Friday's Fave Five

See? My dining room was clean once!

It's time to reflect on my week and list my favorites - the things I'm thankful for. To read more posts like this, go here.

1) Daughter is having some fabulous experiences. To protect her privacy, I'll just say that she is doing a lot of learning and growing which makes her very happy. She is a blessing to more than just me! Also, great news, her job was made permanent, and her seniority goes back to when she started on a temporary basis in August. She and everyone else are all very relieved and happy.

2) Son is doing some cool stuff,too. After he finished college he decided he'd like to study another language and do more reading. So he has started studying Spanish, and he is reading something... not sure what... but as an avid reader myself, this makes me very happy.

3) Cat, whom I love dearly, is now living with Son and DIL. I miss Cat a little, but I'm happy he is not at my house full time. He is learning all about his new digs. I know he will be well-loved where he lives now.

4) We had a great discussion at Book Group this week. We are starting a new book, but had not read any of it yet, so we just talked generally about the issues that we know are in the book. I would like to say publicly that a certain Megan person is mature beyond her years! Wish I'd been that wise at that age.

5) I know it's still the dead of winter, but my summer plans are moving right along.. my summer is filling up with FUN activities. I'm looking forward to all of it. Even my high school reunion, which I have not attended since my 10th year reunion. Would you believe that this year will be my 40th??? I don't believe it myself. I am only 43 years old.

6) OK, I just have to add a sixth one. I am feeling so good and so happy these days! I love life, I love my friends, love my family, love Minnesota even though it's freezing our butts off, love my job, love my car, and even love my messy house. God is good. Life is precious. Wheee!

Friday's Fave Five

Time to look back and think about my favorite parts of the week. Go here to read more Friday Faves.

1) This week I have savored the interactions I've had with students. I am so lucky to have a great job! My students are such a blessing.

2) I had a day off this week, and it was a beautiful day with sunshine and blue skies. Gorgeous! And I had fun sewing and making good progress on a quilt top.

3) Today is my sister's birthday. I like having sisters! I love and am proud of them both!

4) I managed to go to the Y and exercise most days. And when I couldn't or chose not to, I didn't beat myself up over it. I'm plugging away at becoming more healthy and realizing it will take some time to recover from my slothful ways.

5) my husband. When he comes home from work he gives me the sweetest smile. It warms my heart!

Friday Fave Five

It's Friday already, which means time to post my Friday Five. Go here to read other posts of the same topic.

1) I appreciate all my blog readers and the interesting comments they leave for me. Thanks! I've had lots of fun "traffic" this week.

2) I'm doing well on my Be Healthy campaign. I went to the Y several times this week, and I'm eating better. Already I feel so much better! Keep it up, Me!

3) I started knitting a scarf this week. I ripped it all out because of a major error. I started over, using a different pattern, and I'm having much better luck. It's fun to knit again!

4) I'm so looking forward to this weekend: I have few obligations, and an extra day off. Wheee!

5) I told the cat to go upstairs to visit "Grandpa," and he went! I think I've taught him (the cat) to understand English!

Friday Five

This idea comes from Living to Tell the Story. I have done Friday Fives before, but unofficially. I decided I should at least link to the person who came up with this idea. Go to her blog, and you'll be able to see lots of other folks' Friday Five Favorites.

So here are my five favorite things from this last week:

1. A student talked to me about my upcoming retirement in June and said, "I'm going to miss you!" This meant a lot to me, because I have a special spot for this student in my little ol' heart, and I am so glad she feels some sort of connection with me. I'm going to miss her, too.

2. It has been brutally cold, but today a few students and I went outside for a walk. We warmed up pleasantly just from walking, and it was such a beautiful, sunny day. We crunched along on the ice and snow and got some brisk, fresh air. I loved it. At the end of our little walks we do a cheer like a football team. We put our hands together and on the count of three we throw our hands in the air and say "I'm healthy!"

3. I made a firm decision about whether or not to do a couple of things this summer.. their dates were conflicting, but I made a decision about how to fix that. I feel good about that decision.

4. On Monday I started going to the Y after work. I even signed up for a Get Fit class at the Y. It's a small group that will be working on both nutrition issues and exercise routines, with the help of a personal trainer. I went to the Y three times this week, plus took the little walk that I mentioned in #2 above. I'm excited that I finally committed to doing something good for my health.

5. Tonight after work the house just felt so cold; I couldn't warm up! Charles and I decided to order some take-out, light a fire in the fireplace, and watch a movie. We are watching "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" film series that was made for HBO (Season 1). What a blast! They are so well done! I have read almost all the books, but didn't even know there were movies until I saw the series at Target. I bought them at halfprice right after Christmas. Anyway, tonight was so cozy and warm and fun. After the movie I stayed in my warm spot and read some of my book. A very pleasant and cozy Friday night. Perfect!