Becoming a Cougar: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

 

   

Looking Out My Window ... Trees are budding, the Bradford pair trees are showing out, and a light dusting of pollen is everywhere ...

Oh, never mind...

Well...

Oh heck, I don't know.

I am Thinking...

Well, you'll see what I've been thinking about in tomorrow's post.
  

I am Thankful...

This past week marks one year since I was blessed with my car.

From the Workshop...

Went to Pinot's Palette in Westminster & painted this tall canvas.
I think I'm hooked.

From Auntie's Test Kitchen...

I have completed letter O in the A-Z challenge. The post is here.

I am Reading... 

• Defining Moments:  The Harlem Renaissance by Kevin Hillstrom
• Thou Shalt Prosper by Daniel Lapin
• Courage and Calling by Gordon T. Smith
• Next Level Thinking by Joel Osteen

Books I have completed since my last Daybook:

• The Word in the Wilderness by Malcolm Guite.
• Self Matters by Dr. Phillip C. McGraw.
• What Falls From the Sky by Esther Emery.  Please see my review here.
• The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn
• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes.  Please see my review here.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection, and Courage by Brene Brown
• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

Favorite Quote(s) of the Week ...

"Can you just call it '#2'?  [Taking a dump] implies force that I'm not comfortable with."  Link Neal, 2012, Good Mythical Morning, Episode 125

"Have you ever considered: Adam and Eve only got clothes after they sinned. That means laundry is a result of the fall." - Kevin DeYoung, qtd by Pastor Derek Staples.

To borrow a phrase from the great Lewis Grizzard, "If Terry Crews is a flautist, my butt's a typewriter." - Auntie's musings.  And, yes, I'm really tired of seeing the State Farm commercial between every YouTube video I watch.

And Now For Something Total Different ...

Five Minute Friday Word of the Week:  Promise

One of the benefits of working at a university (I've been at CCU for nearly two years) is the opportunity to earn a degree tuition free.  One of my dreams has been to earn a PhD in Theology.  The first step towards that goal is earn a Master's degree in a biblical-based degree.

Because of some rule changes that none of us employees knew about until I was considering applying for a tuition waiver, I started to give up.  I'd rather not ask and do without than hear no and be embarrassed or ostracized for asking in the first place.

After a few days of stewing over it, and quite frankly, getting very anxious and depressed over it, a friend (or two...or three) convinced me to ask anyway.  So, I turned in my application and waited. 

I am pleased to announce that this fall, I will begin my Master of Arts in Theology program.  I'm officially a Colorado Christian University Cougar.

Bloom Where You're Planted...Even If It's Over the Septic Tank: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, February 7, 2016
 

Outside my window …  Sunday started off cold, but was very pleasant by the time we got out of church and hit the trail.

I am thinking...   of doing the Ladiga Cruise Bike Ride in May.  The ride is from Jacksonville to the Alabama/Georgia line and back.  It's a beginner's cruise for those of us not crazy enough to try the Cheaha Challenge.

I am thankful... 

• for a new week with a fresh start. 
• for God continuing to remind me of His love for me.
• for two good worship services today.
• for a great time on the trail with a friend.  So far, this was the furthest I've walked in one session this year: 5.25 miles.
• for God's grace and mercy.

From the Workshop...  Still working on my WIP's.  I've got to come up with an idea for a door prize for this Friday's Senior Dance.

I am reading...  Along with several books, I'm plowing through the book of Leviticus in the Bible.  I know all of the books of the Bible are important, but I need to study the New Testament significance of this portion.  I don't like to just read the Bible; I want to get something applicable out of it.

I am learning...  One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 - " For I know that plans I have for you, " declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Pastor Staples pointed out today that this scripture is in the midst of God speaking to the children of Israel from their exile.  He didn't say that He would deliver them from their exile, but prosper them in the midst of their exile.  He told them to build houses, get married, have kids, and see to the welfare of the city; in that, they would find their welfare.  Kind of a scriptural take on "bloom where you're planted." 

Favorite quote(s) of the week:  "I believe...You show me a three year old running around a flea market in his underpants drinking Coca-Cola out of a baby bottle and I'll show you a future NASCAR fan." - Jeff Foxworthy
 

I am looking forward to...  a new week.

And now for something totally different...

 

Workout of the Week:  The Pound class I want to take keeps getting rescheduled, so I have no idea when I'll be able to do it.  However, since I have Saturdays off this month, I signed up for swim lessons.  I had my first lesson yesterday.  It went great.  I look forward to being able to swim fluent laps.
 

From Twitter: @JonAcuff tweeted:  "When I was a kid, I didn't want to be rich. I just wanted to be able to afford a pair of pants at JCrew. That dream is still very much alive."

From Twitter:  @ChrchCurmudgeon tweeted:  "You're a theology geek if you hear 'pair of cleats' and think about the Holy Spirit."

From Facebook: Nerdgasm shared:

 

From Facebook and Twitter: Church Curmudgeon shared:

 

 

Five Minute Friday Word of the Week: Focus.

Champion moment:  This actually happened last year, but I finally processed it and wrote about it this week.  The post is here.

Scripture of the week:  Still working on this one.  I don't know why, but I can't get this one memorized.

Hebrews 5:13-14 - For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (King James Version)

#39: Spirit of the Bull [101 in 1001]

Back in 2013, I blogged about my time with the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners, my college marching band.  I'll not rehash the sordid details here (that's what the link is for), but I did end the post by saying that I wanted emotional closure.

I think I found it on November 21, 2015.

Like every alumnus, I get a yearly invitation to our reunion.  Each time I'd plan to go, turn chicken (no pun intended), and find a reason not to go.  This time, I felt I was mentally ready and sent in my RSVP without hesitation.

Note:  I said mentally ready.  I wasn't sure I was physically ready.  Now, mind you, this isn't a sit around, drink beer, and reminisce kind of reunion...well, maybe they do that at the Friday night dinner, but I wasn't  around for that (I am on a budget, you know).  No, we're there to play during halftime.  I had to be prepared to play anything from triangle to bass drum.  Well, I WAS lighter than my college weight, so why not?

Parking was an issue when I got there Saturday morning.  There was a price for the closest spaces, plus I found out later if you left and came back, you'd be charged again, plus you may not get your spot back.  So, I did what any cheapskate would do, I parked at the Library for free and walked across campus.  That proved to be a good decision.  As I traversed the Quad and got closer to the sound of the current members warming up, any fear I may have had gave way to absolute giddy excitement. 

Upon arrival at Burgess-Snow Field, I was met by the group from the Grey Drummers--alumni from the percussion  section.  They meet during the year to play.  They welcomed me as an equal and handed me a set of 18 inch cymbals to play.  Hot diggidy, it's on now!

Practice went well.  Halftime went even better.  Not only did we play the Southerners standards, but performed one of my all time favorites, Spirit of the Bull, with the current band.  By the time we were done, I thought my arms were going to fall off, but I was ecstatic.  I can't wait the 2016 reunion.

Why hadn't I done this before?

For starters because I hadn't dealt with my bad memories.  In fact, I had suppressed them for nearly two decades.  Then, there's the whole "I gotta lose X-amount of pounds so I can feel worthy to come back."  You know what?  I wasn't at my goal weight and I didn't care!  If "Mr. Coordinator" who body shamed me was there, I never noticed, and I wasn't looking for him either. I was having too much fun crashing plates.  If he had made his presence known to me, I wouldn't have hesitated to show him genuine fellowship and courtesy. 

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. - John 8:36

I thank God for freeing me from the pain, helping me find equality, and renewing a long stifled joy.

Blow Southerners!

A Lil' Bougie: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, January 10, 2016
 

Outside my window …  Winter has come in with a fury...well a fury for Alabama anyway.

I am thinking...   about how to meet all the goals I have for the year.

I am thankful...  for growing strength and health.

From the Workshop...  Got some WIP's (Works in Progress) I'm working to finish.  Also made these flower coasters for this month's senior dance:

I am reading...  Started a new reading challenge for the year.  Read about it here.  Off the shelf:

I'm also reading the Bible this year in the New Living Translation.  I've always liked that version, but have never read it in it's entirety. 

I am learning...  Substitution rather than deprivation when it comes to food.  Instead of focusing on what I can't have/don't need, I try to find a good substitute. 

Favorite quote(s) of the week:

"My dad had taught me there are times in life when you just don't want to miss a good chance to shut up." - Dr. Phillip C. McGraw

"Don't live your life saying 'READY AIM AIM AIM'... Try something new to change your life, even if you might fail, TRY IT!" - Dave Ramsey

"He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk." - John Maxwell

"Don't give the jerks a vote on how you live your life." - Jon Acuff

I am looking forward to...  Finishing up unfinished business.  I've got projects I started last year (which was only two weeks ago, BTW) that I want to complete before I start anything else.

One of my favorite things: 



My coworker introduced me to what we call "bougie water."  I'd never drank Perrier before, but was hooked with the first sip of a pink grapefruit flavored one.  The lime flavored aren't too bad either.  These will make a good substitute for when I want soda.  It's not the sugar I want from a soda, but the fizzy bubbles.  This beats 200 calories of nothing but sugar anytime. 






A peek into my days:

12/31 - I had planned to drink Champagne to ring in the new year (and celebrate the Tide in the Cotton Bowl), but at $11 a bottle for something I may not like and I'd have to drink it alone if I did, I felt this made a better choice.  I will say that the red grape sparkling juice is better, but the white wasn't bad.

01/01 - Rang in the first day of the year with a walk on the Weaver end of the Ladiga Trail.  I hope my selfies get better over the next year.

And now for something totally different...

Last year, I finished Anniston Runner's Club's Mile-a-Day challenge by the skin of my teeth.  This year, I attempted the two-a-day challenge.  Well, I started out strong, but bouts of depression and serious illness derailed my goals.   HOWEVER, I am happy to say that I finished 2015 with 434 miles.  No, I didn't meet my original goal, but I choke slammed my mileage from 2014. Here's to moving forward in 2016.

 

 

 

Workout of the Week:  One thing I want to do this year is to incorporate new fun workouts into my routine so I'm not doing the same thing all the time (and so I don't turn into a boring curmudgeon).  This week I'm going to try a Pound class.  Now, I've tried a class before and liked it, but it was abbreviated and it wasn't at our YMCA, so I didn't get the full effect.  There's one scheduled at a time when I'm not otherwise obligated, so I'll give a try.

From Facebook:

 

 

From Facebook:  MWhite shared:

 

 

From Facebook: Nerdgasm shared:

 

From Facebook:  MGetto shared:

Five Minute Friday Word of the Week:  First

Scripture of the week:  A fellow blogger suggested using Scripture Typer to memorize passages.  This week's verse:

Proverbs 18:9 - He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide. (Amplified)