It's official!

I'm officially a librarian for Spokane Public Schools! I was hired yesterday, signed all of my papers and I'll be ready to go on Monday. I'm only part time but it gives me time to still sub in the classrooms & take time off to be with Easton on Fridays.

L-O-V-E my school and the staff and the students! It's going to be a fantastic year.

This weekend I'm in Yakima with Easton so stay tuned for some more cute pictures. Ian and Brad went to Seattle to watch the Sounders and Jen is working today. So Easton and I are hanging out together. Right now he's working on a nap and I'm finally updating my blog.

Happy Fall weekend!

Gratitude Friday

Hi, everyone! I almost forgot what day it is. Grab a big mug and you can either have peppermint hot chocolate or Starbucks Christmas Blend. Here's the list, which is going to be quick because we have friends coming to visit in a half hour.

1. Jen (my daughter) and Brad! Their wedding date is May 30, 2010.

2. Ian's talent in photography! Ian took Jen and Brad's engagement picture today (not the one on this page) and they turned out fabulous.
3. Thanksgiving Dinner! Wow, it was a lot of food and delicious. I need to learn how to make stuffing, though! Sad, I know, but I just can't get the hang of making it and then stuffin' the bird. But I loved the pumpkin pie and cranberry topped cheesecake, plus leftovers today.

4. a day to stay home! I didn't go anywhere today except to the bakery. No shopping for me. It was really nice to be in my bed at 4 AM rather than being out with the crowds.

5. friends and family! What would I do without you, through good times and bad? Thanks for hanging around and loving me.

What are you thankful for today? Happy rest of your holiday weekend! Be sure to visit Home Sanctuary for more Company Girl Coffee fun.

Gratitude Friday

It's the middle of the night but it's still Friday! Grab a BIG cup of coffee and join me in Gratitude Friday.

1. the ability to help plan Jennifer's wedding, via email! I just had a glimpse of the ceremony and reception materials needed for the big day. Jen and Brad arrive on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving weekend and I can already have some items in Jen's box to send back with her to Goldendale. If email wasn't available, we'd be sunk with waiting for the pony express! We have gotten spoiled with the speed of communication these days.

2. warm comforters! As I'm perched on my computer chair at 3:10, I realize that this house is cold and perhspa I really should be back under that warm comforter on my bed. However, I'll press on, share my thoughts that no one else ever really reads & then go back to bed.

3. teaching jobs! I've been blessed with many guest teaching jobs. I'm really starting to understand Kindergartners and how their little brains operate. They are sweet kiddos!

4. David's unemployment! Ok, it's definitely not a blessing, but his being off work has allowed me to write "honey do" lists for around the house. I have my longtime friend Wendy arriving on Saturday afternoon and the house is going to be sparkling because of his wonderful cleaning and polishing. The Thanksgiving meal is almost completely purchased and ready for consumption. I haven't lifted a finger on the shopping! Thanks, Mr. York!

5. snowflakes! I don't think I posted last week and there was a small showing of snowflurries during the afternoon recess break on Friday. One of the girls in another class had never seen snow before! It was a fascination to watch her during the recess. I almost felt giddy as she stuck her tongue out to catch a snowflake and, of course, I joined her!

6. Starbucks coffee and treats! I met up with my summertime boss yesterday and not only splurged on my favorite drink (first time Starbucks ALL week!), I inhaled the first of the season cranberry bliss bar. Oh my goodness! It was sooooo delightful. I can't afford to buy the whole loaf so I'm going to have to search for a recipe to make something very similar to it. Did I mention I also bought not one or two, but FOUR Christmas ornaments? The very cutest miniature Starbucks cold drink cups. Can't wait to see them on the tree! (I only get one; the kids get the rest!)

Wishing you a wonderful Friday before Thanksgiving! Enjoy your coffee this morning~ I know I will need a triple dose of it. Just insert the IV into my arm. I won't feel a thing, honest!

PS I'm needing to revise my blog -- it's kinda boring, both in look and information. I am definitely not the eloquent writer that I've seen out in blogland, nor am I filled with a sense of humor in my writings like my friend Mary (LOVE her blog! Cohagen Chronicles), or a "filled to the gill" writer of energy, play on words thoughts and inspiration like my friend Rachel at the beautiful Home Sanctuary site. I would like to be so blessed as a writer but I know I have a style of my own hidden somewhere....ideas?

Gratitude Friday

1. Five and six year olds! Great morning of teaching with them.

2. Hawaiian pizza! That's what's for dinner after a stressful afternoon (I taught a different grade level in the afternoon.)

3. Four days of work. With David being unemployed, every penny earned counts.

4. Leftover Halloween candy. I've been enjoying the samplers of Butterfingers and Snickers; items I can't take to school to share because of the peanuts.

5. An inexpensive brake repair job on David's car. What might have cost $500 was only $200. It was a faulty valve, not the actual brakes.

Ok, grab a cup of coffee and some pumpkin chocolate muffins. Take a minute to sit down and visit with me. I've missed you! What have you been up to these days?

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Coffee is on....grab a cup and join me in Gratitude Friday! What are you thankful for this week?

1. coffee! David roasted coffee beans last night and the coffee smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G this morning.

2. kindergarten hugs! I taught Kindergarten yesterday and the kids swarmed all over me to give hugs when they arrived. Cherished moments. Talk about feeling loved!

3. the ability to still learn! I took a big midterm last night and even though I stressed over it (and don't think I did well!), imagine what would happen if I no longer could be a life time learner?

4. travel time! I spent the last week with my mom in Hansville, I served Lutefisk in Poulsbo, a quick overnight with my aunt & uncle in Auburn, a few nights in San Francisco with Ian and another quick overnight with Jen in Goldendale. That's a lot of miles. I LOVE traveling, though!!! (and all of the Starbucks that are waiting for me to visit!)

5. friends that continue to give me encouragement. Life hasn't been very fun lately. I can't explain everything that's going on, but it's been a sad journey since camp got over.

Thinking on Psalm 61 this morning: "O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings." (vs 1-4)

Hope you have a wonderful Friday. I'm off to teach those sweet kindergartners again!!

Gratitude Friday

Woohoo, living on the edge today and changing the picture to the left! :)

I have been relaxing (aka LAZY) all day and just know getting to Gratitude Friday, plus sharing a cup of coffee with the Company Girls. No school today so no job = no stress! Kinda nice.

Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate (it is rather chilly at my house) and share your Friday Gratitude list with me.

My list:

1. medical insurance coverage. I know I've shared this before but I had to go to the dentist and doctor this week because of TMJ pain. I'm being sent to a TMJ specialist and right now the case is being reviewed. I'm in a lot of pain with not being able to eat much or sleep a lot. Thankfully the dental visit was seen as an emergency, which our dental insurance will cover, and the TMJ visit will be covered, too, because it's seen as medical treatment. I also appreciate the free muscle relaxer samples I can take at night, too. It has made a difference. (Now if I can get the dogs out of my bed at night, I'd be ecstatic!)

2. coffee with friends. It was a very early morning Starbucks date with Polly. I so appreciate her! I swamped her brain with questions and she gave me back some answers to think about. Love those friends who give constructive criticism with grace!

3. date night. David and I are going out tonight to see "Up!" Looks like a hilarious movie, we get to have popcorn for dinner because it's a very early showing, and just spend time together out of the house. (GREAT MOVIE! Loved the story of Carl and Ellie. My favorite quote is "Russell: Sometimes, it's the boring stuff I remember the most." Remember to enjoy the boring stuff, too. It's what memories are made of. GO SEE IT or buy it!)

4. extra work. I'm headed out to camp tomorrow to help work in the kitchen -- serving, dishes and cleaning. I LOVE IT! It's how I paid for my car insurance in high school and college, working at Island Lake Camp's kitchen. I was jumping for joy when Jenny asked if anyone could help her out this week. Imagine getting paid, too! It will be a beautiful fall day out at the camp. Taking my camera.

5. The ease of the Internet. In less than a half hour, I booked a flight to San Francisco and found a hotel to stay at. I'm going in 9 days to see Ian, flying out of Seattle (amazing low fare!) I loved being able to book everything myself and saving lots of $.

Ok, I'm off to see the movie. Could someone feed the Beagle Boys at 5 PM and play with the kitties til we return? THANKS!! Help yourself to whatever treats you can find above the stove... I'm sure there's chocolate up there!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Freshly roasted coffee being served today in my Starbucks mugs...help yourself!

Gratitude Friday includes:

1. days off! I took yesterday off to recharge. I had a test last night in my English class and I wanted to study a little bit. Well, I studied, took a nap, had tea with a friend, got a flu shot, bought new glasses (I had to get progressive lenses!), cleaned the house and spent some time outside with the Beagle Boys. As much as I love teaching, it was nice to have to only make a decision for me or answer my own questions.

2. medical insurance! I got the flu shot yesterday and although I know they don't cost very much, my medical insurance pays for it all. Because we have our military medical benefits, I haven't had to worry about having other medical insurance while I'm not employed as a full time teacher. I know how blessed we are!

3. the crisp fall days! I love the changing of the colors of the leaves and knowing WHY they change. I'm headed up to Greenbluff this afternoon to get apples to make apple crisp and freeze some apple pie fillings.

4. drop in friends! I had two friends drop in for a visit this week. No call, just dropped in. I LOVE IT!! I miss having people at my house and they don't care that there's disarray all over the house. They came to see me!

5. warm sweaters and sweats! The temperatures have dropped and I'm not wanting to turn on the heat yet. So warm sweats to the rescue for cruising around the house in the early mornings and late evenings. I know, they're not the most beautiful and def don't win points with the fashion police, but they're warm and comfy. The warm sweaters.....cold, windy recess duty on Tuesday forced me to find a warm sweater for Wednesday, along with my coat! I'm thinking it's time to get acclimated or it's going to be a long winter.

What's on your list today? I hope you have a wonderful weekend. My friend Wendy is on her way to FL to see her husband, Lisa is on her way with her husband to Tahiti and I'm going to be wishing I could go somewhere instead of doing the gazillion items I've got to get done here. Have a great time, ladies! I'll just remember that I'm headed to Poulsbo in a few weeks to help with the Lutefisk dinner and San Francisco is going to be on the horizon soon, too!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! I'm sitting here with an empty cup of coffee and time to fill it up again. Join me in another cup of coffee, freshly roasted by Mr. York!

Gratitude Friday includes:

1. a wonderful weekend in Walla Walla, WA with Mr. York for our 25th wedding anniversary getaway

2. Five full days of guest teaching this week (YAHOO!)

3. finding a local bakery that makes the best chocolate filled croissants, almost like the ones we got in Bitburg, Germany

4. my friend Robin is home from Alaska for the weekend and we'll have coffee together tomorrow morning

5. being able to help out a neighbor and another friend with furniture and household items that I was blessed to have in my possession but didn't really need. Amazing the amount of stuff I have. It's just STUFF!

What's on your gratitude list today? I have missed hearing from you!

Whitworth University!

New Whitworth University students and their parents began flooding the campus today, moving in and getting to know the beloved WU! It made me very nostalgic -- after finishing my degree two years ago, I love being on campus and I'd love to become a dorm mom!!

David started at Whitworth a few weeks ago, taking teacher certification classes. I'm starting on Thursday with "The Structure and Development of the English Language." I realized I only have ONE class to take to finish my Reading endorsement and eight classes to finish my English endorsement. Time to get cracking and make myself more marketable in the teaching field. The English endorsement would be for 5-12 grade so I actually could teach middle school and high school.

I still don't have a full time teaching job, but I do have a half day assignment on Tuesday at my favorite school in the entire Spokane area -- Ridgeview!

My parents are arriving on Monday afternoon and we're taking them to Anthony's for dinner. They're on their way to Wisconsin and parts of the US farther East. They'll be leaving the same time I leave for school on Tuesday. The poor beagle boys will have gone from having company for the past two weeks to being back in their crates for a half day!

Hope you have a great rest of your Labor Day weekend~ enjoy lots of coffee!!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning, Company Girlfriends and everyone else! It's been awhile since I've done Gratitude Friday, due to being gone at camp forever. But I'm back home and at my computer lots more, instead of checking email, facebook and voicemail at Mile Marker 43. (The nearest wide spot in the road for cell phone service!)

I'm busy cleaning the house, putting things away, dusting high and low! (Earning big points for Home Sanctuary!) I was hoping to have a full time teaching job by now.....I've applied EVERYWHERE in WA State, even sending off an application packet to my hometown district of North Kitsap. However, nothing has surfaced yet so I'm waiting impatiently for a subfinder phone call. I've got a really cute first day of teaching outfit. So far, I've worn shorts to the school where I used to work as I volunteer to help my teaching friends get ready for their first day of school. Yesterday was that day for them. Today I chose to stay home and focus a bit on me!

Gratitude List for today~

1. a VERY wonderful summer of being at Tshimakain Creek Camp! I miss my camp family lots! The memories made and the kids' lives we touched -- priceless!

2. the Beagle Boys! They turned a year yesterday. We can't imagine life without them! Perhaps it'd be a smidge quieter and less chaotic. But they're so fun. I'll see if I can get a new picture of them posted today.

3. continued sunshine! I've been able to continue working on my tan in the afternoons, to keep it from fading since I've been home from camp. It's HOT during the day, but pleasant in the evening and crisp fall feeling in the mornings.

4. my cousins! I was at my cousin Dan's wedding last weekend. It was fun to be with my mom's side of the family. I'm the oldest of the cousins and there just doesn't seem to be enough time to see all of them, plus they're ALL busy! Here's a small picture of Monica, Teresa, Dan and myself.

5. fresh farm produce! I'm planning on going up to Greenbluff to get peaches and other fresh produce. There's a new type of corn on the cob I want to try. My friend Lisa B has zucchini for me...yipppeee!! Zucchini bread, zucchini choc chip muffins, zucchini fritters...yum~

Have a great weekend, everyone! To those of you whose kiddos don't start school for a bit longer, enjoy the rest of the summer! Glad you could join me for Gratitude Friday and a big cup of coffee. I've missed you!

Just this thought....

Today is the first day of school for Spokane Public Schools. I didn't have a teaching job today so I volunteered in the office (my old job, actually!) and in the workroom to help teachers get things accomplished before the first bell rang! I LOVE public schools just because of this verse.....I love letting my light shine to the kids and staff! Looking forward to the school year, not just with Spokane School classrooms, but anywhere where I get to be with kids and teaching! Let my lifesong sing to you~

Gratitude Friday

Hello! Whew, I made it with about 45 minutes to spare for my Gratitude Friday list. I am, in fact, drinking a Starbucks vanilla latte right now as I type this out. I can go get you one, too, if you'd like. There's a 24 hour Starbucks just a little bit away...what would you like?

My Gratitude list...

1. the ability to LAUGH! We had Mud Pit this week at camp and boy, did I get m-u-d-d-y! Stay tuned for pictures.

2. time to relax! While the rest of the camp was floating down the river on inner tubes, three of us floated on this big yellow float thing (it was round) and it took about an hour to go from the bridge back to camp. We stood up on it (and didn't tip!), we suntanned, we laughed, we just looked off into the distance and contemplated life or took time to be quiet. We decided we should do it every day.

3. my friend Robin! She was hired today by a school district in Anchorage. She and I have been friends since I started in the Whitworth cohort. Robin leaves on WEDNESDAY to start her new job the very next day. I will miss her dearly. She's been a great friend and support. Thank goodness for email and texting!

4. flip flops! I have been wearing different shoes at camp because of safety when we're doing the challenge course. I had some other cool slip ons that I LOVE when I'm off duty but I was getting a thick line of white on my feet. So I've switched to flip flops (good ones, not the 2.99 type!) to get a thinner white line. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to have an even tan line...white feet look funny.

5. time to look, in what seems "FOREVER", for a teaching job! If I had tons of major responsibilities around the house besides three cats, three dogs and a hubby, I wouldn't be able to spend this much time in front of the computer. I did turn down an international job in Baku (google to find out what country it's in!) because of lots of reasons. I won't say anymore but please pray that something opens up here in WA State. I am getting discouraged as it gets closer to start time for school.

Alrighty, it's been a pleasure to sip a Starbucks with you late into the late hours of Friday night. Hope you have an excellent weekend. I have NOTHING planned this weekend and since I've been experiencing a bit of vertigo and some other weird symptoms, I'm going to lay low. You can pray that the extreme heat hasn't made my MS flair up....I'm going to be bummed if this is what it's all about!

Share your gratitude list here with the group....check out the rest of Company Girl Coffee and see what Home Sanctuary has posted for us to do with the Small Things in Life.

ps Pictures are coming tomorrow!!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Today's latte is from Cafe Fresca at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane. I just left there after having a follow up mammogram and ultrasound. I also got to visit with my good friend Diane who works at Holy Family. Life is good in the lump department...very benign features and I'll get checked again in a year.

I am on my way out the door to Leavenworth, WA for a relaxing weekend on the Wenatchee River. We were blessed to be able to rent a big cabin for my cousins, David and myself. Having spent six years in Germany, Leavenworth isn't much of a Bavarian type town for us but it's still a great place to visit and play. Ready to go....and guess what? There's a Starbucks in Leavenworth. Score~

Here's my gratitude list for the week:

1. suntan lotion! My nose keeps getting darker and darker so I have been putting Face 45 on it. I also lost my sunglasses so there's not the very noticeable line anymore! :)

2. Jennifer! She's home for the weekend to hang out with the Beagle Boys and kitties.

3. Ian! He's back in San Francisco going to college at Art Academy Institute. Keep him in your prayers as he searches for a job and an apartment to move into with his friends. It was nice to have him home to hang out with the beagle boys while I am at camp all week.

4. a cool place to lay my head! I've had horrid headaches due to the heat and it was nice to come home last night & be cooled off in our basement. Of course, our temps are usual for Eastern WA. Can't imagine what Puget Sound people are feeling with their super high temps.

5. watching kids laugh and play at camp! Jenny and Brian's two kids were at camp with me this week. I didn't get to be with them much but it was fun to watch them have a wonderful time!

Have a wonderful week~ miss hearing from you all!!

Gratitude Friday (on Sunday!)

Good morning! Wow, what a week....it's been sooooo hot here in Spokane and camp was a constant GO for me. I arrived home on Thursday, slept most of Friday (super duper bad headaches!) and yesterday I was at a wedding and a luau housewarming. How to cram 1000's of activities and friends into one quick weekend....I think I am learning to master it all.

Here's my gratitude list....

1. the love of traveling and teaching. I interviewed for Quality Schools International this past week and so far I've been offered two jobs overseas. The first one was in Baku (I had no idea where this city and country is located!) and the most recent is in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. I don't think I'll be accepting either one (I'd have to move in about 3 weeks!) but I'm definitely willing to go overseas if I can't get a job here in WA. (and yes, I'd definitely go to MT, too!)

2. longtime friendships. The wedding I attended was for Amy Nelson, one of Charlotte's twins. Charlotte and I have known each other since jr high and I'm blessed to have her in Spokane where I get to laugh with her often.

3. the rain! This morning we woke up to rain. It's very nice to not have to water the lawns ourselves today. It's been VERY hot in the Pacific NW and everything is super dry. Fire danger is quite high.

4. Wild Women Group! I've been a part of the WW group for about five years. They never fail to keep me laughing. Alllllllllll I've learned about life comes from this group. I always am good for blushing in many of our conversations! We were at a luau housewarming for Terri last night, complete with spouses, significant others, friends and neighbors. They roasted a 160 lb pig. It was DELICOUS!!!

5. being able to fit into size 8 clothes! Yesterday I wore the cute dress that you see in the picture and I loved being able to fit into it. I bought it last fall and wondered if I would ever be able to wear it. Tada~ miracles do happen! Now to continue to keep myself this size -- lots of discipline and working out. But it's sooo worth it! Tons of compliments yesterday...happy smile.

Have a wonderful week! Next weekend David and I are traveling to Leavenworth, WA with my cousins from Canada. Inbetween now and then, it's an action filled week with elementary kids at camp.

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! An amazing week at camp and now David, Ubu (one of the beagles) and I are headed to Long Beach, WA to hang out with my cousin and her hubbie and their three beagles. Dieter has to stay home due to having an owie on his left flank. I will do the rest of my gratitude list when I return on Sunday.....thankful for you!!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning, everyone! I'm back from another week of camp. This morning I got up very early to have a Starbucks latte with my Whitworth friend Polly. We can go back there if you'd like for another cup of coffee or I can make a fresh pot of New Guinea coffee here at the house. You decide, your choice! :)

Here's my gratitude list for the week:

1. wisdom in knowing how to handle different situtations! I had to handle a few things at camp this week that were out of my comfort zone & I'm thankful that I had wisdom to proceed with grace, love and authority.
2. my son Ian! I had a phone call this morning from a dear friend who read in her Vacaville, CA paper that "Ian York, age 21 in Fresno, had committed suicide!" Naturally she was very concerned and checked in with me. My Ian is 22 and is living in Spokane for two more weeks. However, the phone call was a wake up call for me to spend more time with my Ian, tell him he's loved LOTS and encourage him as he headed back to CA for college.
3. the Spokane River! I'm learning to really love it. This week we tubed down it with 30+ kids. Megan (our camp nurse) and I sat in a double tube and felt like we were the Princesses of the Nile. I'm taking our tiaras next week.
4. a very loving vet! The Beagle Boys are at the vet this morning and it's a sad day for them because they're being neutered. It should be a quiet few days around here until they get their spunk back. Perhaps Hans and Gretel will be able to relax, too, with the boys on a quiet schedule.
5. my hairdresser, Melissa! I had coffee with her last Sunday and today she's doing my hair & my eyebrows. No more "Princess Diaries" eyebrow emergency!! I can't wait to see what she has in store for my hair today!
6. These verses from 1 Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble spirit. Don't repay evil with evil. don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do and He will bless you for it!" These verses were on a slip of paper on my chair in staff meeting yesterday. I really have been thinking about them. As I go about my weekend and into my next week, that's how I want to live, esp being tenderhearted and keeping a humble spirit.

Thanks for praying for me this coming week. We're jumping back into a camp with high schoolers! They sure help me break down my own walls and take off masks. Here's hoping the same things will be accomplished with them & they will learn to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind.

Gratitude Friday

It's late Friday night and I'm one tired skinny brown bear!! Two weeks at camp and I'm the darkest I've ever been with being out in the sun. Yes, I wear sunscreen but I just continue to darken. No coffee tonight unless you'd like to make it yourself. I think we have Country Time Leomonade in the fridge...help yourself!!

Gratitude Friday list includes:

1. young love....today Josephine and Kevin got married!! I have known Josephine since she was two & a part of my daycare in Germany. She and Ian (my son) have been best buds for 20 years and we're glad she's been a part of our lives! Congraluations, Jo and Kevin!! I'll see if I can get a picture posted of them.

2. the Spokane River....I have learned that by sitting in the river with a good book, I can keep really cool on our 90+ degree temp days. What a way to relax and enjoy the outdoors! It's soooo beautiful at the camp.

3. Speaking of camp...WOW!!!! 30 teenagers are part of my list this week. We had kids from Youth for Christ with us and the girls I had in my Challenge Course group were awesome. I learned sooooooo much from them! They each came with their own personal story of sadness and I was humbled. I pray that they have an wonderful school year and that they'd remember what they've learned from camp as they're home today and start school next month.

4. Cooking in the kitchen with my hubby! We tried a new Rachel Ray recipe this evening. It is HOT in the house....I really missed my quiet river time today!....and David had just gotten home from a baseball game. But he cooked right along with me. Dinner was great....pasta with sweet Italian sausage and broccoli.

5. payday!! I was able to buy a new camera today so I will be able to post pictures once again. I'm sad that I haven't had one for over a month because I've had some amazing photo ops and had to settle for making mental images in my brain.

6. air conditioned movie theatres...Ian and I watched "Public Enemies" this afternoon & were captured by the old time gangster movie featuring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Except for the bedroom type of scenes (I wanted to make Ian close his eyes!!), it was great!! Both the movie and the A/C, plus I splurged for a soda and popcorn. Nice to spend time with Ian, too.

7. catching up with friends! I had coffee with Melissa today. It was good to spend time with her!! I have such limited access to my cell phone (complete with text and email and internet) that I've been trying to connect with everyone while I'm home. I have to drive three miles one way to sit on the side of the road next to some hayfields to get service that comes and goes. I'm VERY THANKFUL for it. I consider it my "cell phone break", like others consider a smoke break. So shoot me an email or text me 5093893620 and I'll try to respond within a day or two. The emails are short since it is on my cell phone, but I'd love to get email from friends!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!! Thank a soldier for your freedom in the USA!

Gratitude Friday (on Saturday)

Good morning! I'm back from my first week of camp...it was intense training on the challenge course. I think I am one big bruise/sore muscle! I'm learning lots, both about how to minister to the kids I'm working with and lots about myself. Amazing that at 45, I'm still figuring out me.

Here's my list this week~
1. cooler weather. It was hot at camp and I was thankful for the cooler mornings when I'd go for walks/runs. However, I have the start of a great tan!
2. the beauty of the camp. I sit on the deck of the lodge, with my coffee cup, looking at the stillness of the surrounding area. Yesterday I saw an osprey swoop down into the river to grab a fish & take it back up to its nest. HOW MAJESTIC!!
3. reminders of God's love everywhere. The team I'm with is amazing! Out of 18 team members, I'm the mom of the group. But they accept me with open arms and they're such a testimony of His love. We're learning lots together and I'm proud to be a part of Camp Tshimikain.
4. my own bed! Last night I think I fell into a "lack of sleep" coma. I don't remember my head hitting the pillow.
5. a super reliable car. We're headed to Seattle this morning for a half marathon. My car is such a great little car, with A/C. Now that we have a new transmission (in Feb), it has zero problems & it'll be perfect for parking in those tight little places.

Have a wonderful weekend~ coffee is always ready, plus adding unsweetened iced tea to the fridge, too. I miss my girlfriends~ esp. since I don't get email or cell phone coverage all week! (I had LOTS to catch up with -- 257 emails, FACEBOOK, laundry, playing with the puppies and kitties!)

Drop me a note...I'd love to hear from you! Headed back to camp in Monday morning~

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Grab a big cup of New Guinea coffee and enjoy the chaos with me. At the moment I have five dogs (three beagles, one border collie and one chow mix), four cats (two kittens, one young cat and one old cat), two adult kids and the one & only husband at my house! When the house is only 900 sq feet on the main floor, it's definite chaos when the four legged kids start running through the house! What a time of laughter, though!!

Here's my Gratitude Friday list:

1. strength to do pilates and circuit training! I might be sore tomorrow, but I did the classes this morning and made it through the entire hour & a half. Whew~ these last few pounds have been hanging on so I wanted to up the workouts. Tomorrow I'm doing a fun run, next week is the Seattle RNR Half Marathon.

2. my friend Polly! She and I met this morning for coffee at Rogue. She surprised me with a little birthday gift of a coffee journal and gel pens for writing about my summer adventures.

3. the rain! I don't have to water the lawns today.

4. Half.com! I have been able to purchase some amazing teacher types of books for dirt cheap, thanks to Half.com. When David lived in Germany, I was able to purchase DVDs and music for 75 cents, plus shipping. Check it out yourself!

5. little towns! I've applied for a 5th grade teaching job in the rural community of Tekoa,

Tekoa

The school is cuter than a bug's ear and only has about 100 kids enrolled in its elementary school. David and I are going down to the town tomorrow for the fun run because I truly believe in getting involved in the community where you work. I feel really good about this job and I'd love it if you'd join me in prayer about my application finding favor in whomever reads it & interviews me.

Tekoa Elementary School

This Monday I leave for camp so I won't be updating the blog except for Gratitude Fridays. You can send me mail at camp: Tshimakain Creek Camp (Attn: Kerri York) , 6088 Martha Boardman Rd, Ford, WA 99013.


Until next time, bottoms up on your coffee cup! And if you think of me, I could use a Starbucks run way out in the middle of nowhere -- venti nonfat vanilla latte!

Gratitude Friday

Good morning! Coffee's on~ grab a cup and fill it up! I'm teaching 4th grade this morning at Fairchild AFB so I have to leave pretty soon but enjoy your cup of java. Just leave the cup on the counter, say goodbye to the Beagle Boys and be sure to shut the front door when you leave!

Here's my Gratitude list this morning:

1. ice cream, or to be exact, Skinny Cow ice cream! Low calorie yummy stuff that satisfies the want for something cold.

2. going home for the weekend! I'm headed to Hansville after work and I can't wait.

3. the little church that I attended while I was growing up! The Hansville Community Church is turning 100 years. I'm so thankful for it. I have a picture of me receiving my first Bible from Pastor Overmyer. Wow, you should see the pic...short hair, short dress. Probably about 1970 era.

4. Home Sanctuary! I picked up my floor in the bedroom, thanks to Rachel's prompting. My husband will be happy to come home tonight and not have to wander through the maze of piles.

5. the swing in the backyard! Last night I sat out on it with the hose, spraying the grass to water the areas that the sprinkler doesn't get and keeping myself cooled off, too. The Beagle Boys were out with me but they don't appreciate the water at all. They're pretty comical in all of the ways they try to escape the water spraying on them!

6. Summer plans -- working at the Union Gospel Mission Kids' Camp this summer. A free camp for kids that are from lower income families, it's a summer to just love on them and bless the socks off of them. 50 kids each week -- sunshine, the Spokane River, fun, laughter, kids and sharing Jesus! I'm sure that each weekend I come home, I'll be tired but have amazing stories to share of my adventures!

Have a super duper weekend -- a week and a half til school is out in Spokane!