when your eyeglasses frost over with the air from your nostrils.

For those with asthma and similar conditions (such as the euphemistically named “exercise-induced bronchospasm”), cold can be an enemy. Cold air is dry air, and dry air increases asthma symptoms.

So since the walk into class this afternoon had me wheezing a bit, I told myself I’d take precautions on the trip back to my car. I wrapped my scarf tightly around my face, covering my mouth and nose. This kept more moisture in and warmed the air slightly before I breathed it in. It’s a common recommendation for asthmatic individuals dealing with low temperatures.

While the scarf technique was successful at preventing wheezing on the way back from class, there were some unexpected complications. The scarf channelled some of my breath up and behind my eyeglasses, causing them to fog over–and then frost over.

So I walked back to my car blind. I lifted the glasses to look both ways before crossing the main street, and replaced them a little low on my nose (so that I could look over them if needed for the rest of the trip.)

Once I got back to the car, I turned it on and waited for a few minutes for my glasses to thaw. It didn’t take too long before they thawed and the water ran off onto my cheeks in two huge teardrops.

Not even probably… Life couldn’t possibly better be. (Lyrics from The Court Jester.)

But truly I have been blessed. I’m not sure life can get much better than it is right now.

I love my job (er, internship). Today I rolled a bazillion cinnamon rolls, plated some Bundt cake, observed the tray line, sat in on an interview, compared menus on old computer system and new, and rifled through some cooking magazines for recipe ideas.

I love my home. Today I baked off a few extra cinnamon rolls, made some hamburger buns, made a chicken pot pie from scratch (and my pie crust was FLAKY-Yay! I’ve finally mastered it!), started some more yogurt going, washed and replaced the sofa slipcovers, dusted and vacuumed the living room, swept and mopped the kitchen, and washed the “Joy to the World” off the patio door.

I love God. He met me at 5(am) before I left for work, He kept me safe and focused throughout the day. He’s restored my emotions (something I was beginning to think was impossible while I remained on the antidepressant.) And this evening I got a call from a friend I used to meet with regularly to do Bible study with. She said she had some extra time on Friday and she’s missed hanging out with me and talking about God. So we’re getting together this Friday to talk about God. Then my little sister had news–a family friend accepted Jesus as his Savior this evening at youth group.

Now I know I should be getting ready for bed–I do have to work (er, intern) tomorrow at 6:30–but tell me, can life possibly be better?

Life couldn’t possibly– not even probably– life couldn’t possibly better BE!

Lincoln’s hippies are alive and well–if you know how to find them.

Incidentally, I stumbled upon a hippie hostel just this afternoon.

I’d never been to our local cooperative grocery, preferring instead to shop at Super Saver, where food is plentiful and inexpensive.

But today I was in the neighborhood and I wanted to buy some vanilla beans to make vanilla extract with. So I stopped in at Open Harvest.

The clerk was my age, but her hair hung wavy and free down her back. Her peasant skirt and Birkenstocks flaunted her counter-culture, natural-health identity. The customers were either young people with multiple piercings or middle-aged men. I felt immediately out of place in my trim turquoise suit with hose and business flats. Only my homemade white canvas shopping bag kept me from being immediately ejected as an outsider.

Reserving judgement, the clerk asked me if I was a member/owner. I told her no, I was not. She asked me if I’d like information about membership. Sure, I said, why not. She sized me up one last time before making her final suggestion: “Would you rather just take a brochure home to read at your leisure? Or did you want me to tell you about it now?” Her assessment was apt–I’d certainly rather take home a brochure.

I liked the store. Really, I did. I have little use for organic food, but Open Harvest has more than organic to recommend it. A wide selection of bulk foods–esoteric grains, beans, and spices. Several different gluten-free flours (to experiment with for education sake and to use to cook for a friend with celiac.) Essential oils and the like. I enjoyed my quick visit. I’ll probably be back.

But I don’t know if I’ll drop by quickly after work any more. I’d rather change before I go–put on my longest skirt and tons of beads, let down my hair and hide my lack of Birkenstocks. I’ll get myself some Patchouli or not put on deodorant in the morning–anything to cover up the absence of the distinctive odor of marijuana or clove cigarettes. No one mentioned my lack of non-conformity today, but I don’t know if I could get away with it a second time.

I have a number of goals for this year–about a bazillion ;)–but no resolutions. At least, no resolutions along the lines of “I’m going to exercise every day this year”, “I’m going to read through the Bible”, “I’m going to achieve self-actualization.”

Instead, I’m going to keep on with Flylady. I’m going to work towards the healthy behaviors I listed earlier. I’m going to attempt to resume my piano practice. I’m going to try to blog 5 times a week. I added A Year with the Institutes to my RSS feed, so maybe while I’m wasting time exploring blogs this year, I’ll get Calvin’s Institutes read too.

I’m keeping things pretty low-key–nothing too set in stone. Nothing too demanding. Just taking the opportunity of a fresh year to do some of those things I’ve wanted to do for a while.

I feel like I’ve made a pretty good start on the year. Today I:

• changed the sheets on my bed
• had a talk with my little sister
• watched the Gator Bowl with my family (Huskers won, duh!)
• finished my laundry
• completed the WIC modules I’ve been working on for a couple of days
• finished writing notes on a book
• finished reading Getting things done by David Allen
• read a chapter apiece of Peter Pan and Pretty Good Jokes (I’m working on learning some new jokes–and I actually remembered two well enough to share them at appropriate moments during commercials today!)
• listened to todays reading from the Calvin’s Institutes
• cut out a sewing pattern
• listened to (and took notes on) the first session of William Bell’s Old Testament Survey from Discipleship Library

And now, having had a full and productive year (thus far), I’m going to get ready for bed!