• an extra set of hands
• free tissues and (pre-sharpened!) pencils
• a genuine "I'm sorry"
• a surprise text message and sweet gesture
• meals prepared for today and tomorrow
• a deal (and Christmas music) at Michaels
• driving with the windows down

• perfect weather for being active outdoors
• renting old-school bikes and cruising around Central Park
• the colors of autumn all around us
• laughing so hard that we couldn't keep pedaling
• inviting the neighbors for dinner

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011

• more than one round of our favorite game
• surprise! a sparkly clean car
• browsing (dreaming) in IKEA
• enjoying every meal together
• mouth-watering cheesecake
• a care-free Saturday with our soul friends
• conversations of all kinds

• the way they pray for one another and those in need
• one final conference, good reports to give
• "A Bug's Life"
• seeing how a once hard task is now a feasible one for so many
• coming home to a clean house, my husband knows me well!
• filling the kitchen with the smell of chocolate chip cookies
• waiting for great friends to arrive!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011

• their excitement to explore God's creation
• the rain holding off
• finding and collecting critters of all kinds -- worms, ants, salamanders, even a slug!
• hands and eyes glued to a fish tank full of creepy crawlers
• family dinner - with something for everyone
• an "I missed you" hug from mom
• her braiding my hair

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

• a vent in the bathroom
• cuddling with my husband on the couch after a "go-go-go" kind of day
• new episodes
• friends through life's up and downs, knowing we can pick up right where we left off even if life takes us on different paths
• warm pumpkin drink at Starbucks

• orange envelopes in the mailbox
• no coats needed, enjoying the last of the 70 degree days!
• students showing compassion, seeing their eagerness to help children with cancer by striving for excellence and even donating their own money to St. Jude's Children's Hospital
• e-mails that make me feel closer to far-away friends
• encouraging words to ease my doubts
• my Tuesday night reprieve from school work, allowing my mind to be creative in a different way
• time to talk, discuss, vent, give advice, and lament with a friend who understands
• praying for help to "not sweat the small stuff"

• an amazingly helpful sister-in-law! did our grocery shopping, made us dinner and dessert
• creating a thanks and giving trees bulletin board

• making fun weekend plans
• a husband who loves me in spite of everything
• being warm with a coat on, loving the sunshine
• breaking out my journal again, a God who forgives and sees me for who I can be

• "you know what I love about right now?" - how the words of a stranger can feel so close to home, a new phrase to help me give thanks in all things
• a glance at the clock in the morning, knowing it is actually an hour earlier
• enjoying the day in the city with my husband
• an early Christmas present: seeing a long-awaited show
• amazed at the creative costumes
• center rear orchestra seats - perfect view!
• a crafty flower for my hair
• our Sunday night show, joined by A&A

• 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