Thursday, March 14, 2024

Thankful Thursday: March 14, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

Spring/Easter decor

Almond butter

Hobbies

A phone call with my mom

A doggy GoPro vest

Getting an appointment sooner than expected

The cherry tree is starting to bloom

My grown kids doing things together

Listening to my son play his guitar

Moving on to the last phase of making my sweater

The breath in my lungs

A good book club meeting

Homemade Lo Mein

Having curly hair 

Beautiful Spring flowers

Baby animals

Beautiful late winter days



Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Peace

January and February each brought their own busyness, challenges, and turmoils.  So, when it came time to select a word of the month for March I knew exactly what that word would be.  The thing my spirit was craving at that moment- Peace.

I'm talking about that sense of inner calm,  despite the situations and circumstances surrounding you.  It's not about living a life completely free of troubles or hardship.  It's finding acceptance and tranquility amidst the storms. 

Peace can't be found it in the house you live in, the car you drive, the job title you hold, or the amount in your bank account.  It doesn't come from likes or follows.  

Peace is found in acceptance and mindfulness.  It's knowing who you are, what you believe in, and having a sense of purpose.  It's found in the things and processes that quiet the mind and bring joy to the heart.  

Peace also means a sense of control. Knowing the activities, people, and things that are hurtful to your inner peace and limiting or eliminating them. It is being aware of and capturing negative thoughts rather than dwelling on them.  And cultivating the things, activities, relationships,  and thoughts that nurture your inner peace. 

I find my peace when I sit by the water or take a walk in nature. I find peace in the repetative process of my crochet. In a good book and a warm beverage. It's in the quiet mornings when I spend time in prayer and gratitude. In the calm of holding my baby grandson as he sleeps. In the warm touch of holding my husband's hand. 

What nurtures your sense of peace?


Thursday, March 7, 2024

Thankful Thursday: March 7, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

When it sounds as if ALL the birds are singing at once

Hot tea

Getting a "bonus day" this year

Rainy days

Having love in my life

Quiet time

Movie date with my husband

Going out for breakfast 

A new refrigerator

My daughter and the grandsons coming over

Front door is repainted

Sunny spring-like days

Buds on the cherry tree

My mom celebrating another birthday

The tulips are coming up



Friday, March 1, 2024

Welcome March

Happy March, y'all!!  This is going to be a good month.  I can feel it in my soul.  The blog has a new name and I have some new ideas be brewing for the next few weeks.  Spring is right around the corner, and Easter is coming in early this year.  

My mother is celebrating a big milestone birthday this month.  It can be challenging to see our parents age, especially if they have health challenges. But I know that I am incredibly blessed to still have mine here with us! Happy early birthday, Mom!

I had high hopes that our renovations on the exterior of the house would finally be completed in February.  They were not.  In fact, there was no new progress.  This month marks a year since we started this process.  And, to be honest, it's starting to get a little tiresome. 

My dachshund, Max, needs to be scheduled for his semiannual exam with the veterinarian this month. And I am extremely nervous about it.  He's due for a rabies vaccine.  The last time he had one, it didn't go well. He had a reaction - vomiting, hives and his little eyes swelled up.  We ended up at the emergency vet for a steroid shot and left with a round of prednisone.  So... Yeh, I am so worried about him having to get another!

My reading list for the month starts off with Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.  I also need to read Incredibly Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt by the 11th for book club. Other than that, well - who knows. Maybe I'll look through my TBR list for a book set in Ireland in honor of St Patrick's Day.

I am crocheting a new cardigan for myself and looking at a couple of more projects to start when this is done. I started playing with my embroidery machine in February and plan to create a few more items in March.

I had mixed results for my February goals.  I did get the bedroom closet cleaned out and reorganized, but I didn't get to the closet in the craft room at all. That one will have to wait for another month.  I attended my first book club and enjoyed it very much. I did not exercise three times a week.  In fact, I exercised less than I did in January.  I'm not proud of that, but it is what it is.

My goals for March:

  • Purge and reorganize purses
  • Finish crocheting  current project
  • Walk at least 3 days per week

What are your plans for March?









Thursday, February 29, 2024

Thankful Thursday: Leap Day

 


I Am Thankful For:

Having people in my life who truly care about me and my feelings

There are always new books to read

Productive days

A healthy lunch

Embroidery projects

A bunny hopping around in the driveway

Seeing my husband's creative side

Oatmeal with peaches and walnuts

Friday evenings at home

Being silly

Warm chili on a cold evening

Dreams

Good morning kisses

My husband offered to prepare dinner

A day without reflux

Daffodils in bloom

A good heating pad

Dark, cloudy days

Receiving videos of my grandsons

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

February Favorites

Even with Leap Day added into it this year, February is still the shortest month of the year.  Maybe that's why it feels like so much packed into it, even though it's really not any more or less than most other months.


February did bring some stress and struggles. What month doesn't?  But I am choosing not to focus on any negatives and instead I'm thinking about my favorite things from the past few weeks.

Valentine's Day:  We didn't have a special date night or anything this year.  I did make a nice dinner that night.  My husband brought me chocolates and a lovely bouquet of flowers.  Those flowers were still looking beautiful more than a week after Valentine's Day!  



First Birthday:  Our youngest grandson turned one this month.. His party had a cowboy theme and my daughter made the cutest little cupcakes with edible cowboy hats on top! 

Book Club:  I attended my first book club at the local library this month. The book of the month wasn't great.  But I enjoyed meeting some new people and talking about one of my favorite things.

All in all, I would say that February was a pretty good month. What were the highlights of your February?

Monday, February 26, 2024

Marching Into A New Look

 March is almost here.  And with it - a new look is coming to the blog.  As my seasons of life have shifted and changed - the blog has stayed mostly the same.  But now, it's time to spring into a new look.  

Starting on Friday (March 1) you'll be seeing changes to the blog - starting with the name.  "My Really Real Reality" is becoming "Making the Most of Midlife".  


Much of the content will remain the same -because that's what I like to write about. I'll still be sharing inspirational quotes, and sharing what I am grateful for each week through my Thankful Thursday posts.  However, I feel that the new name better expresses who I am and what my focus is at this point in my life. I just felt like things needed a bit of an update and a refresh. 

The URL will probably be changing in the coming weeks - but I'll give everyone a heads-up before that change happens so you can adjust accordingly.  

I hope you'll stick with me as these changes occur.  And that you'll continue to enjoy what I have to share through my posts.  

Thank you for being here!


Thursday, February 22, 2024

Thankful Thursday: February 22, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

Half-price Valentine candy

Getting things done despite the pain in my back

Finally completing the finishing touches

The pain in my back went away

Early signs of Spring

Having the cutest little dogs

Attending my grandson's birthday party

Cute little cupcakes

Wearing something I made

Roast chicken dinner

The laziest of Sundays

Turning off the phone and walking away from the argument

A beautiful sunset

Three day weekends

Early morning quiet

Feeling supported

My grandson turning a year old

My daughter stopping by for a quick visit