Emjayandthem's Blog

Random 5 (Lion) Friday

Posted on March 31, 2017 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday! It’s time for some Random thoughts ~ here we go!

1 ) March roared in like a Lion and …well she’s still roaring. Yesterday brought freezing rain and lightning, all the same day. Today .. rain and winds. The grass is greening and the Robins are fat… hmm. Maybe April will come in like a lamb?

google.images

2 ) Old favorites ~ I put a tee shirt on the other day and laughed because I remember when it was new. 10 summers ago. I still like it and still wear it but now just around the house ’cause it’s a little worse for the wear. It’s like an old friend, comfy, soft and forgiving. It’s from the summer we took Mom on this trip, and that’s the shirt in the picture below. Sissy and I are going again in June and Mom will be with us in spirit, clapping her hands, grinning widely and taking it all in.

One of my favorite pictures of Mom & me… having a Killian’s in Branson, MO. Summer 2007.

Of course we saw an “Elvis” show! Tony Roi as Elvis was AMAZING!

3 ) I wrapped up 7 consecutive weeks of heavy work travel and meetings. Yesterday we were asked to set goals for the year – one of the goals surrounds meetings & outreach. I smiled realizing I’m halfway to the goal. Yes!!

4 ) It’s Friday. I can hear the birds singing and my calendar, for the most part, is wide open today. I have a few projects to tidy up then I’ll hand the reins to another and my team – and be off on v.a.c.a.t.i.o.n. It’s 34F here and 75F where we’re headed …and there’s not a schedule in sight. Ahhh.

photo courtesy of the Farmers Almanac.

5 ) Amazing. Yes, that’s it. Ha!

That or glasses!

How about you? What’s the oldest piece of clothing you still wear? What are you looking forward to? Have you set any new goals for the year? Have you amazed yourself lately? 🙂

Happy Spring, peeps!

The Glad Surrender

Posted on March 26, 2017 by emjayandthem

Lately my work life is all consuming ~ looking back and ahead I am struck by these four things:

1 ) Traveling every week for work & so that means restaurant after restaurant – and eating healthfully can be a challenge. Typically I have a big breakfast sometime during the day and supplement with foods I bring with me. But, I’ve discovered the wedge salad and that has become my new favorite. I’m sure it’s 10,000 calories but I don’t care. Here’s is one I enjoyed a few nights ago with shrimp and a Skinny Girl Margarita. Yes I was that gal photographing her food … ha!

dinner on the road recently

2) I’m tired. Tired of work, tired of calls, tired of projects, tired. I’m tired of increasing pressure, endless demands and unrealistic expectations. In just a few weeks we will shut everything off and head to a warm vacation. In response to bosses who’ve asked anxiously if I’ll be online while away I’ve answered no, I’ll be IN line for a beach towel and a lemonade by the pool. Looking forward to no schedule, no calls and no clocks. I know what will happen – we’ll sleep deeply, be up early, and smile our way through sun, tunes, good foods and warm waters. And when we get back it will all be there waiting for us.

3) The one thing saving my life right now is weekends. And sleep. And wedge salads. And that pool image above 😉

4) Many flagship stores around us are closing – K-Mart was first, Sears was next, and now, certain J.C. Penney stores, too. Out of solidarity I stopped at JCP one night last week, hit a sale, and walked out with >$300 in merchandise for $95. If I could get a deal like that more often I’d go to the mall more. Hmm.

** How about you? What new-to-you food are you loving? Have you came upon any deals lately? What are you excited about? When’s the last time you took a break? Can you embrace the Surrender?**

“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, Discipline: The Glad Surrender

Categories: Blogging, Confidence at any age, Determination, Faith, Fashion, Food, Fun, Life, Opinion, Personal, Quotes | Tags: Discipline: The Glad Surrender, Elisabeth Elliott, getting away, not online, schedule, shutting off electronics, sunshine, taking a break, vacation, work | 2 Comments

Lions, Lambs and funeral luncheons

Posted on March 19, 2017 by emjayandthem

Mother Nature has been mercurial again – here March roared in like a lion, with freezing temps, bitter cold, blowing snow and lashing sleet. All this after a mid-February warm up to nearly 70F. The latest round felt like a mid-winter spanking. Are we safe to assume March will leave like a lamb? I’m not so sure.

A friend passed away last Sunday ~ shockingly young, leaving a wife and two children plus a business and employees to take care of. We struggled to absorb the news and rally around our friend. As expected, a call went out for food and folks didn’t disappoint. At the wake Friday night, were crocks full of hot foods like meatballs, macaroni and cheese, Sloppy Joe’s, Fettuccine Alfredo and Lasagna plus trays of cakes, cookies and squares, salads, raw vegetables, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, boiled shrimp, crackers and cheese, a baked ham and the fixings for sandwiches.

There’s something so comforting about being able to help at a time of sadness.

Many commented on the abundance of foods and I thought of Mom and my Auntie and all the times they’d done the same. It’s nice to be part of a community that comes together and provides sustenance when needed.

Later that evening, reflecting on the day, Hubbs and I chuckled at how we’d both observed the same thing: older gentlemen – every one of them had a big slab of cake (sometimes two), cookies or brownies on their plate ~ we laughed about how we could see my Dad or his Grandpa doing the same – how they knew enough to”go for the good stuff first.”

Co-mingled in the sadness is a lingering feeling of fellowship, the memory of a room growing loud with laughter and toasts to a good man.

And as the wind howls outside here today, no lambs are in sight.

** How does your family or community navigate loss? Are you experiencing Lambs or Lions where you live? **

Categories: Confidence at any age, Faith, Food, Grief, Home, Life, Love, Opinion, Personal, Share, Thoughts, Traditions, Women | Tags: comfort, death, food, funeral, grief, loss, March comes in like a Lion or a Lamb, Proverbs, tradition | 7 Comments

Positive obsessions

Posted on March 12, 2017 by emjayandthem

for more, click on A test in self-worth

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Confidence at any age, Faith, fear, Forgiveness, Friendship, Growth, Joy, Life, Mom, Quotes | Tags: a test in self-worth, body-image, kindness, obsess about what you love about yourself, Self-acceptance, self-worth | 6 Comments

Random 5 Friday

Posted on February 24, 2017 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday! It’s Random! Here we go:

1 ) Spring? Summer? Fall? Certainly not winter. We hit 70F this week and yep, you guessed it, snow’s coming back tomorrow. I think Mother Nature is going through ‘the change.’ Nothing is as usual – grass is green, bugs are out, things are growing – Bam! They’re going to be surprised when the next wallop of snow lands!

2 ) Lots of travel lately – I don’t mind because I am open to and enjoy the random interactions that occur. Example: between meetings in the capital city this week, I grabbed lunch at a little cafe. I noticed an older gentleman wearing what had to be his finest suit. He was decked out from coordinated socks to a beautiful tie to his exquisite hat – you don’t see hats much anymore. As I got up to pay my bill, I complimented him on his handsome hat – a wide grin broke out and we enjoyed a short chat – he was in town in meetings on behalf of a seniors care organization (similar to Meals on Wheels). He was polished, articulate and commanding; I can’t imagine anyone saying no to him. Well the company I work for has a program that seniors can benefit from – he has my card and I have a friend in Mr. William (Bill) Jones. You just never know where your path will take you; I’m glad mine took me to him.

3 ) Saw this the other day and it reminded me of my cousin and I – who does this remind you of? I need to send it to my sister, too – she’ll get it!

4 ) An Auntie has been dealing with a tough situation over the past few months – my offers to help have been politely declined. One day last week she contacted me and said “I need your help – I am at my wit’s end.” The back story is she’d been forced to place her (dementia-afflicted) husband in nursing home care – a decision that was very tough for her to do. The problem was the home he ended up being placed in was a) too far away, b) not not working for them and c) all efforts to move him closer were regularly thwarted by the (for-profit) center. As I told her, I don’t know anyone in this world, but I have many contacts and I’ll try. I spent the day on the phone, and by 4pm had his case over to the state regulatory bureau who investigates and licenses nursing homes. (Go big or Go home, my Mom would say!!) Uncle was moved the next morning, after months of attempts. The best part was that every (Government)office I called – and every person I spoke to – once they heard their story- they reacted as I had – with disbelief, anger and a sense of urgency. It buoyed us all to know that, when given the opportunity, strangers very happily did the right thing … and quickly. He’s closer, she’s happier, and being able to help her blessed me. 🙂

5 ) And with that, I’m off on my next road trip – but – I’ve timed it so I can meet a friend for lunch on the way back into town today. Life’s rolling by too quickly and it’s time to carve out some friends time, too.

“Yes, you see, there’s no such thing as coincidence. There are no accidents in life. Everything that happens is the result of a calculated move that leads us to where we are.”
― J.M. Darhower, Sempre: Redemption

What’s random in your world these days? Met anyone interesting?

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Determination, Faith, Family, Friendship, Growth, Home, Life, Love, Mom, Personal, Quotes, Self Discovery | Tags: coincidence, everything happens for a reason, helping another, J.M. Darhower, meeting new people, Sempre: Redemption, snorts, there are no coincidences, travel, uncle, Veterans Home | 10 Comments

Strong Women, Grey Ties & Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 12, 2017 by emjayandthem

As a girl, Valentine’s Day was celebrated with a school party, card boxes, ice skating and moms visiting our classrooms.

google.images.com

As a teenager, Valentine’s Day was celebrated with a boyfriend if I had one and avoided if I didn’t.

google images

As a young married woman, Valentine’s Day meant cards and flowers – for a while, anyways. As our relationship evolved, romantic gestures were replaced by thoughtful ones. Things you can’t buy in the store: taking out the trash; filling my car up with gas on a snowy day. Running his vehicle through the car wash then detailing the inside myself. Folding the laundry left in the dryer; bringing in the groceries. It’s the little things ~ but they’re helpful and kind and nice. And there’s a flow and a comfort to it that I love.

In my 50’s I don’t wait for someone else to make me happy ~ I make myself happy.

You see I learned it from her: My mother was a strong woman and my role model – 100lbs of dynamite ~ she calved calves, trained horses, wrangled 5 kids, a husband, a 1/2 acre garden, 2 dogs and 14 cats. She rode in trail rides, taught 4-H and Sunday School, balanced the books and Chaired the Board. She always got out to vote, once taking the tractor to the highway to catch a ride to the polls. No muddy roads were going to stop her! Not much ever did!

Mom wrangling a Thanksgiving turkey in 1963 – mother of 5, do-er of anything she set her mind to. An Emjayandthem(C) photo

Like she did, I go to bed when I’m tired, take a nap if I need one and I stay up late when I choose to. I make room for the things I love – books – and never apologize for the space they occupy. I have learned how to say “no thanks” to stuff I don’t want (or want to do) and “YES please!” to the ones I do.

Years ago Mom bought my sister & I that novel about the guy with the grey ties ~ She made it clear she had no intentions of reading it and quipped “you can handle it” with a snort. The two of us traumatized our grown kids by leaving it out on end tables. The comments of horror from my nieces and the looks our boys shot my way were so worth it. That was her point, to stir the pot and to remind us we always have a choice.

I chuckle remembering how Mom and I joked that if a good looking, rich man came near us with a grey tie, he’d find himself in some deep do-do.

God, I miss her.

So this Valentine’s Day I wish you this:

I wish you the courage to make the leap you’ve been pondering,
I wish you dreams in technicolor,
I wish you the conviction to change what’s not working, to stop worrying about what others think and to do the things that make your soul sing.
Time’s a-wasting and, per the wisest woman I’ve ever known, the only hero we have is ourselves.

Categories: Attitude, Confidence at any age, Determination, Faith, fear, Fun, Gratitude, Grief, Growth, Holidays, Humor, Joy, Love, Mom, Personal, Romance, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Women | Tags: Books, choices, Fifty Shades of Grey, free will, grey ties, love, love of reading, make yourself happy, Mom, no chance, no gates, no locks, Reading, romance, self-love, strong women, traditions, Valentines Day | 4 Comments

What’s saving my life right now

Posted on February 5, 2017 by emjayandthem

Inspired by my blogging friend Leah’s post – I am taking on her challenge to think – and write about – what’s saving my life right now.

Background – Leah is a fabulous writer, author and Mom who moved with her family from Sunny San Diego to a less-than-sunny wintry Indiana (I can so relate to the absence of sunshine!) – She cites writer Barbara Brown Taylor who, in her memoir Leaving Church, tells about a time she was invited to speak, and her host assigned her this topic: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” The idea behind this is that most can articulate what may be bothering us but few of us stop to note what’s giving us life.

Bam! So thought-provoking!

Here are the things saving my life right now ~ in no particular order:

Exercise: After work I make time for A) the treadmill or B) Yoga. Either helps me unwind and forget my schedule and responsibilities. My mind drifts off and creativity sneaks in. ~ Ahh.
Minimizing Electronics: The company cell phone gets shut down at 7pm and lately, the best thing on T.V. has been the off button.
Books – by taking step #2 I create space to devour deliciously good reads & have created something to look forward to on a regular basis. Joyful!
Rest: In winter I go to bed earlier, it’s a necessary step to create the energy for slogging through the greyest of days.
Up: Because of #4 I get up earlier, can sip coffee longer, and have an hour of “soul time” to myself every morning.
Supplements: Vitamin D in copious amounts – 5,000iu per day. Start slow and work your way up but this is a GAME changer especially if you live where winter happens without measurable sunshine.
Color and lots of it. Again – it’s so grey here right now – you’ll find me in sweaters, scarves and dresses of purple, teal, ocean blue or green.
Flowers – they’re not just for Valentines and anniversaries. For $7.99 I can add a pop of color to my office – and flowers are nature’s happy little reminder that Spring will soon come again.
Music. My job requires a lot of car travel back & forth to meetings – sometimes 5 -6 hours in one trip – I turn off the rants and the politics, add in some Gospel, Motown and Classic Rock and sing my way to my meetings. Winning!
Connections – phone conversations with my sister or cousin, time out to dinner or staying home with Hubbs, messaging with our boys, breakfasts with Grandpa & the Aunts/Uncles. Chatting with someone at the grocery store. Connections – without steps 1-9 – I wouldn’t be as motivated to create and sustain connections~!

What’s saving your life right now?

a $8.00 pick-me-up that lasts all week long. Google.images.com

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Confidence at any age, Determination, Faith, Gratitude, Growth, Home, Joy, Life, music, Personal, Quotes, Thoughts, Wisdom | Tags: Barbara Brown Taylor, exercise, health, lack of sunshine, Reading, rest, SAD, Vitamin D, what's saving your life right now?, winter | 4 Comments

Random 5 Kitty Friday

Posted on February 3, 2017 by emjayandthem

Here we are already, February. Wasn’t Christmas about 6 days ago? Holy wow! Here are some randoms from my world, with kitties helping to tell the story:

1 ) Return packages. I don’t love shopping (except maybe Christmas shopping) – but I do love – l-o-v-e – online shopping. Amazon is a favorite – and also a wormhole. I can get lost in there for days. Recently – for an upcoming trip with Hubbs – I ordered a couple of new swimsuits to try on in the comfort and privacy of my own home. Too big! Yay – so back they go for exchanges. So I used the pre-paid return label that came with and sent them on their way about 10 days ago. Checking the status today it appears they are traveling back via bicycle. Geez Louise – at this rate I should get my new suits after the trip. Below is me watching a tracking # – Oy.

2 ) Like I do every winter, I booked in for a massage a couple of nights ago – There’s something deliciously decadent about stepping into a warm, dark room in the dead of winter, snow lashing at the windows, and enjoying a hot stone massage. I had a new experience – this one didn’t hurt – not the massage itself (they shouldn’t ) – rather me & my muscles the next day. Why? With 25lbs of fluff gone after banishing grains -I have very little inflammation now – an UNEXPECTED BONUS! Whoop! Today – I feel like this little guy!

3) Winter Trade shows – ’tis the season for Home & Garden shows, Boat shows, Camping Shows, Golf shows etc. There’s a Woman’s Expo every year but I can’t ever get any women friends to go, too. Wanna go with me?

time to explore new things!

4) Speaking of time to explore new things ~ this is also the time of year that I get restless. Maybe it’s being inside so much – and it could be the lack of sunlight. For example, in January I am pretty sure we had 423 days without any measurable sun. The sun shone brightly two days ago and everyone in my office went from this:

to this:

5 ) The weekend’s here – brunch with Grandpa & the Elders tomorrow – Super Bowl Sunday – time to rest, relax and enjoy. Who’s ready?

Me! Me! Pick me!

No kitties were harmed in this post!
How about you: Do you get restless in winter? Is there any sunshine in your neck of the woods? Have you been tormented by the pace of a return package? What’s on tap for your weekend?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Blogging, Fun, Home, Humor, Life, Personal, Seasons, Thoughts | Tags: grain-free, kitties, lack of sunshine, loss of inflammation, massage, random five, return packages, trade shows, uexpected health benefits, Wheat Belly, winter, women's expo | 7 Comments

Quiet the mind and the soul will speak

Posted on January 28, 2017 by emjayandthem

It’s been some time since I’ve written and I’m sorry about that. I don’t like to write just to have something to post. I also don’t always want to talk just to talk. Sometimes … I just need quiet.

My job is so busy right now – and while I am not complaining, it takes effort to carve time out for me. Work is all encompassing – meetings bleed into evenings, projects spill into weekends, and boundaries shrink as more is piled on and more is expected. Still – I accept invitations to get out the door and off to someplace new. I don’t mind travel through poor cell coverage areas (yay quiet!) and I relish hours in the car by myself.

The world seems so loud these days ~ we still have a land line and callers tend to be Telemarketers, Automated surveys, Charities I’ve never heard of .. and older relatives.

I realized the other day that sadly I no longer have the excitement about the phone that I enjoyed as a girl.

See, at our farm, we had a party line hanging in the kitchen and when that phone rang we kids raced to answer it. Maybe it was Grandma calling to invite us all for cake & coffee on Sunday afternoon. It could have been Mrs. Prentice calling for an upcoming 4-H meeting I was to attend. Often, it was my cousin giving me a quick call as she saddled up her pony J. Jay and headed my way – “meet you in the middle!” we’d yell. Our farms sat about 2 1/2 miles apart – with fields and hills and trees in between. We’d race up, sweaty and breathless, and ride together back to one farm or the other (or Grandma’s). Sometimes we’d turn our faces and braids to the north and head to the river valley, talking and dreaming and laughing all the while. Other times we’d turn south and follow the canal trails down to the lake, jumping our ponies over puddles and logs like the Equestriennes we thought we were.

the best view is from the back of a horse!

Sometimes a phone call was an older sister’s new beau –against our giggles she’d take the phone as far as the cord would go – and away from prying ears of snoopy siblings.

That harvest yellow farm phone was our lifeline: Phones brought wonderful, happy news – “back to bed, the bus won’t start,” “your cousins are coming for two weeks after your birthday!”, “You’ve been accepted to summer camp!” “So and so’s birthday party is at the rink this year and then a sleepover for all you kids!”

Phones also brought somber news – a car accident, a diagnosis, a funeral to attend or cook for or both – and sometimes calls were on behalf yet another dumb teenager stuck at the beach and a request for Dad to come and help.

I can still recite my parents’ number and, even with Mom gone, I’ve called it since. Her harvest yellow phone is now gone, too.

In the quiet ~ it’s the memories that remain.

****

Does the world seem noisier to you these days? How do you manage the noise in your life? Do you still have a land line? Who calls you?

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Faith, Family, Fun, Growth, Home, Life, Mom, Opinion, Personal, Rants, Technology, Thoughts | Tags: adventures, cousins, Grandma, harvest gold telephone, memories, Mom, neighbors, party line, phone, quiet, quiet the mind and the soul will speak, recharging my batteries, riding horses | 11 Comments

Random 5 January Friday

Posted on January 13, 2017 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday! Time for 5 Random brand-new-year thoughts!

1) Our January weather has been weird. -temps then + temps. Blizzards then thunderstorms. Lake effect snow then freezing rain then black ice then … warm weather and sunshine. I think Mother Nature is in menopause!

I can relate to Mother Nature!

2) Nearly every ad on TV of late is about weight loss – How Marie lost 50lbs on Nuke-your-System!! Oprah and her cookbook and her love of bread! There’s even a new prescription out (can’t recall the name) that promises to accelerate weight loss – the disclaimer states that it “may cause seizures, greasy bowels, rapid heart rate and other side effects.” Nice! Who wants to be slimmer but with greasy bowels and seizures? Yikes! I’ve been (largely) grain free since January 2016 and guess what – not only did I lose weight – I. Am. NEVER. Sick. In 2014 I had bronchitis 5 times; 2015 – 3 times. 2016? None. Zip. Nada. **As inflammation recedes the immune system can heal**. Also-my skin healed, joints don’t ache any more and did I mention I am never sick – despite heavy travel, copious amounts of work stress, public interaction, and being around co-workers with colds & the flu. I’ve lost 20 lbs and 16″. YES to no more Claritin, Mucinex, Tylenol Sinus, Neti Pot or inhaler needed! You don’t have to spend a bunch of money eating fake food or chugging down pills – you really can heal from the inside out. For more visit Cardiologist Dr. William Davis’ site, www.wheatbellyblog.com.

1 year Grain Free ~ An Emjayandthem (C) photo

3) Do you ever forget certain chores? I forget to vacuum. I don’t dislike it, I just forget about it – oops. What chore do you forget on a regular basis?

4) Saw this on FB and laughed out loud. Snaccident. I have never tried Nutella but I could hurt myself with Guacamole!

5) And with that … I’m off to get more coffee! Happy Friday, peeps!

What weight loss ad have you seen recently? Forget any chores of late? (Or on purpose? 🙂 ) Have you ever had a snaccident?

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Family, Food, Forgiveness, Growth, Life, Personal, Recipes, Self Discovery, Thoughts | Tags: 10 day grain detox, chores, Claritin, coffee, diets, Dr. William Davis, grain-free, Inhaler, menopause, Mother Nature, Mucinex, Neti Pot, new year, Nutrisystem, random 5 Friday, snaccident, Tylenol Cold & flu, Weight Watchers, Wheat Belly, winter weather | 2 Comments

Purse protection and shoulder straps for cars

Posted on January 7, 2017 by emjayandthem

OK, maybe it’s not quite that extreme but that picture has a lot of truth to it: case in point. When I was in my 30’s I always carried a cute little *functional* purse – small, easily worn across my body, etc. But then, as I got older I needed more stuff- glasses for one- and my purse grew in size to accommodate everything. Skip to my late 40s and next came smartphones, heavy and not small, and well those have to fit somewhere, too. Plus a portable charger. Lipstick. A magnifying mirror because no woman – no matter her age – wants to look like the old lady who put her lipstick on in the dark.

Somewhere in that timeframe purses with cool pockets and places for debit cards appeared – so well designed you didn’t even need a wallet anymore. But too small to hold my other *stuff.* Last year we learned of the need for RFID protection because someone could stand behind you at TJ Maxx and steal your card info and life’s identity from your cute little sectioned wallet-on-a-string. Risking all that while trying to buy an $8 throw pillow – gah!

So now I have an teeny tiny wallet with RFID protection that holds cards and ID only – there’s no place for money – guess we’re not supposed to need that? And it doesn’t fit in the cute little compartmentalized purse so back up to a bigger purse I go. Then I add my glasses, car keys, phone, charger, lipstick, mirror, band-aids, pen, grocery list, mints and pocket-sized note pad and you can see why – when I hit the brakes or turn too fast – scenes like the one above are entirely possible.

Maybe I should just get a shoulder strap for my car?

**So ladies, what’s in your purse?

**Men, if you’ve ever wondered what’s in there – well now you know. We’re not just ready for any emergency, we’re ready to defend our identity, clean up a spill, mend an injury, read fine print, call 911 and look our best doing it!

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Humor, Life, Personal, Thoughts | Tags: purses and revelations, RFID protection, turn too fast, what's in your purse?, what's in your wallet? | 9 Comments

Random 5 – Good-bye 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by emjayandthem

I don’t know about you but I’m OK with saying good-bye to this year. It’s not been all bad, but it’s been far too rushed-stressed-scheduled-manic-busy for me. I don’t foresee that the work pace will slow but do I feel a shift in how I’m managing it: I’m speaking up more and saying “no thanks” where I can. I no longer feel responsible for everyone and everything. (No one asked me to do that, by the way, but that’s just how I rolled). The surprising part? No push back. Huh – should have done this long ago!

Having (most of) this week off has allowed time for reflection. To think about what I’ve done, what I’ve learned, what I want and where I’m going – here are my Random 5 thoughts on the cusp of a new year:

1 Traditions can change and you can, too. Everything about this Christmas was different – everything. What day we all got together. What we ate, how we managed gifts, who was here and how we spent our time. I loved it! Fewer decorations went up and came down sooner. We stayed in more. We rested – we cocooned. It was wonderful, magical, soul-restoring.

2 Family – this was our first Christmas without Mom and we all felt the pinch. My sister called late one night, her voice cracking, and as we connected our tears fell. She was just “having a moment” she said. “I get it,” I said. We told our stories and cried and laughed and gave thanks for a Mother so joyfully recalled.

3 Gifts – the best gifts are those that cost little but take time and effort and come straight from the heart: this year I made our boys a family recipe book. It’s not perfect and it wasn’t professional but the joy I felt as they sincerely reveled in it was my gift. I teased that I chose a red binder for a reason – likening it to the President getting the Nuclear codes – and that they’d best guard it closely. They assured me they would. 😀

4 Epiphanies abound, case in point: When we go out socially, I yearn for interesting and fun conversations. When those don’t happen I withdraw or get frustrated. Crap – I’m a conversation snob!! Hubbs and I can have hours-long meandering conversations and I shouldn’t assume they’re available everywhere.

Great conversations make me happy!

5 Here comes the New Year. We’re heading out tonight for Japanese Hibachi dinner with a host of friends. I’ll find something sparkly to wear and hope for good conversations. I’ll take a breath and look around and give thanks for the chance to do it all over again next year. ~ Happy New Year all!

photo from flickr

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Years Day.” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Categories: Attitude, Confidence at any age, Faith, Family, fear, Fun, Growth, Holidays, Joy, Life, Mom, News, Personal, Relationships | Tags: 12 days of Christmas, conversations, Edith Lovejoy Pierce, gifts, Mom, new year, open the book, opportunity, recipe book, recipes, sister, turn the page | 7 Comments

Random 5 (Lion) Friday

The Glad Surrender

Positive obsessions

Random 5 Friday

Strong Women, Grey Ties & Valentine’s Day

What’s saving my life right now

Random 5 Kitty Friday

Quiet the mind and the soul will speak

****

Random 5 January Friday

Purse protection and shoulder straps for cars

Random 5 – Good-bye 2016

Peeps Poppin' in

Follow Blog via Email

* Most Popular *

Tags

Meta

Archives

Blogs I Follow