A different kind of Thanksgiving

"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thes 5:18

This thanksgiving I reflected on how different life is for me and how amazing God's grace has been in my life.  How I would have never expected the year that I had, and how grateful I am for supportive and loving family and friends through it all.  I am so thankful that God is moving in amazing ways in my life and while I am far from perfect, I am so grateful to be part of the story of God.  And I'm even thankful for my physical health.  It seems that after sealing my own driveway and undertaking my [entire] basement, I was bound to have some back problems.  But fortuneately, some recent minor foot surgery helped heal my back because I was out of commission/hobbling for a week.  But I am on the mend, with both thankfully, and am glad that I did get some help with both issues.  For my back, my one neighbor helped me rake my leaves.  And with my foot, I had a few people help me, but the trip to the store was a hoot.  My neighbor Dorothy, who is 80, took me to the grocery store.  I gave her a good laugh when I looked at the electric carts, and said, "I wonder if I qualify?"  So I hopped on and after figuring out how to steer, I made it through the store.  I also have a new appreciation for handicapped people.  Almost no one noticed me.  I mean no one.  It's as if me and my REALLY BIG cart did not exist.  One woman did smile at me and let me through, though.  It's so incredible what a little act of kindness can really do.  And that reminds me, at church, when my foot was propped up, I had two people I did not know come over to see how I was doing and a teacher I hadn't seen in awhile asked me how I was.  Again, the littlest gestures are so special when you really need it.  I'm so grateful for so many things this year, and even for the wherewithall to complete my basement, which became the spot for my family's Thanksgiving celebration.  You almost didn't notice the hot water tank and furnace. : )

Thanksgiving in my (completed!) basement

New Shoes

My beloved new flats

Who knew that I'd go for months in Austria without ever wearing a pair of heels, and after returning home, flats became my new uniform.  Of course, since my closet is adorned with all varieties of heels, I had to invest in a few pair of [fashionable-yet-comfortable] flats.  I was also very happy to be wearing more flats after an older friend of mine showed me her feet after years of wearing heels -- what they say can be true!  Trust me, I love a pair of heels for church, or a nice dinner out, or a wedding, but they are more the exception nowadays.  But I must say, while I thought that I made progress from heels to flats, my doctor so tactfully pointed out that I might need to get more supportive shoes after looking at my beloved new flats.  Well, one step at a time. : )

Our feet are important, though, as Paul pointed out: "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news!" Romans 10:15

Pilates with my sister

Pilates exercise at Asbury Barn

A few weeks after I cam back from Austria, I decided to keep up the "4 units a week" routine from school.  And I quit the gym after belonging for many, many years.  How can you go into a gym and stand on the treadmill after being in the Austrian alps?  You just can't.  So, I picked up jogging again, rode my bike, and also signed up for a Pilates (pronounced pi-lat-ees) with my younger sister Karen.  It's in a lovely setting -- a barn in the woods with big wooden beams.  It's such a nice change from the gym atmosphere, and so affordable.  And the instrustor is very, um, precise.  She really works hard to ensure that we're all doing our moves correctly.  I only got yelled at once yesterday.  She does also give the "great work" feedback, but you can't help but want to be on your best behavior when there.  So, I'll keep this up for the rest of the year, enjoying my time with my sister, and hope that she gives us good marks.   : )

Reading list

Finishing up this classic

This year, I decided to start reading the classics that I had never read before.  My love of reading didn't come when I was younger, but rather in the past 10 years.  So, I've so enjoyed catching up on some all-time favorites.  When in Austria, some of the students helped me to compile a list, based on some of their favorites.

Recently Read:     To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
                              Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
                              The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain (almost finished!)

Coming up:           Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

My list is much longer than this, and I'm always adding to it.  So, if you have a favorite, I'd enjoy hearing about it.  For now, since my library book is due in two days, I think I'll go find out what the little king is up to in Mark Twain's story.

Creative thinking

I've really enjoyed this fall.  A different season of my life--literally.  But I've just so enjoyed all of the colors, taking hikes, bike rides, and just enjoying the trees in my neighborhood.  I went for probably my last morning bike ride today.  At a brisk 40 degrees, I suited up in warm gear, complete with my skiing neck gator and shoe covers.  But I didn't mind the temperature because there was little wind and the sun was just coming up.  Oh, how this made the scenery look just stunning! I just had to snap a few photos, but passersby may have looked at me strange when I stopped on my bike and took pictures with my double-mitted hands. Over an hour later, I returned home, refreshed, having thoroughly enjoyed my early Sunday morning soaking in God's creation, wondering where I woudl be next fall.

At the creativity workshop. Asbury Woods Nature Center



And over the weekend, I went to a creative thinking workshop at one of the local nature centers, Asbury Woods.  A renovated house set in the woods, it was the perfect setting for this workshop.  And with only two other participant and the teacher, sitting in a conference room with oak chairs, and woods visible through the windows, it did spark creativity.  We learned that logic is not always present when being creative.  And that it's very important to play in life, because this helps with creativity (I did, in fact, go to this workshop because I wanted to do something fun). We did go through a list of things that affect creativity, like your
environment, your upbringing, what you read and listen to, and who you have as friends.  But the professor asked if we wanted to add anything to the list.  And it took me a bit, but I added:  money.  When you have money, you buy what you need and that's the end of it.  But when you're watching your money, you become very creative.  You make due or find another way to get something accomplished.  Or you go without.  But it can also inspire you to pick-up or resume hobbies that are practical or resourceful.  I've found in my life, that when I have less, I create more, when I have more, I buy more and create less.  We finished the workshop by inventing games with kitchen utensils (see photo).  We all came up with different ideas -- especially for the can opener!  The professor said that he expected this -- if everyone comes up with the same idea, there's too many people in the room.  I left the session glad that I went, enjoyed meeting a few new people, and promptly went home to finish some painting. : )