"I only want it to begin..."

other people's relatives and pets
reliving old lives -- dinner with Shelly, talking with Smashing Masching and Mollie Katherine
funny boys on the phone with stories about boardgames and bars
the magic attic
driving
front porch swing
bens on the ipod
reflecting on my old philosophy, and finding it still holds true though nuanced
rolling greenblue hills melting into bluegrey clouds
breathing
the kiosks at sheetz
an easy visit because we're already roommates
texting
the peaceful joy of a good roadtrip
running across a rest area to take pictures
explaining pot-roasting to a vegetarian
seeing people I love
wishing I could see more

knowing that there's more to come...
including a new year (and champagne!)

"...the stars are brightly shining..."

in the last 12 days, I dug these things...

mexican dinner with all those US-2s
Candler Fall Social -- rice krispy bars, cider, and funny singers
another missionary dinner
Flying Biscuit brunch with Barbara and some Candler NY ladies
Lessons and Carols -- my 5 talented students! so cute!
late night Krispy Kreme
Wesley Christmas party -- gingerbread houses, the chain of our hopes and dreams, funny presents, good food...
Williamsburg holiday dinner -- Ray & Carl, holiday sweaters, a doorprize, and delicious gravy
hilarious Cracker Barrell lunch with the girls -- eavesdropping, an excited waitress, Twas the Night Before Christmas in Georgia, gifts, ornaments, rocking chairs, and lots and lots of laughter
Craiggers Day Celebrations and decorations
Flying Biscuit brunch with Rel. Lifers
running
being there when tears are about to fall
the peace of creativity
finally finishing that nonprofit project!
Midnight Pancake Breakfast -- I made hundreds of pancakes.
spending time with friends, old and new
White Stripes loud in the car
POT ROAST
Christmas tablecloth
cold, brisk, invigorating walk
rapidly approaching the end of this term
Christmas music
our pretty tree, complete with Cracker Barrell ornament

"love, love was all around..."

last week [a week of illness, with some high spots]:
sleeping
lots of orange juice and hot tea consumption
decorating the christmas tree
wtm advent party
king center
dixie chicks concert, with pete yorn opening (like a surprise mini concert followed by a concert i meant to go to...)
beautiful love feast

this week, so far:
warm sun on the squishy couch in the locally-owned coffee shop
dinner with daniel
presentation done, 1 paper turned in, paper proposal turned in
extension on the other paper
breathing without the aid of over-the-counter remedies
fun socks
hanging of the greens
dinner with lovely US-2 women in town randomly tonight from around the country
feeling known