Thursday Thoughts

• When one shops for a new skirt, one should try sitting in said skirt before purchasing, lest the new owner discovers that it falls open in a not-appropriate-for-the-office kind of way
• I'm hoping bad stuff doesn't happen in threes.... at least not this time
• 2 hour commutes are so overrated
• I am so thankful for my close friends and for Chris who truly have operated as a family recently.
  

Little things for a Wednesday

One of the things I love about working from home a few days a week is being able to cook a quick healthy lunch for myself. Today I had sauteed green beans with corn and spinach over a bed of whole wheat couscous. So yummy! And, nutritious! And, I got to eat so many veggies that I am very very full now. It is hard to get many vegetables when you eat out.

Also, I really need to go buy some fruit. I just can't decide which grocery store to go to. The Safeway on Bladensburg is closest, but the one down on 14th is probably a safer walk. I really hate having to consider that every time I go out. I do NOT want to live in fear. I WILL not. well, maybe just a little. sigh.

I'll let you know how my attempt on a new tofu and broccoli recipe works out tonight. I'm pretty excited about it. By the way, I thought maybe I could add some turkey bacon to it and tried to look for recipes like that, but apparently tofu and bacon don't show up in the same recipe very often. Psshaw.

Tears of Joy

Something fairly uncommon in my life happened this morning and so I just wanted to be sure to make a note of it. I cried tears of joy this morning. I was sitting in my awesome red chair finishing up a banana from my breakfast/brunch/lunch when suddenly I was just struck with deep joy and happiness. I don't know entirely why. I was just looking around and thinking how very much I love my apartment and though, I don't have everything exactly as I want it, I just absolutely love my space... it makes me happy to have such a great place to live life. I think that's what triggered my joy, but then I started thinking about how I have a job and work arrangement (work from home two days/week) that I love. And, I'm with the man that I love so much and he adores me. And, I love my new smaller, healthier body. And, my God is so good. Even when life is difficult and deals us a crappy hand, there is joy and rest to be found in Him. Today is probably extra joyful because it is Baptism by the Bay day. This is my absolute favorite NCC event each year. We all head out to Sandy Point and hang out, picnic, then go down to the water to worship with some music and then, the main event... baptism! People make a public confession of faith with this very symbolic act. Right there in the Bay... it is so exciting to be there with people as they begin their public faith journey ... some for the first time... some with vigor for the first time. And, every year, among those baptized, there are people who have been touched by Alpha getting baptized. It reminds me why I do what I do and gives me a tangible moment to be grateful that God allows me to be a tiny part of those people's journey and experience of Him.
And, so, this morning.... tears of joy.

What fruit am I?

So, one of our assignments for small group this week was to ask someone which fruit of the spirit they thought was most evident in our lives. Of course, in the spirit of under-achievement, I waited until the day before small group to do this. But, in the spirit of over-achievement, I am asking more than one person. So far, I have 1 love, 1 joy, 1 patience and 1 watermelon. (One of these things is not like the others.)
What do you think?
As a refresher, the choices are:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
gentleness
faithfulness
self-control

I'm not dying!

And, rusty nails will not harm me!
I went to the doctor today. A real, run-of-the mill, everyone should have one and go once a year or so, doctor. And, she says I'm not dying.
Normal blood pressure - check!
Normal cholesterol levels - check!
Normal red and white blood platelet levels - check!
She poked and prodded and inspected and listened to me and pronounced me to be healthy. Plus, I got a tetanus shot so now I don't have to fear rusty nails and wild chipmunks. Life is good!

Sport Identified!

Meredith, you were right!! It's bicycle polo. Remember a few months back when I was so intrigued by the random sport I stumbled across on my way to the store? Well, apparently, I'm not the only one that's intrigued. Check it out:
The Washington Post picked it up: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/02/GA2009070201500.html
http://www.dcfixed.com/teams/polo/