Catching up on a Friday

Hello, Company Girls. Today is a good day for company, don't you think?

Sometimes I think it would be easy to get sucked into wishing that I had as many real-life company girls as we do coffee company girls, but since I'm on a positivity kick, I realize I want to be thankful for both my real-life company girls, though they be few in number (but big in heart) and you all, my other Company girls. Love it.

Anyway, last week I wasn't feeling very bloggy. I was in a funk. Fortunately, having a day off on Monday (a perk of being a teacher) was just the ticket and I was inspired by how awesome new days are and how much I love them.

This week, as a result of the positivity and the new day attitude, then, has been pretty good. Life is busy, as usual, but it's good.

Since I was in a funk and didn't chat with you all last week, let me just catch you up on the week.

Some of you have been following my kitchen remodelling progress. We haven't made too much more recently, because Husband has been working full days (despite the mess in the kitchen, it's a beautiful thing for him to have full time work). Still, he's slowly but surely getting cabinets painted and hardware put on. Perhaps this weekend he'll finish that and I'll get to do a thorough cleaning before we start tearing up the floor.

I made ice cream cone cupcakes for the first time in my life. They were pretty delicious, even though they were still a little gooey despite my over-baking them. My Seminar LOVED them.

I just looked up and out the window and it's snowing. I live in a state known for snowfall, but yet we've been just having flurries and no accumulation while others of you have been seeing unusual snow piled high. I've been jealous for snow, so while I'm sure it won't stick, it still brought a little leap of joy into my heart.

I've been having really good quiet times this week. I am doing a Bible study on Ruth with a high school student from church and then have been prayer journaling and just spending time reading the Message and praying through what I read. It's amazing how God always meets you when you seek Him.

Lastly, as I was going through the grocery store this afternoon to get some Risotto (I made crispy oven chicken, parmesan risotto, and green beans with almonds for dinner), I saw something that made me smile instantly. Just like I wait for Gingerbread Lattes in the fall, I wait for these little treats in the Easter candy aisle. You better believe I bought a bag. In fact, I bought two.
I'm looking forward to this weekend, too, because first, I'm going to spend tonight hanging out with Husband, who has not been home one night this week before I was already in bed (he had youth group Sunday night, work Monday night, guys meeting Tuesday night, class Wednesday night, and worship team Thursday night). I don't know what we'll be doing- perhaps watching a movie, but it will be wonderful just to be together. Saturday I'll do some things I need to get done, and then I'll most likely be going out with some women from my small group for a Ladie's Night Out. Hopefully it will be just what I need to feel more connected. And Sunday will be a family dinner with my parents, sister, and 94 year old grandpa.

I love the weekend.

Oh, and one last thought. The other night I was reading a Psalm (100) in the Message version, and this short chapter jumped out at me.

On your feet now- Applaud God
Bring a gift of laughter,

Sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, GOD.

He made us, we didn't make him.

We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password "thank you!"

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty,

all generous in love,

Loyal always and ever.

I think what struck me the most (among lots of other things I like in this Psalm) is that we're to make ourselves at home, talking praise. To me, that means that praising God should be as natural as putting your feet up on the coffee table and chatting with your best friend. I'm digging that thought.

Anyway, here's to the weekend!