Day 303: Amazing Grace

One year-old Aurora and Great Aunt Zita at her pizza party!

I had a fabulous Monday.  A real live day off! But I am in pain today.

I threw all caution to the wind yesterday. I ate a slice of sourdough bread at lunch.  Pizza for dinner. Beer for dessert!

My kids and I went out to the "Over and Out" Pub.  My daughter had never been there before. We had wonderful soups with bread and a delightful shrimp ceviche. My daughter has a new hobby she was enthusiastically sharing with us. She is bringing new life to old furniture!

I told her about the Rooster website.  http://se.portland.therooster.co/team
This is a fabulous resource.  Tali Saar, founder says about Rooster:
"Rooster is my life’s mission. I want to see more connectedness, kindness and empathy in the world and hope you do too. That’s what we’re here for."

Love it!  Rooster is a site for neighbors to barter goods and services. My daughter put up an ad about her new quest. And she got some responses already. Coincidentally (or not!), her first reply was from the grandmother of one of my students! We stopped by her house after lunch. She had a wonderful old chair she gave us. My daughter has her first project! We spent some time talking to her. She was equally amazed at the synchronicity of it all.

I feel like she is on to something very very good.  She is out getting free wood today. My parents are giving her a sander and my brother invited her to his garage "shop" anytime to use his table saw.

Now as my daughter embarks on bringing new life to old furniture, I need to bring new life back to my quest for good health.

Back to my overindulgences yesterday.

I did do a few good things. I went for a trail walk with my son and did a brief morning yoga workout.

I practiced piano for my audition at the church I am applying at. Which is today!

But then we met my family for dinner. It was the 1st birthday of my great niece, Aurora!

We met at Round Table Pizza in Lake Oswego. An old family tradition. I heard they had gluten free crust. That was a rumor.  I opted for a salad bar. Which was pretty dismal. I gave in to the little voice that said "Live a little! Have some pizza! You only live once!" Man, that pizza tasted so good! I had four pieces!

Then I watched "The Voice" with the kids at home. And I had a Coors Light!

I was thinking maybe I could indulge occasionally, you know that YOLO thing.  But I feel like I swallowed glass.  I am sipping tea right now. About to do my morning yoga.

I am actually pleased that I am suffering. If I was not, then I would probably slide back into my old, gluttonous ways!

I will make something bland and healthy for breakfast. Perhaps oatmeal.

And this week will be a week of cleansing food, water, tea and much walking!


I chose "Amazing Grace" as my hymn of the day.  One of my favorite hymns, and I am sure probably the most beloved hymn of all time.  The lyrics are humbling. Which I indeed need today!

 "One of the best loved and most often sung hymns in North America, this hymn expresses John Newton's personal experience of conversion from sin as an act of God's grace. At the end of his life, Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) said, “There are two things I'll never forget: that I was a great sinner, and that Jesus Christ is a greater Savior!” This hymn is Newton's spiritual autobiography, but the truth it affirms–that we are saved by grace alone–is one that all Christians may confess with joy and gratitude." 

http://www.hymnary.org/text/amazing_grace_how_sweet_the_sound

 Amazing Grace

Words by John Newton (1725-1807)

Traditional American Melody

1 Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3 The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
4 Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
5 When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.