Something about going to bed incredibly early in the evening last night, left me very well rested and ready to get up at 630 this morning. Sometimes you just need to put yourself to bed early and without supper and that was exactly what I needed last night. This morning I woke up to Major's meows outside my bedroom window, as he's now used to being let in somewhere between 530 and 615 most mornings. Once I let him in, I just went around doing some of my usual morning routine--making coffee, checking email, reading some of the mail left over from yesterday. Then I delightfully crawled back into bed for a bit with my coffee and indulged in Eat, Pray, Love---the travel journey of Elizabeth Gilbert. This is the second time I'm reading her book, as the first time I read it I was rushed and didn't have the time to relish her experiences as much. (Plus I've got her newest book, Committed, waiting on my nightstand and I felt it would benefit me to read the first part of the story over again then.)
A few hours later, I let the dogs out of their kennels, fed them, and then changed into gear to go for a morning run. As I was putting on my running shoes, I looked out the back window and caught one of those glimpses that I love: The dogs were lounging around on the grass we do have, the trees were gently swaying, and a beautiful gray bird was staring back at me from the chain-length fence. Going outside the air was perfect--cooler and with a bit of a breeze. (Keep in mind cooler was probably high 70s since we've been in the low 90s this week.) The run/jog was a bit more trying but I made it, and sat for a bit on the back patio to cool off. Let the gals out the back gate without their leashes and led them up to the nearby empty field for them to romp around for a bit--Roxi's first taste of freedom since her spaying (stitches came out yesterday). Sometimes there's nothing as pleasing as seeing the two of them running full speed after each other...
Two loads of laundry done, the lawn watered, the rest of the mail has been gone through, the dogs have been played with, and we've entertained ourselves with the Wii. The hub's scrubbing the shower and we're both looking forward to an evening out with one of my coworkers and her fiance--who also happened to be stationed at my husband's prior duty station. We're headed to the little river town that we love that has some of the best food we've found down here.
And in these moments I've been reminding myself of all the things I do have to be thankful for:
---a note in the mail today from my cousin
---love & support of friends and family
---fabulous memories & experiences to reflect upon
---consistent employment through a job that I really enjoy
---a comfortable, relaxing home
---a flourishing mini-garden out front
---the ability to truly try to benefit the lives of others
---clear, blue skies & on other days amazing Southern thunderstorms
---goals & dreams & the motivation to achieve them
---furry critters that both drive me & love me like crazy
---squishing bugs
And some other things that I'm enjoying as of late:
--conversations & bonding with a client from OREGON!
--a Starbucks on post now
--cast iron skillets
--the beautiful handmade lil quilt that arrived via a dear pal
--non-humid days when we can still hang laundry on the line
--MLB games available on TV
--everytime I make a payment toward decreasing debt/pay day!
--my watering can making it easier to water my plants
--asparagus & spinach dip
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