1. I live life at full tilt. People who know me in real life, as opposed to only through social media, are laughing right now. And shaking their heads, wondering how this is worthy of a quick take. Because sometimes I forget who I am. I love roller coasters and rides that spin you round and round, with lights and loud music. But I also like to come off the ride and sit and rest and get ready for the next ride. I am either going at full tilt or not.
2. In this month of November, I have been focusing on gratitude for all the good I have in my life. I must admit that it isn't easy and that I was sliding from grateful to grumpy the other day. Part of the problem is that while I am fine handling many projects, I dislike it when others try to make their projects mine. As I pondered this, I realized that I could be annoyed or happy that I could help. All of life is a process and slow journey to holiness.
3. What am I grateful for this week? Our office was given an extra day off, yea!!!! I think it's because we have non-stop events for almost three weeks in December. At any rate, that day will hopefully be pent shopping for Christmas. Working out has also helped me this week stay focused and get rid of the extra adrenaline and sleep better. I really like sleep. I don't need lots of sleep, but I need good sleep.
4. I'm sure most of you are aware of this, but it's Thanksgiving next week. And then comes Advent, then comes Christmas! Can we please follow this order? Thank you.
5. Gym pet peeve: people who wear tons of scent while working out. I am trying to breathe people,
Stop with trying to smell good while you sweat. In the end, sweat and and whatever you are wearing to try to smell good combine into something pretty stinky.
6. My plan was to read 100 books this year. Don't think it's going to happen.
7. We watched God's Not Dead this week at our Thursday morning study group. It was great. I was a bit concerned sine the group is made of women old enough to be my mom, but all enjoyed it, even tapping along to the music. I would highly recommend it for teens and above.
It has been a week and I have much to be grateful for beginning with God's mercy and ending with the Eucharist.
Family is a blessing and having both our children living near us is wonderful My son kicked off his new business, The Plate and Table with a fabulous dinner Wednesday night and our daughter had a birthday. My husband does not need to see the infectious disease doctor for the foreseeable future.
I also must say that last weekend was insanely busy for me. On Monday when I was getting dressed I was so surprised that my husband had not only done the laundry, but folded and put my clothes away! What a guy.
At work we had a canned food drive and there was a very good response.
We finally did our yard work. On Saturday morning we went and hired two day laborers and got busy. How bad was the yard? Well, the front was okay, but the side and back were so bad one guy asked if we had been gone all summer and were just getting back? WOW!
I am on week 9 of the Retreat in the Real World. It is truly amazing. Last week the focus was on gratitude, I am constantly humbled by the love and mercy God has for each of us.
Being grateful is helping me change my thought process to focus more on the positive and the possibilities in my life. How does being grateful help you?
It has been quite a busy week and after thinking Friday would never arrive it's here!
1
I received the nicest compliment, "I want my kids to be like yours when they grow up" followed with a question as to how you do it? There's no one thing to do in raising our children, it's many things, done over many years and adding lots of prayers and relying on grace. But that's n ot what I told her, I told her that I let my children suffer the consequences of their actions and did not fix their problems.
When I mentioned this to my children they laughed and insulted each other. Oh well.
2
Each day in November I am posting on gratitude. Today I am grateful for anniversary celebrations, especially going to Mass with my husband next to me and the roasted duck; my son living close by again; and that I am participating in his new business venture, The Plate and Table.
3
Have you ever used PicMonkey for editing your photos? Try it, it's free and easy!
4
This Saturday begins a new book club at Catholic Mom. We are reading The Grace of Yes by Lisa Hendey. Join us!
I am back to training at the gym. I've been back to going regularly for two weeks. I knew I missed working out, but now that I am back into it, I realized how much I like it. It helps so much with working off the stresses of life while giving me more energy.
7
Great new song from Matt Maher
Go visit Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes. Thanks Jen for hosting!
In some ways it feels like it happened in the blink of an eye. But it didn't. It took us thirty one years to wind up where we are today. Yesterday John said he wished we were still young, I'm not so sure. I like this small bit of wisdom I have gotten with age. I could do without the wrinkles, especially the one between my eyes and while John is almost all grey he still has more hair than he needs.
Some years have been a breeze, others more of a challenge. The past few months have been a challenge for sure, but we have learned what "in sickness and health" means.
When John was in the hospital I didn't sleep as well without him beside me. It was so odd, because he's gone away before and it never bothered me. Of course, this time the reason was illness. I realized how different my life would be without him and grateful to God beyond measure that John is next to me, where he belongs.
Here's a recent picture, one of my favorite selfies from Italy!
I like technology. I know there are dangers there, especially when people spend more time paying attention to their phone than the world. Or children who can't be without some gadget at all times and playing outside is a non-existent concept. However, there's lots of good, for which I am grateful.
1. Tools that help me organize my life and many projects. My new one, Toodledo shared by Sarah Reinhard.
2. Smart phones, I can listen to the daily readings on my drive to work, not get lost so often with maps in hand, and look at pictures on Instagram.
3. The tools I use to stay in touch at work with parishioners. Our website, e-newsletters, and Facebook all provide ways to share the Good News.
appreciative,
