Just a walk in nature...take one.

What I truly love...

Last night I visited one of my favorite places; The Nature Center. It is most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, but I enjoy jogging through every time that I am out.

My Captivating Thought: God's creativity is far past anything any man could ever design.

Chances are that my run comes to a screeching stop as soon as I step foot onto the trails, but last night, it was just me, my iPod, and my camera. I know, bringing my iPod sounds out of sorts, but I had it on one of my fave songs from the soundtrack Rent, and that made it worth it.

I'm about to head to the outdoors again...not to view nature but paint in it (which I am sure that I will get pics today as well of more happy, God given things). So for now...

5 Happy Things...
1. The sun is out and going to be a hot but BEAUTIFUL day.

2. Joshua Bell's violin work is magnificent!

3. Two new tanks are painted and ready for their wearers. I can't wait to deliver them.

4. Cinnamon oatmeal with pecans = fulfilling and delicious breakfast.

5. It's Saturday! This means great things...a friend home in 3 days, tomorrow is Church, and today is family-work-on-the-house day!

Breathe

Why is it that I love to exercise, but it is so hard for me to get out there in the am's? This summer especially. I could blame it on the humidity, rain in June, babysitting, work, camp, school, WOW there are a lot of things to blame...but when it comes down to it and I get out there with my mind on God's creation and the little things...like jumping through the sprinklers when I get hot that make me want to stay outside and run, walk, skip, leap forever. It was a good morning needless to say and after a good 45 minute one, that refreshing shower felt worth it.

Changing gears... I found a couple of great sites this am when I was 'blogging.' If you are reading this and are an artist, writer, creative master, lover of design, or want to be any of these in the future and want a little project check out liberty post's The People's Princess Memorial. Princess Di died 10 years ago on August 31, and liberty post will post all of the things submitted by bloggers from now until then on that day.

Other things...
I think, in Texas, it is finally summer. All of these teasing temperatures outside fooled me. Today the high is 96 with it feeling like the low 100s. Great. Just in time to walk/ride to school in 17 days. Why oh why must it feel this way?!

Now on to my 5 Happy Things...
1. I get to hang out with some of the coolest friends today...Sarah, Tori, and Austin. We'll probably quote Nacho and Pink Panther quotes all day, and watch another movie and quote that one too. Grand times.

2. I think that Sarah and I and two of our friends are going to the lake next weekend to go sailing. I've never been, but I keep thinking about Bob (What About Bob?) on the sailboat saying, "Look Dr. I'm sailing." (as he is tied to the boat)

3. My roomie changed her major to Advanced Nursing and will graduate next August instead of next December. Woo hoo for her.

4. The quote from The Wedding Planner: "What if what you think is great, is great, but it's not as great as something greater."

5. The flowers that I saw growing from a bush this am, made me smile and breathe. Maybe I'll go take a pic of them.

Cleaning up, but still so dirty

Today was all painting. Two colors...cream and brown. The house is progressing, but I am as dirty as a street rat. I kept kinda hoping that it would rain so that I could go inside, but secretly God knew that He wanted me to get a lot further and impress Dad.

Yesterday and the day before have both been OFF days for me. I haven't really enjoyed them. I need to learn the art of relaxing...or at least slowing down. Maybe I will read a book or talk to someone about it.

I need to go exercise, but the gloomy clouds are screaming rain at any second. Maybe I'll just go take a nap instead and walk later.

I need a new sport. I've been saying this for a while now, but after yesterday;s 5.25 mile run, my knee is not doing so hot, and I think something less stressful and relaxing would benefit me more. Any suggestions?

Anyway...5 Happy things for today...
1. I am due to get mail from a friend in 2 days.

2. I am going to the Modern with Rach tomorrow and I can't wait.

3. I enjoyed a turkey sandwich with Mom today at lunch.

4. School officially starts in 18 days. It will be the last first day of school...weird.

5. I got to use the massage table at the chiro this am instead of the flat bed. (it's the little things in life that make this girl happy)

Think about such things.

A reminder that He does love me.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

This verse sums up how I (we) should be thinking.

True- the only certain truth is the Word of God and who Christ is

Noble- possessing outstanding qualities (in the Bible this referred to outward and inward characteristics)

Right- pretty sure that the Ten Commandments list the do's in life

Pure- "unmixed with any other matter," "free from dust, dirt, or taint" (both from Websters)Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3

Lovely- delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace

Most of the verses I find have to deal with outward beauty, but a few speak of the Lord's beauty ie. How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, Almighty. Psalm 84:1

Admirable- deserving the highest esteem

Excellent- eminently good, superior

Praiseworthy- commendable

Writing these out makes me really think about what I am doing WRONG. I know that none of us are perfect, but there are so many opportunities to show Jesus to the world, that we need to be thinking in these terms rather than justifying/lying to ourselves why we are 'better' than the world and why our circumstances are different. (all excuses from finishing the tasks that He so richly blessed us with)

Happy Things...

Being that my mother's name is Joy and she stands at 6 feet,

running with her stride will always be my joy.

So I had a thought, idea, brain-thing. It probably came from something I read or saw, just like everything else, but here it goes- I'm making lists each day of 5 things that make me happy. These can be simple or complex. Just reminders of why I am alive and things that make me see Jesus a little more in each thing He does for me.

Today is just beginning, but I already have some.
1. The moon this morning at 5:50 am (before the clouds rolled in to cover it).

2. The feeling after a run (my sweaty and tired body makes me feel accomplished).

3. Driving to work with Mom (including the turbin towel that I had on my head).

4. Hot, hot coffee (so hot that the top wouldn't stay suctioned to the mug- my kind of bliss-- however, not Mikey's- he's still recovering from our first coffee talk).

5. The sun just peaked out and I am on my way to another adjustment to make my neck feel better.

At last the day is winding down, and all I can think of is sleep and how yucky I feel after eating a not so great dinner of yet another turkey and ham sandwich, some rice flour mustard chip things (b/c the family has become gluten free from Victoria's allergies), and a cup of coffee at 6 pm...that now has me wired. Oh, and I also ate 4 mini gluten free cookies that are actually really delicious, but now...I'm restless, tired, and need a back rub. Mikey dx me just a second ago by calling himself that.

Call this day...Debbie Downer's Day. I'm glad now that I wrote my happy things at the beginning, but to end the day's post on a good note

...here are five more happy thoughts:

1. I am back in FW and got mail while I was away for a week. (imagine that)

2. Tomorrow I have a pretty free schedule- this means a run and bike ride, if the weather permits...if not, a run and weights. Exercising gives endorphines...and endorphines make you happy.

3. Tomorrow night is Bible study and I can't wait to see what Pastor talks on.

4. Only 7 more days (or so) until one of my greatest friends comes back to FW.

5. I am job-hunting tomorrow.

Some days ya gotta dance

and give it up when you get the chance. ...I know, I know. Corny Dixie Chicks, but this is what I want to say to the little things that pester me each day. As I sit here and type, enjoying a coffee at home, with my wonderful sister, two dogs, and rested from a two hour nap. Aahh. The bliss of summer will only last so long, and I am trying to enjoy it while I can.

There's only so much that I can put up with in one day: boss' that don't keep their words, mosquitoes that suck my sweet blood, and being woken up when first falling asleep by the cell phone being on level 7. I'm rested now, so these things that once bothered me today are HISTORY. According to my mom, "I've put them in a bubble and blown them away." :) Quoted from the beloved, Dharma and Greg.

I've thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family the past couple of days. It's great when you are away for a while and come home to a laid back and relaxed atmosphere with people to talk to and trust me. :) It's also been great to go out shopping for Sarah's dorm room. It's a flashback to just three years ago. The bright colored towels, storage 'equipment', and the nervous/anxious mood of a new atmosphere. Sarah was so sweet today..."I'm ready to move in tomorrow. I have all of these things. I just want to unload them and get organized." This was quoted while driving in the car today, in between the Nacho and Pink Panther quotes, that she and Mom were quoting. (Mom= trying).

It's been a good day. Only other place on earth that I'd rather be, would be on a lake or at the beach, watching the sun set and listening to the summer night crickets and frogs outside.

Enjoy the summer days.

Two for the day

New camera, new heart, new life...
The sunset over Lake Nac. One of the best pics on my new camera, followed by the end of the best day.




Mac and me at Panera for lunch. This girl is crazy cool. Thanks for always making me smile.
Mrs. Davis: (vocabulary quiz) What is illegal?
Mac: A sick bird.

Greatness.



Just a spoiled kid on a trip home from youth camp.

This would be my delicious PB & GJ (grape jelly).