Communicating well is a show of respect to others too. It shows they are being listened to and not dismissed. It's another way to hopefully improve relationships and that adds to my list of joys. As it's Tuesday, here's my week of those joys, simple pleasures, and things that gave me smiles.
- I got all the arrangements made for our DC trip. DD1 is able to come too. That will be nice for the girls to have each other if my knee needs a break and they want more adventure. We splurged a bit on the hotel compared to a few less costly options, but it has a kitchenette, room to spread out, ( three women, one space!!!) plus breakfast ( which might be limited of course), and near metro. It's a Residence Inn, as I used to stay in for work for several years when I travelled 4-6 times a year to DC so hoping the standard's I had before are still good.
- Air fare was low.
- I met my friend N who I haven't seen in a year for what ended up being pots of herbal tea rather than coffee. It was a much needed get together and we talked for over two hours. The coffee shop was adorable, and will be a destination when I want to get out. It was a halfway point for us to meet, but close to a few places to walk before. (Amore Coffee)
Wonky floor and a street view-cozy. - With my stretch my pantry challenge, I realized I had no potatoes. My daughter had a three from a bag she thought she wouldn't use before they needed to be used, so gave to me. I put them in my coat pocket, but somehow lost one, likely in her front yard. My daughter texted, "That's ok, a critter will get it." A double joy- saved two potatoes from going bad and some critter will be happy to find the lost tuber. Wait! This story changed. My daughter found the third potato on her dining room floor, where I must have dropped it.
- DH had a rare Saturday off. We went out for lunch and just hung out on the cold windy day.
- I spent into the wee hours much of Saturday listening to the Audi book of The Last Night in London. I rarely do audiobooks, but will do more. It was relaxing to listen to. However, I read so much faster. I had to listen while doing other things to finish on time- 15 hours!! Admittedly, I fast forwarded through some of the 2019 parts.
- Homemade soup and bread eaten after a brisk walk outside Sunday afternoon. I took a warm shower and had dinner and book club in cozy pajamas.
- Book Club was good- lot's to discuss. We commiserated that we missed S's birthday party on Friday, as she postponed it due to the rise in Covid cases. Then we tucked into a good conversation of the book, The Last Night in London I'll give it a 7/10. The 1939 portion more interesting to me than present day, unless it was research stuff. Worth a vacation or beach read- or cold winter weekend when feeling lazy.
- DH spent a few hours, poor guy, referring to manuals, YouTube video, and websites to install a new bathtub spout in Sunday. Yes, we're going to do a remodel, but this couldn't wait as the shower wouldn't work with the broken mechanisms. It was a simple pleasure taking a decent shower after a week plus without it. I promise I did bathe and wash hair, not that anyone might notice in my stay at home life.
- I got a nice thank you message from one of DD2'S friend, one of my mom friends daughter for sending her a couple leads on summer internships.
Good things are around us. They may be humble and not come with bells or whistles, so might not be obvious. I'm trying to pay attention, listen for the things that are smile worthy. Sure, I had crabby, stressed, and sad moments, but my life is better when I appreciate the good moments and move on from the other. And, it's supposed to be a high of 41, a "whif of spring" says my morning weather text.
Those are some lovely wins. I had the opportunity to watch both boys play yesterday. They won, which was a nice surprise, as the league part of their season has been a bit hit or miss. They both played well, and Nick slid into the goal to save an immediate goal. He blocked it, although ripped open his turf burns. He got bandaged up & was well enough to play again, which made me happy.
ReplyDeleteI feel lucky I can go to all three soccer games this week. It creates some work schedule madness, but there are only three games left this year, and who knows if folks will make the teams next year.. Trying to soak it all up while I can.
Happy to have my husband back, after he was gone for the weekend. He's lovely to have around, but he's also just super handy & fixed a bunch of things that needed attention.
It's so great you appreciate the craziness now with your boys. I hear complaints and I think if you only knew how much you will miss it. I don't say it out loud as that just adds to the stress the parent might be feeling-as it is stressful to juggle it all. Ouch for Nicks burn. My older daughter has a faint scar from a knee wound on a black top basketball court-her war wound, that then got reopened. I hope his heels well.
DeleteCommunication is vital. I find it harder in text because there is not tone. Sometimes when I am being tongue in cheek, it comes across as literal, which is not good at all.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be on the lookout for the joys that are all around us. I love that the prodigal potato was found.
Prodigal potato...*snort*
DeleteFunny!I must have missed my pocket. I rarely carry a purse anymore since I just seem to run in and out of places and keep cards and cash in my phone wallet.
DeleteThis is a timely post as I just asked for a meeting with the new CMO because I am concerned about the lack of communication that seems to be getting worse. Communication is vital.
ReplyDeleteYou had some nice joys this week. Especially seeing your friend after so long. It is so important to look for the joys and acknowledge them when you see them. Have a great day!!
We seem to have to have a meeting for everything-no just walking over to a desk to clear up something. I can't even begin to really capture the joy seeing my friend brought me. We're not couples friends and we both have pretty intense jobs, so we tend to get together for walks, coffee, or a rare girls night, but well, Covid.
DeleteSomething I've learned over the year is to listen without assuming the individual or group have the same perspective as I do. We tend to try to validate our own thoughts in their words. I'm well aware I'm guilty of that myself.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of joys!
Listening without assumption is a great skill to have, but admittedly, my own perspective can cloud that.
DeleteGreat points about communication Sam and it sure sounds like there was a lot of joy this week!
ReplyDeleteIt's an icky feeling to learn what you thought you said was not at all what was heard!
DeleteHeh..."rather than filling the space with words..." I once worked at a place where calls from reporters were common. I was warned that an old newsperson's trick is for them to go quiet, the hope being that you will find the silence so uncomfortable you will say something, and that something will be something they can run with.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I know that reporter trick well! The editing trick is another when they go for a sound bite. Fortunately, I rarely am the one to speak to reporters now-too many layers between me and them. However, about a year ago, I practically had to rewrite a reporters article-it was for a journal more than a news outlet, as he had things so wrong. Fortunately, I got to see a preview.
DeleteI work in IT and oooh, there are some very poor communicators out there. I try to be very clear and concise in my communications, and am mindful to be patient (not my strong suit) with others.
ReplyDeleteLol at the potato in the dining room. The Case of the Missing Spud - solved!
Glad your shower is fixed and you were able to avail yourself of it, and also to get outside for a crisp walk. A vacation sounds so decadent!
Mentioning IT and communication challenges cuts deep! We are really struggling between our program side and our IT partners. I am clueless at the status of my projects, but yet I still get bills (finances tracked separately between departments). I rather liked the vision of a squirrel taking home the potato to his nest thoguh.
DeleteI wish I had known more about the DC trip as you could have stayed at Sissie's. She is a great hostess and you just hop the bus to the metro and metro in. Saves a lot of money when you can eat breakfast and then pack a lunch and come home to dinner.
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind, but it would be too big an imposition for her to have three strangers- three strong willed women! We have no real agenda so our days will vary depending on our whims and findings.
DeleteTommy was sorting sweet potatoes as to Need to be used, In great shape, or Trim for the chickens. I volunteered to get in the ones from the patio table that were for the chickens. Before I could, a squirrel carried a huge sweet potato up a tree and left it in a crotch. Critters will carry off your food.
ReplyDeleteMost people forget about nonverbal communication, rolling eyes, sighing, or drifting away.
I'm sure my face and body are doing all kinds of things during meetings when I am off camera. I try and not fidget when the camera is on.
DeleteI don't know if you will have a car or even if you already know it, but just outside the beltway is a place called Great Falls - it is stunning, but you need to come at it from the Virginia side rather than the Maryland side. If you have time you might want to take a little trip - it isn't far!
ReplyDelete