November 15 (for Friday, November 11), 2011 - This week's topic: unexpected
Five minutes. Here we go:
I like to think I am a Planner. I like having things organized, but I have decided lately that I'm not very good at Planning. I think Researcher is a better term for me; that's the part of Planning I really like anyway!
I have loosened up over the years. If things don't go exactly as planned, I am disappointed and sometimes sad but not upset. Having and living with kids has taught me that! You have to decide what is most important part of an event, make sure that gets accomplished, and the rest is just gravy. Great if you have it, but not really missed if you don't!
Unexpected things that happen are usually the most memorable in my recent experience. They are usually the funniest or most dramatic or most whatever. Hopefully, they are good unexpected things and not bad though.
It seems like at all of my kids' birthday parties lately, the "unexpected" factor has always been the weather. On Ethan's January birthdays, it always seems to snow. For Zane's June birthdays, torrential rains come along. Nash's birthday is in March; March is always unpredictable!
So, bottom line, I'm learning to ease up and go with the flow more. I decide what is the most important thing that you want to do, try like heck to get that accomplished, and let the rest just happen. I also make sure to enjoy the Planning process, the researching. And to EXPECT the UNEXPECTED.
STOP.
STOP.
September 16, 2011 - This week's topic: joy
Ready, Steady, Go!
A lot of times I think the words "happy" and "joy" are used interchangeably, although incorrectly so. I think happiness is a good feeling. I think joy is happiness with an exclamation point or two or three. JOY = happy!!!
When I saw this week's topic, I immediately thought about a new gift I just purchased for myself. I love Metalsgirl jewelry. I had been admiring her bangle necklace with a word charm and a colored resin/herb charm forever. She had a 30% off special in her etsy shop, and I jumped. Without hesitation, I chose the JOY word charm. I went back and forth over the resin/herb charm, but I finally settled on the white charm with thyme. I think of it as Purity. I received it in the mail, and fell in love with it totally. I wear that necklace and feel like I radiate Pure Joy.
I feel joyous so much nowadays about the life God has given me. It's not a perfect life, but it makes me happier than happy. It makes me want to squeal with delight some days. And I think that's what is JOY for me. Squeal with delight. Smile from ear to ear. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply to take in that moment.
Stop.
I'm linking up with Lisa Jo at The Gypsy Mama site. Have you?
When I saw this week's topic, I immediately thought about a new gift I just purchased for myself. I love Metalsgirl jewelry. I had been admiring her bangle necklace with a word charm and a colored resin/herb charm forever. She had a 30% off special in her etsy shop, and I jumped. Without hesitation, I chose the JOY word charm. I went back and forth over the resin/herb charm, but I finally settled on the white charm with thyme. I think of it as Purity. I received it in the mail, and fell in love with it totally. I wear that necklace and feel like I radiate Pure Joy.
I feel joyous so much nowadays about the life God has given me. It's not a perfect life, but it makes me happier than happy. It makes me want to squeal with delight some days. And I think that's what is JOY for me. Squeal with delight. Smile from ear to ear. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply to take in that moment.
Stop.
I'm linking up with Lisa Jo at The Gypsy Mama site. Have you?
September 9, 2011 - This week's topic: in real life
Ready, Set, Go!
My 20th high school reunion is coming up soon. In like 2 weeks. Fomo today. I wasn't super popular in high school. I had a few friends, and I was friendly. (Reminds me of traits of my 8-year-old!) I worked hard in my classes, so I graduated co-Salutatorian. I was even voted Most Likely To Succeed along with Chris Grindstaff. I've waffled back and forth whether or not to go. My husband clearly does not want to go (having experienced the same thing last summer), but he will go with me if I want to go. So, we're going. I think. I hope it's not a disaster :(((
Anyway, that leads me to this week's topic. It's all about perception. I'm sure people think of me based on things they know or have heard about me, based on the presence I project to the world, based on my demeanor. How do I want the world to see me? What do they really see? How are they different? Is that OK?
I am a working mother. I am married and have 3 beautiful sons. I am a sister, daughter, niece, cousin, aunt, friend. Some days I am happy. Some days I am sad. Some days I am mad. Some days I don't get a shower. I wish I had more money. I wish I didn't have to work so many hours each week. But I love my kids and my family. So much. Does the world see what I'm like in real life? I'Il bet they don't. I wonder....
