• ignoring the alarm, staying warm under the covers
• my Calvin sweatshirt
• "what are you doing today?" phone calls, spending unexpected time with a wonderful friend
• a $3 desk chair, soon to be transformed
• craft time with good company, teaching her to make ornaments
• completing 2 orders already!
• his return
• "falling back," an extra hour

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

• a "magnificent teacher"
• 18 conferences completed, a weight off my shoulders
• leaving school before noon, spending the rest of the day with A & E
• friends and family who support our passion for crafting
• a gracious host
• successful a.j.e.less designs open house

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

• being home together, even if getting our individual work done
• thinking Christmas (cards), designing my own
• our routine of holding hands to pray after dinner
• being there for him, his being there for me
• timely conferences
• a recovery drink with co-workers

• an aide that stayed all day
• lights and heat in all school campuses
• getting assessments in before conferences
• just one day of school for the week
• insulation in our home, a caring grandfather
• hard eucharisteo: holes in the ceiling, walking in to a mess
• a husband with tickets in hand, telling me not to worry, he will handle it
• coming home after a long day, looking forward to watching an episode of my favorite show with my favorite person

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011

• accomplishing tasks at the bottom of the list
• helping a friend in her time of need
• snow melting, temps rising
• looking through pictures, deciding what will look good on the wall
• a delayed phone call, an excuse to "do it later"
• freshly baked banana bread
• having dinner ready when he came home
• time for crafting

• that precious extra half hour of sleep
• time for designing
• a meaningful book, a reminder to read it again and again
• the rare combination of snow on the ground, colorful leaves on the trees, and sunshine to illuminate its wonder
• booking a trip with friends, getting a deal
• her voice on the other side of the line
• a new show to watch and laugh together
• that phone call again ... looking forward to another day off!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011

• snowed in with my love
• maintaining power, and no damage to our property
• my brother shoveling so my husband didn't have to
• a phone call to change my attitude
• bringing the dogs back to their rightful home
• party of 8 around the table at a favorite restaurant

Today was anything but a normal autumn Saturday. Instead, today brought some interesting surprises. Though these surprises may not have made me smile on first glance, I find that I can only laugh about them now!

• steady snowflakes falling from morning to night
• going to the attic to break out the winter coats and boots
• a massive hibiscus plant arriving in the midst of a snowstorm
• preparing for conferences by candlelight
• routinely distracted by tree branches cracking
• taking 2 black labs and all of their needs to spend the night at our house
• my husband called out to shovel before our calendar shows November

• a mug of hot chocolate to perk up my morning
• a quick $50
• dedicated parent volunteers
• a substitute I can count on: calm, respected, and maintains high expectations
• a good laugh in the midst of a serious meeting
• a blanket around me to keep warm on a cold day
• cheering on my brother in one of his last soccer games of the season
• a double date with friends

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011

• surprised by a Christmas song on the radio
• creating their own "ants"
• discount tickets to see a long awaited show!
• my amazing husband, who always knows how to cheer me up
• laughing at family videos
• new numbers

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011

• recording what students have learned about kindness
• an e-mail with special offers from NYU
• time with him in the midst of a busy week
• reading together
• early to bed

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011

• news that a loved one is home from the hospital
• inviting myself to dinner at mom & dad's, hearing again that the door is always open
• a phone call to say "I miss you"
• picking out snacks to treat the staff
• knocks on the door from the neighbors, even for something small

• my turn to lead staff devotions, sharing in prayer with colleagues
• God's timing
• good reports from last week's open house
• doctors and nurses for those in need
• parents to help centers run smoothly
• celebrating our learning about kindness
• sit-on-the-floor talks about life with my mentor, taking time to rest in the midst of e-mails, paperwork, photocopying, grading, and more
• spending time with cousins, plus a new addition!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011

• a reminder to spend more time "on my knees"
• a sympathetic husband
• 2 advil and an afternoon nap
• dropping in at the neighbors', neighbors dropping in
• homemade paninis
• "seeing" far-away friends for the first time in a long time, planning to meet half way

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

• turning the heat on
• an experiment for both of us: making applesauce with mom
• starting a new tradition
• taste-testing
• the last piece of pie (for lunch? why not!)
• enjoying a walk on a beautiful day
• a date with my love
• long-awaited gelato
• finding the right fit
• the warmth of our comforter

step 1: washing

step 2: coring

step 3: boiling

step 4: mashing, with the help of Nana & Pop's old pot

applesauce! it's that easy!

step 5: add cinnamon and sugar

we need more apples next year!

• waking up after the sun
• a break in routine
• a friend to ride around with
• learning something new
• exploring the possibilities
• friday afternoon cocktail
• coming home to a cooked meal, sharing with our neighbors
• freshly baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

• a visiting author
• encouraging a nervous student
• making "edible landfills"
• a night off from grading
• a colleague taking responsibility so I didn't have to
• 8 of us around the table, felt like Thanksgiving!
• pumpkin pie piled high with cool-whip
• new comedy on The Office

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

• a working Smartboard
• an easy afternoon
• hosting parents for dinner
• comfy pants
• a new episode to make me laugh and cry simultaneously

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

• enjoying God's autumn beauty while walking with a friend
• patience in the check-out line
• making the cashier smile
• breakfast for dinner
• talking with someone who understands