was sooooooo pretty down at the river. Very quiet and white with a bit of green. See for yourself...two pictures for today's Project 365!

The Perfect Picture (and Coffee!)

My friend Melissa made this peppermint mocha for me today at her house. It was the yummiest drink!!! I decided to take a picture of it so I could use the shot for Project 365 and the Coffee challenge. Picture perfect~ and I enjoyed every sip of it, too!

Gratitude Friday list...

1. Company Girl Coffee Friday. Woohoo -- I'm always game for more coffee and friends. Rachel Anne's daily challenges help me to remember to be "Jesus with skin on", making life more enjoyable around my house!

2. Early mornings when no one else has been outside yet. This snowy picture was taken out my back door at 8 AM.

3. The Snowblower! It's been a lifesaver these past few weeks. (although after falling today, I'm officially retiring from the snow removal team at my house!)

4. Friends who came over for dinner last night and played games, too. What a great time!

5. Continual supply of dry socks. There's puddles of melted snow on my floors and I'm always stepping in those puddles. Thank goodness for dry socks (and slippers when I finally put them on!), plus David who keeps my supply stocked!

6. A new camera. I was able to buy my camera on base this week for a great price. Keeping this one up high from puppies and kitties!

7. Living Proof Ministries! Beth Moore has challenged us to memorize two scriptures a month. I have chosen this verse for the first half of the month: Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

1st day of the New Year...

It's the first day of 2009....I have yet to figure out anything for a resolution, goals for the year, verse that I want to claim as "mine", not even a meal plan for the week. Nothing! While I don't think that's a bad thing, I'm feeling STUCK at the moment and wondering what exactly I should be doing. Help!! Ideas? One thing I have begun: I joined "The Project 365" group, taking a picture a day for a year. Here's today's photo, cute puppies just waiting for someone to drop a carrot for them.


ps guess what it did today in Spokane? Yep, you guessed it...more snow!