Today’s bits of gratitude.
1- The beauty of friendship.
2- Finding a seat on a busy train.
3- Those who walk the talk.
4- The joy of service to others.
5- The ‘little’ things that make a huge difference in the lives of others.
February 10, 2014
Pet Rarity- At Least in Our Household
Marcel and I took JJ and Mister M. with us on our little mini getaway last week, and they both loved it. Mister M. was less than thrilled with the transportation part of the journey, but once in the villa, he was in heaven. Both of them spent most of their indoor time running up and down the stairs. If one animal went up, the other was right behind. It was quite comical at times.
The red leather sofa (which was a perfect accent the black and white checkered ceramic tiled floor) was L shaped- so every evening Marcel would stretch out on one end, and I would stretch out on the other.
The last night we were there- both of them decided to take over part of the sofa, and curled up beside each other. This is a rarity. I can count on one hand the amount of times these lovable pets of ours have done this.
The funny thing- tonight, they did the exact same thing again, right beside me, while Marcel was napping before work. Maybe they love each other even more than I suspected?
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February 9, 2014
Joy in the Journey
Last night I decided to read some of my Facebook status messages from years gone by.
I did it on a whim- not looking for anything, but just wanting to have a glimpse back in time. What I found made me smile.
There were many posts that warmed my heart, and just seeing them brought me joy.
There are times when I find myself feeling as though I may be spinning my wheels, but it didn’t take more than a look back, to see how much I have learned and grown.
It’s a continual process, but even in the hardships I am learning to find the joy in the journey, and for the lessons each person teaches me along the way.
Whenever I have a moment of feeling down- I need to look no further than old Facebook or blog entries, and I can see the joy.
Blessed- indeed.
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January 31, 2014
Keeping it Real
We are heading off for a week on Monday, to spend some time at what we now coin our ‘home in the north’. It’s only about two hours from here, but it’s north to us. As it turns out, it looks like we are going to have some amazing weather, which means I suspect we’ll spend some time walking through the woods around the lake we will be at. It’s going to be one fun week, and what a great way to spend the celebration of our ten year anniversary.
I love that we are both spending more time being active, and how we are both wanting to add exercise as part of our ‘family’ activities. We’ve been spending time on the elliptical, and I suspect that it won’t be long before we’re both doing regular kettle bell work outs together. Right now, I’m just getting stasrted on them myself, but looking forward to seeing the transformation that I know is happening, even though I can’t see it. I feel it.
I have one body, and one life- it’s time to make sure I keep it as healthy as possible.
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Friday’s Bits of Gratitude
Every day I post five things I’m grateful for on Facebook. It’s something I do for myself, as a reminder that no matter what I’m going through- the highs or lows- there is always something to be grateful for. ALWAYS.
I really don’t think about them touching other people, but occasionally someone will say something about how much it blesses them. Today was one of those days- the idea that I could inspire someone else to look at their own life and see things to be grateful for, makes me happy. It gives me joy, and makes my already very rich life, even richer, which is a huge bundle of gratitude within itself.
Today’s bits of gratitude.
1- A morning catch up with my favorite (and only) brother.
2- Coffee in bed from my favorite guy.
3- The importance of ‘really’ listening.
4- Home alone night.
5- Cuddling up under a quilt made with love by one of my favoritei people on the planet.
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January 29, 2014
Strength Training
Since I started back on the elliptical, I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way I feel. I can tell, that in spite of the elliptical kicking my bootay in cardio, that I’ve started building some muscle mass again, and hopefully burning some extra fat in the process.
Next up will be adding strength training to my elliptical time. I have hand weights that I want to start implementing into my work out twice or three times a week, plus starting a kettle bell routine.
I’ve got a goal this year. Not just a weight-loss goal, but also a fitness and strength goal. They are realistic, and I plan to meet them all.
I’m happy to be taking those first steps in the right direction.
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Female Woes
There are times when I think I’ve finally got this peri-menopause thing figured out, and wham! I get a surprise. Like the 8 day ‘early flow’ that started a few days ago. I didn’t see it coming, and didn’t know what hit me. Thankfully, a few days worth of laying low and lots of pain medication for cramps, and the worst of it was over.
Since I’d been erring on the side of late or not-at-all lately, this was a surprise. The culprit? I believe it’s because I started exercising again. I know what a huge difference cardio can make on many things, and obviously this was one of those things.
If all goes well, I should be back on the elliptical by the beginning of the weekend. Then next week, hopefully I’ll be able to get some walking in (if my heel spur cooperates) when we’re away for our anniversary.
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January 26, 2014
Gratitude
I think a lot about the little things in life I’m grateful for- and sometimes, they are the tiniest of things. I am grateful for SO much, and I really am blessed.
Today- these are the things I shared on Facebook.
Today’s bits of gratitude.
1- Confident women who encourage, inspire, and build each other up.
2- The laughter of children.
3- The power of a good gab session with one of your favorite people, evah- yes you SGV.
4- Choices, and their consequences.
5- Friendships that are like wearing your favorite, most comfortable sweater.
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Back on Track
If you know me- then you know I’ve been struggling for a while to get back in the habit of a regular work-out routine, but that it was on my goal list for this year.
I am happy to report that not only am I back on track with exercising- I’m also back on track with my food as well. Granted, there is still room for improvement in both areas, but I’m happy that progress is being made, and I’m feeling stronger than ever.
I am not depriving myself of anything, and have been enjoying healthy choices, plus I’ve started eating a smidge of hemp in my morning oats, and after reading about the health benefits of various other seeds, I’ve been seeing if I can find apricot kernals here. It’s all a learning experience, but this is the year of good health, and in just a little amount of time- I’m already feeling stronger than I have been in a long time, both mentally and physically.
Yay me!
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I Am Who I Am
I was talking to a friend earlier this week about how important it is to have the ‘right’ people in your life, and that while sometimes friendships aren’t lifetime ones, they all serve their own purpose and life lesson.
I have never had that desire to be something that I’m not- I don’t need people to see or view me as anything other than I am, and how they perceive me, is entirely up to them. I am confident with who I am, and also the integrity in which I live my life, so I don’t need a high approval rating- in fact, I don’t need approval at all from anyone outside of me.
I surround myself with people who spark inspiration, who encourage and build up- and who find it as energizing as I do. We are all on our own path, and I’m not here to say my life path is better than anyone elses. We are all individuals, we all make choices, and all are by-products of those choices. One isn’t wrong and the other right- they are just different.
Like minded people gravitate towards each other, and it makes my soul sing to see people find their ‘tribe’, their inner-circle, their place in life. After all, isn’t that what everyone is looking for, only in varying degrees?
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