A Slower Pace

I haven’t done country song lyrics in a while. I heard this familiar song by Martina McBride on the way to work this morning and it sounded apropo.

Blessed

I get kissed by the sun each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank god for all I’ve been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
to be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Across a crowded room
I know you know what I’m thinking
By the way I look at you
And when we’re lying in the quiet
And no words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift

I have been blessed
And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank god for all I’ve been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
to be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

When I’m singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know

I have been blessed
And I feel like I’ve found my way
I thank god for all I’ve been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
to be here with the ones that love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Today was another rare spring day in winter. It actually got up to 57F! We started off the day at an indoor yard sale at the local community center. It was a picture ripped from the country 50’s. And old basketball gym circa 1954 with various locals hawking their wares on folding tables. It was almost a thrift store on steriods. Like a lot of people’s grandmas all died and left them stuff. From a crocheted picture of Jesus to a salt shaker in the shape of Kentucky to a set of John Wayne plates to an old fan that you could stick your whole hand through before they made them safe. It was a eclectic country mix. I’m sure there were a few gems that could end up on one of those antique appraisal TV shows where you bought it for $1 and it is worth hundreds. And then when we left, we spent some time with my son on the outdated playground. You know, the one that has all the good play things from days of old. Like real see-saws. And a skeleton merry go round where if you fell off in the middle it would hit you in the head. And they had really cool back-hoe sand toys that you sit on and control the scooper to dig a hole. It was kinda like looking back on toys of your childhood where they aren’t as whiz-bang as todays electronic toys but they have lots of character.

Spent the rest of the day doing a few chores around the house — cleaning out the garage, cleaning out the basement, and assembling the new smoker I got. I also spent a 1/2 hour chatting with my back neighbor who offered help carrying something heavy into the house when he saw us drive on the grass to the front door.

Dinner was some nice country eats at the Cracker Barrel. I had comfort food — chicken ‘n’ dumplins’. I had never had them before coming to Kentucky but them’s good eats! And the Kentucky sunset escorted us home. I made a statement to my wife that I think I’ve seen and enjoyed more sunsets in the short time here than we saw in California all last year. Don’t know if it is because you can see more of the horizon here or if we are truly slowing down and enjoying the little things in life or what. But they sure are purty.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl. We plan on hitting the late service and then have a new member party at the pastor’s house. It wil give us a chance to meet new people. We’ll make it back in time for the game but I am not that enthused about rooting for either team. As a Dallas Cowboy fan, I have grown up hating the Eagles (right behind the Redskins) however, I am tired of the Patriots. I guess if someone has to win, I’ll go for the green birds but to me it really doesn’t matter. Good thing NASCAR starts in a few weeks.

…..Dan at aslowerpace

Today was an all around gorgeous day. Sunny, no clouds and we broke into the 50’s. Birds were out doing their thing, you didn’t need a coat, and people were generally upbeat. I cannot remember a day when I truly looked around in amazement at the beauty of the weather and surroundings.

When I returned from work and drove down the driveway, my son and two dogs were playing around the pasture and running to great me. It was a great way to be greeted home and to kick off the weekend. We then took the dogs on a small walk around the property. Nothing strenuous — just a stroll around soaking up the afternoon.

Back in California, I looked down on days like this as too cold. It’s amazing what a streak of cold weather will do to your weather standards. Maybe we’ve acclimated to this Kentucky weather. All I know is that winter is still here and I am expecting more freezing days ahead. But today, we thoroughly enjoyed the day as a family. I received a nice welcome home, was able to pick up my kids from school and grilled dinner outside while enjoying a cold one.

Luckily, this weather should hold through the weekend so more enjoyment and relaxation is ahead.

…..Dan at aslowerpace

Monday was a busy day…..too busy for a posting. So my weekend update is a little late but here nonetheless.

Saturday was a family day with lots of errands. On Friday, my oldest daughter brought home a progress report from her middle school. Her lowest grade was an 89% — we were thrilled! To celebrate, we agreed to go to our new favorite BBQ place on Saturday, Smokey Bones. We coupled that with a trip in the city to Home Depot, Target and the mall. Sunday, we were a little late getting up so we hit the late service and did a few more errands. The rest of the day was spent playing the driving game (Sega Dreamcast), watching “The Lion King” and doing a few honey do’s.

More postings later on our school situation and other stuff.

…..Dan at aslowerpace