Monday, November 9, 2009

Tired and Happy

Those are the qualities that come to mind after our weekend. Actually after our week. Last week was one that was all over the place emotionally. Walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" along side my sister as she experienced the death of a friend; consoling my oldest daughter's tears after she received an angry email from a supposed friend; keeping all of the balls that are tossed my way into the air while Patrick travels again. After a week like that happens, I find myself absolutely exhausted. Add on top of that, many short nights of sleep and that is where the zombie part of this mama sets in. When I am this tired, I am forgetful, short-tempered, short-sighted, emotional, irrational, all of those things that I dislike about myself. But, it is a new week and even though the residue from last week's hardships is there, I also have great memories of the happy things that have been going on. Things like celebrating Marky's birthday, painting cabinets and giving an old dresser a makeover, getting my house cleaned by my sweet new angel-friend Sabrina, finding a beautiful dress on sale, watching chick flicks, reading a great book, starting a new Bible Study, doing some late-season gardening to get the yard ready for winter, Patrick arriving home on Saturday. Life is so full and even though some days are soggy with shed tears, the joy is there lurking around the corner. I just have to look for it. Now I'm off to pour a third cup of coffee so I can make it through the rest of the day. Maybe I'll try to get a nap in this afternoon too!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Special Day

We do this thing at our house every month.

We've been doing it for about 2 years now.  
We almost never forget.
On the day of the month of your birthday, (did that make sense?) it is your special day.  
The rules are that
  1. You get to pick what's for dinner
  2. You get the "it's your special day" plate
  3. Everyone goes around the table and tells you one reason that they love you.
It has really become such a fun things that we do, and we truly all look forward to our own special day.


Well,  one 3rd of the month, which is Meredith's special day, we were going around the table, gracing her with our many accolades and when we were finished, she said that she was going to tell what SHE loved about HERSELF.   At first we all chuckled at the idea of "only Meredith would give herself accolades," but then I thought... What a great idea!!  A day every month to tell yourself  something that you love about YOURSELF.  

It has been several months now since Meredith introduced her idea, and we try to remember 
(those of us who aren't 5 and precocious as all get out) to add ourselves to the list of who's turn it is next to compliment the honored family member.  It has made our special day celebrations even that much more exciting.  Today was the 3rd, so Meredith jumped right in exclaiming without any inhibitions what she loves about herself.  She doesn't even need a reminder that it's her turn.  

It's such a great idea.  
We all could use a little more "self-love".
I hope that we do it forever, saying nice things about ourselves... and others.  

Monday, November 2, 2009