Tag Archives: Thankful

Be Giving

Posted in belovers, connection, Cooking, food, Friends, Gratitude, simple living, work life balance, working mom by

“Be giving, forgiving, compassionate and loving.”

You gotta love a cup of tea that comes with an inspirational message.

Julie gave me this fun mug for my birthday and when I drink from it I think of her and smile. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I brought her with me to work and it was like having my friend with me.

Speaking of my giving and loving friend, today she sent in a healthy breakfast for our bright and early team meeting. What a sweet and caring surprise. I love her and the breakfast parfait was quite a treat too. I am so lucky!

I am surrounded by giving and loving friends and family and they sure make life sweet. Last night Pat baked three different types of cookies for our PEO meeting to share with all of us. And today Sam took me out to lunch because he thought I needed to get out of the office. I want to be like them when I grow up! Or maybe I am practicing being like them, while I grow up.

Tonight Juliana and I baked Snickerdoodle cookies to share and give away. As she was packing up some up to take with her to share with her friend, she said that I had rubbed off on her. I smiled. Today was good.

Life. Full circle. Karma. Connection. Thankful.

I am content and can’t wait to share cookies and tea again tomorrow.

Namaste BeLoveRs.

xo

One Love

Posted in belovers, best friends, connection, family, Friends, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, intention, Love, Mindfulness, one love, positive living, rooted, simple living, spark joy, work life balance, working mom by


Today I was validated. Over and over again. This is a great feeling, one that we all want, and I am thankful for the experience and this one beautiful life I’ve been given. Thanks mom and dad, for giving me this opportunity to live it up, to love this life and to laugh out loud!!

Today was chaotic and great.

I flowed. I loved. I was present. 

I enjoyed my family and friends and work and yoga. It doesn’t get much better than this.

My friend chose to come stay with me last night and left today, and before she left, she surprised me with this gift that I found on my desk after uber came to pick her up and take her to the airport, so that I could be at my kids’ sporting events.

During our short time together, I shared with her that I haven’t been blogging as much lately and that I’ve been sitting with the feeling of accepting this slower pace, and not quite giving it up and not quite sure the direction it would take. I have been blogging daily for 4 years and lately have slowed down and am figuring out what the future holds.

She gave me this gift of a journal and a sticker with my favorite thought, One Love. She gets me. She wants me to continue to write, even if I choose to write privately and she encouraged me to continue my passion and to consider writing children’s stories, based on the parenting practices we shared, and practice every day.

Thank you, Jen, for this gift and for the inspiration and spark and for choosing to come spend time with me! 

I love you!   One Love…let’s make America great, one moment at a time!! xoxo

Day 41: Summer

Posted in connection, Cooking, family, food, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, simple living, work life balance, working mom by

I didn’t take any pictures today, although there were some beautiful sites along our journey.

Today I am thankful for my sisters who welcomed us home and made us a wonderful dinner with literally an hour’s notice of our arrival. Jeff just returned from Europe and is jet lagged and I’ve been a a working, solo parent for the past week plus. We were both too exhausted to think and they did the thinking, planning, shopping, prepping and cooking dinner for us and this gift was priceless and much enjoyed.

It’s great to be loved! Thanks, sisters!!

How was your day? Did anyone spoil you? Did you spoil anyone? 

Life is good.

xo

Pattern and Design

Posted in connection, family, Gratitude, happily ever after, Happiness, joy, motherhood, simple living, spark joy, working mom by


I received my first Stitch Fix order in the mail today, 3 days ahead of schedule. 

I loved seeing the box arrive and was excited to open it to see what was inside. I waited until my husband and daughter and son were ready to watch me unwrap my Mother’s Day gift.

The labeling and the tape and the way things were laid inside the box were all well thought out. I loved the colors and the sticker and the tissue before I even enjoyed what was inside the wrappings. Everything was aesthetically pleasing even before knowing what was actually inside.

I loved the anticipation and was hoping I would love every piece and I did!  What a pleasant surprise.

I love that someone else went shopping for me and knew how to pick what would look good on my body. They did a better job than I ever could because I don’t have the patience or the interest to spend time looking for and hunting and gathering new pieces for my wardrobe. This was actually a very rewarding experience and my husband even asked if there was service like this for men as he hates shopping even more than I do.

After I was done trying on all my gifts, I told my husband that I knew what I wanted for my birthday now. He was thrilled that he was off the hook for thinking and shopping and wrapping and found the perfect gift! It’s a win-win!


Life is good!

Being Alone

Posted in Uncategorized by

I almost didn’t go hiking today because my friends weren’t available and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go by myself. I started talking myself out of hiking as soon as I learned they were unavailable.  I told myself stories like it would be better if I got more work done instead and that I could catch up. I could just exercise in the garage. I could skip exercising all together.  I could make other plans. I could yada yada yada.  I was just looking for a way out, an excuse, to not go alone and time was wasting away.  What should I do?

I decided to go, while I was talking on the phone with my sister and told her about my predicament. She was my little cheerleader, who got me over my irrational fear that I couldn’t/shouldn’t go alone.  She gave me that little kick I needed and I got myself in the car while she was still on the phone with me.  I was so happy that I did.

 I enjoyed the cool breeze flowing through the shady areas and the moments in the hot sun. I loved the beautiful light shining through the gaps, hearing the sound of the water, and seeing all the little animals and kids out exploring nature too.
 I actually loved the experience of being alone and seeing and hearing things from a different perspective. I was aware of all the people on the trail who were together. I was aware of all the sounds the animals make. I was aware of how fast I was moving and loved it. After I got to the top, I decided to run down the hill,  which is something I never do. It made an old experience new again and it felt invigorating.

 I love this tree and I know I’ve shared it before, but seeing this tree reminds me of my sister and the time we took pictures in front of it in tree pose together.  This tree makes me smile and think of her and today I was thankful that she pushed me out the door, by myself to enjoy nature, alone.

What do you enjoy doing alone? What are you afraid of doing alone? Hmm…I’m curious.

nAMaste and sending healing vibes to my friends who couldn’t be with me today.

xo

Daylight Savings Time

Posted in Uncategorized by

I am thankful for daylight savings time, only because I’m so tired that I am in my bed by 9:15 pm, which is really like 8:15 pm and very early for me. The day was full and busy and I’m exhausted, especially after losing an hour of sleep.

I thought Sunday’s were supposed to be a day of rest. Just not in my house. The day went on and on with “nothing” to do but a little bit of work, and church, meetings, planning, shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundry and so on. I’m pooped and prepared for the upcoming week.

So here we go…to bed early. What a gift.

Happy birthday to my BFF!! I’m so glad you were born. 

Hope y’all have a peace-filled and healthy week! 

nAMaste

My Favorite Gifts – Giving, Receiving and Connecting

Posted in Uncategorized by

I like this cycle.

One gives.

One receives.

One thanks.

One smiles.

Repeat. Remember.

I love the feel good moments. Can you tell?

My mom and I love to go to garage sales for several reasons. One week she was visiting and we stopped by a friendly sale and I recognized a friend I had met years ago, briefly, and we reconnected. I love meeting people out and about our community. She used to be a kindergarten teacher and she was clearing out some of her book collection.

It was serendipity as my sister just began her teaching career and is a kindergarten teacher and could use nearly new supplies for her classroom. Mom and I looked through all the covers and my friend helped us pick out some of her favorites and we filled a crate to give to my sister, all for $10.  One new book would cost $10 and I was so happy to have a nice collection to share with her students. My friend was happy to nearly give away her books to a good cause and to support a teacher sister. And my sister was so excited to receive these gifts.

Today I received a thank you poster in the mail signed and decorated by her kindergarten class and it touched my heart. 

  
Saying thank you is powerful and brings us full circle to the giving and receiving and thanking cycle that creates joy and happiness for all involved.

We can make a positive change in this world by participating – by giving, by receiving, by thanking and enjoying one another and our gifts and our time.

ONE LOVE.

Thank you my friend for giving us your books.

Thank you my mama for buying and bringing the books home with you and delivering them to my sister.

Thank you, my sister, for being a good role model and teaching your students the powerful process of giving and sharing thanks.

Life is good!!

xo

 

Back to School

Posted in Uncategorized by

  

We had Back to School night tonight for two of our kids. I actually really enjoyed this event for several reasons.

I loved seeing all the parents together and running into friends in the halls.

I loved sitting in the spaces where my children spend their days without me and knowing what it looks and feels like.

I liked hearing the voices of their teachers and listening to their tones and listening to what they were trying to communicate. 

I liked comparing the different styles that each teacher presented and wondering if I would enjoy their class every day or not.

I liked walking the path between passing periods to each of the classrooms that my kids visit every day. I could visualize where they are and what they might do.

I enjoyed gathering information and college guidance and learning about what they will be learning this year.

We have a great school and a great, well-connected community and I am thankful for this opportunity.

How do you like your school(s)?

Celebrate Good Times

Posted in Uncategorized by

I love June. It’s my favorite month of the year. 

Today my heart was full. 

Charlie had his promotion ceremony, ending an era at our elementary school. We were quite proud of him and all of his accomplishments and involvement in our school community.

 
My parents were here to share the celebration and I am so thankful they took the time to come and be with us. Charlie was thrilled too!

ML and I have been working for months on the promotion dance for our middle schoolers.  Tonight was the event and we spent all day and night preparing and setting up and cleaning up with an awesome team of volunteers, including my mama. We were pleased with the results and were happy to see our kids so happy! I loved working side by side with my BFF, my mama, and friends.

 Congratulations graduates from preschool through college! xo
Life is good and I am excited for summer vacation to begin this weekend! Be well. xo