February 17

I am grateful to have made time in the morning to spend time with the Lord.  It is always refreshing to get His perspectives to keep me focused throughout the day.  Even though the students today were highly energetic, it didn't bother me as it usually would.  I attribute this to the fact that I had "refuge in the Lord".  It was also nice working with a friend in the Lord.  Being on the same page with the same philosophies is also beneficial and helpful.  All in all, it was a very good week. :)

February 16

Today I am grateful to be in with a PreK class.  Most of them are so innocent at this age, and as Bill Cosby says, "kids say the darndest things".  They put many smiles on my face today, and I saw God in many of the children.  It was refreshing. :)

February 14

Happy Valentine's Day!  It has been a good day.  I am grateful I was able to do a 5K on the treadmill today.  Even more exciting, I was able to cut 5 minutes off my time!  Now, don't think I run really fast.  I don't.  But, I was able to do it in just under 43 minutes.  I thought that was amazing considering I still have blisters on the balls of my feet from Saturday's hike. I was thinking back to the first time I tried to run a 5K which was about 18 months ago.  I couldn't.  And after 45 minutes, I gave up at 2.5 miles.  Lately, I haven't been able to get the 3 miles in under 45 minutes.   It is nice to know that the persistance is paying off.  I don't think I've ever been able to do a consistent 13 minute mile.  I was ecstatic that I had hit the 3 mile mark by 39:20.  I've never done that before.  This gives great encouragement to keep pushing myself.  Now, I will think of a new goal.  Hmmmmm. :)

February 13

I was grateful today for a couple reasons.  First, I have mentioned how I am at a crossroads, and figuring it out can be at times overwhelming.  But, as I have been reading the Bible and the Spiritual Reflections I receive, it is becoming clear that changes will be on the way.  I just have to Praise God because I don't know what kind of an adventure I am in for, but I do know all that God does is Good.

Second, as I was driving home from the gym, I was thinking how famished I felt.  I was very hungry as I haven't done grocery shopping in over a week and we are out of some food staples.   I am embarassed to say breakfast was a half bowl of cereal, and lunch was 2 hard boiled eggs and some carrot sticks.  You would think I was on a diet!  What a pleasant surprise I received when I got home. Clif had fixed a nice dinner!  I feel so lucky. Once my energy level popped back up, it was off to Publix I went. :)

February 12

I am grateful today that Clif and I had an opportunity to go to BassProShops so I could buy a nice pair of hiking shoes.  They are so comfy on my feet.  I am now looking forward to our next hiking adventure.  I even treated myself to some moleskin in case I get blisters from wearing a new pair of shoes.  I told Clif at the rate we're going, the next hike will probably be 15 miles!

I am also grateful to have talked to my sister for 2 hours on the phone.  I am so blessed to have been raised in a loving family where everyone's space is respected, yet when we get together, it's like we never have been apart.  We had a lot to catch up on, plus it's nice to have spiritual inspiration along the way.  Thanks Diane. :)

February 11

Yes, I didn't put in a blog yesterday, but I really wanted to.  We had company from 6p until 2am.  I thought it would be very rude to say, "excuse me while I blog!"  You get the point.  But, it was a great evening that I was thankful for.  Amber and Stephen had fixed Spinach/Sausage Manicotti for dinner and brought it over.  Amber also made a banana cake and mint chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  YUM! 

We had such a wonderful time playing Ticket To Ride.  We played 4 times.  Then, we played 3 rounds of Skipbo.  Amber and I were flustered during this game because Stephen and Clif whopped our pants, but we had a good time none-the-less.

Now onto today.  Clif and I had planned to hike Seminole Forest, getting an early start.  Well, we did hike that area, but we didn't get as early start as we had hoped.  I didn't roll out of bed until 9am!  The great news is that we were able to get in a 10 and a half mile hike.  My feet are sore and blistered, but I had lots of fun and have many pictures to share.  The first 5 miles were my favorite, the last 5 I didn't like at all.  Clif enjoyed the entire hike.  He liked the end because of the vast viewing area.  That's what I didn't like.  It was daunting.  I am one of those hikers who likes to be oblivious to how far I've walked.




           
     The hike began on the Florida Trail just north of SR 46.  A mile in was a shelter camp for those who hike the FT across the state.

           
     We hiked the Wekiva River Basin Loop which took us through numerous ecosystems.

           
                                  The pine forest ahead.

            

                                  Through the pine forest we go.

          

                     Let's go check this out.  Maybe it'll be a nice place to have lunch.
              We've hiked about 4.5 miles.  Time for a much needed break.

           

                  Yes, it is.  And, I'm enjoying munching on carrots just picked fresh this
            morning from our garden.  What a relief to get out of my shoes and into
            something a bit more comfortable.  Once we started back on the hike, I
            changed into a second pair I had brought along to give my feet a break.
            I'm glad I did because it made the next 5 miles a bit more comfortable.

            

                   Yikes, we just hiked across this vast land.  Clif loved the view.  I was
             overwhelmed.  We just came from the tree line waaaayyyy in the distance
             on the left.  The only intriguing thing was seeing bobcat tracks in the sand.
             Unbeknownst to me, we are about to hike back to the tree line far off in the
             distance on the right!

              

                   After a short 1/2 mile gradual u-turn, we are heading back through the vast
             land on the opposite side of the field as we head our way back.  In otherwords,
             we followed the tree lined perimeter around the entire vast palmetto and
              gallberry field speckled with pine trees!  YUCK.

             
                     Get me out of my shoes and back into the flipflops!!  We are back to the
              beginning of the loop.  One mile left, and we are at the parking lot!  Yeah!!

                 Start to finish only took us about 5 hours, and that included 2 stops to rest.
                What a beautiful day to refresh the soul.  It was only 65 degrees today.
                     Thank you Lord for a great day to enjoy Your magnificent creation. :)

February 9

Thank you Lord for being with Clif and I throughout our marriage.  Today, we celebrated our 27th anniversary, and treated ourselves to a nice evening out to Maggianos.  The service was great and the food was delicious.  What a nice evening indeed. :)