Daily 5 - Day 106

Today's Daily 5 (or so):

1. Bemused laughter at the incredible nature of some events that rather fully displayed God's deeply ironic sense of humor to me today
2. a relatively decent day at work
3. "NUHEART"
4. grocery shopping for this pay period (even with some extras for all the baking I've been doing) coming in at just (barely - like $3) under budget
5. making it through the tightest pay period yet on my budget and still having enough for what I needed, and even for some wants
6. freshly washed sheets, pajamas and towels
7. news of a very good sale tomorrow at a shop that I use items from daily, and realizing that I can find time in the midst of a very busy schedule to get there (I know sales are common in the States the day after thanksgiving, but tomorrow is just another day here in Canada, and it was nice to get news of a great sale.)
8. maple chicken and yams for supper - new recipe, turned out quite well, and I'll definitely be making it again
9. A grocery shopping trip that didn't involve drama. Everything was in stock for a change, and I didn't leave the store in a homicidal mood (though, I was quite distracted and amused/bemused by other events of the day, so that probably helped)
10. chuckling with a couple different friends over the events of the day.
    

I Liked These

This post at Pete Wilson's blog. Particularly the Thomas Merton quote.

This post at the (In)Courage blog that Angie Smith wrote.

Thanksgiving

Some of you know that I hold dual Canadian/American citizenship. It's Thanksgiving in the states today, and I'm claiming rights as an American and declaring a day of thanksgiving for myself as well.

The quote for the day on the calendar on my desk this morning seemed appropriate. It read:
"Know that gratitude for God's benefits is one of the riches of the soul, and that ingratitude dries up the fountain of divine graces. Give your tribute of gratitude often to the most loving Jesus." (Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini)

This morning was one of the rare moments when I was the first one to arrive at our office. On those mornings I usually spend a few minutes walking the hallways, the perimeter of the floor, and praying aloud for the day and for the company. I like those days. I don't know if it's just the place my heart starts the day in, or if the prayers truly do shift things in the building, but those days do have a tendency to be just a bit smoother.

I'm also extremely grateful to report that for the first time in probably 3 months or so, I slept for about 6 straight hours last night, and without disturbing dreams. Since that is such a rare occurrence in my life, it's worth celebrating.

It's a new day, and I'm going to choose thankfulness today.

Daily 5 - Day 105

Today's Daily "5":

1. I'm thankful for another night off from cooking, but still getting to eat a tasty homemade meal
2. I'm thankful for insurance coverage that pays for the occasional massage, especially in weeks like this one where the hour of relaxation it provides is truly a blessing
3. I'm thankful that I made it through the day relatively in-tact. There were a lot of moments when I wasn't sure that that was going to happen
4. I'm thankful that every day will not always be this hard.
5. I'm thankful that my heart is slowly in a place of being softened, every so slowly again, for others who are hurting and broken
6. I'm thankful for music and lyrics that move my heart, or simply stir laughter or joy
7. I'm thankful for morning drives to work that are being spent memorizing scripture with the help of an audio bible
8. I'm thankful for the first 10 or 15 minutes each morning when I arrive early at the office, and sit and journal thoughts from the day before, pondering dreams, and plans looking at the day ahead
9. I'm thankful for the various books I've read lately and am reading currently, and for the way they're stirring my heart to new things again.
10. I'm thankful, too, for the renewed desire to read. For the little bit of discipline that is restoring attention span and reminding me again why I have always been moved by the written word.
    

Because I Needed a Chuckle Today

I came across this joke this morning, and it provided a much needed chuckle, so I thought I'd share.

Ready… Aim...

A bishop, a priest, and a deacon, were about to be executed for preaching the Gospel in a foreign land.

They bring out the bishop first and the guard shots, “Ready… aim…” and suddenly the bishop yells, “EARTHQUAKE!” When everyone looks around, the bishop runs off.

Next they bring out the priest. They guard shouts, “Ready… aim…” and suddenly the priest yells, “TORNADO!” When everyone ducks, the priest runs off.

By then, of course, the deacon had it figured out. They bring him out and when the guard shouts, “Ready… aim…,” suddenly the deacon yells, “FIRE!”