3 Days to My 365th Post

My year-in-review pic of the day is a reminder of the hot temperatures we had in August which made the pool right outside our apartment so tempting; and of all the hot air balloons which would float above our apartment complex right over head. I took this pic while standing out on our old apartment balcony in Columbia.

Today Paul and I tried a new church, Redeemer Fellowship, based on a recommendation from The Crossing in Columbia. It turns out that one of our old friends from Columbia who moved to KC about two years ago also goes to Redeemer and came up and talked to us this morning right before the service. How nice to see a familiar face in a new place. As we awoke for church, we were greeted with snow on the ground which apparently is the first wave of snow before we get even heavier snow tomorrow. Hard to imagine that it was ever warm enough for pools and hot air balloons.

Hot in Late September

My "pic of the day" is of a hot air balloon that flew over the top of our apt. last night. It was so close it was like we could touch it. Today was so warm, over 90, that I actually went for a swim after I came home from work. One a side note, I was very thankful that my husband was productive today.

Obstacles

Wishing I didn't have a hundred little obstacles preventing the completion of any one task I have on my plate right now. The routine of start, stop...start, stop...start, stop isn't getting me anywhere. I need a hot air balloon to take me up, up and away.

Day 9

Not much remarkable about today. We couldn't sleep last night until after 2 a.m. so we slept in today and then did some things off our to-do lists and watched the season finale of Friday Night Lights. While watching the show, a hot air balloon floated past our window. The highlight of today is that my quest for the perfect dessert has been satisfied by the Triple Chocolate Meltdown in our backyard basically, at the Applebee's right across the street from our apt.

A Different View

I chose this "pic of the day" because I just saw a hot air balloon (not these particular ones) floating around in the sky as I looked out the window. This pic was taken at a balloon derby several years ago. Our apt. complex is the perfect place for hot air balloon spotting as there must be a field or something nearby that is perfect for launching balloons. We often see balloons start to float up into the sky and sail across our viewing area.

I've never been up in a hot air balloon, but I'd like to someday. I can just imagine the perspective one must get from viewing the world from above. It's a good reminder that we need to take a step back and remember how small we are in comparison to our surroundings. Today I heard a good tip...that we can't always remove the things from our life that we don't like, and sometimes we have to learn to like/live with them.

Warmth!

It was warm and sunny with a high in the low 60s today! For the first time in months I went out without a coat this afternoon to walk across campus and we were actually hot in the classroom this afternoon even with the windows open. My "pic of the day" is of a warm weather activity - hot air ballooning. I can't wait until it is warm enough to see hot air balloons again. This pic I took in Aug. '07 at the Columbia Hot Air Balloon Show.

It was a busy day with 9 student appts. and class - I worked about 9.5 hrs because I didn't stop for lunch but I did get home about 6 which gave me time to workout on the Wii and still enjoy evening t.v.

A 5 Minute Vacation

Today I wished that my life had a "pause button" and someone suggested that I need to find ways to have a "5 minute vacation" from the demands of life. So, this "pic of the day" spoke to me as an illustration of a 5 minute vacation. During my mini vacation, I imagined what it would be like to be up in this hot air balloon - temporarily away from the demands and hassles of life and in a peaceful solace. It would be quiet (except for the hot air burner firing periodically); it would be an escape; it would allow me an opportunity to breathe; and it would provide perspective by showing how small my place is in the world compared to the many places and people below.

I took this pic during the Hot Air Balloon Derby in Columbia a few years ago. I actually love hot air balloons and have always wanted to go up in one, but have never had the opportunity. I love the tranquility that watching hot air balloons provides and I love the thought of floating peacefully without a care in the world. Of course balloons can only fly in early morning or early evening and when the weather is just right, so I guess that adds to their serene mystique.

Today was very busy starting early with teaching a 9 a.m. class; then it including numerous student appointments, a 25 min. lunch and more emails; then running out to my own appointment at 5 p.m.; then to meet my husband for a 15 minute dinner at Subway and then back to work for a two hour recruitment event for the professional fraternity I advise and home just after 9 p.m.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)