And still counting ... (17,516-17,590)

extra sleep, blue zones, leftovers for dinner, naps, the matching sweatshirts (favorite daughter)

English muffins with peach jam, iced water, good swims, mild temperatures, chickens

eggs and toast for lunch, a great start on 66 Books, Andy at the skating rink, Erin and Cara luncheon, Lanie's tutoring gig

confidence in the Lord, the fins gifted from the swim instructor, gf break-and-bake cookies, a filling dinner, a Bible reading plan

my first post of the year, a fourteenth year through the Bible, a Christmas card from Sharon a year later, coffee dates on the calendar, making time for the top tier

shoe sales and discounts, shoes in the mail, her invitations delivered, a spring concert, answered prayers

seed catalogs, free range time, weekends with my man, almond flour scones on a first day back to school, homeschooling

75 Hard with a group, the team colorful sweatshirt, laughter with Erin on school days, enjoying swimming, learning to share a lane

some good sleep, warmth, my chickens, running, swimming

a last week before work, family game night at the kitchen table, lots of laughter, the ridiculously warm and soft blanket Erin got for Christmas, a cleaner diet

lesson plans, school dreams, muscle soreness the day after a strength workout, afternoon walks, the sermon on guarding your heart from Sharon

a stunning sunrise on the way home from the gym, a light crowd in the lap pool, writing on 66 Books, swim training plans, all the crunches

deep talks with Erin, Nora's transparency, good eggs for dinner, all the laps, a hair dryer

and that bathing suit dryer at the gym!, growing strength, the nervous feeling at the head of the class on the first day, getting a student to smile when he was trying not to, seeing all the students interacting

Denise N.'s blessing and prayer at the end of class, a treadmill run at the gym, a long run before the flurries, sleep, all the good things happening for Lanie

Day story

 January 2023

Outside my window, a wet road. I've had to tweak my training plans this month since adding in swimming. After a gym/swim combo, I'm learning to give my legs a rest. Today is my long run. I haven't checked the forecast yet, but the ground was wet when I let the dog out. Might be a rain run. Which beats snow and ice any day.

And I quote, 

"You play like you practice." Start by Jon Acuff

Giving thanks for another year on 66 Books. I changed up my writing day to publish Fridays this year (which had been my original publish date for years before I went to Thursdays). But out of routine and the need for a long run, I've kept my Thursday writing habit and schedule to publish on Fridays. I'm so thankful for 66 Books, in its 14th year. I never imagined. I'm so grateful for the folks that have written with me diligently for years. They are solid, "mighty men." These are people you want on the field with you.

In the school room, we are back to work. Still delighting in The Iliad read alouds with Erin. So much fun. And ancient history, I've got a new fondness for it. Preparing for a spring high school class. I really pray that I plant good seeds.

From the kitchen, meal planning--and following. I made a broccoli salad last night (gosh that stuff is so yummy) that I'd happily eat for breakfast this morning. It's so good. Served it up alongside seasoned home fries and grilled chicken sandwiches. Yummy and easy.

I am back on 75 Hard. I'm laughing. I had zero plans to EVER do it again. ZERO. Especially after the elevated stress levels, tanking heart rate, and menstruation issues (sorry) last time. But Rob reached out and asked if I wanted to go a round in his group, and I said yes before I could say no. I've already leveled up on my training because of the triathlon. Might as well get credit for it. Truly, the worst part of it is drinking all the water. The best change is making a commitment to keep my diet clean. I'm not counting calories this time around because I'm training hard. But I did cut out all junk--chocolate, candy, ice cream, cookies, cakes, muffins, chips, soda, etc. You know what's crazy about cutting out inflammatory foods? You drop a lot of bloat immediately. Let's go!

I don't want to forget the laughter. I love schooling with Erin. We laugh so hard during history read alouds. And reading The Iliad has been so entertaining. We are also reading (just for time together) a book called Peace Like a River, and I swapped out the characters' names for characters in a fan fiction she likes, calling this book fan fiction. And we laugh. It's so good. 

I am reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger; and Start by Jon Acuff (though Soundtracks is still my favorite of his books). Also, this year, because of the Advent study I did last month, I'm reading through the Bible in ESV. 

Around the house, I'm intentionally working through spaces to purge and tidy. How wonderful it was to clean the floors. To dust surfaces. To put tulips in a pitcher. I cleaned out and organized the pantry. Order is a lovely thing.

On the letterboard, memento vivere. (Remember to live.)

I value positivity.

A view of my favorite things

January mood

66 Books 2023

lunch out with the girls

2022 miles

Goals, baby!

"I've got no roots!"

Fresh kicks

Like groundhog's day--day 1 again!

 

At the table, a quiet time. Surrounded by books. Coffee mug, almost emptied. Listening to humming heat. Grateful for it all.