Sunday Inspiration: As Much As Anybody

 

Thankful Thursday: February 23, 2023

 

I Am Thankful For:

Blooming daffodils

Tiny little buttons

A cup of afternoon tea

Lunch with my husband

Surprise snow flurries

Whisky and ginger

First jelly beans of the season

My husband fixing a delicious dinner

Planning for grandbaby's arrival

Family dinner

French toast

A golden sunrise

Good news

Sunday Inspiration: Listen

 

Thankful Thursday: February 16, 2023

 

I Am Thankful For:

A day at Biltmore with my sister

Gumbo

Laughing over peppercorns spilled all over the kitchen

A "celebratory" stop at Starbucks

My husband back home from California

Baby showers

Family

Super Bowl Sunday

My husband cooking up chicken wings

Finding the perfect box of chocolates

Goals achieved

Valentines

Waking up to roses and chocolate

Fresh I baked cookies

Finding the key

A last minute change of plans

Love Someone

Happy Valentines Day!

The day of Love.  Hearts, cupids, flowers and chocolates run wild in every store.  And just so you know - Yes,  I can hear some of you groaning from here.  The quiet grumbles of "made up holiday" and "why should I have to show my love on that day just because Hallmark says so", etc, etc, etc. 

And you're right.  Although it's roots go back to a religious day to observe St. Valentine - the more modern idea of Valentine's Day is pretty much a made up holiday.  And yes, the card companies and candy makers and florists are getting rich off the romantic madness.  But you know what else?  I don't care! 

I can't believe that any reason to show love and affection could be a bad thing.  Sure, we should be showing those we love how we feel about them every single day of the year.  Goes without saying.  But what is one day set aside to remind us of that and encourage us to go all out going to hurt?  Any excuse to be loving and affectionate sounds like a good thing to me!

And yes, I know not everyone is involved in a romantic relationship.  And some of those persons might feel left out of all the lovey-dovey going around.  But is there a law that says one must use Valentine's Day only to show romantic love?  Maybe you have a family member you can show a little appreciation and love for on this day of hearts.  Or a close friend you love like a sister.  Or maybe the person you need to show a little love is yourself!!

You don't like chocolate?  Flowers just die anyway.  Maybe the gifts aren't your thing.  But I bet there is someone who would just appreciate your time and attention.  Or perhaps you just need a little time to yourself to read that book/watch that movie/take that bubble bath/paint your toenails like you've been meaning to do.

Take advantage of the day meant for love.  Show someone some love.  Show yourself some love.  Just love somebody! 

 

Because love is a many splendored thing!

 Love makes the world go 'round!

All you need is LOVE!

This post was originally posted in February 2014.

Sunday Inspiration: Love

 

Thankful Thursday: February 9, 2023

 

I Am Thankful For:

February

The sound of falling rain

New eyeshadow

Waffles

Dogs in little fleece shirts

Listening to podcasts while I clean

Homemade French dip sandwiches

Going to lunch with my husband

A butter bell

My husband fixing breakfast for me

Good movies

New pajamas

Kisses at the airport drops off

Springs like days

My sister coming to visit

My son making me laugh

Crocheted baby booties

Sunday Inspiration: Love What You Are

 

Love

If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month.  (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)

My word for February is Love.

It seems appropriate since this is the month of Valentine's day, but I'm not focusing on romance when I think about the word love. For the month of February (and beyond) love is about so much more than hearts, and cupids, and chocolates.

When I think about a life of Love, for me, it all starts with Mstthew 22:37-39.

Love God.  Love others as yourself. So, this month I will focus on:

Loving God.  Taking time each day to read Scripture and to pour out my heart to him in prayer.  To meditate on what His word says about His love for me. And what it tells me I should be doing to love others. 

Loving myself.  Showing myself appreciation..  Focusing on the beauty and strength of my body and spirit instead of perceived negatives.  Appreciating the stage of life I am in and living it to the fullest. Showing myself some kindness in the form of self-care.  And treating myself to activities and things that bring me joy.

Loving others. Making time to connect with family and friends. Telling the people I care about that I love them - with both words and actions. Expressing kindness to others.  Treating them the way I would want to be treated.

And, yes - since Valentine's day is this month, I'm sure there will be some lovey-dovey,  romantic moments with the Man of the House tossed in for good measure. And maybe some chocolates. Because- why not?

Thankful Thursday: February 2, 2023

 

I Am Thankful For:

My grand son's 11th birthday

Celebrations

Birthday cake

Ice packs

My husband calling to let me know he made it to his destination

Finally some decent sleep

Dogs napping in the sunshine

My husband back home safe and sound

Saturdays

Cute earrings made by me

Pancakes for dinner

Sunday morning

Watching NFL playoff games

Meal planning

Warm days at the end of January

Thinking the store was out of an item I went for, then finding one on an end cap in a completely different area of store

Waking up to a text message from my daughter

The sutures are out

February 2023

So long, January! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!  Whew... I am more than a little bit glad that month is over with.

January was a mixed bag - and mostly a blur.  I experienced the joy of celebrating my grandson's 11th birthday, a frustrating experience trying to switch my cell phone carrier, having to cancel a short trip to see my mom, and a whole lot of dental drama.

Let's start with the dental drama...

On the 12th, I went in for a dental implant to replace a molar, and all seemed well.  On the 21st, my pain levels suddenly increased. The dentist suspected possible infection and put me on an antibiotic.

I went in on Tuesday the 24th to have it checked.  He removed the upper part and cleaned the implant, applying antibiotic ointment to everything. From there, my pain levels kept increasing,  so on the 26th, I was back at his office.  

That time, when he went to remove the upper portion,  the entire implant came out with it! It hadn't even begun to integrate with the bone. So, the space was cleaned out and refilled with material for a bone graft and sutured. 

This all happened just as I was supposed to go spend a day with my mom. Which explains why I had to cancel on her. The good news is that other than some soreness from the injections for local anesthesia,  my pain was 1000%  better.  Now, the graft has to heal for 6 months, and then we can try to place the implant again. (Which, right now, I'm not so sure I want to do).

I am ready to put all of that behind me and move forward to better and brighter things in February.

Our second grandson is expected to make his grand entrance at the end of the month. Which is just about the best thing I can think of. We've waited a long time for more grands, and I can't wait to meet this little guy!

My work cleaning and reorganizing my home office is going slower than I expected. It seems as if it is a case of two steps forward, one step back. I get an area done and feel good about that. Then I start a new section, and all of the sudden it looks like a bomb went off and I feel like you can't tell that I've done anything or made any progress at all. But, I keep plugging away at it and hope to have things completed by the end of February.

I am pleased to say that I completed my entire reading list for January.  February's list is a little longer. This month I plan to read: The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore, Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results by Stephen Guise, Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune, Simply Tuesday by Emily P Freeman, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. 

My goals for February are:

• Finish organizing home office
• Complete crocheting set for new grandbaby
• Walk the stairs for 2 minutes each day
• Post at least 5 new items to my Etsy shop
• Schedule vet appointment for Max

What are your plans for February?