A Spirit of Gratitude: November 15

It's been a tough week around here.

We found out over the weekend that our sweet Oscar dog has stage 4 lymphoma.  It doesn't look good.  Even if we get him to a vet oncologist and spend the thousands of dollars for chemo - it typically only extends the life expectancy by a year or so.  We are heart broken and are looking at our options while dealing with the fact that we are probably going to lose our friend sooner rather than later.

This is one of those times when it can be difficult to find the good.  But it's also these times when it can truly help to seek out the positive things in your life.  To remind yourself that even when things are sad, there is still a lot to be thankful for.

I Am Thankful For:

The first peppermint mocha of the season

Pretty new sweaters

It stopped raining long enough for a grocery store run

Lunch with my mom

Finally completing a big project

My Dad's hip surgery went well

Early to bed

Another free coffee

Cold sunny days

The little sounds my cat makes as he watches birds through the window

Sunday Inspiration: Perspective

A Spirit of Gratitude: November 8

I Am Thankful For:

When the Man of the House gets home early

Golden leaves lit up with sunlight

Coffee with peppermint creamer

A fresh haircut

Halloween costume pictures

Lunch with my dad

Dinner with the family

A free birthday drink at Starbucks

My morning quiet time

At-home caramel macchiatos

A bee house

Scoping out potential wedding venues

Wedding talk

French Toast and bacon

A foot massage

Before 50

Last week I officially celebrated my very last 40-something birthday.  Which means that in slightly under one year, I will turn the big 5-0!  It's hard to believe that I am facing down a whole half century of life.

Birthdays always make me reflect on the past and dream about the future.  This one even more than usual. I've never created a "bucket list".  In all honesty - for some reason the term "bucket list" makes my skin crawl a little bit.  I don't know why.  Just does.  Maybe it seems a little morbid.  I'm not slamming anyone with a bucket list.  If you have one - more power to ya!  I just don't. 

I want to make the very most of this last year of my 40's, and face 50 with joy and excitement for whatever the next half of my life may hold.  Which led me to make a list of 15 things I would like to do, see, or accomplish over the next year before I turn 50 .  Some of those "someday I should" things, a few things that scare me a little and a couple of "well, why not" things.

1. Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying.  
2. Visit at least 1 new destination
3. Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list 
4. Be vegetarian for a month
5. Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore
6. Join a crochet/knitting group
7. Learn to meditate
8. See a play ( or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)
9. Get my office organized once and for all
10. Take a yoga class
11. Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist
12. Go to a movie by myself
13. Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
14. Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new
15. Overcome my fear of heights

Sunday Inspiration: Not Afraid

Currently... November 2018

Welcome, November!  It's the biggest month of the year for me.  It kicked off with my birthday yesterday, which will quickly be followed by our anniversary, Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season craziness.  Are you ready?  Because I am NOT!!

Reading:  I'm close to finishing A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler.  Which has not been my best read of the year so far.  Next up on my queue is Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

I took forever getting around to starting Girl, Wash Your Face last month.  But I am finally into it and it is so good so far! I was a little concerned starting that it might not be applicable at this season of my life, but I was happily wrong.

Working On:  Learning all the ins and outside of my waves and curls.  I'm trying to start figuring out techniques and products bring out their best.  It's a challenge.  Some days things go very well.  Other days is a limp, flat, frizzy mess.

Enjoying:  See "Working On"...    It can be frustrating and challenging.  But it's also interesting  and sometimes kind of fun!

Anticipating:  The next year of my life. I refuse to wrap up my 40's moping about something as silly as age.  Instead, I want to enjoy every minute of it and face 50 with a big ol' grin on my face.  More on that next week!

Wanting:  Hmmm... is it odd that at the moment I can't think of a single thing that I want!?  I'm sure if I thought about it long enough I could probably come up with an entire list.  But right now I am drawing a complete blank.

Needing:  To get a little better with my time management.  There are so many things I need and want to do.  I often find myself getting distracted by one thing when I should be working on something else.

Feeling:  So very grateful for the 49 years I have lived on this earth, so far.  For the most part, they have been good.  I have been very blessed.

So... what are you up to this November?

A Spirit of Gratitude: November 1

Today is my birthday!  This makes me feel even more grateful than usual.  I have been blessed with 49 mostly good years so far, and I pray that I have many, many more to come.

I Am Thankful For:

A cup of hot tea on a chilly afternoon

Flirting with the Man of the House

Potato soup for lunch

Sunshine

Listening to my wind chimes

When the mountains disappear into the fog and clouds

A drive up to Tennessee

Dinner with the Man of the House

Buffalo chicken tacos

Another win for the Panthers