Positively Tuesday- I Like Lemons

      I've had some trying to turn lemons into lemonade situations in the last week. I'm trying to avoid the words emergency or crisis unless things really are such. It's apparent that I truly have had little of either directly in the last year, but lemons have been plenty. I'm trying to adopt the attitude, "I like lemons" and just get on with things. I'm trying to not take work frustrations personally, while trying to help resolve whatever has gotten people uptight. I'm trying to figure out better ways of managing the personal lemons as well. Even if I can't quite make lemonade, I can at least try and mitigate the problem, clean up the residual mess, and hope things go smoother. Lemons are excellent for cleaning, even if just as a message that something isn't working and needs to be fixed.

   So cryptic analogies aside, I did have some legitimate joys and simple pleasures and not just lemons. Some will crop up or have already in other posts for different themes. 

1. I was disappointed that no one could do trivia last Wednesday, but I took advantage of the time to take a slower, yet bundled walk with pup. Supper was more heat up, other than slicing potatoes for fries, so felt no hurry mid week.
2. I received a message at work that they added perks for five year anniversary. Mine was two years ago but they caught all 2020 and 2021 anniversaries. I ordered a food scale both for portion control but also to help expand cooking with recipes grams as opposed to cups and teaspoons. 
3. Homemade egg rolls! So delicious for Saturdays lunch and looking forward to it with stir fry tonight. A bonus, I met neighbors I didn't know as the egg roll chef was just down the street.
4. Date late afternoon with DH brought us to the local movie theater for the latest Batman installment. It was long. I also can't say it was my preferred version of the various Batman takes. It was so dark the entire movie-even more than normal. Is there literally no daytime in Gotham City? So while the movie was not really a joy, it did give DH and I much to talk about. And, also chatted with my son last night too about it. 
5. We've enjoyed the NCAA basketball finals weekend. Saturday night I made yummy pub like food (quesadillas) to enjoy with them. We had no skin in the game, but what another crazy men's finish.  Congratulations Kansas, men's, and South Carolina, women's champions.
6. My daughter came over Sunday morning for coffee. 
7. I started a new 3 wick candle White, Eucalyptus and Sage. It is quite calming. 
   
   
   
8. DH did an orange oil treatment to the dining room table and it looks so fresh. I hate the smell of it while its being done and the feel of it on my hands even more, even when I wear gloves. I'm happy and appreciate that he does it every 3-4 months as it really does help the oak look beautiful
9. At work, IT was able to recruit and sign our favorite developer back part time, and all his time is directed to my program. His work will solve multiple headaches I experience every day. 
10. When walking pup yesterday, despite the cold it was sunny so many people were out and the park was filled with kids. I got a good smile at some kids trying to teach a smaller boy how to toss a ball in the air, then quickly correctly grab the bat to be your own pitcher. Pup was doing his smelling lingering so I got to eaves drop and observe for a few minutes. He hadn't quite mastered it by the time we kept walking, but was getting closer. 

     I keep harping over and over about trying to keep positive and look for the things that make me happy. For me it is about a mindset of abundance even if I have hopes, dreams, and wants not totally fulfilled. I'm back to trying to capture at least 10 a week though this might be the eleventh. I like talking with all of you, that brings me joy. You keep me honest in sharing that despite no one having a perfect life free from lemons, there's good stuff always still there.

Positively Tuesday- Forging Our Own Paths

     Quit comparing yourself to anyone else! I'm screaming that to myself and if it hits home, to you as well. I got a touch of the poor me's, what could have been, what I wish was now, what I hope happens soon,over the long weekend. This was sparked on by announcements of a retirement, a vacation home purchase, a new grandchild, child engagement, and a promotion, all on same weekend. I thought a moment, realized my silliness, and  got over it pretty quickly.  Then, I thought of the butterfly effect- woah, life could be very different if different paths were taken, different outcomes, and not necessarily at all positive. 

     It's easy to get caught up on other people's news and feel left behind. I try and remember I get to forge my path, understanding that there is going to be different results for me than someone else, so the path must truly be mine not a copy of another's map. With my philosophical trip complete, here's the results in joys, simple pleasures, or just smiles manifested from the path I'm currently on.

Now that path could be a metaphor for life.

Too bad it was such a dreary day and no skaters.

1. Speaking of paths, the warm weather Sunday melted the top layer of snow and ice in the skating rink so I could get a better picture of the rink, and path leading to it. Still no actual skater sightings, but seeing the rink ready to be used made me smile.
2. I found new to me jeans- a win, a joy, and a simple pleasure to find a pair that fits.
3. A friend got a puppy, a terrier mix and I've been oohing and ahhing over pictures. As I think pup will be our last dog, being able to meet younger dogs is special. Pup's a very healthy dog and has many years ahead of him, so will be loving on him for a long while. He's been in a playful mood this week, like he senses there's a little guy in the picture.
4. Despite busy body Q, I enjoyed trivia on Wednesday.
5. I forgot the library was closed but still got a big bag of books returned. I had to renew a bunch DD2 had checked out at Christmas, but they were due again. 
6. Besides the books, I tackled some clutter from the doorway and got the entry sorted. What a mess before doing so.
   
   
   
7. My daughter facilitated a positive meeting last night for her nonprofit. There were good ideas. Unfortunately, she's not getting a lot of help from her partner so shouldering the bulk.
8. I went to bed shortly after the meeting and slept straight to 5:30 this morning. It was so needed.
9. I started an Instagram to accompany the blog. Will it add to my fun? Will it just stress me out? I don't know yet, but I'm going to give it a shot.
10. Finally, for number 10, other than cleaning up some spam, some duplicates, and a quick response email, I resisted working yesterday and took my holiday. The week will be a bear, and being off next week will make the following more so, but I earned this time off.

     That brings me back to my path. I'm no longer trying to build a career. I want to do good work, do it well, and not feel the weight after hours. I'm hoping investing more time in my blogging hobby and family and friend time will help forge the separation. Thank you for the comments yesterday. Please don't add to your social media with Instagram if you don't want more to manage or distract. I like you all here, but if IG's your thing, consider following. How about you? Did you find time to follow your own path this week? Did you have joys that might only be appreciated by yourself? 

Day 14-Joy and Hope

Another Joy: December
morning coffee in a
special mug by tree light..

      Two full weeks into the last month of the year. Since 2020 and 2021 let us all down, might 2022 be the charm? I have a lot to look forward to in the coming year. I've got many self imposed challenges and an updated side project to go with blogging. I've got some milestone birthdays to celebrate with family and friends, and new additions in the family to come. All this gives me joys to think about and hope things have to get better. Today though is to look back and capture the joys, the simple pleasures, and smiles of the past week.

1.  Went to a highschool band and orchestra concert with my friend and had a catch-up last Tuesday night.
2. We attended round two of our daughter's concert in Minneapolis. It was nice my MIL and older daughter could come and we were able to get pictures quick with the singer.
3. Not much was open after the concert in town but we went to Applebee's and had appetizers. Try their pretzels and beer cheese-yummy.
4. Our daughter didn't join us for food, not much she could eat, but she also had out of town friends coming for a long weekend. They made it safely ahead of the snow.
5. Friday I shoveled a bit, but DH did the mountain of it Saturday morning early. It was nice to run my errands with the snow cleared.
6. Saturday was just a good and productive day. Nothing special but felt satisfying.
7. DH made breakfast burritos for us. I ate mine later as I don't eat for a while after getting up, but it was nice to have someone cook for me for a change.
8. He also tackled a few Christmas decorations for me while I went grocery shopping. I'm stocked for treat making supplies, minus a few things.
9. I got my proposal done and it moved off my plate. There likely will be tweaks needed, but I was happy with the stage I moved it along.
10. Christmas cards! My display is growing since before the Saturday mail. Mine will be going out today!

     

     That's my 10 for the week. Likely more joys than my list shows- the quick call with my son, sharing recipes and restaurant ideas with my older daughter, and funny texts with the youngest. Pup always is ready to make me smile, though he was not a fan of the neighbors 5 month old large puppy who wanted to jump on him to play. He was not having the rough play. I got him a new toy Saturday, dubbed "guy" and he is a fan of it.

      Have a positively Tuesday.

Positively Tuesday-Find Joy

      

Sharing in memory of a blog friend. I hope her
last days were filled with beautiful sunrises.

     A reader let me know our blogger friend Cheap Chick passed away on October 22. For those that read her blog, you already know she was the epitome of grace and courage, living whatever time she had surrounded by and with people and places that bring her joy. Her last post in August was simply beautiful, pictures and words of love and nature. In her memory, I will look closer, think clearer, and appreciate deeper the joys and simple pleasures of my life.

1. I'm grateful my daughters oral surgery for her implant prep went well and she for the most part stayed ahead of the pain. She was tired, but any sort of trauma to a person's body, plus  the drugs given during the procedure will cause that. She's back to work today.
2. Building off that, I'm happy she had oodles of paid time off, and I did as well to  help get her there and back and stay with her. 
3. I got my Swiss Colony  booklet, and am planning to send DS a Thanksgiving treat. It was a simple pleasure for me to know how much he liked getting it last year at Christmas, and that he liked the little cakes so much. He's not much of a sweet eater, so the petit fours did the trick. 
4. Out walking pup, I went past a neighbors house as he was coming home. He just sold his house and he and his son will be moving. I chatted for a few minutes, and shared that they were good neighbors and will be missed. It made me mindful that overall, we have pretty good neighbors, even the ones next door who tend to send there kids outside to  run and yell and cry loudly. You can't pick your neighbors so getting friendly and respectful ones is a joy. 
5. I got through interviews and it looks like I'll be able to hire back the office support staff, who I thought I had hired permanently last year. Through a communication glitch, his position was classified as a one year temporary assignment. I am happy to not have to start someone new, but even happier to now feel like he has stability and can really focus on learning and developing his skills. 
6. Seeing my younger daughter with the dog was a joy every day. She missed him so much, and in return he was at his utmost cute. His fur is at the totally fluffy stage-not overgrown yet, and despite his 10 1/2 years, when he plays with his balls, he's a puppy all over again. No offense, but he truly is the cutest dog. 
7. DH and I had "the talk" Sunday morning about figuring out a budget to live on just my salary in 2022 and 2023. He was surprisingly pleased I raised the idea. I was more pleased that he too was of the mindset that we need to do this, but not with a miserly or cheapskate mentality, just through  good actions. Mostly, it will be a year of looking at where we can cut fat and stop stupid spending-the rest, entertainment, a little travel, eating out in moderation, and gift giving, including charitable donations, stay in tact. It's more than a simple joy to be on the same page as your spouse. 
8. I don't know why I didn't snap a picture, but I loved having my light up pumpkins outside instead of just in the window. They really glowed in the dark. Mom's ceramic pumpkin was too far out of my  reach, and I didnt want to move a bunch of stuff so went with just the plug in guys. 
9. While we had less than 25 trick or treaters this year, we must have had the politest ones in town! I don't recall a single kid not giving a very bold thank you, and I'd say over half, the ones elementary age and older, all said Happy Halloween. DH noticed this too Well done kiddos! 
10. My younger daughter got safely back to college in plenty of time to enjoy her festivities on campus. My older daughter and I  shared pictures we each received from friends and family's kids dressed up in their costumes. It was a nice end to Halloween. 

     I hope your week was one with a lot of smiles, simple pleasures, and joys. The sad and difficult things will find us without looking, and can take away from our happiness if we let then. I owe it to others to look for the things that are good and happy and really lean into the joy, big and small..

Positively Tuesday10 Things to Smile About

     

     Past Monday and right into Tuesday with endless possibilities. Life is just sort of humming along right now, but I'll take it over stress and crisis. I'm so sorry for those impacted by  fire, fraught, hurricanes, flash floods and other natural (or unnatural due to human foot print) and just the heat in general when not prepared for it. Where ever you are, I hope you and yours are safe and well. Because a L-O-V-E Tuesdays so much, I use it as my day to think of all the positive things that brought me joy, simple pleasures, and smiles in the past week. In no particular order...

1. Only one other was available for trivia last week, so I took a pass, and took an extra long walk with pup, plus a relaxing night on the porch. I could hear the live music that drifts across the pond from the bar opposite. After the heat of June and the first week of July, the evenings have been cooling off to a comfortable temperature.
2. Three others plus myself hosted a virtual wedding shower for one of the crew in the division on Thursday. It was fun and silly, and a bit emotional. She is a gem and has had to postpone her wedding twice but is a go now for the 23rd. It was a kitchen gadget them, but as we all pooled funds and one person shopped, she got a couple pricey items like a le Creuset Dutch oven and her Calphalon baking set, plus so many useful items we all need. 
3. Blueberry picking was both fun and productive. It was not cheap though, at $5 per pound and I picked a bit over 7 pounds. I have enough froze for a batch of jam and a pie for DH, plus two cups for a massive blueberry muffin bake for when my son is here, fingers crossed, over Christmas. We have a couple portions just for eating ready as well and DH and DD2 have put in their lunches. What aren't eaten by Friday will be baked into bread I think. 
4. I baked a dozen Sunday morning and had one in solitary morning quiet with a cup of coffee. That is the stuff a good life is made of. 
5. I was happy to have already cooked chicken ready for easy meals this week. We brought some to the cabin, along  with bacon and DH just seasoned, and reheated on the grill. Topped with the bacon and cheddar on bakery rolls-delicious. 
6. DD2's friend joined us at the cabin on Sunday. Listening to the girls in the back was a trip down memory lane.
7. We also stopped on the way back from the cabin at a small town ice cream  shop. I don't eat a lot of ice cream, but if I do, this is how I like it-hand scooped in a sugar cone, eaten outside on a perfect summer night.
8. I missed the big soccer match, but watched the highlights on YouTube. What a match. I obviously have no vested interest in either team so just appreciated how close the finals were-as championships should be. 
9. When DD2 got home from work yesterday, we watched the new Disney Pixar animated film Luka. It was very cute and now, we want a Vespa. 
10. Just this morning, watching pup outside, loving the coolish morning, made me smile. How do you not smile when our pup is having the time of his life-well, I could do without the dirty paws when he comes in. 

     I hope your week was filled with  things that made you smile. It's easy to watch or listen to the news and get discouraged about the state of the world and the mess people can make of it with their own issues and lack of satisfaction in their own lives. Tuesdays, I try and leave that behind and  put my rose colored glasses on. I hope however your day has started, it becomes a positively Tuesday.

Life Keeps Moving

Short, sweet, and off to the commons for chips, tacos, salsa, and mojito's. DD2 was inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society last night. They have the ceremony done right. A little introduction as to the history and purpose of the society. The student leaders presented an overview of their team service projects. The new inductees received their certificates and lanyards, and 2nd and third year members had their names read. Whole ceremony in under 30 minutes, despite their being 59 new kids, and at least another 80 repeats. The evening was shared with the National French Honor Society, who had their ceremony down the hall in a multi purpose room, with 1/3 the numbers, but the reception was for both. This meant little quiches and crostini with brie, pear,and balsamic vinegar was also served. and those mojito's, non-alcoholic of course. Here's DD2 in a dignified pose with a couple friends.

Our show choir friends, mom and daughter, were in attendance, just the day after the spouse and fathers funeral. I can't imagine what they are experiencing, intense grief, but not wanting a young person to miss out on celebrations and passages of her childhood. I find they are in my thoughts constantly.  

Life is an incredible, sometimes sad, and sometimes miraculous adventure. We heard via Facebook and text messages that an extended family cousin of mine, I think 3rd, (our moms were cousins and best friends) who has been going to chemo and radiation therapy has been declared breast cancer free. How wonderful for her family to hear. Just two days ago, we received news that my nieces husband was diagnosed with a rare form of another type of cancer. With two young children, 6 and 10, support and help will be needed. Then there is this wonderful community we live in. Already last night, someone had started a Meals Calendar and the entire month April was already completely filled in with volunteers. My siblings and I will work with my brother and sister in law, my niece's parents, on where we all can best help-baby sitting, taxi services, yard work, whatever might be needed.

I feel lately I've been sharing so many sad things; but there is no getting around that in life. By sharing these things with you all, I hope to keep myself focused on recognizing the positives wherever they are in my life. My intent is that I'm finding hope and joy when things aren't so great. Last Friday we enjoyed a concert by a local college. DD2's group performed a couple songs. The video is not great quality off my phone in this small clip, and you'll need a plugin on your computer to listen/view,  but hopefully you can hear the joy in the music. I keep listening for those sounds of joy. On that note, have a lovely Friday.

December Joy in Full Swing

The first week of December is almost to an end, and I think so far, on the home front, I've been able to keep the calm, peace, and spirit of Christmas.  Work has been a whole different game, and I had no less than a melt down a day in the last week.  I did get some inkling of news that an opportunity might present itself soon, so fingers crossed.   Whoever said no crying in the work place would have had a field day with me! Even with that, I think my meltdowns were a source of release, because once recovered, I was able to move on and fix what I could, or just set aside what I  couldn't and be productive. I am good at my job and I seriously care about the work I do and our company does, so that helps me keep focused.

Work aside, I want to avoid drama in my personal life.  While there are real  threats to our personal well being, illness, under or unemployment, bills and expenses that weren't planned, friends and family facing tough stuff, adding  issues of our own creation will get a person no where. Dwelling on a comment someone made, and unintentionally using it to fuel an old angst, was one of my worst "drama" flaws. Trying to fix things that don't need fixing, or at least don't need fixing by me, was another bad habit. December, ripe with holiday cheer and faith, is a great time to frame things in different ways and get new perspective.  Think of the things in the past year that have given you genuine joy. Of course there are vacations and new cars, or entertainment things, but within those even what were the pieces that mattered?  Was it the new flat screen TV to replace the dead tube version in itself, or the fact that we could all once again watch a movie, the winter Olympics, and the World Cup all together in the family room? Who were the people I spent time with, and what were we doing, that when done, I felt energized and happy?  What were the things I did and the people I did them with, that drained me? How did I contribute to either scenario?  These are questions I am trying to ask to better develop my new frame of reference.

I think of our trip to the UK last year, that for me was a lifetime wish fulfilled.  The whole trip was wonderful and the history and attractions will be remembered forever in awe and wonder.  Though within that trip, meeting my daughters friends and having a family dinner with them was joyful.  Going to Wales, the ancestral home of my paternal great grandfather, and learning that families abound in that part of the UK with my maiden name gave me joy. I could bring back for my brother, a scroll that outlines the history of that surname, and that made me happy. 

There was joy spending one on one time with each of my children this past year.  All five of us have not been together since March of 2013, because of school and work by my older two.  It gives me joy knowing my older kids now live in the same city, genuinely like us as parents and each other as siblings, and stay connected.  Would I make the same choices and decision they have about their life-probably not, but I'll support them in their choices. I'm not kidding myself that there is always joy, and I've been on the receiving end of their frustration at job and relationship woes, and times where my phone call has gone unreturned, but in my current frame of reference, I can't dwell on what I don't get from them as a parent.

My extended family makes me happy, particularly now with fewer of us, those still here mean even more.  My sisters are my best friends.  I trust them completely, sharing our concerns, our successes, and our wishes. I received a recipe from my mother's cousin in Norway for Christmas Rosettes, made them-very tricky, but after posting a picture of the successful ones on Facebook, another cousin told me I would have made our grandmother, who I never knew, proud.  That gave me joy. 

Coffee or a glass of wine, or just a good walk with a friend were looked forward to as much as a planned event like my class reunion. Sharing a friends happiness as she radically downsized her home freeing up much needed resources and liberating herself from "stuff" was inspiring. Seeing how happy DD#2 was receiving some hand me downs from a friends daughter, a very accomplished runner and role model, was sheer bliss. The items were great, but because they came from S, were really appreciated.

We can do all things as humans to muck up peace, love, and joy in the world.  We can spend huge amounts of money chasing elusive geese that we think will lay golden eggs to fund our personal happiness, and never be happy. I can be jealous of the new car and the exotic vacation my colleague took, wondering how much more they are paid than me, or I could take them up on their offer of going for coffee, and hearing about the places they went to, that they know I have an interest in. (This was a little tough, but I did the latter). I'm finding as I work and achieve better  inner vision and perspective, the simpler things are what are giving me the most joy.  I think I have a healthy use of money-it is a tool to help manage your life, but should not be the focus of your life.  If I make the change employment wise, more than likely it will be at a financial ding to cash flow.  Some would call that ridiculous, but I will be looking at the whole package-not just compensation, but what personal values will the change help me nurture.

With that, here are my reverse advent  gifts since Tuesday when I last posed. I haven't done a give away yet today, but will when we go out later.  I have a couple options for today, tomorrow, and Monday I am noodling which to do when. I know many are not participating because they donate throughout the year, and no guilt to others intended. To me, this is a bit of symbolism, holding my self accountable when I have so much, to be conscientiously giving to others.  With this, I too am finding joy.

• Target gift card
• brand new boots, size 8 1/2 bought for an unbelievably low sale price  without trying on a year or two ago, that I can't zip up, great style and will hopefully work well for some up and coming professional needing to build their wardrobe
• the tween clothes I had packed up earlier in the week

 "'It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." Mother Theresa