Day 191: 5 Gratitudes for Friday, 23

1. Rain! Last year it was so dry & the crops really suffered. So far, not that problem this year! Besides, I just like rain. Everything smells so clean after a good rain.

2.  Books & Reading....I probably put that on last week, but I am really loving having an excuse to read & ignore things (like the house).

3. Laughter. It has been a very silly week at our house - lots of laughter. Laughter makes me feel young.

4. One cavity out of 3 children...that is pretty darn good. I am also very thankful that the children love our dentist.

5. Understanding husbands that put up with my many different moods....I have been rather "dramatic" today & thankfully Steve has just laughed through it all.

Day189: Not sure...

I have no idea why I am frowning (or at least not smiling) in this picture.

I can say this about the outfit -not one of my favorites.

However, since wearing this outfit, I have gotten a "flash" of what I want my closet to look like - outfits hung either on the same hanger or right next to each other. I also got very "tough" on myself and purged my closet of a lot of clothes. As a result, I have already let the skirt go. It is an okay skirt, but it fit me very snugly. I was usually very uncomfortable wearing it. Plus, I don't think it is a great length for me. I think a khaki, A-line, to my knees kind of skirt would be a lot cuter. I am still not sure about the top. I love button up blouses, but they are hard to find - between being overweight & chesty, not a lot of button up tops fit me. Finally, not sure I like "jeans" against my face. However, whenever I do wear the top, I always have an overwhelming urge to have either a bright floral shawl, or a bright striped (thin) scarf or a dangling necklace with bright coral type beads. Hmmm....I am sensing a pattern...

Happy Walking!

Day 188: Oh, How Quicly We Forget...

Don't you find it amazing how we, as a people, forget things so quickly? In the midst of a blazing hot summer we wish for winter and then when it is bitterly cold we wish for the warmth of summer. We, as a people, do this with a lot of things. For me, it is bugs.
Even when it is hot in summer I know that it is better than the bone chilling cold of winter. Sadly, every year I forget about the bugs...more specifically the evil, blood sucking mosquito.
Seriously, how is one to enjoy spring and summer (and fall) if the blood suckers are out in full force? What on earth is the possible reason for having them?
This evening, as we held an outdoor pack meeting, and I was getting eaten alive, I realized that I have been hiding from the seasons.
Too cold? I stay indoors - unless forced out for church or grocery shopping. Too hot? I stay indoors - unless forced out for church or grocery shopping. I do the same in fall & spring - too rainy, too muggy, too windy, etc.
I have become an outdoor weakling.
Walking has been helping with this. It has forced me outside even on extremely cold, wet, windy and muggy days. I have learned quickly that I can handle  walking in lots of different kinds of weather & temperatures (but honestly, not too cold - then I just make a mad dash for the mall). I need to get over the mosquito (bug) problem. Figure out how I dealt with it as a kid - because being outside was always best - and stop hiding out in my home....because that is no way to live a life! :)

Happy Walking!

Day 187: Happy Outlook

Spent the day with the family, but did get a good walk in!

No new insights...just a happy outlook on life and a hope/expectation of a great summer...

Happy Walking!

Day 186: Sunday Rest

A lovely, restful Sunday.

No great insights...no profound thoughts...just a lot of "ahhs".

Hope everyone enjoyed their day!

Happy Walking!

Day 185: A nice break

Just a quick note - despite my knowledge that I need to become more mindful of what I eat...I did not do that today....and I am okay with that.

Today was crafting day at a friends house. The children and I spent about 6 hours at my friends house. We ate, we did crafts, we laughed, we talked. It was a good day. It was a mental health day....and man, do I need more of those! (but that is for another day's topic)

I did walk! I did stretch! I did drink lots of water!

Baby steps...always striving....habits, not numbers...

Happy Walking!

Day 184: 5 Gratitudes for Friday, 22

1. Reading programs, family challenges & a husband that makes it all fun. Every year I sign the children up for the local library's summer reading program. Enthusiasm for the program depends on the child. Last year, I discovered that Barnes & Noble has a summer reading program as well. The child reads 8 books and earns a free book. Since we already do the library program, I decided the Barnes & Noble program would be more of a challenge. The children asked if Steve & I would be do it as well - we both agreed. My entire goal was to get my son excited about reading. Since Steve was a part of the challenge, I asked him to turn it into a "competition" and smack talk Z. It worked. Z was so pumped up to read his 8 books before Steve could read his - and there was a lot of smack talking. We are doing the same thing this year: 8 books, special challenges and a whole lot of smack talking. Everyone is excited about reading. I am just grateful.

2. My husband's ability to support us - I know that having a job is a blessing. I know being a 1 income household is a blessing. I am so very thankful that God has blessed us this way. I love staying home with the children.

3. For the continued insights into the reasons why I hold myself back, but more importantly the glimpses I have of my true potential...my mission in life and so forth. I love homeschooling. I love being a wife and mother. I love writing and communicating. I don't love my procrastination, but I can learn and grow and change. Pretty amazing.

4. Lots of rain that softened the ground so I could pull weeds. I don't enjoy pulling weeds, but I do like a weed free yard.

5. Being able to talk to my mom! If life was perfect, we would live across the street from each other, but since life isn't perfect - I at least can be thankful for phones and the ability to chat across vast distances. Love ya, mom!

Happy Walking!