Friendliness

Today was my first official day as a 4th Grade Long Term Sub. I have been amazed by the hospitality and friendliness offered to me by my new coworkers. There are three other 4th Grade teachers, and they are incredibly nice and kind to me. I am inspired to do the best job possible because they have given me this huge opportunity and shown me such graciousness.

The friendliness of my fellow 4th Grade teachers and the entire staff at this school inspire me.

Clean Kitchen Counters

I don't know what it is, but when the counters are uncluttered in the kitchen, I get the urge to cook. It's such a relief to walk through the kitchen and not see a single dirty dish taking up all that counter space. I guess the feeling might be like a painter with a blank canvas in front of her. Oooh the anticipation of what to cook up next! And with all that counter space, I can easily cook two...or three...or four things at a time!

I absolutely love it. Today's uncluttered kitchen counters helped to make a delicious loaf of banana bread, some chewy oatmeal raisin cookies, and a pot of white chicken chili. I think I can still get some more out of those counters. I have some granola in the works right now....

Clean Counters with all their possibilities are inspiring.

Melting Snow

I am so encouraged by all the melting snow lately. After a week-long stretch of 40-degree temperatures, patches of grass are appearing in lawns and along roadways, snow patches on roofs are shrinking, and my favorite - water is continuously running alongside the curbs on its way to the storm drains.

I realized again today how beautiful that water is as it trickles alongside the curbs. It catches the sunlight and sparkles as it rushes down the slopes. Usually when we see water running alongside curbs during other parts of the year, it's because it's raining and the sky is overcast. Today the sun shone brightly, and reflected off the small streams of water. It made everything seem magical; it was almost as if the whole city were celebrating the warm temperatures and the onset of spring.

I like it. :)

Unplanned Weekends

The whole weekend sprawls out before me. I begin with a long walk outside in the fading sunlight. I plan to enjoy the tasty leftovers in the fridge for supper, then hopefully crack open a fantastic book that I've just started and already love. This is gonna be great!

Unplanned weekends are inspiring to me. I feel like I have all the time in the world for a plethora of projects that I've been wanting to get to but never seem to find the time. At the start of the weekend, it seems as though Monday is far, far off in the distance. All I can see are the free hours, ready to be enjoyed in whatever way I best see fit.

Finally finally the weekend is here! I waited so long! The pages are just waiting to be written...

Other People's Home Improvement Projects

You know what I'm saying! Last night we were over at our friends' house and they have been attacking their home remodeling projects with such fervor! They purchased a home built in the same era as ours and have been very diligent about their home improvement projects. Literally EVERY time we go over there, something drastic and new has been done. And I mean done, too. It's completed, the painter's tape is off the trim, and all the paint cans are put away.

Their work ethic inspires me, and their results inspire me to do more around our house.

Inspiring. :)