Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.

~Hubert Humphrey

So my roomie & I have been working out at 6:30 in the morning every morning (okay, only for 2 weeks now) *smile* I have never been a morning person, relishing the summer days when I could sleep 'till noon and go to bed long after everyone else had been dreaming for hours. So this morning workout routine was a challenge. Yes, I still love my nights; there is nothing more awesome to me then looking to the night sky and seeing the twinkling stars and the craters of the moon (how I often wish I could walk on the moon, what a dream that would be), but I am beginning to develop a whole new appreciation for the early mornings. It is certainly a struggle to get myself out of bed when the alarm goes off, but once I'm up, I'm happy. It was a cool and crisp morning. The campus was virtually still except for the few of our faithful housekeepers up early to make sure everything was looking just right. I found myself looking around campus seeing what Fall was bringing us: gigantic multi-colored leaves on the ground, the smell of winter in the air, and a peak of sunshine as it too tried to wake up! I've certainly been in a funk for a week or so, sad and in a fog. I am still very much sad and having a hard time with missing Julia, but I've realized that sitting all day and dwelling does not make anyone happy--least of all Julia. So, the quote above reminds me that I have so much left and it's what I do with it that matters. It is also okay to be sad, to grieve, to cry and I will allow myself to do so, but it's also okay to be happy, to laugh, and to most of all dance---so I shall allow myself to do that also.

Thanksgiving in quickly approaching and it is a time to remember all the things that you have to be grateful for---mine are countless. My new blessing is my joy for the early mornings---and as always I'm always grateful for the late nights---but with my new morning routine, I'm not up as late as usual--hmmm...guess I'm growing up! *smile* Have a FANTABULOUS Wednesday! Mine shall be filled with research, studying for a test, & outlining papers! The joys of college you could say.

Big Hugs!

Picture: This is a picture I took a couple of weeks ago at the International Forest of Friendship in Atchison. Vicki and I took Presentasia out to help her with her photography--we had a grand time!