More Awesome!!

• The sound of rain from inside the tent - Those last three words are unnecessary.  You'll never catch me inside a tent.  But the sound of rain IS awesome.
• Seeing a cop on the side of the road and realizing you're going the speed limit anyway - And to take this one step further, having someone SPEED past you, and then seeing a cop pulling out after them.
• When the DJ plays your request - This is a really dated one.  What DJ takes requests anymore?  Regardless, it reminds me of a time when I was dating a guy named Doug who was a DJ.  Charlie and I were at home decorating our Christmas tree and Doug dedicated...ON AIR...different Christmas songs to us.  It was awesome.  
• Singing in the car on the way home from the concert - We also sing on the way TO a concert.  So when we went to see Elton John recently, we played his songs all the way to the concert.
• Wearing your favorite pair of underwear - Haha....this IS awesome.  There are just certain pairs that I like better than others.
• Spotting your house from the airplane window - This has actually never happened to me.  Our house is not usually in the flight path.  However, I do get excited if I see the stadium or recognize anything really.  Also, one time I flew home from Chicago on the 4th of July and it was awesome to see the fireworks from above instead of below.
• Getting your guests to help you move something really heavy - We rarely have guests and when we do, I hate to make them do heavy labor.  But I will say it was awesome when the Trznadels helped us move in here in Colorado.
• Finding hidden compartments in things you already own - This doesn't happen often but I do like getting new purses or tote bags or suitcases that have extra pockets.  
• Typing in your user name and password at the speed of light - This makes me laugh because it's so true.  It makes you think you're a corporate superhero or something.
• Finally farting after the guests leave - Yes, and also being able to fart in your rental car after you've held it for the entire flight
• When something lucky happens to you on Friday the 13th - I've actually always thought that Friday the 13th is a lucky day.  It's all in your perspective.
• The moment of anticipation just before the first kiss - This, to me, is the saddest part of marriage.  There is a lot of good that comes from being married, don't get me wrong, but never, ever being able to have that first kiss again is the saddest thing.  It ranks right up there with having your children grow up and leave.
• When you tune the radio station perfectly so there's absolutely no static - To be honest, radio stations suck these days.  That's why I'm glad there's Spotify.  And you never have to worry about static when you're streaming music.
• When your friend makes sure you got into the house safely after dropping you off at the end of the night - I don't have anyone that does this for me but I rarely ride with anyone either.  I will say I ALWAYS do it for other people.  I simply cannot pull out of someone's driveway until they are safely in their house.
• When the thing you were going to buy is already on sale - Yes, that's cool, for sure.  I try to find sales all the time anyway.
• The feeling of brushing your teeth with a new toothbrush - This reminds me that I really need to get a new toothbrush.
• Walking on clean grass with bare feet - I used to like this but my fears of what lies in that grass have gotten worse as I age.  You'd think it would be the opposite, wouldn't you?
• When your guests ask for seconds of the meal you cooked - Absolutely!  I will never forget Jeff Gimar being so enamored with my cheesecake that he asked for seconds.  It made me feel wonderful.
• Staying up past your bedtime when you were a kid - Staying up late was something we got to do when we had company, especially if that company included other kids.  But if Mom and Dad had other couples visit them, they made us go to bed.  I would lay awake and listen to them visit.  I could also hear the TV so I remember Johnny Carson.  
• Using anything besides a screwdriver to turn a screw - Why would you not just use a screwdriver?  I don't get it.
• Flavor pockets - When you hit the good stuff as you eat.  Like the cookie dough in cookie dough ice cream.  Or the nuts in banana nut muffins.  That kind of thing.  Yes.
• Riding home with a box of pizza on your lap - Getting pizza and bringing it home is double awesome.  First, pizza!  Second, no cooking.  Win/win.
• Successfully giving strangers directions in your hometown - In this day and age of GPS, it is no longer necessary to give directions.  And good thing too because I'm not very good at it.
• When you get a seat close to the bathroom on the plane....but not too close - Gag.  No!  This is not awesome.  Getting the exit row aisle seat is awesome.  Bulkhead is kind of awesome.  Upgraded to first class is over the top awesome.  But being close to an airplane bathroom is definitely NOT awesome.  
• Peeling your socks off under the sheets - I never sleep with socks on.  It makes my feet feel claustrophobic.  

**You'll notice that I disagree with some of these things.  That's because I didn't write them.  I'm taking them from a calendar that a nursing school friend gave me that was called a Year of Awesome.  I didn't really want to just get rid of these suggestions when the year was up so I decided to put them on my blog and just add notes about what I thought of them. 

Catching Up!

Another post of awesomeness....

• The moment at a restaurant after you see your food coming from the kitchen but before it lands on your table - Yes, that's fantastic but my negative side is creeping up by knowing what it feels like when you've been waiting forever, you see food coming your way, and the waiter keeps on walking to take the food to another table.  Sad.
• Scraping all the lint off an overflowing lint trap - I get this treat EVERY week when I do laundry....and after every load.  I don't know why people don't know that it's important to clean out their lint traps....do they want a fire or something??
• Cooking a giant meal with your husband and making a huge mess in the kitchen - This is the sort of thing that sounds fun when you're single but in actuality, making a mess in the kitchen is not fun.  Who's cleaning that shit up?  Also, I like cooking by myself.  I don't bump into anyone in the kitchen plus I can concentrate.
• Bedhead all day long - My hair actually looks pretty decent when I get out of bed. :)
• Finding the last item in your size - At this point, finding ANYTHING in my size that's cute makes me happy.
• Sneaking under someone else's umbrella in the rain - Does anyone you know even have an umbrella big enough for two people?!  Because that would be awesome.....IF it existed.
• Grabbing the cereal bowl with both hands and slurping up all the sugary milk - This is pretty awesome.  I did it so often growing up that I'm pretty sure that's how I ended up with diabetes. 
• Thinking it's Thursday when it's Friday - Or anything like this.  For instance, we normally go out to breakfast on Sundays.  But we went today instead which was Saturday.  So all day, I've felt like it's Sunday.  Yay....I still have weekend left.  
• Staying up late to read a few more pages - Or watch the rest of the movie.  Or play some games of Solitaire or Candy Crush.  I actually do this almost every night.  That's why I'm so tired all the time.
• Waking up before your alarm clock goes off and realizing you've got lots of sleep time left - I usually wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.  I admit that it's pretty nice knowing I still have 3 or 4 hours to go before I have to get up.
• When you spill something on your shirt and it doesn't leave a stain - Or better yet, thinking that whatever you spilled landed on your shirt but it didn't....it landed on the floor.  
• Watching the odometer click over a major milestone - I don't pay any attention to this at all.  I barely even notice if I need gas.  I'm not super observant.
• Seeing baby photos of your husband for the first time - I wish, wish, wish Ruth had thought to take separate pictures of the twins and had labeled the backs of them.  I only have seen pictures of Rich and Ted together and you can't tell which is which.
• Reading the nutritional label and eating it anyway - I actually think it's more awesome to see something that looks delicious and finding out, after reading the nutritional label, that it's not so bad for you after all.
• When the subway door stops right in front of you - OR when you're taking the train at the airport and you stand directly in front of the perfect door that allows you to get off before everyone else does.
• When someone unjams the photocopier for you - Or better yet, when you unjam it yourself.  Why rely on other people?
• Getting into a bed with clean sheets after shaving your legs - And also you're clean, too, because you've just showered.
• Squeezing through a door as it's shutting without touching it - This is especially true if you make it through a revolving door without touching any part of it
• Mixing cookie batter with your bare hands - I've never done this, I don't think.  I do mix up meatloaf with my bare hands so I get the allure of having egg squish through your fingers. 
• When you know all the buttons to speed through the automated telephone system - I learned a trick to this.  When the automated voice is droning on and on with all the choices, just hit 0 and you can bypass the entire thing and go directly to a human.  
• The perfect long-distance shopping cart return in the grocery store parking lot - I absolutely love stores that have perfectly placed cart returns in the parking lot
• Falling asleep in the backseat of a car late at night on the drive home - This reminds me of coming home from my grandma's house.  I would fall asleep and my dad would carry me in the house and put me to bed.  
• The first squeeze from a new tube of toothpaste - It's also awesome to think you have no more toothpaste left but surprise!  You get one last squeeze before you have to throw it away.
• Putting potato chips in a sandwich - I also like putting them on a burger, which I guess is the same concept.
• Seeing someone laugh in their sleep - Especially if it's your children
• Getting the armrest at the movie theater - This is a given for me now because I'm so picky about theaters.  I will only go to the theaters that have the big reclining seats.  But getting the armrest on the airplane....I will fight to the death for that.
• When someone brings you coffee in bed just the way you like it - Rich used to always do this for me in Kansas City.  But now, in Denver, he goes to bed by 8 and is up by like 4.  So now I never get coffee. 

Back Again!

Jeez, it's been a long time since I updated this blog.  I've started a couple of other online venues....one through Penzu, where I basically just griped about my job, and a Word doc called Merci, where I try to list the good stuff, the stuff I'm grateful for.  However, I was cleaning out my desk this week and came across the calendar that my nursing school friend gave me.  All those awesome things that trip our trigger on a daily basis so I figured, rather than throw them away, I should write my thoughts about each one to finish it up on this blog.  So here goes:

• Eating the part of the cookie that fell in the milk - Rarely do I dip cookies in milk.  I have just never been a milk-drinking girl.  But eating cookies...that's an entirely different story.  Ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven?  Yes please.  And if they have nuts, that's even better.
• Interspecies action-figure wars - Nope.  I'm the kind of person that doesn't watch movies if they can't actually happen in real life.  So no sci-fi for me, no intergalactic anything.  I've never even seen Star Wars!  Once in a blue moon, I'll watch something magical:  Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Princess Bride.  But most of the time, I'm like "nah".  
• Passing under a bridge on the highway when it's pouring rain - I do like this.  It lets me catch my breath for a second when I've been holding it due to the stress of driving in the pouring rain.  I'm not the kind of person who parks under a bridge and waits for it to stop raining....that's kind of idiotic, if you ask me....but I do like the momentary reprieve you get when you drive under them during a shower.
• Snagging all the free stuff from hotel rooms - Haha...this made me laugh.  I'm in hotel rooms SO often that the allure of the "free" stuff is no longer there.  I do get a little excited if they have something different in the room, like for instance, we got slippers in our room when we stayed in Kuwait.  I have them to this day. 
• An inbox of personal e-mails waiting for you when you wake up - The very first thing I do when I wake up is check my phone.  First, work emails.  Second, FB notifications.  Third, personal email.  An invitation?  A request for travel at work?  A compliment on FB?  Those are the nice things to wake up to.
• Taking your glasses or contact lenses off at the end of the day - I mainly just use reading glasses so this doesn't really pertain to me, but if you switched the word "glasses" for "bra", I would be totally onboard with that kind of awesomeness!
• Laughing so hard you make no sound at all - I don't do this.  But sometimes I do laugh until I cry.  I get this from my dad.  And that's the kind of funny that no matter if it happens time and time again, you'll laugh every single time.  Like dropping the tacos at Taco Bell.  
• When the free bread they bring you at the restaurant is warm - Now that I've read Anthony Bourdain's book "No Reservations", I am leary of restaurant bread.  (He says they reuse the uneaten bread....ugh).  However, if the bread you are served is warm, I'm of the thought that it's fresh bread.  Yum with a capital Y. 
• The smell of Play-Doh -  I do love play-doh but I don't necessarily think it smells good.  Magic Markers, on the other hand......I'm high off that shit.  
• Taking a shaving break - This doesn't pertain to me.  I shave my legs EVERY day and love the way it feels!
• Catching somebody singing in their car and sharing a laugh with them - This used to happen sometimes when I was younger.  Nowadays, everyone has Bluetooth so when you see them flapping their jaws in the car, they could just be chatting with their mom.
• Kissing your significant other for no reason - I do love smooching Rich.  I just smooch him sometimes for no reason at all.  He rarely does that for me but oh well....
• When you go out for lunch and come back to a way better parking spot - The only time I had a job like this was when I worked for Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry and I hated the job so badly that even if I got a better parking spot, it was still dismal to have to get out of my car, knowing I still had an entire afternoon left at that hell hole.
• The sound of barely frozen puddles cracking when you step on them - I get this.  Crunching anything when you're walking is awesome, whether that be frozen puddles, leafs, anything. 
• When a chunk of earwax randomly falls out of your ear - I have never actually had this happen but anyone who knows me knows that I find a weird sort of satisfaction of watching ear wax removal videos on youtube.  If there was a nurse job where all you did was remove ear wax, that's the kind of nurse I'd like to be.
• Your first day in brand new underwear - I like getting new underwear, truly I do, but they're not soft until they've been washed a couple of times.  Then they're really awesome!
• Taking off your high heels at the end of the night and walking home in bare feet - Substitute "bra" for "high heels" and I'm in 100% agreement.  (See above)
• That smooth feeling on your teeth after you get your braces off - I actually had gotten so used to having braces that it was kind of sad when they were removed but on this same note, I do love the smooth feeling of your teeth after you have your six month cleaning.  No plaque.  That's perfection.
• Dangling your feet in water - Only if it's clean water, like a pool or a fountain.  Not any water where something could nibble your toes. That's just terrifying.
• Kicking those clumps of frozen slush off the back of your car's mud flaps - I hate, hate, hate grey snow but I think it's hilarious that someone else realized how satisfying this is to kick this crap off your car.  
• When you arrive at the bus stop just as the bus is coming around the corner - I can't remember the last time I caught a bus but I guess this is the same feeling when you time it perfectly for the subway or train.  You feel like a pro at commuting.
• Wearing pajamas to do anything besides sleep - I do like spending time in pajamas but only for laying around.  I have to really watch myself since I work from home and make myself get dressed; otherwise, I'd end up in pjs all the time.
• Celebrating your pet's birthday even though they have no idea what's going on - Not a pet person.  But celebrating a dog's birthday does sound kind of fun.
• Dropping a glass and then sticking your foot out so it hits your foot and doesn't break on the ground - I don't think I've ever done this.  But having a glass hit your foot doesn't sound very awesome.  I guess it's better than broken glass but still...  Maybe you should just be careful and not drop your glass in the first place.
• Eating the extra fries at the bottom of the bag - This is especially awesome if you've gone through the drive through and are eating the fries while you drive.  You get to the bottom of that little paper bag of fries and you're like "Aww....bummer" then you reach deeper into the bigger bag only to find some fries laying in the bottom of that.  That is kind of awesome.

January Awesome

Well, the move is done and now it's just slowly digging out of boxes and organizing each room.  Much easier said than done.  For one, we had way more storage at 2103.  But challenge accepted.  I WILL master getting this stuff so that it's (a) livable space and (b) stage-able for resale.  I'm dreaming of a pretty house but I also am going to make the best of living here.  For one thing, we have awesome views.  I love that.

So, without further ado.....

• Staring ahead at a brand new year - This was actually my Facebook post today with a picture of my brand new planner.  2016 is the year I get in shape and also the year that Rich and I get out of the house to explore Denver.
• When you're really tired and about to fall asleep and someone throws a blanket on you - No one really does this for me but it sure makes me a loving mama when I do it for one of my kids.
• When the person you're ordering pizza with likes the same toppings as you - Unfortunately, this is not Rich.  But the kids and I are carnivores so as long as I get meat (and can secretly score extra cheese), I'm good.
• Sucking in your stomach just before the picture is taken - That's not really my method.  I strategically stand behind someone else so just my cute face shows.
• When you meet up with a group of friends and they stop talking to celebrate your arrival - I would hope that ANYONE would do this for ANYONE joining their group.  It's extremely rude to not stop talking.  
• Actually making the right amount of spaghetti - Ask Tucker if I do this.  He'll say no.  He says I make enough to last a month.  haha
• Taking the price tag off in one clean peel - Nothing makes me grumpier than not being able to get a price tag off something new.  And stores that use that kind of cheap price tag ought to go out of business.  Nordstrom is really good about having the good kind of price tag.
• The moment at a concert when the crowd figures out what song they're playing - And even better than that is when the band says goodbye but the crowd waits for an encore....and then here comes the band AGAIN.  Love that.
• Wearing the shoes you just bought out of the store - I'll bet I haven't done that since I was little.  I remember a pair of red, white and blue suede shoes that I BEGGED my mom for.  In hindsight, they were hideous and my mom knew that but I loved them.  She let me wear them out of the store and I could not stop looking at my feet, admiring my new shoes.
• When a stranger helps you push your car out of the snow - Or a stranger helps to jumpstart your car because you were stupid enough to leave your lights on and drain the battery.  Just sayin'.
• Waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon - Because that means someone loves you enough to cook you breakfast.  
• Looking in your fridge right after grocery shopping and trying to choose between all the new good things to eat - I especially like when I've purchased beverages other than water.
• Emptying the recycling bin on your computer - I delete my "deleted" emails every week and it's one of my favorite OCD things I do.
• Stepping into the shower when it's already at the perfect temperature - I always turn the shower on when I'm brushing my teeth so it has time to get good and warm.  Works like a charm.
• Changing the channel during a commercial break and then flipping back just as the show's coming back on - I only flip back and forth between Bravo and E! so it usually works out fine
• Rubbing someone's newly shaved head - This is a funny one.  I actually like rubbing Rich's chin when he has a 5 o'clock shadow so I guess the newly shaved head might be a thrill for someone else.
• Sleeping with one leg on top of the covers and one leg under them - That's how I used to sleep when I was younger but then when I had to learn to sleep in the crew lounge, I slept completely covered up with my flight attendant coat.  To this day, I like sleeping with my legs covered because it helps me go to sleep by remembering how exhausted I was after flights.
• Breakfast for dinner - I seriously thought my mom was the only person who did this.  Pancakes or French toast or scrambled eggs for dinner.  On Sundays, we ALWAYS had cereal for dinner.
• When you sneeze and a stranger says bless you - I especially like it if the stranger says "God bless you". ;)
• Shoving handfuls of popcorn in your mouth really fast and spilling it everywhere - I never eat popcorn like this (I like to savor it) but this describes Rich to a T.
• The final seconds of untangling a really big knot - This is every time I try to wear one of my necklaces.  I need a really good jewelry box.
• Your first normal meal after being sick - Actually I like the food that I eat when I'm sick.  All bland and easy to chew (oatmeal, grits, soup, pudding, cornmeal mush).  I'm going to make a really great old person.
• Placing the last piece of puzzle - I could see how this would be awesome but I'm not focused enough to even attempt a jigsaw puzzle.
• Getting the last piece of food - Especially if it's dessert.
• When the light turns green just as you're approaching the intersection - Unless you need a red light to finish a text.  haha
• Letting go of the gas pump at just the right moment - The person who wrote these has less money than I do evidently.  I just fill the tank.  When it stops, it stops.  But having a full tank of  gas is AWESOME!

It will be interesting to see how far I've gotten with the unpacking by the time I do this next month.  At this point, the kitchen is pretty much unpacked as well as the master bedroom and bath.  Most of the hall closet is done, too.  

December Awesome

I would be remiss if I didn't say that the most AWESOME thing this month is that by the end of it, this move will be done.  Living among boxes and trash bags is giving me major anxiety.  However, considering that life is a journey, let's celebrate those little day to day awesomes (that's my new word).

• The smell of Rich's cologne on his clothes - Yes....this is accurate!  Love getting a whiff of that Eternity cologne.  I also happen to recognize the scent when I'm in an elevator with anyone else wearing it too.  
• When the guy with a full cart of groceries lets you go ahead because you're buying only one thing - Which is kind of stupid because if you're only buying one thing, you should really be smart enough to get in the express lane but whatever...  I actually just had someone offer this to me the other day.  I had a few things (not just one) but I turned down the guy's offer because I wanted to read the trashy magazine headlines while I waited.  I told him the reason, too, and it made him laugh.  Which was kind of awesome in its own way. :)
• Looking at the clock and seeing that it's 12:34 - I have to be honest.  I have NEVER noticed this.  I do notice however when the clock says 9:11 and it's always a sobering reminder of those we lost.  Not exactly awesome. 
• Correctly guessing the actor voicing the animated movie character - Pixar does the best at using famous people for their roles and I'll wait forever to see the credits at the end but it IS fun to figure it out before then. 
• Eating ice cream stuck to the lid of the container - I don't really do this.  Mainly because the ice cream stuck to the lid is usually gummy and gross.  I'll tell you what's awesome though.  I've started buying the little tiny ice cream containers so I'll have a little dessert after dinner without eating too much.  On the lid of these containers is a tiny little plastic spoon.  I always use it even though I have actual silverware in my kitchen.  That spoon makes the ice cream last longer plus it's adorable.
• When the guy at the deli counter gives you a free taste - Yep, or the gal at the ice cream counter, or the freebies that you get at Costco.  A free taste is a free taste and it's all kinds of awesome.
• Talking to your whole family on the phone all at once - This is a dumb way to phrase "speaker phone".  But speaker phone may just be my favorite invention of all time.  I get to talk to everyone at once WHILE I'm driving or doing laundry.  Multi tasking at its finest!
• When a little kid gives you a hug before he leaves - Hugs are awesome regardless of who's giving them.  Kids are awesome regardless of whether they're involved in the act of hugging or not.  So hugs and kids together = BIG TIME awesome.
• The sound of snow crunching under your boots - This is ONLY true if said boots are making contact with a ski resort parking lot. 
• Taking your ponytail out - I actually like the act of putting my hair IN a ponytail.  Because it means it's the end of the day and I get to scrub off my makeup.  
• Making the first footprint in fresh snow - See previous statement about ski resorts. :)
• Sitting on your freshly made bed and admiring your work after cleaning your room - Man, oh man....I can totally relate to this awesomeness right now.  I CANNOT WAIT to be unpacked and organized in Denver.  Check back with me in January.  
• Completely guessing the right answer on a multiple choice test - In nursing school, we call this C.  If you don't know the answer, choose C.  It's almost always right.  I guess a lot on Trivia Crack too and it's pretty awesome when I guess correctly.
• When your windshield wipers match the beat of the song you're listening to - haha...yep.
• When a cop finally passes you after driving behind you for a while - Breathe a sigh of relief!
• Plugging in the Christmas lights from last year and having them all work - Or better yet, just buying new Christmas lights for your tree every year so you don't have to worry about it.
• When strangers wish you happy holidays - Better yet, having someone wish you "Merry Christmas" and completely ignoring the PC movement.
• Walking around naked when you're home alone - This kind of cracks me up.  Tucker has been on my case lately because I don't close the bathroom door when I pee.  True, it's kind of tacky.  But I got tired of him bitching about it yesterday and told him that when he moved out, he would need to call before coming over to visit me because I was going to walk around naked all the time.  I only said that to mortify him because I would NEVER walk around naked.  haha
• When the Christmas tree provides the only light in the room - 100% agree with this.  And I always...mistakenly....think I can capture its beauty with a camera.  Nope, you can't.
• Snow falling on Christmas Eve - Please see previous statements about ski resorts.  The person who wrote these awesome things is obviously way more enamored with snow than I am.
• When the gift receipt is already in the box - That denotes that you didn't get the perfect gift.  You know what would be more awesome than finding the gift receipt?  If the person gave you the perfect gift, that's what.
• The Kids Table - I loved the kid's table at my grandma's house.  You could eat with your fingers and no one yelled at you.  
• Scoring some serious family time - I'm moving from my beloved Kansas City specifically for this purpose.
• Do Nothing days - I don't agree with this.  Not being productive gives me anxiety.
• When you're up so late that everything becomes funny - This has nothing to do with being up late.  I'm up late every night.  This has to do with being so tired that you get slap happy.  I love being slap happy.
• Getting through it - This statement is currently geared towards my move.  I will get through this, I will get through this, I will get through this.....and it will be awesome.

November Awesome

Another month has gone by.....and now we have a PLAN!  I'm a girl who needs plans.  Moving to Denver in December so finally our family can be together.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly overwhelmed with all the logistics of moving from one state to another but if I had to choose between having a plan and being overwhelmed, I choose overwhelmed.  So before I jump to getting all the things done on my loooooooong list of things to do, I'm going to take a minute to appreciate "awesomeness".  So without further ado.....

• Giant morning stretches accompanied by stupid noises - I used to do this more than I do now.  I think I better start doing this again because it works the night kinks out.  And I don't care how stupid I sound. :)
• Catching food in your mouth - I have to admit that I'm not very good at this but damn, it does feel good when you toss up a piece of popcorn and boom, just like that, catch it in your mouth. It's like one of those "stupid human tricks" on David Letterman.  It's like you're an athlete.  
• When someone says "Think fast!" and throws something at you and you catch it - I probably haven't had anyone do this to me since Charlie but I'm pretty good with it.  I think I would still be able to catch it. Hopefully it's just a pillow. 
• The extra time you get when the clocks roll back - Ironic that I would be typing about this on this particular day because I just looked over at my clock, which says 9:31, and breathed a sigh of relief that it's only 8:31.  Nice.
• Laughing so hard you start crying - Just had an episode of this THIS WEEK.  Ellen sending Andy through the haunted houses....seriously, Google it.  It will make you laugh hard.  My dad does this often too.  Laughs so hard he cries.  It cracks me up.
• When you open a book to the exact page you were looking for - Better than this is being able to find the exact chapter in the Bible when someone calls on you in Bible study.  Thank the Lord that they don't know how much of a Bible illiterate you really are.  haha
• The TV Treasure Chest Moment - This is when you stumble upon an elusive episode of your favorite TV show just as it's about to start.  You either haven't seen this particular episode or it's your full on favorite.....like when Joey gets the turkey stuck on his head in "Friends".  The best.  
• Junk drawers - I actually beg to differ with this.  I'm all about "a place for everything and everything in its place".   Junk drawers give me anxiety.
• Finishing the workout - Yep, that's the only good feeling I get about working out.  When it's done.  I hear all these other yay-hoos talk about the "adrenaline rush" they get from running.  Whatever.  I get an adrenaline rush when it's DONE.
• When you went to the gym yesterday - This also is the same sentiment as "I worked out this morning so now I get to sit on the couch and watch Real Housewives while eating popcorn".  Yep, awesome.
• The moment in the shower when you decide to make it a really long shower - The moment when you actually realize that you have enough time to stand there with the hot water beating down on your sore back and it feels awesome. 
• When your roommate cleans the place while you're away - Okay, I'm taking these awesome moments off that calendar that my nursing friend gave me so technically if I were actually coming up with this stuff, I would write "that moment when you walk in your house after the house cleaners have been there".  I'm a little further up the food chain now.
• Running to the door when your mom or dad comes home from work - OR for me, when anyone in my house acknowledges that I've been gone and they're glad I'm home.  To be honest, I don't think I ever felt this way about my mom or dad coming home after work because often, my mother had left me a list of chores to do and instead of getting them done, I usually sat with a bowl of cereal and watched TV.  So the minute I heard a car in the driveway, I was rushing around like a crazy person trying to fold towels and put dishes in the dishwasher.
• Actually getting the haircut you asked for - Or finally finding the hairdresser that "gets" you and "gets" your hair.  In fact, I won't be changing hairdressers when I go to Denver.  I'll make sure to see Cheryl when I'm in Kansas City.
• A really strange or useful object popping out of someone's purse right when you need it - I have no need for anything useful popping out of someone else's purse because I am Mary Poppins and carry my own bag of tricks.  It's what comes from being a flight attendant all those years; I am prepared for anything. 
• When you're in the fastest moving lane in the traffic jam - YES!  I pass other cars and mentally think "I'm ahead of you now, sucker.  Maybe if you were as good of a driver as I am, you'd be up here too."
• When you fold a piece of paper so it fits in the envelope perfectly - After years of sending Christmas letters, I'm a pro at this.
• Getting to McDonald's right before they switch to the lunch menu - "Can I please get a sausage and cheese McGriddle?"  right before the clock turns to 10:00 am.  Boom!  Fast food ordering for the win!
• Putting on your most flattering pair of pants - Or better yet, just having your favorite pair of pants clean, hanging in your closet, ready to pull on.  For me, that's a pair of black yoga pants that I've worn for years.  My favorite to travel with....no wrinkles, stretchy comfort.  
• The smell of crayons - Or better yet, having a debate with my kids about how to pronounce crayons.  Is it "CRAY-ONs" or is it "CROWNS"?  Makes me laugh to this day.
• Fixing something by just unplugging it and plugging it back in - This is similar to "rebooting".  Your laptop giving you fits?  Just restart.  haha  I'm a techie. 
• Not bumping your head on something you always bump your head on - For me, bumping my head is an every day occurrence.  At 5'11'', it's probably a safe bet to say that I have some major brain damage by now as many times as I've hit my head on things.  Going down into our basement at 816 Natchez....boom!  Getting off the Parking Spot bus....boom!  Standing up on the airplane....boom!  And yes, it is awesome when I remember to duck down and not crash my head into things.
• Watching cream go into coffee - This is not one of my awesome things but it IS awesome when a barista makes you a little decoration on the top of your coffee.  Instagram worthy....every.single.time.
• Fishing a big piece of lint out of your belly button - Ew, gross.  First of all, I don't have an "innie" belly button so mine never gets gross like that.  Thank God.  But the premise of this awesomeness does not escape me.  Ask me sometime about how much I liked watching the video of the earwax removal.  haha.....it's the nurse in me, I guess.
• Realizing you still remember your childhood friend's phone number - 781-1525.  I cannot tell you how many times I've dialed that number and yet, it's been YEARS since I've done it.  Amy James - my maid of honor, whom I've not seen since the wedding.  Who lives less than 5 miles from me.  Life gets in the way, doesn't it?
• That one person who laughs when you tell a really bad joke - Let's be honest here.  I tell awesome jokes.  I'm funny as hell.  And more than anything in the world, I love to make people laugh.

The two most powerful words when we’re in struggle: me too. - Brene Brown

It's all about empathy.

October Awesome

This post couldn't have come at a better time for me.  I've been so blue lately....lots of job angst and obligations, feeling like I have no one to do anything fun with, and probably the most depressing....being away from my best friend.  Having no clear cut plan for our family to be together again is weighing heavily on my mood also.  So before I get even more depressed by typing it all out, maybe it will help to think about little things that are awesome.  Here goes:

• Getting something with actual handwriting on it in the mail (I actually received a mailer from some real estate agent with his card attached to the Chiefs schedule but he hand addressed the envelopes....that's kind of impressive.  And in its own way, even though I didn't know him, it warmed my heart)
• Walking into class and seeing a substitute teacher - Because you just know it's going to be a "blow off" day.
• When the person you're meeting is even later than you are - You're sweating bullets all the way there, watching the clock, racing through traffic, and then they're not there.  They walk in, apologetic about being late, and you don't even have to admit that you were too.  You just get to be the gracious one, saying "Oh, it's fine."
• Dropping your cell phone on the sidewalk and then realizing it's totally fine - No cracked screen.  Whew!
• The last couple of hours before the weekend - I work for Cerner so I can't relate to this.  I never stop working.
• Good mail days - Coupons, packages, invitations.  I need a day like this!!
• Riding your bike really late at night when the streets are completely empty - I'm not sure I agree.  That sounds slightly terrifying.
• The moment on your vacation when you forget what day of the week it is - I guess a beach vacation might be like that but when you travel with the Blanchard boys (especially Max), you better have the day scheduled.  We try to fit in as much as possible and while it's always a great vacation, it's not exactly relaxing.  
• That person who helps you parallel park - I don't usually attempt parallel parking because I flat out flunked that section on my driver's test but yes, I get this.  Someone saying "Come on back.  You're good.  You still have a good foot left before you hit the car behind you."
• Peeling that sticky glue off the back of your new credit card - I actually had that same kind of glue on my computer screen to hold my screen protector in place.  The other day, I finally had had enough of people complaining that they couldn't see my screen so I took it off.  The sticky glue remained.  So yesterday on the flight home, I peeled it off and it was oddly satisfying.
• Seeing a license plate from your home state somewhere really, really far away - I actually think this will make me sad when I move to Colorado.  I hope not though.  And I could care less about seeing a MO or KS license plate if I'm someplace cool like California.
• Jumping into a big pile of leaves - I think this may be more fun in theory.  And I can say that I don't think I've done it since I was a kid.  I'm fairly certain that whoever rakes up leaves now would probably also have sticks and branches in that pile.  Ouch.
• Picking up something that turns out to be a lot lighter than you expected. - Still, to this day, I try to help people put their suitcases in the overhead bin when I'm on a flight.  (Old habits die hard) I'm thrilled when someone has a light suitcase.
• That clicking sound of winding something up - Like an egg timer?  I don't really get why this is awesome.
• Napping with somebody else - The BEST!  Curling up with my babies, getting to nap with Rich.....heaven.
• That feeling in your stomach when you go really high on the swings - Same feeling that I got when my dad would drive fast over the hills going to Aunt Lena and Uncle Oran's.  It makes your stomach flip.
• When you learn a new word and then suddenly start seeing it everywhere - This is a law or something.  Seriously.  I just told someone the other day that if you learn a new word, you'll start hearing it over and over.  Weird.
• Smelling a neighbor's chimney when you're out walking around - Or better than that....someone's BBQ.  Mmm.
• When your fries order has a few onion rings stashed in the mix - Mine is the opposite.  I usually order rings and am excited when I get a few fries with my order.
• Stomping dry crunchy leaves on the sidewalk - Yes, I do think this is awesome and it actually inspires me to want to take a walk.
• When your pet notices you're in a bad mood and comes to see you - I can't relate.
• Finally peeing after holding it forever - I pee all the time due to the amount of water I ingest but yes, peeing is awesome.  Especially when you consider the alternative.
• Listening to couples tell you how they met - This makes me wonder how my mom and dad met.  I seriously need to ask them.  I do know I love telling people how Rich and I met.
• Tiny little kids dressed up for Halloween - Tiny little kids are awesome to begin with.  I feel sure that my calling is to do something with kids.  Maybe I need grandkids.  But dressed up for Halloween....the cute meter is on overload.
• When you find out your new place has a really good shower - I think this should be an integral part of house shopping.  You can't buy the house until you've taken a shower there.
• Taking a spin on a shopping cart - This is so Tucker.  He wants the cart at Costco so he can run and jump on it and ride it all the way to the lady that checks our receipts.  One of these days he's going to mow someone down but in the mean time, if it makes him happy, so be it.
• Strategic trick or treating - Oh, man....I remember this.  You knew who gave the good candy so you went there first, then you plotted your route so you could hit as many houses as possible.  

Stay tuned for November awesome.

Do Whatever The Fuck You Want

Twelve Habits of Happy, Healthy People Who Don’t Give a Shit About Your Inner Peace

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Every damn time someone in my facebook feed posts something like this, I click it. Every damn time.

We all have this facebook friend, right? People you genuinely love and admire. People you like hanging out with. People you invite to your birthday parties. You know. Actual friends. Until you’ve clicked links exactly like this again and again and again. For YEARS. And all of a sudden, you start to wonder if this is some elaborate hoax, if you’ve actually just been reading the same article over and over.

It’s not like I have anything against happiness, or success, or meditation, or yoga, or being nice, or smiling more, or eating healthy, or losing weight, or being your best you, or embracing the day with a positive attitude. Those all sound great. Honestly, they do. And there are some really smart, simple truths to be found in all of those articles. There truly are.

It’s just that I have a problem with being told to do all of those things by skinny blonde ladies laughing on a beach wearing yoga pants.

Don’t believe me? Take the challenge. Next time you read one of these articles, I dare you not to play Inspirational Photo Bingo:

Don’t believe me? Compiling these photos took LESS THAN FOUR MINUTES.

I can’t fucking remember the last time I pranced around a tropical island paradise waving a white scarf around my head as a professional photographer snapped a picture, but I bet if I did, I’d be a whole lot happier too.

Below please find my version of this article, that I want to share with you, the internet. May it bring you all the inner peace you can cram into your backpacking gear right before downward dogging it atop that mountain at sunrise.

1. Do whatever the fuck you want.
2. Do whatever the fuck you want.
3. Seriously, do you want that burger? Then just fucking eat a burger. Don’t be gross about it, and don’t eat a burger three meals a day. But I beg you, women and image-conscious male humans of the world, stop beating yourself up about it and just eat the fucking burger.
4. Do whatever the fuck you want.
5. Have good friends. Call them. Complain a little. That’s what friends are for. Return the favor. Don’t be a shitty friend.
6. Learn how to laugh about farts. Fart more. Laugh about it.
7. Be incessantly curious about the world around you! Experience art, science, beauty, and nature! But stop beating yourself up on those nights when you just want to sit your ass on the couch and watch reruns of Friends. 
8. Smile when you feel like smiling. Laugh whenever you fucking feel like laughing. Pro tip: Being told to ‘laugh more’ is not going to make you laugh more. Being told to ‘smile more’ is not going to make you smile more.
9. Make time for yourself. After you’ve run that 5K, started a load of laundry, harvested your organic vegetable garden, run to the bank, paid the bills, dazzled everyone with recipes that are cost-effective, healthy, and delicious, thought of something witty and clever to share with your social networking site, caught up on current events and politics, and cleaned all of the house, that special hour set aside just for you is so critical to your well-being.*
   10. Do whatever the fuck you want.
   11. Don’t care what other people think. Unless they’re right. In which case, fucking humble yourself enough to listen to them.
   12. Do. Whatever. The Fuck. You Want.

Do what you want. Be your damn self. Don’t be a terrible person. Be nice to others. Be supportive of your friends and allow yourself to give them the benefit of the doubt when they want to try something new, like rescuing shelter dogs, or making performance art in the nude, or dating terrible people. They’re your friends and you love them, and if they suck, stop being their friend. Show up for work. Pay your bills. Find some fucking purpose in your life, and figure out a way to share that purpose with others in a way that isn’t sanctimonious and doesn’t involve a picture of a woman laughing at an empty beach. Smile because something makes you smile. Laugh because you’ve surrounded yourself by people who make you laugh, and they’re funny fucking people, and you’re happy to be with them. Dance because you’re drunk at a big dance party with your friends and Michael Jackson is playing, not because ‘no one is watching.’ Everyone is watching. We’re at a fucking party. That’s how parties work.

Do whatever the fuck you want.

And the next time one of you has the kind of spare cash around to take a prancercise vacation to a tropical island, for the love of all that is holy please bring me with you. I am excellent at waving scarves around but even better at buying drinks with tiny umbrellas.

*And I don’t even HAVE KIDS! Or a husband! Or a boyfriend! I can’t even imagine how condescending that advice must feel to working moms. As someone who works all the time and can barely remember which day of the week the trash gets taken out: making time for yourself seems like one of the cruelest bits of advice of all. I’ll make plenty of time for myself. ONCE I FINISH ALL OF THE THINGS.

September Awesome

• When little kids clearly dressed themselves and look hilarious (To be fair, little kids are hilarious all the time)
• When you get the milk-to-cereal just right (although drinking that sweet milk at the bottom is perfection also)
• Finding out your birthday is on a Friday or Saturday next year (When I was at United, our birthdays were considered a holiday....so you could either have double pay or the day off; either one was pretty fabulous)
• The feeling of scrunching sand in your feet (Two words:  Seaside, FL)
• Finding a mix tape given to you by an old boyfriend (This kind of makes me sad because no one has ever given me a mix tape)
• The Five-Second Rule (used only for about a week after the cleaning ladies have been here.  After that, it gets a little dicey)
• Successfully multitasking while on the phone (Now that I'm at Cerner, I've become brilliant at using the speaker phone.  Folding laundry, putting on makeup, unpacking; etc. - all while taking a conference call)
• Taking your bra off after wearing it for hours (A man will never know this freedom)
• Getting in a line just before it gets long (Doesn't matter where it is.  After standing in line and then turning to look to see bazillions of people behind you, it's so nice to think "At least I'm ahead of all you suckers!")
• The smell and sound of a campfire (This is only a valid awesome when in the actual vicinity of a campfire.  Afterwards, when the smell is in your clothes - no bueno!)
• The Parking Lot Pull Through (So much easier than having to back out of the space!)
• Laugh lines on people's faces (All of my lines on my face are either from smiling too much or laughing too much....both of which I'm proud to have)
• Seeing a helium balloon way up in the sky somewhere (I beg to differ!  This is possibly one of the saddest sights ever.  I think it stems from how much trouble I got in when Charlie lost his balloon and I got blamed for it)
• When someone lands on the hotel you just built in Monopoly (To be fair, I get excited when someone lands on property.  Any time you're playing with Rich, you don't usually get to the point of having hotels.  He's very competitive at Monopoly)
• A good floss after a tough steak (This is 100% true but I am a fiend when it comes to flossing.  Love that feeling!)
• Paying for something with exact change (I rarely use cash but yes, I can see the validity of this)
• High fiving babies (or any other face to face time with babies, in my opinion!)
• Talking about how much the meal you're eating at home would cost at a restaurant (I'm fairly certain no restaurant would serve the same food I serve at home but it does feel good when you figure out the cost per person of said meal)
• Finding food in nature and eating it (I more prefer finding food at Panera and eating it but whatever)
• Peeing in a lake (keeps the fish away, that's for sure)
• The sound of a solid crack from a good break in billiards (I don't really shoot pool but I'll take your word for it)
• Bowling celebrations (Cuz a strike isn't nearly as fun unless you can cheer for yourself and make everyone give you high fives!)
• Pulling a weed and getting all the roots with it (This is probably my favorite on this list.  I used to tell my mom that I would do the weeding at the lake for this reason alone)
• When the only other person going up in the elevator is going to the same floor as you (Better than this is having no one in the elevator with you)
• Taking a deep breath of fresh air in the middle of nowhere (or on a slope all by yourself with fresh powder at Beaver Creek)

New Ways of Posting Awesome

I find that I don't really like the commentary that's on the "Awesome" calendar as much as I like the awesome items themselves.  So rather than have 365 postings just on awesomeness, I'll post the items themselves once a month.  Better.

The rest of the August awesome things are: (in no particular order)

• Not getting a hangover when you were expecting one (or better yet, don't overdo in the first place!)
• The Laugh Echo (This needs some explaining.  This is when you laugh out loud after suddenly remembering something funny that happened a while ago.  You know who does this?  Tucker.)
• Leaving your alarm clock on so you can enjoy shutting it off and sleeping in on a weekend morning.  (IMO, this is just kind of stupid.  If I left my alarm on, it would wake me up and I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.)
• When you're driving late at night on an empty gas tank and suddenly a gas station appears on the horizon.  (Or better yet, don't let your tank go below a 1/4 of a tank.  That advice is straight from Bill Hensley.)

I'll post more of these next month. 

Awesome - August 26

Ironically, I've already written about this in my blog before....which leads me to believe that I'm a pro at recognizing AWESOME. :)

When the vending machine gives you two instead of one

It's snacking time.

Yes, that free treat is great because, first of all, now's your chance to play Santa to an unsuspecting coworker.  Got someone who could use a Kit Kat fix?  Of course you do.  So share the wealth and give yourselves a break together.  It's Christmas at the office again.

Secondly, no matter how much you try, you can't return the free snack.  No, there's no wedging your hand back up there and throwing it back into its Metal Spiral Jail Cell.  So ditch the guilt and smile back at the Gods of Snacking for they have smiled down upon you.

And you deserve it.

Awesome!

Lisa's thoughts:  Or you don't have to share at all. ;)  Plus, it's karma for all those times that the vending machines eat your money.

Awesome - August 25

You three that MIGHT be reading this will probably not relate to this and especially my two boys who insist they don't want kids....which is fine for awhile for you to have that attitude....but one of these days, that attitude has to change.  Because this mama wants to be a grandmama before she dies.

Playing with a baby and not having to change its diaper.

It's great playing with babies until it's that time of the afternoon.  You know what I'm talking about.  Mommy or Daddy pops in, picks up the baby, does the classic Reverse Angle Diaper Peek move, and finds a little chocolate factory working overtime back there.

When they say "Looks like somebody needs a changing!", that's your cue to slink off silently to the kitchen or bathroom.  The party's on pause during your daring Dirty Diaper Dash but it's back on ten minutes later when you casually show up and ask, "Hey, can I play with the baby again?"

Awesome.

Lisa's thoughts:  You never mind changing your OWN children's diapers.  But this is why I think grandbabies will be so awesome.  I can just pass them over to you when I don't want to do the dirty work.  Plus, and this should come as no surprise, I LOVE BABIES!!

Awesome - August 24

Yesterday Tucker mentioned to me that just as someone was asking him if I was at church, he received a notice on his phone about some microwave popcorn thing.  ha!  I had forgotten that Rich, Max, and Tucker get notices when I post something on this blog.  Terrific!  Because we all four need to start noticing little moments of awesomeness.  It will help change our outlook.

The Other Side of the Pillow

On nights when you just can't sleep, one of the greatest things ever invented is simply turning over the pillow.  Yes, flipping over your pillow and checking out the other side takes bed comfort up a few notches and is a simple and easy way to help you relax and get more comfortable.

The other side of the pillow, folks. Because it's flat when you're sagging, fresh when you're stale, and cold when you're hot.

Awesome!

Lisa's thoughts:  The number one reason that flipping your pillow over at night is so awesome is just the sheer refreshment of feeling something cool against your face.

Awesome! August 23, 2015

I found a day calendar that Katie Newell gave me for my birthday during nursing school when I cleaned out my closet.  It's called the Year of Awesome and every day has little writings about something awesome.  I really didn't want to throw it away and I have a terrible time journaling every day so I thought what better way to commit it to history than write down each day what it says.  So here goes:

When your microwave popcorn turns out perfectly

Stop too soon and you'll enjoy some well popped corn, but be left with a few handfuls of greasy, unpoppped kernels at the bottom of the bag.  Your stomach will rumble and you'll either remain hungry or pop a second bag and overeat.  Not cool.

Stop too late and you'll enjoy some well-popped corn, but many kernels will be black and burnt, the bag will be smoky, and your fire alarm could have a fit.  Not cool, either.
'
Yes, that's why it's so great when your microwave pops popcorn perfectly.  Either you grow to trust your dependable Popcorn Button or you slowly master the perfect time yourself, after a few bad bags.

But either way, how does it feel when you pull out that perfect, steaming bag?

Awesome!

Lisa's thoughts:  I have mastered this skill.  Two minutes max.  When there is a lag time (even slightly) between kernels popping, it's time to take it out.  :)

Start Each Day With A Grateful Heart

Three things I'm grateful for:

1.  Most days, Rich brings me a coffee.....a grande hazelnut latte to be exact.  (skinny, if we're being exact exact...)  It is a lovely way to wake up.  Do I love the caffeine?  Sure.  Does it taste delicious?  Yes, nectar of the Gods.  But more than anything, it feels so loving.  If I were single, I would be getting my own coffee.  But here is this man, who I hold to almost impossible standards most of the time, trying to do something nice for me.  And it's wonderful.

2. I'm grateful for a son who will spend time chatting with me on the phone like I'm his friend.  I don't have to "pull teeth" to get him to tell me about his day because he likes to tell me what he's been up to.  And he knows and appreciates what kind of stories I like to hear....people based, relationship-py kind of stories.  And that makes this mama's heart sing.  He's a child after my own heart and our bond is tight.  Why?  Because we've always done it that way.  

3.  I'm grateful for a son who comes to the door of my bedroom many times during the day to give me a snippet of news or something that he thinks will interest me or just to make me laugh.  This is the son that, upon hearing my footsteps in the kitchen, immediately joins me there and even though I tease him about how it's always his "lunch time" when I'm in the kitchen, it makes me extremely happy that he wants to be in the same room as his mama.  

Areas for improvement:

1. Learn how to use a curling iron and styling products so your hair will look more updated.
2. Watch makeup tutorials and buy the appropriate makeup so you don't look so dated.
3. Get the doctor changed and find out what you should be doing health-wise.  Too many meds and still feel like crap.....that's getting old.
4. Go through my closet and update.  Long shirts, skinny pants, cute shoes, lots of accessories.
5. Get this house updated.....it's ridiculous how crappy it looks.  Take some time and spend some money.
6.  Get a system down for demos:  put holds on calendars, check on the holds once a week, book travel once you get confirmation, send list of questions before the prep call, go over all emails prior to the demo, practice, send slide deck to sales exec, log the demo, blog the demo, map the demo, file expense report.
7. Get this stupid device connectivity presentation down.  I'm ready to certify and be done with it.
8.  Figure out a way to touch base with friends once a week at least.  Happy hour is best.
9. Talk to the kids whenever they need it.  Move any obligations that you need to.  Once a month at least with Max.  Talk when he needs to.  Same with Tucker....also come up with a date once a week.
10.  A date night with Rich once a week.  Talk about stuff other than kids.
11.  Take waxing off the calendar and just buy a suit that has a little skirt with it.
12.  A huge family vacation at Christmas.  A weekend trip with each kid.  A trip with Rich in the summer.  A trip for our anniversary.  And a trip for Rich's birthday.  Plan something fun for my birthday every year.
13.  Make a wish list for the boys.  Tell them you want something off of it for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day,anniversary, birthday, and Christmas.
14.  Call mom and dad once a week.  When they're in town, try to see them every 2 weeks at least.
15. Go to church religiously.  Haha  No, but seriously, it makes you centered.
16.  7 hours of sleep a night.  Not less.
17. Figure out some healthy choices for eating and stick with it!!
18.  Up, worked out, and showered before a decent breakfast. EVERY DAY.

Reminders

This is Your Year

JANUARY 7, 2015 ~ KSPEOPLES

It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have nothing on your agenda for four weeks.  Christmas break has given me a chance to relish in my own thoughts, read a couple of motivating books and evaluate my life–Where I was this last year, and where I would love to see myself headed in the next.

I have realized the importance of “self”: self care, self love, self worth, self knowledge.  I’m not sure where we got the wild idea that we should fill our schedules up so much that we don’t leave time just to be.  And that when we do find a spare moment to ourselves, we feel guilty about it because we should be doing something for others.  I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Self care is essential and necessary for an abundant life.  Do not feel guilty about it.  Be good to yourself, not just others.Have you ever tried to give to others when you have nothing left to give?  You must refill your cup so that you may overflow into others.

This last semester, I neglected to do that and I got pretty burnt out.  I was draining myself day in and day out trying to keep up with all of life’s demands.  Being a three year accounting major, an RA, a mentor, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a club member, a church goer, a school event attendee, and a perfectionist left me feeling empty by the time December came around.  I never gave myself time to reflect on my own wants and desires, and most importantly, I was finding that my days were slipping away before I sat back to bask in the presence of the Lord and thank Him for the good days and the things He was teaching me on the hard days.  I was more concerned with filling everyone else’s demands, than with surrendering my days before my Father and asking Him for the wisdom on how to most efficiently use my time that day.

I’ve been reading some books over break about simplifying life, being content, and maintaining a full cup.  As a result, I have a few things that I want to set in front of myself & anyone else– simple focuses that I believe will lead to a happy and content life.

1. Journal Everyday. It can be funny, it can be stupid, it can be heart wrenching.  It doesn’t matter.  Just write.  There’s something powerful in the release of emotions through writing.
2. Love yourself. Inside and Out. Learn to be comfortable in your skin, and love every inch of it.  Loving yourself is actually a beautiful thing.
3. Take Criticism.  Don’t get bent out of shape when people give you advice and voice their opinions.  Especially your mom.  Chances are, they only have your best interest in mind.
4. Speak sweet words. Some days it’s going to be hard to do this– do it anyways.  A sweet word can change a person’s day; you know this because you’ve experienced it yourself.  Oh, and smile. Angry faces are intimidating.
5. Be content. Don’t compare, don’t complain. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment.  Trust that the Lord is holding your hand and guiding you along the way.
6. Be HERE.  I don’t think there is anything sweeter than truly being present in the moment.  Someone caught you in the hallway?  Give them 5 minutes to tell you how their day is going and don’t be wishing you could just get where you were headed.  Going to coffee with a friend?  Get off your phone.
7. Be intentional.  Love on those that are in your life–they need it just as much as you do.  Go out of your way for them to show them that you are there for them, and you’re in their back corner cheering them on.
8. Commit to being healthy.  Eat well (Proteins & Veggies daily) and exercise.  Don’t beat yourself up if you miss the gym all weekend.  Get back at it on Monday.  Your goal is to be healthy, not skinny.
9. Give of your time and love.  See a homeless man standing on the corner? Go ask him about his story. A friend needs help with a project?  Give them your assistance.  A friend needs someone to listen?  Give them a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. Give anything you have to offer, no one ever became poor from giving.
10. Listen.  Sometimes just stop talking and listen: to nature, to the Lord, to your friends, to yourself. Truly listen.
11. Stay Positive.  You’re going to want to throw some days in the bucket, but there is something good in every day and there is a silver lining to every situation.  Your attitude changes everything.  Will you choose to see mud or will you choose to see stars?
12. Explore.  There is something so sweet in finding new places, or finding new things in old places.  Experience the fullness of life by taking in your surroundings.  Go on a hike. Venture to a close by town.  Take a road trip.  Get lost.  There is so much to see, just open your eyes.
13. Put your words to actions.  You’re passionate about a certain social issue? You want to help a certain cause?  Great.  Now do something about it.  Go out and raise money for it.  Go tell the world about it.  Please do anything but just keep thinking about it.
14. Throw perfectionism out the window. The Lord doesn’t want you to be perfect, He wants you to be faithful.  Seek to glorify Him in all that you do, and forget about pleasing everyone else.
15. Be a fountain not a drain.  It’s cheesy, but so true.  Be someone that can fill a friend up on a tough day, not someone people dread being around because they only bring their problems to the table.
16. Offer grace. You’re probably going to get your feelings hurt a time or two and that’s okay because you’ve hurt others too.  The Lord offers you grace and forgiveness everyday, so extend that to others as well.

This is your year.  Your year to stop saying and start doing.  Here’s to a year of living simply, loving easy, and being happy.