Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Positively Tuesday-Real Life

      I think I like vlogs and blogs because they're real lives, real people, and help me feel like the world and it's people really can be a community if we try. People share tips and tricks, the tries and fails, or just banter about their days. I've coined "Otherness" for 2022 and focusing on what I can add, share, and contribute to this world wide community. I think about the part in You've Got Mail, and Meg Ryans character describing that she leads a small life, but an important one. I feel that way. 

    My life is small, at times incredibly dull, sometimes melancholy, but overall good and like yours, important. I try to read and comment back whenever anyone takes the time to chat. If you blog, I hope to visit you back. If we drift away, that's ok too as community members need different things from different people time to time. I know we're all just living our real lives, sometimes quietly and sometimes with flare and gusto. Blogging is a release, an escape perhaps, so I or anyone else should not be expected to air everything going on. That might lead others to think I've no problems or I'm ignoring or covering them up. The truth is far from that; I use blogging as part of dealing with life. Just like focusing each week, intentionally on Tuesday, on things that give me joy, simple pleasures, or gratefulness. This is how I remember that sadness, stress, fear, and longing are just part of real life, but not my life entirely. 

  1. While testing positive was a surprise since I've been in the closer end of cautious, grateful I am getting the mild impact. Other than staying home, life is not interupted.
  2. I need to express gratefulness for my newest team member at work. She's awesome and has hit the ground running, lessening loads for others and creating her space moving forward. 
  3. A big decision was made at work that will have a positive impact to thousands of people in the coming weeks- and reduces work stress for myself and others charged with helping this group of stakeholders 
  4. DH was kind, if not annoying, checking in to see if I needed or wanted anything. He even bought me Diet Coke, despite Diet Pepsi being on sale. 
  5. I put a question out on a FB site on how to get flavor help on my bean soup. I was out of Better than Bullion and vegetable broth. While I don't put tomatoes in my bean soup, which was the suggestion by many, Carol said adding a little acid through lemon juice would help with blandness. Voila! Who knew? The soup really hit the spot, and if I wager, the 10 cup pot cost perhaps $3.75 to make if I count all spices, veg, and beans. 
  6. I'm appreciative of Facebook live. My niece in law shared her kids dance performances on Saturday. So special to see and I got a kick out of the 6 and 7 year old boys hip hop routine with my great nephew. Later, her sister in law streamed another great nephews JV hockey game. Social media has a place. My niece in law even did commentary and chatted with those of us on- line.
  7. I had a positive weigh in and am on track! I so appreciate the well wishes and encouragement. While I'm not seeking tips or validation, I really appreciate kind words.
  8. My daughter is always checking in with others, me being no exception. She did a stop for me for items I needed. The other two also checked in. Nice to know your kids care about you!
  9. I used my bonus day off yesterday for both reflection, engaged in an online program on civil rights and the legacy of Dr. King, and personal reflection. I try to not treat the federal holidays as just a three day weekend, even if only for an hour.
  10. Pup and I had a really good walk Monday before dark. The sun was starting to set and the moon and pond looked peaceful. Once home, I fed him,took a long shower, and ate dinner all fresh and cozy ready to end my weekend. I'm actually energized for today and new challenges. (That's what I'm telling myself.)
     No posting about vacations, 5 Star dinners, or perfect families with perfect achievements this week. Just the stuff of my life in small town Minnesota while isolating at home. It's a week recognizing the humble is important. The alternative is a fast track to disillusion. Have a positively Tuesday.

The path along the pond.

You can just make
 out the moon.


30 comments:

  1. My husband and I left the big house and the big city almost 17 years ago to downsize and slow down and I have not regretted it at all. My life is simple now and I like it that way. It makes you appreciate all the small details so much more.
    Community wherever you can find it is so important, especially now with us having to distance ourselves from real contact. I'm glad I have a few blog buddies (you included) and hope we can all form long distance friendships. Things like that are what make life special.
    YAY on meeting your weight goals. If you can maintain or even loose during the coldest darkest month of the year just think what you can do when Spring and Summer arrive.
    Glad you're feeling better and more rested. Enjoy your week!!

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    1. It will feel good to really be able to get walks in. Pup is so poky. It sounds like you found your place!

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  2. "...a small life, but an important one" Love this line. And right now we're under the same full moon, you in Minnesota, me in Alberta.

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  3. I'm glad you had a mild case and are on the mend. Today's technology offers a lot for us to keep in touch and experience each other's lives more and that part I do like.

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    1. I got to watch hockey again last night thanks to my nieces streaming.

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  4. I'm a newcomer to your blog, as you are to mine I think. We seem to have things in common and similar outlooks. Focusing on things that give us joy is such a good thing.

    You have a lot of snow!

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    1. I love reading about your caravan. This isn't really much snow. We had a big snow then a warm up in December so this is just a couple small ones.

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  5. Your photos are so lovely. I really liked your post - focusing on making the life you lead valuable & important, within your own circle, is so important. I always enjoy reading & "staying in touch".

    So glad your COVID symptoms have been relatively minor. Sending you good thoughts for a quick & easy recovery.

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    1. I do feel like I have a space to connect with so many people. I too am glad I got the mild symptoms.

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  6. Glad to hear your symptoms are mild and you're recovering nicely.

    It's the everyday moments of gratitude that make a life wonderful. Loved your list.

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    1. I'm sure trying to not let things that are still sad or hard overtake my mood.

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  7. Blogging reminds me of my long ago days of pen pals. I love reading about people's ordinary lives. I get a lot of inspiration as well.

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    1. We're all sort of pen pals. It's a nice way to think about blogs.

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  8. It is nice to know someone besides me has a small life. Mine has gotten much smaller since covid reared its ugly head (again and again) and I would love to be able to do the things we used to do. Doesn't look like that is going to be happening for a while though.
    Your photos are very pretty. Snow does not happen here much at all so I am always awed by it.
    Blogger friends are some of the best friends!

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    1. I've seen Boone but DH and my daughter since January 7th, except from a distance or online. I sure appreciate you all.

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  9. I don't think of your life as small, so much as I think of it as contented. Your blog inspires me, and sometimes makes me pause and think.

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    1. It's not flashy that's for sure. I really enjoy meeting you all- and learn so much that adds to my life.

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  10. I find I enjoy blogging because I enjoy getting my thoughts (rants?) down on paper and out of my head. I also enjoy looking back on my blog over time - which is something that I hope one of my kids or grandkids will also enjoy. I'm glad you seem to have only gotten mild covid (it's a relief isn't it), and well done on the weight loss!

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    1. You know I like a good rant as well! Fingers crossed I don't get lazy and start with the 7:00 potato chips again.

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  11. Well, I think you live a very large life with your work, and you are very important to me. You make my life much larger.

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    1. Some day in real life we'll go on a bender!

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  12. I love our little community too. We can learn so much from each other and it’s nice to keep in touch while still being careful.

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    1. I really like the learning aspect of blogs- and friendship.

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  13. I stated this once and lost it--The use of "Other" sticks in my craw. Other connotes to me and outsider, someone excluded by society or a system. It saddens me. Who is other? blacks, the uneducated, the nonconformists by sexual identity, those who are not like the majority, the minority, those who do not get to participate in making rules. I could go on but won't.

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    1. Others- not me. Thinking beyond my own nose about other human beings. My blog word and definition. I don't get offended often, but I think your comment reflects that you've deliberately taken my posts out of context and as to why, I don't know.

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  14. I think any life that isn't ours is interesting - that's why I love blogs! I agree with Jackie, blogging is like having penpals only more fun because you don't need to wait weeks for an update.
    Look at all that snow.xxx

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    1. Haha, I think you nailed it. Your life seems exciting and full if adventure. My life feels like a looped reel. Both and neither are likely right. I'll show more snow no doubt before winter is over.

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  15. I like vlogs and blogs for the same reason. Vintage and Antique diaries too.

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    1. I love vintage and antique blogs. Several no longer post and I miss them. If you have recommendations, I'd love to read.

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